Eden's Garden, page 1
Copyright © 2019 D. F. Krieger
All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, place, or events portrayed in this work are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously Any resemblance to actual events, places, or persons—living or dead—is purely coincidental. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Editor: Max Ellendale
Cover Artist: Charmaine Ross Designs
Chapter One
The last box hit the living room floor of my new townhouse with a loud thump, and I rolled my aching shoulders. Between all the frequent moves, I’d reduced most of my belongings to a few boxes I could fit in my SUV, and simply rented houses that were pre-furnished. Landlords didn’t have to worry about ratty furniture being left behind after I moved on in a year, and I didn’t have to worry about keeping a moving company on retainer.
A knock sounded on my front door, and I turned to see my long-time friend, Rhett, walk in. His close-cropped military cut didn’t detract from the boyish charm of his face. He stood shorter than most men I knew, yet carried a confidence that made women swoon. A smile found its way to my face even though exhaustion pulled at me, and I knew I looked a disheveled mess.
“Hey, Eden. Do you need help unpacking?” His smooth baritone filled the room, reminding me of a Blues singer.
I shook my head in response. “I don’t have much, and most of it can wait. So long as I have an outfit ready for Monday, and a few essentials, I’m good to go.”
He quirked an eyebrow at me as a sly grin spread across his lips. “Did you remember to pack your fun bag?”
A soft laugh escaped me as I pointed at a gym bag sitting in the corner. “I never go anywhere without it, though I don’t use it much anymore. Why?”
“I put in a good word with the higher ups of Tidewater Triskele. You’re in, and I’m your sponsor. Don’t go making me look bad, okay?” Rhett crossed his arms over his chest as he chuckled at his own joke.
“Oh, hush now. Don’t you act like I’m a new little vanilla.” I stuck my tongue out at him even as my stomach performed a flip flop. New to BDSM? No. New to this area? Absolutely. I’d only taken the Hampton Roads contract because Rhett begged me to when the time came to choose my new destination. “Thanks again for helping me find this place, and doing the walk through for me. It’s really nice,” I said as I twirled to take in the dark wooden floors and sage-green walls. The fireplace in the living room provided a nice touch too.
He glanced at his watch, then tilted his head. “Any of those boxes have your girly shower stuff in it?”
His question caught me off guard, and I paused to stare at him. “What are you up to, Rhett?”
Once again, that grin I remembered so well swept across his face. “There’s a munch in an hour. I thought I’d take you so you could meet the group.”
I chewed on my lip as my heart did a two-step. So soon? I was expecting to have a few days to get acclimated before being thrown into action. “Are you sure it’s okay?”
“Yeah. Mister Abe and his wife Elle said to bring you. I think they’re excited to meet you. We’ve had a few people here from the DC group who knew the All Mighty Eden and spoke highly of her prowess as a dominatrix. Present company included.” He toed a box as if afraid a tampon would jump out and bite him. “So, which one is your bathroom buff ‘n stuff?”
My hesitation hung between us as I mulled it all over. Usually, when I contracted out, I didn’t play. Well, I did, but with whoever I happened to be in a relationship with. Lately, that equaled a big, fat no one. Most of my subs didn’t like a Domme who commanded from webcam and only visited on holidays. And they certainly weren’t interested in a permanent relationship with a Domme who led a transient lifestyle.
To put it bluntly, spending the last few years being dumped for funner Masters and Mistresses who offered far more access stung. Uncertainty filled me as I stared at Rhett. “I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe I just need to leave it be. Get my jollies on porn sites and all that.”
“Bullshit.” He nudged another box with the tip of his shoe and glanced at me as if gauging whether my reaction would lead him in the right direction. “The great thing about being in a mostly military area is no one blinks an eye at the idea of high turnovers. You won’t be here in a year? Neither will half the other people. Just be up front like you’ve always been and there won’t be any drama.”
I snorted at him then pointed to a small box clearly labeled Bathroom. “Did the Navy make you forget how to read?”
“Nah, they just taught me how to do everything the hard way. Y’know, typical military thinking.”
We both chuckled as he lifted the box and walked it up the stairs. As I followed him, I fought the nervous flutters in my stomach that begged me to ask for a rain check. To let my exhaustion show through so I could send him on his way, grab some fast food from down the street, and call it an early day. Maybe I’d find enough energy to hook my laptop up to the TV and binge on some streaming show before I crashed.
Instead, I kept my mouth shut. Rhett had my best interest at heart, and if he said these people were good, then they were. He’d never stay with a bunch of WannBDSMers, and he was smart enough and experienced enough to know the difference between a bunch of posers who wanted a spank and tickle, and a group of level-headed, like-minded lifestylers.
Rhett flopped the box down on the toilet and I winced at the rattle the contents emitted. In my mind’s eye, I saw an explosion of shampoo over everything while my favorite bubble bath soaked through the corner and dripped onto the floor. Losing even an ounce of that stuff would be a crime.
“Okay, do your thing and I’ll see you downstairs in five.”
I raised an eyebrow. “First of all, I don’t take five minutes to shower. I take fifteen…if I’m in a hurry. Second of all, I need a towel too. And clothes.”
He issued an exaggerated sigh.
I grinned at him. “Start the water, and I’ll go get those things.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
I paused at his words. “No,” I murmured. “I haven’t been that in years. And I haven’t been that for a man since you.”
“Aw, did I break your heart so bad no other man could replace me?” His face contorted into something that looked like a poor imitation of innocence.
I sobered immediately and scowled at him. “No. I just learned guys are gross.”
His laughter followed me out of the room as I traipsed downstairs and grabbed two suitcases. One contained my civilian clothes, while the other kept my towels and washcloths for both the bathroom and the kitchen. As I trudged back up the stairs, I sent up thanks to God that I’d never skipped leg day. I threw them on the bed and took a minute to catch my breath.
“Eden?”
The serious note in his voice made me turn and regard him warily. “Yeah?”
“I’m glad you’re here. It’s nice to see you again.”
I smiled at him for a moment until things grew awkward. “Are you waiting for me to get naked?”
He cast his gaze to the side as that impish grin flashed once more. “Maybe.”
“Get out, jerk!” I pointed at the door.
His laughter left me smiling as he scurried out of the room to wait downstairs. With him gone, I stripped, then switched the water so it poured out of the shower head. The heat soaked into my muscles, relaxing them and driving the soreness out. Now that I had a moment to think, I mulled over the implications of what I prepared to do.
My loneliness often shadowed my nights, but I managed to keep it at bay by staying busy with my job. As a contracts supervisor, I visited military installations that employed civilian contractors around the US, and made sure no corners were being cut. The job didn’t tax me physically, but the constant traveling did put a blockade on my personal life. Fortunately for me, I found it easy to make friends where I went.
I missed sex and doing scenes with a partner in person. But more than that, I missed the intimacy of having someone to talk to. Confide in. Share things with. If I went tonight and found someone to pair up with, it meant little. Even if we hit it off well enough to engage in sex, I couldn’t risk the emotional investment, only to be cast off in a year when I moved again. So the question remained; should I bother trying?
My hand left a streak across the mirror as I wiped the steam away so I could see my reflection once I finished showering. The eyes that stared back at me looked hesitant, wounded. Afraid to give anymore when all everyone did was desert me once I moved again. Long distance relationships lived right up there with hand-written letters and picnics by the seaside. Archaic practices no one cared about or indulged in anymore.
Yet, despite all my hesitation, part of me still wanted to go. To meet people. To try new things. To risk it all for the experience. To live in the moment, regardless of the heartbreak that may follow.
I fostered that desire; that reckless love of life. With firm determination, I fanned it into flames that consumed me, bringing back my inner spark until the confidence I exuded as a Domme glinted in my eye from the ethereal reflection in the mirror. Whatever came of it, I’d welcome it with open arms. If I did find someone, I’d throw myself in one hundred percent and should it fall apart once I moved, I’d gather up the pieces of happiness I obtained and strengthen myself for next time. One day, there wouldn’t be a next time
My lips twitched at the sappy thought as I set about drying off and getting dressed. So much optimism from a big, bad Domme. Funny how people automatically equated dominant with emotionally repressed. Or asshole. I delighted in watching those under my guidance reach that perfect head space where everything evolved into one crystalline perfect moment, and nothing else existed. The closest to heaven I could offer. To accomplish that required an emotional awareness and connection that, for me, meant no walls and no ulterior motives on my part.
When I walked downstairs to meet up with Rhett, my own head space sat in a much steadier place. If nothing else, my time here would allow me to make some great new friends. No romance, no scenes. Just spending some fun time with like-minded people I didn’t have to hide my true self from. Step one, go to the munch and mingle. Get to know the group. Maybe see some familiar faces. I’d worry about step two if and when the time came.
“Hey, Eden, you ready to go? It starts soon.” Rhett flicked a glance at his watch as if reassuring himself that he spoke the truth.
“Sure.” I grabbed my keys and stashed them in my pocket. “Are you driving, or do you want me to?”
He held the door open for me and we stepped outside. The briny scent of the nearby ocean teased me when the breeze swept my hair back. I inhaled, letting the familiar tang I’d missed so much during my last assignment permeate my senses. No matter how many times I saw the ocean, it never stopped mystifying and captivating my soul.
“I know where we’re going, so I’ll drive. I can point out things as we go.” He led the way to his sporty little car and unlocked it as he spoke.
“Sounds good to me,” I responded before climbing in. “Let’s do this.”
Chapter Two
We walked into the restaurant and I smiled at the hostess as she greeted us. “We are supposed to be meeting a group. Are they here yet?” I asked as I glanced at my watch. Granted, we were about ten minutes early, but if the presiding Master or Mistress had a good head on their shoulders, they’d come to events early too.
“Right this way,” she said and turned to lead us.
We followed her through the restaurant to a banquet room in the back. Several tables filled the space, and a handful of people milled around, deep in conversation. Immediately, my opinion of the way this group conducted themselves went up by a ton of points. No one sported BDSM gear or acted in a way that compromised the integrity and privacy of the members. Those kinds of things should be reserved for safe spaces like clubs or private events. Everyone present wore normal street clothes, and if a bystander glanced in, they wouldn’t be able to tell us from any other typical social gathering.
“Come on,” Rhett said as he gently touched my elbow. “I’ll introduce you.”
A middle-aged couple sat against the back wall, facing into the room. The man wore jeans and a polo, and the woman sported yoga pants and a flowery blouse. They both gave us a welcoming smile as we approached.
“Hello, Rhett,” the man said as he stood and extended his hand.
My friend shook it, then gestured to me. “Abe, Elle, I’d like you to meet Eden.”
Both of them offered their hands and we shook with murmured greetings.
“Rhett’s told us so much about you,” Elle said in a soft, dreamy sounding voice. “He was very excited when he found out you were moving here.”
“Rhett and I go a long way back,” I responded. “I do hope the fact I’m only here for a year won’t be an issue.”
“We tend to operate under the assumption that everyone’s time here is temporary. Comes with the territory of a military-rich environment,” Abe said. “All we ask is that you make that knowledge clear with any potential relationships. Don’t want hearts getting unnecessarily broken.”
“Of course, that won’t be an issue since Rhett already knows. Right, dear?” Elle smiled serenely at him.
“Oh, um…” I shifted for a moment, uncertain how they would handle what I prepared to say. “I’m actually into women.”
Both of them stared at us, and I could sense they were trying to piece the puzzle together. Fortunately, Rhett spoke up.
“Eden trained me in a mentor fashion, not as a lover. When I first committed to the lifestyle, I didn’t know anything. For about six months, she basically oversaw and eventually co-dommed with me. We worked together so I could learn how to properly care for a sub, but she’s a hundred percent lesbian.”
“I’m sorry for the confusion,” I added. “If this creates an issue—”
“Nope. We know Rhett, and he’s one of our best masters. If you taught him, then we have no worries. It does finally answer how two doms made a relationship work, though.” Abe chuckled, and I relaxed at the sound.
“Were you wanting to play with anyone?” Elle asked, and the way she studied my face gave me pause.
I didn’t want to answer definitively one way or the other. The pep talk I gave myself during the shower caused my confidence to return, but it had been so long, and it felt odd saying yes without meeting anyone yet. I settled with a shrug, because a niggling instinct told me she’d asked for a reason. A non-committed answer seemed like the best course of action.
“I figured I’d meet the group and see if anyone even needed a Domme,” I said. “I know being gay can kinda put a not-so-nice kink in finding a partner sometimes, and it takes time for people to get to know each other before they engage in something as serious as this.”
The pair shared a lingering glance that made my heart suffer a pang of longing, and I wondered if I’d experience that some day. I envied the idea of a deep, real bond with anyone outside of a scene.
“Why don’t you sit with us today?” Abe stood and pulled out a chair for me. “We’d love to introduce you to everyone.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.” I sat down and glanced at Rhett, who’d been suspiciously silent the last few minutes.
To my surprise, my friend looked a million miles away. His gaze lingered intently on a woman encircled in another man’s arms. She smiled broadly as she talked with a different man while he showed her something on his phone.
“Eden, you good?” he asked, his tone distracted.
“Sure. Go ahead and see your friends. I’m in good company.” I made a shooing gesture.
The three of us watched him in silence as he crossed the room and greeted the girl he’d been staring at. I made a mental note to ask him about her later, when we were in private. He clearly liked her, but my inner alarms warned me he needed to tread lightly. Rhett’s heart contained a lot of passion, which meant he treated his subs with a great deal of compassion. However, when he fell in love, he did so fast and hard. The woman’s body language suggested a lack of desire to really commit, or at least an interest in polyamory, which didn’t suit Rhett. I wanted him to find love, but I wanted him to find someone who loved him back the same.
As time passed, the group grew by leaps and bounds. Soon, every table sat filled, and a team of waitresses performed rounds to take orders and serve us all. Abe and Elle introduced me to each person as they walked up to say hi to their leaders. I quickly gave up on being able to remember them all. When they weren’t chatting with members, the pair chatted with me. They were nice, well rounded people, and I soon found myself sharing jokes and stories with them.
“Miss Eden?” a familiar voice asked in a shocked tone.
I looked up from my plate to find a thickly built, baby-faced man who stared at me with child-like joy filling his expression. Pleasure at seeing the familiar face filled me, and my wide, genuine smile made my cheeks ache.
“Boi!” I rose and spread my arms for the hug I knew was coming.
“I knew that was you. I told Miss Kay that was you,” he babbled happily as his strong arms encircled and squeezed me.
“And you were right. Now put Eden down before you break her,” a deep yet feminine voice said. Kay appeared in my view, her greying curls a little more silvery than the last time we met. Her glasses perched on her aged face, giving her a dignified look.
The crushing pressure around my ribs disappeared and I took a deep breath. “I see he still doesn’t know his own strength.” I grinned at them.
