Page 28 of A Secret and a Lie
“The list is truly endless, so I’ll only name a few, but please bear in mind that this doesn’t even begin to cover other relationship dynamics like polyamory. For starters, you have your Sadists—of the sexual and emotional variety, and some Sadists are both, but there are dozens of categories beneath the sadism umbrella.”
I don’t think that’s me, except the idea of hurting someone whowantsto be hurt does hold more appeal.
“Then you have your Findoms,” she goes on, “who prefer to control a submissive’s finances.”
Not for me either.
“Owners like to treat their submissives as property. Not always, but this often means treating a submissive as less than human and includes things like pet play or turning your submissive into furniture to be used.”
Well, that’s even less intriguing than ruling over someone’s finances.
“Then there’re Pleasure Doms who derive pleasure from giving their submissive pleasure, which could range extensively. Pleasure Doms learn their submissives, garnering a deep understanding of what turns them on. A sub’s pleasure is at the center of everything they do.”
The words spear me like an arrow through a part of my brain I haven’t triggered before, the idea of giving Genevieve anything she wanted inflating my dick. I swallow, noting the way her hazel eyes dip to my Adam’s apple. “I think that’s me.”
Her smile is genuine, growing in intensity. Does she like my answer, or is she simply proud that I’ve found something that may resonate with me? “I suggest doing some research so you can decide what, specifically, being a Pleasure Dom looks like for you. However, keep in mind that there’s a difference between a Service Top and a Pleasure Dom.”
“What’s that?”
“This is quite nuanced, but in short, a Service Top is someone who only wants to dominate or control a scene with the sole goal of the bottom’s pleasure in mind, but once it’s over, that’s where it ends. They aren’t a true Dominant. A Pleasure Dom exerts power and control outside of the scene, too, their submissive’s pleasure and wellbeing still at the forefront of their mind. Although, this sparks a conversation about the larger topic of Tops and bottoms versus Dominants and submissives, the difference being that a Dom/sub dynamic is a lifestyle and being a Top or bottom is restricted to more casual play.”
I nod, making a note to explore more about that tonight. I open my mouth to ask her more questions, but Sloane chooses that moment to enter the room.
“I’m sorry, I’m late. My client took mankind’s longest shower after our session.”
Grinding my molars at Sloane’s intrusion on our moment, I force myself to dip my chin in greeting.
“Not a problem at all,” Genevieve remarks. “We were just going over some tenets of the BDSM lifestyle. Would you like to get undressed? I was thinking we could discuss orgasm control and edging, and—”
“Actually, we’ll cover the structure of the scene,” I assert, taking control of the situation. “I want to save the more…intimate moments for private scenes.”
Both women pin me with different expressions. Sloane’s face tells a story of adoration, while Genevieve’s radiates icy hardness. I’d kill to know what the Domme is thinking. Is she upset that I undermined her authority? Or is she frustrated that I’m snuffing out the opportunity for her to see the way I might touch Sloane?
What she doesn’t realize is that I have no intention of touching Sloane—at all. I’ve spent days trying to come up with a plan, and this is the best I could do. I simply have no desire to touch any woman who isn’t Genevieve.
“Alright then,” the Madam states. “Start by instructing your submissive on how you’d like to start each scene.”
I hold Genevieve’s attention for a moment longer. “Kneel, sitting back on your calves, naked, palms up, and head bowed.”
“Yes, Clark,” Sloane murmurs respectfully, and I flick my gaze to the other woman.
Fuck, she’d be gorgeous kneeling for me like that, dutiful and meek, trusting me fully with her pain and pleasure.
Thinking of what I just learned about Pleasure Doms, I question aloud, “Tell me, do you prefer to be degraded or praised?”
“Degraded, Clark. As Madam Allison mentioned, I’m a pain slut,” Sloane answers, but I wasn’t asking her.
Hazel irises never leave mine, her mouth sewn shut, but she doesn’t have to part her pretty lips to give me the answer I seek. The dilation of her pupils speaks volumes.
I’m so fucked.
Genevieve
Coruscated flashes blink rapidly as the lights burst from the cameras lined up behind the red velvet rope. Dutifully playing my part, I stare up into Julien’s handsome face affectionately as the reporters shout questions. Following his lead, we pose for photos before he leads us toward the small set of steps.
His free hand reaches across his body to slide over the back of my hand resting in the crook of his offered arm. Bending down, he dusts his lips across the shell of my ear, and to anyone looking on, it’d appear as though he were kissing my temple or whispering sweet nothings. Instead, he murmurs, “Thank you for coming on such short notice. You look amazing.”
It wasn’t as if I was going to turn down the opportunity to be among the most powerful people in the world, even if Julien only gave me a forty-eight-hour heads-up. There’s too much at stake to turn down being at the White House right now.
