He stalks around the hood, and his light brown hair, with sun-kissed blond streaks, does make him easy on the eyes. With his high cheekbones, almost bronzed skin, and the little panty-melting grin he imparts, my entire body is ignited by his charismatic charm.
His large hand pulls at the handle on the door, and as he extends his other hand, his long fingers interlace with mine while he helps me out. He frees his one hand from the car door, tipping my chin to his, then lowers his mouth and brushes his lips across mine.
“Wow, simply wow.” His gaze swings down my body, then returns to my face, and this indicates he approves of my short skirt. He leans in to my ear, his warm breath on my skin causing a cacophony of goose bumps. “And as every sorry bastard is staring at you, I’m the one who will be holding your hand.”
He places his finger to me as if he’s asking for something. I put the keys on his open palm while he protectively positions his hand on the small of my back. Handing it to the doorman, Drake instructs him by saying, “Add this to my bill, please.”
In most situations, a girl would argue with the man. But not when you are a sub out with a Dom. I’m sure it’s some sort of test to see my true nature. I rotate my head to his. “Thank you, Sir.”
I’ve not been instructed what to call him. Every Dom has a completely different desire when it comes to this, but as I’ve learned, if he has another request, he won’t be shy about telling me.
His posture is confident as he leads me through the swanky restaurant, and though I love being on his arm, I’d rather have my fingers intertwined with Maddox’s.
Pulling the chair back for me, he waits until I’m seated, then takes the seat across from me.
“Fuck, Jewel, I can’t take my eyes off you.”
He still has not given me instructions on what he wants from me. To look him in the eyes or keep them downturned? So I stay in the way of most subs, whispering an appreciative thank you his way, followed by Sir.
“Hey, beautiful,” he begins, “you can look at me. I’d very much like this.” I lift my head and give him a broad smile because he’s something wonderful to look at. “And please continue to call me Sir.”
I give him a slight nod, never taking my eyes off him. “Thank you, Sir. This is wonderful. This place is very luxurious.”
He reaches for my hand, lacing his long fingers with mine. “So, tell me, how was your first day of work?”
I give a little shrug but then realize that with most Doms, words are very important in a D/s dynamic.
“It wasn’t as bad as I thought. I actually would like it quite a bit if I wasn’t forced into this decision. But it could have been worse,” I explain, then wait for his reply.
“I’ve thought of you all day and your situation.” There’s a lull in the conversation, and I think he’s waiting on a reply, but he quickly continues. “I want to spend as much time with you as I can get for the first week to see if we’re compatible. If we are, then I’d like to enter into a six-month contract with you. You’ll live in an apartment of my choosing, drive a car of my choice, and you’ll go to school.”
My mouth instantly dries, and I can’t form the words, even if I were to try. “Words, Jewel, I need you to use your words.” There it is, his command to talk, and he’s not messing around. I see an almost over-demanding nature—an over-the-top command just in his tone.
As if it were scripted, our waiter arrives with water, and he places the glasses down in front of us. He begins to recite the specials for the night.
“I’ve not asked for you to take my order yet, so I will let you know when we are ready,” Drake demands of our waiter. He gives us a curt nod, leaving right away. Drake points at the glass, and I pick it up to take a quick drink in the hopes I’d be able to form words.
He gives me some time as I drain the glass of water. “Sorry, beautiful, I didn’t mean to catch you off guard.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just you barely know me.”
His eyes dance around my body, the sparkle in the ocean hues, a ring of yellow around bringing me into the brown of his eyes. “And hence the six months,” he retorts, a serious expression pulling at his full lips. I think this man just might have an answer for anything and everything.
“Okay, I’m listening, Sir.” I have a little bit of a flirt in my voice, but there’s still this hesitation that he’s not the one for me. Yet the one I want doesn’t want me, so for that reason, I become irrationally ticked off at Maddox. This is what I need, an anger that will help me forget him so I can move on.
“As I said, I’d like to spend as much time with you as I can get. In a week, you should be ready to agree to be my sub for the next six months. I want to make sure we’re compatible. But I can’t imagine that in a week of being in your life that I’m not going to want you in six months’ time. And I want to take care of you, so this contract would be different because your needs are different.”
The waiter starts back toward us again, and Drake takes no time to let him know we aren’t ready. And again, in him, his demands always need to be met. He must need to get this part past him in order to enjoy the rest of his night. “Do you have any questions yet?”
I start with a shake of my head but realize right away what he needs from me. “No, I don’t.”
His smile reaches his eyes, then he continues, “I told you what I’d provide for you, and if we decide to continue together, I’ll simply break the lease on your apartment. No biggie. If in six months, we decide we’re not a match, you’ll stay there for the remainder. It will give you time to find a job and other arrangements. On top of that, I’ll pay for your tuition at one of the community colleges around here since getting you into the university would be impossible with classes starting next week.”
I’m speechless, I’m shocked, and I don’t have the words to express my amazement, but something is still off with him even though he’s easy on the eyes.
“I take care of those who are mine, and you will be mine. My everything. Listen, I’m not buying you, and I’m not paying for sex. It’s just part of you belonging to me.”
“And what do you expect from me?” I ask, and if he’s the Dom I hope he is, this won’t offend him.
“I expect obedience at all times and to be respectful. Besides school and time set aside for studying, you’ll be whatever I want you to be. I’m a fair man. I’m a man who needs not only control but companionship, too.”
In my mind, I’m calculating things, adding and subtracting what I’d need to make this work.
“And when I say I take care of everything that is mine, you’ll have a car, and I’ll be sure you are provided with medical care whenever you need it.”
The waiter stands ten feet from us, waiting on permission to approach, and when Drake gives him a nod of his head, he’s in front of our table, and Drake orders for me. This is just part of showing him I’m a good sub, and as he reaches for my fingers, I’m left to wonder if this could really be my life. If I could be chosen for once. And in all of this, if I can give up on the hope of Maddox.