Servicing the Target (Masters of the Shadowlands #10)(108)

She picked up her rumless drink, heaved a sigh, and plopped in three extra strawberries to make up for the absence of alcohol.

After using the remote to start her moody playlist, she settled into her favorite armchair. Over the low strains of Enya, rain slapped against the night-darkened window.

Cross-legged on the couch, Jessica leaned toward Anne. “I saw Ben on Thursday. He looked really wrecked about you two not being together.”

Anne blinked at the straightforward approach and then narrowed her eyes. “Aren’t you supposed to build up to grilling someone about their relationship? You know, be gentle with vulnerable, upset friends?”

“You’re right. God, Jessica, were you raised on the docks?” Kim shook her head and smiled sweetly at Anne. “Don’t you just love how pretty the weather is today?”

Anne glanced out the arched windows to the white-capped waves slamming into her beach. Over the black ocean, lightning created stark ribbons of jagged light. The sound of the palm trees whipping in the wind could barely be heard under the thunder.

Uzuri followed her gaze and—giggling—told Kim, “You’re an idiot.”

Kim scowled. “I like this kind of weather, although it’s better when I have Raoul to wrap around.”

“See? That’s what I’m saying. Anne needs her giant, studly teddy bear.” Jessica nodded. “Are you going to take him back? Give the poor man a break?”

Take him back? He broke up with me.

“Maybe she wants younger—or doesn’t want a huge guy,” Uzuri said.

The other two gave her looks of disbelief.

Uzuri lifted her chin. “Hey, some of us prefer normal men. Besides, those pretty boys of hers were gorgeous and built and in their guy prime.”

“You have an excellent point.” Kim raised her glass to her friend. “Joey’s butt? Work of art.”

“This is true,” Jessica said with due consideration. “And yet, maybe Anne got fond of that big build. There are a lot of pluses to older and bigger. More muscles. More experience. Bigger…masculine attributes.”

Kim hummed. “Larger masculine attributes can’t be discounted lightly.

“It’s actually a detriment, in my opinion, unless the male in question knows how to wield it.” Uzuri sniffed. “And everything else as well.”

Anne swung a leg over the arm of her chair. If she stayed silent, these three might settle all her concerns.

Unfortunately, all three turned to look at her expectantly.

“Ben can definitely wield all his weapons superbly.” Oh, he could. “And I did get fond of his build—as well as his masculine attributes.” Time to actually share, not something at which she was experienced. “But he doesn’t want to be a slave. He’s more of a sexual submissive.” Final confession. “And I hate to change.” She hadn’t moved fast enough.

When Kim nodded, obviously unsurprised about Ben, Anne asked, “You knew?”

“He’d talked with Raoul. And Raoul was worried about you two. He wasn’t sure you’d accept a sexual submissive rather than a slave.”

Raoul’d been worried? Anne tried to remember. After Ben had dumped her and left, Raoul had come over. Frowning. Had his expression held more concern than disapproval? She sighed. Unsettled emotions really could mess up a person’s ability to read body language.

“I hear you on wanting things to stay the same,” Uzuri said. “But when I…had…to move to Florida, I learned change can be good. Open new worlds, new possibilities.” She smiled at the others. “Bring new friends.”

“You don’t really want your life to remain the same forever, do you?” Jessica’s smile was soft. “I’ve seen you with Sophia. You want one of your own.”

“I do.” Anne sighed. She had wanted a child—and now, here she was. Pregnant. It almost made her feel guilty, as if her yearning had resulted in her pregnancy. “I’d like a baby—no matter how much my life would be altered.”

“I might eventually, too, but we’re not ready,” Kim admitted. “I’m still getting over the trauma of consenting to be married.”

Uzuri snickered. “Anyone else would worry more about that collar he locked around her neck.”

“Beth wants a baby too.” Jessica grinned. “Can you see Nolan’s face if he has to convert his customized, hand-crafted dungeon into a kid’s playroom?”

Anne had seen his expression when he’d held Kari’s Zane. The big Master wouldn’t have any trouble clearing his life out for a child.

“Babies undeniably transform your life.” Uzuri raised her brows at Jessica. “I know it’s early days, but did Sophia muddle yours up at all? Is Master Z still your Master?”

Anne smothered a smile. Z had certainly looked like a Master on the day Jessica had taken Anne’s advice.

Catching the twitch of Anne’s lips, Jessica turned red. After clearing her throat, she smiled at Uzuri. “I don’t think anyone could take the Master out of Z. But our relationship’s gone through some changes. We’ve had a couple of fights.”

“Really?” Kim leaned forward.

“Like the day that I got too tired. Well, we both were, really. Sophia was fussing, and the phone was ringing, and Z didn’t answer it. He was on his cell, but I didn’t know that and thought he was being lazy, and I blew up into a total hissy fit.”