A weak laugh, but a laugh. She was still so close against him that he could feel her muscles relax. “All right.” She continued in a fast flurry of words, an obvious attempt at balancing the scales. “The cowardly bastard never… It’s strange to have someone notice I need water.” The wonder in her voice shook him deep inside.

He stopped and wrapped both arms around her, letting her feel his warmth and his strength. “Beth, when a Dom takes control, leaving no choices for the sub, he has to see to all her needs, not just sexual, but emotional and physical also. If your Dom doesn’t do that, then you find a new Dom.”

Her lips were open, her body as relaxed as he’d ever seen it. He nuzzled the smooth curve of her neck before drawing back, lifting her chin to look into her big eyes. “And if I am not meeting those needs in any way, I expect you to tell me about it.”

Her lips formed the word, “But—”

Now this was a question he’d had before. He ran his thumb along her stubborn little jaw line. “We’re not in a Dom/sub relationship twenty-four hours a day, Beth, so unless we’re playing or at the club, you can talk anytime you want. If we are playing, kneel and ask permission. I rarely refuse.” He bit her earlobe and whispered, “I enjoyed seeing you kneel before me last week.”

A tremor coursed through her body and made him laugh.

When they reached the kitchen, Beth stopped and stared. Dusky yellow walls with brightly painted tile accents. Dark granite counters. Appliances that would make a chef weep in joy.

He opened the refrigerator and pulled out bottled water and a platter of finger foods. Tiny sandwiches, miniature quiches, and other hors d’oeuvres were circled by slices of apples, oranges, and pineapple.

“Did you make all that yourself?” she wondered.

His smile flashed, and she realized he’d smiled more today than she’d ever seen. “Not a chance. My housekeeper does this type of fancy stuff. I asked her to come in an extra day this week and set this up.” He handed her the platter.

“You are so spoiled,” she told him and winced. Dammit. She’d gotten away with that question but teasing him? The laughter in his eyes said he’d been waiting for her to hang herself.

“Stay right there,” he murmured. She heard the bottles drop onto the table. He stepped behind her, his hard body against her back, his hands sliding under her arms and capturing her breasts. “Don’t drop the tray, sugar,” he cautioned as she jerked. She tightened her hold, gritting her teeth as he played with her breasts, thumbing the nipples, pinching them lightly until they peaked. Her arms began to shake as her insides turned liquid.

He chuckled and bit the muscle just below her neck sharply. “Just remember, honey, if Cullen or Dan hear you talking without permission, they’ll likely be doing this…or spanking you.”

Oh, God. “Yes, Sir,” she whispered.

After a final caress, he released her, leaving her breasts swollen and aching.

In the great room, he set the bottles on the coffee table along with the platter. He grabbed a blanket from a pile on one of the couches, dropped it on the floor beside a chair, and pointed to it.

Her seat, huh? And yet, as he took the chair, and she knelt on her blanket, contentment washed through her. Why was sitting at his feet so…enjoyable? Even arousing? God knew, she never felt the urge to be submissive in everyday life. But here at this play party… Oh, yes, she liked it. As she settled, her newly bare pussy brushed against the woven blanket, and she jumped. How in the world did women who shaved wear tight jeans?

“Drink this, Beth.” Nolan opened a bottle of water and handed it to her as the others joined them. Deborah settled at Cullen’s feet, and Kari at Dan’s. Kari kept glancing down at the heart on her mound, still obviously stunned, and her Dom’s lips quirked every time she did.

“Cullen, take a look at how hard we worked,” Dan said. “Stand up, Kari.”

Good grief, he wasn’t serious, was he? Beth tried to slide behind Nolan’s legs and scowled when he rumbled, “Up, Beth.”

Cullen looked them over, barking a laugh at Kari’s decoration. Beth hoped her blush wasn’t as obvious as Kari’s, but from the amused look on Sir’s face, she had a feeling they were equally red.

As they sat back down, Master Nolan told the Doms to help themselves to the food. And with each hors d’oeuvres, Sir took, he handed her one, tidbit by tidbit. After a few minutes, she noticed she was now getting only foods she liked, like the tiny quiches and the fruit, not the crab-filled shells or the yucky brie. The realization he took the trouble to notice and please her in even this small way made her feel funny. Happy. She looked up at him as she popped a grape in her mouth.

He was watching her. As the grape filled her mouth with sweetness, his eyes crinkled, and then he returned to the men’s conversation.

After the food was gone, the Doms discussed the club for a bit: the changes Z planned to make, the new members, the next meeting of the Shadowlands masters at some restaurant. Nolan glanced down at Beth. “The subs also meet once a month. Did anyone tell you?”

“Jessica mentioned it, but I’ve never gone.” She’d never felt like a normal submissive. Not until now. “Maybe I’ll go next time.”

“I—” Kari stopped, slid a look up at her Dom. “Permission, Master?”

“Good catch, little sub.” He pulled a strand of her long hair with a smile. “Granted.”

“I just went last time with Jessica,” Kari said to Beth. “It was more fun than I’d thought.” She gave Dan an innocent look. “We talk about how horrible our Doms are and sneaky ways to get around them. Why don’t I call you that day, and we’ll all go together?”

Beth nodded enthusiastically. Two friends. She had two friends now.

Chapter Nine

After a trip to the powder room, the subs followed their Doms to Master Nolan’s dungeon near the front of the house. Stomach quivering with nerves, Beth lagged behind the others and stopped in the doorway. The dungeon was almost as big as the great room. It had shutters over the windows, a dark hardwood floor, dark paneling, and dim lighting. If Nolan had designed it to be intimidating, he’d done a good job. She hugged herself as chills goose-bumped her skin.

The ceiling beams were exposed with chains dangling from them. A St. Andrew’s cross leaned against one wall. A bondage table, a sawhorse…more equipment in a dark corner. Various toys hung on the walls: whips, floggers, paddles, canes. The big armoire probably held others.

“I’d forgotten some of what you had here,” Master Dan said, dropping his toy bag and wandering around the room followed by a wide-eyed Kari. “I’m going to have to play catch-up.”

Cullen snorted. “Isn’t possible. Just about the time you do, he’ll build himself another piece.”

Build? Venturing a few steps into the room, Beth bent to examine the closest piece, a spanking table made of solid oak. The joins were perfect, and the finish satin smooth.

Was there anything the man couldn’t do?

She realized she’d spoken aloud when Sir squeezed her shoulder and answered, “I cook badly. I can’t add without a calculator, can’t sing a note, and anything I plant dies in a week.” The gentle look in his eyes captured her gaze more effectively than any restraint.

“Got a game for us?” Cullen asked.

Master Nolan ran a finger down her face before turning to the others. “Don’t I always? The game is in two parts. First, restrain your sub and warm her up in whatever manner pleases you: flogger, paddles, hands, whips.”

Whips? Apprehension scraped like fingernails through her insides. She tried to edge away. Sir’s fingers curled around her arm, stopping her.

“After that, we’ll go out to the pool area, and our subs will serve refreshments,” Nolan continued. “I’ll explain that part when we get out there.”

She really, really didn’t like the slight smile on his face when he talked about “serving,” but the worry about what he planned to do in the dungeon was more immediate.

Dan said, “I remember the game you came up with last time. You’re an evil bastard sometimes.”

Nolan grinned.

When Dan clipped Kari’s wrists together and tugged her over to a chain, the sub looked appalled, whispering, “You wouldn’t really beat me, would you? Master?”

Dan didn’t stop.

Cullen strung Deborah up quickly. He visited the wall, returning with a paddle and dropping a cane on the floor nearby. Deborah took a deep breath, her face flushing and nipples peaking.

“Come, little rabbit.” Sir tugged on Beth’s arm, but she’d set her feet. With a laugh, he swung her over his shoulder and set her down under a dangling chain. His strength seemed frightening all of a sudden, and her mouth went dry. He hooked the chain to her wrist cuffs and winched her up until her toes barely touched.

“That is a pretty sight,” he murmured, running his hands over her breasts. His palms were warm against her cold skin. He tilted her chin up. “What is your safe word, sugar?”

“Red,” she whispered. “Can I use it now?”

“Do you think I’m going to hurt you unbearably?” he whispered back.