Page 42 of Too Hot

“I also want to you to know, Master Max, that we agree with your rules and your leadership. This was not your fault. Ward had us all fooled, and we don’t take that lightly.”

Max nodded.

“I, for one, appreciate the apology.” Emily’s voice was loud and clear as she joined them. Noah moved to her side. Heads turned toward her, and she raised her chin. “I’ve played with a few of you, and you’ve always been kind and courteous. You never violated my hard limits or my consent.”

“I am humbled by your words,” Alexander said before he looked at Max. “Are we allowed back into Wicked Sanctuary?”

“You were never banned. I only cautioned you about the rules.”

A sigh of relief went up from the men. “Ms. Emily, are you okay with us being here?”

A smile lit up Emily’s face. “Yes. I’m sure others will enjoy scening with you. But I’m off the market.” Emily slid her arm through Noah’s.

“About time,” Kaley yelled from behind the bar.

Laughter filled the air. “All right, everyone, let’s enjoy our evening,” Max said.

The crowd dispersed, and Rafe snagged Brianna around the waist. “You stayed at the bar.”

“I was warned to let you men handle it.” Brianna gazed at Kaley before looking at him.

“Good call,” Rafe said to Kaley.

“What were you, Max, Zeke, and Gabriel talking about?” Brianna asked.

“I hope it was about the new fire play area,” Sierra jumped into the conversation.

If Rafe hadn’t been watching Brianna so closely, he wouldn’t have seen the flash of fear in her eyes before she masked it.

“Fire play?” Her voice was soft and had a slight tremble to it. “I thought that was off limits in the club?”

“It was,” Max answered. “Several of the club members have been asking for it after Rafe did a demo of fire play in Seattle.”

“They saw me in Seattle?” Rafe hadn’t known that. He’d done that demo several months ago.

Max nodded. “With so many requests, we’re building a special area just for fire play.”

“You do fire play?” The shock in her voice was surprising. She’d read his questionnaire.

“I do.” He pulled her close as her body trembled. “I know it’s a hard limit for you, and that’s fine. Like Max said, it’s mainly for demo purposes. If anyone wants to learn, I’ll send them to the man I learned from.” He didn’t feel proficient enough to teach even if his mentor told him he could. “Are you okay?” Rafe whispered in Brianna’s ear as the others continued to talk.

“I…” She broke away from him with her hand over her mouth and ran out of the club.

Rafe stood there. There was definitely something about fire that upset Brianna. He took a step, and Sierra stepped in front of him.

“Let me go check on her,” Sierra said.

No. Brianna was his, and he needed to be the one to soothe her, to figure out what had triggered her leaving.

Max put a hand on his shoulder. “Let Sierra try first.”

He nodded and watched Sierra leave the club. Rafe’s gut churned.

* * * *

Brianna was glad the ladies’ room was empty when she raced in like a mad woman. Fire play. It shouldn’t have hit her so hard. She was perfectly aware Rafe was a Dom who did fire play. A shudder racked her body as tears gathered in her eyes. She couldn’t do this. She sat on the bench and buried her face in her hands.

“Brianna, honey.” Sierra’s arm went around her shoulders.

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