Chapter 28- Maybe, Maybe Not

-Scott's Pov-

"She'll THINK about it!" I spouted out in exasperation. "She said she'd think about it!"
Laurent and Noah exchanged looks but didn't say anything.
"What kind of sub says "I'll think about it" when they are offered the chance to be owned by someone?" I asked incredulously.
Laurent snorted and tried to hide his smirk, but Noah wasn't that kind.
He chuckled straight into my face. "A smart one, if we're being honest here, Scott."
I glared at him. "I really don't need the snark, Noah."
Noah leaned back in the big overstuffed chair in Eric's office and shrugged his shoulders. The club wasn't open yet. But I had opted to use Eric's office to talk to them. With all the gossiping that tended to happen in the club, the last thing I wanted was for this to get out. I already felt awful about telling Laurent and Noah without Molly's consent. But I knew they would keep quiet, and I could really use their advice with Molly.
I looked between two of my oldest friends and was struck by the vast differences between Laurent and Noah.
Laurent was dressed in dark, almost edgy clothes that suited his appearance. His slightly long hair was pulled back in a small ponytail at the base of his neck. The ponytail, the clothes, and the few piercings that he had gave him a slight buccaneerish look.
Noah, on the other hand, was dressed in his average everyday clothes. The only difference was that his jeans had several holes down each leg, and his t-shirt was covered with a vest. His brown hair was cut short, if not a little ragged. But all in all, he looked like a red-blooded American construction worker instead of the wealthy architect I knew he was.
But that's why I wanted to talk to them both; two different perspectives from two of the Doms I respected the most. It would have been better if I had Eric here as well. But I would take what I could get.
Molly was driving me crazy at the moment. I had never been so clear or forward with a sub in my life, and Molly was brushing it off like it was nothing.
"Scott," Noah called, grabbing my attention. "When was the last time you had a full-time sub?"
I leaned against the desk and stretched my legs out in front of me, staring down at my grey slacks. Noah's question rolled around in my head as I tried to figure out how to answer it.
The last time I had spent more than a night or two with a sub was... at least two years ago. I might play with the same sub multiple times at the clubs I frequent, but I really never let it go further than a scene. We would play, I would give her our agreed-upon aftercare then, when she was okay, we would part ways.
The point to Noah's question was not lost on me.
"What about you?" I shot back, feeling like I was put on the spot.
Noah just chuckled again. "Your defensiveness sort of proves my point, Scott. It has been a while since you've had to start from the ground up. Not to mention a sub that isn't sure if she is ready to give up all control. You might have to slow down a bit."
I hate that he was sounding so rational. But I tried not to refute him. At 35, ten years my senior, Noah had much more experience in the BDSM lifestyle than I did. The only people with more experience were Eric and Laurent. But as I looked at Laurent, I could see that he agreed with Noah.
"You can't push her into this, Scott. You're smart enough to know that. You need to give her time and respect her choice. You may even have to change some of your ways if you want her badly enough. Just give it time," Laurent insisted.
I sighed heavily and hung my head. They were right, and I had been in this long enough to know that. I was just hoping they had some secret piece of information I didn't know or think of. I didn't know if I was relieved or disappointed, knowing they didn't.
Before I could even consider what I would say back, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," I called.
Esme walked in with a broad smile on her face. She didn't even acknowledge Laurent or I as she hurried toward Noah for a hug.
"Noah! Opp! I mean, Monsieur Noah! How are you? We have missed you!"
Noah stood up and happily swept her into his arms for a bear hug.
"Esme, sweet little thing! It has been too long! How are you? Has Laurent been taking good care of you? If not, you are always welcome to run away with me!" Noah teased her.
"Over my corpse," Laurent grumbled as he reached for Esme.
She giggled as Laurent pulled her to his side. She reached up and touched the simple chain collar around her neck. I looked at it curiously, having never seen it before. Everyone knew that Esme belonged to Laurent, but I had never seen him actually collar her before. But that collar did not look new, and it made me even more curious about what was going on with them.
Esme gave Laurent a saucy look and winked at Noah. "I think Maître is realizing that I have options if he does not spoil me."
Laurent growled something in French that caused a flush to stain her cheeks, and she looked down at her bare toes. Noah chuckled and held up his hands in defeat.
"You better go and soothe your Master, sweet one. I wouldn't want to start a fight that I know I'll lose," Noah told her.
I watched the byplay between the three of them curiously. I sensed that these three had a history together. But there was no animosity between Laurent, Noah, and Esm.
"Smart," Laurent replied with a cocky grin.
"I know when I'm beaten," Noah relented.
Laurent gave him a nod and wrapped his arm around Esme. He began to lead her out of the room.
"Is the bar set up?" I called to her before they could leave.
Before she spoke, she looked at Laurent. I wasn't sure if she was asking permission or looking for support. Laurent nodded to her in permission or encouragement.
"I do not know. We are not here to work tonight. We-we are here to... play," Esme admitted with a flush.
There was a sense of anxiety around her but also excitement. I got the impression that whatever they were doing tonight was a big deal to her. With a glance at Noah, I realized that he had sensed it as well and looked a bit disturbed by it.
"Alright, have fun, you two," I said with a wink.
As soon as the door closed, I turned back to Noah and asked the question that was killing me.
"Am I crazy, or is there something between you three?"
Noah gave me a small smile. "Esme and I used to have a dynamic when she first started at the club. But when I realized she needed more than I could give, I introduced her to Laurent. I adore her, but Laurent is better. It bothers me that it seems like they haven't played here in a while. Esme loved this club and loved playing here. She had a very wonderful and vivacious exhibitionist side. Why does it seem like she hasn't been doing that?" Noah asked.
I gave him an odd look. "Esme HASN'T been playing here. Not for a long time. Laurent and Esme seemed reluctant to talk about it."
Noah's face darkened as his body stiffened. I had never seen him so pissed. Not that I faulted him for his anger. We all loved Esme and were getting the impression that something had happened that affected her deeply.
"I"m going to find out," Noah stated firmly.
He left the room without another word. A part of me knew I should have stopped him. It was wrong to interfere with a sub and their Dom... unless there was some concern for the safety of the sub. That alone was the reason that I didn't stop him.
We all wanted to make sure Esme was okay and help her if we could. Noah seemed to be the best person to figure that out.
Not to mention, it would be nice to have a problem I could actually fix. Until Molly agreed to my terms, that was.