Page 28 of Becoming

Two weeks, but I’ve been too much of a coward to seek you out. Rebecca shrugged apprehensively. I wish I had dressed more appropriately. She almost laughed out loud at the thought. How could she have known that she’d run into the one person that could bring her to her knees? What was she supposed to do? Wear a bustier and mask everywhere?

“I’ve been back to the club a few times.”

Jealousy coursed through Rebecca. She forced herself not to ask about… clients while she had been away. There were just some things she didn’t want to know. Now, as Cassidy stood in front of her looking amazingly sexy in dark, ripped blue jeans and a low-cut V-neck tee, Rebecca needed to know. She lifted a brow.

“Find someone that will give you what you need?” Okay, that came out a little more resentful than Rebecca meant.

“No. You weren’t there. I looked for you. Hoped you would come back.”

Rebecca’s heart ached at Cassidy’s honesty. “I should go.”

“What is your name?” Cassidy asked quickly. Sounding almost desperate.

Rebecca looked away. Giving her name meant she would have to step out from behind the mask completely. Insecurities embedded so deep in her psyche bubbled up, making it impossible to answer.

“Did I mean anything to you at all?”

So much more than you know. More than should be possible.

“You know,” Cassidy continued angrily, “when you told me not to fall in love with you? There was only one problem with that, Mistress. You said it a little too late.”

Rebecca was stunned. She knew Cassidy was attracted to her. She knew that there was more going on than just sex in the Pink room. But, falling in love? So quickly? Don’t pretend you don’t know what she’s talking about, Rebecca scolded herself silently. You know what you feel is more than just physical attraction. You don’t have to understand it, but you damn well need to own it.

“Rebecca,” she called out timidly as Cassidy marched away. The younger woman stopped but didn’t turn to face Rebecca.

“What?”

“My name is Rebecca.”

Slowly, Cassidy finally turned to face her, speechless.

“Not what you were expecting, is it?” Rebecca asked sardonically. It wasn’t exotic. It wasn’t a name that fit Mistress’s persona. However, right here and now? It’s who she was.

“It’s beautiful,” Cassidy says sincerely as she took a step towards Rebecca.

“It’s normal.”

Cassidy frowned. “It suits you.”

“Not when I’m behind the mask. People assume I have some erotic name that goes with that persona. I don’t.”

“I’m glad you don’t.”

For some reason, Rebecca believed Cassidy.

“Why?”

Rebecca frowned this time, tilting her head in question.

“Why the club? The mask?”

“That’s a long story, Cassidy.” And one that will surely scare you away.

“I have all the time in the world. Rebecca.”

Rebecca’s breath hitched hearing her name come from Cassidy’s lips. There was no demand, no plea. Just a quiet offering to listen.

Cassidy gestured to a bench across the way. “Sit with me?”

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