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Master Richard stalked the hallway, his lips compressed in a scowl. It was Monday night and things were quiet, and he was finally able to work on his book. The photographs were ready, but now, just looking at them twisted his gut and made him want to throw the whole series into the back-lot dumpster and light it on fire.
It wasn’t the quality of work but the subject. Sarah had betrayed him and, sure as fuck, he didn’t want her conniving face taking up any real estate in his books.
His panther snarled, fur bristling at the thought of her. His human side had wanted to claim her as his mate but his cat had always resisted him. He’d never understood it until he’d walked in and witnessed what his animal knew all along.
When he’d received Master Cage’s invitation for a position at Inferno, he’d jumped at the chance.
“I could use a man of your caliber here,” Cage had said. “And, if you like, you can hang some of your work on the walls in the club. We could sell the book in the new shop that’s going in.”
Over the last year, Inferno had undergone extensive reconstruction and modernization, and Master Richard liked what the other Master had proposed. Pulling in high end bondage equipment was a tremendous investment, but one Cage felt would be worthwhile in the end. In addition, Master Cage was implementing one of the industry’s cutting-edge security systems and, in light of what happened with Cage’s lover, Richard completely understood why.
No one should worry about their safety at Inferno. The club’s reputation had been built on a strict set of rules and the employment of Dommes and Doms that understood their way around the implements used and the people who came under their care and tutelage. Being asked to join their team was an honor. Having his pictures featured in the club was a boon that had done nothing but increase his sales and quadruple their social media pull in this age of Fifty Shades. The general public was becoming aware of BDSM and Cage wanted him to run the social media platform surrounding the club.
“You’ll do it justice. Have a YouTube channel, if you want. Instagram. Hell, tweet yourself sick. Just make sure you respect the rules of the club and the privacy of its members.”
The idea had appealed. No cameras were allowed inside the club unless they were for a particular shoot. He’d made sure that rule was being enforced. Only patrons with waivers were filmed, and then only for non-sexualized poses. He did not and would never do porn.
What he had enjoyed more than anything was exploring his Dom/sub agreement with Sarah. Theirs had been not so much a sexual relationship as one teaching her how to trust. Her last Dom had broken that by demanding more than she had been ready to give. He had been determined not to let his own desires get in the way and in turn to temper her growth with his knowledge of the lifestyle, but she continued to push the envelope and demand things that were out of the realm of possibility for her level of experience. He wanted for her to grow into a woman who was not afraid to ask for what she wanted.
It was, sadly, the one lesson he hadn’t been able to teach her.
Instead, he’d had to watch as his sub retreated into herself and resorted to petty trickery to get what she wanted.
He’d asked Cage what he thought.
“I think you should keep your eyes open, my friend, and decide what it is you expect from her.”
Cage’s cryptic remarks hadn’t connected. God knew the man had seen tragedy in his own life with Natalia, and Richard was relieved to see the two of them back together—and this time with Ryder, her submissive, in tow.
Richard envied Cage and, as he watched the three of them navigate the new waters of their relationship, he found himself wanting something more. He wasn’t certain about his feelings for Sarah. Part of him wanted to take things to the next level but something inside told him to wait.
Sarah. God, he’d invested so much time in her—five years. Training her to be the perfect submissive and model for his photographs had been a joy. The last two books about their journey as Dom and submissive had done well and had led to more opportunities than he had ever considered when he’d begun his work.
“I want to try the Shibari room,” she’d pouted a month ago, twirling her black hair around her fingertips, her baby doll dress fluttering coyly around her hips. A cat by nature, she’d always been fascinated by all things rope.
She hadn’t been ready.
“Not yet.” He’d smoothed her hair and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Your submission isn’t complete.” She could barely sit still without squirming on the spanking bench, let alone be settled enough to remain tied up for hours on end.
A stubborn light had come into Sarah’s eyes that he’d known only too well. Richard called it brat mode. Whenever she didn’t get her way, she liked to top him from below and try to twist things in her favor. It was one of the reasons he’d held her at arm’s length and kept their relationship strictly professional. At least, he’d tried to, but the human part of him wondered if there could be something more. That maybe there could be a future.
His cat hated the idea.
God knew the thought of burying his cock in her pretty pussy had been his first initial thought when he’d met her, but over time their relationship had become more student/teacher than anything overtly sexual, though not for her lack of trying.
He’d wanted more. A woman to warm his bed and his heart. Not just a doll to pose when he needed a kinky photo, and he thought he’d read her right that she’d wanted it, too.
God he was stupid.
Then he walked into the medical suite during his rounds as dungeon monitor last Wednesday night and found his submissive with her lips around another man’s cock.
His feline had merely snorted, his I told you so, louder than any words.
His jaw clenched, he’d simply closed the door behind him and walked away, his dreams of the future dying with every step he took back to his office.
How long she’d been playing at being loyal and double timing him he wasn’t certain, but one thing was—it was over.
Richard had gone to his desk, found their contract, and tore it in two, very obviously dumping it into the trash can by the door. Let her see that and make of it what she would. He was done with her games and being made a fool of.
It hadn’t taken long for her come to him. Sarah appeared in his doorway hours later, a cat that ate the cream expression on her smug little face.
“So, what do you want to do tonight?”
He didn’t even respond. She fidgeted, as he knew she would, but then her eyes caught sight of the torn contract in the waste bin.
“You...” Sarah opened her mouth and shut it again. “So, it was you that opened the door and surprised us. I wondered.”
“Get out.” His voice lowered to a growl, the panther within clear in his warning.
“Fine, but you still owe me royalties on the books. And if you use those,” she pointed to the photos on the desk, her nostrils flaring, “you’re paying me twice as much.”
“I don’t think so.” Richard stood, towering over her, his beast shining in his eyes. “You entered into a contract with me. Part of that was grounds for the photos, or did you forget?”
“You owe me.” She spat, her cat coming to the forefront, claws out and ready.
Why wasn’t he even surprised?
Richard laughed, the sound bitter. “I don’t owe you a damned thing. You broke the terms and in the worst way possible.”
“At least he fucked me.” Her mouth set into a hard line and she stuck her nose in the air.
Richard snapped his head back as if he’d been stung.
He gripped her chin, fighting the urge to shake the snot out of her. “You’ll never know what plans I had for us because you just pissed them away. I should thank you.”
“For what?” She jerked her face out of his grip and retreated toward the door.
“For making me see that asking you to marry me would have been a huge waste of time.”
At that, Sarah stood silent, the bloodless expression on her face saying everything. She’d fucked up and she knew it. What had been a game of cat and mouse just turned on her and she was the loser.
She’d left without a word in a cloud of fury, the door slamming shut behind her.
He returned to his desk and started working on the text to go with each of the pictures, despite the fact it wasn’t fitting right and he was ready to pitch everything, photos and all. Not that anyone would buy the book, anyway.
God, but he needed to get out and go for a run.
The last few weeks had seen a decided decline in membership at Inferno and he had a sneaking suspicion why. The attack on Natalia last year in one of the private rooms had sent a ripple of fear through club members, and with the anniversary people tended to remember.
No matter that it had been orchestrated in advance to lure a murderer out into the open. People didn’t react well to their sanctuaries being invaded. Especially by someone who blended into their ranks, easily slipping through security.
For the seven years prior, every club around town had been put on notice. One murder a year had occurred until the killer had found Natalia—the submissive, now Domme, who’d gotten away.
The killer hadn’t counted on her being a cop with a stubborn streak that could outlast anything. Richard had experienced it himself when he approached her about some pictures for the book. He would never ask to post her online. Not with what she’d been through. But the book was another matter. She could even wear her mask.
“Not on your life,” she’d replied with a smile, her auburn hair trailing around her face like claret fire. “But I do appreciate the offer.”
He’d tried again recently, but she, as usual, wasn’t biting.
Neither were her mates.
He would simply have to find a new model to replace Sarah, but that was easier said than done. Oh, there were many young women who would look good draped over his spanking bench or his desk. That wasn’t the issue. They had to have chemistry with him and not just be another pretty face.
Richard thought he had that with Sarah, but he’d been a fool.
Could have told you that.
“Thanks, buddy.” He mumbled.
The air was stifling and he needed to get up and get the cobwebs out of his head. Maybe he’d place an ad on Fetlife. The book was due in a month, but the thought of having Sarah staring back up at him while he wrote about a positive BDSM power exchange and the dynamics of an honest relationship just radiated bullshit.
Something would come to him. What he couldn’t do, was leave things as they were. With every book release, there had been a national tour with presentations at conventions and trade shows. There was a fetish convention coming up and his publisher was getting antsy about getting the book out in time. No way was he going to work with her and, if he knew his publisher, they would insist. Sexy women sold books.
Which led him back to where he was before. Where was he going to find a model that he could connect with to replace her? He could check at his next pack event, but he tried to keep pack happenings away from his life at the club.
Too many females wanting vanilla relationships without a lot of understanding about kink.
Running his fingers through his hair, he stood, the need to get out of the office and do his rounds making him restless. They rotated duties every week and it was his turn to do a walkthrough of the spanking benches. There were no guests in the building on Mondays, but it was a good time to touch base with the other Doms and do a facilities check on the equipment.
***
The hallway was deserted. He hadn’t seen Cage or Natalia for a few hours and Broderick had been busy with the new security installation. No time like the present to do his walkthrough. One other thing required his attention.
New theme rooms had gone in and one of them needed to be double-checked for safety before the public was allowed to enter. His favorite was the outdoor chamber. It really appeared as if the guest was outside and catered to those who enjoyed a more exhibitionist leaning.
An email pinged in his inbox, drawing his attention out of the past again and very much into the present. He reached for the phone at his hip and realized he wasn’t alone.
“You all right?” Master Cage approached, a knowing look sliding over his face.
“Yes.” He was standing in front of the medical suite. Shit.
No.
The other Dom ran his fingers through his hair. “I have the guys here tonight installing the last of the new camera system and alarms.”
Relieved to think of something else, Richard nodded. “Good. It will be nice to reassure people.”
Cage sighed, his expression troubled. “Master Broderick is helping them put it in. I asked him to come and help design the system. His work at Legends in Austin is top notch. My job is to keep Natalia and everyone else here safe.”
“I didn’t realize the old system wasn’t up to par.” Richard said.
“How could you? The old systems weren’t that out of date.” Cage replied, chagrined.
“It’s not your fault, man.”
“But he got in. How can I allow something like that to happen ever again? We almost died. Natalia...” Cage’s voice trailed off, a muscle in his jaw twitching.
“Don’t listen to him. He’s just being moody.” Ryder approached and stood next to Cage, his gaze flickering over the other man with decided hunger.
Hmmm. It seemed living as a threesome with Natalia had brought about more changes in the men than he’d realized.
“How are you, Ryder? Or should I call you Rye?”
“Fine, thank you, Sir. And no. For you, Ryder is fine.” The other man’s lips twisted up in a half smile.
“Is Natalia here?”
“She is. I made dinner and she’s waiting in the bar.”
“Oh?”
“She says to tell you to hurry or we both get paddled for dessert.” Ryder flushed, excitement shining bright in his eyes.
A grin spread across Cage’s face. “Well, now. I think a long walk to check the construction might just be in order, don’t you?”
“I do.”
It was nice to see the three of them working toward a future together. They deserved some happiness.
“You guys get out of here. You’re making me sick.” Richard chuckled, thankful to have his mind on something else. A troupe of security installation workers came striding down the hall and he realized there wouldn’t be much more in the way of writing for him tonight.
“Better yet, why don’t you join us? I made enough for an army. It’ll be quieter in the bar when these guys get started on their work.”
“I second that,” Cage agreed.
“Fine... I want to see what Broderick has done with the entrance and the main room anyhow.”
Ryder gave him a lopsided grin. “Come on. Our lady in red awaits.”
