21. Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Gracie
I’m not sure how long I stay bent over Victor’s desk, but it seems like at least an hour, and my bladder is uncomfortably full.
If I move, I risk more punishment. Not that I mind. Victor’s punishments always leave me turned on and in need of a date with my vibrator by the time I get home.
I have fantasies about what it will be like if Victor ever helps me with the state he’s left me in, but until our needle scene the other night and dinner last night, I didn’t believe that would ever be a possibility. Now, I’m more confused than ever about where we stand.
The door opens and I tense as I sense his presence looming behind me.
“There’s barely any redness left. Perhaps I let you off too easily,” he says as he moves closer to me. His fingertips skim my bare skin, and I shudder.
“What do you think, Mariposa? Do you need more?”
“I need something,” I mutter, suddenly annoyed with my own horniness.
His hand slides into my hair, and he pulls me up until I’m standing in front of him.
“Tell me what you need.”
My gaze flits from one corner of the room to the other, determined not to make eye contact. But he lets go of my hair and captures my face between both hands, as he rests his forehead on mine.
“Don’t look away, butterfly. I want an honest answer. What do you need?”
“An orgasm,” I whisper, shame heating my cheeks.
“Tell me, Grace, what’s the rule if you get punished during club hours?”
“No orgasms at the club,” I answer. “Not that I’ve ever had anyone at the club wanting to give me one.”
Victor laughs. “That’s where you’re wrong. You’ve had plenty of interest.”
I frown. “I have?”
Now, Victor looks ashamed. “You wear my pin. People tend to ask me before they approach you.”
My mouth drops open. “And you tell them no? Why the hell would you do that?” I’m irrationally mad now, and I want to storm out of the office.
He sighs. “Only because I’m familiar with these people and they wouldn’t treat you right. You deserve the best.”
“And you’re the best?”
He growls. “I didn’t say that. Why are we talking about this?” Dropping my face, he backs away and shoves his hands into his pockets.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur. “I don’t know why I’m upset.”
“Do you want me to give you an orgasm, Grace? We’ve never negotiated that as part of our dynamic since you work for the club. But I would be willing if that’s what you want.”
“Oh, gee thanks. You’re so kind,” I say, petulantly.
He runs a hand through his hair. “This is unlike you. Do you need another spanking?”
“No, Sir. I could use a restroom break, though.”
He nods to his private bathroom. “Go. You have three minutes.”
I scurry into the bathroom, and wash my hands, in a hurry to get back out to him. When I step back into the office, he’s shed his jacket and is loosening his tie.
“I’m going to give you a choice.”
His tone is dominant and sexy, and I should be excited, but something about this isn’t right. I can’t put my finger on what it is, but I have to say something. “Victor, stop.”
He frowns. “What’s wrong?”
“The club isn’t open. I let you spank me because you were right about it being wrong for me to eavesdrop. But I can’t tell what you’re trying to do here and after last night, I’m confused about what I’m experiencing right now.”
Victor pulls me close and kisses my forehead. “I’m sorry, Mariposa.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just tell me what’s going on.”
Victor steps back and shakes his head. “I’m getting carried away is what’s going on, and it ends now. I’ll have you transferred to one of the other owners.”
With that, he turns and walks out, and I stand in the center of his office shocked and without my panties.
What the fuck just happened?
I wait a few minutes before I step out of the room and head for the exit, not bothering to ask Victor about my underwear or checking on Lili.
In the car, I drive to my apartment and unlock the door. Sabrina is sitting on the couch watching TV. She mutes it when I sit next to her and offers me her box of Chinese food.
“No thanks. I just need to be quiet for a few minutes.”
“Need to talk about anything?”
I lay my head back on the couch and close my eyes. “Maybe. Things are getting confusing for me where Victor is concerned.”
My roommate pats my shoulder. “I get that. I’ve seen the way you look at him, and I see the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is looking.”
My eyes widen and I shove her shoulder as I lean back to stare at her. “Why haven’t you ever said anything?”
She laughs. “Would you have listened?”
It’s a fair question. I don’t tell her that, though.
And then there are the feelings for Lili that I can’t even talk to Sabrina about because none of the other club members know who she is or that she’s staying at the club.
Still, Sabrina is a lot more experienced in complex relationships than I am. She’s polyamorous and in a web of open relationships with at least three other people I’m aware of, and those three people all have other partners besides her. It’s so confusing that they use a complex calendar to keep track of schedules.
“There’s also someone else I have feelings for that is confusing me. A woman.”
Sabrina puts her hand on her heart and flutters her lashes. “It’s about time you admitted to being into me.”
I laugh and roll my eyes. “I could never keep up with you.”
Sabrina chuckles and squeezes my arm. “OK. Being serious now. Who is she?”
“I just met her, and things are… complicated.”
“Is it the woman whose leash you had in your mouth the other night?”
My face flames. I did not realize Sabrina was in the room that night. I figured she was off playing with Tyson while he was in town.
“Yes, but part of what makes it complicated is I can’t talk about her. I’ve honestly already said too much. The other complicated part is that I think Victor is into her too.”
Sabrina nods. “I get it. No more questions about who she is. Just tell me about your feelings.”
“What are you, my therapist?”
“No. But you need one. Especially if you’re going to get into multiple relationships.”
“I said nothing about multiple relationships, woman. Been there, done that.”
Sabrina laughs. “Sorry. Not everyone is wired the way I am. Still, even just choosing which path to take can be easier with a therapist in your corner.”
She’s entirely right about this. I’ve always intended to be good about my mental health and find a therapist to help me process some things I’ve been through, but I’ve never found a good one that I vibe with, and that seems like an important part of the process. Not to mention therapy is expensive. Although health care laws are finally changing, and I may be able to get my insurance to cover part of the cost.
I point to the TV, eager to change the subject. “What are you watching?”
“A Discovery of Witches.”
“I’ll watch with you. What season are you on?”
“I just started it, so I’m only on episode two. We can go back if you want.”
I shake my head. “Unnecessary. I can Google a synopsis of it later or I’ll watch the first one without you in bed tonight.”
She hits play on the remote again and turns the volume back up.
We sit in silence and watch three episodes together before she gets a phone call and goes to meet one of her partners. She used to travel with Tyson Vance, a celebrity chef and part time member of our club, but she recently moved in with me because she wants to live in Las Vegas full time and only travel occasionally. The arrangement has made rent a lot cheaper for me, which is part of what gave me the courage to go back to school. I’m not sure why she isn’t traveling as much anymore, she’s not terribly chatty about it, and I don’t push for details. I have no doubt she’ll tell me anything she’s comfortable sharing.
“What am I going to do?” I ask myself out loud in the empty apartment after she’s gone.
Is Victor really going to transfer me to one of the other club owners? The submissives who work for the club all answer to one of the club owners as their supervisor and Dom. I hate the idea of anyone but Victor being in that role for me. After all, he is the entire reason I came to Las Vegas.
As I’m getting ready for bed, there is a knock on my door. My shoulders tighten. Not many people have my address, so I have no idea who it could be. It might be someone for Sabrina, or it could be more creepy flowers, or whoever is sending them has decided they need to escalate their game.
I peek out the peephole and find Zara Bowden standing there.
My shoulders relax, but confusion is on my face as I answer the door. “What are you doing here?”
“Victor asked me to come talk to you before I pay our guest a visit tomorrow. Thought maybe you could give us some insight that will help me connect with her. I tried texting you, but you didn’t answer so I dropped by.”
Somewhere around the middle of the second episode, I put my phone on the charger, and I haven’t looked at it since.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to my phone. Come in. What kind of visit are you paying to Lili?”
“I just want to see if I can get a read on her. Find out who her husband has been hiring, that sort of thing.”
Hiring? What is she talking about? My face must show confusion because Zara sighs. “I see they’ve kept you in the dark on some things. I’m really sorry about that. There are some holes in my knowledge also, but I’ll fill you in as best I can.”
“Well, Victor punished me for eavesdropping today, so it’s possible he wants me in the dark.”
“Victor is an asshole,” Zara declares.
“He can be. But he usually means well.”
“Don’t make excuses for people. Especially not people you’re in love with. They deserve to be held accountable.”
In love? I twirl a strand of hair around my finger staring at her with a deer in the headlights look. She motions to the couch.
“Can I sit?”
I nod and join her on the worn sofa. “I’m sorry for speaking out of turn. Your relationship with Victor is none of my business. I just care about you.”
“Thanks, Zara. I appreciate it. Things are confusing right now, but I’m doing my best to sort things out. What do I not know?”
Zara takes in a slow breath and squares her shoulders, as if clearing her mind and mentally moving on to the next subject. I do the same because she puts me at ease.
“Lili’s husband seems to be fond of paying professional Dominatrixes to play with him. As you can imagine, I’m not against anyone doing that, and I don’t think he or anyone else should be ashamed of it, but his role and place in life probably demands that he keep it a dark secret. If it came out, it could ruin not only his career and image, but his mother’s as a conservative politician. That might wind up benefiting us as we work out a plan to take him down for good.”
“And you want to use Lili to do it?” I can’t explain why that doesn’t sit right with me. There is no reason for me to feel anything towards Lili. Deep down, I know that isn’t true, though. We’ve shared a lot in the past couple of days.
Zara nods in answer to my question. “I’m not saying it’s a good idea. But Luke and the others seem hellbent on making it happen, so I’m playing my part. What can you tell me about her?”
“She’s kind, gentle, and enjoys helping people. Has a few charities that she participates in. At least one involves helping the homeless. And I get the idea she’s hands on, not just donating money or showing up at fancy fundraisers.”
“You like her,” Zara says with a smile.
“I barely know her. But she’s been kind to me, even when I’ve been less than pleasant with her. And she calls me Grace.”
Zara frowns. “Do you prefer Grace?”
I nod and duck my head when she gives me a look that says she pities me. “Gracie... I mean Grace. You have to be upfront about these things. Don’t let us keep calling you something you don’t like. I’m deeply sorry for never confirming what you prefer to be called. Everyone introduced you as Gracie, and I made a bad assumption. Forgive me.”
I wave my hand. “It’s fine. The nickname stuck even after the bullies went away.”
Zara closes her eyes and reaches for my hand. “I am so sorry. That’s terrible. I’ll spread the word at the club. But if it’s going to stick, you need to correct people when they get it wrong.”
“When did this become about me?” I mumble, suddenly uncomfortable with the conversation.
Zara chuckles. “Sorry. I’m just very protective of the people I love, and I want to see them treated fairly. Names are important to me. I picked mine years ago and have learned to demand that people use it instead of the name I was born with. I’m glad Lili calls you Grace, if for no other reason than it brought our error to light.”
Mercifully, she lets go of my hand and gets the conversation back on track. “What else can you tell me about your conversations with her? No detail is too small.”
I give her as many details as I can remember, and when I’m done, she stands to leave. Before she goes, Zara pulls me into a tight hug. “We should get lunch sometime, Grace. I’m learning tonight that I haven’t put in enough effort to get to know you.”
Her kind words send a blush up my neck as she kisses my cheek before heading for the door. I promise to find a time to have lunch with her in the next couple of weeks, and before I finish my bedtime routine, I send her a few possible days we could meet for lunch somewhere. My curiosity is piqued, and I wish I could be there with Lili when Zara talks to her, but something tells me that won’t be possible. I’m irritated with Victor for keeping this from me.
Before I fall asleep, I send him a text.
Grace: I want to talk about what happened. I’m sorry I freaked out. Please don’t transfer me until we’ve had the chance to talk.
I set the phone down and pull my comforter back to climb into bed.
As I switch off the lamp on my nightstand, my phone lights up.
Victor: Go to sleep, Mariposa. We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m sorry too.