Page 72 of Master My Love

“You found Branden Cassidy?”

He shifted her into the crook of his arm. Frowning down at her, he asked, “How did you know about that?”

She came close to rolling her eyes but refrained. “It’s been plastered all over social media and the local and national news. But nothing is as fast or efficient as the Decadence grapevine.”

He grunted. “We need to shut that down.” Then he sighed. “You’ll find out, anyway. It appears the death threats were a ratings stunt. And he came up with the disappearing act to get away from the paparazzi who were on his tail night and day since his split with his co-star. And he wasn’t hiding out alone in his suite at The Four Seasons. He was already cozying up with the love interest he replaced her with.”

“What a pig,” she declared, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

“You’ll get no argument here,” Eric replied, his blue eyes dancing.

Val lay back, snuggled in her warm, safe place, with an unobstructed view of the center stage. While she watched, it left the main floor, rising high into the air, loaded with club members eager to ride the carousel. Well, perhaps a few weren’t all thateager.

With the cat out of the bag, and the naughty kitty sufficiently chastised and remorseful, Eric had explained to her how it worked.

When a dom ordered a sub to take part, they added their name to a list. As soon as the number reached six naughty submissives, they scheduled the ride, and posted a sign-up sheet for volunteers. Recruiting enough tops to act as disciplinarians had never been a problem, according to Eric. They also brought the carousel out on special occasions like tonight, when anyone who wanted to take a ride was welcome.

“Why don’t you want newbies to see this?”

“I’m wondering why I’m letting you, now. You’re still wet behind the ears. It could warp your perspective.”

“It really is shocking.”

“Not when you consider over half of our membership practice ménage, group sex, or polyamory. We aim to keep our members satisfied in every way.”

“When were you planning to show me?”

“In about six years, when you would have become a jaded old pro.”

“Ha, I would have worn you down long before that with my persistence.”

“More like I would have worn out your backside for nagging.”

“Eric!”

“Val!” he replied, laughing, and squeezed her tight.

“You’re teasing, right?” He didn’t answer, and she didn’t push it.

As the stage rotated, she sat up straight, peering more closely. It couldn’t be, could it? “Is that Lyla?”

“Yes, she’s a carousel regular, but not usually on the receiving end.” He chuckled at her gasp. “The board decided if she enjoyed turning the tables and acting like a manipulative sub, playing two members against one another, she should experience the real-life consequences. Marco, you’ll notice, is serving as her master. I have a feeling they’ll be switching more often after their little incident.”

“I hope the tops give her some extra hard swats during the paddle round.” Twisting to him, she made a face. “I really said that, didn’t I?”

“See. It’s warping you already. Come here.”

She had no difficulty obeying his order and returned to her previous position, her cheek pressed against his chest, her body melding into his broad, sturdy frame. She let out a contented sigh as she relaxed.

“We still need to finish your limit list, but it’s difficult to determine your preferences without trying them out.” He tilted his head toward the towering spectacle in the middle of the room. “What do you say? One ride on the carousel would give you a taste of so much—groups, public play, strangers, bondage, forced orgasm, and oral and anal sex.”

“I say no, maybe, hell no, yes, hell yes, and a big fat hell yes, in that order.” After all that, she remembered to add, “master.”

“Wait, that’s only six answers. I listed seven things,” he challenged after he considered her response for a moment. “You missed one.”

“Did I?” She gazed up at him innocently. “Or is one of them a given?”

His rolling laughter echoed through the dungeon. Once again, heads turned at the sound. They would have to get used to the sight of the formerly stern and reserved Master Eric laughing and smiling with his new sub.

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