Chapter 7
Reece waved wildly when Sabrina entered the mall foyer. When she caught sight of Reece, she smiled.
A shopping trip with her best friend was just what Reece needed to clear her mind. When she’d texted Sabrina last night in a panic, they’d arranged to meet here just before lunch today. After the embarrassing incident with Malachi last night, some retail therapy was definitely in order. She still couldn’t believe she’d lost her cool and cried in front of him. Maybe Sabrina would have some advice about where to go from here. It was pretty nice having a friend in the lifestyle. Who else would she ever broach the subject with? Though there were probably real sex therapists for that. But shopping and a chat with Sabrina were way better.
“Hey, girl!” Sabrina gave her a big hug then looked her over and frowned. “Working from home today?”
It was almost unheard of for Reece to leave the house wearing yoga pants and a t-shirt, but she just wasn’t in the mood to mess around with real clothes today. “Just pretend you can’t see –” She gestured to her outfit. “– all of this.”
Sabrina’s eyes sparkled and a slow smile spread across her face. “Mmm. You sure you wanna go there?”
She laughed. “Oh now you’re fully bi instead of just bi for Q?”
“Maybe,” she answered with a mysterious shrug.
No one would guess the sunny blonde was madly in love with a tattooed girl with a Mohawk and pierced nipples. “I’m telling Q you flirted with me.”
Sabrina gasped. “You wouldn’t!”
Though Sabrina complained Q was a hard-ass Domme, Reece had seen her melt for her bratty girlfriend on more than one occasion. “I’d tell just to see you get your ass beat.”
“Bitch,” she mumbled under her breath. “Can I bribe you with ice cream?”
“What kind?”
“Any kind you want, baby.”
“Well...okay. But only if there’s no calories.”
She shook her head. “There’s never calories in the ice cream I buy.”
“Perfect!”
Sabrina grinned and they started down the hallway.
“Where’s Zen?”
The threesome’s toddler daughter was usually found trailing behind Sabrina while Q and Jude worked daytime hours, since she had the most flexible schedule.
“It’s Sunday, silly! Q’s home. Thank god. She’s just starting to walk and wants nothing to do with the stroller anymore. Stubborn child. She’s just like Q.” She heaved a tired sigh.
“Oh! Let’s buy her some new clothes! That’ll cheer me up.”
“Nooo.” Sabrina shook her head fiercely. “I’ve been banned from buying her more clothes or shoes for at least a year.”
“Aww.” She and Sabrina had the common goal of turning Zenobia into their little fashion doll. Q had started out insisting they raise the child gender neutral but she really should’ve known better. Sabrina couldn’t resist Mary Janes and a foofy dress. Jude often left those disagreements up to the girls to figure out. But she admired her friend’s skill at parenting. Even if Zen was wearing a fancy dress, the tags barely off, Sabrina never stopped her from jumping in a mud puddle. Unless they were on the way to church, of course. “What if we shop winter clearance racks and buy a size up?”
“Hmm.” She thought for a moment. “That’ll work.”
She had to laugh at Sabrina’s ability to get her way. Even Reece found herself shaking her head at her ability to negotiate out of a situation. “You’re such a brat.”
With an eyebrow raised, she replied, “So are you. You just haven’t grown into your brattiness yet, but it’s in there.”
The reminder of her original reason to shop made her sigh. As usual, Sabrina picked up on her mood. “Aw. What happened? Tell me everything. Oh!” She pointed to the frozen yogurt stand ahead. “Good timing. Here’s our ice cream.”
After they ordered their treats – loaded up with chocolate – they took a seat at a nearby table. “So the emergency shopping trip has something to do with kink,” Sabrina guessed.
Reece nodded. “I cried in front of Malachi.” Saying it out loud made her wince. She was pathetic. The worst part was knowing that she couldn’t be the one to meet Scarlet’s need for pain. It was a huge failure on her part. How could they ever work around something so important and still have an awesome sex life? Scarlet could give her everything she wanted, and all she had to do was lie there and appreciate it. How long until Scarlet started to feel she was being taken advantage of? She hated that she was such a baby about it, but being forced to hit her last night – hard, not just a swat – was like being forced to hit herself. She didn’t have a sadistic bone in her body. And if she kept trying, even for Scarlet, she felt like it could break her.
“Oh my god!” Sabrina reached over the table and grabbed her hand. “Did he hit you too hard?” The second part was a harsh whisper.
“Hit me?” she repeated as Sabrina’s grip hardened. “Ouch. You’re hurting me. Why on earth would he hit me?”
After releasing her hand, she shrugged. “He’s a Dom and played with you guys. I figured it might go that far. You are bi, you know, even though you haven’t been with a man in a while.”
That didn’t mean she was attracted to Malachi. Okay, she was attracted to him. Who wouldn’t be? But not in a real relationship way. He was just eye candy and a kink therapist. Guilt immediately filled her that she’d reduced him to so little.
“No. He’s not getting involved that way.” An idea formed. A crazy one, but something to explore. “Hey. Do you think he’d top Scarlet some time? Platonically. So she can...experiment and see how much she likes it.” She frowned. “It’s kinda weird though, huh? Doing kinky stuff with someone you’re not going to have sex with and have no real relationship with?”
Sabrina shrugged. “Ask him. People top each other without sex all the time in clubs. It’s about meeting mutual needs.” At Reece’s hesitation, she added, “He’s a nice guy. I wouldn’t have suggested him if I didn’t trust him to take care of you two.”
“Yeah. He seems to have changed since high school, but there’s still a part of me that’s holding back. Like I can’t quite get there. Sometimes when I look at him, all I see is that awkward kid who made everyone laugh at me. Then I just wanna kick him in the shins.”
Sabrina snorted a laugh with ice cream in her mouth then started coughing. When she settled down she said, “I dare you to try. He’s goofy but he’s definitely a Dom. I’ve seen him with Ivy. He can put a sub in her place as well as Jude or Cross.”
“Ivy?” A girlfriend?
“His ex. He was heartbroken when she broke up with him. I guess she wanted someone stricter. Malachi is...” She stopped and seemed to consider her words for a moment. “He’s a more lenient Dom. Some girls need someone who’ll control every part of their life. Someone who’ll discipline them for real, not just, like funishment. Which is usually what I get from Jude and Q.”
She arched a brow. “Funishment?”
“Like pretend punishment. It could be embarrassing or even painful but we all know we like it. But some subs want that sort of thing all the time, not just in a sexual context.”
“I’ve seen Jude and Q dom you outside of the bedroom.” It was hot and she envied her friend during those times even though she swore up and down she’d hate it if it happened to her.
She shrugged. “Yeah we’re kind of in between. But my Doms are lazy. I get away with a lot. Plus they like brats. Some people in the lifestyle are more serious. Like Cross used to be.”
A picture formed. Big guy, lots of tattoos, fierce expression. He’d been at Zen’s baptism and other family events. He seemed close to Jude and Q especially. And yeah, he looked like the strict type.
“Used to be?”
“Gemma and Izzy sorted him out.” She grinned. “Gemma works with Mal. She’s a tattoo artist. Cross has his hands full with her. And Izzy’s not much better. She’s such a smartass.” She chuckled to herself. “But they’re good for him. They keep him balanced, you know?”
Not really, but she nodded anyway. So Malachi had been dumped because he wasn’t strict enough. Poor guy. Seemed like a silly reason but... Her own situation could turn out the same way. Doubt struck her. What if she asked Malachi to top Scarlet and Scarlet liked it so much she decided she couldn’t live without it? Would she break up with Reece?
A twinge of pain hit her chest and she felt like she couldn’t breathe. It was a possibility, but it was only fair for her to experience being topped properly. They’d talked marriage a few times in the past few months. For now they’d have to hop next door to New York or Connecticut to make it legal. But Scarlet shouldn’t make a lifelong commitment without knowing if she and Reece were compatible in the bedroom. An unhappy sex life could split up even the most dedicated couple. And she didn’t believe in divorce.
Tears pricked at her eyes. She couldn’t lose Scarlet. She was the best thing that had ever happened to Reece. But she couldn’t live with herself if she withheld something Scarlet desired so strongly. If Reece truly loved her, she’d give her this. And if it came down to it, like Malachi, she’d let her go if she wasn’t enough. Maybe she and Malachi could form a lonely hearts club. He could coach her on getting over heartbreak. Kinky therapist turned real therapist.
She shook her head. You’re being overdramatic. First things first. Talk to Malachi.
“He’s probably not at the tattoo shop today, huh?” she mused, disappointed.
“He might be. He’s there almost every day. Even if there aren’t customers, he cleans and paints and stuff. That shop is like his second home.”
Perfect.
***
After Reece stopped home to apply make-up and put on real clothes, she headed to Ink Haven. She’d driven by the growing shop on Beach Street many times and had never given it a second look. Tattoos didn’t interest her. Though she’d like to take a closer look at Malachi’s inked-up body. She hadn’t paid attention to the designs covering his arms before. Tattoos seemed to give insight into a person’s life – their history, their values, their personality. She wondered what Malachi’s said about him.
Early afternoon on a Sunday, the shop was closed, as expected, but a figure moved behind the slightly tinted glass. When she went up close and peered inside, she recognized Malachi behind the counter. She knocked on the window.
A moment later, he opened the door and welcomed her inside with a smile. “Can’t say I thought you were the type for a tattoo, princess, but I’d love to give you one.”
She was too in awe with the shop to answer him. Red walls with beautiful framed art hung in a line across one side. Black-and-white tile floors gave it a funky appeal. The large fish tank lining the other wall made it feel a little zen.
Pointing toward it, she asked, “Is this to keep people relaxed during the pain?”
“No. I just like fish.”
She gazed at the colorful tropical fish. “Pretty.”
“Thanks.” He grinned. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
“I was talking about the fish!”
They both chuckled then stood awkwardly for a moment. “So what kind of tattoo are you looking for?” he finally asked.
“What? No.” She took a few steps back. “No tattoos for me.”
“No? You’d look sexy with one.”
“No. I don’t do...pain very well.”
His brows shot up like he didn’t believe her. “Really?”
Gathering her courage, she straightened her shoulders and said, “I’m here to talk about Scarlet.”
Curiosity showed on his face. “Okay. Have a seat.” He walked toward one of the tattoo stations and gestured to a big leather chair – a cross between a dentist seat and a lounge chair.
She stared at it a moment before hopping on. Being this close to needles and tattoo guns and...other stuff was a little unsettling. She shuddered. “If you start polishing your gun or whatever, I’m outta here.”
He laughed then sat down in a rolling seat a few feet away. “It’s not a gun. We don’t shoot people. It’s called a tattoo machine. And I never tattoo on the first date.” He winked.
“This isn’t a date,” she snapped then shifted on the chair and leaned back. Except the back disappeared, the front popped up, and the whole chair tipped backward. She yelped as she tried to fight gravity and stay upright in the middle. With her legs thrown out to the side, straddling the seat, she finally got herself under control. The chair had reclined itself entirely and morphed into a table.
She looked at Malachi, who seemed to be biting back a smile. His gaze dipped down and he smirked. “Nice underwear.”
With a gasp, she stretched her skirt between her legs. Jerk! He probably pressed some remote control and made the whole thing happen. What underwear had she put on that morning? She squeezed her eyes shut and thought back. Purple lace. She sighed a breath of relief. Last thing she needed was Malachi Johansson seeing the granny panties she wore on period days or when she felt fat.
“Lie back,” he told her. “I’ll get my notebook and you can tell me all your problems.”
“No.” She scowled fiercely. “I came to ask for a favor but if you’re going to make this difficult, I’m just gonna go.”
Immediately he stood and approached the chair. “No. Don’t leave.” The chair clicked then he pushed the back forward so it turned back into a chair. “Please stay. I’m sorry.” He looked down at her sincerely then placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her gently back.
She settled against the chair then crossed her legs modestly at the ankle.
“Now what’s this favor?”
“Um.” Crap. How did one go about asking for sexual favors without sounding like a slut? Or a desperate girlfriend. “Scarlet’s birthday is coming up and...”
Malachi waited patiently while she gathered the words.
“I’m wondering if you’d maybe be interested in topping her? Just once. No sex.” She paused for a moment then jumped in before he could. “You can totally say no. There’s no pressure. I won’t take it personally. I know it’s asking –”
“Why?”
“Why? Well,” she stared at the floor unable to look him in the eye, “I want someone to do it right for her. Just once, so she knows...” This felt too personal. Too raw to be telling a near stranger. Especially after she’d already broken down in front of him once. He’d seen her fail. He knew what Scarlet was missing out on. For all she knew, he hated her for it. Maybe as much as she hated herself.
“So she knows what?”
Could she say it? She was feeing choked up already. Maybe if she ignored the question, he’d move on.
“Knows what?” he pressed.
She swallowed hard. “What she’s missing by being with me. So she could make an informed decision about us.” Her voice cracked at the end.
God! So embarrassing!
He didn’t say anything for a minute. She dared a glance at his face. His brow furrowed then he shot up in his seat. “Wait a minute. You don’t think she’s going to break up with you because of this, do you?”
That would be the worst-case scenario. Her nightmare. She dropped her gaze to her hands, trembling slightly on her lap. “I can’t give her what she needs,” she half-whispered.
He waited a moment then she heard the chair creak as he stood. “What she needs from you, princess,” a hand came under her chin, “is your submission.”
Malachi tilted her head up so she was forced to look at him. His expression warmed. She yanked out of his grip and blinked back the tears.
“I know,” she said. “I need to be better when it’s my turn.”
“No.” He returned to his seat. “You need to stop thinking about turns. You wanna give her a gift? Don’t act like a switch for a while. I think you’ll like what happens.”
“I’m trying.” A hint of frustration tainted her voice. “But we’re just not like that.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit, girl.”
She flinched.
“I watched you. You can try harder. You can argue less, obey faster. Right?”
His stern tone seemed to have flipped on her sub switch. Instinctively, she bowed her head and mumbled, “Yes.” Sabrina had been right. He really was a Dom.
“So if I do this for you, what are you gonna do for me?”
“Um.” She glanced up at him. Reading his challenging expression, she answered, “Free prom dress?”
One brow arched.
With a defeated sigh, she gave him what he wanted to hear. “Try harder for Scarlet.”
He nodded. “Good girl.”