Beth slid all the way back, until her hip was pressed against his belly, her feet no longer on the floor.
Master James nudged her off his lap, wedging her between his body and the throw pillow positioned at the arm of the chair. Beth stiffened, sure she had done something wrong, but he positioned his arm along her shoulders, almost as if they were on a date at the movies. He tugged the shirt to the side, the collar falling off her shoulder and exposing her right breast.
“That’s better.” His fingers traced patterns on her breast, touching her everywhere but her nipple.
Beth closed her eyes, breathing deep, waiting, waiting for the moment when he finally touched her nipple. Her hands were on her thighs, palms up. When kneeling, palms up on the thighs was an appropriate “relaxed” posture. It made her feel better to adapt part of an approved posture for her current situation.
Soon the position of her hands was forgotten, all of her attention on her breast. She wanted, needed, him to touch her nipple, or maybe switch to her other breast. Better yet, for his fingers to slip between her legs and do those strange, wonderful things to her. She’d never had an orgasm like that before—nearly painful it was so intense.
“James, how are you doing?” The sound of an unfamiliar voice made Beth jerk, but Master James’s fingers didn’t stop.
“Good, how’re you?”
Beth kept her eyes closed, trying to bring her body under control so she could pay attention in case Master James needed anything from her.
“Isn’t that Cat’s sub Beth?”
“Not anymore.”
“Ah.” There was a question in the sound, before the other Master said, “Oh, you got her for the checklist game.”
“Yes.”
Beth’s breath caught in her chest as pain lanced through her. The emotion was so unexpected that for a half second she though it was an actual physical pain.
It shouldn’t hurt her, the other Dom’s tone or Master James’s response. She’d been the first to acknowledge that she wasn’t the kind of sub Doms like Master James normally selected. Others were going to wonder why he was playing with her, and the game was the natural conclusion.
And the truth.
Though Master James was still toying with her breast Beth was no longer floating in a haze of aroused anticipation. She opened her eyes, though kept them submissively lowered.
Master James’s fingers stopped moving, his hand flattening over her chest.
“Can you do me a favor?” Though she could tell Master James was looking at her, it was clear he was speaking to the other Dom.
“Of course.”
“I need some things.”
Beth remained still as Master James leaned away from her to whisper to the other man. When he’d left, Master James shifted slightly, adjusting pillows until he was in a more relaxed half-reclining position.
He tugged Beth’s shoulders until she was reclining against his side, her head pillowed on his shoulder. “We haven’t talked about our letter.”
Beth found her tension slipping away as she lounged against him. “No, Master James, we haven’t.”
“I assume Madame Cat told you it’s C.”
“I figured it out.”
“The cage and the collar, or lack thereof, were a rather large clue. How are you feeling about Madame Cat removing her collar?”
Beth shrugged.
“No, I want to hear how you’re feeling. The truth.” The command was clear in his voice.
“I knew Madame Cat was moving and leaving LA. I didn’t know it was going to be today.”
“That’s what you know, not how you feel.”
A valid point, and she should have known he’d ask what for her was a difficult question. “I didn’t feel surprised when she removed her collar. I was…resigned. I’d planned to give up my own membership when Madame Cat left.”
“Because you didn’t want to submit to anyone but her?” He sounded both surprised and concerned.
“No, because being a sub is not what I thought it would be. I have not enjoyed it.” She shook her head, because that wasn’t quite right. “It has not been what I expected.”
“You’re disappointed.”
“Yes. Disappointed.” It felt good to say it, and it was true, but given her current position it was an odd statement. “In the Subs’ Garden, when others talk about their sessions and scenes…” Beth didn’t want to finish the sentence. Anything she said would sound pathetic, as if she were whining. She didn’t want to do that.
“Your submission hasn’t been fulfilling.”
She was glad he understood. “Exactly.”
“Have you considered topping?”
Beth sucked in air and almost choked. “No!”
“You don’t find that idea appealing?”
“I could never do it. I could never be responsible for a sub.”
“Why not? You said that you’re good at reading people.”
“Not their emotions, not in situations like this.” She gestured to the courtyard, which was slowly filling with club members.
“Beth, sit up and look at me.”
She rose and twisted, this time meeting his eyes without being prompted.