Chapter 3
It was three o’clock that afternoon before they managed to reconnect. Dahlia had been going nonstop since the code blue first thing that morning. Fortunately, they’d been able to stabilize the patient, but the emergency had put her behind schedule for the rest of the day.
Hayden had been just as busy, with several back-to-back surgeries. When he’d texted a few minutes ago, asking if she had time to meet for a quick cup of coffee, Dahlia had clicked out of the chart she was working on and headed down to the cafeteria.
Hayden was already at a table. He waved, gesturing her toward him. “Hey there,” he said, standing as she approached. “I already got you some coffee—black like you like it.”
“Great, thanks.” Dahlia slid into the seat opposite his at the small table. “What’s this?” she asked, noticing the white paper bag.
Hayden reached for the bag and pulled out two muffins. “I got a chocolate and a banana. I like them both, so pick whichever one you want.”
“Banana,” Dahlia said, eagerly reaching for the large muffin. “These are the best. I can’t believe they had any left. Usually they sell out by noon.”
“I’m pals with Bernice behind the counter,” Hayden said with a grin. “She always saves me a couple.”
Dahlia took a sip of the hot coffee and then a bite of the moist, delicious muffin. “Yum,” she said appreciatively. “How did you know I missed lunch?”
“A wild guess,” Hayden grinned.
Unable to help herself, Dahlia grinned back.
Hayden leaned forward, fixing Dahlia with an intent gaze. “I’ve been giving this a lot of thought since you said yes this morning. I need to be absolutely certain you understand what you’re signing up for. True submission takes a lot of courage, and I’m an exacting Dom. My methods are intense and, while I think you’ll find the experience rewarding, it’s definitely not going to be easy. That said, if you still think you want to pursue this, then I’d love to be the one to introduce you to the power and passion of a true BDSM experience. But if you’re having second thoughts, now is the time to voice them.”
Hayden was used to snapping his fingers at that BDSM club of his, and having a whole slew of eager, trained sub girls leap to his beck and call. She, on the other hand, had zero actual experience with BDSM, save for that one peculiar, thrilling audition he’d put her through, and her attendance at the wild Masters Club holiday party the week before.
Some of those people were in actual Master/slave relationships—24/7 total power exchanges. The consensual slave in the relationship abdicated his or her right to choose, beyond the choice of total submission.
It was a strange and powerful fantasy. Dahlia was both repelled and drawn to the concept. What would that be like—allowing yourself to be taken over by another person? Imagine being spanked—an actual bare-bottom spanking—because you misbehaved in some way. Imagine being denied orgasm, or forced to come again and again, powerless to resist. Imagine being punished—truly punished, not just some sexy play-punishment.
While she’d been incredibly aroused by what she’d witnessed at the club, she still had no real idea if she had what it took to venture into Hayden’s dark, heady lifestyle. Yet, if she didn’t take this chance, she’d regret it for the rest of her life. She had to seize this opportunity to find out, once and for all, if her interest in BDSM was purely academic, or if it held the key to what had always been missing in her intimate life.
Dahlia drew in a breath, girding her courage as she met Hayden’s gaze. “No second thoughts.” She was pleased her voice sounded reasonably steady. She lifted her chin, adding staunchly, “I’m up to the challenge.”
Hayden didn’t answer immediately. As his eyes bored into hers, she suddenly felt completely exposed. Unable to hold his gaze, she looked down.
Hayden reached out, placing his thumb below her chin and gently lifting her face to his. “I’m very happy to hear that, Dahlia,” he said, his tone gentle. Then, almost brusquely, he added, “So, here’s what’s going to happen next. You will come to my place tonight around eight. I’ll text you the address. If you can’t make it, or are going to be late, just let me know and we’ll make other plans. But if you can be there, you are to come directly up to my apartment—22A. The moment I open the door to you, you will not be Dahlia Simon, MD. You will be my sub girl, ready for her first lesson in erotic discipline and obedience. You will submit to whatever I require of you, without hesitation or resistance.”
Though she’d just willingly signed on for this, his words hit her like a punch in the solar plexus. This was no longer an academic exercise, or a voyeuristic peek into Hayden’s other life.