the clock every two minutes for the rest of the day, until it’s finally six o’clock. Just before Cindy locks the front door, Davis arrives to pick me up. My car has finally bitten the dust and we’re planning to shop for a new one this weekend. He’s been driving me for the past three days.
I’m practically bouncing as he steps inside, and I quickly shut down my computer and gather my belongings, lifting my face to his when he leans over the counter to kiss me. “Hey, sweet girl.”
I shiver because I always do when he calls me that in his deep voice that only I can hear.
Cindy comes into the front from her office. “Hey, Davis.” She turns toward me. “Come on back to my office for a bit.” She looks back at Davis. “Both of you.”
I bite my lip, wondering if I’m in trouble. She doesn’t usually ask me to meet her in her office. The only time she’s called me back was to give me this promotion.
Davis has a strange look on his face as he sets a hand on my lower back and guides me. Almost a smirk? I can’t read his expression, but I start to think whatever is about to take place, he already knows about it.
When we enter Cindy’s office, I’m surprised to find her fiancé sitting in a chair next to her desk. Hudson stands and shakes Davis’s hand. “Good to see you.”
Davis knew Cindy and Hudson before I met him. They were already friends.
“Have a seat.” Cindy motions toward the two chairs across from her desk and then she and Hudson sit also.
I’m rigid. What is going on?
Cindy looks nervous, and she plays with a pencil on her desk, tapping it several times before Hudson scoots closer to her and sets his hand on top of hers. He says nothing.
“Did I do something wrong?” I ask.
Davis sets his hand on the back of my chair and strokes my shoulder with his fingers. “You haven’t done anything wrong, sweetie.”
I glance at him, uncertain.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Cindy begins in a soft voice.
Hudson squeezes her hand as if providing moral support.
She draws in a breath and sits up taller, seeming to pull herself together. “I’m a member of the club where Davis is taking you tonight.”
I suck in a breath. “Surrender?” I glance at Davis. He’s not shocked. He knew this. Right. Of course. That must be how they reconnected after Davis moved here.
Cindy swallows and continues. “I’m extremely private about my personal preferences. My fetish, I mean. Very few people know about my lifestyle choices. I’ve had to make the difficult decision to share with you because I didn’t want Davis…” She glances at him, “…Master Davis…to withdraw his membership because of me.”
I glance at Davis and back at Cindy and then Hudson. I’m not fully understanding. It’s sinking in slowly.
Davis squeezes my neck and then responds. “I offered to switch my membership to another club, but…”
Hudson interrupts. “The truth is that I encouraged Cindy to out herself to you. I thought it would be awkward going forward for Davis to keep this secret from you. You two are in a committed relationship. The fact that he knew we belong to Surrender and you didn’t know seemed unfair.”
“He’s right,” Cindy agrees. She’s shaking a bit.
“I’m sorry you were put in such a difficult position,” I finally respond. I can see this is stressful for her.
She smiles. “Don’t be sorry. I just have trust issues, so I’m very careful.”
“I would never tell a soul,” I inform her.
“I know you won’t. And it’s better this way. I’d rather the four of us be able to do things together without an elephant in the room. It wouldn’t be fair to you for me to maintain my secrecy.”
“Are you…” I don’t finish that question. It’s not my business what kind of kink she’s into. She’s obviously very distressed admitting she’s even a member of the club. She’s entitled to keep the rest private.
“I’m a little, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
I hold her gaze. “Oh.” I glance at Davis as I realize they all know I am too.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to talk to you. I was…” She’s really shaking.
Hudson moves closer, tips her head toward him, and meets her gaze. “Take a breath, baby girl.”
She draws in a deep breath, holding his gaze. “I’m okay.”