Page 10 of Master My Love

Val wasn’t sure how she felt about that, but it lay somewhere between welcome relief and disappointment.

“You don’t need to leave. I’ll show you around,” Eric offered, surprising them both.

“I don’t know. She’s looking for something specific—”

Eric ignored T’s words of caution, talking over him to Val directly. “I’m not a fluffy dom, by any means, but I can show you around and will honor the same agreement you made with Master T.”

She sat in silent indecision, torn between jumping out of her seat screaming, “Yes, Master Eric, take me!” and politely declining because she dearly wanted to leap to her feet screaming, “Yes, Master Eric, take me!”

She was sure of nothing except it wasn’t wise to offend the head dom in charge. Still, she looked at T for guidance.

“He’s not as charming as me, and a bit long in the tooth”—his jab earned a grunt from Eric—“but what he lacks in youth and beauty, he more than makes up for with skill and experience, and always keeps his word. You can trust him. More so, I trust him to take care of you.”

Her gaze shifted to Eric who was frowning again. Too late, it occurred to her she, and definitely Master T, had insulted him anyway.

“It might be the only chance you get,” T advised. “With the identity of your admirer still secret, another might not be forthcoming. Someone else is going to cover my assignment here. You could wait for me, but I might not return for months or longer.”

Several seconds ticked by before she made up her mind. “Okay, I’ll submit to him for the night.” Hearing how that sounded, she hastily added, “Under our original no-strings agreement, of course.”

“You make it sound like you’re going to the dentist for a root canal,” Eric grumbled. Yep, definitely insulted. “Submissives usually enjoy a scene or an evening spent with me, believe it or not.”

T chuckled. “Not used to being sloppy seconds, eh, buddy?”

“Although crudely stated, it’s a blow to the ego, but I’ll survive.” He inched up his sleeve and checked his watch. “The tour will have to wait until after the meeting, however; it begins in a few minutes.” His eyes cut to Val. “You, my little novice, will sit in my office and complete your paperwork while I see to business.”

The way he issued orders in his richly resonant voice triggered a tremor of excitement within her. Kent had never taken an authoritative tone with her—ever. He placated and pleaded, doing anything to avoid conflict or strife. The contrast between the two men was drastic, as different as daylight and dark. She wondered for the hundredth time that evening if this was what she wanted.

Before she could respond to Eric’s directive, T chimed in. “The meeting shouldn’t take more than an hour, Val, and will leave plenty of time for your tour. The club on a Friday night will be in full play mode. It should be quite an introduction.”

Voices sounded in the hall. Eric pulled out her chair, and with a firm hand on her lower back, guided her to his office next door. While she stood awkwardly waiting, he went to a file cabinet and pulled out more papers.

“You have the guest contract and confidentiality agreement on the clipboard. Here is a full set of club rules and a limit list for you to fill out. We’re going about this in reverse order. This rarely happens until approval of full membership, but it will help me steer you to activities of interest later tonight. Questions?”

“Uh...”

He chuckled softly. “Silly question, huh?”

“I have so many I don’t know where to start.”

“Maybe by addressing me as sir, or Master Eric,” he suggested. “You need to get into the habit of referring to dominants properly. Some, not as easygoing as me and Lil T, might take offense.”

“Lil T?” she blinked then laughed unable to help it. The mountain of a man being called little was too absurd.

“Now that’s a lovely sound,” he murmured.

T had painted him as strict, but the soft tone in his voice and the upward tilt of his lips suggested a gentleness. Confused over whom to believe; she wanted to ask for the real master dom to please stand up.

“This is a lot to take in, sir.”

“Most of our new members come with some experience or have an experienced mentor. We offer beginners’ classes and other types of training. Once I review your application, I can suggest the best plan for initiation into the lifestyle, should you decide to pursue it.” He glanced at the clock on the wall then moved toward the door. “I’m sorry to leave when things are still unresolved, but my meeting can’t wait.”

He swept out only to pop his head in a second later.

“Don’t even think about taking a step outside this door. I don’t want you wandering off alone. If you need the restroom, you can use mine. It’s to your left, just beyond the oak door. Are we clear?”

She glanced at where he pointed then back. “Yes, sir.”

“Good girl. I’ll return as soon as possible.” Without another word or a glance, he left her.