Page 8 of Jackson
16:24 pm Sorry, Jackson. I’m going to be out of town for a few weeks.
He’d received the message an hour ago and had tried to get in contact with her since. Calling didn’t work. Her phone went straight to voicemail.
He rubbed the back of his neck. Why wasn’t she answering his calls? Given the night they’d had, the attraction wasn’t one-sided. So why had she snuck out this morning?
Jackson placed his phone on the table and leaned back in his chair. He needed to think like the detective he was.
What kind of evidence do I have?
She had come home with him, so she was attracted. She’d responded immediately to his dominance, so she was submissive. But she was suspicious about the lifestyle. Okay, wary sub, he could deal with that, he simply had to go slow.
She is eight years older than I am. Would that be a problem for her?
Jackson tried to remember who she’d dated. Fuck, she didn’t date, at least nobody from the police department that he knew of. He let his head fall against the chair’s backrest.
So, she’d run, eh? She had to return to Kansas City sometime, didn’t she? Jackson’s lips turned up in a small smile. His years in the lifestyle had taught him a few things. One was the benefit of delayed gratification and how rewarding it could be.
CHAPTER FOUR
LATE AUGUST
“Hey, Mitch. Busy night?” Jackson greeted his friend at the club door the following weekend.
The rigger and founding member shrugged. “Not really. Some unattached subs, Kate’s here on DM duty. Scott is minding the bar for the early shift. I don’t remember who has the late one. Chris may turn up, but the fucker is always late.”
Jackson laughed at that and shook his head. Chris wasn’t always late, but he tended to get distracted by his work and customers or a cute waitress at the diner he frequented. Chris wasn’t a womanizer, though. He really was interested in people, and when you had his attention it was undivided.
“Oh, Mitch, one other thing. Now I’m attending the club regularly again, can you put me back on the schedule? I’d be happy to take on DM duties any time.”
“Will do, man. Thanks for the help.” Mitch sounded pleased. “If you’re interested in starting right away, how about you shadow Kate tonight? She comes on at ten. It will give you some time to relax or play first.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that.”
Jackson knew how much Mitch had invested in the club and still was investing. The fees were moderate, and one way theyaccomplished that was by having members volunteer. The club was private, and membership was only by recommendation of a current member or by attending the local munch and getting invited.
Scott Lyons, who had sponsored Jackson’s membership, volunteered at the bar. He’d told Jackson it was a great way for him to talk with the attendees and select his play partners. Jackson preferred to be more in the background but would do whatever was needed. He wanted to help out as much as possible while giving back to the community that had helped him heal after his discharge from the military.
Jackson went inside and headed to the locker room to change into his leathers. Peter, a club submissive, stood in white boxers with a red cross on them and was fixing a red tie around his neck. Jackson nodded and got a ‘good evening, Sir’ back.
He appreciated that the club welcomed all kinds, and he made a point to treat every member with respect. Still, he couldn’t help his initial reaction.
Peter resembled a laughing Buddha, with his round face, easy smile, and protruding belly, and that outfit wasn’t doing him any favors.
But kink wasn’t about looking good but about feeling good. And maybe some Domme out there would find Peter’s cheeky confidence exactly her thing.
Jackson finished buttoning his burgundy silk shirt and putting his black ankle boots back on. He placed his folded street clothes in the locker and closed it.
As he neared the bar, the complacent voice of Trent Reznor, whisper-singingHurtreached his ears. Jackson wasn’t really into industrial rock, but this was a strong song. Kudos to whoever put together the club’s playlists. The music always seemed to suit whatever mood he was in.
He received a chin lift from Kate and spotted Julie and Ruby at the bar in deep conversation with Scott. Both women were submissive and unattached, although Jackson had only seen Julie with Mitch. Jackson sauntered over to Kate first.
The beautiful redhead smiled at him. “Scoping out the room?”
Jackson smiled back. He hadn’t intended to scene tonight, but something was off—no one seemed to be playing. He voiced his thoughts to Kate.
She listened without interrupting him and agreed. “We have unattached Tops and bottoms, but there don’t seem to be any good fits. We need fresh blood and more single Doms.”
Jackson thought for a moment. “I know someone who might be interested. I’m fairly certain he’s a Dominant and has lifestyle experience.”
