Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
But even though no conversation has taken place between any of us about consent, there’s just something about Crystal—not Countess—that makes me want to let her lead me. And it’s in no way sexual. Not even slightly. There is a certain confidence—not cockiness—and trustworthiness I sense in her that tells me I’m safe in her hands, in whatever she wants to teach me. An instinctive thing, as she pointed out when we first arrived. She might have spent years trying to perfect her ability to hide her Dominance unless she willed it to come out and play, but there are just some things, things that are soul-deep, that a person has no control over. And apparently, my instincts as a submissive have been honed enough, trained enough, or are just soul-deep enough, that I can pick up on what Crystal naturally exudes.
And it’s in this moment I realize something about this “assignment” Doc gave me.
“This isn’t about me learning how to pole dance, is it?” I ask, my voice strong, my face remaining its un-flushed temperature and color, as I look at my instructor, then my sister, and then back to Crystal. All of us are seated on the cushioned floor, each straddling our own pole, legs out straight in front of us, using the silver metal between our calves to pull ourselves into a deeper fold to stretch.
Astrid and I had followed Crystal’s instruction without her even saying a word.
The two women eye each other for a second, smile knowingly, and then turn to me.
When neither responds, I elaborate, “This is about me discovering I have learned things. I have picked up lessons along the way, without me being totally conscious of it. Isn’t it?”
Astrid is the first to speak. “Neil and I thought it was interesting that you weren’t cognizant of the little habits you’ve picked up from Seth, simple things, like referencing movie characters during conversations, when you never would’ve done that before you met him.” She shrugs. “So, he wondered if it could possibly be the same situation going on with your lack of confidence as a submissive. Like, maybe you just don’t realize how much you’ve actually learned, how much you know, about your role as a sub. I mean, it’s not like you’ve been handed a test and been graded. A teacher hasn’t returned your answers, showing the ones you got right and the ones you got wrong, confirming your knowledge or lack thereof. So how could you know if there are things you need to work on, or if you’re an ace?” She grins, leans toward me, and boops my nose with her pointer finger. “My nerdy little sis.”
I’m too stunned to swat her away.
I look at Crystal. “And you were in on this?” My voice sounds a little accusatory, even though I’m feeling quite grateful to all parties involved.
She holds up her hands in defense, shaking her head slowly. “Hey, now. When Dr. Neil Walker asks you to help him out, I don’t care how dominant you are. You do what he wants and feel honored he chose you to do it for him.”
I nod, conceding easily. “That’s fair.”
She looks me dead in the eye then, and my tummy does a little flip. “But seriously, girl. I was genuinely taken aback when he called last night—not because he called, but because of what he was calling about. What he told me about the woman he was needing my help with did not match the sub I remembered meeting on New Year’s Eve. She couldn’t have been the one I saw with her husband in their store yesterday, or the one I hung out with at the coffee shop either.”
My brow furrows, not understanding what she means, since those women were all one and the same—me.
She switches up her position on the mat, and we follow her lead almost unconsciously. She explains further without pause. “The sub I met at Club Alias—perfect classic positioning while mingling in a crowd of other Doms and subs. Slightly behind her Dom, head marginally bowed, relaxed features. I did notice your tight grip on his arm, but that could’ve always been by his order, his preference or what the two of you agreed upon in your dynamic. But when he introduced you that night, you met my eye politely and nodded but didn’t offer your hand, which is common in our community. My first impression of you was that you were a highly trained and gloriously obedient submissive who looked perfectly natural and happy in your role.”
I’m speechless, hearing her recollection of our initial introduction during the New Year’s party. I was super happy that night. I didn’t put much thought into the way I stood or acted, not at all, really. I always just feel the most comfortable right there, with my tall and strong husband leading the way, my hands around his bicep, reveling in his powerful strength I can always sense beneath the surface of his long-sleeved black Henley and light-tan skin. I try to absorb it into myself, since I’ve never been big on crowds. I’m definitely an introvert, while he is a hundred percent an exhibitionist.