“How long ago was that?”
“Five years?”
“That’s a hell of a dry spell, my friend.”
Try living it. “I was busy.”
“Perfection is kind of a hard standard to live up to.”
“Your opinion is noted. You try saying goodbye to five sweet, biddable subs in a row and tell me you wouldn’t begin to wonder if the right sub for you is out there.”
“So it’s easier to maintain the status quo of ‘busyness’ and high personal standards than risk saying goodbye again?”
“You know how to kick a man when he’s down.”
“Well, if it’s any consolation, Mona always tells me how much the club submissives love knowing they’re being watched over by a protective, eagle-eyed Dom. And it sounds as though your dry spell might be at an end.”
“We’ll see.” He rubbed the center of his chest, hoping this wasn’t another mistake.
“Master, may I serve you?” Jade asked, startling him as he looked down and realized she was kneeling in front of him. It wasn’t good that he was so distracted he hadn’t been aware of Jade’s approach. Bunny kept him off center whether she was near him or not.
“Hello, Jade,” Randall said after glancing at Joseph. “How are you tonight?”
“Fine, Sir.”
Without bending, Joseph extended a hand to her, which she took and stood when he tugged her from her kneeling position. “What have I told you, Jade?”
Eyes averted, she looked at her wringing hands. “I shouldn’t call you Master. I’m sorry. But kneeling is protocol on club nights, isn’t it?” She glanced in Bunny’s direction.
“Yes, it is, for knowledgeable subs. And thank you for asking me a direct question. It may be that we find a Dom for you that is good at anticipating your needs, but until then, I appreciate you not expecting me to read your mind. Three of the Doms you communicated with are here tonight.”
“They are?” she asked, her eyes widening beneath the arc of her lashes.
“Yes. If you will go to Cecilia, she will introduce you to the first one. He is seated at the bar waiting for you.”
“And the others?”
“Observing, for now.”
“Observing the club?” she asked, casting her gaze furtively around her.
“No, observing you. I’m sure they will find your behavior is nothing but a credit to your training.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Thank you, Sir.”
Halting her with a hand on her arm, he said, “Remember, Jade. It is expected at this point for you to negotiate your needs. Observe the rules but don’t go to your knees unless Cecilia gives you a nod and you are sure. And even then, I’ll only allow you to serve for the evening.”
“That’s all?”
“I want to be sure, Jade. Your desire to serve is so strong, and I don’t want you to sell yourself short. Do you trust me and Cecilia?”
“Of course, Sir,” she said with a smile, using the proper form of address. “Cecilia cares about me, and I know you do, too.”
“Good girl. Off you go, then.” Part of him wanted to do the introductions, but Jade was comfortable in the club setting—and with Cecilia—and he wanted her to become more adept at negotiating, and she wouldn’t do that if he hovered over her. It was also important for her to depend on her own intuition.
She turned back as if to say something else but then paused, shook her head, and turned toward the club.
“What?”
Jade’s cheeks flushed a little, and her gaze darted to where Bunny stood chatting with a sub and her Dom, who seemed vastly amused by whatever Bunny was saying. “It’s not my business.”
“Get it off your chest, Jade. It’s okay.”
“That person…why is she here?” Her disapproving tone and frown indicated she didn’t believe there was a submissive bone in Bunny’s body. But Jade also had a slanted worldview of submission, albeit one that had worked for her in the past.
Nodding, Joseph said, “Do you remember how you felt when you discovered you were a submissive and there was nothing wrong with you?”
“Yes.”
“And then you discovered a person who felt the same way, and then a great number of people who understood you and shared your interest.”
“Y-Yes.”
“Good. Remember how you felt the first time you spoke with Donald?”
She lowered her head, and she nodded as her cheeks flushed deeper. She gulped, and he barely heard her hoarsely voiced, “Yes.”
“Would you deny that gift to someone else, even if, to you, she doesn’t look or act the same as you?”