Submission Under the Mistletoe (6 page)

She poked him again. “Stop stalling. This isn’t
about being nosey, it’s about being there for my brother when I
think something is going on inside his thick head and I can help
with it.”

Her tone softened at the ended, filled with sincere
compassion.

Exhaling loudly, to let her know he didn’t truly
want to talk about it with her. Hell, he didn’t even really know
what was going on with him. “Look, Alesha, I’m not even sure why I
went back. Maybe the other night kind of stirred some things inside
me. Curiosity.”

She glanced out the front window and gave him
directions off the interstate to the restaurant. “Stirred some
things? I thought the night freaked you out. Did it?”

“
Yes. No.” Another burst of air
came out from his lips.

“
How about an easier question?
What happened to your shirt?”

“
That’s not easier to talk about,
because it was confusing to me and I went through it.” He was
honest with her as he got off on the exit.

“
I’m listening.”

Gazing over at his sister, he could see the
determination in her eyes. She was not going to let it go. “Some
woman came over to me for help to get away from her Dominant. She
wasn’t wearing a top so I gave her mine.”

“
Get away? That doesn’t make
sense. Were they in a scene…role play?” Her eyebrows were pulled
tight over the bridge of her nose.

“
I thought that at first. But,
everything went crazy when the Dominant over her saw her with me.
One of the…Dungeon Masters came over to calm everything
down.”

“
I’m sure. A DM had to intervene.”
She shook her head as she directed him into a shopping center about
five miles from their house. “If she wanted to be released from her
bond to him, she only had to ask. Why pull in a complete
stranger?”

“
I don’t know.” He picked up on
the frustration in his own voice.

Titling her head, Alesha just stared at him as they
sat in the parking lot of the restaurant. In a quiet voice, she
asked, “When you said she came to you for help…what exactly did she
do?”

“
Kneeled before me and refused to
rise when the man ordered her.”

His sister gasped.

Brad wasn’t sure why he didn’t share with Alesha
about the kiss, either of them. The way she had reacted just now
with the bowing news, he had made the right choice. Besides, he
never talked to his sister about any of the women in his life
before. Over the years, she’d known when he was dating someone but
that was it. Brian was his confidant. However, he wasn’t
forthcoming with his twin either; which in some ways made this more
frustrating.

“
She must have been really
desperate to get away from him.”

“
That’s what I figured.” He turned
the car off and stared at a family leaving the restaurant. “I don’t
know why I went back there today. It was stupid. I knew she
wouldn’t be there.”

She placed a hand on his knee. “I know you, Brad.
You wanted to ensure she was okay. You’ve always been the
protective one. When we grew up, if I needed someone when I was
hurt and Mom and Dad weren’t there, you were always the one to
check on me. Brian would be the one to try and beat someone up for
me.” She smiled.

He shrugged, keeping silent.

“
Did you catch her name?” She
moved her hand.

Staring at her, he said, “China Doll was what the
man called her.”

His sister’s eyelids stretched wide.

“
You know her?”

“
Not personally. I’ve seen her
around the community. But, I’ve seen Dom Reel around and he can be
a bit of an ass with his subs at times. I’m glad she’s away from
him.” Alesha opened her door and got out.

He followed her out of the car into the restaurant.
Her words had not helped to alleviate his concern for the woman,
but weighed him down even more. However, he kept that to
himself.

Fifteen minutes, later when they had the delicious
smelling Italian food secure on the backseat and where headed back
to the house, he asked, “You don’t plan to tell Brian about this do
you?”

“
And freak him out even more?” She
laughed. “No. However, I can’t keep it from Masters. One because I
share everything with them. Second, they can tell the owner about
it. Although if a DM had to step in I’m sure Master Genuine already
is aware of the situation.”

“
Will he revoke the guy’s
privileges there?”

“
Only if he
harasses the sub again. They don’t tolerate bullying there. In the
lifestyle a sub doesn’t lose their rights because they
choose
to submit to a
Dom/Master. There are some people who forget that and think they
own the person.”

“
I’ve watched you with Mike and
Josh. Every time you kneel before them seem to have so much love
and sincere trust for them.” He told her as he pulled into the long
driveway of the house his sister shared with her men.

“
I do. They have proven to me in
two years that they are worthy of that trust.” When he parked the
car, she took hold of his arm, stopping him from getting
out.

He looked at her and waited.

“
If you ever want to ask questions
or talk, I’m here and I know Masters will be open with
you.”

Giving her a sharp nod, he got out the car. He
appreciated his sister being willing to share her lifestyle with
him, but right now he wasn’t even sure what questions he had. He
just wanted to ensure himself that China Doll was okay.

Mike, Josh and Brian came out of the house to help
unload the food as Alesha took the wrapped gift inside. Brad didn’t
miss how she kissed the back of each of her Dominants hands on the
way by them and they wordlessly caressed her cheek and looked at
her with their gazes filled with warmth and caring.

The one thing that was damn evident to him was that
unlike the ass from the other night, these men loved their
submissive and would protect her and not hurt her.

chapter five

“
What’s your pleasure tonight,
China Doll?” Royal, one of the DM’s at the dungeon leaned against
the polished wood of the bar and stared at her.

Smiling, she knew the man was talking about what she
wanted to drink as much as he was asking her about if she wanted to
play. After what happened a few nights ago, all of the Dungeon
Masters would know that she was an unattached sub, again. She felt
a little shame with that knowledge wondering how many of the Doms
in the place thought something was wrong with her that she couldn’t
keep a Top.

She shook off those thoughts. “Just a ginger ale
with a few orange slices please, Sir.”

“
You got it.” Winking at her, he
moved away to fill her order.

She watched people of all races, genders, shapes and
sizes prepare themselves for scenes, dance to the holiday music and
talk. She’d been in the place for almost two hours and had managed
to fly under the radar.

Placing her drink before her, DM Royal said,
“Genuine and Kenmore will be doing a flogging scene in about an
hour if you’re interested in watching.”

He patted her hand on the bar and turned away to
another customer.

“
Thanks, Sir.” Picking up an
orange slice and biting into it, she glanced around the wide open
area of the dungeon. There were a few back rooms where shows were
performed; places also available for private scenes and medical
play. The dungeon was getting packed, but it was still early.
Tonight she just wanted to blend into the back ground.

“
China Doll…you’re a lovely
sight.” The southern drawl of a woman caught her
attention.

Turning, Gabriella saw Master Pam, a Domme that was
one of the DMs and trainers at Strong Blends. Staring at the pretty
blonde woman, dressed in another one of her 1800 corseted dresses
made in leather, with a small hat included, Gabriella smiled.

“
Hello, Ma’am.” Gabriella gave the
other woman a slight nod, showing respect.

Being an experienced FemDom who preferred women,
Master Pam commanded just as much respect as her fellow male
counterparts, desiring to be called Master over Mistress.

“
What brings you out tonight?
Looking for some scene play?” The Domme waved DM Royal
over.

“
I really haven’t decided, Ma’am.”
Gabriella set the eaten orange peel down onto the napkin under her
glass.

DM Royal slid a cup of hot tea before Master Pam.
The Domme smiled at him. Everyone in the place knew that the
dominant woman also drank warm tea. Gabriella didn’t know how the
woman managed it while wearing the heavy outfit. But, the Master
did it and kept her cool the entire time.

“
So, are you looking to replace
the Dom you so publicly left?”

Damn
. The
woman proved to Gabriella that everyone was talking about her just
as she suspected. Holding back a shrug, a gesture not accepted in
the community from a sub, Gabriella said, “Most likely. I’m just
not sure when.”

Staring at Gabriella with bold blue eyes, Master Pam
sipped her tea allowed her gaze to roam over her face.

Gabriella felt uncomfortable and bit down on the
inside of her lip to keep from squirming under the sharp
appraisal.

“
Come sit with me for a moment.”
The Domme walked away, not anticipating being disobeyed.

Understanding an order when she heard one, Gabriella
slipped from the barstool; grabbing her drink she followed the
voluptuous, statuesque woman.

The woman led her to one of the quiet areas in the
dungeon, where there were several small couches, and plush chairs,
the lighting was subdued; a place normally reserved for aftercare
for a Dom/sub following a play session.

No one was present in the area at the moment, most
likely because scenes were just getting started and there was no
need for it yet.

Master Pam set her cup and saucer down on the small
table as Gabriella took the seat beside her.

“
China Doll, I have been watching
you for well over a year. I’ve seen you come and go with several
Doms in that time,” The older woman said.

Unable to meet the woman’s gaze, Gabriella stared
down at her hands. She knew the Domme was concerned; Gabriella
clearly picked that up in the woman’s voice.

Cupping her chin, the dominant woman beside her
turned Gabriella’s face toward her. “What are you looking for,
darling?”

That one simple question brought an ache in her
chest. Gabriella inhaled a sharp breath, keeping her composure,
with this kindhearted Domme, who was like a mother figure to her,
it would be too easy to give into the emotions rocketing through
her body.

Swallowing, Gabriella confessed, “I don’t know,
Ma’am.”

“
Don’t you think you owe it to
yourself and whatever Dom that gets the honor of having you submit
to them, to discover that?” Master Pam lowered her hand. “Instead
of haunting the halls of Strong Blends.”

“
Probably, Ma’am.” Leaning back,
Gabriella focused on the wall behind the chair across from them. “I
wouldn’t know where to start.”

With a compassionate hand on her shoulder, Master
Pam said, “Well I’m positive that after what happened the other
night you know what you don’t want. So, to find what you want,
start with your heart. Everyone comes into the lifestyle for
something. Something they can’t get on the other side of the
metaphorical door, in the vanilla world. Start with those two
things and I guarantee you’ll begin to unravel the mystery of the
Dom you truly need that will best suit you.”

Hearing the other woman’s kind admonishment,
Gabriella understood that this wasn’t the place she needed to be
tonight. Sure wasn’t even sure any longer when she needed to come
again. However, she’d leave that mental conversation for another
day. “Thank you, Master Pam.”

“
Bring it in, China Doll.” The
Domme pulled her into a tight hug.

Gabriella relaxed for a moment, appreciating the
sweet herbal scent that was always around the woman, and her warm,
kind embrace.

“
Okay, now let me get back to
Marigold.” Releasing her, the woman rose from the couch. “That sub
of mine has been looking forward to a little electro play all
week.”

Standing up, beside her, Gabriella smiled. “I know
you’re the one to do it right, Ma’am.”

“
Hell, yea, I am.” With a kiss to
Gabriella’s cheek and a big smile, the FemDom strutted away to a
medium height Asian girl who was kneeling nude by the violet wand
station.

Taking a deep breath and ready to leave, Gabriella
turned away and went to the ladies changing room. Instead of
putting back on her jeans, sweater and boots, she opted to pull her
long wool coat over her outfit. Grabbing her bag out of the locker,
she headed out.

Her emotions were all over the place, she felt raw
and open after the conversation with the other woman. Being at
Strong Blends with so much palpable honest submission wasn’t
helping.

At the back door, she spotted the mistletoe dangling
from the ceiling. Then her memory flooded back to the man she’d
kissed; the one that helped her to free herself from Reel. He was
why she’d come here.

An idiotic decision for several reasons, mainly
because the man had said he wasn’t in the lifestyle. So, why she’d
even had a sliver of hope he’d be here didn’t make sense.