38

Isis went to the kitchen and put the roast in the oven she had already prepared. Then straight to the shower and got ready for dinner. She knew Gage liked her more soft looks, so she went for wavy curls in her hair and soft makeup. She wore a flowy mini dress with a sweetheart neckline; one of her favorites. It made her feel sexy, and the floral pattern looked like watercolors from a painting. She went back to the bedroom and slipped on her white Mary Jane pumps and adjusted the strap.

Gage had been watching her from a chair in the corner. The room was dimly lit, so she hadn’t noticed him. He rubbed his chin, admiring how graceful even the most menial task was for her. It was amazing how sensual she was without even trying.

Isis stood and adjusted her dress one final time. Gage cleared his throat, and she jumped, turning around in his direction. She was sure her heart skipped a beat.

“OH SHIT! Don’t do that! You almost gave me a heart attack!” she shrieked, grabbing her chest, feeling her heart thump through her rib cage.

With Gage’s coy, sexy smirk, he motioned for her to come to him. Isis walked over, swaying her hips to entice him. Sensual confidence came over her as she pushed her hair behind her ear.

“Good. What you’re doing right now. This simple, understated look shows the real you. Those eyes, pouty lips, those rosy cheeks when you blush, and the way you giggle when you’re nervous. The way you sway to music when you think no one is watching. That all turns me on. The real woman behind the goddess is what I’m looking for. That is how you get me to want you.”

Once in his reach, Gage pulled Isis closer by her thigh. She stood in front of him, instinctively crossing her arms to cover herself. When Gage took notice, Isis released them running her fingers over the middle of her cleavage and down to her abs. He rubbed her legs just up to her upper thigh where her dress met the skin and she reached for him.

“No. Don’t touch me. I want to look at you. Isis, you are my drug. I need to take in every inch of you.”

A buzz from her phone went off, bringing him out of his Dom state. Gage grunted in disapproval and frowned up at her.

Isis turned to grab her phone from the bedside in a panic. “Oh no! The food! I need to check the food. May I go?”

“Yes, I’m hungry.” Gage leaned back, letting her go.

Isis went into the kitchen, still on cloud nine from feeling his hands on her. She smiled inside, knowing he approved of the real her. She was always afraid she was never good enough for anyone. She wasn’t some bombshell like on stage. That was all smoke and mirrors. In her real life, Isis was the average girl next door. Naturally pretty, but not like the women she saw him with at work. She had always been the shy girl sitting in the corner alone. The perpetual loner nerd.

Isis realized maybe she had over-thought Gage’s idea of beauty. Maybe it was more about her as a person than her looks. He noticed the simplest things about her that no one ever had before.

Removing the last bit of food from the oven, Isis was having fun, listening to music, and dancing around the kitchen. She made fresh bread, a roast, vegetables, and even a decadent dessert. Her mother taught her to cook the most delicious country dishes, and she loved to see the smiles on people’s faces when they ate her food. She loved her mother, and that was one thing they always shared.

She put the mini lava cakes in the oven to cook while they ate dinner. Waiting for the roast to have time to rest, she went and set the dining room table. It was a large, long table that she suspected a king would have.

“Fitting,” she thought.

Isis lit candles and set a beautiful setting. Returning to the kitchen, she plated the food just as if she were in a fancy gourmet restaurant. She put the bread in a basket and wrapped it to keep it warm and prepared side salads before going to find Gage, once satisfied everything was perfect.

“Gage… Sir, dinner is ready in the dining room.”

He looked over his shoulder and got up, heading to the room, following Isis to the table. He sat down at the head of the table while she went to grab the salads and bread. Looking around in awe, he gulped down a sudden lump in his throat. People didn’t do things for him. Not like this. She had gone above and beyond to please him.

She had set the table, so it separated them at each end. Just like a king and queen, noticing the little things that would show she listened to his likes. Taking the food and placing it in front of him, she leaned over and placed a kiss on his temple.

“I’ll be back with the dinner plates. Here’s salad, and some freshly made bread.”

Gage looked around, taking in all she had done for him. It felt so foreign for someone to cater to his needs. Someone cares enough to think of him expecting nothing in return. He wasn’t sure how to react. Gage swallowed back the lump in his throat and took a deep breath, thinking this woman was a rarity.

Isis returned with the plates, setting his food in front of him. He watched as she went to the other end of the table, and he quickly stood to follow her. Picking up the table setting, he brought it next to his seat. Gage pulled out the chair for her, and she sat. She was too far away for his liking and right now he needed her near.

“Such a gentleman,” she thought.

Isis decided tonight she would be silent until he spoke to her. She figured listening was something Gage was being most insistent about. She sat waiting for him to eat before she began gauging his reaction to her cooking.

“This looks wonderful. Thank you.” He ate and licked his lips. “Mmm. It’s good. Fantastic really. I haven’t had food this good in ages.”

“I have dessert. It’s in the oven. It should be ready soon. I hope you enjoy it,” smiling inside at his praise and eating. “Thank you for letting me do this for you.”

“Thank you. I love it.”

They talked about his day and some ideas she gave him in a notebook for IWX. Gage told her he showed them to Davis Preston and her creativity was impressive. A few ideas they planned to use for new talent in the coming weeks.

“You have been a good girl today. If things go well, I may have to reward you,” he said with a wink. Thinking she wanted to be rewarded, he would give her a treat.

“Okay…? This is the part I don’t understand. The reward part.. what does that mean exactly? You said the girl before just wanted money and gifts. That doesn’t seem like a good person to me. It’s selfish. Showing someone affection isn’t about getting things in return. I didn’t plan tonight to get gifts. I did this because I wanted to make you happy. I guess I’m asking, why?” she asked.

“Well, I like to pamper my woman. I enjoy doing things for people. Sometimes people take advantage of that. The woman before was a gold digger, and I knew that up-front. She would do as I asked if she got to use my credit cards. I was her sugar daddy. After a while, that gets old. She wasn’t very smart; mind-numbingly boring and no depth. Shopping was all that interested her. I met her at one of those LA dating events. A celebrity matchmaker set us up.”

Isis started laughing uncontrollably. “Big sexy Twelve Inch Gage Stone had a matchmaker set him up? That’s epic.”

“Ha-ha. I know it’s lame. I wasn’t looking for a relationship. Just someone I could have around when I wanted them. She had been in a BDSM relationship before and was a little more into it than I’ll go. She enjoyed being choked and some other extremely sick things I just couldn’t justify doing to her.”

“Like what?”

“Trust me. You don’t want to know. I don’t want those disgusting images in your head. Just know I stopped it before it got out of hand. I wasn’t willing to damage someone emotionally. I didn’t understand why she was okay with it.”

“Like things I saw online.”

He nodded with a sigh, hoping she didn’t see too much. “Probably. The gifts are because I want to show I appreciate you allowing me to have control. A walk on the beach or an art show is just as much a gift to someone like you as diamonds were to her. Your different Isis.”

“I want you to do those things because you want to. Not because you feel you have to.”

He nodded in understanding. “I appreciate that. Just like you cooked for me tonight and the plans you have for the evening. I have never experienced this before. Other people are always wanting something for me, but not you.” He reached over, touching her hand. “Thank you.”

“When you talk about all this, it doesn’t feel like a fetish thing. I hope you don’t mind me saying, but it seems more like you want respect and cared for emotionally. Do you think you have to teach someone to do that? You must give love to get it. If someone is not willing to meet you halfway, it’s not worth it.”

“I guess. I just don’t have many people in my life that see me as the real Gage. I know you think I am some sadist. I hope I can show you I’m not.”

“No. I don’t. You just wanted to be dominant over me because I stood up to you. Understand, I just needed to take control of my surroundings because no one else would do it for me. I honestly think you wouldn’t have respected me if I didn’t stand up for myself,” she shook her head, quietly eating.

It was amazing she was having to explain this simplest of kindness to him. His ex must have messed him up.

They sat in silence, and he thought about what she said. He was seeing how vastly different Isis truly was. Isis wasn’t trying to dominate him. She didn’t need to be lavished with expensive gifts, she just wanted him. Before, she was standing up for herself in a very new and intimidating situation. He hadn’t seen it before, but it was notably clear now.

“Isis, you're right. If you wouldn’t have stood up to me, you probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now. I’m surprised you didn’t jump on the reward idea. That’s usually the part that the women liked before.”

Isis looked at him seriously. “You have got to be kidding me. I appreciate someone giving me something because they want to. I never asked Cyrus or Wraith for anything and they’re my family. When you do things for me, please don’t let it be because you feel you must for some disingenuous reward. I’ll go with your punishment thing because, well… ya know. It’s part of your thing. I’m not a dog waiting for a Scooby snack to roll over on demand. Don’t reward me for good behavior. I don’t need training like a dog. That’s degrading.”

“I had never thought of it that way. I can see why you would think so. Agreed. If you accept when I do something for you, it’s because I want to. No questions asked,” Gage finished.

“And when you do, I will appreciate it because it came from your heart. The shopping day was nice. It was awkward to have someone spend that much money on me. I don’t think I ever thanked you. I was being rude. So, thank you. Now. If you’re finished with your dinner. I will clear the plates and bring you some of that dessert. It’s so yummy. I used to make it all the time.” Isis smiled graciously.

“Please do. It smells good. You are an excellent cook. I’m still alive, so I guess you haven’t poisoned me.”

She giggled, kissing his forehead, “You’re silly. I hope you like chocolate lava cake and strawberries.”