Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(63)

Interesting. Holt’s innate manners implied he knew a man should be presented to a woman. But she’d been presented to Raoul. In the Shadowlands, a Master ranked higher than…gender? Unsure what to say, Josie hesitated.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Josie,” Master Raoul said in a Spanish accented voice. He put his hand on the kneeling woman’s shoulder. “This is my Kim.”

Whoa, that was awfully possessive. And demeaning. Yet the pleasure and pride in Raoul’s voice was heartwarming. Leaning against his legs, Kim rubbed her cheek against his forearm before smiling at Josie.

“With that out of the way,” Holt said, “permission to speak with your slave, Raoul?”

“Granted.”

Josie stiffened. Slave? That beautiful woman? The term was one Josie had trouble getting her mind around.

Holt leaned forward. “Kim, how do you feel about kneeling for your Master? Especially when everyone else is sitting?”

Kim straightened, pushing back a wealth of long black hair. Smiling, she spoke to Josie in a soft Southern accent. “Actually, it bothered me at first, especially if I was the only slave in the group. But then I realized not everyone has a Master personality. It’s a lot of work, after all. Not everyone is suited to be a slave and give up so much control. Being a Master or a slave isn’t a good thing or a bad thing, any more than it’s good or bad to be an introvert or extrovert, or to be an athlete or musical.”

“You’re saying you weren’t pushed into being a slave,” Holt said.

“More the opposite. Master R let me—made me—try not being a slave. This is what I chose, because it’s what makes me happy.”

Josie studied the…slave. She sure didn’t look beaten down or miserable. She practically glowed with happiness. “I think it’ll take me a while to truly understand.”

“It did me, too.” Kim grinned. “You asked about kneeling. To me, this is comforting. There is no safer place in the universe than at my Master’s feet, and safety is something I cherish very much.”

Well, that was straightforward enough. Josie glanced up at Holt. “I’m not sure what to think.”

“I see that. But thinking isn’t what is required.” He ran his fingers through her hair, then nodded at the grass. “Kneel for me, pet.”

It wasn’t a request.

She slid off the loveseat to the grass and took the posture from last week.

“Very pretty. You have a good memory, sweetheart.” Holt’s low approving voice in her ear made her quake. “That is exactly what I want when I say kneel. If I say ‘be comfortable’, you can relax and let your hands rest on your lap and can rest some of your weight on a hip. So, get comfortable now, since you’ll be in place for a while.”

Rules. Yet knowing exactly what to do was oddly reassuring. After she clasped her hands on her lap and relaxed, he pulled her between his knees and leaned forward to rest his hands on her shoulders. “Raoul, are you going to Anne’s tomorrow?”

As the two Masters talked, Josie relaxed. The grass was cool on her bare legs. A tiny breeze ruffled her hair and carried the sounds of conversations, of sex, of the more distant scenes. The warm, solid strength in Holt’s hands on her shoulders was a comfort.

“Josie.” Holt’s voice broke into her floating quiet place. “Bring us a tray of the vegetables and dip, please.”

“Of course.” Seeing Kim grin and shape a word with her lips, Josie added hastily, “Sir. Of course, Sir.”

Holt leaned over and rubbed his beard-rough cheek against hers. His smoky chuckle resonated through every nerve. “Good save, pet.” With an easy strength, he put his hands on her waist and set her on her feet. “Off you go.”

As she headed for the food area, Kim was sent to fetch soft drinks.

After securing a vegetable tray, Josie turned and bumped into a man who was standing way too close. “Excuse me,” she said politely.

“It’s the pretty bartender.” The man was dressed in black vinyl pants and a tight shirt, meaning he was probably a Dom. “They’re almost finished on the gangbang mat. How about you join us for a turn?”

She almost said ewww and changed it to “No, thank you.”

As she tried to sidestep around him, he blocked the move and ran his hand down her arm. “C’mon, you know you want to. Every woman does.”

Anxiety rose in her. Throwing the tray at him might cause a fight. However, being polite hadn’t worked. What could she—

“Josie, please return to our area, put the tray on the table, and resume your position.”

Relief was a sweet rush as she looked up into Holt’s hard face. He wasn’t upset, but had quietly told her exactly what he wanted her to do. “Yes, Sir.”

“Very good.” He squeezed her shoulder and stepped out of her way. As she moved toward the sitting area and Master Raoul, she heard Holt say calmly, “She gave you a clear, polite no, and you didn’t listen. You didn’t pay attention to her body language either. As a Dom, it’s your job to both hear and see what a submissive—or any woman—is saying.”

After setting her tray on the table, Josie knelt.

Master Raoul picked up a piece of broccoli and then studied her with dark eyes. “You look worried, chiquita.”