“Yes, Sir.” I swallow as I approach him. “I was just coming to let you know I finished for the day.” I’ve been working for Master Kellen for eight months. I work out of his home, as does he most days. I’m his personal assistant. I have my own office next door to his.
“I was about to come find you. I just spoke to Master Grayson. He called to tell me he has to meet with a client, and he’s going to be late picking you up. A few hours late.”
I nod. My heart beats a bit faster. Master Grayson has been a bit distant lately. It’s concerning me. I feel like we’re growing apart, and I can’t decide if I’m ready for that. I lower my face, unsure of how to respond. It’s not the first time I’ve been left here after business hours, but it hasn’t happened often, nor has it happened since Sabine moved in. I feel awkward. “I’ll just get a jump start on next week’s schedule then, Sir.” I start to turn around when Master Kellen stops me.
“No need. You’re off the clock, Josie. Lucy is here for the evening while Master Roman takes care of some business also. The girls were going to go swimming. Would you like to join them?”
I glance again at Sabine and Lucy. They’re watching me now, smiling.
Sabine jumps up at her Master’s words. “That would be so much fun. Will you join us?”
“I…” I lick my lips, uncertain about this suggestion. It’s out of left field. “I don’t have a swimsuit, Sir,” I murmur. My relationship with Master Kellen would be considered unusual by most people’s standards, but it works for us. We met through Surrender, after all. He’s a friend of Master Grayson.
Eight months ago, Master Kellen needed an assistant and I needed a job. When he mentioned to Master Grayson that he was hiring, it all fell into place. I’m not Master Kellen’s submissive. I simply work for him. But I do address him as Sir, and I’m appropriately polite around him.
“She can borrow one of mine,” Sabine nearly shouts.
Master Kellen turns his gaze toward her, frowning. “Sabine,” he warns. “You’re interrupting us, and you’re being disrespectful. Unless you’d like to sit next to the pool with a sore bottom instead of joining, I suggest you mind your manners.”
“Yes, Sir,” she returns, her voice softer.
Master Kellen turns back to me. “You’re about the same size as Sabine. She has plenty of swim suits if you’d like to borrow one.”
I hesitate. Borrow one of Sabine’s suits? I’ve seen her swimming suits. Every one I’ve seen was an adult-sized suit that looked like it belonged to a child. Is that what Master Kellen is suggesting?
I’m not sure how I feel about this idea. Or maybe I’m kidding myself, and I am sure. I want to do it. But I’m embarrassed to admit such a thing. How would Master Grayson feel if I borrowed one of Sabine’s suits?
“Why don’t you go up to Sabine’s room with the girls and see if she has something that will fit you. I left several of them on the counter earlier when I realized Lucy would be here. All three of you are about the same size.”
I nod. I can’t stop myself. A tiny voice inside me warns against taking this step. I’m opening Pandora’s box. I should decline and go back to my office and work on something, anything, until Master Grayson arrives. But I won’t. “Thank you, Sir.”
Sabine squeals slightly and clasps her hands over her mouth, flushing.
Master Kellen rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “Get out of here, all three of you, before Sabine loses her privileges for the evening.”
I almost laugh at his statement. Sabine gets into more trouble than I imagine any actual child does in a day. She seems to enjoy it, being disobedient, because more days than not she ends up standing in the corner with a pink bottom.
I’m so used to seeing her naked behind that I don’t even flinch anymore. Some days she’s already in the corner of the kitchen in timeout when I arrive in the morning. Often she’s mostly naked.
Lucy and Sabine push their chairs under the small white table Master Kellen had made just for Sabine and rush toward me. Sabine takes my hand and tugs me from the room before I can protest. We’re halfway up the stairs to the second floor when I finally shake myself