“Maybe.” It was something she’d consider doing. “I certainly enjoyed myself. I’m so glad you’re happy with the finished result.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll keep my eyes open for a suitable location for a studio.”
“I haven’t said yes yet.”
Max laughed. “No, but you will later tonight when your body and mind are at my mercy. I have ways of gentle persuasion. You won’t be able to help yourself saying the words yes, Master. So you may as well say yes now, and save yourself a whole heap of trouble.”
“Max, that’s not fair.” She knew all about his persuasive techniques. Ella felt her lips pouting with feigned indignation, even though the idea of owning her own photographic studio filled her with pride. Max burst out laughing. “Don’t give me those cute kitten eyes. You’d really enjoy running your own business.”
“I’ll have to think about it,” she replied haughtily, not willing to admit he was always right. She loved their relationship. Although Max was clearly the Master in their D/s lifestyle, they didn’t live it twenty-four-seven. Outside of the D/s relationship she was still her own woman, and had free will. She enjoyed exerting it whenever appropriate. It certainly made their bond far stronger because of it.
Stubborn as ever, Max finally replied, “We’ll see.”
“We will.” Ella leaned forward and kissed Max on the cheek. “I’m going over to the house now. There are a few things I want to keep. Then I’ll get the house clearance people in. They’re coming later on to give me a quote.”
“Okay, baby, if you need any help, give me a call.”
“I will.” Ella began walking from the inner courtyard. She waved as she reached the entrance lobby. “See you later.” She felt on top of the world. Life couldn’t get much better.
Outside stood her new car. A red Jaguar. The one Max had bought for her. Feeling almost euphoric, she hummed a cheerful tune on the twenty-minute drive to her old home in Andover. She didn’t even get a gut reaction as she turned the last corner and the house appeared. It looked like any other. Nothing more than bricks and mortar, and certainly nothing to be afraid of. It seemed sad and slightly neglected. The lawn definitely needed watering.
Her heart felt buoyant as she parked on the drive. The large sold sign filled her vision. Now she could finally move on with her life.
Once inside, she opened the windows to air the place, and set about choosing the items she wanted to keep. She’d already moved all her clothes and personal possessions over to Max’s a few weeks ago, when their relationship started to become more serious.
There were a few wedding gifts which held sentimental value that she placed in the hallway. Kirk had bought her several personal items from around the world, on his travels with the Marines. They may have been looking at a divorce, but she couldn’t just forget the years they’d spent together. They still meant something to her.
Kirk’s laptop rested on the coffee table exactly where she’d left it. On a whim she plugged it in and booted it up. After a minute or two, several new e-mail messages flagged up.
Most were annoying spam, but a couple were from Joey, Kirk’s buddy in the Marines. The first e-mail was a reply to the message she’d sent him nearly two months ago.
Hi, Ella,
When I’m back in the U.S., I’ll let you know.
If you want to talk, we’ll meet.
Joey
The second message, which was dated a week ago, read,
Hi, Ella,
I haven’t heard from you since my last communication, so I guess you’re busy.
If you still want to talk, I’m in Virginia until the 20th.
You can text me on 757-206-0001.
Joey
Damn, it was already the 18th. She quickly rummaged through her purse, and eventually found her cell phone. Her fingers hovered over the keypad as she wondered whether to text Joey. Did she really need to know what had led Kirk to commit suicide? Surely she was happy and settled now? Why dig up the past? She shook her head. In a year, possibly two, the not knowing would come back and haunt her. It was finally time to know everything. She was strong enough to deal with it—good or bad.
Quickly, she typed her message, and clicked send. If Joey didn’t get back, then she would finally let it go. It was all in the lap of the gods now.
Chapter Twenty
The next day