Taking Over (11 page)

Gina
held the envelope in her lap, swiping back and forth over the surface. She
looked around the room. Her thoughts couldn’t quite catch up to what her heart
knew for certain. Her mother’s last moments hadn’t been spoiled by Dale’s vile
lies.

“On
our way over, I asked Marcus a lot of questions. I owe you an apology.”

“No
you don't.” Gina tapped the envelope on her leg. “You believed what I asked you
to.”

“Still.
There's no way
I could apologize for my father's behavior.”

“Nonsense.
I know he
didn't make your life easy.”

“Thank
you for that.” She looked to Marcus. “The two of you should open it together. I
know she wrote letters to both of you.”

Gina
looked down. Their names were written across the top in her mother's delicate
penmanship.

“Would
you look at that?” Marcus put his arm around her back.

“I'm
going to leave.” Leslie got up.

“You
don't have to.” Gina got up too. “I have quite a lot to eat. There are scones,
fruit salad. You know how they don’t keep.”

“I
know, but I have a lot to process.” She pulled her purse higher on her
shoulder. “Call me when you're ready to talk. It would mean a lot to me if we
could reconnect.”

“You're
all I have left.” She hugged her sister. “I'd really like that.” She walked her
to the door and grabbed the tissue box on her way back to the couch.

“Well,
go ahead. Let's see what she wanted to tell us.”

“Right now?
Maybe we should
wait a little.”

“Gina,
I'm not letting you stew about this any longer. Open the letter or I'm putting
you over my lap.”

She
shook her head.

“Gina.”

“I'm
weighing my options.”

“I'll
read it.” He tried to take the letter from her.

“No.”
She turned away. These were her mother's last words. No matter how painful, it
was hers. She ripped the envelope open and pulled out the paper inside. “It
looks like there are two. This one is for you.” She handed it to him and opened
hers.

My Dearest Gina,

I'm getting weaker
every day and I'm not sure how much time I have left. I want to make sure I say
these things to you again so you'll always remember. You've grown into such a
beautiful young woman. I'm so proud of you and all your accomplishments and I
know your dad is smiling down on you. The only good thing about leaving you
behind
is knowing
my sweetheart is waiting for me.

Thank you for
putting up with Dale all these years. I know he wasn't your favorite. I'd hoped
you and he would get along. I was worried how you'd do once I left this world,
but I'm no longer worried.

Seeing you with
Marcus last week settled all my fears. I'd prayed he'd come back into your
life. I always believed he was the right one for you. We loved Rob, but both
your father and I knew your heart belonged to Marcus. I hope you've told him
all he means to you. Let him into your life. Let him all the way in. It’s the
only way you'll ever really know. Love is hard and not always fair, but you
must take the risk.

I wish we had
more time. I'm so sorry I have to go. Know you'll always be in my heart.

I love you,

Mom

P.S. I'm hoping
you'll give Leslie another chance. She seems to be missing you and she really
is a good girl.

A
tornado of emotions tore through her thoughts. How could she possibly process
it all? It was too much.

“Wow.”
Marcus took a deep breath.

“What
does yours say?” There had to be something more. This couldn't be it.

“I'll
tell you, someday.”

“That's
shit. My mom wrote it.” She clung to her anger, letting it over take everything
she couldn't process which left her in an uncomfortable middle ground. She
wanted to cling to him, have him tell her he loved her. It would all be so
simple. Nothing in her life was simple. She didn't want to be the type of girl who
fell apart because the one guy she couldn't live without didn't love her back.
She’d never wanted to be that girl.

“You're
going to have to settle for disappointment.”

“Then,
I'm not sharing mine either.” She tucked the letter into the book sitting on
her coffee table and got up, determined to keep moving. “I'm hungry.”

“Do
you want me to stay?”

“Not
if you don't want to.” She turned around. Her mother was right about one thing.
She did love Marcus. All her fears circled around her and settled on the fact.
She had not one bit of strength left to face it. Maybe it was everything with
Dale or losing her mom, but she didn't have it in her to risk her heart. She
couldn't do it all those years ago and she couldn't do it now. She wasn’t
strong enough. “You know what, get out.” Somehow she needed to get him out
before the tears came back.

“What?”

“You
heard me.” She walked past him to the door and tugged it open. Kicking him out
felt a lot better than facing the alternative of him leaving her one day all
too soon. “We're long past Keller's request. There's really no longer a reason
for you to stay, right?”

“I
didn't think I needed a reason.”

“I
just don't know why you'd want to, unless you're in need of more bonus points
with Keller or are you really hoping he’ll have a statue made of you?” She
squeezed the doorknob. “That must be it.” She put her other hand on her hip.
“You’ve kept me in line. Well done, Marcus. I think you’ve done plenty to earn
that statue.”

“You
just can't help yourself, can you?”

“I'd
bet Keller paid for the commission the day he gave us our assignment.” She opened
her door. “Of course he did. He had Saint Marcus on the job. You don't have to
worry about me anymore.” She raised her chin. “Besides, shouldn't you be at
work? I'm sure Janna needs you.”

“And
you don't need me, do you, Gina?” He took out his keys and stopped next to her.
“There are a few things I should check into.”

“Whatever.”

“Your
mother was right about you.” He walked out and stopped on her front step.

“You're
still not going to tell me what the note said?”

“Nope.”
He turned back.
“Our parents know us very well, but only you can decide what's right for you.
Let me know if you figure it out.” He walked down the street, looking like he didn’t
have a care in the world. She slammed the door and walked back into her
kitchen. Picking up Dale's letter, she tore it open. There was nothing but a
blank sheet of paper inside.

“Fucking asshole.”
She crumpled it
up and threw it across the room, past a vase of limp flowers. Loneliness
covered her like a cold bucket of water. She picked up the vase and tossed the
whole thing in the trash.

Chapter Eleven

Simon had warned him the waiting would
suck. The only thing he figured would be worse was giving up on her all together.
It got a little easier once she started working again. Between seeing her every
day and his weekly conversations with Andrew, he was keeping decent tabs on
her. She'd been spending most of her weekends up at the house with Leslie. The
first few weekends the girls looked through all the old photo albums. They’d
turned her mother’s room into a library. With all the medical supplies and
furniture gone, the large room had plenty of space for several sitting areas.
Her mother’s large book collection now lined the walls. Andrew also reported
they'd had a big bonfire with the things Dale had left behind. He was very
thankful for Andrew's reports since Gina was still keeping her distance.

Keller
and Mistress Charlie both told him she was doing better. She'd been having
regular talks with Charlie and the submissives from the club were trying to
talk her into joining them at their weekly brunch, but so far she hadn't. At
least she'd let Leslie back into her life. It was a step. He didn't know how
long it would take her to make her next step, but he was going to wait.

He
saw now that he’d been waiting for her all his life. Everything within him told
him he'd never been as happy as he'd been the few weeks they'd had together. He
wanted her back. Gina with all her brashness, gorgeous blue eyes, and sassy
mouth was what he craved. His love for her was strong, strong enough to
convince him into believing she would eventually let him back in. She had to
realize they just didn't work as well apart as they did together.
Eventually.
She'd believe. She had to.

He
was supposed to be at the club. Luckily, Miles called that afternoon and asked
if they could switch shifts. He thankfully agreed. Andrew had already told him
Gina wasn't coming up to the house that weekend and he was sitting outside her
condo, determined to catch another glimpse of her.

His
phone lit up.
“Hi, Keller.
I was just thinking about
the club. Sorry I didn't call you back earlier. Miles is there, covering my
shift, right?”

“Oh
yes, he checked in on time. That's not why I called. I know where Gina is.”

“That's
great because I've been sitting here at her place and I don't think she's
coming home. Where is she?”

“She's
here at the club.”

“What?”

“She
signed up for the blind taste test.”

“Shit.”
He pounded his thigh. “I'm going to lose her, Keller. She's pulling further away
instead of letting me back in.”

“Maybe not.
How long will
it take you to get here?”

“I'm
guessing at least a half hour.”

“Drive
carefully. We'll stall as long as we can.”

****

Gina stood on the left side of the
stage, waiting her turn. For some reason, they kept pushing her back in line.
She was the last sub waiting now. They couldn't postpone her moment any longer.

She
hadn't played at the club since Marcus handled her spanking all those months
ago. It felt weird being back here without him. Everything she did felt weird
without him now. She circled her shoulders and shook her hands. She couldn't
get Marcus out of her thoughts, maybe that's because she couldn't see her life
past him. It was time to knock herself out of this funk and move forward with her
life. Once and for all, she’d find a way to live without Marcus.

She
kept putting off coming back to the club, knowing she'd only want him, but the
club was holding a new event on the stage and she was hoping it would be the
key to all her problems. A new experience, separate from anything she'd ever
had before. She'd given permission for them to bind her body and blindfold her.
Any Dom in the theater would be allowed to touch her. They'd bring her pleasure,
for sure. The last submissive orgasmed several times before she'd finally
called out her safe word. They had to carry her off the stage.

The
audience was full of Doms she'd either never played with or hadn't played with
in a very long time. Tonight was her night. She'd get back to what she knew she
needed. Maybe then she could finally move past her feelings for Marcus.

“Are
you sure you want to do this?” Jake pulled out new bindings while a sub cleaned
the doctor's table on stage.

“You
and Simon have both asked me already. I'm doing this.”

“Okay.”
He checked his phone. “Leave your robe on the hook and come on out.”

She
slipped out of her robe, leaving her only in her garter, stockings, and heels.
The rowdy crowd quieted the second she stepped out on stage. A couple of catcalls
came from the back, breaking the silence. The heat from the lights soothed her
jitters, as did the cheers of appreciation coming from the crowd. She waved at
them and they got louder. She held Simon's hand as he helped her onto the
table. He and Jake guided her feet into the stirrups.

“The
garters are a nice touch.”

“Thanks.”
They'd been her go-to-garments as of late. She lay down and reached out her
arms.

“You've
agreed to be blindfolded?” Jake secured the straps across her waist and at her
wrists.

“Yes,
please.” She didn't want to see who volunteered for the scene. The Dom really
didn't matter. She just needed the scene.”

“Try
and relax.” Simon placed the fabric over her eyes. She raised her head and he
slipped the binding behind her head. “Can you see anything? Is it too tight?”

“No.
It's good.”

“Jake
and I are staying right here. If you need anything, just let us know. Your safe
word tonight is red?” He rubbed her shoulder.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Just
listen to the sounds around you. The first Dom will be here soon.”

“Thank
you, Master Simon.”

“You're
welcome, Gina.”

The
calls for the scene to start were getting louder and louder. A bead of sweat
rolled down her temple. Her breathing increased as well. Any moment someone
would touch her. Most of the scenes had started with a pinch to the breast or a
stroke to the pussy. She didn't know where the first Dom would start.

That
day in her guesthouse, Marcus touched her pussy first. He'd stroked through her
folds and brought her so much pleasure. He'd also brought a lot of pain back to
the surface. A lot of that pain was out now, no longer buried. She didn't need
to hold onto it anymore. She could let it go. So many things she could let go.
Some things she didn't want to let go of.

“The
lights are so hot.” She turned her head from side to side. Her heart raced.
This wasn't right.

 
“A Dom is coming. I see him now. It won't be
but a few more seconds,” Simon said.

“I
don't know.” She tugged on her bindings.

“Do
you need your safe word?”

“Marcus?”
Nerves like giant mountains shook her awake
.
Damn, that sounded like Marcus
. Even here, she couldn't get him out of her
head. Her pussy warmed at the idea of him being here, of him showing up right
at the moment she needed him. It would be a sweet dream if she hadn't chased
him away. Her heart beat an unsteady rhythm. She wished he were here. She
wanted him here.

“I'm
not surprised this crowd is hungry for you.” A firm grip caressed her thigh. “You're
fucking gorgeous with the lights shining all over you.”

“Marcus?”
It did sound like him.

“I'm
here, sweetheart.” He cupped her pussy. “I see you wore my favorite garters.”

“Marcus.”
She realized why she'd been wearing them. All this time, she'd been dressing
for him, wearing the ones he'd appreciated the first day in the guesthouse. She
tugged on her bindings. “Please.” She wanted to touch him. Shouts from the
crowd repeated a chant over and over.

“I
think they want me to taste you.” He ran his fingers through her folds. “I'll
give them what they want, if it's what you want as well.”

“Yes, Sir.”
She whispered.

“You
don't want someone else up here?” He must have stepped back because his touch
disappeared.

“No.”
She cried out. “Don't go.”

“You
want me here?” His touch dragged through her folds once more.

“I
only want you.” She sucked on her lip. “Oh please, don't leave me. It's you.
Only you.”

“Are
you done pushing me away?” He brushed over her clit.

“Yes, Sir.”
She tugged at
her straps.

“I
want you in my life, Gina.” Warm lips pressed against hers and his tongue invaded
her mouth. She met him stroke for stroke, loving his taste. She breathed him
in. Her body relaxed as comfort soothed her soul.

He
pulled away and kissed her forehead. “This time it's all about you and me.” He removed
the blindfold from her eyes. “It's not about anyone else anymore. It's about
us.” He touched his forehead to hers. “Hi.”

“Hi.”
She smiled up at him, so glad to see his stern gaze shining down on her. “You
really want me? You haven't thought more clearly about everything?”

“Sweetheart,
I've loved you for most of my life. I don't ever see that changing.” He kissed
her gently. “What about you?”

“I've
tried to not love you countless ways.”

“Having
any success?”

“No,
I'm an utter failure.” Her cheeks pinched under the pressure of her smile and
tears filled her eyes.

“You
really know how to make a guy feel wanted.” He tugged her nipple.

She
arched her back. The muffled sounds of the crowd reminded her they weren't
alone. The whole theater was there to witness their strange courtship.

“If we do this.
We do it full
out. I'm all in.”

“You
want a commitment?”

“Yes
and I want it right now.
Out in the open and declared for
everyone.”
He undid her bindings. “You deserve to know where you stand
with me.”

She
threw herself at him, hugging him tight. “I'm guessing you want to know the
same.”

“Absolutely.
There will be
no guessing how we feel about each other.” He pulled back and looked directly
at her. “Acceptable?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good.”
He removed her shoes and took her hand, holding her tight while she slipped off
the table. “I want everyone to know who you belong to.”

She
followed him to the edge of the stage. It had been a long time since she
practiced her poses. She tightened her core and slowed her movement, as she
knelt on one knee and then the other, being sure to keep her knees spread.
Reaching behind her, she clasped her hands and straightened her back just
enough to present her breasts, but kept her gaze down. It hadn't been perfect,
but she'd done it.

“Change
of plans tonight.” He caressed her head. The crowd moaned.

“Gina
belongs to me. No one else will be having her tonight or any other night.” His
hand stilled. “She's mine.” He reached down, helped her to stand, and then
picked her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he scooped up her legs,
carrying her out of the theater.

Once
they entered the club, the crowd parted. Each Master they passed patted him on
his back. Members shouted their cheers of congratulations. She heard some girls
hollering from the dance floor. Anne and Lydia were jumping up and down, waving
and smiling. Marcus kept moving, right up the back staircase to the private
rooms. Once they entered a room, he tossed her on the bed.

“Your
mother told me I would need to wait for you.” He closed the door and removed
his shirt. The shoes were the next to go. “She said you wouldn't be ready until
you could admit all you felt for me.”

“She
said that?” She scooted back on the bed.

“In the letter.”
He unzipped his
fly and removed his pants as well. His cock was thick and ready.

“Oh.”
She licked her lips. “She was always telling me to tell you how I felt.”

“Why
didn't you?” He climbed onto the bed.

“I
was afraid you wouldn't love me.” She spread her legs for him.

“You're
done hiding from me.” He kissed the inside of her knee. “Tell me now.” He
kissed her thigh. “Say it.” He stopped right above her pussy.

“I
love you.”

He
licked through her folds, sucking her clit into his mouth.

“I
love you.” She arched back and rocked her pussy against his face.

He
sucked harder as he thrust several fingers inside her. Each pull on her clit
sent her closer and closer to ecstasy. He kissed his way from her naval to her
breast, giving her nipple a little bite before settling his body over hers.

“I
love you.” All the anxiety she'd held onto for years fled her system, giving
way for something new. She kissed him, exploring his mouth and tasting herself
on his tongue.