Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(61)

“But…”

“It’s always wise to research the reputation of the person you want to play with.”

Actually, from what she’d heard, the Shadowlands Masters were extremely well vetted by Z and the membership. How had she forgotten that? He had a point, though, about checking with the members if she ever played with someone besides Holt.

The thought was unpalatable.

Taking her courage in hand, she looked him in the eyes. “I’m sorry for jumping to the conclusion that you lied to me. I should have talked with you.”

“Forgiven.” Gently, he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “You know, a past betrayal is a kind of a trigger. And a trigger can mess with a person’s thinking.”

Oh. She hadn’t thought of that.

With firm hands, Holt pulled her against his chest. “There. I’ve missed holding you.”

And she’d missed being held. Bending slightly, she buried her face in the hard curve between his neck and shoulder. “Thank you for dragging me away for a talk.”

“Mmmhmm. However,” he murmured against her hair, “the next time you go cold and silent instead of talking, I’ll call you on it, get it hammered out, and then spank you so hard you won’t do it again.”

She froze. “You…what?”

“You heard me.” He lifted her head, forcing her to meet his steady gaze. “If you are not honest with me, I will bare your ass and spank you.”

“You…you…” Her sputtering made him laugh, and he bent his head and took her mouth. His free hand gripped her hair, holding her head imprisoned as he kissed every protest right out of her.

Releasing her, he smiled into her eyes. “To reiterate, I’m totally free and single, not in any relationships. I like you, Josie. More than like you. I’d like to play with you here…and outside of the Shadowlands as well.”

Even as a thrill went through her, she wasn’t sure if she was ready for such honesty. Or the next step. She swallowed. “I like you, too.”

He chuckled. “I know. Or you wouldn’t have been so pissed off.”

Rising, he set her on her feet. “Go on back to work. I’ll be by in a while to talk with you about a barbecue tomorrow.”

*

Hours later, after finishing a stint as dungeon monitor, Holt stopped at a hail.

Talking with Cullen, Dan stood near the bar. Dressed in his usual black leathers with a Master’s gold armband, the cop looked almost as lethal as he probably was. “You owe me a babysitting gig.”

“Trust you not to forget either. How’s Zane?” Holt did a quick calculation and was surprised at the result. “Jesus, he’s over two now?”

Cullen snorted. “And he’s mastered the art of saying no.”

“At the top of his lungs,” Dan admitted ruefully.

Holt laughed. The police detective terrified felons as easily as he did submissives—but a two-year-old had him cowed? “The ‘no’ stage is healthy, even if it is a pain in the ass.” In fact, Holt cheered when his little patients started giving him the big no. It meant they were on the road to recovery.

“So Kari says.” Dan looked to where several Shadowkittens clustered around his wife, and his gaze softened. The hard-ass cop was still gone over the pretty schoolteacher.

Since Holt’s fellow firefighters went through women faster than they did beer, it was reassuring to see the Shadowland Masters and their strong, enduring relationships—especially since many of them lived a form of D/s lifestyle.

As Dan told how his munchkin had spattered their enthusiastic German shepherd with oatmeal, Holt kept an eye on Josie. She looked up, saw him…and her smile smacked him right in the fucking chest.

“You know, buddy,” Cullen said, his gaze also on the bar, “I’ve been missing my old job.”

Catching his drift, Holt snorted. “Sure, you have. Nah, it’s okay, bro. I live next door to her. It’s not like I can’t spend time with her when she’s not working.”

“Sure you can. But this is a party, and our bartender should have a chance to enjoy it. As it happens, I like tending bar. Gives me a chance to talk with members I haven’t met.” Cullen crooked his finger at his submissive who was talking with Kari.

Kari looked over and smiled at Holt. Dan’s pretty schoolteacher submissive was a sweetheart.

“It’s nice to see you both here,” Holt told Dan.

“It’s good to be here—and easier now that Zane’s bigger.” With a wry grin, Dan shook his head. “I can’t believe we’re thinking of having another.”

“A-huh.” It wasn’t a surprise to Holt. The last time he’d visited Dan and Kari, the cop had been on the floor, helping Zane pile up blocks and knock them down. Dan’s grin had been as wide as his son’s. “Count me in as a babysitter.”

“Good evening, lads.” Olivia smiled as she strolled past.

“Io, Saturnalia, Olivia,” Cullen said. “Nice pet you picked up.”

“Yes, Natalia’s being quite the good girl,” Olivia agreed.

The pretty Hispanic submissive was exactly one step behind the Mistress. Holt smothered a smile. Natalia wore one of Olivia’s temporary collars…and a thrilled, terrified expression.