Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
As his flogger came down on the submissive bound before him, Yvonne still hadn’t relaxed. An hour before, Kate had escorted their Yvonne into the club and handed her to him with a languid and passionate kiss for each of them, before starting her DM shift.
Yvonne’s hands were balled into fists, there were no signs of arousal in her face, and her eyes squeezed tightly shut.
He stepped closer to her and touched her back; she was cold and clammy to the touch.
He dropped his flogger and started to unfasten her buckles.
In his peripheral vision, Kate stood at a respectful distance with a blanket.
Count on the Mistress to notice if something wasn’t right. And something isn’t, damn it!
“I’ll clean up the area.” Kate murmured in a low voice, “Take care of her. Any idea what’s wrong? She was quiet on the way in but seemed all right.”
“I have no clue,” Chris responded. “It might be handy if you’d come along. See if I’m missing any signals.”
“Okay, you go and sit in the red corner. The couch is quite comfortable. After I finish cleaning up, I’ll join you and observe.”
He nodded his thanks and lifted his precious cargo in his arms. What the hell is wrong? He carried her over to the indicated couch and sat with her in his arms.
Yvonne didn’t know what had happened, but it wasn’t a good sign he’d ended the scene how and when he did.
She’d been flogged and even paddled for much longer than this.
And flogging usually felt almost like a massage.
She would slip into a trancelike state she believed was subspace.
Why was it today like she was being hit by hail, and it just plain hurt?
“Are you back with me, angel?”
His deep dark voice appealed to her in many ways. She tried to lift her hand to touch his cheek, but her arm felt too sluggish to cooperate. She moved her head slowly against his chest, too tired to answer.
“Okay, talk to me.” He stroked her hair. “What happened?”
“I don’t know.” Her bottom lip quivered, and her eyes grew watery. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I can take much more. Please continue, I can take more, I promise.”
“No, angel, you’re done for tonight.”
He was silent for a moment. Was he angry with her?
She stirred, but his arm tightened.
His voice reverberated in his chest. “Yes, thank you.”
He confused her; she had no clue what he was thanking her for.
Chris moved his free arm and came back with a cup. “It’s hot chocolate. Be careful, small sips now.”
Oh!
He held the rim in front of her mouth, and she took a tentative sip.
Heaven. She sighed, and the knot in her chest loosened. She took another sip—warm, sweet, and luscious!
Chris stroked her hair, the gesture as soothing and sweet as the hot drink. “Don’t worry about the scene. We’ll have many more, but we don’t want them to be like this.”
It seemed like a dam burst, and she started crying.
Shame and sorrow ripped from her body in heart wrenching sobs.
He held her, stroking her back, and pressing kisses to her temple.
After what seemed like forever, she calmed enough to pull in a shuddering breath and she stroked Chris’s biceps in a silent thank you.
“Is it okay for me to ask some questions?” Kate’s voice penetrated Yvonne’s clouded mind.
She turned her head to see the Mistress, who stood at a short distance but watched the two of them with the focus and concentration Tante Wilma studied a gown she wanted to alter.
Yvonne hadn’t even noticed she had been there.
Another wave of shame hit. What kind of submissive was she?
Chris agreed. “Of course you can. Anything that can clear this up.”
Kate ordered, “Angel, look at me.”
Yvonne lifted her eyes to her obediently. The vision of Kate blurred with tears.
“How was your day?”
Yvonne’s stomach tensed. “Okay, I guess.”
“Okay good or okay, could be better?” Kate probed. “And why?”
“Could be better. Umm, why? I heard some disturbing things at work. People talked bad things about the café, and I didn’t really get it. It doesn’t seem a big problem, but altogether it did take away the fun for me today. And then my aunt and uncle…”
“What about them?” Kate inquired.
“He is not doing well. My uncle is sick. My aunt isn’t getting any younger.
I’m afraid she can’t handle it, and my time here is limited…
” She had considered staying longer but only had a six-month visa.
Chris stroked her back, and even through the blanket she could feel the calluses on his big warm hand.
Kate inclined her head. “Coping with pain, experiencing pain isn’t a mere physical thing.
It’s just as much mental. Maybe even more.
The mind rules over the body. When your head is not in the right place, your body can’t endure and doesn’t need the same things it usually can and does.
For instance, a runner might do a five-mile course almost effortlessly one day and struggle to finish three or maybe even one mile another.
Same runner, same body, different mindset.
And I’m not even talking about hormones that can seriously screw up your endurance. ”
Her voice grew stern as she continued. “So, don’t think you have to hang on in a scene because you could handle more the last time.
You’re lucky you’re with a great Dom who knew when to stop because you were too proud to use your safeword.
Remember, you’re not obligated to play just because one of us asks.
” With a last hard stare and a firm nod to Chris, Kate headed off to continue her DM duty.
Thank heavens the night was quiet, Kate thought as she helped Jackson by untying Paula’s hands while he held his spaced-out wife.
Other than cleaning and a helping hand, nothing invigorating had crossed her path after what happened with Yvonne.
With her mind on her subs, she doubted she would have managed something more strenuous.
With a, “Thank you, Kate,” Jackson carried his melda away.
Kate shook her head at the fancy pet name.
Jackson had turned out to be a big Tolkien fan and had given Paula an Elvish name because she objected to the term slave.
Kate cleaned and stuffed away Jackson’s toys and took care of the rest of the room.
She cast a glance at the beautiful blond couple. Jackson stroked Paula’s arms and shoulders. “You’re so beautiful and giving, melda,” Jackson murmured and kissed his wife on the forehead. “Your submission means so much to me.”
Kate turned back to the spanking bench, and resumed cleaning with slow movements.
As a 24/7 TPE Master, Jackson wanted control in all aspects of Paula’s life, and she hadn’t wanted to give it.
The way Jackson and Paula had compromised to make their needs fit had been exemplary.
Kate could admit to herself she owed the couple for showing her how to work together toward a goal before Chris suggested a ménage.
Even with a hiccup like tonight’s scene, their relationship seemed to work wonderfully.
Relationship! She was in a relationship with the man who’d haunted her dreams for years and a beautiful giving submissive masochist. Kate smiled brightly and resumed her cleaning with a dash more vigor.