Page 14 of Exquisite Temptation

Plodding back to my office, I settle into the armchair and throw myself into work for the rest of the afternoon. Lightness spreads through my chest when I hit send on the email to Neil and his team, approving their design plans for the new build. I scramble to my feet and head off to the bathroom, taking a quick shower. I have a catch up with Dan and Julian at the club tonight before my Dungeon Monitor shift starts. The thoughts of seeing the bratty little princess sends waves of excitement through me.

Chapter 9

Heidi

Idepositmyovernightbag on the floor next to the coffee table and park my ass on the sofa. The terracotta walls, large colorful cushions, throw blankets folded over the back of the comfortable couches, and different size plants give Katie’s living room a warm and cozy feeling.

"Drink? I have prosecco, red wine, and vodka." Katie tilts her head, grinning at me. Her fire engine red, sexy, latex, Marilyn Monroe style dress with underwire bust and high curved slit fits her sassy personality to a T. She looks sensational!

"Red wine, please." Nodding, she ambles towards the kitchen.

Rising to my feet, I wander over to the beautiful handcrafted wooden bookcase, hoping she doesn’t mind me checking out her library. My gaze darts to her extensive book collection arranged by colors and genre, making me chuckle. I arrange mine by category and within them, they’re alphabetized. Allie arranges her clothes by season, color, and clothing type. We can start our own exclusive OCD club. As I peruse through her books, I spot a book on recurring dreams, and my hand reaches out to grab it automatically.

"I hope it’s one from my dark and spicy BDSM romance section," Katie says. I twist around, clutching the book to my chest.

"Um, no. It's a book on recurring dreams. By the way, I absolutely love your library." I make my way back and sink onto the couch, still holding the book.

"Thank you. You can borrow it. Are you interested in dream work?" She places the glass of wine in front of me.

"Dreams have always fascinated me, especially Jung’s take on the collective unconsciousness. Ever since I can remember, I have had a recurring dream, which makes little sense to me. Coincidentally, I had it the night after we first met in the bar." She bobs her head, gazing at me with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"There are different theories about recurring dreams. They can happen when our psyche has unresolved traumas or conflict," she explains, then takes a sip of her drink.

"I don't remember having any traumas in my childhood, apart from my mother being an overprotective drama queen." A giggle escapes my lips. "Joking aside, throughout my childhood, I have had snippets of incomplete memories flash in front of my eyes, which made me wonder if I have repressed painful memories to help protect myself." She leans back and crosses her legs while keeping her attention on me.

I can’t believe how we moved from total strangers to the best of friends in almost no time at all. We just click and get each other on a soul deep level, which neither of us can explain, but that’s okay with us. The warmth, kindness, and calming energy she exudes creates a safe and trusting environment for me to share even my craziest of thoughts with her.

"It is very possible. Our brains are designed for survival, so when we experience trauma, it will suppress painful memories to protect us. Somatic psychotherapists believe even though we can't actively remember traumatic events from our childhood, they are stored in our bodies and can manifest as different physical health problems. You can try it and see if it works for you."

I bob my head in agreement. "Allie told me it changed her life. I’ll do research on it and might even find a body therapist."

"Sounds great." Leaning forward, she tilts her head to the side, and a small smile builds across her full lips. "What I want to know is, how do you feel about seeing Master Christopher tonight? For the past few weeks, you two have been circling each other in the club. Each time a Dom approaches you, he hovers around, scaring them off."

"Excited. Nervous." I blow out a pained breath.

He is the bane of my existence. After I was bitten by the green-eyed monster, I went back to the club the next week. Christopher was on Dungeon Monitoring duty that night, so we greeted each other stiffly, only exchanging a few words. I drifted around the club, but he stalked me like a shadow. Every time a Dom approached me, there he was, glaring at them with venom in his eyes, scaring them off. You hear the term tall, dark, and brooding, but you never hear tall, blond, and brooding. Blonds should have more fun, right? Not this one. He wouldn’t know fun, even if it bit him in the ass. He gives the word intense a whole new meaning.

"I'm good at reading people, but it’s so damn hard to work him out. He blows hot and cold. I'm scared if I get involved with him, he will break my heart like Tristan. I want him with every cell in my body, like I have wanted no one else in my entire life before." Allie thinks I'm heading down a heartbreak highway. Exhaling, I rub my forehead as conflicting emotions storm through me.

Katie furrows her brows, giving me an understanding nod. "I can’t read his mind. But one thing is super obvious—he wants you as much as you want him, girl."

"I’ll sound crazy now, but from the moment we laid eyes on each other, I have felt as if I was made for him, to serve and obey him till death do us part."

Yep, I sound insane. Who says stuff like this?I do.

"Girl, it’s how I felt when I met my Master, so you are not crazy. You found your other half, your twin flame. Come on, let’s change and head to Dominion. I don't want to miss Mistress Midori’s Kinbaku demonstration with her slave, Sophie."

Mistress Midori binds Sophie in elaborate knots, manipulating the red ropes through her hands like a masterful artist to the seductive sound of Tender’s "Smoke." My heart lurches with deep longing to build the same powerful and beautiful connection they have with Christopher, but, at this point, I'm not sure if I can break the indestructible walls he has built.

After the scene finishes, Katie goes behind the bar, and I wander around, searching for Christopher. Maybe he wanted a night off. Coming to a stop in the socialization area, I collapse on one of the empty couches with a heavy sigh as disappointment and relief storm through me. It might be a good time to play with one of the club’s regular Doms. As I bring my bottle of water to my lips, a lanky Dom with curly brown hair and a baby face plops down next to me.

"Hey, I'm Wyatt." He gives me a sunny smile.

"Hi, I'm Heidi, nice to meet you." I smile back.

"Would you like to do a scene with me?" He stares at me with hopeful eyes, making me chuckle inwardly. I have seen him around a few times, gawking at me with open interest.

Although he isn’t my type—he seems more of a Daddy/pleasure Dom, which is way too tame for me—I accept his offer. "Yes, please."

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