Servicing the Target (Masters of the Shadowlands #10)(30)

“Seems to me the operative word is sadist —which you are,” Cullen said as if he didn’t trust her not to damage a submissive who didn’t want it. To know if a man was vanilla or not.

That hurt. She could battle it out with them, but what would that prove? Especially since she’d already ended matters with Ben.

She slid off the barstool.

Sam’s eyes met hers and the corner of his mouth lifted. He understood. Sadists had a rep.

She nodded at him, took a step back, and bumped into someone.

From the size of the hands steadying her, she recognized Ben even before he spoke. “Mistress Anne?”

Ignoring the way Cullen and Raoul stiffened, she turned. “Ben, what can I do for you?” Even as she told herself to be cold, the sight of him lifted her spirits and filled unacknowledged hollows.

Hands at his sides, he smiled down at her. “Ma’am, if you’re available, could I ask you for another scene?”

She tsk-tsked. “I think you know that submissives don’t push themselves forward in this way.”

The hint of challenge in his gaze sent a current of electricity running between them. “Ma’am, since I’m not a member of the club, I didn’t think Z would let me sit over there”—he motioned to the subbie area—“and make cow eyes at you in hopes you’d favor me.”

She choked. The blond young man in the area was doing exactly that. “I…see.” Then, deciding to toss her fellow Masters under the train, she nodded toward Cullen and Raoul. “Your friends informed me that you’re vanilla and shouldn’t do scenes. Are you vanilla…pet?”

He straightened, as if he’d needed to add another inch to his height. Without a glance at the Doms, he snorted. “I didn’t realize I had to ask anyone’s permission but yours.”

“I believe that is correct,” she said gravely.

To her surprise, he sank down onto one knee. Yet, he was still so large that he simply exuded menace. “Mistress Anne. Please?”

The singing in her blood wasn’t new. It was pulled from the depths of her spirit, a weft across the mundane world into the very different one of dominance and submission—and was a celebration of the moment a submissive gifted her with his power as a man might hand over his cloak. Of the moment he entrusted her with his body and mind and soul.

She’d been a Domme for years and yet the wonder never diminished.

Leaning forward, she laid her palm along his face. The smooth skin meant he’d shaved before coming. This wasn’t a sudden request; he’d intended to play.

His clothing confirmed her supposition. Although he’d balk at the skimpy attire some male slaves favored, he’d removed his shoes and socks in compliance with Z’s “submissives go barefoot” decree. His fairly new jeans were admirably tight. His form-fitting gray tank clung to the heavy slabs of pectoral muscle.

His gaze met hers—such a bad submissive—and she could see the plea. The need. He wanted her to take the control from him.

But…under all that, she could see something else. The desire and need that he’d shown her in her bed. The pull that she must resist.

Because Raoul was right. This submissive wasn’t a slave. And his heart needed to be guarded, even if her protection was against her own self.

She closed her eyes against his appeal, and then bent and gripped his arms, pulling him back to his feet. “I’m sorry, guard dog. But we’ve had our fun, you and me.” She lowered her voice, wanting to hold him, to soften the blow. “I explained my reasons, Ben. They haven’t changed.”

His jaw went rigid, but she shook her head when his mouth opened. And turning on her heel, she walked away.





Chapter Six



“Anne, you made it!” Sally swung the door wide.

“I did. How are you doing? Are your Doms due back soon?” Anne smiled at the short brunette, pleased to see her looking so content. Sally had searched for the right Dom for years and despaired of finding one as smart as she was, one who could keep up with her mischievous nature, one who she could trust with everything she was.

Watching Vance and Galen take her under command—and fall in love with her—had been incredibly heartwarming.

“They’re not gone for long,” Sally said. “Come on in. I found some good stuff to watch.”

Anne followed her through the beautiful foyer, past the game room with every toy known to man, and to the great room in the back, which was dark. “Weren’t Beth and Gabi able to come?”

“Oh…they were,” Sally said and flipped the light switch.

“Happy Birthday!”

Anne dropped into a fighting stance at the roar of sound. Women…everywhere. On the long sectional, on chairs, sitting on the floor. All members of the Shadowlands. All grinning at her.

“Wh-what?” Anne actually stammered.

Gabi and Uzuri exchanged high-fives.

“Girl, is this your first surprise party?” Sally slung an arm around her and pulled her forward. “Happy birthday!”

A birthday party. The feeling was like stepping off an unnoticed curb, feeling the ground drop away, being disorientated, stumbling.

Aside from family gatherings, she hadn’t had a birthday party since she was ten.

“I… This is lovely.” She looked around. Gabi, Kim, Uzuri, Linda, Beth, and Jessica were lounging on the U-shaped sectional. Andrea and Rainie had chairs. Cat, Olivia, and Kari were seated on the floor. Shadowkittens and Dommes. Quite the mixture.