school to go to Harvard, the decision was easy. My mother, Professor Marlene Bridges, teaches there. My parents simply smiled and told me they thought it was an excellent idea.
My father, Edison Bridges, has a tendency to pat me on the head both literally and figuratively. “Whatever you want, honey.” I think they’ve always felt guilty for not spending more time with me or something. Because I have plenty of money, they have a cavalier attitude about my work ethic. If I want to work, fine. If not, that’s okay, too. It’s been my own internal perseverance that got me as far as I’ve come.
After all, my mother works and she doesn’t need to, either. My father indulges her the same way he does me. She’s a philosophy professor. My father, on the other hand, comes from generations of money. He’s a banker. When he met my mother, she was a grad student. To hear him tell it, he knew she was the one the moment he saw her in his bank. He courted her like a true gentleman, married her within months, and has spent the past twenty-five years telling everyone how amazing she is.
“Sabine? You still there?”
“Yep. Sorry. I was thinking.”
“Say you’ll come.” Abby giggles. “It’s funny, you know.”
“What is?”
“How the tables turned between us. When we met freshman year at Harvard, you were the more worldly one of the two of us. You encouraged me to experience things I’d never even imagined. Now, here we are six years later, and I’m the one living in an unconventional relationship encouraging you to open up and try out my world.”
I smile. She’s right. “Just because I thought you should get a vibrator and loosen up a bit didn’t mean I had any idea you would run off the moment we graduated and find three doting Doms to scratch your itch.”
More laughter. “You’ll come though, right?” She’s persistent.
I tap my lips. “You know what I really want to do?”
“What?” Her voice is eager.
“Write about it.”
“Write about what?”
“The fetish world. It fascinates me. I’m not interested in teaching or editing or even writing the next great women’s lit novel. I’d like to write something taboo. Maybe publish it under a secret pen name or something.”
“I love that idea.” Abby’s voice is elated. “I know people at Surrender will be receptive to introducing you to various aspects of the lifestyle, even if it is for research purposes. But…” Her voice dips.
“But what?” I smile again. I know she’s about to joke about this plan of mine.
“Don’t be surprised if you find you enjoy BDSM and meet the Dom of your dreams. It happened to me and I wasn’t even open to it yet. You, on the other hand, are more enlightened.”
I laugh. I’m hardly more enlightened than Abby. That’s a stretch. But the idea is growing on me. What can it hurt? I’ll have a fun summer. My parents will be glad I’ve come up with a plan. They’ve only encouraged me to “find myself.”
“Sabine?”
“I’ll do it. I’ll be there in a month.”
“Yay! I can’t wait.”
As I end the call, I flop onto my bed and stare at the ceiling. Butterflies leap around in my stomach at the thought of visiting Abby. She lives in a world I’ve only dreamed about. Peripherally. What if I like it?
Chapter 1
Master Kellen
“What the hell is she doing?”
Master Roman, the owner of Surrender and a man I consider a close friend, turns toward me shaking his head. “Hey, Kellen. Yeah, she fancies herself a Domme tonight, so I set her up with Claudia to learn the ropes.”
I cross my arms, plant my feet, and smirk. “That fiery redhead is no more a Domme than I’m a sub. She’s not even a switch.” It’s not that her hair is exactly fire red. It’s more of a subtle auburn. But her personality is feisty.
Master Roman chuckles. “Agreed. But sometimes people need to figure these things out for themselves. She’s researching. I’m humoring her. We all are.”
I inch closer, curiosity dragging me in. I’ve been watching Sabine for a month since she first arrived in Seattle and started coming to Surrender. Her best friend is Abby Wise, the submissive to three members of the club—Julius, Beck, and Levi. I know Sabine is curious, but her tendencies don’t run toward dominance. She’s impulsive and flighty. Someone needs to take her in hand and teach her a few lessons.
I flex my fingers even though I know I’m not the man for