Page 119 of Office Intrigue (Office Intrigue Duet 1)
Everything I’d learned in my life about being courteous and being polite was all lost on this moment. It seemed that the exact opposite was what was respectful in this house and I wasn’t sure how I would be successful.
You will please your master. That’s the only thing that matters.
“Please mingle. Dinner will be served in half an hour.”
Master guided me through the foyer and into a large, open room.
“From this point forward, you will remain one foot behind me on my right at all times unless I request otherwise.”
My heart sank in my chest. The thought of being pushed to the side was even worse than being told not to talk. Needless to say, I didn’t like it and I suspected Master had known, hence the reason he didn’t inform me until now. Disregarding my hurt feelings, I managed to nod and didn’t move until Master was a foot in front of me. I kept my eyes down, focused on the floor just to the right of his feet.
When he stopped, I stopped. When he walked, I walked. Quite frankly, I felt like a dog heeling at my Master’s side. I didn’t like it.
However, I did enjoy listening to him. He spoke at length with several people, both men and women. I could only assume that the women he conversed with were Dommes. I’d learned through my research that there were both male and female Dominants, as well as male and female submissives.
Regardless, no one seemed to pay any attention to me whatsoever. The conversations took place as though I wasn’t there. Aside from Master Arlington, no one even asked about me. It was as though I was invisible.
An ornament.
I felt as though I was doing fairly well until we ventured farther into the room. Master stopped near a table. This wasn’t just any table. This one was adorned with a naked woman covered in food. Thanks to the items that had already been snacked on, her nipples were showing. I subtly swept my gaze down her body, noticing that her nether region was still partially covered. I wondered if people really ate food that had been resting on her pussy. As I thought it, a man picked up a piece of fruit from her mound.
Yep, they ate it.
Glancing at the woman’s face, I noticed she was solely focused on the ceiling. Her eyes never moved, even when another man’s fingers grazed her nipple as he took a slice of cheese. She played her role as a platter quite perfectly.
Okay, so it appeared that all the things I’d thought were merely rumors were true. Objectification was really a thing.
Thankfully, we didn’t stay near the naked food-woman for long. Master meandered around the room, speaking to nearly everyone. He was very popular, it appeared. Not that I’d expected any less. The PR firm hadn’t made it as far as they had by huddling on the sidelines. He spoke eloquently and at length about a variety of things, most of which were not work related. It was the first time I’d gotten a glimpse of this side of him.
I was impressed and perhaps a little love-struck. Despite, you know, being an ornament and all.
Half an hour into it, I learned that there was something more disturbing than following Master around the room and keeping my eyes down and my mouth shut. That happened when we sat down for dinner. Once I was settled in my chair, my gaze traveled the length of the table. I was awestruck to see the other submissives who were sitting silently, as though they weren’t even there.
“Eyes down,” Master commanded from beside me.
Shit.
I dropped my gaze to my lap.
My stomach rumbled dangerously loud and I felt heat infuse my face.
No one seemed to notice. And if they did, no one said anything.
Someone clinked a fork against a glass. My first instinct was to look up, but I fought the urge, squeezing my eyes closed and keeping my head tilted down.
“I want to thank you all for coming tonight. It’s an honor to be embraced by this community,” Master Arlington noted. “I’m continuously humbled by the support and I’m beyond excited about the new release. I took some liberties with this one, I must admit. In my modest opinion, I think it’s my best yet.”
He chuckled softly.
“However, tonight I’m not going to boast about my accomplishments.”
Several people laughed.
“But I am going to say”—he paused for effect—“Master Moore, I’m expecting the same great things out of you as I’ve always received.”
“You won’t be disappointed,” Master said, a smile in his voice.
“I know I won’t. Now, let’s eat. And after dinner, you’re welcome to visit my dungeon. It’s quite elaborate, for those of you who haven’t been here before. You’re invited to participate should the need arise.”
More laughter ensued.
Apparently, these were all inside jokes, because I didn’t get it.
