Page 11 of Heist

“A while. But I only caught the tail end of the scene. I was talking to Holly.”

She nodded and seemed relieved. Was she embarrassed by the thought of Patrick watching her play? She would be really embarrassed if she knew how hard he was.

Derek returned then and Austin quickly gulped the water down. “Thanks,” she said, pulling the blanket tighter around her.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, Austin cleared her throat and said, “I don’t really feel like putting my corset back on, can one of you grab my bag for me? I left it by the bench.”

Patrick jumped up, eager to have a reason to escape, and fetched the bag. When he handed it to her, she surprised him by standing and dropping the blanket before bending over to pull yoga pants and a solitaire t-shirt out of the bag. Her ass was still red from the spanking scene she’d just finished, and Patrick was having visions of adding to the marks she wore.

Stepping back, he said, “I’m going back to the bar. We’ll talk more about your application later.”

Austin smiled as she tugged on the yoga pants. “I look forward to it. Thanks.”

Patrick quickly made his escape and had Mitch pour him a double.

“That’s your third drink tonight. I take it you’re not playing?”

“You’re a good man for looking out for that sort of thing, Mitch. No, I’m not playing tonight. Maybe tomorrow, if I’m lucky.”

Mitch grinned and slid him the glass of expensive scotch. “Drink up then, friend.”

• • •

“Thanks for tonight, Derek. That was a lot of fun. Sorry I had to call red before you were finished with me.”

Derek chuckled and brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. “Don’t worry about that. I got to break in my new paddle.”

Austin shifted, suddenly uncomfortable with the small talk. “I think I’m going to wander around a bit if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. You really doing the house sub thing?”

Austin shrugged. “I think so. It seems like it could be a lot of fun.”

Derek frowned. “You know house subs have to get permission from their trainers to play with other tops, right?”

Austin nodded. “I know, but I want to try something different. It’s only eight weeks of training. How bad can it be?”

Derek laughed. “True. You know I’m always open to something more with you though, so don’t think you have to let a stranger train you just to get a new experience.”

Austin shook her head. “I’m leaving now. I love you to pieces, Derek, but you won’t even let people call you a Dom. And the house Doms and board members who do the training aren’t exactly strangers to me.”

Austin stood and hefted her bag onto her shoulder. As she passed through the bar, she offered a small wave to Patrick on her way to the lobby.

Cassie was back at the desk. “Hey, girl. I hear you applied to be a house submissive. I think Master Patrick would be a great trainer for you.”

Austin rolled her eyes. “Why do people keep saying that?”

Lance stuck his head out of the conference room door. “Because it’s true.”

Austin laughed. “What about you? We’ve played together before.”

Lance shrugged. “I’m not against the idea. I just happen to know Patrick really well and I think he would be a better fit. I’m a mean Dom, ask Cassie,” he said with a wink.

Cassie giggled. “It’s true. But I liked it.”

“Can you call a car for me? I think I’m gonna call it a night,” Austin said.

“Ride with me,” a voice said from across the lobby. Austin looked up to see Patrick standing there, one hand stuffed into his jeans pocket.

“You’re not staying here tonight?”

Patrick shook his head. “My suite is right next to Holly and Elijah’s and they’re staying. I decided to get a hotel in town. I’m at the Glenview. Where are you?”

Austin nodded. “Same.” It was the nicest hotel in the small ski town and a lot of members used it when they came in for a weekend.

“Perfect. My car should be here any minute.”

Austin swallowed. Being alone in a car with Patrick just might make her combust.

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