“Mr. Saltanov?” I heard Director Berkley say, coming down the stairs after us. “Is everything all right?”
“Fine,” Salt said, still holding me close. “Everything will be fine.”
“I don’t think so,” Berkley said.
I looked up from the shelter of my partner’s broad chest and saw that the Director was staring disapprovingly at both of us.
“Look, Mr. Saltanov, I’m truly sorry but I’m afraid your Little may be too…er, high strung for life here at the Institute.”
“She is simply frightened—because you frightened her,” Salt growled angrily. “I told you she is new to this scene and then I told you I do not use her back passage in this way. And what do you do? You say it is rule that all Littles must have plugs and show her a scene to frighten any little girl to death! What is wrong with you?”
“I…I’m sorry.” Director Berkley seemed somewhat taken aback at Salt’s vehement attack. “I didn’t know she was quite so new as all that.”
“I have paid good money to be here and I wish to stay,” Salt said, still glaring at the other man. “But I do not wish to have my little girl frightened in this way. She is virgin here.” One big hand drifted down to cup my trembling ass. “I do not even put my fingers or my tongue inside her there—not yet.”
Fingers and tongue? Not yet? I looked up at Salt but Berkley was already talking again.
“Very well.” The Director looked disgruntled. “We can delay the placing of the plug for a little while at least. But I must insist that you and your Little have a session with our staff psychologist, Dr. Newhouse, while you are here. In fact, the sooner the better. I think the two of you should meet with her tomorrow at her earliest convenience.”
“All right.” Salt drew himself up to his full height. “This we can do as long as this doctor promises to keep his hands to himself. Mishka is mine and I do not allow anyone else to play with her.”
“Dr. Lucy Newhouse is a female and a consummate professional,” Berkley said stiffly. “I wouldn’t have chosen her for my staff, otherwise.”
“Thank you. Then we will stay. And we will speak with this Dr. Newhouse tomorrow.” Salt nodded his head regally as though he was doing the other man a favor.
“Fine.” Berkley still didn’t look happy about it. “Then if your Little can control her emotions, I do believe it’s time for supper.”
“You have shown us where dining room is—we will meet you there,” Salt said firmly. “First I must talk to my mishka.”
“Very well.” The director strode off, the set of his shoulders under his expensive suit looking very angry indeed.
The moment he was gone, Salt pulled me close and leaned down to whisper in my ear.
“Andi, are you all right?”
I’d had a moment to calm down and now I was thoroughly ashamed of my little break down. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine what had come over me. Why had I freaked out that way? I’d seen things in Vice that would make a whore blush. Why had the live action butt plug show been my undoing?
I couldn’t answer any of those questions and I couldn’t admit to Salt that I was really upset either. I didn’t want him to think of me as weak or crazy or too stupidly emotional and female to do my job.
So I lied.
“I’m perfectly fine,” I said calmly. “That was all just an act. Pretty good, huh?”
“An act?” He frowned at me, his eyes dark. “Andi, don’t lie to me. I feel you trembling. And there are still tears in your eyes.”
“There are?” I reached up and brushed at my right eye hesitantly. My fingers came away wet. “Wow, I’m an even better actress than I thought.” I tried to laugh but it came out sounding forced and choked.
“Andi…” Salt took me by the shoulders and looked at me intently. “You need to tell me now if this is too much for you. I feel strongly that we need to be here but we can leave and let the Captain find someone else.”
Part of me—a big part—wanted to jump at his offer of an easy out. We were so close to the front door—only three feet away from it! But then I thought better of it. I’d like to say I remembered the girl on the video begging for sex in that shameful way because she was hopped up on Please. I have to be honest though, what I was really thinking about was my professional reputation.