Page 22 of Master My Love

The notion of a whipping both shocked and intrigued her. But seeing such a scene play out would have to wait; all the whipping posts stood unused tonight. Eric steered her toward the center of the room, but the wailing wall had aroused her curiosity.

Excitement swept through the crowd when a flurry of activity began at center stage and Val heard the word carousel whispered excitedly. She hadn’t noticed Eric steering her toward the main entrance until they arrived. Her tour had reached its end, apparently.

Glancing at the staircase on the far wall, she wondered what was on the second floor. Before she could ask, a passing couple jostled her. They apologized and hurried away, chattering about how they wanted to get a good spot so they didn’t miss a second of the show.

“What’s the carousel everyone is talking about, master?”

“That, little subbie, is much too advanced for a novice on her first night.” Guiding her through the doors, he collected her shoes and brought her to a table in the half-empty lounge. “Okay, Cinderella, let’s make sure you leave here with both glass slippers.”

When he dropped to one knee and slipped on her shoes himself, she smiled down at his bowed head.Rules with an iron fist, my big toe,was on the tip of her tongue. She wisely kept it to herself.

He looked up when he was done. “Did you enjoy your first foray into the forbidden world of BDSM?”

“I did, although I suspect there was a lot you didn’t want me to see.”

“You can’t expect me to reveal all my tricks right off the bat. I need to save something to entice you back.” His teasing grin warmed her insides. When he rose and pulled her to her feet, she instantly deflated. The evening was over and she had to go, except she really didn’t want to.

With his arm encircling her waist and her body flush against his tall frame, she had to tilt her head to meet his eyes. “Thank you for babysitting me tonight, Master Eric.”

“It was my pleasure.” He brushed her cheek with his fingers. When they slid to her nape and threaded through her hair, she melted a little. Her heart fluttered when he lowered his head and captured her lips. But what followed wasn’t the soft brush of a first kiss. It was an intense possession, stealing her breath with his passion. She clutched his shirt, hanging on as her knees turned to rubber.

When he lifted his head, she whimpered in disappointment.

“I don’t want it to end, either, but I must get back to work.” His lips brushed her forehead. “I know this is early on, but after what you saw tonight, is this something you want to explore further? Or have you satisfied your curiosity?”

“I’d like to continue, but...”

He easily read her uncertainty. “Ask if you have a question.”

“I’m sure you’re busy, but could I possibly do my exploring with you?”

He erased her rapidly growing distress by saying, “I can certainly make that happen.” Eric dipped his head for another kiss, this one lighter but equally stirring. “You are very green. I’d like you to take one of our beginners’ classes. They run twice a week for two weeks. We have one starting on Monday. Is that too soon to clear your schedule?”

“I’m self-employed and make my own schedule.”

“Very good. There’s a sign-up sheet behind the bar.” With his arm around her waist and a hand low on her hip, he guided her through the thinned-out lounge. She couldn’t miss the envious looks thrown her way by several of the women, and a couple of men, as they passed. After experiencing Master Eric, who was a tantalizing blend of dominance, masculinity, and old-fashioned gallantry, she didn’t blame them.

At the bar, he stretched across the top and retrieved a clipboard then shuffled through the stack of papers. Samson came up, aiming a friendly grin her way. She blinked in surprise. Was this the same man who’d been ready to put her in a cage only a short time ago?

“Survived the dungeon, did you, newbie?”

“Yes, sir, but I more than survived. I passed the first test and am enrolling in a class.”

“Beginners 101? My wife and our sub are assisting Master Thomas with the next one.”

She’d heard plenty of bizarre things in the past two hours, but had trouble wrapping her brain around this for some reason. He and his wife had a sub? How did that work, exactly? Her shock and consternation must have shown on her face because Samson barkedwith laughter while Eric quietly reached over, as was becoming a habit, and with a fingertip beneath her chin, closed her mouth.

“Here are the class rules and instructions. I put your name in the last open slot. Now I have to get you out of here. I’m late.” Grabbing her hand again, he pulled her along behind him to the front doors.

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