Page 3 of Power Play

Once in a while, their gazes would connect, and she’d forget to breathe. Shaking her head, she glanced at her dainty watch. It was getting late, and she did have the early shift tomorrow. She found Anthony in a crowd of people, so she motioned at him that she was leaving. He held up a hand in reply.

Regina stepped outside the gallery and took a deep breath of cool air. Wow. She hadn’t realized how hot it had been in there. All those bodies, including the one body that interested her. Casting her glance to the night sky, she told herself to forget him. Opening her phone, she hit the app for a ride share service. While it was a nice night, she wasn’t going to walk home in heels.

Within minutes, a car arrived, and Regina slipped inside, but she couldn’t stop herself from glancing around one last time for the man she’d talked to earlier. He was deep in conversation with Anthony near the doorway to the gallery. She wondered what that was about as the car pulled away.

* * * *

Dane Morgan smiled as he walked around the gallery. He enjoyed taking chances on new artists, and Anthony was great. Some people might not consider fetish art, art. But it was so much more than that. Now that things had calmed down, Dane looked for the redhead he’d talked to earlier. The feisty little thing who’d told those two old biddies off and not too politely.

There was something familiar about her, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Had they met before? He hadn’t been in Pleasant Valley that long, just a few months, getting the gallery ready for opening. He hadn’t detected an accent in her voice to indicate she was from the Chicago area.

He grinned, thinking back to how she’d stood up to him. His fingers itched to touch her skin, to see if it was as soft as it looked, but not only that. He wanted to see if she was interested in kink. The way she described the painting made him think she at least had knowledge of the lifestyle.

After his third time around the gallery and not seeing her, he walked to where one of his workers was by the front door. “Jasper, did you see a redhead in a black and silver dress leave?”

“Yes, boss. About an hour ago.”

“Thank you.” Dane walked away in disappointment. Unless she happened to come back into the gallery, it would be almost impossible to track her down. But Dane wasn’t one to give up. He’d make some quiet inquiries and see what he could find out.

Because his redhead wasn’t going to get away. She’d intrigued him like no one else in quite a while. No, he wasn’t going to let her disappear.

Chapter Two

Regina shut the door on the locker and walked out of the ladies’ room and into the club. Thank goodness it was Friday. She needed tonight. Anthony’s gallery opening had been on Tuesday, and after that, her work week had gone to hell.

She normally worked four ten-hour days, but the last two days, she’d worked twelve to fourteen hours each day. Her boss had wanted her to come in today, but she told her no. Friday was her day off. Her day to do things around her apartment. Plus, it was her club time, something she looked forward to and liked taking time to prepare for.

It didn’t matter how late she stayed at the club on Friday and Saturday nights because she was off, and that’s how she wanted it. She fingered her green and white bracelet after she walked into the club. Pretty full house tonight and it was early. Regina glanced around before she walked into the subs’ area and sat down. Hopefully, she wouldn’t have to wait long for one of the Doms to approach her.

Regina hoped for someone good with a flogger, paddle, or some other impact implement. She needed the release. She tried to relax, but it was difficult. Her mind was going in circles from a stressful week, and that was why she needed to play. She needed to get out of her head.

Regina glanced around the club. She didn’t see anyone she normally played with right now, but it was early.

“Hi, Regina.” Lara smiled

“Hey, Lara,” Regina said as Lara, who dated one of the monitors, sat down next to her.

“Colby asked me to talk with you about being a demo sub for him tonight.”

Regina’s eyes widened. “I thought you were his demo sub now.” While Lara’d had some issues in the beginning about playing at the club, Regina thought those were all worked out.

“Usually, but tonight, he wants to give a demo using some of the heavier floggers I’m not comfortable with yet.”

Regina nodded. “I can do it, if you’re sure.”

Lara grinned. “You’re one of the few single subs I trust not to go after Colby.”

“Thanks.” Regina didn’t mind Lara’s words. Truth was, Regina wasn’t interested in a relationship. She liked playing with different Doms, and tonight, a good flogging from Colby would help her. “Why are you asking me rather than Colby asking?”

“He thought it might be better coming from me.” Lara raised her hand and motioned Colby over.

Colby was grinning as he approached them. “Thank you for agreeing, Regina.”

“Of course, Sir.” Colby took a seat across from her, and they began negotiations. Not that they needed much, since she’d played with Colby before.

* * * *

“Dane,” Max said as Dane walked through the doors into the reception area.

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