Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 86510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 346(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Brenda reaches across the table and squeezes my arm. “True. But are you sure you want to be alone? I can be there for you.”
I’m far from sure, but if Brenda is there, holding my hand, I won’t be able to figure out how the scene figures in my future. She’s a submissive through and through. She and Dalton will never leave the scene, and that’s okay.
But I need to find out what’s right for me.
“I’m sure,” I say, hoping my voice sounds as confident as the words. “This is something I need to do alone.”
…
I wear a burgundy minidress and platform sandals to the club. This particular shade of burgundy has mostly blue undertones to it so it doesn’t clash with my hair. I was amazed when I found it at the store. My platform sandals are basic black and strappy. At five seven, I’m already tall without the heels, but I love wearing them. Especially tonight. Ronan is so tall I’ll still feel petite in his presence.
I say hi to Claude, surrender my phone, and enter the club. It’s Saturday night, and Black Rose is always busy, even this early. But it doesn’t ever get to full capacity until around ten.
I look around, but I don’t see Ronan.
It’s only a little past eight, so I wouldn’t consider him late yet. But then a thought rushes into my head.
What if he is here? What if he found someone else already, and he’s in a room doing a scene?
The thought saddens me, and jealousy sinks into my gut.
Ridiculous, I know. I only met the man twenty-four hours ago. So we shared a slice of pizza. I showed him one of my favorite places in New York. So what?
He’s obviously a Dominant. He’s not going to want to put up with my questioning attitude right now. Except he did last night.
He didn’t just put up with it. He put me at ease about it.
Maybe I’m overthinking this.
There’s one empty seat at the bar, and I grab it.
I order a lemon drop.
Then I wait.
Chapter Nine
Ronan
After putting Keira in a cab bound to the airport, I head to Black Rose. I’m already running late, and I hope Mary won’t be upset.
The morning with Keira was not pleasant.
Her attempts at seduction were persuasive for sure, but I couldn’t get Mary out of my head. Mary, who wouldn’t play with me last night.
Mary, who introduced me to the most delicious pizza I’ve ever tasted. Who showed me the beautiful New York skyline.
“Please, sir,” Keira begged, more than once. “I can change. I don’t need those things. I just… I was falling in love with you, sir, but I’ve got a handle on it now.”
Her words made my heart ache, but they didn’t move me. Keira was never more than a submissive to me—a good submissive whose company I enjoyed and who I loved as a friend, but nothing more. I didn’t fall in love with her romantically. I’ve never fallen in love with a submissive.
I’ve never fallen in love, period.
She cried, and I tried to comfort her. But despite her words, she clearly wanted more than comfort from me, and that I couldn’t give her. So I booked her on the next flight back to Glasgow.
Then I changed into my leather kilt and a black Jacobite shirt.
As I walk into the club, I check the clock on the wall. It’s eight forty-five.
Damn.
I’m late.
Mary will be upset, and understandably so.
I spy her, then. She’s on the dance floor, wearing a wine-colored dress that somehow brings out the same hue in her hair under the disco lights.
She’s dancing with a man. A nice-looking man who’s smiling at her.
Before I realize it, my hands are clenched into fists.
Mary’s not mine. I’ll do well to remember that. She has the right to dance with whomever she pleases.
And I have the right to cut in.
Which I do, tapping the man on the back.
He turns. He isn’t quite as tall as I am, but he’s handsome, with dark hair and eyes.
“Yes?” he says.
“I’m cutting in,” I say adamantly.
“All right.” He gives Mary’s hand to me. “If it’s all right with you, Blossom.”
Mary’s cheeks redden. “Yeah, it’s fine, Ben.”
I take Mary in my arms as the slow jazz continues. “Who was that?” I ask.
“Ben Black.”
Her words stun me. Ben Black is the brother of Braden Black, my new business partner. How did I not recognize him? “Now that you mention it, he looks a lot like his brother.”
“Yeah, only, his eyes are brown and Braden’s are blue.”
I’m done talking about Ben Black or any other man with Mary. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
She shrugs against me. “That’s okay. I passed the time.”
“Dancing with Ben Black?”
“Part of the time.”
“Did you do anything other than dance?”
“I had a drink.”
“You know that’s not what I’m asking.”
Her cheeks flush in the disco lighting. “Ben and I don’t play together.”