Vow of Surrender

Chapter Nineteen

Caedance sucked back her second shot and pushed the glass toward the bartender.

"Damn," Gabby said. "Someone's in a mood!"

"You have no idea." To the bartender, she said. "Another please."

The bartender poured it for her then slid the full glass over. She downed that one pretty quick too. This was maybe her fifth drink and they hadn't even been there long.

"Good thing I drove," Jessie teased.

"Amen," Sam threw in. "I haven't seen her drink this much since Junior year at university."

Caedance waved them off. Sam understood why she was in a funk, but she still didn't want to be so vulnerable. Especially since this was her first night back at Scorched Earth in over a year.

"So, what exactly do you do here?" Jessie asked. "Other than drink?"

"Well, you can watch a few scenes if you want," Gabby said. "Get an idea of what you might be interested in trying."

"What if someone talks to me? What do I say without coming off as a total newbie?"

"Just be yourself," Sam encouraged. "Let them know you're new and want to take things slow."

"And don't let anyone pressure you," Caedance added. "If you run into any creeps, let me know. I"ll knock their teeth out."

"Uh oh. I forgot Cady is a mean drunk."

Caedance shot her a look before ordering her sixth drink. The bartender opened his mouth to speak when she interrupted.

"Cut me off and I will end you!"

"No, I was just going to say I think my mom and stepdad had their wedding at your place. Starlight Events?"

"Oh. Cool! Yeah, I do that. Weddings. Cause I'm a wedding planner. That's me. Always a planner, never a bride."

She could feel Sam rolling her eyes without even turning around. She didn't care. This Adam situation had her all sorts of messed up. She wanted distance but at the same time, she wanted him to hold her and kiss her. And if he would let her, she could tease that cute dimple with her tongue like she'd fantasized about doing since she met him.

"I'm a waitress, and yet I'm so bad at making conversation," Jessie said. "I wish there was a service where you could sign up to get training in private."

"Bitch, that's actually a brilliant idea!" Sam shouted. "Cady is--"

"SAM!"

"Cady's what?" Gabby asked. "What am I missing?"

"She's training a sub right now," Sam blabbed. "But don't warn her about catching feelings. Already been down that road."

"Who is it? Someone we know?"

"I don't think you know him. But I agreed to confidentiality."

"Knowing you, he's going to be a pro when you're done with him."

Caedance turned around at the sound of an old friend's voice. Koda wasn't super tall but tall enough that she had to look up to see him. His deep brown eyes were intense, even in the dark. His black hair was slicked back the way he always wore it. He smelled expensive, like Calvin Klein. His tanned complexion was smooth without blemish. He probably spent good money on his skin care products.

Koda was a dominant, and on a more intense level than she was. He exceeded the level of Master and more into Primal territory. A predator to the core, but not in a creepy way. He was known for being the most hardcore consensual-non-consent dom in town. Strangely enough, no one knew his last name or where he came from. He showed up at Scorched Earth and made a reputation for himself.