Jake,
Your faith in me is appreciated more than you know, and I’ve given some serious thought regarding your father’s generous offer to train me in the D/s lifestyle. I’m willing to participate in this adventure, and I look forward to hearing from him.
Thanks,
Lori
I reread the e-mail three times while gathering the courage to send it. Then I finally worked up the nerve and pushed the damn button.
Chapter 2
Attempting to get comfortable in the narrow middle seat of the airplane, I snapped one heavy end of the metal buckle into the other and pulled the gray woven belt tight around my hips. After giving a brief smile to the stranger beside me, I stared out the window and remembered a conversation I’d had with my publisher’s father via Skype.
“Lori, I know we’ve gone over this before, but maybe we should talk about it again.”
“John, I’m a twenty-four-year-old woman who’s capable of making this type of decision. What are you so worried about?”
“I just need to remind you what you’re getting into. This lifestyle you want to write about is not anything you’ve experienced before. Now, I know you’ve tried to create a Daddy Dom/Little girl relationship on paper, but it’s apparent to me that…”
“I have no idea what I’m writing about?”
“I don’t want you to feel you’d made a mistake spending a week of your life…”
“Living with a licensed therapist who was the head of his household and enjoyed a D/s relationship with his wife? Do you really think that could be shocking to me?” I said nonchalantly, finishing his sentence. “I did have a kinky boyfriend, you know.”
“Uh-huh, so I’ve heard,” he retorted before clearing his throat. “Maybe it would’ve been a good idea to research real Daddy/Little girl relationships before you agreed to be trained by me. How you’re going to live for the next seven days won’t resemble anything you’ve written so far.”
“Yes, I know. You told me all this before. So, in preparation for our visit together, I’ve downloaded an article that gives ideas of how to have a successful Daddy Dom relationship in ten easy steps.”
He chuckled and breathed a heavy sigh. “All right then, kiddo, have a safe flight and text me when you land in Austin. I’ll be waiting nearby to pick you up at the airport.”
“You really don’t have to do that. I’m completely capable of calling an Uber.”
“You’ll do no such thing. As soon as your plane lands, you will become my responsibility. Is that clear, young lady?” he insisted, leaning his determined face closer to the screen.
I laughed. “Crystal clear, John. Thanks.”
Jesus. I’m not even in his home yet, and he’s already treating me like I’m his little girl. Trying to wipe the crooked grin off my face, I continued to wonder about the intriguing adventure ahead of me when the pilot’s deep voice rang over the intercom.
“It looks like we’re going to have blue skies in Austin on this beautiful summer day, and I want to thank you all for flying with us. Flight attendants, please make that last check and prepare for a landing.”
Once again, I smiled at the woman sitting next to me, which is probably what encouraged her to make some light conversation.
“Do you have family in Texas?”
“No,” I said, stuffing my wide patent leather handbag under the seat before turning to face her. “I’m going to spend the week with a friend.”
She raised an eyebrow. “A man friend?”
“Is it obvious that I’m nervous?”
“Besides the bit of mumbling you’d done during the flight, your trembling smile is a dead giveaway,” she admitted with a wink.
Leaning closer, I decided to test the waters with this stranger. “Do you know what a Dominant/submissive relationship is?”
“I certainly do,” she whispered before looking around nervously.
Staring out the window, I watched the white fluffy clouds roll by and shared my secret. “I’m an author of BDSM novels, but I’ve never really lived the lifestyle, so I’m going to be trained by my publisher’s father. Sounds crazy, right?”
“The man is a real-life Dominant?”
I nodded reluctantly. “And he’s almost twice my age.”
“It sounds like you’re in for quite an experience.”
As I turned to stare into her ice blue eyes, we hit a bit of turbulence, and my heart skipped a beat. “There’s no doubt I’m in over my head.”
The wheels hit the runway, my clammy hands reminded me I was growing more apprehensive by the minute and finally the crew gave us permission to turn on our electronic devices. Powering up my phone, I sent John a quick text to tell him I’d arrived. Naturally, he was already at the airport and said he’d be waiting outside the exit doors for me.
Through our many conversations on Skype, I’d learned John had received his master’s degree in psychology. This intelligent, handsome man who had accepted the task of teaching me about the Daddy Dom world in seven days was no doubt a stickler for rules. And just thinking about the way his eyes darkened as he spoke about disobedience made my insides somersault.
Rolling my midsize suitcase through the double electronic doors, I spotted him standing on the curb. Since I’d never seen him in the flesh, his large stature was a bit shocking, and he was much sexier in person than he appeared on the computer screen.
“Ahh, Lori Gold. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, extending his hand.
I bobbed my head and croaked out a small stuttering response while accepting his handshake. “N-Nice to meet you, too.”
Instantly, John took the initiative of carefully sliding the heavy overnight bag off my shoulder. “Why don’t you hop in the front seat while I put your bags in the trunk.” Though his words sounded like a suggestion, his deep tone was laced with the presence of an unyielding authority, and my smile was tentative as I glanced down at his thick, muscular hand. This was the man who would be my dominant for the next seven days? I should’ve asked his glove size before I agreed to this fucking insane idea.
“In my wildest dreams, I never imagined you would’ve lived in such a huge home.”
Bringing my luggage down the narrow hall, he turned his head to meet my gaze. “We raised Jake here, and I just haven’t wanted to move away from the memories.”
“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have opened my big mouth.”
He stopped and bent his head slightly. “My sweet Jeannie died five years ago. But that’s a long sad story, so let’s save it for another time, okay?”
“Of course.” Gazing around his pristine living space, I thought about him being the master of this house while studying the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
“In case you’re concerned about the neighbors looking in, you don’t have to worry. Everyone on this block respects