Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(69)

Lifting his head, he smiled down at her and ran a finger over her damp lower lip. “Ready to kneel again?”

Her sigh of relief made him laugh.

The others had already changed positions.

Queen Uzuri had punished Max by putting tiny braids in his shoulder-length hair. Now, kneeling between her Doms, she was giggling and undoing her handiwork.

Beth was on her knees between Nolan’s legs. Her arms were around his waist, cheek pressed to his belly. She was visibly trembling.

What would it be like to reverse years of being submissive?

Head down, Josie knelt in the soft, cool grass and started to shake.

When Holt pulled her between his legs, he must have felt the shivers coursing over her skin. His hands stilled, and he gripped her waist and hauled her into his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her against his hard chest. “Easy, pet, it’s over.”

Shaking, she burrowed her face in the curve of his shoulder and neck, breathing in. His masculine scent mingled with the crisp rain-freshness of his aftershave. Oh, she’d needed to be held so badly.

After a couple of minutes, she tried to sit up.

“Stay here,” he murmured, one rigid arm around her waist. He stroked her back soothingly. “I’ll start picking on you in a while. For now, rest against me.”

His resonant voice warmed her, calmed her, and with a sigh, she went limp against him.

“It was interesting how our submissives felt.” Alastair’s British accent was pronounced as he spoke. “Uzuri enjoyed the treat at first but was pleased it was over. Beth didn’t like switching roles at all. Josie was quite uncomfortable.”

Josie closed her eyes, only half listening as the Doms discussed the range of behavior—and how they themselves had felt.

After a few minutes, Nolan left with Beth and then Uzuri and her Doms said good night.

After smiling a farewell at Uzuri, Josie leaned against Holt.

“Better?” Holt cupped her cheek, his gaze roaming her face. “You’re steady again.”

“Sorry, Sir.”

His lips quirked. “You weren’t the only one to be unhappy with Z’s game.”

“Telling you what to do was awful. I got torn between what I wanted, and what you might want, and whether I knew what you wanted, and not wanting you to be unhappy and…”

He chuckled. “You’re a submissive who takes her pleasure from making someone else happy. There’s a reason you enjoy bartending, pet, and why you’re so good at it.”

Takes pleasure from making someone happy. It was a bit scary how well he knew her.

He ran his fingers through her hair, teasing the short ends. “In a sexual context, your need to please would be even stronger.”

Wasn’t that the truth? She let out a disgusted sigh. “You don’t seem to have any trouble taking the lead.”

“I like making decisions and being in charge. It’s how my brain works. Like you, I enjoy making people happy. The difference is”—he grinned—“I figure I know what’s best for my charges.”

Huh. No, she sure didn’t have that certainty. She frowned. “Why didn’t you become a doctor?”

“I considered it. But a doctor only gets about fifteen minutes per patient. A nurse spends an entire shift with his patients.” He shrugged. “And ICU nurses have a lot of autonomy. It suits me.”

Wasn’t it amazing how well he knew himself—and how comfortable he was with himself?

Another question surfaced, and she tried to shut it down.

“Ask, Josie.”

How did he read her so easily? And, actually, that was part of her question. “Um, can we walk and talk?”

“Of course.” He rose with her in his arms, set her on her feet, and steadied her until she found her balance.

Glancing at her bar, she saw Cullen, arm around Andrea, was surrounded by people and obviously enjoying himself.

Holt followed her gaze and read her worry. “He doesn’t want the job back, Josie; he doesn’t have the time he used to before Andrea. But I’m sure he’ll slide behind the bar now and then when he needs a people fix. Will that bother you?”

She shook her head. “Not at all. I’m used to working with another bartender during rush hours.”

“Good. Now, before we go walking, your clothes need adjustment.” He untied her halter-top again, exposing her breasts. With callused hands, he kneaded and fondled her breasts. “Have I mentioned how much I enjoy playing with your breasts?”

Her nipples puckered into throbbing peaks, and a sizzling stream of lust arrowed straight down to her pussy.

“I have something else for you to wear.” He went down on one knee and pulled something from his vest pocket. “Lift your left foot. Now, right.”

He drew the underwear—it wasn’t hers—up her legs under her dress. This wasn’t a thong—there was no crotch at all, but something came to rest against her clit. His fingers rubbed her gently, making her inhale sharply. “You’re still wet. Very nice.” With a hum of approval, he secured straps around her thighs and waist to hold the thing in place.

“What are you doing?”

His lips curved, his gaze steady. “Whatever I want, Josie.”

Rising, he held his hand out to her. “Let’s walk.”