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“No, she would never.” Don’t get me wrong – about half the shows at Midnight focus on humiliation, because that’s what a lot of the local subs like. Odds are good that when you’re wandering around on a busy weekend night, you’re seeing trash talk – and God knows what else. The kind of things that not only does Ira have no interest in as a Domme, but me neither.

I’ve told Eve about that night. I went easy on Ira like she went easy on me my first time. Although she tried to be all tough and tell me she didn’t need any aftercare, well… let’s be honest. Her version of aftercare that night was climbing on top of me in bed until she was so worn out that she fell asleep two seconds afterward. Also! Do note that she did not say no to my cuddling and platitudes.

Maybe one day I’ll be rubbing lotion into her skin and kissing away the booboos I gave her. Probably not anytime soon, but for now, I’m satisfied.

She did it. She tried it. She came to me and said she wanted me enough to acknowledge that part of who I am. Ira Mathison will never sub as often as I want but knowing that she could warms the freezing cackles of my deadened heart.

I also may be beyond smitten in love and driving Eve nuts.

“Stop grinning like a dumbass. This is serious. Dawn Lovett donates to your charities.”

“So, me getting spanked once in a while means she’s not going to help out low-income schools anymore? That would be petty as hell.”

“Dawn Lovett is petty.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice. And no, I’m not wearing anything trashy. We’ve already picked out my outfit. It’s basically my Domme outfit but with different makeup and a collar.”

“All right. You guys are going for the theatrics.”

“Hardly.”

“Think about what you’re doing.”

“I’ve been thinking about that for weeks now. Why do you think I went off to Europe?”

“Fair enough.”

Sinéad weaves in and out of my feet as we sit at my table by the window. Pathetic mewls hit the air until Eve picks her up. “Cats look good on you,” I say. “Thought about collecting them? I hear Jamie Joy has more to hand out. Our cats could be siblings.”

“Cute. You’ve picked up jokes from your girlfriend.”

“She is my girlfriend, isn’t she?”

Eve looks at me, exasperated.

“I swear I’m not one of those women.”

The look gets worse.

Okay, so I’m being insufferable. I like to think I’ve earned the right after this long. I’m on the far side of twenty and have never been in a relationship as serious as this. I don’t count the semi-permanent partners I’ve had over the years. We never reached a point where we were talking about business and living relationships. Meanwhile, Ira’s got crap all over my bathroom sink I constantly have to organize, and I’ve got crap all over her bathroom sink that… I’m constantly organizing.

We’re not moving in together… yet. On that front, we’re being practical. Give it a few months, probably until the end of my lease, and then decide from there. I might downgrade to a studio apartment farther out to save some money because there will be days I need to get away from her dominant personality, or at least to have a guaranteed escape where Ira’s forced to talk to a doorman to come up and see me.

We are most definitely not talking about marriage. Hilariously, I think Ira would be more relaxed about the idea than me. I’m not the type to sit here and doodle out names like, “Kathleen Mathison,” or “Kathleen Allen-Mathison.” I’m more the type to cackle at the thought of, “Ira Allen” or “Ira Allen-Mathison.”

My name sounds better in the front. Don’t you think so? Of course it does.

I’m sitting here, smiling like an idiot while Eve mumbles about insufferable couples, when the doorbell rings.

Um, excuse me. I didn’t have anyone shown up after they buzzed in. So what’s the deal? I warily glance at Eve before going to the door. Nobody’s there.

Nobody, but there is the city scandal rag lying at my feet.

“What the…” I don’t subscribe to this. Nevertheless, I pick it up, reading the fresh headline that makes my breath still in my chest.

“HOLLYWOOD SWEETHEART STEPHANIE MAY LIED ABOUT EVERYTHING.”

“Oh my God,” I hear Eve behind me snort. “Bring that shit in here.”