“I’m fine,” she said. “Other than my pride. Believe me, I’m going to be a perfect little sub from now on.”
Somehow, he doubted that. Emma had much too strong a personality not to get into trouble occasionally, and the thought made him grin. “We’ll see about that. Ready for tonight?”
“I think so.” She smiled gamely. “Yes, I’m ready. But I still wish you’d tell me what’s going to be required of me.”
“I’m about to. Trust me.” He’d keep saying it until she did.
“I do. I’m just nervous.”
Gently, he kissed her. “I know. But you look hotter than a five-alarm blaze, and you’re with me. Hold your head up and don’t worry about a thing.”
And holy crap, was she smokin’. To match his usual black leathers, she wore a very short leather skirt and midriff-baring leather bra studded with silver rivets. Her high-heeled boots reached the tops of her pretty knees. Combine the picture with her short, platinum blond hair teased and spiked into a fun, funky style, and she was every master’s wet dream. The woman was so striking, her presence so commanding, she could easily pass for a Domme.
She nodded. “Okay. I’m really ready now.”
“That’s my girl. I’ve got you.”
Taking her hand, he led her into the dim interior, where they were immediately engulfed by sexy, gyrating bodies and rock music with a throbbing bass and heavy beat. The atmosphere was loose, dangerous, and rife with lust.
He loved every bit of it.
In a dark corner, where most of the room was visible, but was private enough, he gestured to his favorite table, which he’d reserved for tonight. “After you, baby.” She shot him a questioning glance. “We’re a team. You sit with me, at my side, not at my feet like a dog. No fear or humiliation, remember?”
His reward was a bright smile as she took her seat, and it made his heart stutter. He’d do about anything to keep it there.
“What would you like to drink?”
“You’re not going to order for me?” She seemed surprised.
“Some masters get into controlling every aspect of their subs’ lives, right down to what they eat and drink, what they wear, and where they’re allowed to go. But that’s not me. If I ask you what you’d like, simply tell me.”
“Okay, um… may I have a glass of cabernet?”
“You bet.” He signaled a female server, who hurried over. “A glass of cabernet for my lady, Jack and cola for me.”
“I’ll have those right out, sir.”
After the girl disappeared, he studied Emma, who watched the crowd, wary. He tried to see the place through her eyes — the eyes of a baby sub he’d been so many years ago. Yeah, the scene was usually intimidating to the new ones, as it should be. For all his assurances to her that most of the players were responsible and safe, jerks and users were present in all aspects of life. An untrained sub not well versed in the dangers of hooking up with the wrong master could find himself or herself in a shitload of trouble.
“It’s different looking at this place through the lens of a new sub rather than an outsider, isn’t it?”
Her fingers clutched his thigh under the table. “Very much. I feel like a bug under a microscope. Conspicuous.”
“You will at first, but I promise I’ll help you get past it. Tonight we’re going to further your training — no unreasonable expectations.”
“We’re not doing a scene?” She sounded disappointed, and frowned.
“We are, but I have something a little different planned. You’ll see.”
Before she could ask more questions, the server returned with their drinks. They’d barely taken a sip when Ryan stopped at their table, Caitlin in tow. He glanced at Emma to see that she’d stiffened. Her stony expression was centered on Caitlin.
Can anyone say “awkward”?
“Hey, buddy.” Closing his fist, the other man held up his hand, and they bumped knuckles in greeting. “Haven’t seen you around much lately. And where have you been hiding this spectacular — wait. She looks familiar. Have you brought her here before?”
“
Blaze shot her a warning glance, and she returned a mutinous one, proving he was right. His headstrong sub was already making waves. Smiling at a scowling Ryan, he worked to defuse the situation. “Please pardon my new sub. This is Emma, and she’s in training. You met her several months ago, when she burst in on our scene and gave me hell.”
At that, Ryan forgot his annoyance over her blunder. “Oh, man, this is her? A live one, eh? Looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you.”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” he said smoothly, then gave Emma a pointed look. “You will apologize to Master Ryan for speaking when you weren’t directly addressed.”
Her face flamed scarlet, blue eyes flashing with a combination of embarrassment and anger. “I–I’m very sorry, Master Ryan. Please accept my apologies.”
“I’ll let it slide this time, sub. Blaze, good luck with this one! You want any help with her training, let me know.”
“I will, thanks.” He’d thought about it. Maybe one day soon he’d invite the younger master in for a scene.
Ryan took his leave. To her credit, she remained silent until Blaze addressed her. “Do you understand the transgression you just made?”
She stared at her lap. “I spoke out of turn to a master, and used a disrespectful tone.”
“Yes. That’s a violation of a very basic rule and will require punishment,” he said softly. “I’ll think on it and let you know later what it will be.”
“Yes, sir,” she answered, voice barely audible.
Placing a finger under her chin, he forced her to look at him. “You’re in training, and you’re going to screw up at first. All you can do is take your licks and move on.”
“I know. It’s just not easy setting aside the stronger aspects of my personality with anyone besides you. I mean, in ‘normal’ society, what he just did, speaking around me,
“I know where you’re coming from, but this is a whole different ball game with a different protocol. Would you go to a stranger’s house for dinner and tell the host you hated the meal and the company sucked?”
“No, of course not.”
“Well, it’s the same tact applied here. The masters are the hosts, of sorts, and you don’t diss them. Anyway, let’s forget about it for a while. Dance?”
“I’d love to,” she said, appearing relieved to drop it for the time being.
He led her onto the floor, and they moved to the grinding, sensual music, pressed so close he knew she felt the heat of his hard cock branding her bare belly. Holding her firmly around the waist, he made sure every master in the vicinity knew to whom she belonged and that cutting in wasn’t an option. So what if he engaged in a bit of primitive breast-beating? She was his.
After a few songs, he escorted her back to their table, both of them laughing and high on being together. They’d just received another round of drinks when a familiar voice joined the fun.
“You called on me for tonight, sir? I’m here for your pleasure,” the low voice whispered.
Emma’s eyes widened. Blaze stood, turned, and found himself with an armful of Shawn Dempsey. A sexy, slinky Shawn, with his dark auburn hair framing his pretty face and tumbling to his shoulders in a fall of fiery silk. Black leather pants hugged his long legs and cupped his sex invitingly, and his nipple rings were visible through the blue mesh T-shirt hugging a nicely muscled chest and flat torso. A shirt that perfectly matched cerulean blue eyes that were sparkling with mischief. And a dose of lust directed at both him and Emma.
