Praise

Emerson misses Charlie and Beau acutely, as neither is speaking to him. He is relieved when Beau comes to his house. When Beau asks, Emerson admits that he and Charlie had a sexual relationship and that he took Charlie to Salacious Players’ Club, but he denies that he used his power as her boss to coerce the relationship. Beau contends that Emerson “corrupted” Charlie with the club, leading her to want Emerson over him. Emerson says that he won’t pursue Charlie if Beau doesn’t want him to but admits that he loves her. Beau leaves. Emerson decides to go to his club, miserable that Beau has prohibited him from seeing Charlie.

Charlie works a shift at the skating rink, trying unsuccessfully to distract herself from her sadness about Emerson. Beau arrives at the rink and asks for her “side of the story” (267). She confirms what Emerson said—that Emerson did not coerce her and that the club does not merit Beau’s disgust. Frustrated, she yells that Emerson made her feel better about herself than Beau did. Beau repeats Emerson’s admission of love, but Charlie insists that it is no longer relevant.

When Charlie returns home that night, miserable, she sees that Madame Kink has posted on social media from the Salacious Players’ Club. On impulse, Charlie heads out to the club, telling herself that she is not hoping to see Emerson. She forces herself to feign confidence until she feels a gradual sense of belonging. She chats with Madame Kink, praising her blog. Charlie and Madame Kink then scheme to make Emerson jealous.

Emerson spends the evening in his office. Maggie reports that Charlie is in the club and has just rented a room with Madame Kink. Emerson goes to the throne room, where he finds Charlie and Madame Kink laughing, touching, and caressing. When the two women kiss, Emerson storms into the room. He scoops Charlie up, which amuses Madame Kink. When he kisses her, she briefly returns his kiss and then shoves him away.

Charlie explains that she felt hurt that Emerson referred to their relationship as “nothing,” which violated the bonds of trust that he promised would be always present in their Dom-sub relationship. He begs her forgiveness. Then, he puts her on the throne and performs oral sex on her, which he calls “a start” to his apology and to earning back her trust. He contrasts Charlie’s sexual confidence with her earlier reserve and feels pride at her transformation. He asks her to return home with him, but she claims that the apology is “not enough.”

Charlie returns home, reflecting that it was “pure torture” to leave Emerson behind but that it was a necessary measure of self-protection, as she fears that Emerson will reject her for Beau again. She is surprised when her father, Jimmy, suddenly calls from outside her house. His colleague witnessed the date auction and reported it to him. Jimmy speaks cruelly to Charlie and Gwen. When Gwen yells at him before he can deadname Sophie, Jimmy shoves her. Charlie intervenes to protect her mother, and a scuffle ensues.

Suddenly, Emerson appears and pulls Jimmy off his ex-wife and daughter. Emerson releases Jimmy when Charlie asks him to. When Jimmy disparages the age difference between Charlie and Emerson, Gwen offers her support of their relationship. Jimmy calls Emerson and the club “disgusting.” Then, Beau appears and defends his father, saying that Emerson is superior to Jimmy, as Emerson did not abandon his children. Emerson confesses his love for Charlie, which makes her realize that she loves him, too.

Emerson and Beau say that they received a call from Sophie that led them to rush to Charlie’s house to intercept Jimmy. Sophie tells her father to leave and then admits that she called Emerson. Charlie defends her right to choose her own relationship and comments on her happiness with Emerson. Jimmy leaves, giving Sophie an awkward wave goodbye. Emerson embraces Charlie while Gwen and Beau console Sophie. Emerson promises to have the man who reported on Charlie removed from the club, as speaking about other members outside the club is against policy.

Beau and Emerson speak privately; Emerson explains that he plans to keep seeing Charlie but that this does not diminish his love for his son. Beau says that he will try to become more comfortable with Emerson and Charlie’s relationship but asks for time to adjust. Things remain slightly awkward between father and son, but they go out for a drink together. Emerson plans to keep Beau in his life.

Charlie comforts Sophie, trying to avoid being embarrassed that her sexual exploits were announced in front of her family. Gwen and Sophie offer their support for Charlie and Emerson’s relationship. The three women spend the afternoon watching movies together.

Later, Beau arrives. He apologizes for being unfaithful during his relationship with Charlie and for making her feel inadequate. He gives his hesitant blessing for Emerson and Charlie to get back together.

Nervously, Charlie goes to Emerson’s house. The moment they see one another, they kiss passionately. They have sex within their Dom-sub dynamic, during which they express their love for each other. They enjoy feeling that their relationship is no longer secret or time bound.

Charlie performs oral sex on Emerson during a video call, distracting him. He leaves the meeting abruptly to give his full attention to Charlie, and Garrett calls later to scold him for this. Charlie wonders why Garrett has seemed like he’s in such a poor mood in recent weeks.

Later, Gwen, Sophie, Charlie, and Emerson all have dinner together. Gwen reveals that she invited Beau, too. Though the group is still a little uncomfortable with their new dynamic, they are gradually becoming more at ease with one another. When Charlie and Emerson leave the restaurant, they discuss how they plan to spend the rest of their lives together.