Page 34 of Dare to Love Again

“He loved you?”

“Very much so.”

“Would he have wanted you to live your life sad and alone?”

She hesitated, though the answer came to her swiftly. A slight rasp of emotion entered her tone when she replied, “Never.”

“Then honor his memory by living it to the fullest, little one.”

“I’m trying, but it isn’t easy, Master Finn.”

Angling his head to the side, it was his turn to appear startled.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“My friends back in Ireland call me Finn, but most people here use my first name.”

Carlos had called him Finnegan the first night, which she shortened. Thinking this was his first name, her brow wrinkled in confusion.

“Keiran is what mymathairchose to call me. Finnegan is my surname,” he explained.

She flushed, feeling stupid.

“No harm done,” he murmured as his thumb brushed her heated cheek. “It reminds me of home, so I don’t mind at all.”

“I heard your name mentioned and wondered, but I never saw you here until this past weekend. Are you the mysterious Master K, too?”

“That’s me. I haven’t been around as much as I’d like. Something kept coming up at work. Mostly too much work.”

“I can relate, sir.”

“Mmm,” he hummed, gliding his hands down her arms to grip her hands. “Eric tells me you’re stuck.”

“I’m afraid he’s right.”

“It’s good you realize it. Eric also told me he gave you an ultimatum, lovely one; put up or get out.”

“Maybe not so abruptly, but that’s how I took it. He gave me until this weekend to find a dom. I tried, but when I had no takers, I had to turn to him for help.”

“I’m afraid for all their bluster, doms have incredibly fragile egos. Being told no isn’t something they like to hear.”

“I discovered that after the tenth rejection. But in all fairness, I didn’t know full participation was required when I joined. Pax never said.”

“That’s because it’s never been an issue before now.”

“Leave it to me to be a trendsetter,” she said dryly. “For all his firmness, Master Eric seemed more concerned than anything. Does he always take such an interest in his clients?”

“Do you mean, does he stick his nose into everyone’s business? Pretty much.”

A laugh threatened to bubble up, but she contained it, letting only a smile slip.

“We’re as much a community as we are a club, and a leader always emerges. Eric’s a good one, even if he is a mother hen.”

The image of the big intimidating dungeon master clucking as he tended his chicks was so absurd the laugh broke free.

“Now there’s a lovely sound.”

She flushed at the compliment.

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