Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88350 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“I think the resident slaves are setting up the display tables for the sale later this morning,” Hannah replied.
“And some of the resident Doms are meeting in Anthony’s office,” Mason added in his deep, rumbly voice. He cocked a heavy brow, a knowing smirk appearing on his rugged face. “Why? Looking for someone in particular?”
He knew. Of course he did. The whole place probably knew she’d scened with Beau. One thing she’d learned during her short tenure in this tightly knit community—there were no secrets.
She ducked her head, categorically refusing to allow the color threatening to rise in her cheeks to make an appearance. “Oh, uh, no. I mean, yes.” She lifted her head, ordering herself to stop acting like a teenager with a crush. “Lucia, actually,” she blurted. “I was looking for Lucia.”
The older couple exchanged a small smile, as if they knew she was lying. Annoyed, Lia left the kitchen with as much dignity as she could muster.
≈
Beau sat in Anthony’s office, coffee mug in hand, a plate of food balanced on his lap. Also in the room were Anthony, Mark, Lawrence, Brandon and Aubrey.
Before getting down to business, Anthony had pressed a buzzer on the edge of his desk. A few moments later, two naked slave girls had entered carrying trays laden with pastries, creamy scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, fresh orange juice and hot, strong coffee. After serving each Dom, they’d glided silently from the room.
As the assembled group ate, they talked about how Beau might instruct the other Doms in the art of Kinbaku, exploring ideas about ways he might work with both the resident Doms and with the Asheville BDSM community at Enclave-sponsored events.
From there, they moved on to discuss the progress of the current trainees to give Beau a better sense of the training culture at The Enclave. “You’ve been granted access to our private training website,” Mark explained as he airdropped the link to Beau’s cell from his own. “Among other things, the site contains detailed information about each of our current trainees, including their specific slave contracts and progress to date in attaining their goals.”
“Everyone working with a particular trainee adds notes after each session, kind of like a patient chart,” Aubrey, the physician, chimed in.
As Beau scrolled briefly through the list, his gaze snagged on the file named Lia Duvall. He looked up sharply. “Wait, didn’t you say this was a list of current trainees? Why is Lia included here?”
“We haven’t given up on Lia,” Anthony said. “And I don’t believe, based on her return to us last night, that Lia has completely given up on us. Did she tell you anything about her experience here?”
“She told me a little,” Beau said, unable to resist glancing at Lawrence, whom Lia clearly regarded as her Enclave nemesis. It wasn’t his place to share Lia’s confidences, however, so he didn’t elaborate. “And I have to agree. From our limited but intense interaction, I sense there’s a lot more to her than just the pain slut she professes herself to be.”
“An astute observation,” Anthony replied. “We usually work with deeply submissive men and women who need work with their pain tolerance, stamina, positions training and sexual servitude. This approach generally produces beautifully trained, eager submissives, even if they encounter some stumbling blocks along the way. But it’s a broad approach, involving multiple trainers with a strong focus on absolute obedience, without hesitation or question.
“During her two weeks here, Lia could physically handle whatever was required of her. But we were largely unsuccessful in tapping into the submissive core that is the essence of erotic slavery.”
“In hindsight,” Lawrence admitted, “my disciplinary approach with her might have been heavy-handed. But despite what she may think of me,” he added with a wry smile that made Beau almost like him, Lia’s scathing commentary about him notwithstanding, “I believe in second chances.” He glanced at Anthony, a slight flush moving over his face as he added, “We’ve all needed them from time to time.”
Beau was instantly intrigued by this comment, which seemed to be quite personal. He glanced over at Mark, who gave a small nod, as if to say, “I’ll tell you later.”
“Which brings us back to why Lia’s file is still included on the current trainee list,” Anthony said. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but there seemed to be a genuine spark between the two of you last night that went beyond simply compatible scene partners.”
Beau nodded his agreement, seeing no reason to deny it.
“As I mentioned,” Anthony continued, “Lia didn’t respond well to our multiple-trainer approach. But it’s possible she might do better with a single trainer.”
He leaned forward, fixing Beau with an earnest gaze. “The rapport you established last night might just be the key to reaching her. I know this is a big ask, but if you were interested and had the time, and assuming she is willing, we were hoping you might be open to working with her exclusively while you’re here this week. We understand that you have obligations outside The Enclave that might cut into your time. We can either keep her here with us while you’re down in town, or you can take her with you, if it makes sense to do so. It’s really up to you how you handle things with her. We will, of course, be available at all times to support you in any way you need.”