Chapter 3
THREE
Aiden
The street lights flickered through the back windows of the town car Aiden reserved for the night, complete with a driver so he could avoid the ‘whose driving’ argument with Zack.
A last-minute change derailed the plans Aiden had made for three. He made sure there was no absence to hinder the evening.
“I had a wonderful time tonight,” Sophie spoke softly, breaking the silence of the car. “It's unfortunate that Zack couldn't join us.”
“I’m sure there will be another opportunity,” he reassured her. “And to think he calls me a workaholic. I hope it was okay to pull you away on a work day…” This was their second dinner together and the third meeting this week.
Sophie met his gaze with a small smile, allowing him to implore into her life.
“I run my own tiny empire, like you, Mr. Mackay,” she teased. “I help business owners have everything put together on the back end. If you want to expand or start a new business venture, I will make sure everything is in order. From thumb tacks to taxes, Lidia likes to joke.”
She beamed with pride, and he found it infectious.
“I can admire a motivated woman. My parents own a restaurant back home, and my mom’s been running it with my sister since our dad passed.
” A pang of guilt hit Aiden, remembering he hadn’t spoken to his family in weeks.
He’d been so focused on pivoting the business and pulling Zack out of his self imposed isolation that he’d fallen behind in other areas.
As if attuned to his change in mood, Sophie changed the subject. “So I'd sit in the back seat alone if Zack had joined us tonight?” She teased, turning toward the plush tan leather.
“There's no such thing. Zack is always the driver if he's in the car. Trust issues.” Aiden chuckled. “I would keep you company, of course.” Sophie flushed at his intended innuendo.
“Good to know I won't be a third wheel.”
“Not at all.” Aiden reached over and grabbed her hand, gently brushing his fingers over her warm skin. “I’m glad the universe decided we needed to meet again.”
“I’m sorry about how I handled things.”
“You already apologized, little star.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Daddy.” Aiden corrected. It was an honorific he didn't use often; it didn't suit him for average club play, but since the night they met, something about Sophie crawled into his chest and took hold.
Sophie’s breath caught, and the tips of her ears pinked in the way he was quickly becoming fond of. “Yes, Daddy.”
“That's my good girl.” She preened under his praise.
Sophie grasped his hand, turning the conversation. “So tell me how you and Zack started Surrender?”
“It’s a rather boring one. We were members of the club when the opportunity to invest arose. After a few years, we were put in a position to take the club in a new direction with our ownership. We made the changes we wanted to see in our community.”
“I have been looking to expand and create software that is for our vetted members. Those who have passed the eight-month mark. With the expansion of the Dollhouse, we can expand into a more digital aspect. Taking care of cravings on a one-and-done basis. A kink and lifestyle-friendly database. Madame Scarlett has tightened the ropes behind the scenes, and our club members have never been happier.” However true the words, they tasted foreign to Aiden, as if he had been toeing a company line for so long that it had lost its meaning.
He loved his business and partnership with Zack. The atmosphere was perfect, their bank accounts flush, and neither of them wanted much.
It was their needs that were left unsettled.
“Like Grindr except without the strange diseases and weirdos, as Claudia would say.”
“Yes,” Aiden laughed. “Exactly that.”
“You have a lot of things going on.”
“I do, but I know where to put priorities.”
“I’ve been feeling uneasy, too.”
“I can feel it.”
Sophie straightened her back and met Aiden’s eyes. “This might be the wine talking…I know this sounds crazy, but I’ve never had a spark like this with someone before.”
“If the look on your face weren’t so serious, I would think you’re stroking my ego.” Aiden reached out and gently touched her hand. “I’m sorry nobody’s made you feel like this.”
“I don’t mean that.” He could easily fall in love with the way she adorably scrunched her nose. “I’ve had partners and short dynamics before. With you, it feels different. Then there’s Zack…”
Aiden leaned back and crossed his leg, giving Sophie his full attention. “Go on. I hope that I’ve established to you that your thoughts and feelings would be heard.”
“S-see, when you say that, I feel silly.”
“Why? Because you’re not used to being considered? I think now would be a good time to hear your list.”
“List?”
“Yes. I want to know all the things that make you tick.” Her eyes rounded, unsettled under his gaze. “Tell me your limits, Sophie.”
“Oh, well, while I have explored before.” Oh no, he wasn’t allowing her to shrug things off. That might have been something she’d experienced previously, but not with this Daddy around.
Aiden grabbed her jaw and sank his fingers into her hair. “Open.”
Wide-eyed, she stared at him, frozen, visibly unsure of where it was leading.
“If you’ve explored openly then you should obey since it’s within your limits.”
Sophie hesitantly parted her lips, not daring to move her gaze from his. Fear began to fill her bright green eyes as Aiden sucked his cheeks in and his tongue welled with spit.
Her heart pounded and pulsed beneath his fingers, collaring her throat. Aiden was gauging how far she’d allow him to go before she considered her own comfort.
He watched her react during dinner when the sound of someone clearing their nose made her cringe and shrink. It was a visceral reaction.
Aiden was purposely pushing a sensitive limit, not to deter her from letting him have her way, but to stand ground to her limits.
“Daddy…” Sophie’s throat bobbed. “...don’t.”
Pleased with her speaking up, Aiden relaxed his grip on her and kissed Sophie’s forehead. “That’s what I thought. This is why limits are so important.”
“But–I,” she sighed with frustration. “Are you a mind reader or–”
Aiden cupped her cheek, tilting her head to meet his gaze. “I noticed when we were at dinner.” His thumb smoothed across her lips.
“Nobody has ever read me the way you do.” Sophie shifted in the seat and tucked her legs under her, leaning her body against his. Aiden wrapped his arm over her shoulder, and her fingers quietly found his.
“While I might be good at it, little star, I’m not a mind reader and need to hear your wants, needs, and limits. Hard and soft. Not voicing what you need, you put both yourself and the dominants in the scene at risk.”
“Oh.” She sighed softly and hid her face in his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
“Now, tell me your needs.”
“I thought I knew them but within a week that changed. I’ve never been in a dynamic–or the prospect of one–like this before. I enjoy control, and I never have before. What I do know is that I don’t like fluid play in any sense. Floggers and other implements have been okay, I’m not fond of gags.”
“That’s a start.”
The quiet of the car filled with their tales of lovers' past, the relationships that fell flat, and attachments that didn’t have a spark.
Sophie’s honesty filled his heart with hope. Wondering if Zack would ever let his guard down and look at her–at them–as more than shadows and stolen glances in the dark.
“You know, you looked at home when you were in the club store with Claudia earlier.
“Lidia says it's Toys R Us for adults.” Her laugh was infectious.
Aiden’s smile was fond. “You look… comfortable with it all.”
“I was,” she admitted quietly. “ Curious.”
Aiden tilted his head, studying her. The streetlights painted fleeting stripes of gold across her face as they drove. “About what, specifically?”
Sophie traced a condensation pattern on the window, her gaze distant.
“Everything. The way people move in that space. The… intentionality. There’s a difference between playing a part and living it.
At the store, seeing all the tools-the collars, the floggers, the cuffs-I felt a pull.
A recognition.” She paused, her fingers stilling.
“I’ve never had someone who wanted to know my limits, Aiden.
It was always what they could get away with. What I would tolerate.”
Aiden’s arm tightened around her shoulder, a flash of something cold and possessive in his eyes. “They were idiots, then.”
Sophie offered a small, sad smile. “Maybe. But it’s all I knew. Until Zack. Until you.”
“He’s not what he seems, you know,” Aiden said, his voice low. “Zack.”
“I’m starting to see that.”
“No, you’re not. Not really.” Aiden sighed as they navigated the quiet streets.
“We were kids. Fraternity brothers. He was this untouchable God and I was… me. The geek jock who loved numbers. We got drunk together, got in fights together, and graduated together. We built a business from the ground up. But he locks everything away. Everything important.”
Sophie turned from the window, her full attention on him. “You’re not like that.”
“Someone has to be an open book,” Aiden said with a shrug. “Zack operates on control. It’s his religion. He thinks if he lets anything in, it will break him.”
“Claudia mentioned…”
Aiden arched his brow. “Don’t get shy on me now, Sophie.”
“Zack is more… forceful?”
Aiden chuckled. “You could say that. When we’re in a scene, there’s a different dynamic in place. He doesn’t relinquish control. Ever.”
“I see.”
“Have you ever been in a dynamic with full consent?” Aiden pried further. He knew in his bones that she was perfect for them. He needed to guide them to see it.
Sophie pressed her lips together, her eyes holding questions she didn’t seem able to articulate.
“Zack demands total submission. He won’t admit it, but there is a thrill to the play when a sub wears your cuffs.”
“Cuffs?”