Servicing the Target (Masters of the Shadowlands #10)(16)

“Not exactly problems.” Z eyed his drink and took a sip. “Although I see you for group sessions and serve as your employer, I also consider you a friend.”

Well, damn. Didn’t that give him a f*cking fine glow? Unable to come up with a suitable response—he didn’t have Z’s diplomatic vocabulary—he muttered, “Same here.” He tipped the bottle back and drank down a good third to get his balance back.

Heartwarming words or not, he had a feeling he should’ve escaped with the others. “Sounds as if you’re leading up to something.”

“That’s a very good guess.” Z swirled his scotch and pinned Ben with a gray gaze. “By relieving you for an hour last Saturday, I essentially gave Mistress Anne permission to play with you. Did I make a mistake?”

Yep, his guess had been spot on. Unfortunately, he didn’t have an easy yes or no answer since anything he said could cause problems for Anne. Ben selected his words with the exact brevity and care he’d give to an interrogator. “No mistake. I liked the scene.”

Amusement showed in Z’s expression before he set the glass down.

Oh shit.




Zachary studied the man sitting across from him. Muscles slightly tensed, eyes level but wary, face blanked of expression. Protective posture. Protective thoughts. For Anne.

Of course.

Benjamin had grown up on New York streets, caring for his mother and sisters. He’d joined the U.S. Army to protect his country and moved into the Rangers to do an even better job. Anne might be the Dominant, but this soldier operated under his own priorities.

Zachary did the same.

“Should I sign you up for membership in the club?” he asked in a flanking maneuver.

“Shit.” Benjamin choked on his beer and coughed. “Ah, no. That’d be like pulling the trigger before aiming.”

“I see.” What he could also see was that Benjamin had, indeed, enjoyed the session and wanted more.

As the Domme, Anne had the next move. She’d apparently not made one.

These weren’t two people he’d have predicted to be a good match, but their scene on Saturday had held tremendous energy and chemistry. They’d been caught up in each other.

Normally a good thing. But…

Z regarded his glass, seeing the reflection of the lightning in the amber liquid. Although the scene in the Shadowlands had shown that Benjamin was sexually submissive, he didn’t possess a slave’s mentality, and it was doubtful the man could adapt to that lifestyle.

He doubted if Anne would even allow Ben to try.

“Spit it out, Z.”

Z looked up. “Mistress Anne is one of the finest Dominants I’ve ever met. She is also exceptionally reserved. Her slaves don’t live with her. Her control when she is with them is absolute. She picks her ‘boys’ carefully and they worship the ground she walks on. I’m not sure—”

“I’m not her type. I knew that.” Ben’s jaw was firm. “And you delivered your warning.”

“I’m not finished. If a submissive isn’t her slave, she might play with him in the club. Once or twice.”

“Right.”

“She’s also a sadist.”

“I do know that”—Ben held up his hand—“and I know she went lightly on me last week.”

As thunder boomed, the wind picked up, sending cold, moist air across the lanai. The scones on the wall flickered.

Uneasy, Zachary glanced at the steps leading to the third floor, the private quarters. He’d left Jessica on the couch, Galahad on her lap, both contentedly watching an old Die Hard movie. He checked his cell phone. No, she hadn’t messaged.

“Is Jessica all right?” Benjamin rose. “I’ll get out of your way so you can check on her.”

“Nice try, Benjamin, but I’m doing that now. Remotely.” Zachary half-smiled. “She gets grumpy if she thinks I’m ‘babysitting’ her.” So he texted, “I’ll be up in a few minutes. Can I bring you something?”

“Shhh. This is the best part of the movie!”

Damn, he loved his woman. “She’s fine.” He sat back and continued with the topic. “If Mistress Anne doesn’t call you, will you be comfortable with that? With seeing her pick up a new slave?”

He got a frown. “Z, we shared a scene, not a marriage.” Unfortunately, the words weren’t echoed by Benjamin’s emotions, which were primarily regret and disappointment.

“D/s sessions can unsettle submissives, especially new ones. When you trust someone to care for you—and they do well for you—then a bond develops. It’s easy to confuse that tie with other feelings.”

“Good to know.” Benjamin finished off his beer. “My friend and counselor,” he said in a lightly ironic tone, “what happens between me and the women in my life—whether the woman is Dominant or vanilla—stays with me. All respect to you, Z, but butt out.”

There were reasons he’d always respected the big Ranger. “Sergeant, you know I won’t do that.”

“You’re f*cking stubborn.”

“Indeed. Since you enjoyed the scene, should I match you up with other Dommes?”

“No.” Benjamin stood. “Time for me to be going.” He touched his forefinger to his forehead in a half-salute and turned toward the door.