Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Domi
Saturday night at Stronghold.
She took Ana over to Marcus and Julia’s in the morning, dropping off chicken soup for Julia at the same time, who had gratefully taken it before fussing over Ana’s arm. To Domi’s surprise and relief, like Marcus, Julia didn’t blame Domi for the injury.
Apparently, Domi was the only one who felt she was at fault. Unfortunately, the lack of blame from others did nothing to help ameliorate the guilt that was growing in her stomach. Which was why she’d let Rae convince her to come to Stronghold.
If she could find someone to scene with and let some of her emotions out, she’d feel better. But….
“This is a bad idea,” she muttered as she and Rae made their way to the Lounge area of the club.
Though it looked like a massive warehouse on the outside, inside, Stronghold was elegantly decorated and had plenty of comfortable spots.
After getting through the lobby, the main floor had a huge wooden bar on the right and a cocktail area to the left known as the Lounge before the wall where the locker rooms—the real ones, not like the kinky fantasy room upstairs—and the owner’s office were located.
Gorgeous black-and-white photographs of domination and submission decorated the walls, adding to the atmosphere, though there wasn’t often much scening happening on this floor.
Past the Lounge area, there was a large dance floor in front of a stage, where some people would get a little freaky. The stage was usually reserved for large demonstrations, similar to what Marquis put on but more instructional than for pleasure.
Dominants and couples congregated at the bar, submissives in the Lounge area.
She didn’t think it was hard and fast, but an unspoken rule everyone seemed to follow.
It wasn’t a bad thing, though. The Lounge had comfortable leather armchairs and a large, dark red fluffy carpet to cushion knees, so if a dominant came over and demanded the submissive, they were negotiating with, kneel for them.
At the back of the room, next to the stage, were the staircases going up to the private theme rooms and down to the Dungeon, as well as a hall leading out to the gardens. The whole club smelled like leather and was designed to put everyone in a sexy mood.
But tonight, Domi wasn’t feeling sexy at all, even though she was wearing one of her sexiest outfits.
Normally, when she went to Stronghold or Marquis, it was like shedding her mom persona and letting her inner self be free.
Today, she felt like she was trapped in her own skin.
Her corset felt too tight, her boobs and legs too exposed, and instead of giving her confidence, she wanted to go back home, put on comfy pajamas, and watch a bad shark movie.
“You are not going to sit in the house and wallow about what a bad mom you are… because you’re not,” Rae scolded her, taking Domi by the hand and pulling her toward the Lounge.
“We are going to hang out at Stronghold. We’re going to find you a nice Dom to scene with.
And you are going to get some much-needed stress relief. ”
That did sound good… except Domi didn’t want a nice Dom. She wanted a mean, sadistic Dom who would torment her until she was screaming and crying, then pleasure her until she was screaming and crying some more. After, he’d hold and cuddle her, then say something stupid or goofy to make her laugh.
Basically, she wanted Mitch.
Bad Domi.
Yeah, yeah, she knew. But the heart wanted what the heart wanted—so did her vagina.
Which was why this was a bad idea.
Rae wasn’t wrong about what Domi needed. She could really use a scene.
As if Murphy’s Law had summoned him, Master Mitch stepped in front of her and Rae, grinding them to an immediate halt.
Tall, wearing nothing but black leather pants and a black vest that made his hair look even blonder and his eyes even bluer, and so damn delicious it was freaking unfair.
Completely different from how he’d looked in scrubs but just as in charge and far sexier.
Mitch
He didn’t know why he’d come back to Stronghold tonight.
Last night hadn’t exactly been great, and none of his friends were coming in tonight.
He was just standing alone at the bar. Last night, he’d spent the entire evening missing Domi and wondering what he was doing there, even when his friends had been there to distract him, and tonight was no better.
Being here was like being close to her, and he needed to figure out how to tell her he’d changed his mind about what he wanted. Why should she believe him?
Hell, Kate had gotten engaged to Master Andrew, Stronghold’s biggest manwhore, yet she was the one who didn’t believe in magic pussy. How was he supposed to convince Domi?
Especially since he hadn’t thought Domi wanted a relationship in the first place.
Except now she did.
Wait, does that mean I have a magic penis?
Before he could explore that thought, his eyes were drawn across the bar to the main entrance to the club, where Rae was pulling a reluctant Domi along.
Domi looked amazing, of course. A black leather corset made the most of her slim figure, pushing her breasts up and giving her more exaggerated curves.
He liked her the way she was, but Mitch knew it paid to appreciate the effort a woman put into her appearance.
The short skirt she was wearing made her legs look longer than usual, especially when paired with her high-heel ankle boots.
Mitch had a sudden vision of Domi on her back, wearing nothing but the boots… and being fucked by someone else.
That’s what was going to happen. She and Rae were headed for the Lounge, and there was no way Domi would remain unattached once it was clear she was available.
Which meant he had to talk to her now or risk someone else sweeping her away.
What if she decided she liked someone else better than she liked Mitch?
He was up and moving before he realized it, his body reacting faster than his mind.
It wasn’t until he stepped in front of her, cutting off her path to the Lounge, he realized he still had no idea what to say to her, no clue how to explain himself and what he wanted.
“Domi.” There. Greeting done. Good job, brain.
“Master Mitch.” The expression on her face was uncertain. Rae’s was much clearer—she was not happy with him.
“Master Mitch. Please excuse us, we’re headed to the Lounge.” She tugged at Domi’s arm as though she was going to pull Domi around him.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked Domi, deciding to ignore Rae. If Domi wanted to talk to him, she wasn’t going to let Rae stop her. If Domi decided not to talk to him… well, then he’d work on sucking up to Rae.
Thankfully, Domi only hesitated a moment.
“Sure.”
Rae let out an exasperated sigh but let go of Domi’s arm.
“Thank you, Rae,” Mitch said, giving her his most charming smile.
She didn’t want to smile back, he could tell, pressing her lips together hard, although that didn’t stop her from giving him a warning look.
Rae didn’t need to say a word, Mitch knew exactly what that look meant—hurt my bestie, and I’ll kick your ass. He absolutely believed she would, too.
Taking Domi’s hand, he pulled her toward the wall on the opposite side of the room from the bar, near the doors to the locker rooms. Rae settled down in the Lounge, in a chair facing where he and Domi were standing, watching them, even though she wouldn’t be able to hear what they were saying.
Once they were standing in place, Domi pulled her hand back, crossing her arms over her chest in a protective stance.
“So, what’s up?” Her chin lifted slightly. Such an aggressive little pixie.
Mitch had to stifle the urge to tug one of her curls—he didn’t think she’d appreciate it right now.
“I…” He cleared his throat and gathered his courage. “I want to see you. Outside of Stronghold. I don’t want to lose you from my life.”
Confusion clouded her eyes, and a little wrinkle formed on her forehead. Domi stared up at him as if he was speaking a foreign language. Yeah, that hadn’t exactly been clear. This was why he’d wanted to prepare something to say.
“Like, hang out as friends?”
“No.” He shook his head. Use your words, Mitch.
Olivia’s voice echoed in his head. Mistress Olivia had been in charge of the class for new dominants at Stronghold, the one he’d taken with Kincaid, Zach, and Brian.
She’d also been the lead instructor for the submissives when Mitch had met Domi.
One of the things she’d hammered into Mitch’s head during both classes had been the importance of clear communication.
“I want us to date. I mean, I want to take you out on a date.”
Domi
She didn’t know whether to be bowled over by Master Mitch’s adorable awkwardness or bang her head against the wall. Why was he doing this?
“You want a date?” She asked in disbelief. Mr. No Commitment, Mr. I Only Scene, Mr. Don’t Get Attached… wanted to date her?
“I don’t want to just date. I want to date you, specifically.
No one else.” He cleared his throat again, shoving his hands in his pockets.
Something vulnerable about his demeanor tugged on her heartstrings.
Mitch was a commitment-phobe, and she hadn’t heard about him ever asking anyone out on a date before.
No wonder he didn’t seem very confident.
Part of her worried this was a road to certain heartbreak, but another part of her had to wonder—how strongly must he feel if he was willing to break his usual M.O.?
“I like you,” he said when she didn’t say anything right away.
“I like spending time with you. I liked your daughter, though I’ll understand if you don’t want me to spend time with both of you right away.
After you broke things off, it made me realize I’ve gotten used to having you in my life and I like you there.
I missed having you there when you weren’t. ”
It wasn’t the most romantic speech she’d ever heard, wasn’t the most practiced, but it very well might be the most honest. Domi melted… just a little.
“I…”
“You don’t have to decide tonight,” he said hurriedly.
“I know I’m springing this on you. If you want to think about it...
” Soulful blue eyes begged her not to think too long.
It was almost painful to see this earnest side of Mitch rather than his classic joking demeanor.
Definitely not the confident, swaggering Dom she was used to, but it didn’t diminish her attraction to him.
If anything, it made him seem more real.
“I’ll think about it,” she found herself saying. This wasn’t a Mitch she could turn away with a smile and a joke. This was a more serious Mitch. Similar to the one she’d seen yesterday at the hospital, but not the same. Serious, but open in a way she’d never seen him before.
A brilliant smile was her reward. Damn, if he smiled at her like that all the time, she wouldn’t be able to resist him.
“Do you want to play tonight? With me?” he asked hopefully.
“Sure.” Yup. Definitely a bad idea, but how was she supposed to say no right now? She wanted to scene with him. She’d wanted to scene with him even before she’d known he was there, and now that he was not only there but saying he had missed her and wanted to try dating her…
If she’d thought his smile was brilliant before, it was even better now. Blue eyes sparkled with anticipation as he straightened up, pulling his Dom persona around him like a cloak. Hands no longer in his pockets, he held one out for her to take, and Domi slipped her fingers into his.
She almost swore she could hear Rae’s inaudible groan.
Yup, I’m over here making poor choices. You can scold me later. Right now, I’m gonna go get laid.
Turning, Master Mitch pulled her into position along his side, wrapping her hand around his arm like an old-school gentleman. Domi couldn’t help but giggle.
“Let’s see what’s open in the Dungeon,” he said with a wink, walking toward the stairs. No, walking wasn’t the right word. He was strutting, and Domi couldn’t keep the grin off of her face.
He might be terrible at dating—probably would be—but he wanted to try. That meant something to her. Wasn’t it at least worth trying? Not that she was going to give him a yes right now, but they could at least scene together. She’d give him her answer after she’d had some time to think about it.
Even though she was already pretty sure she was going to say yes.