Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 145091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Brad sighed. “I thought it was weird there was so much lube in there. Should I be worried about tonight?”
Taylor turned and shook her head. At least she felt comfortable talking about this. “She’s closed off the floor for the night. The dungeon has a couple of aftercare rooms the Mistress will use as privacy rooms for the evening.”
“Mistress?” Brad’s brows rose.
“Yes, it’s what Sandra should be called when she’s in the club.” Drake set his drink down on one of the high-top tables set throughout the room.
He’d been quiet most of the night. After lunch, he’d called them all back into the conference room and there had been no arguments about who was going into the field. It seemed whatever talk he’d had with Taggart had turned him around.
Or he was still plotting and didn’t want to give away his next move.
Or he’d done exactly what Kim told her and he’d bared his soul to Tag and wanted to find a way to get close to her.
She thought briefly about getting super drunk and falling into bed with him. Then there wouldn’t be a reason to stay away. The damage would be done, and she could spend the rest of their time together screwing him out of her system.
“So I should call her Mistress Sandra?” Brad still seemed generally confused.
“Only if you’re planning on playing.” Drake sent his friend a pointed look. “Which I assume you are not.”
Brad’s head shook. “Nope. No playing. I’m afraid of everything that could happen in that dungeon place. I mean should any of us be playing? We’re here to work.”
Jax glanced down at his watch. “Well, my worktime is over so I’m heading out with Tucker. I’m staying in his guest room, which is actually the bottom bunk in Gavin’s room. No playing without the wife around. ’Night.”
Tucker nodded her way. “We’ll be back in the morning. You guys have fun.”
Brad pointed toward the door as Jax and Tucker left. “See, that’s the point. We’re not here to have fun.”
“So we should ruthlessly cut out anything amusing that comes up?” Drake asked. “You know what, Brad, stay for dinner or go. I don’t care.”
“Well, I didn’t mean to upset you.” Brad was frowning. “I don’t understand what’s going on in your head. You’ve never been difficult to work with. We’ve always been on the same page when it comes to this kind of thing.”
“Canapé?” A server held up her platter. “It’s roasted garlic with goat cheese and sundried tomato.”
It was pretty, but she wasn’t sure she liked goat cheese.
Brad picked one up. “I suppose since it’s here I shouldn’t let it go to waste.”
Drake took one, too, and then turned her way. “Try it. You might like it. It’s not your norm, but new things can be good.”
She picked one up, following his lead. “I’m not exactly a gourmand. I think that’s the term.”
“The goat cheese is creamy and has a bite to it. The cracker is buttery and garlicky, and then you get the brightness of the tomato,” Drake said.
“Yes, that’s excellent,” Brad agreed.
She gave it a try and was surprised at the different but harmonious flavors. They seemed to work together, building layers of taste. “It’s good.”
“And we could have eaten it around the conference table,” Brad complained. “I don’t understand the need for a formal dinner.”
“Do you honestly expect us to not do anything but work for weeks at a time?” Drake asked Brad.
Brad had been all business all day. Brad had only wanted to talk about the op, going over and over logistics and planning, asking them to question the mission from every angle. “I guess we’ll have down time, but I would think we should spend that time reading a book or watching some TV. I don’t think it’s productive to…what? Have weird sex with strangers?”
“It’s not necessarily about sex.” She wanted to go into that dungeon, but it was probably a bad idea at this point. Brad was right about the fact that they were here to work. She wouldn’t be able to trust anyone she didn’t know, and D/s was all about trust. But she so needed a session. “I find a good flogging relaxing. I certainly don’t have sex with every top who offers me a session.”
“Some people find light pain can release endorphins,” Drake explained. “For some it’s heavy pain, but I’ve always dealt with the lighter side. Sex is not always on the menu. But you should think about the fact that we’re going from here to London, where we’ll be staying at The Garden. Do you really think those of us who are in the lifestyle aren’t going to any play nights? The Garden is one of the most beautiful clubs I’ve ever been in. It would be a shame to be there and not experience it fully.”