Page 53 of Seduce

“Is the bullwhip a hard limit?” Crystal asked.

“Yes. It’s one thing I do refuse. Yes, I like pain but not that kind of pain.” Another tremor racked Harper’s body. “I tried it once, and I had bruises for a week and several small cuts that healed, thankfully.”

Crystal’s eyes narrowed. “Okay. You stay here with Tessa. I’m going to go talk with Jordan.”

“Crystal…” Tessa didn’t want her friend to get into trouble, but she was already moving away.

“Thank you for being so kind. Not that Master Damon wasn’t, but…” Her voice trailed off.

“But he’s a man.” Tessa finished for her. “I understand.” Sometimes a woman needs another woman, or in this case another sub, to fully understand the issues. “Close your eyes and relax.” Tessa lowered her arm as Harper scooted down and rested her head against the back of the sofa.

Tessa suddenly realized the club was quiet. She glanced around the room. It was empty except for Max, Jordan, Damon, Sierra, Crystal, Peter, Harper, and herself. When had that happened?

Music still played, but it was turned down so low she could barely hear it. Damon waved at her, and she nodded. “I’ll be right back, Harper. No one will bother you.” She didn’t mention that it looked like everyone had left.

Tessa strode over to Damon.

“How is she?” he asked.

“Okay. The bullwhip is a hard limit.”

“I know.” Damon ran his hand through his hair. “Did she say anything about why Peter would do this?”

Tessa shook her head. “Harper said they talked about the scene before starting, but when they got ready to start, he wanted to use the bullwhip, and she said no.”

“She called out her safe word,” Damon said.

Tessa nodded. “I suspect Peter was arguing with her, and she knew that was a way to get him to listen. She really didn’t say.”

Damon pulled in a harsh breath through his teeth. “This is a mess. Peter is saying she agreed, then backed out.”

“So?” Tessa put her hands on her hips. “That’s her right.”

“I agree.” Damon grinned. “Don’t get all prissy on me.”

Tessa’s hackles rose. “I’ll show you prissy.”

“Later. After you’ve been punished for not doing as I told you.”

Tessa lifted her chin. “Harper needed another sub, not a Dominant.”

“That may be, but you were told to stay in that chair.” Damon kept his voice low.

“We can’t leave her alone,” Sierra’s voice carried over to them.

“Honey,” Max started.

“Don’thoneyme.” Sierra turned and stomped over to where Harper was sitting.

“Oh that doesn’t sound good,” Tessa said, watching her friend.

“Nope.”

“You men are impossible.” Crystal’s voice rang out before she left the men staring after her as she went over to Sierra.

“I better see what is going on.” Tessa made her way back to her friends and Harper. “Okay, you two, spill.”

“Max and Jordan are trying to figure this all out,” Sierra said, huffing out a breath.

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