Chapter 37: Eavesdropping

-Molly's POV-

"I will see what I can find out and get back to you before you leave. How much longer are you going to be in town?" Scott asked Noah after a moment of silence.
"As quick as you can. I am looking forward to taking this fucker down. I'll be here for about a week. Then I gotta head back home... or rather to the states. I'm going house hunting as soon as I get back," he explained.
"House hunting? New venture? I thought you only designed high rises?" Scott asked in what sounded like surprise.
The scene in front of me was intense as the Dom continued to use the toy in intriguing and innovative ways to make his sub whine and beg him. But Scott and Noah's conversation was much better.
Who were they going after? Logic dictated that it was the man that hurt Esme. But who was it? Who was the man's father?
Also, Noah was an architect? He didn't seem like one, more like the men that BUILT the building. But he DESIGNED buildings and had enough money to spend a week in Paris and then buy a house. Noah had to be very good at his job.
Noah was an intriguing mystery and cared enough about his friends to want to avenge their pain. I didn't know more about him, but I found I didn't really need to. His caring loyalty was all I needed to know to like him.
"NO, I just think it's time I had a place of my own, " Noah finally answered Scott.
"Whoa... are you telling me that famous, rich bachelor Noah Jones is talking about settling down finally?" Scott teased him.
Noah chuckled good-naturedly. "Well, getting a house. I just want a nice, quiet place. That's all."
"No, hey, I think it's a great idea. Have you put any thoughts into where you want to go?" Scott asked.
"Not yet. Just looking for a quiet, small-town feel. Kind of like where I grew up," Noah stated almost nostalgically.
An idea came to mind and excited me so much that I couldn't help blowing my cover and blurting it out.
"The house next to Becca's is available," I blurted out.
Scott scowled at me slightly, realizing I had not been doing as I was told.
I gave him an innocent look. "I'm just trying to help."
"Yes. I can see that. However, I do believe I told you to watch the scene and... I actually like Noah and don't want to subject him to those people. It's a miracle that Rebecca turned out as great as she did with THOSE two as parents," Scott commented.
"Fair points. However, don't you think it would be great to see Ingram Delaney's face when she sees HIM move in next door? Not to mention if anyone can handle the Delaney's arrogant, pompous attitudes, it's Noah," I explained my thinking with a smile.
Scott looked at Noah. "What do you think? Feel up to torturing some snobs?"
Noah laughed and winked at me. "I'll tell ya what... send me the info, and I'll take a look. I'll do my best to make them REAL uncomfortable, even if I don't buy it."
Scott and I laughed. I really wanted to be there when Ingram saw Noah for the first time.
I wanted it enough that I almost asked him to wait until we got home. My imagination began to run wild but was quickly interrupted by Laurent's return, signaling Scott's relief from the watch.
As they all spoke for a moment, I allowed my attention to drift back to the scene Scott had wanted me to witness.
The scene was now over, and the Dom was untying her from the sawhorse. The girl was as limp as a noddle, but there was no missing the satisfied, loopy smile on her face. Her Dom swept her into his arms and held her close with the same joyful smile.
I couldn't hear what he was saying to her, nor could I have understood it even if I had been closer. But the proud smile and gentle, sweet touches spoke volumes even without the words.
I watched as the slender man diligently checked every inch of her to assure himself that she was uninjured. Once the Dom was satisfied, he carried her to a nearby chair and sat her down gently before wrapping her in a warm blanket.
He walked away to speak to a server, then was back by her side once more. Sweeping the girl into his arms, he held her tightly, constantly touching and caring for her.
I was in awe of the couple and longed to be cared for like that. My mind brought back memories of Scott doing just that and all the sweet whispered words of praise he had given me after both times we had been together. Not to mention how close he was holding me right now.
As if sensing my thoughts, Scott squeezed me gently, letting me know I hadn't been forgotten. I smiled slightly and leaned into him. I didn't know how Scott seemed to understand what I needed, but he did, and I was immensely grateful for it at the moment.
"Well, if you're sure you don't need me to stick around, I think I'll snag up one of the private rooms," Scott spoke to Laurent.
"Not if Noah doesn't mind helping out tonight. He can watch the bar and relieve Sean while I check in with the other monitors," Laurent replied, looking at Noah.
I felt Scott's head move as he looked at Noah as well.
"You okay with that?"
"Yeah, it's fine. I sort of lost my desire to play tonight anyway. Might as well pretend to tend the bar. What are your plans?" Noah asked.
"I have a date with my mouthy little sub here. I think it's time that Molly and I discussed a few things," Scott replied ominously as I felt his stare bore into my head.
I stiffened in his arms and looked up at him. What he was talking about was hours ago! Surely, he didn't really remember and was still upset about it.
He met my startled gaze with a stern, level one. Oh, he remembered and was not one to let it go either. I really needed to remember that.
I saw the others looking at me with a bit of pity before they quickly excused themselves to go about their business. Scott barely acknowledged their absence as he continued to stare down at me.
"Sc--" I broke off at the raise of his eyebrow and swallowed hard. "Master... I ummm... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ummm... You're not seriously mad... are you?"
"Mad? No," Scott answered. "But I cannot let it slide when you disobey me. Nothing is more important than your safety. If I tell you something meant to keep you safe, and you disobey me, then there are consequences. But more importantly, we need to discuss our dynamic so that you know what I expect from you. The back room will ensure we are not interrupted so we can talk."
I groaned inwardly. "Is this where I use my safeword, and you let me go so we don't have to do the whole... punishment thing?"
Scott's eyes narrowed on me. "Molly, the safeword is designed to protect you if you are in danger, overwhelmed, or terrified. Not to get you out of something that you have earned. If a sub used it to get out of a punishment, then that is cheating herself and her Dom out of a chance to learn and grow together. It would demean the whole dynamic and is frankly insulting."
I felt a sense of shame at his words. I hadn't meant to insult him or anger him at all. My mouth just got away with me again, and I was trying to make a joke to mask how out of control I felt. But that was the point, wasn't it? I did not have control once I had given it up to Scott.
For a moment, the thought terrified me.
"I know that this can be scary, but this is where trust comes in. So the real question would be... do you trust me enough to take care of you even if I am punishing you for your behavior? If not...then I think we need to back off and reevaluate the situation. If so, then I would ask you to allow me to show you that I have earned that trust and put your care in my hands. Which will it be?"