Chapter 11
CELEST
The past month has been a whirlwind. I still only make it to the club on the weekend, but Flex has become part of my daily life. We text throughout the day—usually something dirty more often than not, but I enjoy every second. It makes me feel cared for in a way I never have before. That’s one of the reasons I haven’t added an extra night at the club.
My mom has noticed the difference in me and has been probing me for information on the person who ‘makes me smile’ when I look at my phone. She offered to watch Gracie on Friday nights as well as Saturdays, but I don’t want to get too attached to Flex. My daily mantra is we’re friends who fuck. And, boy, can that man fuck. Every time I walk into the club and see him navigating the world with such grace and confidence, it makes me giddy to know I will end my night in his playroom. Speaking of the delicious devil, my phone beeps as I freshen up my makeup at my desk.
Flex: Morning, beautiful. Did you dream of me?
I’m not telling the truth on this one.
Me: Nope. I was in your playroom, but Henry Cavill was caning me.
It was absolutely one hundred percent Flex, but his ego is big enough already.
Flex: That’s cute. You see me as Superman. Make no mistake. He wouldn’t know how to satisfy you, pet.
Me: And you do?
Flex: You tell me. I kept count of how many times you came on my face the other night.
Even though we’re not in the same room, I feel my cheeks flush.
Me: I seem to remember making you hoarse shouting my name, Master.
Flex: I’m happy to admit that you rock my world, pet.
Me: You’re pretty good yourself.
Flex: Are you free for lunch today?
Me: You want to have lunch with me? At the club?
Flex: If you want. I was thinking a restaurant, but if you want to be my meal, I’m on board.
Is he asking me out on a date? I’m staring at my phone like an idiot when Dalton appears at my desk. “Morning, Celest. Do you have the Lincoln file we spoke about the other day? I’m really intrigued. Sounds like a great find. Keep it up, and we’ll talk promotion.”
I attempt to school my face to a professional neutral, but I can’t temper my smile. “Of course. I finished it up last night. There is a full takeover strategy, keeping your preferred terms.” Dalton is always generous when buying small, family-run businesses. It’s one of the things I admire most about him.
“Awesome. Have Audrey set up a lunch meeting for us next week.”
“Yes, Mr. Callaghan.”
“Please, call me Dalton. I think we can class ourselves as colleagues and friends at this point.”
“Thank you, Dalton.”
“Don’t keep Flex waiting. He gets pissy when you don’t get back to him immediately. He thinks the world starts and ends with him.” I glance at my phone, a new text from Flex lighting up my screen.
“Is it okay that he and I are friends?”
Dalton looks puzzled. “That is none of my business. Who you see in your free time is up to you.”
“I know, but he’s your best friend, and I’m your employee.”
“If I say ‘no,’ would you stop talking to him?”
I think about it for a moment, and the gut-punch hits me. I don’t think I could. Flex has gotten under my skin, not because of the sex—although that is tremendous—but because we have become true friends. I look forward to talking to him at night once Gracie is in bed.
“That’s what I thought. Just be careful, Celest. He’s not as hard as he makes out to be. Don’t hurt him.”
I’m stunned. Speechless. Does Dalton believe there’s something more between Flex and me? Is there more between us?
When Dalton leaves, I check my phone.
Flex: Don’t rush to say yes. Tell a guy you just want him for his cock, without telling him you want him for his cock.
Me: Sorry, I was talking to Dalton. Some of us work for a living. ;0)
Flex: I’m working on getting myself a lunch date right now.
Me: And I’m your backup if she cancels?
Flex: I only have eyes for you.
Flex: Naked in my playroom. Or in your office. Maybe in mine. I’ll take you on the voyeur floor if you want. I’m just that generous a guy.
Me: And here I thought you were madly in love with me. Tell a girl you’re all about her pussy without telling her you’re all about her pussy.
Flex: Touché, pet. Seriously though, want to go grab a quick bite? I know a cute little place a few blocks from your building. We can hang out without having sex.
Flex: Although I could be persuaded to take you in the restaurant bathroom or sneak under the table and feast on you while you eat your lunch.
Oh my God, he has a wicked mouth, and I love it, squirming in my seat.
Me: You can’t say things like that when I’m at work. There’s no thigh squeeze in the world that is going to help after that.
Flex: I want you thinking about me. Anticipating me pushing you up against your building and kissing you like I want to fucking devour you. Because that’s exactly what I want to do.
Me: Flex.
Flex: You can call me Master at lunch. I’ll be in the lobby at twelve. Don’t be late, or I’ll spank you right there in front of anyone who wants to see you writhe for me .
Holy shit. I keep telling myself that this is just a fling—and it is to him—but he gets to me like no other man before him. I crave him, and I’m almost certain he knows it.
Me: I’ll be on time.
Me: Master Navarro.
Flex: Good girl.
I doubt there’s a woman he’s ever set his sights on who could resist him.
Me: I’m putting my phone in my desk drawer. You’re too distracting. How am I supposed to focus on work now?
Flex: You’re not. I want you ready to come on command if I see fit. If I told you to go to the bathroom and get yourself off for me right now, would you?
Me: Yes.
Flex: Get to work. I’ll take care of you at lunch. I promise. Now, be my good little pet and wait for me.
Me: Yes, Master.
I slip my phone into my drawer before I explode. I thrive on the anticipation of great sex, like any good submissive, but my entire body is vibrating with the need to have his lips on me and his cock in me.
Taking a few minutes to compose myself, I get to working on a new proposal I think Dalton is really going to get excited about. The fact that he mentioned a promotion just makes it even more imperative that I focus and bring my A-game.
Once I’m on a roll, time gets away from me, and I am startled when my phone rings .
Shit! Shit! Shit!
It’s 12:05 p.m., and Flex’s gorgeous face comes up on my phone. I answer it while grabbing my bag and scurrying to the elevator.
“I’m so sorry. I lost track of time.”
“I told you your consequence.”
“Please,” I lower my voice, “I’ll make it up to you. Don’t embarrass me, please.”
“I embarrass you? You’re not doing yourself any favors right now.”
“Not what I meant. This is my job. It’s how I put food on my table.” I’m about to mention Gracie when I catch myself. Flex doesn’t know I have a child yet. He’ll see me differently, and what we have will be over. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“Continue. Now, I’m intrigued.”
“Can we talk about this when we’re walking to lunch? I’m about to get on an elevator full of people?”
“Just get your sexy little ass down here, pet, or I’m coming up to get you.”
“Yes… Flex.” Shit. I know I’m going to pay for that one, but I can’t be calling him ‘Master’ when a number of my colleagues are in earshot.
“Your ass is going to be sore when you sit back down at your desk this afternoon.”
“I’m getting in the elevator now. I’ll be there in one minute.”
“You’ll be nine minutes late by then. Whatever your punishment, rest assured you will endure it nine times, pet.”
I step into the busy elevator and drop my hand to my side as the doors close, but I don’t hang up the call. I’ll never hear the end of it from Flex. We are whisked down to the ground floor in a matter of seconds, and my stomach is in knots as my nerves take over.
The moment the doors open, I see Flex leaning up against the marble walls, his flawless features marred by the furrow of his brow. I have the good sense to lower my gaze as I walk to his side. I expect him to chastise me, but instead, he cups my face and kisses me like we’re the only two people in the world right now. By the time he relinquishes his hold on me, I’m gasping for breath and desperate for more.
“Hello, pet.”
“Hello, Master.” I keep my voice low, and thankfully, he doesn’t pull me up about it. He knows that life outside of the club can’t be exactly the same. I’ve heard stories about Naddie and Dalton. That she has and does refer to him as Master when necessary. That’s just crazy to me. I’ll take off my clothes, drop to my knees, and beg my Master within the confines of Venom, but not here.
He drapes his arm possessively over my shoulder, pulling me to his side. “You are in a world of trouble.”
“I know.”
“That’s my girl,” he says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. He towers over me, even when I’m in heels. Dressed almost all in black, he is an imposing figure to anyone who sees him. He’s wearing a tailored three-piece-suit, charcoal gray shirt, and black tie. Flex is objectively handsome. I know we all have a ‘type,’ but he is one of those men who is every woman’s type—perfect, symmetrical features, without being a pretty boy, and rugged while still looking like he’s the freaking son of Zeus.
I let my arm wrap around his lower back as he guides me out onto the sidewalk.
“I’m sorry I was late. I was working on a really exciting new project to present to Dalton.”
“You two are on a first-name basis?”
“As of this morning, yes.” His grip tightens.
“What happened this morning?”
“While I was texting with you, he asked me for a file I’ve been working on. He saw that you had messaged me and…”
“And what?” He’s impatient. It could almost be construed as jealous.
“And he told me not to hurt you.”
“What? He’s an idiot.”
“Isn’t he basically your brother?”
“Yeah. And he’s a dick for saying that. I’m a grown man, not some fragile little puppy.”
“I think it’s nice that he cares so much about you. ”
“I’ll be telling him to keep his opinions to himself in the future.”
“I’m just surprised he thinks we’re a real couple.” There’s a slight hesitation on his part.
“He got his second chance with Nad and thinks the rest of us need to settle down.”
“They seem really happy together.” The silence that follows as New Yorkers swarm the sidewalk around us is filled with melancholy. Mine . I want what they have. Someone to love me so much they’d do anything to be with me.
“Yeah, but it doesn’t give them the right to start meddling in my love life.” His love life?
I need to change the subject because my stupid brain is overanalyzing this entire conversation.
“Where are we going for lunch?”
“Dulip.”
I stop dead in my tracks. “Are you kidding me? That’s not a last-minute lunch date kind of restaurant.”
“You think this is a date?” he says with a coy satisfaction.
“I just mean that it’s one of those places where a guy would take a woman when he wants to woo her.”
“You mean back in the 1800s when ‘woo’ was last used?”
I shove his side, but he only pulls me closer. “How did you get a reservation?”
“You know Ryder?”
“Yeah.”
“Dulip is his restaurant.”
“Shut up! Seriously? How did I not know this?”
“Because you’re too busy falling in love with me to notice an inferior male specimen. It’s your primal urge to procreate with the top dog.”
Been there, done that, but Flex doesn’t know, so I keep my mouth firmly shut.
“Anyway, I called him last night and asked him to squeeze me in, but they don’t open until five.”
“Then how… you’re kidding, right?”
“I never kid about food. It’s not a big deal. Just means we get some privacy when I dip under the table and eat your pussy. Not that you mind having an audience, but I figured Ryder might get pissed at me if I tried it during regular hours.” A thrill courses through me as we walk the last few blocks. It seems so normal , like so many couples who pass us by on the street. Little do they know that we are two of the kinkiest people in the city.
“What’s on your mind, pet? You seem a little distracted.” He’s not wrong, but as usual, I only give him half the story.
“Just work stuff.”
“If you’re too busy, we can walk back.”
“No. It’s just something Dalton said this morning, and it has me wondering.”
“What? You can talk to me.”
“He mentioned a promotion if I keep going the way I’m going. He asked me to set up a lunch for next week to start talking about what that would look like.”
“So, you’re thinking about going to lunch with my best friend, even though I just told you I’m going to make you orgasm in the hottest restaurant in town?”
“I didn’t…”
“I’m kidding, pet. That’s amazing! Dalton is a good guy, but when it comes to business, he looks for real talent and passion from his employees. The fact that your work is getting you recognized is awesome. I’m so proud of you.”
I don’t want to acknowledge the moment my heart sprouts wings and flutters in my chest at his praise. I never expected Flex to be such an attentive Dom, but he really is so supportive. He makes me feel like I’m worth something. I don’t remember the last time I felt that way about myself. Before my ex.
“Thank you.” We reach Dulip and get some stares from passersby as we saunter into the closed restaurant.
“After you, my lady.” He holds the door open for me like a gentleman. Then I think of what he said he’s going to do to me, and it’s anything but gentlemanly.
We are ushered to a table for two. The best in the house and the only one that will be occupied while we’re here .
“This is so fancy. I’ve always wondered what it looks like in here.” Flex holds out the chair for me before taking his seat.
“Only the best for my pet.” A waiter arrives to take our order and fetches some drinks while we wait.
“Thank you, Flex. This is lovely.”
“You’re a naughty little thing today. What were you instructed to call me over lunch?”
“Sorry, Master.”
“I’ll forgive you if you come round to my side and kneel for me.”
“What? You can’t be serious. The waiters. Ryder.” He reaches over, taking my hand in his.
“Ryder has seen this a million times.”
“This is par for the course with you.” I’m dejected.
“No. You’re the first sub I’ve ever wined and dined.”
“Ha ha.” I pull my hand back. I didn’t come here to be made fun of.
“Hey. Look at me,” he commands. I do as I’m told, and all I see is sincerity. “I meant that Ryder sees it at Venom. Hand on my heart, I have never brought a woman here. I thought it would be something nice for us. We don’t actually get to spend that much time together, and we talk via text or phone every day. I just thought we could extend our friendship into face-to-face conversations.”
“That’s… nice.” I’m letting myself get fooled here. Flex is lulling me into a false sense of security. Not on purpose, but it’s happening, nonetheless. I need to tell him the truth. I’ve waited too long, even just to tell him as my friend. He’s going to be pissed that I kept something so fundamental from him.
We chat back and forth about small stuff until our meal arrives, and it looks just as stunning as I thought it would. There’s a reason this place comes with such a steep price tag. It’s a Michelin-star restaurant.
Fuck. I can’t afford this. I’m going to have to max out my credit card. Ugh. I guess I’ll need to wait a little longer to buy a car.
“What’s wrong?” Jesus, I need to get a much better poker face. Maybe I should just get Botox, and my face won’t give me away so easily.
“Nothing.”
“Then why aren’t you over here kneeling for me? What happened to my apology?” He’s being playful, but I can feel my bottom lip quivering, and I hate my traitorous emotions. “Celest, what’s wrong? I’m not messing around. Tell me now .”
“No. I’m embarrassed.”
“Get your ass over here right now.” There’s no room for protest. I get up with my eyes to the floor and walk to his side. He pulls me down into his lap, letting me curl my arms around his neck. “Talk to me, pet. I hate to see you upset. What have I done, Celest?” The way my name sounds on his lips makes my heart ache.
“I… I need to max out my credit card for this lunch. I’ve been trying to save for a car so I don’t have to ride the subway to work.”
“You’ll do no such thing. I brought you out, pet. I’ve got it covered.”
“I don’t want to be your charity case, Flex.” He angles me just enough to give me a sharp spank before he pulls me back onto his lap. “I don’t want to be your charity case, Master Navarro.”
“You’re not. I don’t think that at all. I asked you to lunch. I intended to pay for everything anyway. Please don’t think for a second that I see you as charity, a burden, or anything else. We’re friends. Right now, you’re mine, pet. I’m going to show you what you should expect from a Dom.” His words are so heartfelt that I melt into his arms.
“Thank you, Master.”
“Good girl. Now, slip off your panties, give them to me, and take your seat across from me.”
I don’t bother questioning him, instead opting to lean into whatever this relationship is between us. It’s hot, and I need to feel wanted right now. I shimmy them down and step out of them in plain sight of the waiter but fuck it. I’m sure she’d do the same thing if Flex asked her. She was practically salivating over him when she brought our drinks .
Balling them up, I place them in his waiting palm and watch as he shoves them into his pocket.
“If we are just friends who fuck, why do you feel the need to wine and dine me? You know you’re going to get lucky. Why bother?”
“Fuck me. I’m having your last Dom’s membership at Venom revoked. Have you never dated a man, Dom or not, who treated you like you’re worth something?”
“No.” It’s a simple answer, and I see that Flex wants more than a one-word answer, but I don’t want to relive my past. “And Dalton already barred him.”
“You deserve so much better, Celest.”
“And you want to be the man to give it to me?”
“In more ways than one.” There’s a dark promise in the low, rumbling tone of his voice that makes me press my thighs together, and suddenly, I’m well aware that I am wet for him.
The food is phenomenal, as expected, and we chat back and forth about surface-level topics. My backstory isn’t something I ever discuss, and especially not over lunch. I’ve never met anyone I trusted enough to share. Freya knows more than most, but I still left my best friend in the dark.
“For someone who is visibly open when it comes to your body.”
“A slut.”
“Don’t ever say that again.” His tone is curt. “I mean, you enjoy the voyeur floor, but you are a closed book when it comes to getting to know you. I’m trying, and as much as we’ve talked on the phone, you still don’t trust me.”
“Do you trust me?” It’s an accusation rather than a question, and Flex is quick to retort.
“Yes, I do. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
“Oh.” I don’t know what to say, so I just start pushing food around my plate.
“Would you give me a chance to get to know you, Celest? To earn your trust?” I need to guard my heart for his sake as much as mine, but as I stare into his emerald eyes, I find myself wanting to let this man know me. The real me .
“There’s so much I haven’t told you.”
“And I you. This is just the first step. Friends getting to know each other better. What do you say?”
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course.” He looks at his watch. “I’ll need to take a rain check on some public debauchery. You need to be back at work in ten minutes.”
“How do you know that?”
“I asked Dal when your next meeting starts.”
“You really did your homework.” A pang of fear unfurls in the pit of my stomach. Flex’s whole business is based on security. Being prepared. What if he checks up on me? He could find out that I’m not the good little sub he thinks I am.
“Always.” My stomach lurches at one small word that could derail everything.