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Another hesitation. “And?”

“I feel like it’s my fault my mother had a breakdown and moved. I should have tried harder in school so I could prove to my father that I was worthy to take over the company one day. And I… even though I love to Top, I still feel guilty that I am here doing this, because now everyone is going to look at me differently. Treat me differently! Aren’t you? Aren’t you all?”

Even Ira is silent. I doubt she thought I would dive into that.

The audience wasn’t expecting it either. The few people I see are transfixed on me, eyes clouding in thought and consideration. Did they even know they would judge me? I bet not. I bet they were going to laugh and move on with their lives. I don’t care. Deep in their minds, they would judge me. How do I know this?

Because I would have judged me.

“Face it. The only way a woman is taken seriously around here is if she’s constantly busting ass and balls alike. The moment we decide to serve for a change, to let go of everything we’re hauling around, we’re seen as weak. Do we treat men the same way? Do we look at male subs and assume that they can’t hold their own out in the real world? I would ask you to think about the number of female subs you know who run businesses, volunteer, teach, and take over the fucking world every damned day.”

“All right, Katie…”

“No!” I shake in my binds, more tears falling down my face as Ira gives me a warning tap on the ass with the crop. “I’m not done!” Before she can interrupt me, I talk over her. “I’m not any less because I switch now. I’ll always be a Domme. But even if I made a complete turn from Domme to sub, I would still be strong and capable. So don’t think that because I’m up here like this I’m not worthy of your respect. I didn’t plan on this. I didn’t know this was inside me until recently. And…” I swallow, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. “I never planned on falling in love with a fellow Domme.”

One of the women sitting up front clasps her hand over her mouth. She looks like she’s going to have a super hormonal cry, but the man she’s with rubs her back until she puts her hand down, lips wibbling, but eyes dry.

My binds come undone, making me fall forward and brace myself on my palms. Ira hooks her hands beneath my shoulders and lifts me up. The leash around my neck pulls at me, and I’m led to the other side of the stage, my jacket pulled off my body until I stand in nothing but my corset and boots.

Ira is rougher than I expected. She forces me over a leather bench, my wrists bound to a handle and my feet latched into a spreader. She doesn’t say anything. Nobody says anything. More than once the crop taps my ass as it sticks out in the air behind me. More warning shots.

I’ve been a bad girl. Tonight, I’ve interrupted my Domme countless times. It’s like my training didn’t even matter.

Ira, however, looks those things over unless she’s in a mood. She said that she finds my insolence hot to a point. Except now we’re in public. We’re on a stage with everyone watching. The attention is off my switching and how Ira Mathison can’t keep their sub under control.

“Sorry, but you know I have to,” she whispers into my ear. This is right before her hand lands on my ass, sending pain as bright as the day through my body.

I yelp.

“I thought I had trained you better, my love.” Ira says this louder, for the audience to hear. “If I thought you would behave like this, I would have kept you at home.” Another spank. “These nice people are watching and hoping to see an obedient sub. Now, are you going to play by my rules, or do I have to keep punishing you until you can’t continue?”

Blood covers my taste buds. I’m biting my lip too hard. “I’ll obey!” This cry is almost wiped out by the pain I feel. And this is from her hand… with a corset covering my ass!

“That’s what we like to hear.” The crop delicately touches me in place of Ira’s hand.

I’m not soothed. I know that as soon as she gets going with that thing, the pain will be even more intense than the flat of her hand.

“Since you’re being so obedient…” Ira takes a step back with the crop. “I think it’s time we all finally freed you.”

“We all,” she says.

“What do you say?’ The crop whizzes through the air as Ira opens her arms to the audience. “Will you support this woman feeling the same fucking shit you assholes all feel?”

I don’t hear anything at first. Then, as if a wave passes through everyone, there is muted applause and a few cheers of support. These types of people aren’t going to get too involved. They prefer to sit and quietly watch shows, not join in… so to hear as much as I have means a lot. I wonder if any of my fellow Dommes are included.

It doesn’t matter. Because Ira is with me, and by channeling the energy of the audience, she’s going to free me.

Possess me.

Take me.

Even though we planned this… even though we went over it countless times in the days leading up to this night, I’m still startled when the crop hits my ass and sends shock through my skin. I’m numb. I’m weary. My inexperienced body is already losing purchase as I fight for God knows what.

Every strike represents one of my insecurities being purged from my body. This I know. This I gladly accept with famished cries that echo in the room.

“What’s the first thing you want eradicated?” Ira pulls my ponytail, forcing me to look into the lights. “What are we freeing you from?”

“My guilt,” I say, exasperated. My ass must be beet red beneath my corset.