Master No (Masters and Mercenaries, #9)(13)

Roger had only paid attention to her in clubs. He wouldn’t have called or contacted her during this isolation period.

“I think a lot about what Master T will look like naked,” she confessed. She’d seen pictures of him. After she’d agreed to the Sanctum membership and talked to a man named Kai, who apparently was the club psychologist, she’d been sent a couple of photos of Master T along with a very sweet letter about T’s philosophy of D/s. There was no one way to practice and play, so it was important that their expectations be somewhat similar. T seemed pleasant. His philosophy centered on giving a submissive what she needed. He’d written that “while giving a submissive the support and discipline she requires to enjoy our time together, I receive the positive impact of aiding in a sub’s journey.”

She really liked that he’d thought about why he was attracted to the lifestyle. It made her realize she hadn’t thought much about it beyond that she enjoyed the relaxing aspect of giving up control.

“I would bet Master T looks pretty good au naturel,” Erin said. “He looks nice in a set of leathers. He’s got a ton of scars though. Like a lot of us, he’s taken some damage. Is that going to bother you?”

Scars merely proved the body and soul were stronger than they looked. Scars didn’t bother her at all. “I think he’ll be lovely.”

Erin sighed and reached out, patting her hand. “He is and you’re in trouble, girl. I know that look.”

“Because you see it in the mirror?”

“I kind of wish I didn’t.”

“Why? You and Theo are so good together.” Most of the time, Erin and Theo seemed in perfect synch. There had been a few instances when they hadn’t known she was watching them when they’d seemed to fight. Erin would speak to him in low tones Faith couldn’t quite hear, but it had been obvious the redhead was upset. And Theo would always soothe her. He would find a way to get his hands on her and those fights always seemed to end with Erin wrapped around his body and him maneuvering them somewhere private.

“It’s hard for me,” Erin replied. “I didn’t expect to care about him. Honestly, I wish I didn’t. I tried not to, but circumstances kind of forced us together and he’s a sneaky bastard with ridiculously beautiful muscles. Dudes shouldn’t be that pretty.”

This was a side of Erin she hadn’t seen. It was so fun to have a girlfriend again. Again? She wasn’t sure she’d ever gossiped about men this way. Not since she was a kid. Hope was always so serious. She wanted to talk medicine and politics even when they were at a spa. “Circumstances? I thought you two met at work.”

“We did, but I tried to stay away from him. He’s not exactly my usual type.”

“What’s your type?” Theo Taggart was every woman’s type. Of course, so was Master T.

Erin sat back. “I don’t know. I’ve kept most of my relationships casual. I was in the Army for a long time. Not much chance at lasting relationships there. I’ve had a couple of boyfriends, but none like him. I’ve never dated anyone younger than me.”

“He’s not that much younger.”

Erin shook her head. “Ten years. He’s ten years younger than me. He’s shiny. You know the type. Hell, you are the type. You see the world in a way I don’t. Theo thinks people are good. He tries to see the good in them. I know they’re likely to shoot me. The crazy thing is lately, I kind of like the world Theo sees.”

“That’s good. I think it’s good for us to have partners who see the world in a way we don’t. I think you and Theo are adorable.”

Erin looked toward the door as though she thought he would show up at any moment. “I’m not a picket fence kind of girl. Theo’s going to want marriage and babies, and I knew a long time ago that wasn’t in the cards for me. I’m not built for it.”

Faith knew that feeling. “Sometimes I don’t think I am either.”

“You? Nah. You’re the kind of girl who ends up with a nice house and a nice husband and sweet kids. You deserve that.”

But Erin didn’t think she did? Some of her shiny mood faded. She was more like Erin than the other woman could know. She didn’t foresee some peaceful suburban life for herself. She loved kids. God, she looked at babies like most women looked at hot guys. They were precious, and she wasn’t sure she should bring one into this world around her. She’d been born to make it a better place for other people’s kids. “I have high hopes for you two. And you know what? I kind of have high hopes for me. I think Master T and I are going to get along nicely, and I’m going to have a very good vacation.”

She looked at Erin and realized something she hadn’t before. They were going to fly home together. To Dallas. To the home Theo was surprising Erin with.

“You’re not coming back to Liberia with me, are you?”

Erin’s eyes seemed to get the tiniest bit misty. “No. It was a one-time thing. I’m going wherever Ian tells me to, but it won’t be back to Africa.”

So this was the end of their time together, too. Damn. She was going to miss Erin. It seemed like the life she’d chosen meant a constant flow of humanity. No one ever stayed. She’d learned to enjoy life where she could. “So let’s have fun while we can. We’re stuck here so my dad can play the righteous politician who ignores all solid scientific data. We should have fun. I’ll call the liquor store tomorrow and find us the best tequila Germany can offer.”