Page 4 of Leland

Chapter Two

Rouge

It had to be a crazy fever dream. There was no way Leland,my boss, had proposed this delulu plan to me.

“I’m sorry,” Leland said sincerely. Relief filled me, but so did disappointment. I opened my mouth to tell him I wouldn’t hold his moment of cuckoo against him, but he spoke before I could.

“I had this whole thing planned out and rehearsed. I didn’t mean to deliver it like this.”

“Y-you had this planned?” When he’d said he was sorry, I didn’t realize it was because he was sorry for the way he asked.

He sat on his ass in front of my chair and ran his hand through his hair.

“I did. I do. I want to help you, Rouge.”

I shook my head at his words. I didn’t deserve his help.

He placed his hand on my thigh, and the warm, heavy weight soothed a bit of my anxiety. His other hand reached out for the fingers I had unintentionally fisted in my hair. I took his hand.

“Listen to me.”

His plea got my attention. He sounded so desperate.

“You are so sweet. I know you’re the one who left the money in Kay’s drawer last week.”

It was true. She was having car trouble and money was tight. I left a few hundred dollars in her drawer. When I didn’t deny it, he continued. “You are thoughtful. You remembered when Sam had surgery and made sure he had a ride home.”

Sam was one of Leland's regulars. He and his wife had been in a car accident. Sam had needed surgery on his leg, but his wife wasn’t cleared to drive due to a bad concussion. Ihadgiven him a ride home, but I didn’t think I was thoughtful, maybe just available.

“You love so big, even though I think it terrifies you to do so.”

I hated how I loved people. It made me feel so foolish. They didn’t love me back the same way. It left me feeling a bit empty, but I wasn’t worthy of a love like that.

“You’re a good person, Rouge. You just struggle with your temper. I believe I can help you with that.”

“By being my Dom?”

“Yes. There are so many other outlets for your feelings. I think if you will work with me, we can explore which ones work for you.”

Twisting a loose string on my shirt back and forth, I considered his words.

“I already play at The Dragon,” I said, naming the local BDSM club.

“Right, youplay.”

Looking up at his face, I waited for him to explain.

“You play with Blade. You don’t really submit to him, though. You let him spank you, and then you leave.”

I flushed. I didn’t realize he knew I played with our coworker. Or that I broke the rule about aftercare being mandatory.

“Let me ask you this, has Blade ever asked you to do anything besides your normal arrangement?”

I nodded.

“Can you tell me what?”

“He wanted me to d-do some journaling before and after he spanked me.”

---