“No,” Marina shook her head, “she’s working late tonight.”

“At the Top Hat?”

“Yes!” Marina gave Susan a suspicious look. “How did you know?”

“I caught her act once or twice. Very very nice. She’s quite good at
it. Is she just as good atother things?” Susan’s eyes bored into
Marina, her keen interest visible on her face.

Marina dropped her eyes. “I don’t think that’s any of .”

Susan gripped her wrist hard enough to hurt. “Wrong answer, Marina. A
Domme should always brag about her sub when another Domme asks. If she
wants to keep her, that is.” She laid a very light threat on her face,
making sure Marina saw it.

Marina struggled to meet Susan’s gaze. “Well, in that case. Yes, she’s
very good. At all sorts of things. Would you like the details?” Marina
challenged savagely.

Susan smiled and patted Marina’s hand. “That’s better. You’ll catch on
eventually. Although I should think, after all those years under
Francesca, you’d be a little better trained.”

Marina rolled her eyes at the mention of her ex’s name, picked up her
half full glass and downed it, then poured herself another. “Would you
like to join me?” The words were barely out of her mouth before a
different sub, this one obviously more experienced, knelt at Susan’s
feet, drink held steady on the tray.

Susan acknowledged the sub with a surprisingly gentle stroke of her
hand, and turned her attention back to Marina. “So. If it’s not girl
trouble, then what is it? I don’t think I’ve seen you look so forlorn
before.”

She ran her eyes down Marina’s body and back up, giving the distinct
impression she could see through the table and the clothing. She
certainly intended to see more of her before this night was through.

“I heard that you cut Francesca loose? Is that true?” She laid her hand
down the table beside Marina’s, stroking the back of Marina’s hand with
her little finger. Marina stiffened and pulled away.

“Yes.”

“Do tell! What happened?” She took Marina’s hand, moved it back within
her reach, and resumed stroking with a very light touch, just the right
touch to send a shiver down Marina’s spine.

Marina tried to focus her mind, preferring to shift the conversation to
something more neutral, but Susan’s touch, just that and the sound of
her voice, sliding over her skin like a caress, and Marina’s will was
no longer her own. So she told her. The whole story. As if Susan had
been her closest confidante.