Page 67 of Submissive Lies

“That was your exercise alarm, wasn’t it?”

I chuckled. “Nice guess.”

He leaned in, and I felt his breath on my ear, his teeth taking the lobe between them. “I have a different exercise option in mind than the gym….”

And he did. And it was good. So much better than the gym.

We showered, and then dressed. Steve gathered all the things he’d brought with him. I kept stealing glances at him, watching him as he moved about. I caught him looking at me, and twice he looked hesitant, as if he wanted to say something. Whatever it was he let it pass, going on with what he was doing. I considered saying something to him, asking what was going on in that head of his, but I didn’t. It was easier this way. Don’t overthink it. We still had a few days—well, evenings at the very least, if I could arrange it?—left to spend with each other, so why bring anything heavy into this like the thoughts that were suddenly rattling around in my head.

Which is what we both did, in the end. Neither of us broached whatever subject had us both preoccupied. We made polite conversation as we got ready for the day, gentle touches and brushes against each other as we moved about the room. We both neatly dodged the five-hundred pound gorilla that was the ‘what is happening here between us.’ I was in the bathroom, finishing putting on my jewelry when Steve came up behind me. I felt his arms on my shoulders, and I looked up into the mirror as his eyes stared back into mine.

“I’m going to go, Jen,” he said softly.

I swallowed. For some reason I couldn’t speak for a moment. I felt tears at the back of my eyes, which I blinked away quickly. This was silly. I was going to be with him again in just a little bit. Down there in the booth when both of us would be preparing for the first day of the show. Sure, after that I probably wouldn’t see much of him during the actual show hours, but there was always tonight, once the show broke for the day. Worst-case scenario would be I’d have to go out with my co-workers, pretend to enjoy dinner with them, and then get my ass back here as quick as I could. I’d give him my room key. He could be here, waiting, planning. For me. So why was it I felt like there was something passing between us, an event horizon we were crossing over, and with it tears that threatened to spill down my face.

Come on, Jen. What are you doing? Dropping? Little late for that, don’t you think? You can’t afford this right now. Get your shit together. Game face on. Save the subdrop for later. You’ve got a job to do.

“Sure. I’ll see you in the booth in a bit.”

He smiled at me, and it was kind, gentle, but I swear I saw a trace of the same sadness I felt mirrored in it. Maybe it was because since that first night we’d had ourselves to each other. And now we wouldn’t. He knew as well as I did that my job starting today would be to support the salespeople, and that meant potentially socializing with them if they wanted. On top of that, he wouldn’t be in the booth all day. He’d be back at the Service desk, maybe even off at another exhibit working. During the set we’d been together all day. And then all night. Now…

That had to be it. And it made sense. He leaned in, kissed the back of my head, trailed kisses along my neck until his breathing became a comforting sound in my ear. For a moment my focus tightened solely to him, his touch, the essence of him there right behind me. I closed my eyes, drifted back into his chest, and just stood silent as he held me. I wasn’t sure how long we both remained like that, but it felt all too quick. He kissed me one more time, and then let me go.

“See you soon.”

I opened my eyes as he left. I stood staring at myself in the mirror as I heard him out in the room, gathering his things. There was a second of quiet before the sound of the door opening drifted back to me.

And then it closed.

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