Page 96 of Breaking Free

He eyed the booth in question. “Do not move from that spot,” he warned. “I want to always have an eye on you.”

Thinking at a club with top-notch security, it was a little overkill, she straightened and stated briskly, “Yes, sir, Master Axyl, sir.”

He arced a sandy brow at her. “Is Tristan aware you’re full of spit and vinegar?”

“He thinks I’m full of sugar and spice,” she replied sweetly. “Besides, why would he care? He’s my mentor and rigger, not my dom.”

“Right,” he drawled, extended his hand toward the still-unoccupied table, and then returned to his conversation.

A server arrived to take her order in minutes. She wasn’t much for beer or hard liquor and didn’t have the taste for wine tonight. The pretty blonde with a filigree collar around her neck, who introduced herself as Juliana, suggested the berry sangria, a house favorite.

When it arrived, in what seemed like a matter of seconds, she sipped it quietly while people-watching. She couldn’t believe how crowded it was, especially late on a work night. She also couldn’t believe how many people would get to see her naked in her first desensitization scene. Piper looked down at her black dress, the same one she’d worn to LBD night. She felt silly now for worrying about wearing it again since no one in the lounge seemed to notice, and it would end up on the playroom floor once Tristan arrived.

“Piper, may I join you?” Without waiting for an answer, the man slid onto the bench across from her. His voice was instantly recognizable, his face even more so.

“Hunter,” she exclaimed, taken aback. “I had no idea you were a member here. Josie never mentioned it.”

“She doesn’t know,” he replied with a grimace. “It might make holidays awkward.”

“I should think so. Especially if she joined.”

“Yeah. I dodged the bullet on that one.” His smile wavered then disappeared. “We need to talk.”

Oh no. Could he still be interested? Trying to prevent any confusion, she stumbled over her words. “Tristan and I, uh...well, we...have an agreement.”

“You’re together. I know. This isn’t about that.”

“You know?” she echoed.

“Everyone does.”

Everyone except her and Tristan, the parties involved, but her insistence seemed to be a waste of breath. “Is this about the show?”

“No. Josie told me about the stalker.”

“Oh. Yeah. It’s been stressful.”

“That’s putting it mildly, isn’t it? The police questioned me about the break-in. I thought they were looking for neighbors who might have seen or heard something. But they came by again asking about my whereabouts on other days. It was then I realized... You thought it was me because I asked you out and recommended you for the role.”

“I don’t know who it is. The investigators were looking at everyone and still are. I’m sorry.”

“It’s me who’s sorry.”

“Why? You were cleared.”

“I made you uncomfortable, and that was never my intention.”

She reached for his hand but pulled hers back, thinking this might not be the time or place. “You did nothing wrong other than being friendly to a new neighbor. I was on edge and more than a little paranoid seeing the stalker in everyone and around every corner.”

“I don’t blame you. I’ve ordered increased security on the set.”

“I noticed this morning. My costars didn’t seem happy. With a bodyguard following me around, a few gave me dirty looks. I hope it’s not too inconvenient for everyone.”

“Your costars can suck it up. Keeping you safe is a priority.”

The air crackled with his authority—correction, his dominance—even more than when he reigned supreme on a sound stage. Suddenly, his club membership made perfect sense.

“I appreciate that, Hunter. Thank you.”

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