Page 6 of Digit's Deflection
“Hey, Myra said you wanted to see me?”
“Yeah, come in, come in.”
Like the rest of the club, the office is tastefully furnished and decorated. Plump, cushy chairs invite you to sink into them and stay a while.
“What’s up?”
The big man heaves a sigh, a forlorn look on his face that speaks volumes about his current state of mind. The joke being that it’s a scarily accurate mirror of how I’m currently feeling. Almost makes me wonder if there’s something in the air.
“That’s a heartfelt sigh if I’ve ever heard one. What’s on your mind, my friend?” I ask.
“Too much, honestly.” Sam sighs again. “But the reason I wanted to chat with you is I have a favor to ask you – a bit of an unusual request.”
Curiosity piqued, I quirk an eyebrow in query. “Sounds intriguing. Do tell.”
“Okay, so hear me out before you summarily say no.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’ve had a woman who’s just started working for me to replace Amelia, helping out in the restaurant and bar.”
As Sam pauses for a moment to turn the ringer on his phone off, I frown over at him. “I’m not sure I see how that involves me,” I say before he can continue.
“Hold your horses there, Mr. Impatience. She’s the one that’s made the ‘unusual request’. Apparently, she’s never done any bondage, but is intrigued by what she’s seen around here – is interested in delving into a bit of rope play herself, to see if it might be something she’d want to do long term. So, she’s looking for a strong, gentle Master to work with her to see if it’s something she thinks she’d enjoy. And you were the first person I thought of.”
“But what about her Dom? Why doesn’t she ask them?”
“Mainly because she doesn’t have one. She’s new to the area. Just moved here recently, in fact. And honestly, she’s completely new to all of this.”
“Sam, I’m not sure about this. I mean, what do I know about working with a complete novice? The only women I’ve ever scened with have at least known what they’re getting into.”
“I can understand that, but would you at least consider it?” I study the man sitting opposite me, noting how tired he’s looking.
“When last did you take some time off?” I ask. He frowns at me. “Sorry, off topic. Sure, give me a couple days to give it some thought.”
“Fair enough. Thanks, Treven.”
“Seriously though, dude, when was the last time you had some R and R?”
Sam considers my question. “You know what, I don’t actually remember. The club takes all my time and focus. I don’t think I’ve taken time off since I opened, three years ago. Why?”
“To be brutally honest, you’re looking tired, my friend. You need to take better care of yourself. Just like you insist your subs do.”
“Wow, thanks. With friends like you, who needs enemies?” Sam says, flipping me off.
With a teasing grin, I reply, “You old men need to take care of yourselves, you know.”
“Fuck you, asshat. Being forty-one does not make me old. It may make me older than you, but I can still kick your ass.”
This time I laugh at him. “Come on, let me buy you a drink and you can tell me how you’re going to kick my ass.”
As we pass Myra’s desk, I see Sam gaze longingly at her. A look she misses as she’s looking down at papers on her desk. Probably the only reason he’s allowed the vulnerability to show, even for just a moment. When he spots me looking his way, his expression turns neutral.
Without a word, we head for the bar, and I make a mental note to order an extra stiff drink for the man. Passing the ladies’ change rooms, I see the same woman I saw earlier. At least, I think it’s her. But only from behind. My entire body locks, and I’m unable to take another step. I stand staring at the doorway she disappeared through, my mind blank. Coherent thought escapes me in that moment, while my heart pounds like a snare drum in my chest.
“Treven, you okay there? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Sam’s concern is clear in his voice. For long seconds I can’t form the words to tell him I’m okay. Mostly because speech eludes me right now too, but mainly because, I swear, I did just see a ghost from my past.
I have no idea how long I stand there like a stone statue, but clearly long enough that the woman comes back out again. This time she’s bare-ass naked as the day she was born, but it’s her face that draws my attention. Devastation washes through me as I realize that it isn’t Liora after all.
