Viola waved a dismissive hand. “It’s just a rough patch. Marriage isn’t easy. I had the right idea to spice things up, but the club failed miserably. The whipping had been brutal, girl. If I wanted us to give it a serious go, we probably should’ve gone on a night when we weren’t forced to watch someone we know being hurt like that.”
Shelby didn’t want to push the subject of Dave, so she picked up her fork, but dropped it when she saw the waitress coming with fried heaven.
“I admit it hurt like crazy before Mason got there. But once he was there to distract me, I was able to put the pain aside. I’m not saying I’d want to do it again, but it wasn’t as bad as it had been at first.” She thanked the waitress and nibbled on an onion ring. “Besides, there’s so much more to it than pain. When Master Jedrek bound me, it was very freeing.”
Viola rolled her eyes. “Don’t call that prick Master. I like Mr. Mean better.”
“He is that.” Shelby chuckled. “But I think there are parts I could really get into. I’ve learned BDSM is what you make of it. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like how it made me feel. How Mason makes me feel when he tops me.” A wave of sadness came over her.
“Are there parts you don’t like? Besides being beaten, I mean?” Viola asked lightly as if she noticed the sudden change in Shelby and wanted to turn it back around.
She half-smiled and tamped down the sorrow to focus on the conversation, embracing detachment. “The rules seem silly.”
“Figures. A bunch of egotistical men getting off on bossing women around,” she scoffed.
“It’s not like that. Not really. And there are Dommes, too. Submission isn’t sexist. Nor is it limited to heterosexuals. When I was researching it, I found a lot of sites dedicated to gay and lesbian participants.”
“Blah, blah, blah. Give me something good. You said silly rules. I want an example.” She pushed her empty salad bowl away and crossed her arms.
Shelby giggled. “Okay, I’ve got something. When I was at the club, but not with Mason or one of the Master Doms, I was told if another Dom approached me, I had to tell him, ‘My Master awaits.’ It’s code for I’m not available. It’s so any man interested in me would leave me alone.”
“Oh hell no. My Master awaits? How ’bout, ‘Say hello to my little friend,’ and pull your 9mm. I bet that’d make the pricks back off.”
Shelby burst out laughing, but Viola’s cold expression only made her laugh harder.
“I’m serious, girl.”
“I know.” She took a deep breath. “That’s why it’s so funny. God, I needed that.”
“Then my work here is done.” She winked.
The last onion ring was calling her, so she picked it up. “Sure you don’t want one? Last chance,” she taunted.
“Gross. I’ll need to run an extra mile this afternoon just looking at those things.”
She relished the yummy goodness as Viola dug in her purse. When Shelby’s phone rang, she glanced at it half-heartedly until she saw the name.
Mason.
“Oh crap. It’s him.”
Viola needed no other explanation. “Answer it.”
Shelby shook as she accepted the call and put the phone to her ear. “Hello.”
“Wasn’t sure if you’d answer,” he said without anger or even humor. It was almost emotionless. She wasn’t sure how to process his tone.
“Wasn’t sure I was going to,” she said, trying to inflect the same amount of indifference.
“I made you a promise, and I intend to follow through on my end. Couldn’t have you going around calling me a liar.” There was an edge to his voice now, and her nape prickled.
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“Of course you wouldn’t,” he said, back to no emotion. “I’ve cleared my schedule this afternoon. Meet me at my house in one hour, so we can finish your lessons.”
Her mind was reeling. She wasn’t ready to see him again. Her defenses weren’t up. But according to Rick, she was still on this case, and had to use every opportunity afforded her. Still, she didn’t want to give in too easily. This didn’t feel right for some reason. She glanced at Viola, who was staring intently at her.
“I thought you had to work.”
“I’m done. We’ll do it now, or not at all. Something tells me you’ll drop everything and come running, though.”
“What the hell’s wrong with you?” she snapped before she could stop herself.
“I’ve had a really shitty day, Shelby,” he said, almost tired now. It made no sense.
And yet, it made perfect sense.
She had her own struggle to deal with. She didn’t want to go, and yet, she did. She just wasn’t sure her heart could take it. If she went, she would be that much more entwined with him.
She didn’t have a choice. That fact should make this easier.
It didn’t.
“Fine. I’ll be at your place in an hour. The apartment, right?”
Viola’s eyes popped, and she whipped out her phone, probably informing Rick of the new development.
“No, my house. I guess you need the address,” he said with an edge of sarcasm she didn’t understand before rattling off the location. “Shower before you come. No hairspray, no makeup, no perfume or body sprays. Nothing that could be flammable.”
Fire. She shivered as she recalled what the scene would involve. “Fine.”
He hung up without a goodbye, and she glanced at Viola.
“We’re on it. Rick and Carson will be stationed outside his neighborhood. It’s gated, so they can’t get in without alerting him, but they’ll be close in case something happens. Let’s go. He wants you wired.” Viola stood.
“What? I can’t. I’ll be naked, and I can’t wear anything flammable. The glue on even a skin tag could ignite.”
“It’ll be in your purse. It’s not as great of
