Page 9 of We Own Each Other

I RAN MY badge over the scanner that locked and unlocked my office door. The thing chimed at me, letting me know it had failed to read it. This was not a good sign for the rest of my day, which was unfortunate since my night had been so much fun.

Outside of my office, the entire complex smelled of mold and body odor. I would say I was used to it, but that was more of my own hope than fact. Working in a jail was unpleasant, and the smell was one of the worst parts. My only reprieve was my office, which I wiped down with lemon-scented wipes every evening.

I groaned, wiping the back of my badge across the chest of my shirt.

I ran it across once more and was blessed with the little green light of freedom, which was a bit ironic, seeing as I would be locked in this office for the next eight hours — in a jail, no less. Still, I rushed into my office, enjoying the reprieve of the chemical lemon scent from my cleaning products. Otherwise, though, the room was pretty stifling.

The lighting was yellowed and diffused, and the walls were painted-over textured concrete blocks. Sure, this was part of a jail, but did it have to feel so much like a cell?

With a sigh, I made my way around my desk, running my fingers against the rounded corners before plopping down into my stiff and creaky plastic chair. Everything was cheap, plastic, and sanded down to be safe around the inmates, but it had the unintended effect of making everything feel fake.

A deep, throbbing ache was creeping up just behind my eyeballs when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I cursed, pulling it out, only for my heart to flutter when I saw the message preview.

Memories of the night before flickered through my mind.

The moment I realized Luke was a Switch, I couldn’t help myself. I started spitting out command after command, relishing the fact that for the first time in years, I could dominate someone. Luke, on the other hand, seemed much more meek and mild than he had been before I revealed that we were both Switches.

I was happy to see he was the exact opposite outside of the bedroom. He had been very pliable in the bedroom, but outside, he was the only one to command himself. I had clearly left a note for him to call me, yet he had texted me instead.

Heeeeeey cutie. I enjoyed last night, but I’m sad I didn’t get to see more of you.

My face burned.

He had noticed.

I loved dominating. I enjoyed being dominated just as much, but as a Switch, there was always something deep inside me that craved the opposite. Unfortunately, there was a particularly small part of me that usually disappointed most Subs.

That's why I had relegated myself to being a Sub all this time — all because of my small problem.

It worked out in my favor, as it led to some of the most fun humiliation play, but that left me wanting for the Dom side of myself.

Now, I had a Switch partner, one that could satisfy all of me, but that didn’t wipe away my fears and self-consciousness fully. Surely, he had expectations of my Dom side, just like every Sub I had ever encountered. How embarrassing would it be to finally meet another Switch and only to have them reject me because I couldn’t fulfill the expectations of both sides of ourselves?

It was a level of embarrassment and shame that was both as titillating as it was horrifying.

This was sure to be either the most satisfying relationship of my life or one of the most pleasurable humiliations.

Still, my heart yearned.

I wanted to try.

Just as I was about to text back, there was a buzz at the door.

Though the window was narrow, I could make out a guard’s uniform. I quickly shoved my phone into my desk drawer and locked it. I technically shouldn’t have had it at all while I was at work, which was why we had lockers in the employee locker room, but after spending the night with the Switch of my dreams, I couldn’t bring myself to part with it.

I was desperately waiting for his call — or text.

But I was at work. So, I settled myself into my seat, pulled out the requisite paperwork, and tried to focus on the task at hand.

“Come in.”

The guard must have run his badge over the scanner lock, because the mechanisms clicked and the door unlocked. Admittedly, I felt a bit betrayed, as it had taken a few tries for me to get in.

But I couldn’t sink into my petty frustrations for long as the door opened, revealing the usual guard and an inmate he was bringing me.

I was a bit stunned.