Free Writes of Submission by Cassidy Browning Page B

his Dominant. The term top refers to one scene, or a preference. The term Dominant can be used for anything from one scene to a lifetime commitment. Master is usually reserved for a very intense commitment. It can also be a term of respect given in recognition of accomplishment and service to the community. Even if someone is generally referred to as Master So-and-So, it doesn’t mean you have to call them Master. At a party, Sir would work fine and some don’t mind if you use their regular scene names. If they insist on being called Master, it usually means they don’t deserve the title.”
    The back door open flew open and Dante came in. Nikki gasped a little. He was wearing nothing but jogging shorts and shoes, his hair pulled back and his muscles glistening with sweat.
    “Good run?” Allie got up to pour him some orange juice from the fridge. She also poured glasses for herself and Nikki and checked the dish in the oven.
    “Great. Thanks.” Dante took the glass from her and grinned at Nikki. “Morning. Sleep well?”
    “Not very,” Nikki mumbled, feeling her face go hot again remembering last night. God, she was really going to have to toughen up if she was going to hang out with this crowd.
    “Breakfast will be ready in half an hour,” Allie told him, glancing at Nikki with a suddenly worried frown. “But Kane said he probably wouldn’t be down until ten.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Dante and Nikki were sitting at the dining room table at quarter after ten when Kane stumbled down the staircase. He groaned internally when he saw Nikki’s face, a self-righteous scowl proclaiming her displeasure. Great. Now she was going to turn into one of those early-bird-gets-the-worm people.
    Her mouth opened and he held up a hand as he went past. “Not before I’ve had my coffee. Please.” He continued into the kitchen, feeling her eyes boring holes through him. If the coffee ran right out his back and trailed along the floor behind him it would be her fault. He hoped Allie made her mop it up. What a waste of a good cup of joe that would be. Shameless, really.
    He came back out a few minutes later with a nice steaming mug and a couple pieces of toast. Nikki was practically snorting flames as she sneered at his “Write drunk. Edit sober” T-shirt. “Do you always sleep this late? How are we expected to get any work done? We’ve got to redo the first scene and brainstorm the next one—”
    She stopped as he picked up a folder from the hall table and tossed it in front of her. He sat down. “For your information, I do my best writing late. There’s the scene we saw last night, without the commentary, of course. I also went through the one you wrote yesterday and made some suggestions. It actually wasn’t bad, although if you ever sneak in another trust-fund CEO on me, I will personally shove him down your throat.”
    She stared at him openmouthed for a moment, then slowly reached out and took out the manuscript.
    Kane turned to Dante. “So I’m thinking we’re going to need to make another run to that liquor store in town before tonight. I already went through all the wine, and I see many, many sleepless and frustrating hours in my future. Maybe we should see if they deliver and put them on speed dial.” He looked over at Nikki and was pretty sure her lips twitched a little as she read.
    “Sure, man.” Dante glanced between them as if trying to figure out whether or not to be worried, but when Nikki didn’t react, he grinned. “You guys are going to be a hoot to work with.”
    “Oh, yeah. It’ll be a carnival.” Kane gave him a wry smile in return. “You know, I’m really glad you’re here. I may need a corroborating witness to get away with a plea of justifiable homicide.”
    Nikki was completely engrossed in her assignment and didn’t even look up.
    Dante leaned forward and grinned broadly at Kane. “I finished your first book this morning. Brilliant!”
    “Thanks. I wouldn’t have pegged you for a