Page 32 of Volatile

Jon took a swig of beer, giving Lily’s Dom a bit of time to digest his presence. Joshua stepped aside to refill another’s drink, a conservatively dressed woman picking at her nails and looking around nervously. She probably needed that second drink, even if Jon didn’t agree with Nico’s two-drink maximum rule. If it were up to him, he’d nix the booze altogether as they had done at Jacque’s parties. Playing and alcohol didn’t always mix, but Nico never seemed to have any issues at the club because of it. He took another sip. His old friend ran a tight ship, so who was he to question the way he ran his business?

He heard Joshua tell the other bartender to cover for him for a few minutes, then swung around and pulled up a seat. “Lily’s talked about you,” Joshua said, “and I appreciate what you’re doing. It’s killing me not being there for her.”

“She’s trying to protect you.”

He smiled. “She’s free to call it whatever she likes. As long as she’s taken care of, I can wait until the timing’s right. No rush. Forever’s a long time.”

“How long have you been in the scene, Joshua?”

“Twelve years. Been part of the family here for two. I help out a few nights a week.”

“And what do you do when you’re not here?”

“I run a successful consulting firm. There should never be a question whether or not I can provide.”

Jon nodded. He respected his straightforward responses; it made his job much easier. “I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that a long-term Dom/sub relationship isn’t commonplace here.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Romantic love even less so.”

Joshua put his hand over his heart and patted. “Lily’s in here. Every second of every day. She’s mine, and I’ll continue to care for and protect her as long as she allows me the honor to do so.”

“You love her.”

He nodded. “The heart wants what it wants.”

Jon just had to make sure they were on the same page, that Lily’s Dom returned her sentiment. And he was satisfied that he did. Some of the most successful Dom/sub relationships he’d known were based on trust and respect, not emotional involvement. And when one-half of the partnership developed unrequited feelings, the dynamic dissolved. His sessions with Lily would have taken an opposite turn if Joshua had answered differently.

“I trust you know why Lily’s my client,” Jon said. There was just one more thing he wanted to cover.

“I do.”

“From what I’ve gathered, breath play is something you’ve enjoyed before, or else you wouldn’t have introduced Lily to it.”

“That’s correct, and it’s now a hard limit. And if I were an amateur or a lesser man, that wouldn’t be the case since my sub is open and willing. But she is far more precious to me than any one act. So to put your mind at ease, you have my word that as long as she’s with me, no harm will come to her.”

Joshua rose. A crowd was forming at the other end of the bar, and his assistance was needed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.”

“Of course. I won’t keep you any longer.”

“I’m sure you can understand what I’m going through right now, being physically separated from Lily. It’s good to know there are others looking out for her. Thank you for stopping by.”

“You’re welcome.” Jon would have felt the same way. If for any reason he was unable to be with the woman he loved, he’d want to make sure there were others around who had her best interests.

His mind wandered back to Julia. His chest tightened, but it was tolerable. Not the death grip he was used to feeling around his heart. It was just a little slice of his emotional control returning, but he’d fucking take it. It must be the atmosphere. It was more conducive to lust and raw desires than pity and heartache.

Joshua returned behind the bar, stopping in front of him. He leaned over the top. “By the way, Jon, I have to say I’m very surprised Lily’s sister hired you, considering.”

Yes, considering he’s a Dominant. The very kind she’s trying to keep Lily away from. The very kind she fucked the other day.

“She doesn’t know.”

*****

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IVY.

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