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December 23 - December 23, 2024
For the queens whose kings kneel like good boys
“Because I was wrong. You’re not a bird, after all. You’re a lioness. A queen of the jungle still growing her claws. Hold fast, Birdie. Someday the world will kneel to you.”
“Even you?”
“Maybe even me.”
“I’m going to wake up to palm trees and beaches every day while I make my mark. Someday the world will kneel to me, too.”
“Not you, though,”
“Equals don’t...
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“Kieran Hayes,”
“I’m—” “Birdie!” he interrupts with a grin. “Your name is Birdie.”
“My brother-in-law is Kieran Hayes. If you can see him today, we’ll pay you triple your normal rate.”
The same man who, a lifetime ago, found a broken girl in a graveyard and told her someday the world would kneel to her.
They dated for two months before marrying. Four years ago, she was tragically murdered in a carjacking ten minutes from their Beverly Hills home. There was an investigation but no arrests. The consensus of law enforcement was that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, a victim of senseless violence.
Then, five weeks ago, he stopped… everything. Stopped going to work. Stopped answering calls and emails. Leaving his house. Shaving and showering. And from Gail and Alistair’s routine visits to his home, they suspect most of his meals are of the liquid variety.
“My brother informed me this morning that he’d have me removed as CEO of the company I founded if I didn’t present myself here.”
“Though I suspect he was obeying the whims of my sister-in-law.”
“What do you need, Mr. Hayes?”
“Because from the conversation I had with your sister-in-law this morning, it seems to me you’re one misstep from the psych ward or a rehab facility. Given the fact you’re here, showered and sober, I think somewhere inside you is a voice crying out for help.”
Not when she dug under my skin in seconds and made my fucking bones vibrate.
“I think she’s dancing around the fact that Dr. Stirling is best known as a celebrity sex therapist.”
“You sent him to a sex worker?” Gail gasps. “Of course not! Sex therapist.”
“What’s the difference?” he cries. “She asks about your feelings while she tickles your pickle?”
😂😂😂
“Gail was merely telling me that Talia paid for college by working as a—”
“Fucking hell, this is too much.” “Dominatrix and kink educator,”
“She’s not going to, ehm, whip him or anything, right?” “Don’t be an ass,”
“I’ll call you by your first name when you stop being a brat, Mr. Hayes.”
“Do you call all your clients brats when they don’t dance to your tune?” I shrug. “If the shoe fits.”
“But out of curiosity, how do you require brats to address you in return?” I was right.
“I assure you there will be no scenario in our work together for which you’ll need to call me anything but Dr. Stirling.” He growls, “Good to find we’re on the same page.”
“Just deciding whether or not to tell you I’m proud of the work you did tonight.” He smirks. “Better not. Might go to my head.”
“I recognize the look in your eyes, Talia. You know I can give you what you need.”
“Here are the rules: we’re not fucking tonight, but I’ll let you make me come. If it’s good, I’ll return the favor with my hand. If you exceed my expectations, I might put my mouth on you. Do you remember what my mouth can do?”
“Yes, Mistress, I remember.”
“Then I expect you’ll work hard for ...
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“No, lovely. You’re my last sub. I can’t see that changing.”
“Even with all the work I’ve done, I’ll never be able to top you. I just… can’t.” My heart squeezes. “I never wanted you to change, Nate. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel that way.”
“You didn’t. I guess I’m feeling nostalgic.” His eyes twinkle. “No one edges me like you do.”
“We were almost perfect, weren’t we?”
“You deserve more than almost. Never forget that.” His lips curve. “Yes, Mistress.”
Her eyes sharpen. Lion eyes. The second my mind makes the connection, something in me relaxes.
“You’re not my type, but I’m not dead. Out of curiosity, what did you hope to accomplish by wearing that getup? Did you think I’d fall to my knees and ask to be spanked?”
“Stirling, I—” “No,” she snaps.
“Listen very carefully because I’m not going to repeat myself. That’s the last time you’ll reference my past, which you know less than nothing about. Moreover, our sessions are outside my normal working hours—which, as I mentioned to Gail, are booked solid for the next two months. If I’d had time to change between my last appointment of the day and this one, believe me, I would have.”
“You wore that for another client?”
“Good night, Mr. Hayes. If you’d like to book another session, you have my phone number.”
My sister-in-law shoves past Alistair and commandeers his seat, chattering a mile a minute to a grinning Stirling.
Hayes—” “You should call me Kieran or Kier in public if you’re worried about people thinking you’re my therapist. Though I guarantee that’s not what they’re wondering seeing us together.”
“You’re blushing,”
“Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mr.—” “Kieran.” She scowls. “—Hayes.”
“Enough, Kieran,” murmurs Stirling. My gaze snaps to hers, my giant grin triggering another roll of her eyes. I relinquish my hold on the door and she pulls it closed.
I’m giving Sven a raise.
