Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Four months had passed since the wedding and their one-night stand, and Chris was no closer to Kate than when Scott had handed them their asses.
He sat alone at Club Indigo’s bar and had no interest in playing or even talking with a submissive.
At the other end of the bar, Jackson sat with a glum expression.
Did the other Dom have woman troubles, too?
Scott watched him from behind the bar, his usual spot this time of night, and after a few minutes, approached. “What can I get you?”
“Nothing to drink. Can I ask you a question?” Chris couldn’t shake the tense feeling. Would Scott agree to help him?
“Sure thing, what’s up?” Scott leaned forward and braced an elbow on the bar top.
Chris opened his mouth, closed it again, and drew random patterns in the wetness his beer had left.
“Do you want to make an appointment?” Scott pressed his lips in a fine line and looked around the bar for possible eavesdroppers. “There’s no one here.”
Chris rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess.” He shifted his weight. “I…” He sighed and looked Scott straight in the eyes. “Can you tell me about switching?”
“So that’s what this is about.” Scott straightened. “It’s taken you long enough,” he teased, narrowing his eyes. “It’s a very broad question, and I could go on for hours. Care to be more specific?”
Chris closed his eyes for a moment and nodded.
“Okay, it’s like this. I never considered bottoming myself, not when I was training or any other time.
I was always the Top and expected to stay that way.
But my experience with Kate was spectacular.
I submitted to her completely, and I didn’t think twice about it. ”
If Scott had an opinion, he didn’t voice it. How to broach the subject? What to say? He squinted at Scott, but the guy had on his poker face—or was it his therapist face? Fuck! Chris forced the words out. “How do you decide if you’re going to Top or bottom?”
Scott was silent for so long Chris wasn’t sure he was going to answer.
“I’m not exactly sure. I don’t think it’s something I decide because that would mean it’s a conscious thing.
It’s not. For me submitting or dominating depends on the partner I’m with.
It also has to do with my mood and how my day went. ”
“So, the person you’re with makes the most difference?” Chris inquired.
Scott merely inclined his head.
“Does it seem strange to you that I want to submit to Kate?”
“Not at all! She’s a hell of a woman and a force of nature as a Domme. I’ve enjoyed playing with her on numerous occasions.”
Scott’s rapid reply instigated a burning sensation in his chest. His jealousy must have shown on his face because Scott held his hands in front of him in a placating gesture.
“I’m not involved with the woman, and I won’t ever be.”
He let out the breath he’d been holding, and the burning subsided. “I know, it’s just…”
“You’re confused. Not about your feelings for Kate, which are obvious to everyone in this club, but about being a switch.”
“I am? Until Kate, I’ve always been dominant.”
“Every person is different. I’d say you’re about eighty percent dominant and twenty percent submissive. Don’t you realize all the times you’ve played with James and a sub, you’ve dominated the woman, but submitted to James?”
“What?” Chris exclaimed. His skin tingled, and his attention narrowed until it seemed as if only he and Scott remained in the room.
“Remember the last time the two of you tag-teamed Laura? Who was leading the scene?”
“James, of course.” Chris tried to catch up with Scott’s line of questioning.
“Of course?”
“Yes. He’s her Dom, after all.” Chris’s mind raced, looking for answers that weren’t there.
“True, but think about it.” Without another glance, Scott resumed his bartending.
Chris chewed on his words—eighty percent Dominant but also submissive.
Scott took his lukewarm beer and poured it down the drain.
He wiped the countertop and placed a fresh bottle in front of Chris.
Dominant with others, but submissive to Kate and James? It was a lot to wrap his head around.
Chris slapped his hand on the bar. “You might be right. I don’t always dominate, and I have no problem giving control to somebody I trust.”
Scott seemed pleased by his insight. “Does this answer your questions for now?”
“Yes, it does. Thanks, man.” Chris downed half his beer in one swallow and relaxed for the first time that night.
“Why don’t you grab one of the subs and do some topping?” Scott cocked his head to where Ruby and Sandra stood.
Chris shook his head. “Not in the right frame of mind.”
Scott nodded and didn’t move for several beats. “Are you up to manning the bar for a bit? Peter is due to relieve me at ten.” Scott looked at his wristwatch. “That’s only fifteen minutes.” Scott’s gaze went to Ruby again.
Chris followed his line of sight and chuckled. Both Chris and Scott had played with Ruby, and she was a delightful submissive—easy to communicate with and her responses were open. She was also a handful and more trouble than Chris liked.
Scott grinned in return and cocked his head.
“Sure thing.” Still chuckling, Chris rose to his feet and headed behind the bar. The switch apparently wore his Top-hat tonight.