Page 3 of A Secret and a Lie
“Set it up then, but I’d prefer that you use the playroom on the second floor and that you coordinate with Marcus regarding security.”
The second floor has more safety protocols in place, including additional panic buttons and extra security, should things go south. For Liam’s safety, that’s what I’ll require.
As he nods, I add, “Tell him that the fee will double per day for the weekend, though.”
His grin widens, likely loving the sound of that.Me, too.
“You were such a good boy for me this evening, Henry. You pushed yourself. I’m proud of you for that.”
Tilting his head back to look at me, his eyes are warm in the low, amber light of the room. His throat bobs as he swallows thickly. “Thank you, Madam Allison.”
Henry doesn’t accept compliments well, but he deserves the praise today. I was being truthful when I’d said he did well.
While Henry’s a submissive, he keeps a tether of dominion in his palm, fighting his nature. But we’ve spent the better part of a decade and a half establishing trust. It’s our working relationship that keeps him on my books. He’s one of my original clients, having been with me since the beginning. I don’t take on many new clients anymore, being highly selective. While my personal client list is short, the idea of handing Henry over to one of my girls doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t trust his masochism with anyone but myself.
I stroke his arm gingerly, as part of our arranged aftercare. Suddenlyshifting, he leans in for what I’m positive will be a kiss, but I shake my head and press the pad of my finger against the seam of his lips. It’s been a long time since he tried to kiss me, and while I’ve never permitted it, I should’ve known he’d try it again at some point.
“Henry.” I keep my voice soft as I continue. “You know that’s not on the table.”For any client.
His gaze flicks down to his clasped hands as he sighs. “I apologize. You just…look beautiful.”
I run my fingers through my thick blunt bob. “Thank you, Henry. Are you feeling better?” When I stepped into the room, he was stressed and harried. He forgot his manners, but after he took his paddling, I found the layer beneath coiled with stress, tension that I aided him in releasing.
“Yes, Madam Allison.” He addresses me formally, likely hoping to avoid another punishment, though our scene is over. “The new attorney general is a ball-buster. He claims the Department of Justice is going to be cracking down on the corruption in this city.”
With that, he snorts, getting to his feet, and I don’t make a move to stop the amused tip of my crimson lips.That’s what they all say.
Corruption is a disease that’s been spreading since the dawn of time. It’s antibiotic resistant, and the only way to truly inoculate yourself against the infection is to open your eyes.
Tucking his tidbit of information away for later, I recline on the black couch while Henry changes back into his street clothes. As I watch him fix his tie in the ornate silver mirror on the dark gray wall opposite me, my fingernails tap silently against the back of the sofa.
All the playrooms in this building are sleek and modern, decorated in hues of gray, ivory, and black, but this room—my playroom—is my favorite, having chosen every last provocative, erotic detail myself.
I get up and call the elevator for Henry’s exit, but just before the doors slide open, he kisses my cheek and murmurs an ominous goodbye.
“You should watch your back, sugar.”
Genevieve
In all the years I’ve known Henry, he’s yet to truly acknowledge the threat I’m under, yet it lingers in the air like sickly sweet perfume that never fully evaporates. I’m still thinking about his warning as I find Corinne waiting for me in the lounge area of my spacious office.
She glances up from her phone and smiles, her brunette ringlet curls bouncing as she stands, following me over to my desk.
“You didn’t have to wait for me.” I smile at my best friend. “Go home, Corinne.”
She ignores my remark, waving me off, crossing her arms over her chest and propping a hip against the edge of my sleek black desk. “Well, how’s Henry?”
“Better behaved now.” I smirk, and she scrunches her nose.
I’m a switch—able to slide into both the dominant and submissive role—but I no longer submit.Ever. I’d rather fight my instinct and desire to relinquish control than compromise my safety again. No orgasm is worth my life.
Pulling up the schedule for tonight, I scan the list of clients who will be in attendance and which of my ladies or gentlemen they’re seeing. Scrolling through my contacts on my phone, I find the number for my favorite Mediterranean restaurant in the city, but before I dial, I ask, “Do you want dinner?”
Truthfully, all I want is a stack of warm chocolate chip cookies, or maybe a frosted cupcake, but a real meal is the more responsible choice.
“You work too much.” Corinne sighs.
“You worry too much.” I counter with a quirk of my eyebrow.
