Free Out of the Dungeon by SM Johnson Page B

had the
hiccups, and he parked her at the kitchen table and poked around
the cupboards for some hot chocolate. Because when women were
upset, chocolate was usually the right answer.
    "How are you?" he asked, while he waited for
the microwave to heat the water.
    "I am hurt and angry."
    "Good. You should be."
    "I trusted her. I want to trust her. But it
was like she did her thing, used me to get the party started, and
then didn't need me anymore. This was a big fucking deal for me.
I've never been totally out of control and at someone's mercy,
ever. And publicly like that? Oh. My. God. I could die of shame.
Doesn't she know that?"
    "She got a few more drinks in her while we
were downstairs," Roman said. "I suspect she got to that perfect
place where alcohol defeats judgment."
    "She should have followed us downstairs,
kicked you out, and taken care of me."
    "Of course she should have."
    "She's supposed to know this stuff, right? I
mean, she's supposed to be one of the good ones."
    "Her technique is great," Roman said. "I
mean, you can't argue that she knew how far and when to push you,
right?"
    Vanessa blushed. "Right."
    "She is one of the good ones."
    "But not like you. It was like she forgot
about me."
    Roman sighed. "For one thing, most of what
you know about BDSM is from Jeff, yes?"
    "Of course."
    "And I am particular about my own protocol.
Almost obsessive compulsive. But I can't speak for what works for
anyone else. No matter what, I honor the person who puts their
trust in me, who submits to my will. Male, female, fat, thin,
plain-faced, or goddess; a person who submits deserves respect and
honor. They're honoring me, after all, by saying I trust in you
to keep me safe. And granted, most of them want a fantasy
fulfilled, and they want to get off. The point is that what you've
heard from Jeff is specific to how I do things. It doesn't
translate to how Suede does things."
    "So now what?" Vanessa asked.
    "So now, don't forget about this. Don't
convince yourself that it was an anomaly, a one-time mistake on
Suede's part."
    Vanessa sighed. "I'm really attracted to her.
I mean, really, really. Just looking at her makes me wet."
    Roman laughed. "Well, there's always that.
And that's okay. But be aware that ultimately Suede is out to have
fun. And sometimes her brand of fun hurts. You should figure out
how to protect yourself."
    "I don't know if I can. I've had a crush on
her for a long time. And now that she's paying attention to me…"
Vanessa shook her head. "I mean, wow. I think I could be in love
with her."
    Roman nodded. "Yeah. Sometimes even if we
know the train wreck is coming, we can't stop. I know that
feeling."
    "What's her problem, anyway? I mean, how
could she dismiss me like that, almost like she forgot I was even
there?"
    "She's an addict, Van. An alcoholic for sure,
but even more than that, always seeking the ultimate high."
    "Seriously? People have told me a lot of
things about her, but nobody has ever told me that."
    "Have you ever been out with her and had her
not get wasted?"
    Vanessa seemed to think about it. "Well.
We've only been out together a couple of times. Out drinking, I
mean. We've been texting and talking on the phone a lot. And over
the last couple of weeks we've spent a few afternoons curled up in
bed together, watching movies. Making out. Falling asleep in each
other's arms."
    "Spending afternoons in bed is kind of
typical morning-after behavior."
    Vanessa looked shocked. "Well, fuck me.
Shit."
    "Sorry." Roman said. And he was. It wasn't
fair of him to damage Suede in Vanessa's eyes. In fact, if Suede
spoke negatively about Roman, it would surely piss him off. But
Vanessa was Jeff's best friend. Jeff was incapacitated in the ICU.
Jeff would point this stuff out to Van, if the situation warranted,
if he thought Vanessa was going to get hurt. Diversion of
loyalties. Be loyal to the community of Dominants, to maintain
their professional façade, or be loyal to the fact that Jeff would
want Vanessa to