Complete. UNEDITED DRAFT. Content notes apply only to this part.
I’d thought the flight to Buenos Aires was long, back when I was fifteen and my parents had dragged me there for a distant aunt’s funeral. It probably was longer, just because we’d had to wait for hours between connecting flights, but it’s been so long since then that the memory has mostly faded.
I also wasn’t half as anxious then as I am now, arriving in Honolulu. Even the first class seats don’t help calm my nerves. I hadn’t been able to sleep at all despite the space and how the seat could almost be converted into a full bed.
I glance over at Hunter, who has his earbuds in and his eyes closed. He was probably listening to that medical news podcast he discovered last month.
The only bad thing about having so much space to myself is… well, that I have so much space, and it’s all between Hunter and me. I can’t exactly curl up in his lap, even though I’ve been tempted to try for much of the ten-hour-long flight. I’m not usually away from him unless he’s at work, and when he’s at home, I’m never far from him.
At his feet, at his side, in his lap… I’m always so much closer than this.
The descent is every bit as smooth as the ascent was, for all that the plan bumps along the path a few times as we land. I breathe a sigh of relief, leaning over so I can see if Hunter is finally awake.
Hunter calmly removes his earbuds and sits up, rolling his neck, before pulling his phone out.
“They haven’t said it’s okay to turn phones back on,” I whisper to him.
He glances at me, shakes his head, and gets back to the phone. “We’ve landed. It’s fine.” He scowls at the phone. “Mother and Father are already at the hotel. Bethany got in a few hours ago but she says she’s waiting for us at baggage claim.”
I blink at him, a little baffled. “Why would she wait for us? Wouldn’t she rather go to the hotel?”
Before Hunter can answer, the fasten-seatbelt sign turns off, and the pilot announces that we can begin deplaning shortly. Everybody gets up, going for their bags like a single minute wasted is going to spoil their trip.
Hunter gets up too, of course, and he gets our bags from the overhead compartments.
I want to ask more questions, but first class gets to exit first.
I remember having to wait for ages on the plane the last time I flew, my parents and I crowded at the very back.
I don’t want to think about them at all, so I take my bag and hurry after Hunter.
I press close against Hunter, not wanting to get turned around in this unfamiliar place. I have a phone in case we get separated, but I don’t want to have to deal with the anxiety of that situation.
“I’ll look out for Bethany,” I say when we get closer to the baggage claim to get our regular luggage.
“If we’re lucky, she won’t find us. I’ll rent a car.” Hunter parks himself by the baggage claim, staring at it intently as if that will make our suitcases appear faster.
“I heard that!” Bethany calls out from behind us. She’s dressed in a cute sundress with a short-sleeved, knit cardigan, and her dark hair is pulled back into a loose ponytail. I don’t know why she has sunglasses sitting on her head if she’s still in here, but maybe she just wants everybody to know she wears expensive sunglasses.
Bethany waves to me before turning back to Hunter. “Don’t bother with the car, Mother hired a driver for us for the entire week. Who is waiting for us out front, by the way.”
Hunter pinches the bridge of his nose. “Then go let him drive you to the hotel, and I’ll rent a car for me and Stef.”
“Why did you even check any luggage? It’s easier if you just do carry-ons.”
They keep squabbling, the way they always do when they meet up.
It surprises me that Bethany, of all people, wouldn’t be bringing enough luggage to last a month, but she doesn’t have someone to make carry her bags for her.
I’m just relieved they don’t pay attention to me at all.
I pull self-consciously at my own cardigan, tugging at the sleeves to pull them down over my wrists. For all that they’ve healed well, the scars are still thick, obvious to the eye. I don’t know why Hunter insisted on bringing me—but the idea of staying back at home alone for a week is even more unappealing than dealing with his family somehow.
“Oh, there’s your suitcase!” Bethany says, and before Hunter can reach it, she’s already pulled it off the carousel. “Okay, let’s go.”
“How do you know it’s mine?” Hunter says. He tries to take it back from her, but she speeds up and pulls the suitcase along with her. Her own bag is slung over her shoulder.
“Nobody else would be psychotic enough to get an all-white suitcase, Hunter,” Bethany answers. “Even the wheels are white.”
I can’t hide a laugh, and I shyly offer, “She’s got you there.” I look up at Hunter, not as anxious as I once would’ve been about teasing him… but still. I don’t want to upset him when he’s already terse and on edge because of his family.
He sighs and slings an arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer. “Fine. Let’s go meet up with everybody at the hotel. But Stef and I are tired from the flight. There will be no socializing until dinner at the earliest.”
I let out a sigh of relief, and I catch Bethany’s smirk as she glances at me. “Didn’t get enough alone time on the plane?” she asks sweetly.
I blush, briefly pressing my face against Hunter’s arm before we start walking again.
“Clearly you didn’t, since you waited around for us instead of going to meet with Mother.”
And the bickering continues.
I can’t always tell when they’re being serious or not, but I think things are okay for now.
***
I know Hunter and his family are rich. Of course I know—Hunter would never have been able to buy me if he weren’t loaded. He wouldn’t be able to afford a luxury condo in the most desirable neighborhood of New Bristol.
My eyes are still as wide as saucers as the car pulls up to a luxury hotel right by the beach. A bellboy is already standing at the ready to take our luggage, and we walk up to the counter to get our keycards without having to wait.
The lobby alone screams wealth. There are leather sofas spread around in little seating areas, a coffee shop, two restaurants, a bar…
“Here’s yours,” Hunter says as he hands a keycard to me.
I take it from him with trembling fingers, sliding it into the pocket of my skirt and toying with it. Everything is so beautiful, and the people are as high class as Hunter and his entire family.
Doubt races through me. I don’t belong here, in this universe of gorgeous, wealthy people in a world that drips excess and opulence. I hesitate, looking up at Hunter. I try to hide the uncertainty and anxiety from my expression, but like always, he sees it.
Hunter puts his hand on the back of my neck and rubs the skin next to the necklace. “Come on. Let’s unpack and get a nap in before we have to deal with—”
“Too late,” Bethany whispers, just as Senator Constance Savage walks out the elevator and toward us.
“Hunter! Bethany! There you are!” Senator Savage exclaims, walking up to us.
A man I recognize but have never met follows behind her at a much slower pace: Mr. Peter Savage, Hunter’s father. I think Hunter said he was currently the CEO of a pharmaceutical company, although Hunter also said that was unlikely to last more than another year or two. Apparently it’s possible to just jump from company to company as a top executive.
Senator Savage does the fake air kisses with Bethany, then turns to Hunter. “How was the flight? I booked a lunch reservation for everybody at the restaurant here. You have about half an hour to get changed.”
At no point while she speaks does she look at me—and I’m grateful for that.
I stay as still as possible, trying not to draw attention to myself.
“The flight was fine, and we really just want to rest,” Hunter says with the usual hint of irritation he has when dealing with his mother.
“It’s our first family get-together in almost a year!” Senator Savage says. “Peter, tell Hunter how important this is.”
Mr. Savage looks up from his phone, startled by being addressed. “Um, yes. You heard her, kids.” He starts tapping on the screen and frowns. “One second, apparently the Sweden branch wants something.” He wanders away, lifting his phone up.
Bethany rolls her eyes. “Really? Does he think we’re stupid?”
I don’t know what she means, and I glance up at Hunter. He notices and rubs my neck again.
“Maybe the Sweden branch works midnight hours,” Hunter suggests drily. “He should have gone for Tokyo, that would have been more believable.”
Senator Savage snorts. “He forgot that we’re not in New Bristol anymore.”
I look at her for only a second, trying to read her expression, but she’s a practiced politician. Even now, with her family, she shows next to nothing of what she’s thinking. I can’t imagine what else Mr. Savage would be doing, but knowing this family, I can only assume it’s some kind of affair.
“Anyway. Stef and I need to get changed if we’re going to have lunch with you, Mother. So if you’ll excuse us…” Hunter guides me toward the elevator, and his mother thankfully doesn’t follow.
Neither does Bethany, for that matter, and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
I sag against him as soon as the doors closed, wrapping my arms around him and burying my face against his chest to breathe in the scent of him. “Master,” I whisper, grateful we’re alone for even a moment. I don’t even know what to ask or to say; I just want to say the familiar word, to feel it and feel him against me and know he’s not going to throw me away no matter what his mother thinks of me.
Hunter kisses the top of my head briefly. “Stef.”
I cling to him for the entire elevator ride, and am reluctant to let go enough for us to make it to our suite.
I’m not sure what I expected, beyond rich. But as soon as Hunter has the door open, I boggle once more.
It’s a full suite, decorated in beautiful white and blue. There’s a kitchen, a little living room, separate doors to the bathroom and bedroom, a glass sliding door out to the balcony…
“You might as well have rented a house,” I whisper, scared to break into the atmosphere of this. Not that Hunter’s condo isn’t neat and clean, but this is just a new level. “I don’t want to touch anything.” I cling to Hunter’s arm, wanting to turn for the bathroom and hide away for the entire vacation so I don’t mess anything up.
Hunter uses his free hand to grip my shoulder and puts just enough pressure to let me know what he wants me to do.
I shiver, and I don’t have to be told to sink down onto my knees in front of him. I press my face against his groin, breathing in deep. I sigh in relief when he slides his fingers through my hair, tugging just a little to remind me he’s there, that I’m his.
“Good girl,” Hunter whispers. “You’re doing fine. I’ll take care of you.”
I nod, taking in another breath, then another. I ground myself in him, in his voice, in his words, in his existence. “I love you, Master,” I tell him, closing my eyes. “May I… May I suck your cock?”
Please.
“We only have twenty minutes to get ready,” Hunter points out. “But we’ll get through lunch, and after that I’ll let you warm my cock while we watch TV.”
I swallow hard, disappointment making my heart sink into my stomach, but he’s right. We only have a few minutes to freshen up and meet his family, where I’ll have to meet even more of them. Jacob, the womanizer, and Holly, who cheats on him just as much as he cheats on her, apparently — and their son.
Maybe that won’t be so bad, considering he’s the reason Hunter had a video game console to begin with, though I’m not sure Senator Savage will approve of me talking to Hunter’s nephew about something so… childish.
Hunter helps me stand, kisses me briefly, then walks over to where our bags have been left. He takes them all into the bedroom. I follow, and as soon as I see the bed, I long more than anything to just collapse onto it. The pillows look so plush and soft, the sheets are crisp and clean.
Hunter begins unpacking his bags. Actually unpacking, that is: removing the clothes and hanging them up in the closet or putting them in drawers. The last time I’d traveled, I’d simply lived out of the suitcase.
Actually, I’d lived out of a duffel bag for a while, too, when Dylan and I were so low on money that we hadn’t been able to afford rent and were crashing on various different couches.
“Here, wear this,” Hunter says, handing a dress to me.
It has a beautiful floral pattern, a low neckline, short skirt, tight waist… and long, flowing sleeves.
I reach out to touch it, taking the fabric between my fingers and feeling its softness. “Thank you,” I say, grateful to him for taking such care with my outfit. I’ve gained weight, but I’ve also gained muscle from the time spent in his personal gym. He’s letting me show off what he’s done with me as well as hide the part of me I’m most ashamed of, and I won’t even try to hide my gratitude for his kindness.
I set the dress on the bed, gingerly sliding out of my sandals and taking off my clothes, sneaking a glance at Hunter while I get dressed.
He’s changing into a pair of fresh slacks and, surprisingly, a short-sleeved dress shirt. It’s even a faintly pink shirt, instead of the white he usually favors.
“I really did want to rest before dealing with them,” Hunter says, rubbing his eyes. “But it’s better to just get it over with. She’ll end up lounging by the pool for the rest of the week, then complain that we didn’t do anything.”
I don’t really know what to say to that, so I offer, “I like the way that shirt looks on you. You look good in white, obviously, but this is nice too.” I smile tentatively. “I’d think you lost your mind if you got one of those shirts with all the flowers though.”
Hunter snorts in amusement. “Jacob bought one of those for me the last time we were here. But I threw it away as soon as I got home.” He looks down at his shirt. “I thought this color would match your dress better, that’s all.”
Touched, I go to him, leaning up to kiss his lips. “You’re going to turn into a proper romantic at this rate,” I say, and I… I’m not sure what to think about that. I don’t want him to change, though it is sweet. He’s romantic in his own way, but seeing it overtly showed like this is just strange.
“There’s no winning, but at least this way Bethany and Mother can’t complain about our fashion sense.” Hunter glances at his phone and lets out another annoyed huff. “Don’t suggest appetizers or dessert, and if somebody asks if we want coffee, we’ll say we need to rest. Bethany and Holly are both going to order cocktails. They’ll try to order one for you, but you’ll decline.”
“Yes, Master,” I say, taking a step back and returning to put my sandals back on. “I… I just won’t talk unless someone speaks to me. Though maybe… Maybe me and your nephew can talk video games another day?”
“I doubt you’ll get Nathan off his phone or tablet or whatever device he’s addicted to now,” Hunter says. “It’s almost as bad as—” He cuts himself off and shakes his head. “Never mind. Let’s just go.”
I flinch. I don’t need him to tell me what it’s almost as bad as. I look self consciously down at my arms. “I think… Maybe I should stay here,” I hedge. “I’m not feeling great.”
Hunter frowns at me. “And let Mother think I’m hiding you? No. You aren’t one of Jacob’s mistresses, brought along just for one purpose.”
“That’s what she thinks I am,” I mumble. If she even thinks that well of me.
“Well, she’s wrong.” Hunter hooks a finger under my necklace—my collar. “Are you going to disobey me?”
I freeze, then shake my head quickly. “No! No, Master.” I straighten, trying to steel myself. “No. Let’s… Let’s go. I’ll be fine. I’ll be better than fine.”
It’s an order. We’re going to lunch.
And as long as I think of it as an order, as something I’m doing for Hunter… that’s better. Easier. The only one I need to worry about is Hunter.
Hunter nods in approval and presses a quick kiss to my forehead.
He takes my hand and leads me back to the elevator and down to the restaurant.
The hostess leads us to a private room, where the rest of the Savage family has already gathered around a round table. Bethany got changed into another dress, and she’s sitting next to a red-haired woman I assume must be Jacob’s wife Holly. There’s a teenaged boy sitting next to Holly, looking down at a tablet. Hunter’s brother is talking with his father, Senator Savage is on her phone.
And, I realize, there’s only one empty chair at this table.
My heart plummets into my stomach as I understand just how purposely I’ve been excluded — because there’s no way Constance Savage miscounted how many seats there needed to be for this lunch party.
Hunter stops and stares at the empty seat. “Is this a joke?”
Senator Savage glances at him. “What is?”
The hostess notices the problem immediately. “I’m so sorry! We must have had a miscommunication. I’ll have somebody bring an extra chair and place setting immediately.”
“Don’t bother,” Senator Savage says. Everybody else at the table goes quiet. “It’s a family lunch. I made reservations for the family.”
My gut wrenches, and I have to blink several times to keep the tears from falling. It’s not surprising at all. I shouldn’t be upset. I know I’m not part of the family, and I never will be.
For the first time in a long time, I crave the sensation of a needle in my vein, filling me with euphoria that makes me forget everything but the high. I stare down at the floor.
Hunter makes a noncommittal sound. “I see. All right.”
I swallow hard, trying to surreptitiously wipe my eyes. “It’s fine,” I whisper, and it’s so quiet in the room that despite the volume of the words, I know everyone can hear me. “I’ll—”
Then Hunter places his hand on my shoulder. “Have fun with your family lunch, Mother. I think Stef and I will go take a walk on the beach.”
I don’t know what to make of this, but I stop speaking, stop doing anything but obeying as the voice of my master washes over me and soothes me more than any drug ever could.
“Excuse me?” Senator Savage demands, sitting up straighter. “You will sit down, Hunter—”
Hunter turns around and guides me back out the restaurant, ignoring her. He keeps his grip tight on my shoulder, as if he’s afraid I’ll try to go back into that hellish room.
I would never, and I don’t think I’d even run back to the room either. I don’t belong there.
I don’t belong here at all.
As soon as we’re out of the restaurant, the tears start flowing in earnest. I can’t stop them, and I keep looking down at my feet, letting my hair fall into my face so it’s not as obvious that I’m crying.
Hunter will know, though. He always does.
“You…” I hiccup, trying to get control of myself. “You didn’t… didn’t have to… to do that.”
“I didn’t have to. But I wanted to.” Hunter lets go of my shoulder and twines his hand with mine instead. “I know a good restaurant on the beach. It’s only a few minutes walk.”
“Okay,” I whisper. I almost choke on that word alone, and as we walk, I try desperately to stop crying. I can’t look splotchy-faced and messy when we walk into another restaurant. I need to calm down. He defended me, took me out of a situation I didn’t belong in, and I need to be grateful for that.
But fuck, the tears won’t stop falling.
We walk to the beach, where people are lounging and taking in the sun. It’s completely packed, but we follow the boardwalk over to a restaurant.
“It’ll be a ten minute wait,” the host says. “If you give us your number, we’ll text you when the table is ready.”
Hunter gives him the information, and after that he walks us over to a small bench under a palm tree, looking out at the ocean.
“Do you want to sit on the ground or next to me?” Hunter asks me.
I don’t want to decide. Even something as small as this feels monumental, and I look pleadingly at him. “Wherever you want me,” I say in a small voice, wiping again at my tears.
“Next to me, then.” Hunter sits down and spreads his arm, inviting me to cuddle up against him.
I offer him a tentative smile, relief flooding me, and settle so he can wrap his arm around me. I close my eyes and try to relax. I can’t, though, the entire horrible scene playing through my head over and over. “She’s going to be mad at you,” I say after a long moment.
“She’ll get over it,” Hunter says. He rubs his thumb in slow circles on my arm, and even through the fabric of the dress it feels warm. “Mother has never met a vacation she hasn’t ruined. This is just her most obvious attempt at it.”
I bite my lip. “I guess I should just be grateful she didn’t invite someone for you,” I say after a moment, trying for another smile and failing.
“She did that last year, and I stayed for one day before I booked a flight home.” Hunter makes an amused sound. “That got her to shut up for a little while.”
We fall silent, and it isn’t until Hunter’s phone buzzes that we get up. I’m starting to get an appetite again, and Hunter will know just what to get me.
He always does.
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