Page 58 of Edged

“Yes. Are you okay?” He stared at her. Something was off, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

“I’ll see you in the club,” Tessa said, leaving the two alone.

“Yes…no….oh heck, I don’t know.” Kaley shook her head.

He frowned. “Let’s go sit down and talk.” Anthony took her arm.

“Yes, let’s, but first…” Kaley threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Anthony automatically encircled her waist and kissed her back. Holding her this close, he could feel the slight trembling of her body. He broke the kiss and stared down at her. “You’re not okay. You’re trembling.”

“I know.” She snuggled against his chest.

Anthony sensed something wasn’t right. He kept Kaley close to his side as they walked back into club. Luckily, there was an open sofa in the quiet area. He pulled her onto his lap when he sat.

“Want to tell me what’s going on?”

“Not really.” She laid her head on his chest.

“I can’t fix it if you don’t talk about it.” And fix it he would, no matter what it was.

“What makes you think you can fix it?”

“I’m a Dom.”

Her laughter caused several heads to turn. “Men.”

His mood lightened with her laughter. “I’m glad I could make you relax.”

“I’m always relaxed with you.” She ran her finger over his chest.

“You left the demo early.”

“You noticed?”

“I observe everything.”

“Your attention should have been on the sub.”

“It was, but that doesn’t mean I don’t pay attention to my audience.” He tightened his arm around her shoulders. “Did it bother you to see me with another sub?”

“No.” She wiggled against him, and damn if his cock didn’t react. But he pushed his need away. He wanted to understand what was going on with her.

“Then what?”

She let out a sigh. “Can we just sit here, like this, please?”

He wanted to say no, but she snuggled closer to him, and he couldn’t. “All right, but we will discuss this.” Anthony rested his cheek against the top of her head. He needed to know why she’d walked away. He didn’t want secrets between them. Ever.

* * * *

Anthony looked at his phone. Kaley canceled on him, again. It was Friday night, and all week she’d had excuses for why he shouldn’t bring her dinner. He was tempted to ignore her excuse for tonight, but something held him back.

In his studio, he stared at the painting of her. She’d sat for him last Sunday, but her spark was missing. There was something most definitely going on with her. If only he could get her to talk to him. Cleaning up, he slipped on his club clothes and headed for Wicked Sanctuary. Maybe one of the more experienced Doms could help him understand what had happened with Kaley.

Anthony spied Damon when he entered the club. He’d been sitting with Kaley during last Saturday’s demo, so maybe he’d have some insight. “Evening, Damon.”

“Hey, Payne.”

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