Page 33 of Hot Route
“Hey, you dirty slut,” Dia greets me. “I’m calling to save you from another bad date if you need it. How’s it going?”
I knit my eyebrows together, channeling my inner sub-par actress. “Wait. What? Where are you?” I say, frantically.
“At Disneyland. Just sucked Prince Eric off on the teacup ride,” she says.
“Oh my God!” I yell, putting my hand over my mouth for a little extra razzle-dazzle. “Stay where you are. I’ll be right there!”
“Ok, cool. Byeeeeeeee,” she says before the line goes dead.
And that, right there, is why Dia will always be my best friend.
I look up at my date to see him waiting for my explanation. Shit. I didn’t really think up a good story.
“Everything alright?” he questions, concern evident in his features.
“That was my grandma. She dropped her teacup,” I rush out.
Confused, he waits for me to continue.
“Uhhh, yeah, she dropped her tea and burnt herself. I have to take her to the hospital, right away. I’m so sorry to cut our date short,” I hurry out, grabbing my coat and handbag. “It was nice meeting you, Troy.”
“It’s Tony,” he says, disappointed. “Can I see you ag?—”
But I’m already out the door before I’m forced to tell him that there’s no way we’ll be repeating this snoozefest. I shoot Dia a quick text thanking her for her service before pocketing my phone and heading toward home.
BLAZE
Tanner pulls his car up my driveway, putting it into park as I undo my seatbelt. My mind is going a million miles a minute, still trying to process everything that’s happened today. I'm still not completely sure how I’m going to move forward, but being at the club with Tanner definitely gave me some insight on what to do next. Like he said, I’m nowhere near being an expert on any of this. I’ll have to do more research to find the best and safest ways to take care of Mads. I need to make sure that every experience she has with me is good for her.
I only realize I haven't moved and I'm still sitting in his car when Tanner breaks the silence. “Do you have any other questions for me?”
I know he’s talking about the BDSM lifestyle, but it takes everything in me not to ask how his life turned out the way it did. I know the woman at the club tonight is not his girlfriend. Matter of fact, I’ve never seen or heard of him being in a relationship with anyone. He shared something very personal with me tonight and I want him to know that he doesn't have to go through anything alone from here on out.
I think carefully before speaking. “Thank you for tonight. I can't say I'm not terrified to take the next step with Mads, buteverything you showed me and the things we talked about will hopefully give me the courage to be what she needs. The thought of her with someone else makes me want to set this entire world on fire.”
He continues facing forward, looking out the windshield like he can see every part of his past. There's still a sadness lingering over his face, but I let it go. When he wants to tell me more, he will. As if he’s snapping back to reality, he shakes his head before turning to me.
“Take good care of her, Becks. And don't let her go. Take it from me. Losing her will be the biggest regret of your life.”
“Thanks, man,” I say, before giving him a look of gratitude. I get out of his car and watch him drive away before turning and walking through the door.
As soon as I enter, I can tell the house is empty. Every light is off, and the only sound is coming from the running refrigerator in the kitchen. I head toward the island and immediately notice a piece of paper. Holding it in my hand, I read it silently.
Blaze,
I’m out for the evening. I might be back late, so don’t wait up. I’ll be quiet when I get back since I’m sure practice tired you out. There are protein cookies in the tin on the counter if you’re craving something sweet. See you in the morning.
xoxo,
Mads
Another fucking date.I have no idea if the guys she’s been out with are from a regular dating app or the BDSM app she signed up for. The thought of the latter has me mindlessly shoving my hand into the liquor cabinet, looking for something strong. I find a bottle of Macallan single malt scotch and pour myself a generous glass. Letting the alcohol burn my throat, I swallow before walking down the hall to the office. I don’t bother turning on the light before sitting at my desk and opening my laptop.
Clicking in the search bar, I take a moment to decide what I'm even looking for. I don't think it is a good move to jump into the deep end of the BDSM pool right off the bat, but there has to be something I can do to show Mads that I have what it takes to give her what she needs.
An hour later, I feel like I have a good idea of where to start. I’ve spent time reading the numerous lists of dos and don’ts and I feel confident that what I have in mind will bring mind-blowing pleasure to my girl. Every time doubt tries to creep into my head, I push it away. There’s no room here for me to be nervous about this. If I can't go through with it, I’ll be forced to watch Mads get it from somebody else.
The truth is, the thought of dominating her is making me harder than I've ever been. I want this. I just hope she’ll trust me to care for her in this way. Because as hot as it is thinking about the things I want to do to her, I can’t do any of them without her consent. She has to submit to me. And once she does, I’ll show her that she’ll never need another man. It’ll be me until the day I die.
