Submission

Chapter 45: EPILOGUE

Six months later, Santa Fe

“This is quite a crowd,” said Sabrina to Sable and Julian as they eyed the potential shoppers filling the store. It was his new branch in Santa Fe, since Julian had chosen to move so she didn’t have to uproot the headquarters for the charitable trust. The plan was for Sabrina to go to Phoenix to manage the original store, and she seemed like she was strong enough for the task these days.

Sable was still worried about her, but tried not to let it show. She hadn’t even protested very much when Sabrina and Julian had worked out the plan. She understood Sabrina needed to test her regained independence. Though she worried about her working in the BDSM shop, which would bring her in contact with the lifestyle on a daily basis, she also understood her sister required that element to thrive. She had to let go and treat her like an adult rather than a little girl. Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“It’s usually like this when you open a new shop, especially one with a hint of controversy about it,” said Julian with small grin. He must be referencing a couple of articles that had appeared in more conservative city papers, decrying yet another filthy sex shop opening in their fair city.

Sable moved closer, snuggling against him. “Let’s hope business remains brisk.”

“If not, you might have to be my sugar mama,” said Julian with a wink.

“As long as you’re okay with that, I am.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll require you to wear a thong and service me as needed though.”

“I’d rather not wear a thong.”

“Okay, then nothing it is.”

“Agreed, and that’s how you compromise.” Julian turned his head to kiss her, and it escalated. Sable had meant for it to be playful, but her desire rose, and she temporarily lost track of where they were.

“Ugh, gross, you guys. Get a room.” Sabrina huffed the words before saying, “My flight leaves this evening. I just popped in to see how things are going and tell you both bye.” Sabrina straightened her shoulders, looking resolved, as though she expected a last-minute argument with Sable. “I really am going.”

Sable stifled the urge to try to talk her out of it. “I know. And you’re going to be fabulous.”

Sabrina’s confidence seemed to rise another notch. “Yeah, I probably am. But I’ll be back soon.”

“You’d better be. The bridesmaids have fittings three different times before the wedding.”

Sabrina chuckled. “I’m sure they have seamstresses in Phoenix as well, Sable, but I’ll make sure my dress fits well and I show up on time.”

“We’d better see you before the wedding, kiddo. That’s still months away.” Sable’s insides warmed at the thought of the upcoming nuptials. The date was still months away, because these things took time to plan, and Julian had only proposed last month, but in her heart, she already felt married to the man she loved.

“Okay, so I’ll call you when I land in Phoenix.” Sabrina moved closer to hug both of them before stepping back. “I guess we’re ready.” She bent down to lift up Sparkles, who was in a TSA-authorized carrier. “Ready for an adventure, sweet girl?”

“You really will be amazing,” said Sable with a slight lump in her throat as Sabrina waved at her and rushed from the shop, looking on the verge of tears herself.

“She probably ran out of here so she didn’t have to endure an emotional scene.”

Sable nodded at Julian’s words. “I’m sure that’s what happened. I’m on the verge myself.” She sniffled a bit before discreetly wiping her eyes with a tissue Julian offered. “She’s going to be fine though.” She

spoke with utter confidence, and more importantly, she felt that confidence. Sabrina hadn’t quite found her path in the world, but she was well on her way.

Meanwhile, Sable herself knew exactly who she was, what she wanted to be, and where she was heading. Julian was an integral part of all those things, and she knew it was the same for him. She had complete faith in the man who would soon be her husband and spend the rest of his life with her.

She had no hesitation that it was the right choice, and she had no doubts they would spend the rest of their days together. Sometimes, those days might include a little spanking or submission, and she had to admit a fondness for the idea. She lowered her voice. “I don’t suppose we could slip away from all this for a little playtime?”

Julian chuckled. “You do like to be spanked, don’t you, my love?” He looked regretful. “I’m afraid we’ll have to wait until this evening.”

“If you say so, Sir.”

He frowned at her tone. “That sounds like a challenge.”

Sable reached over to pick up something off the shelf and dangled it from her fingers. “Take it however you’d like, Sir.” With a sassy wink, she dropped the item, which turned out to be an expensive glass dildo that cracked as it hit the floor, and she winced at the large damage point when he bent down and held it up a moment later. “Oops.” She actually did feel bad about damaging expensive merchandise, but she couldn’t show that and risk ruining her ploy for discipline.

With a sigh, he took her hand. “It’s clear to me that you need some discipline, pet.” He cut his gaze to Ellen, who was the assistant manager. “Miss Collins and I will be in my office doing inventory. Please handle everything, and the other employees if you need a hand besides Marty.” Marty was another employee who was circulating the sales floor to assist customers.

“Yes, sir,” said Ellen without a hint of submission, and she seemed oblivious to the undertones between them. She didn’t appear to be tuned to the nuances and was unlikely to be involved in the BDSM lifestyle, so she had no clue what they were about to do.

Sable liked that just fine as she followed him into his office. She preferred to be discreet about her love of being spanked. It had been a shocking revelation that she had tried to deny at first, but Julian had recognized and encouraged her interest, and now he reveled in disciplining her as much as she enjoyed receiving a firm wallop from his palm. That was all she enjoyed though. No whips, chains, or paddles for her. Just the basics of his skin against hers.

In no time, Julian had stripped her pants to her ankles and had her ass angled in the air while his hand briskly warmed her bottom. She was wet and dripping with need, and it was always like that with Julian, with or without spanking. She couldn’t deny she’d found blissful release in this aspect of submitting though. There was something fun about provoking Julian to the point where he disciplined her with a spanking followed by a sound fucking.

It was time for that, and she wiggled her hips impatiently when she heard the rasp of his zipper. He didn’t bother undressing, and she still wore everything but her pants and underwear. A moment later, his cock surged inside her, and she pressed back eagerly, tightening her muscles to keep him deep inside her. “I love you, Sir.”

“I love you too, Sable.” He pressed a kiss to her shoulder as his hips thrust in and out of her rapidly. “This is just a taste, you know?”

“Hmm?”

“Tonight, when we have more time, you’re really going to get it.”

Sable shuddered with pleasure and just the faintest hint of apprehension. She wondered how Julian would press her boundaries that evening, but she wasn’t truly concerned. He’d opened her mind to new

possibilities, but he always knew when to draw the line, and she had no fear whatsoever that he’d pressure her to move past a point she didn’t enjoy. “I can hardly wait.”

And then she couldn’t wait any longer as her orgasm overtook her. Her sheath tightened around Julian’s twitching shaft as he grasped her hips, slammed himself deep inside her, and came with a low grunt. It was a quick joining and more of a sample of what would come, but it was just what she needed right then to feel their bond and strengthen it further.

She couldn’t imagine a day without Julian in whatever capacity they made love or even just spent time together. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that Julian was the man and Dom for her, and the love of her life.