Page 8 of The Cat's Dom

“Who said you were bad here?”

“No one. I had my limitations pointed out to me. I really am sorry. I hope you find someone who’s capable of doing the job.”

“Wait…”

“I’ve got to go. Thank you for the opportunity.”

Cat heard him yell before turning off her phone. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. She thought she should probably go back to her apartment because she was so tired, but she thought she’d feel worse sitting there alone, so she drove until she came to another small town with interesting shops.

There were several things she found and bought that made her happy, and it took her mind off her life for a few hours. A picture of a woman and child on a beach holding hands. A vase she would use to put fresh flowers in sometimes. She needed a few things for the kitchen and a bowl to put fruit in. There were pieces of furniture she fell in love with but without a job, she had to be careful with her money until she found something else. She also considered that the furniture would be too heavy and next to impossible to move if she had to.

One of the shops she loved had been hiring, and she thought to ask about it, but she would have to find somewhere closer to rent an apartment since the town was over an hour away. She didn’t know if she’d be able to get out of the apartment she was in now.

Cat tried to find enthusiasm for anything, but it wasn’t working. She told herself she could move anywhere and do anything. She didn’t have anyone in her way. Instead of making her feel free, it just made her feel even lonelier.

Her ex-Dom she’d met in a club, if you could call him that, had done a lot of damage. Before that was a monster that had taken so much from her, and she didn’t know if she could overcome it. The only other choice she had was dying, and there was still too much life left in her for her to give up so soon.

In the afternoon, she pulled through a fast-food place and parked to the side while eating some of her hamburger. Her stomach wouldn’t let her eat more at that moment.

She knew she should get moving because night was starting to fall, and everything looked more menacing. Even the people looked scarier.

After she finished half of it because her stomach was upset, she threw away the rest and the wrappers and drove home. She looked up at her apartment window and saw she’d left a light on but couldn’t remember doing it. But she was exhausted that morning. The night before, she hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep because of another nightmare. She thought she’d get used to them eventually, but it wasn’t happening. The ones where she woke up with blood all over herself, lying in the closet or cage Maximus would put her in to train her.

After she jerked awake, it was impossible to go back to sleep because of all the memories that bombarded her.

She sighed, exited her car, grabbed her purchases and purse, and walked into the building and up the steps. After unlocking her door and walking in, she shut and locked the door and pressed her forehead against the cool wood.

Maybe, just maybe, she’d be too tired to dream at all, and she’d get some sleep. She sighed and set her bags and purse down on the small table between the kitchen and living room.

“Where have you been, Little Sub?”

She screamed and twirled around. It took her a moment to realize Macy was sitting on her chair in the shadows with his elbows on his knees and his gaze on her. “How did you get in?” she asked.

“Why did you quit your job?” Macy asked, avoiding her question.

Cat had to press on her chest and concentrate on getting her heartbeat down because it felt like her heart was about ready to jump from her chest. “It’s not a good fit for me.”

“This is because of me and our talk today.”

She shrugged. “I’m shocked no one else saw my faults and called me on them before.”

“Your faults?”

“Well, yeah. Hey, I’m really tired, and I just want to go to bed. Can you please leave?”

He stood and took a few steps toward her. She flinched and raised her arms over her face to block him when his hand came up.

“What the fuck?” Macy said. “Jesus, I would never fucking hurt you.”

She tried to relax and looked away. She could feel the blush of embarrassment covering her face. “I’m sorry. It’s just a reflex.”

“I was going to smooth the hair from your face, Baby.”

“All right.” She looked at the door. “Thank you for stopping by.”

He snorted, and in slow motion, cupped her face. His grip tightened when she tried to pull away. “We’re going to come to an understanding tonight. Why don’t you go and shower and get into something comfortable? Did you eat?”

“I … yes. But I want you to leave.”

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