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“They’re going to Club Wonderland,” Annabel informed.

“But you’re not,” Charles said.

“It’s an un-Valentine’s Day event,” Annabel said.

“I know,” Charles said. “I’ve heard about it. Why aren’t you going with them?”

“It’s not my type of thing,” Annabel used the same reason she did with Andrew and Ryan.

“Uh huh,” Charles walked up next to her. He stared at her face for several moments. He saw the tight lines of her jaw and the sadness. He turned to the window. “We’ve dug out from the storm. Driving should be easier.”

“Better than driving through the storm,” Annabel said.

“You put yourself at risk,” Charles scolded again. “What exactly was the fight about? Did you end things?”

“No. I… they pushed things they shouldn’t have,” Annabel said. “We’ll see how things go after today.”

“Or you’ll freeze them out,” Charles said. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you dodging their calls. You haven’t seen them since the storm hit and you disagreed.”

“I won’t stop them from doing what they want,” Annabel said.

“No? They wanted to go to Club Wonderland. Why aren’t you going with them?”

“I told you,” Annabel bit the words out.

“No. You’ve said it’s not your type of thing. But it could be. What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid.” She snapped the words out.

“Oh, you are too,” Charles knew the tone.

“Shut up.”

“No. Not this time. Tell me what makes the great Annabel Rouch afraid?”

“I’m not that… you make me sound…”

“Fierce? Determined? Take charge? Do you really need me to tell you that you’re all those things?”

“I fuck up with men all the time. I’ve made mistake after mistake.”

“Are Andrew and Ryan mistakes?”

“No, heavens no.”

“Then what’s the mistake?”

She glared at him before turning to stare out the window.

“Well fuck,” Charles sat down. “I didn’t think I’d ever see the day when you chickened out.”

“What if… what if they go there and find someone better than me? I’m not a Domme. I mean I don’t feel like I know how to be a Femme Domme. I know what I want and I’ve been doing all of that with them. But officially, I’m not a Domme in the way people think of Dommes.”

“How do people think of Dommes,” Charles asked.

“Well the black leather, with whips and such,” Annabel said. “What if that’s what they want?”

“You don’t want that. You don’t want to whip your men because men have hurt you and you don’t find it sexy.”

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