Chapter Thirteen

Note to self: Success can come into your life both personally and professionally if you let it. Don’t sabotage yourself. Think about your answer to Toffer’s question carefully.

To Do List:

Wrap Lindsey’s birthday present Iron dress for party Call Preston about Tuesday’s hearing As the hearing date grew closer and closer, Grace got more and more nervous. Despite Toffer’s reassurances she was sure that something would happen at the last minute to cause her world to come tumbling down.

But would that be a bad thing? She had Toffer now, she belonged to him. When he’d untied her on Thursday morning she’d asked if he’d been serious about marriage, or if it had been the wine talking. For an answer, he’d kissed her so deeply she thought his tongue would merge with her own. Then he’d left without another word.

The next two days had been wonderful. They’d talked and played as if they were an old married couple. So if the hearing went south, would it be a bad thing? Grace shook her head. She didn’t want to have her reputation as a teacher tarnished by false accusations. But if she lived with Toffer, would it matter? And would the tabloids get hold of the information and banter her name around as the ‘blackmailing wife of Drake Dawson’?

She shook her head. The party was tonight. Peter had a full day planned with Lindsey that included a day out at the movies, one of Lindsey’s favorite activities. Then the couple would have dinner while everyone invaded their home. The party planner had assured Grace on Friday that they had ‘the decorating specs’ down to a science and it would only take them a few hours to prepare.

Grace and Toffer were scheduled to meet the organizers at 7:15, moments after Peter and Lindsey left. Now she sat in front of her laptop, trying to finish the last chapter of her mystery novel and not think about Toffer, not think about what he’d proposed.

But how could she not? Everything depended on her answer. She loved him. There was no doubt about that. But she was almost forty years old, and thinking about taking a huge step away from her comfort zone.

The idea was horribly frightening, and wonderfully exciting. She imagined herself working out of the home she was sitting in, enjoying lunches with Millie and putting her collar on every day when the woman and her husband left.

Her collar. That idea of a collar represented so much. Toffer had put one on her for their sessions in the dungeon. He’d told her last night that if she accepted his proposal they’d have an official collaring ceremony after the party, and that he would expect her to wear the collar when they were alone in the house together. If there were people about he had a short silver chain, holding a charm with the letter T that she would wear around her neck.

She closed her eyes and imagined her life. Would he make her sleep tied to the bed every night? He had the last three nights. Of course, he’d say that had been for punishment from the hot tub session on Wednesday night. The memory of that night brought a huge smile to Grace’s face. Despite the original discomfort of taking him that way she’d loved every minute of it. She’d loved everything they’d done together.

Would she love it if it had been someone other than Toffer as her Master? She tightened her eyes and tried to think of her ex in that position. She shuddered in disgust. Likewise, none of the men she’d ‘dated’ since her divorce fit well into her image of a loving dominant who would take care of her… whom she could serve and be totally submissive to.

She closed her laptop and went in search of Toffer. She found him in the workout room, building up those beautiful muscles that women swooned over.

“Done already?” he huffed out as he curled his arms up and down.

“Not yet. I just wanted to tell you that I’ve made my decision.”

He set the weights down and crossed to her.

“And?”

“The answer is yes; I’ll marry you.” She pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss and he enveloped her in a bear hug.

“I love you. I’ll always love you. You won’t regret this. I promise.”

“I know. I love you, too.”

He pulled back and laughed. “I’ve got you all sweaty. Let’s go up and shower together before the party.”

“Anything you say, Master.”

“No. Right now I want us to make love as Christopher Shelley and Grace Kinison. Because Christopher is who you’re marrying. He’ll be your Master, yes, but right now he’s going to be your lover.”

Grace melted into his chest. “Then take me upstairs and ravish me. Make good on your promise to always love me.”

Toffer raised his eyebrows and gave her a cocky grin.

“After you, sweet one.”

When they were in the bathroom they undressed each other, laughing as they pulled clothing from each other’s bodies. The shower was huge, an eight by eight square with multiple showerheads on three walls. Toffer turned them all on and pulled the removable showerhead from one of its moorings.

He turned it to pulse and pulled Grace back against his body, running the water over her breasts and pussy until she cried out.

“All rules are suspended for now, Grace. I want you to come, and come, and come. I want to hear you, feel you, smell your sweet juices, taste you.”

Toffer dropped the showerhead and turned her. He moved her until her back was against the wall, then he dropped to his knees.

“Spread your legs.” Grace put her hands on either side of her hips and spread her legs as far as they would go. She moaned when Toffer parted her lips and ran his tongue up and down her slick folds.

“So very good,” he whispered. His breath tickled her clit and she giggled. Seconds later, the giggle turned into a scream as he sucked the bud into his mouth and Grace came. She ground herself against his face as he licked and nibbled.

“Again.” His words were muffled as he continued his assault. Grace closed her eyes and allowed the sheer bliss of his tongue to spread through her body. He lapped at her clit, sending shivers down her spine as his tongue moved down her folds and pushed inside her wetness.

“Toffer! I need you inside me. Now!”

“But I am inside you. I’m inside your sweet little pussy.”

“No, I want your cock!”

“Don’t you like my tongue?” He teased her by darting his tongue in and out of her, holding her close by clasping her ass in his hands and pushing her into his face.

“You’re killing me!” He ignored her words and continued to lick. His talented tongue sent her over the edge again and she begged him to fuck her.

Toffer lay down on the slick floor. He moved his head out of the water stream and held out his arms.

“Come here, baby.”

Grace knelt over him. She held herself over his erection.

“Is it my turn to tease you?”

Toffer grinned, grabbed her hips and brought her down onto his cock. She gasped and laughed.

“Spoil sport. Of course, I can always tease you with these.” She pushed her breasts together, pulling on her nipples as she rocked back and forth on his cock. The look of hunger on Toffer’s face was priceless.

“Mine,” he growled. “Lean down.”

“No.”

He slapped her ass, the sting accentuated by the water slapping against her backside.

“Lean down. Give me that nipple, now.”

“Never.” She worked to keep from laughing.

He slapped her ass again, and then flipped her onto her side, his cock still inside her as he lowered his head and captured a nipple. She cradled his head against her breast. His thrusts increased as he sucked her nipple.

When he pushed her onto her back and rose above her, she marveled at the look of pleasure that lit his face. He thrust gently back and forth, and then said, “You’re mine, Grace. Forever.”

“Forever.” Their words echoed in the shower, and then he came, their gazes locking as he gently rocked back and forth.

When he’d collapsed on top of her, she whispered, “No protection.”

“I don’t care,” he answered. “I hope we made a baby. Part of you, and part of me. The best of both of us.”

Her heart swelled at his words. She had found the perfect man in Christopher Shelley. And she never planned to let him go.

Toffer stood and helped Grace up.

“Now that we’ve used up all the hot water, shall we bathe in the cold shower?”

“Can we stay here forever? I don’t want to share you with anyone else tonight.”

“What about Lindsey’s party?” He nibbled on her lips, then grabbed the soap and lathered up her breasts.

“I know.” Grace really looked forward to seeing Lindsey. But with her body tingling from Toffer’s lovemaking, she couldn’t help but want to stay in his arms.

“We’ll continue this later, Lolly.” He grinned and kissed her again.

“As you wish, Master.”

***

Even though she’d greeted Lindsey at the door, Grace didn’t get a chance to really talk to her until more than two hours into the party. People had surrounded Lindsey to wish her well, and even though she’d tried to latch onto Grace, she’d been lost in the crowd.

When Grace heard her friend’s voice whisper in her ear several hours later, she’d laughed.

“Get upstairs, now! I want to talk to you.”

Lindsey had slammed the door of the office once they were upstairs.

“You bitch! How could you?”

“Peter wanted it to be a surprise,” Grace said innocently, knowing full well that not telling her about the party wasn’t what Lindsey meant.

“I’m talking about Toffer. You’ve been staying with him for more than a week and you didn’t call me? You didn’t tell me that you and he were having sex? Geeze, my best friend develops a relationship with the most eligible bachelor in Hollywood and I have to find out about it at least a week after it’s happened. You owe me some gossip, woman! So spill. Now!”

Grace laughed as the women embraced. She had been determined not to tell Lindsey that she and Toffer were engaged. She didn’t want to ruin the party that was supposed to be for her friend. Now she knew that if she waited to tell her, Lindsey would never forgive her.

“Can you keep a secret?”

“Depends.” Lindsey put her hands on her hips and cocked her head.

“He asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”

The look of total shock on Lindsey’s face made Grace giggle.

“You’ll live here! We can see each other all the time! Maybe you can write for the show! Oh my stars! I can’t wait to tell Peter.”

Lindsey ran for the door and Grace pulled her back. “Not now! This is your moment and Peter has gone to a lot of trouble. I don’t want to overpower it with this. Besides, I don’t want to make everything known until Toffer and I have talked through the details. I just told him yes this afternoon.”

“So is he good in bed? No, wait, don’t answer that. I don’t want to ruin the fantasy.”

Grace raised her eyebrows and Lindsey laughed.

“Hey, I’m only human!” They headed downstairs arm in arm, weaving through the crowd toward the kitchen. Toffer was talking to someone whom Grace didn’t know. She heard people refer to him as Drake several times and she laughed. It was still difficult to think of him as Drake Dawson. To her that would be a work persona, just like her nom de plume would be her work persona.

Peter pulled her in for a brotherly hug and then kissed her cheek. “Can I be the first to say ‘Hello, Mrs. Shelley?’”

Grace blushed and Lindsey did a dance of happiness.

“Hey, count me in on this,” Toffer said, joining the group and pulling Grace into a backward embrace.

He started to open his mouth again when a saccharine voice sounded from the doorway.

“Well, isn’t that sweet. They’re recreating the pose that made the front page of the paper.”

Giselle stepped into the room and threw a handful of papers on the counter.

“What are you doing here?” Toffer’s voice was icy. “I don’t believe you’re on the guest list.”

“What’s one more friend at a party,” Giselle said. “Besides, I wanted to be the first to congratulate you on your Valentine’s present.”

“My what?”

She held up a tabloid newspaper and grinned evilly. On the front cover was a large photo of Grace and Toffer at the zoo. Grace’s back was pressed to Toffer’s front, one of his hands lightly cupping a breast. Their lips were locked in a heated kiss. The headline read “A HUGE VALENTINE FOR DRAKE.”

Giselle took a paper off the stack that she’d laid on the counter. “Here, let me read it for you.”

“Seems Drake Dawson’s tastes are changing, which is good news for all the large ladies in the land. The oh so handsome actor, who usually can be seen sporting models around town, was spotted at the Los Angeles Zoo on Sunday with a buxom brunette on his arm who seemed to be more than just a friend. Onlookers may not have recognized the gorgeous ladies’ man hidden behind the wall of his new paramour, but that was him, acting like a tourist and a lovesick schoolboy.”

Grace felt her stomach drop to the floor. The wall of his new paramour? They mean me. I’m the wall. I’m the HUGE Valentine present.

“Toffer?”

“You bitch. This woman wouldn’t, she couldn’t… fuck.” His words were strangled and Grace turned to see the redness of his face. Was he mad, or embarrassed that they’d been caught? That everyone had seen him kissing her in public. He’d asked her to marry him. Would he hide her away in the hills to keep from being seen with her?

“Grace, I’m so sorry…”

“Yes, Grace, he’s sorry that you were found out. I mean, obviously that’s why he wore that ridiculous hat, so that no one would notice him with you, I mean he never wore it when he was out with me. You’re bad for his image and he knows it. And she couldn’t what, Toffer, replace me? Well, we all know that.”

Grace backed away from Toffer, their gazes locked.

“Get out,” he said, and then reached for Grace.

She turned and bolted through the crowd, pushing past elbows and shoulders of people who had gathered to watch the drama.

“Not you! Grace! Get back here.” Toffer’s voice rang out, but Grace kept pushing through the group to the stairs. She ran upstairs to find her purse, which she’d stored in Lindsey’s closet. She could hear Lindsey yelling for the “fucking bitch to get the hell out of my house.”

Grace grabbed her purse, opened it to make sure she’d brought her wallet, and then bolted for the front door. Toffer’s words rang in her ear. “This woman wouldn’t, she couldn’t…”

She ran out the door right into a couple who had just arrived in a taxi.

“Leaving already? I hope this party’s not that bad.” The woman laughed as Grace ducked inside the cab.

“Take me to the airport, please.”

A dam of tears burst as the taxi rolled down the driveway.

“Lady, you okay?”

“Fine. Please, just go.”

Her tears fell as Toffer’s words played over and over in her brain, “She wouldn’t, she couldn’t. Get out. Get out. Get out.”

Was it her imagination or had he turned to look at Giselle after he’d said those words? Grace shook her head. No, he’d been looking at her. How could he have fooled her so? And why did he do it? Did he get kicks off deflating a woman’s ego. He’s asked her to marry him, and she’d fallen for it. She’d told him yes. When was he going to tell her the truth… that she didn’t fit into his world?

Now he didn’t have to. The newspaper and his paper-thin girlfriend had done it for him. Damn them all to Hell.

At the airport, she paid the taxi driver and went inside to check the schedule. The next plane for Denver didn’t leave for another three hours. That was too long to wait. She wanted out of California, now. And she didn’t care if she ever came back.

Grace went into the bathroom to get her breathing under control. She washed her splotchy face and walked into the main terminal. She rented a car and asked for directions out of the city. A check of her watch showed her that it was just after ten. If she drove for eight hours she would make it to Las Vegas and get a room there.

Her cell phone rang as she merged onto the 105 East. She ignored it and seconds after the ringing stopped it started again. At the fourth call, as Grace was merging onto the 605 North, she turned the phone off and fought back tears.

Life with Toffer was over. It had been magical to experience new things with him. She wondered again about his asking her to marry him, and then saying, “This woman couldn’t…” without finishing the statement. What did he mean? She couldn’t do what? Satisfy him? Make him happy? Be more than just a decent fuck?

If that was the truth, then why did he ask her to marry him, to move in with him? Why hadn’t he turned to Giselle and shouted that no matter her size, he loved Grace and didn’t want to live without her. His order to get out rang in her ear.

Still, a nagging in the back of her brain told her that he hadn’t been talking to her. He’d been talking to Giselle. But he still hadn’t stood up for her. She debated with the part of her that told her to turn around and go back to Lindsey’s house. She was running away from a bad situation like an immature child.

She drove and drove as the situation played out in her brain. Then she stopped outside Barstow to get some very expensive gas. She checked her cell phone, and saw seventeen missed calls from Toffer’s cell phone, nine from his house phone, three from her parents and ten from Lindsey’s house. The mail envelope in the left-hand corner of the screen blinked furiously.

She knew that she should go back and straighten things out. But confrontations weren’t her strong point. She had a battle on Valentine’s Day that was going to be a doozy.

Valentine’s Day. She shook her head. It wasn’t one of her favorite holidays, since she hadn’t anyone to celebrate it with. Until this year.

This woman wouldn’t, she couldn’t… Grace shook her head. Had she learned nothing through the years except to run away from things? Maybe Toffer was going to say that she couldn’t be replaced by anyone, that she wouldn’t fall for Giselle’s stupid tricks.

She closed her eyes and imagined Toffer as he yelled for her to get out. He had been looking at Grace, but when the words came out he’d turned to stare at Giselle. It wasn’t Grace he was telling to leave, it was Giselle.

Grace retrieved her messages and listened as Toffer begged and pleaded with her to come back.

“Baby, please! Where are you? You know how much you mean to me. Don’t let her win. Come back to me. Call me.”

The next few messages were the same mettle, varying from Toffer to Lindsey to her mother, all begging for a call. And then one of them made her laugh. “Lolly, this is your Master. If you don’t call this instance you will stand in the corner for the rest of your natural born life, and the time you’re not in a corner, you’ll be over my knee. Do you understand me? Call me immediately!”

She took a deep breath and dialed his cell.

“Where the hell are you?”

“In a rental car, heading for Las Vegas.”

“I’ll meet you at the Luxor. I’ll fly, but I think you’ll still get there before me. If I’m not there, get us a room. You’ve got quite a punishment coming, young lady.”

The phone went dead and Grace stared at it.

She did? This was his fault, not hers. Or maybe it was a mixture of the two. She was the one who had run. But she’d run because he hadn’t stood up for her. She started the engine and pointed the car north.

Grace mentally kicked herself. She was allowing her past experiences with Jesse to cloud her judgment. She’d have to explain this to Toffer, and hope that he understood.

***

Grace fought the Las Vegas traffic, parked at the hotel and, finding that Toffer wasn’t there yet, registered herself. Once upstairs, she called and left the room number on his voice mail. She took a shower and was just wrapping herself in a towel when a knock came on the door.

She looked through the peephole and smiled when she saw Toffer staring back at her. Grace opened the door and he stood still, staring at her. She stepped aside as he brushed through, slammed the door and pressed her into the wall for a harsh kiss.

“Don’t you ever run from me again. Is that the way you handle fights? To run? Shit, Grace, you didn’t give me a chance to say anything.”

“You said, that I couldn’t. And then you told me to get out.”

“No, I told Giselle to get out. I was looking at you, true, but that’s because I wanted everyone to see that I loved you, that I couldn’t take my eyes off you. I was angry and couldn’t find the right words to tell her that you would never pull a stunt like she’d pulled, that you were more of a woman than she ever was. That I loved you more than anything in the world.”

“I’m so sorry. I just don’t deal with confrontations very well.”

“Why? Tell me why you ran so far. I expected to find you back at the house.”

Grace looked away, and Toffer put his fingers on her chin to bring her face back in line with his.

“Why, baby?”

“My ex, Jesse? When we broke up, he did it publicly. The look on your face, and the words ‘get out’, they threw me back to a really bad place and I freaked. Please forgive me.”

“Only if you forgive me. I’m so sorry. I love you and I would never do anything to hurt you. You have to believe that.”

“I love you too, Toffer. I know you’d never hurt me, but I allowed old insecurities to come into play.”

“I want us to get married, tonight.” His voice held a note of finality and Grace stared at him, dumbfounded.

“Excuse me?”

“We’re getting married. Right now. Lindsey and Peter are in their own room waiting to stand up for us. You want Elvis? Or you want more traditional?”

“Toffer, I…”

“Don’t argue with me, Grace. I don’t ever want to take the chance of losing you. This will bind us forever. So what’s it gonna be?”

Grace threw her head back and laughed. “Well, since we’re in Las Vegas…”