Page 49 of Master My Love

“I had hoped so.”

The conversation both encouraged and confused her. Moreover, it dampened her excitement about shopping and the upcoming evening. That his interest in her was out of the norm, enough for the membership to notice was a positive development, but if he was serious, why not ask her to the party?Wouldn’t he plan to bring someone special toa Valentine’sDay event? She thought he was serious about something long-term. Was she wrong? Or was she letting her anxiety and their separation get into her head?

Geez, Val. Get a grip.

Maybe it was time to reach out to Lorna, the therapist who’d helped her after Kent passed. Because her internal dialogue was as messed up as a lot of her patients.

They arrived at the shop, and after barely ten minutes came across the perfect outfit. Val passed on the lingerie because of the uncertainty and theoutrageousprices. One pair of panties, which wasn’t much more than a few inches of lace had a price tag of $200.

The rest of the afternoon and early evening was spent at Julianna’s. Warm, engaging, and funny, the younger woman put Val at such ease she could relax and be herself. Her new friend treated her to a scrumptious shrimp salad and a half glass of white wine followed by a makeover, which she was really good at.

The next thing she knew, 8:30 had rolled around. Val headed for the club primped, pampered, and ready to knock Eric’s socks off. She had another goal for the evening; to leave with a party invitation from her rather closemouthed dominant.

Chapter 13

DRESSED IN HIS USUALmonochromatic black, Eric grabbed Val’s cuffs and pocketed her collar before leaving his office. As he stepped into the corridor, his phone buzzed with an incoming text.

Samson:Valerie has arrived and is waiting at the bar. Come quick. The vultures are circling, and I’m gonna need a bigger stick tohold them off.

Glancing at his watch, he smiled. His girl’s promptness affirmed her eagerness. His boots rang out against the marble floor as he hurried to the lounge. Sure enough, three preening domssurrounded her, all vying for her attention.

As he approached, he heard Jerry, who was a good friend, a poker buddy, and an ex-Marine, ask her to dance.

That wasn’t happening. It was time to stake his claim. Wedging himself between two of the vultures, he moved in close behind Val.

“Sorry, gentlemen,” he announced to the trio. “I have already claimed this one. But there are plenty of other lovely submissives here tonight. I’m sure any one of them would be happy to be underwhelmed by your advances.”

Val twisted on her barstool and looked up at him, surprise registering on her beautiful face at his remark.

Two of the doms laughed genially and moved off, leaving him with only Jerry to contend with.

Eric taunted his old friend. “What’s wrong, jarhead? Do you need me to spell it out?” They often exchanged verbal jabs. Each giving as good as he got. But tonight, Eric didn’t care about the outcome. He had Val’s soft body pressed against him, making him the winner before the game had begun.

“That’s funny,” Jerry replied, giving Val a quick once-over. “I don’t see a collar around her pretty neck. Looks like I’m not the slow one here. Besides, no woman with as much beauty and brains as Valerie would attach herself to a sorry-ass frogman.” Laying a hand over his heart, he pleaded with her. “Say it ain’t so, sweet thing, please.”

Eric glanced down at Valerie, who appeared confused by their banter. Feeling possessive, he slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. The heat of her body in the nearly backless dress radiated through his shirt and made it damn hard to keep track of the conversation.

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