Page 81 of Healing the Heart

“You mean other than a muzzle?” Val quipped, startling a laugh out of Fiona.

“I’m serious, sprite,” her master insisted.

“I’m no authority with punishment. That’s a dom’s area of expertise. Who would be best to enforce the rules and provide a much-needed attitude adjustment, is the question?” She tapped a pink-tipped finger against her lips thoughtfully then smiled. It was a rather Grinchy smile, and Fiona knew the orange-haired bitch was in for it. “I think Master Tristan would be perfect. Ever since Patty, his rope submissive, moved back East to take care of her mother, he’s been in a foul mood.”

“But he won’t hurt her, will he?” When Fiona blurted out her question, Noah gave her a curious look.

“After what she did, do you care so much?”

“I’ve been on the receiving end of revenge punishment, so yes, about this, I do.”

His arm around her tightened, curling her into his chest. He kissed the top of her head before reassuring her. “Tristan is an experienced dom and a good man. Although he’s strict, he’d never go too far, but he’ll make certain she thinks before spewing cruel insults in the future.”

“No one’s asking her to not think her foul thoughts, but we’re all tired of hearing them,” Val chimed in.

“Tristan as an enforcer,” Eric mused aloud. “That is an excellent idea.”

“Yes, and, in that role, he’ll have to interact with the submissives. He’s been avoiding them for months like he might catch something. Maybe this will snap him out of his funk.”

“You’ll forgive my saying so, my friend,” Noah drawled. “But your submissive is diabolical.”

“Isn’t she though?” the master dom said, beaming proudly. He dipped his head, and, like Noah had with her, kissed the top of her head, in Val’s case, having to bend his neck considerably to do so. “Since she’s come into my life, she’s made the job of managing this kinky herd much easier.”

“Why, thank you, master.”

This time when he kissed her, Eric lifted her off her feet, likely so he wouldn’t have to strain his neck to reach his diminutive wife. Noah led Fiona away, leaving the still newly married couple getting amorous in the hall.

Chapter 20

When in Rome...

NOAH GUIDED HER THROUGHthe maze of bodies on the jam-packed playroom floor. The strident cries of pleasure and pain, the mingling scents of leather and sweat and sex, which sounded disgusting but was actually enticingly erotic, and the carnal acts on full naked display were something she didn’t think she’d ever get used to. If something new or shocking caught her eye, he stopped to explain and let her watch, albeit briefly.

When they finally reached the staircase at the rear, their tardiness hadn’t gone unnoticed by Master Thomas who manned the velvet rope. As gatekeeper, he only allowed those with reservations and a limited number of spectators to pass. It created an illusion of exclusivity, but Noah had once told her it was for safety. The mezzanine, with its open railing, could only hold a fraction of the members crowding the main floor.

“Doc,” the DM greeted Noah when they walked up. He could have been the twin brother of Vin Diesel from theFast and Furiousmovies, only bigger, balder, and better looking.

“Doc,” Noah said in return.

“Wait? He’s a doctor too?” Fiona asked, not having heard this about him before.

The older dom, who looked like he had a few years on Noah, nodded. “There are about twelve of us in the membership at lastcount. We can’t all be Doc, or it would get confusing. You can keep calling me Master Thomas, little subbie.” He winked at her then frowned at Noah. “I thought I was going to have to give your room away. You know we only hold them for twenty minutes.”

Noah seemed surprised. “Actually, I wasn’t aware of that rule. I rarely use the theme rooms.”

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