Stargate SG-1: “Crossroads” (Leather and Lace Series XII)

Sir. Sir. Sir.

Huge thanks to my betareader/editor Raven Clark, who edited this story with me line by line.

Part 12 of “Leather and Lace“

Hands in his pockets, Jack strolled along the corridor and nodded at an airman giving him a hasty salute. He rounded the corner and peaked into Carter’s lab.

As always she stood bent over some kind of doohickey, gaze fixed on a screen. He took a moment to study her. Even in her BDUs she looked stunning, her short blonde hair wild and ruffled as usual. He smiled when he thought about the things he’d do to her in a few hours.

“Hey.”

Her head snapped up, and an absent smile crossed her face. “Sir.”

“Whatcha doing?”

“Finishing up work on the naquadria generator. This is fascinating. According to this paper the instability of naquadria—”

“Ah.” He pressed his fingers against his temples. “Carter, I’m off duty. Save it for the briefing.”

“Sorry, sir.”

“It’s five thirty.”

Her gaze darted to the clock on the wall. “Right.”

“Only two more hours ‘til eight.” Their usual Friday date. He’d waited for Friday all week. First time since Charlie’s death that he eagerly awaited the weekends.

She glanced at the artifact. “I’m just gonna finish up here real quick.”

“Didn’t your shift end half an hour ago?” Sometimes it seemed as though he was the only one eager to get off base once his duty shift was over.

“Yeah, but I’ve been waiting to do this experiment for weeks.”

“All right.” He smirked. “But don’t be late.”

“I won’t be.” She smiled. “I’ll only need a few more minutes.”

—

Only a few more minutes… Sam tapped her fingers on the steering wheel of her Mustang. Well, how was she supposed to know that her last test would bring such interesting results—which ultimately led nowhere? She flinched when she glanced at the clock.

8:57pm.

Over an hour late. And she still had to take a cab from her house. She couldn’t park the car in Jack’s yard. Her cell phone on the passenger’s seat vibrated. At the next red traffic light, she reached over.

2 new messages.

She unlocked her phone. Both messages were from Jack. She checked the first.

—

From: Jack O’Neill
Time: 08:11

You coming?

—

She flinched and opened the second one.

—

From: Jack O’Neill
Time: 08:26

If you’re still in your lab, there better be an intergalactic emergency.

—

Uh oh. She’d left her lab about twenty minutes ago. She stepped on the gas pedal as the signal turned green. Two more blocks and she was home.

Hurriedly, she got out of the car. As she rushed towards her front door, she dialed the number of the cab company. They promised a cab would be with her in about ten minutes.

Ten minutes. Plenty of time for a shower and a quick makeover. She dropped her purse and jacket. On her way to the bathroom, she typed a text back.

Sorry, lost track of time. No emergency. I’ll be there in 20.

As she stepped into the shower, she heard her phone vibrate on the bathroom counter. She’d check it later. Two minute shower, one minute dry off, one minute getting dressed, two minutes doing her hair, and another two for light make-up.

She grinned. New record, and it even left her with another two minutes to spare. She reached for her phone and opened the new unread message.

—

From: Jack O’Neill
Time: 09:05

You’re in so much trouble. :)

—

A smiley? She stared at the screen. Had Jack really used a smiley on her? She bit her lower lip on a laugh and rushed out of the bathroom while she typed a message back.

I’ll make it up to you. :*

As the doorbell rang, she slipped on her heels, grabbed her phone and purse, and rushed out the door. In the cab, her cell vibrated again. She flipped it open.

—

From: Jack O’Neill
Time: 09:08

Yes, you will. And what’s :* ?

—

She chewed her lower lip and smiled.

A kiss.

The reply came almost right away.

—

From: Jack O’Neill
Time: 09:09

Save the weird symbols for Daniel.

—

She leaned back in her seat as she typed her answer.

You want me to send Daniel a kiss smiley? :)

That certainly would get her into more trouble. Her stomach fluttered in excitement.

—

From: Jack O’Neill
Time: 09:11

Funny. Will make sure to remember that remark later on.

—

He so would. Smiling, she flipped her phone shut. Ten minutes later, the cab pulled into Jack’s driveway. She thanked the cab driver and paid him, then rushed to the front door.

As she reached for the handle, the door opened. Jack’s eyes gleamed as he studied her.

Sam held her breath. He looked hot in his dark jeans and the black shirt—which she was pretty sure was standard Air Force issue. She flinched. “Sorry, Sir.”

He stepped aside to let her in. “No problem.”

Really? No problem? She studied him. “You’re not mad?”

“No.” Smirking, he drew her close and brushed her lips with his in a lingering kiss. “We’ll address your defiance of a direct order later. Give me a moment to grab some stuff. There’s Chinese in the kitchen if you’re hungry.”

Chinese. He’d kept food for her. Warmth flooded her, along with a stab of guilt. Of all the days, today she’d had to lose track of time. She entered the kitchen and unwrapped the little white paper box. Chicken on rice with sweet chili sauce. Her favorite. She broke the wooden chopsticks apart and strolled out of the kitchen.

“I think you shouldn’t be too hard on me, Sir. The delay was work related after all.”

He smirked as he picked up a sports bag from next to the door. “Did Hammond order you to stay longer?”

“No.”

“Was the artifact about to explode?”

“No, but—”

“So nothing you couldn’t have done Monday morning.” Gaze locked with hers, he returned to the door.

“But I had the instruments set up, and the last measurement showed an abnormality that I thought was the key to understanding the instability.”

“Was it?”

“Well…no.”

“No orders for you to stay longer, no urgency, no results. No valid reason for you to be an hour and a half late.”

Sam glanced at her watch. “One hour and twenty minutes, Sir.”

His eyes flared with something dark, dangerous. “Keep going. I’m gonna have a really good time later on.”

She swallowed and straightened. Somehow, the undertone in his voice was unsettling. Wait, he wasn’t going to deny her release again, was he? If he did that after almost a week of work, she’d lose it. “What are you gonna do?”

Ignoring her question, he opened the door for her. “Shall we?”

Excitement and nervousness fought a battle inside her as she stepped outside, the box with the Chinese food in her hand.

—

“C’mere.” Jack drew Sam close against him, her fresh scent making him dizzy. He had to fight not to push her up against the nearest wall. The time during the week grew more and more challenging, working so close to her, yet never being allowed to touch or banter with her. Or anything that implied they were more than colleagues and friends.

On her bare feet, she was a few inches smaller than him. Just right to hold her close. Her sigh resounded against the crook of his neck. Her nose tickled his skin and she flicked her tongue out to tease his neck.

His grip on her hips tightened. This woman. She had no idea… Maybe he should show her what her teasing could get her.

First he had to take care of her disobeying his order though. Couldn’t make a habit out of her being late for their Friday evening dates.

“You ever been to the area in the back of the club?”

“No, Sir.” She lifted her head, her deep blue eyes meeting his.

“Come on then. We’re gonna do a bit of exploring.” He linked their fingers and drew her with him through the noisy main room.

Unfortunately, tonight they had some kind of event scheduled. A Japanese rope bondage lesson from an experienced Dom touring the States. Japanese rope bondage involved full body restraints. Not something he was into. Too fancy. And too complicated to get in and out of.

Maybe that’d mean the side areas of the club would clear out a little as soon as the lesson started. He did want a bit of an audience tonight, but hundreds of people was a stretch.

Once they reached the back area, the crowd cleared. Jack entered through the open archway and had to fight a grin when Sam gasped next to him.

Despite its being semi-public, the maze last weekhad provided them with some privacy due to the sparse maze players. The public scene area didn’t offer any privacy at all.

Several little booths and areas sat left and right of the walkway, like stages. Every single one featured different equipment. St. Andrews Crosses, benches in all kinds of variations, cages, chains and beds. Some of the furniture was occupied by couples playing out a public scene.

Sam faltered in her steps and cringed when they passed a female Domme who was whipping a male sub. “I don’t think I like this, Sir. That looks painful.”

He smirked and pulled her with him. “It does, doesn’t it?” He drew her closer. “Does the idea do anything for you?”

“What idea?”

“Having a sub? Dominating a male…or female?” He studied her. Although he was pretty sure he knew her answer, better to talk about these things. Make sure she wasn’t actually a Switch and enjoyed both, submitting and dominating.

“To be honest, I wouldn’t be sure what to do. Sir.” She swallowed visibly. “Are you asking me to dominate you?” A flash of panic crossed her features.

“No. I’m not a submissive. Just testing some grounds here.” He have her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Come on.”

He pulled her to one of the more hidden booths towards the back. A large bed took up most of the space.

“Sit down on the bed.”

She faltered. Her gaze darted to his. “Sir?” She looked around. People passed by, eyeing them curiously. “Here, Sir?”

“Remember the punishment I set up last week in the maze?”

She took a step back and nodded. He grabbed her arm, holding her in place.

“Repeat it.”

“You said you’d gather all the Doms in a room, rip my dress off and take me with them watching.” She paled.

He drew her closer. “I reminded you not to be late. You were. For no good reason. Patience isn’t one of my virtues, and I don’t like to wait. Especially not one and a half hours.”

“One hour and twenty minutes.” Her eyes sparkled.

He leaned in. “Right. And you smarted off. Doesn’t sound very sorry to me.” Oh, this was gonna be fun. “Sit down on the bed.”

For a moment, she seemed to consider disobeying his order, but then she did as he’d asked. Her fingers tugged her short black dress further down her thighs as she sat. God, those endless legs…

He drew his eyes back up to her face. “I’m gonna enjoy your sweet body for a while now.”

Her eyes widened. “Here, Sir?”

“Here.”

“But there’s people watching.”

“So?”

“So…” Another visible swallow.

Jack leaned in and dropped a gentle kiss on her neck. “I promise, by the time I’m done with you, you won’t notice them anymore. Last week being watched turned you on quite a bit.”

She bit her lower lip, and her cheeks flushed. “I…I shouldn’t want this… I’m not sure…”

“Wanna use your safeword?” Jack studied her, keeping his face inches from hers. Her pupils dilated. Her eyes darkened and her gaze dropped to his mouth. Yep, she was definitely turned on by the thought.

Her lips parted, and she took a sharp breath, as if wanting to say something. He waited, unmoving, half-expecting to hear her safeword. But she remained silent.

“I’ll give you two options. Option one: I’ll take your dress off. Here. And then I’ll have my way with you. But you won’t be required to come. Option two: the dress stays on. But you will come. In front of everyone.”

She stared at him, color draining from her face. Maybe he was pushing her a bit too far. But her breath sped up, and she still hadn’t safeworded.

—

Sam stared into Jack’s dark coffee eyes. The dim light of the club made them look almost black. He couldn’t be serious. He wanted to… in front of all these people?

She bit her lower lip and lifted her chin. “I’ll come for you. But don’t undress me.” Full public nudity wasn’t something she was comfortable with. But just having an orgasm? She could handle that. Besides, she could always trick him.

“All right.” He leaned in. “Little warning in advance. I’ll know if you fake it, so don’t even think about it. Faking an orgasm is a serious offense in my book. If you try anything like that, I’ll rip that dress off your body and put you on that cross over there. Then I’ll fuck you until you can’t come anymore, and I won’t care who watches.”

She shook her head without a sound, her heart beating loud in her ears.

Jack’s face gentled. “You can take as long as you need. But don’t try to fake it. If something’s wrong, use your safeword.”

“Yes, Sir.” Almost toneless. God, this was gonna be embarrassing. She took a shaky breath. Jack placed his hands left and right of her on the mattress and leaned in. His lips found the sensitive spot right under her ear. Heat stabbed at her.

How did he do that? Just one touch, one caress and her body burned with need. She reached up and clutched the sides of his shirt. Skin. She wanted to feel more of his heat. She slipped her fingers under his clothes and trailed them along the hard planes of his stomach. He gave her neck a warning nip. She groaned.

“Slide over to the side of the bed.” Jack nodded at the side facing away from the spectators.

Trembling, she pulled herself further onto the plastic sheet of the mattress, and then slid to the side. Jack straightened and pulled his shirt over his head.

He looked magnificent. She stared at his tanned chest and the soft graying hair that curled there. In his dark pants, he resembled one of the Doms from this club.

When he stepped up to the bed, she couldn’t resist trailing her fingers down his chest and over his taut stomach muscles. He gave her shoulders a firm push, and with a little yelp she fell backwards onto the mattress. A giggle escaped her, and his eyes sparkled. Jack slid in between her legs, his hands on her upper thighs pressing them against his hips.

Smiling, Sam used her feet to draw him closer.

He let himself fall forward, his mouth so close their breaths mingled. She parted her lips, wanting him to take her mouth. Instead he leaned down to her ear. “I’m gonna eat you out now, cause I’ve been wanting to do that all week.”

Her eyes fell closed as lust pulled at her core. “Yes, Sir.”

“You’re gonna come for me.”

“Yes, Sir.” At this rate she would. Anything he wanted. She arched against him, her fingers grazing his sides, his scent surrounding her, making her head swim.

His lips seared a warm path down the side of her neck, so tender, seducing her. How did he have such an effect on her? Here, in public? She turned her head. A man leaned against the dark wall, watching them. She tensed. This was so scandalous. She really shouldn’t enjoy this. Any of it. What was wrong with her?

“Don’t look.” Jack’s breath fanned her neck. “You don’t please anyone but me.”

“Yes, Sir.” She closed her eyes and turned her head to the other side, facing the wall.

His palms cupped her breasts through the dress, caressing and teasing until she wished the clothing barrier were gone.

“Sir…”

“Mmhmm?” He dropped another kiss to her neck, then trailed his mouth along her jawline. She turned her head, her lips parting when his mouth found hers. She moaned when his tongue delved deep, claiming her, taking what he wanted.

Her head swam when he broke the kiss. She tried to follow his mouth, but he pushed her back down into the mattress with a smirk.

“Stay right there.” He nipped her earlobe. With a groan, he ground himself against her, letting her feel the bulge in his pants. “You got any idea what you do to me?”

Sam arched into him. Disappointment flooded her when he leaned up. Cool air hit her overheating skin. She needed him on top of her, taking her with the same relentless passion as he usually did.

Her breath caught when he lowered himself between her legs, his hands placing her thighs over his shoulders.

Oh God…ohGodohGodohGod. Sam clutched the hem of her dress, trying to keep it from slipping up. He hadn’t been kidding. He was going to go down on her.

“Nobody’s gonna see anything,” Jack said. His lips grazed her inner thigh. “Trust me.”

Her cheeks burned. She squeezed her eyes shut. Desire pooled between her legs, hot and urgent. Something had to be wrong with her. She covered her eyes with her hand and arched her back.

Another hot kiss, farther up this time. Her fingers loosened around her dress when his warm breath blew against her core. She held her breath and waited, every fiber of her being focused on him.

At last, his mouth made contact. Sam closed her eyes and opened wider for him, her fingers tangling in his short hair. Every time he did this, it hit her anew. She’d never met a man who was so good with his mouth. His lips and tongue latched onto her clit, sending pleasant shivers through her entire body.

Not a sound. She couldn’t make a sound, not here with all the people around. Her cheeks warmed again. Yet, with another flick of his tongue in just the right spot, a moan left her.

Pleas filled her ears, and it took her a moment to realize it was her talking. She pressed against him when two of his fingers slipped inside her, instantly finding all the right places. He was getting way too good at this.

Her breath grew labored, then she released a moan of frustration when Jack lifted his head away from her. Panting she met his gaze. His eyes twinkled. “Frustrating when you gotta wait for someone, isn’t it?”

Oh God. “I’m sorry, Sir. Really, I am.”

He studied her. “Yes, you are. Let’s make sure this lesson sticks, though.”

“No, please…” Her fingers clutched his shoulder. “Please, Sir. I promise, I’ll never be late again when we have a date.”

“Never?”

“Never.”

“And what if you find some new doohickey to play around with on Friday afternoon?”

“It’ll wait til Monday, Sir. Please.”

A slow smile pulled at his lips and he nodded. “All right, since this was your first infraction, I’ll be lenient.”

“It won’t happen again, I promise.” Heaven opened up for her as his hot mouth went back to work. Teasing, alternating pressure and rhythm, keeping his movements unpredictable and playing with her body until stars sparkled in front of her eyes.

Pressure built and subsided slowly as he eased up only to start building her again. Her orgasm came hard and unexpected. She couldn’t believe it was happening here. In front of the spectators. Her muscles clenched around his fingers and she trembled, gritting her teeth against an outcry.

If only he’d stop, but he didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so. The flicks of his tongue grew almost painful as overstimulation shot along her nerves. She writhed against him, trying to move away from the sweet torment he inflicted. Before she even realized it, she hovered on the edge of another orgasm.

Just when she was about to shatter again, he withdrew his mouth and leaned up to take her lips in a hot kiss. She whimpered in delightful ecstasy. He continued playing, his fingers thrusting in and out. She clutched his shoulders, her moans lost in his mouth when she came apart a second time.

Panting, she held on to him as his fingers stilled. God, this had not just happened. She hadn’t come twice. Embarrassment overwhelmed her and fought a battle with post-orgasmic bliss.

Her eyes stung. She buried her face against his shoulder, trembling. This was messed up. Why the hell had she come so easily? And so hard? What was wrong with her? Her head spun as reality set back in.

“Shhh.” Jack’s mouth caressed her temple, his hand tangling in her hair, while the other one slipped out of her and pressed her thigh against his hips.

Her chest heaved on a breath. How could something so forbidden and scandalous feel so erotic?

“I love having you come for me.” Another warm kiss. He pulled her even closer against his chest and maneuvered them into a sitting position. Apparently, he remembered his promise not to let anybody see her. She tugged on her dress, trying to cover herself.

“Are people still watching?” She couldn’t look up. Hell, if it was up to her, she’d never look any of these people in the eye again. This wasn’t who she was. Or who she wanted to be.

Her stomach clenched. Anxiety threatened to overwhelm her. What the hell was happening to her life? Every ounce of control seemed to slip away from her. She was a strong woman. So why did she get off on submitting to a man in every single way possible?

“There were only four. They’ve moved on.” Jack’s warm lips caressed the side of her neck. “Nothing to be ashamed of.”

She raised her brows at him. Easy for him to say. He hadn’t just given a live show to everyone around.  Her legs shook as she got up from the bed. God, she couldn’t do this anymore. Why on Earth did she have this strange need to put herself through this?

She jerked when Jack’s hands touched her shoulders. “You okay?”

Sam swallowed hard. The walls seemed to close in. Suddenly everything was too much. The black tapestry, the tacky red bed, the couples everywhere, either having sex or watching others have sex. The whips and chains. She didn’t want to be this person. Where would this end?

What about her future? Not only was this the exact opposite of her dream of having a family, but she was risking her career over it. It had to stop!

She flinched and wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m not feeling so good. I wanna go home.” She turned. “I know it’s Friday, and I stood you up. And I owe you… You know…sex. But I can’t… I…I’m sorry.”

Her eyes burned, and she swallowed against a lump in her throat. She tried to hold his gaze, but then averted her eyes.

“You don’t owe me anything.“ Jack’s voice gentled. „What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Sam. Talk to me.”

“I just…” She took a step away from him. If he kept touching her, she’d never be able to go. “I wanna be someplace else. Somewhere…” Normal. “…where I can wear shoes and don’t see somebody getting whipped in every corner.”

He held his hand out to her. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”

—

There’d never been awkward silence between them. Not when they first started doing this, and not later on. Until now.

Sam kept her gaze on the road outside the passenger window of the jeep. Who’d have known the one hour drive from Denver to Colorado Springs could turn into an eternity?

It was all her fault. She should have never let it get this far. She should have stopped it the moment they’d shared their first kiss in the club. Why hadn’t she?

All these years, she’d always thought of her career first, of the consequences it would have if she gave in to her feelings. And now…

When the jeep pulled in the driveway of Jack’s house, she didn’t know whether to be relieved or even more nervous. As soon as they’d entered the house, and Jack closed the door behind them, she decided on nervousness.

“We gotta talk.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then turned to face him. “I’m sorry.”

“Carter.” Sighing he took a step towards her and drew her close. “You don’t have to be sorry. But something happened—or I did something—that freaked you out. We gotta talk about it, so we won’t make that mistake again.”

“It’s not you.” She held his gaze. Concern filled  his eyes. No more of the cool soldier façade—or the hard-assed Dom. God, she’d have to break his heart, wouldn’t she?

“Okay,” he said. “Was it the public scene? I swear, if I’d known it’d freak you out so much…” Sighing, he scraped his hand through his hair. “Why didn’t you use your safeword?”

“I… it wasn’t the scene. It wasn’t you. It’s what we do. All of it. It’s me.” She turned to pace along the hallway.

“Can you be more specific than that?”

“I’m scared.” She fisted her hands at her sides. “All my life I’ve considered myself a strong independent woman. Now I feel like everything’s falling apart. I don’t even know who I am anymore. But…” She closed her eyes. “I don’t want to be that woman. Being controlled, dominated… I just… I can’t be that woman. I’m not a submissive.”

Silence.

After a long moment, she turned. Jack stood in the dim hallway, hands in his pockets, gaze resting on her.

“I don’t know what to do.” Her voice came out a whisper. She sighed and clutched herself tighter. “I wanna be normal. Get married. Have a family. All my life I thought that someday I’d have all that.”

“Normal,” he repeated, brows raised. Then he waved his hands. “Look, Carter, if you ask me, normal is relative. I’m not sure what you’re expecting from me here.”

“Nothing. I don’t know.” She closed her eyes.

“What do you know?”

She bit her lower lip. “The only thing I know for sure at the moment is that I don’t wanna jeopardize my career.” There, she’d said it.

Even in the dim light leaking in from the window, she saw him tense. The silence became almost deafening.

Finally, he shrugged. “We did agree you can stop this at any time. If you’re worried, I’ll make a scene, you should know me better than that.”

“It’s that easy?” Her stomach knotted. Why was she the only one feeling as though her entire life, her future was at stake?

He walked past her and entered his dining room and the kitchen. “Who said anything about it being easy?” His tone cooled. She heard the door of his fridge open, then the distinct clunking sound of a beer bottle.

She’d hurt him, and now he did what he always did. He shut himself off. Why did the situation have to be so messed up? She followed him to the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe.

“So?” He turned to her.

“So, what?”

“Do you wanna stop this?”

Want to? No, definitely not. But it was the only reasonable thing to do. She should’ve done it a long time ago. If she didn’t turn her back now, she’d never be able to let him go. If only she’d never given in to that first kiss.

Somehow it’d been so much easier to lock her feelings for him away when she hadn’t known how good they were together, how sweet he could be. How tender. How dominant…

Swallowing hard, she nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“Ah, don’t be.” He flicked the cap of his bottle towards the garbage. “That’s life. Some things work out, others don’t.”

He was undoubtedly playing nonchalant, but she knew him better than that. She clenched her hands at her sides. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Yeah. Sure.” His gaze intensified, and for a moment, the warmth and concern were back. “Are you?”

“I will be,” she said, as much to convince him as herself.

“I guess I’ll see you on Monday at the base then.”

“Yes, Sir.” She closed her eyes with a wince. Somehow the address felt so out of place now, after everything they’d done. And yet… She’d have to get used to it again on Monday. This is exactly why these kinds of relationships are against the regs.

“Want me to call you a cab?”

“No, I’ll be fine. I’ll get one on the way. It’s not that far.”

“Right.” He took a sip of his beer. “Send me a text when you’re home. So I know you’re safe.”

So that was it? It was over? The reality of the situation threatened to take her breath away. Every fiber of her being yearned for him. Before reason kicked back in, she’d crossed the distance between them and meshed her mouth with his.

He tensed, but only for a moment. They almost stumbled when he put his beer down on the table. Hands free, he pulled her close, his lips devouring hers, taking as if his life depended on it.

Lips locked in a frantic kiss, they nearly lost balance. She yelped into his mouth when he shoved her dress up to her hips. She reached behind her and pulled herself up on the kitchen table, legs on either side of him.

Probably not a good idea, was the last conscious thought that ran through her mind.

Five minutes later, as she lay panting on the table, legs wrapped around his hips and her hand tangled in his hair, reality crashed over her like a tsunami of cold water, sweeping away the short-lived bliss of their frantic encounter.

Definitely not a good idea. She had to learn to listen to her inner voice.

Jack drew out of her without a word, but helped her sit up. Cheeks warming, Sam slid off the table and rearranged her dress. She gasped in surprise when Jack drew her into his arms.

“C’mere.” He buried his face in her neck, his embrace warm. As though he didn’t want to let her go. When he released her at last, his face swam in front of her eyes. Thank God he hadn’t turned the kitchen lamp on. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

His thumb brushed across her cheek. Then he let her go.

I love you. The words wanted to pour over her lips, but she remained silent. Before she could make another mistake, she turned and rushed to the front door.

This was the right thing to do. It was what she wanted. Back to a normal life. Away from whips and restraints and power play.

If only her choice made her feel more at peace.

—

Jack dropped to the kitchen chair when the front door shut with a click. So final.

That’s because it is, you idiot. Carter’d made her choice.

Whatever was going on, it wasn’t something he could help her with if she didn’t let him in. Letting her go was the only reasonable solution.

Even if it was the hardest thing he’d ever done.

Well, some things are just not meant to be.

The End (March 24, 2015)

Next Story: Normalcy

Author’s Notes:

I already announced this was going to happen. The huge breaking point where Sam panics and leaves. And Jack lets her, although he’s not a happy camper. 

Next chapter will follow this weekend.