Chapter 51 - 51

I really didn't want Lizzie to step in, I had a feeling the tenderness on her bottom the other day was my doing and the last thing I needed on my conscience was breaking up her relationship with such a good man.

She burst out laughing, "Yes, in general, he is a very nice man. But as a Dom, he's very pushy and demanding. But, God, does he take me to a new level. It's everything I've ever asked for.”

Her eyes grew dreamy, and I felt a twinge of jealousy tear through me. I had been really hoping Reed would do the same for me. I sighed and shoved that aside, it wouldn't happen now no matter what he thought. My phone rang at that moment distracting me from my thoughts. I looked at the screen and saw it was Reed calling me and hesitated to answer it, I wasn't sure if I was ready to hear what he had to say yet.

"Hello, Mr. Callaghan," I answered coolly.

I ended up having to slap Lizzie's hand away as she reached to grab the phone the anger on her face was visible.

The growl that came through on the other end of the phone sent a shiver down my spine.

"Mia, I've asked you not to call me that. You know the rules; at the office, you call me Sir. I ask that you remember that before your punishment becomes more severe. I don't believe I got the chance to acquaint you with the flogger.”

His voice was deathly quiet. I wasn't sure if it was because he was that angry with me or if it was because he was trying to keep his voice down. Nevertheless, the warning in his voice was clear, do as he says or else.

"Oh, are we still playing that game?" I asked sweetly letting my anger sweeping away my caution. "I apologize, Sir. Was there something you needed?”

He cursed.

"Mia, I have no idea what your problem is this morning. I thought we were okay when I left on Friday, but obviously, I was mistaken. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to deal with you right now, so all I ask is that you stow this problem for now and let us revisit it later.”

"I will stow it, as you put it. But I don't think there is any reason to revisit it later.”

"I see.”

There was a long pause on the other end and I prayed he did as there was no way I wanted to continue this conversation.

"What did you need from me, Sir?”

"I have to leave town. There has been a family emergency and I'm pretty sure that I won't be back until next Monday," he explained, his voice back to a professional tone.

My brow furrowed in concern. I suddenly felt guilty for dumping all this on him since obviously this is what he was talking to Jordan about this morning.

"Is everything alright?" I asked worriedly.

"No, my father-in-law is in the hospital. It doesn't look like he'll make it through the night. So, I'm going back to Seattle for the week to help," he explained, "All I need from you is to arrange my schedule so I can leave. Jordan will take charge for the rest of the week and I'll be back on Monday.”

"When did you find out?" I asked, my thoughts having trouble moving beyond that.

"He went into the hospital on Friday. We got the news this morning that he had taken a turn. Are you going to come back to the office today?" he asked.

"I never left. I just went to go get coffee, I was in such a hurry this morning I didn't have a chance to drink any," I broke off not willing to discuss this morning with him. "Was there anything else you needed me to do?"

There was a long pause and I found myself growing nervous about what he was going to ask me to do. A pair of shoes came into view. I looked up to see him standing next to me. He hung up and held out his hand to me, the worry was so apparent on his face that I couldn't deny him.

"Come give me a proper goodbye," he demanded.

He was using his Dom voice even though his eyes were clouded and troubled. The submissive in me immediately responded to my Master's troubles. I wrapped my arms around him and laying my head on his chest. I felt his head sit on the top of mine. I could hear him take a deep breath in and out as if having me in his arms was giving him strength. We pulled back slowly until he could grasp my chin and lowered his head down to plant a gentle kiss on my lips. I felt myself unwittingly melt into him and as if that was a signal to him, he set me away from him and nodded seemingly satisfied.

"I'll see you on Monday." was all he said before he turned and left.

I felt the air whoosh out of my lungs and my legs almost give out as if he'd taken all of me with him. I just stared after him wondering what the hell was happening and why did I get this sickening feeling I was in love with that man.

Confusion and sadness churned in me, along with a strange hole that seemed to grow bigger the further away he got. Beneath it all I felt a ray of hope, he still wanted me. Maybe he was right, maybe I should have waited longer. I looked over at Lizzie and her face held a smile that was full of the hope that I was feeling. She came over and hugged me tightly letting me draw strength from her.

"Everything's going to be okay. I can tell, honey," she said reassuringly.

"God, I hope you're right.. Let's finish our coffee, I have a feeling I'm going to have a busy day.”