Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
She couldn’t help but roll her eyes in perfect disdain. “That’s ridiculous. I didn’t trick him into anything.”
“So you outlined what you wanted from him?”
There it was, that creeping, completely unfounded guilt that seemed ready to overwhelm her at any given moment. This was why she hated all the time she’d spent “thinking.” “I gave clear instructions and they led us both to incredible encounters.”
“So you didn’t work up a contract with him?”
And the wave was cresting. “It wasn’t like that. I knew we wouldn’t have that kind of a relationship.”
“But you wanted one.” Kori leaned in. “Mistress Day, you don’t have to talk about this, but I know you’re not talking about it with Kash and I don’t think you have made friends here. You’ve been through something stressful and I understand pulling back. But talking can help. It’s helping Kash.”
He did seem happier. He’d had breakfast with her this morning and spoken more than a few words. They’d had a lively discussion about an article he’d read in a scientific digest. It had almost made her feel normal.
What would it hurt to talk to Kori? From what she’d heard from Kash, this woman and her husband were in some ways the mom and pop of the club. Big Tag and his wife were the king and queen, but Kori and Kai were the ones many of the members talked to when they had a problem.
“If I had sat him down and explained that I was a Mistress and wanted him to submit to me sexually, he would have run as fast as he could. Kash thinks submitting means he’s weak. He can say he understands the lifestyle all he likes. He doesn’t.”
“I don’t know about that. I think he does understand much of it. The thing he doesn’t understand is himself, and tricking him into something he’s not ready for wasn’t the best plan.”
“I wasn’t tricking him.”
“I understand that, but that’s how he’ll see it. Why didn’t you tell him you had experience?”
How much had Kash talked? Little hypocrite. He’d told her they should show a united front and then turned around and given up their every secret. “I didn’t hide it. I simply didn’t talk about it. I didn’t want to hear about Kash’s conquests.”
“But you knew about them.”
She couldn’t avoid it. “Everyone knows about them. His escapades are legendary.”
“While yours were private. You knew much more about him than he knew about you. Doesn’t that put him at a disadvantage?”
She caught hold of her anger. There was nothing in Kori’s demeanor that indicated she was being judgmental. She was the wife of a therapist, and Day would be surprised if she hadn’t picked up a few of her husband’s techniques. It was a bit like a science experiment. She’d put forth a theory—that Kashmir had been “tricked.” Now it was up to Day to prove or disprove the theory. Kash believed it. By examining her own actions with Kori, she could find a way to change his mind.
Or she would decide she owed her husband an apology.
“I don’t view relationships as a game. I don’t seek to have an advantage over him. I wasn’t trying to trick him. I was trying to form a connection with him and it worked. When we were alone together, he responded to everything I asked of him. He enjoyed it.”
“Until?” Kori asked.
“Until the moment he figured out someone knew about my background as a Domme. We were perfectly fine until he realized it was possible someone could find out.”
“Interesting and not unsurprising. I did hear that Ian and some of the others were working to ensure your privacy,” Kori explained. “I’m fairly certain after they’re done, you won’t have to worry about the press finding out.”
“That’s the real problem. I never worried. I didn’t care. I’m not ashamed of myself. I take pride in who I am and what I can do. I’ve helped many submissives learn about discipline and to find their inner strength. There’s nothing wrong with it.”
“No, but it is seen as abnormal by many in society.”
“And it always will be if we all hide.”
Kori shook her head. “It can’t be you. You gave up that right when you chose to take the crown, Your Majesty. You get to stand up for people who don’t have a voice. You get to do amazing things for the needy people of both your country and the world, but you don’t get this. The minute you decided to become Loa Mali’s queen, you ceased being able to take that part of yourself public. I’m not saying there’s anything shameful, but you have other fights to fight. Bigger fights. You can be whoever you want behind closed doors, but you belong to the people otherwise. That’s what Kash has to deal with.”