Page 6 of On His Terms

Left with no other option, Chelsea accepted the pearlescent handle from Brandy.

“You do that while I remove the candles,” Brandy suggested.

The same man who’d brought her wine earlier carried over a stack of plates.

After cutting a bunch of jagged lines, she picked up the cake spatula and transferred the corner piece onto a plate.

“Since it’s his birthday, go ahead and take the first slice to Master Alexander,” Brandy said kindly.

“Me?”

“I get the idea that would be his preference. I’ll take care of Master Damien, then the hired staff will help us with everyone else.”

Chelsea took the plate to him, hiding her internal snarl behind a smile.

“Not good enough. Try again,” he said.

Are you serious right now? “Excuse me?”

“Watch Brandy.”

As she moved toward Master Damien, she kept her head dipped. She extended the plate and, when he accepted, she offered the fork and napkin as one package.

Chelsea scowled. Considering the ridiculous number of etiquette classes her mother had made her take, she should have noticed. Of course, Mother had anticipated Chelsea would go on to be an executive’s wife. As such, she’d need to be able to be his hostess. Never in a million years would Marjorie have expected her only daughter to bare her rear in front of a roomful of people.

“Watch what I do.” Brandy gave a brief, perfectly executed curtsy.

Chelsea’s mouth opened as she rounded on Master Alexander. “You expect me to do that?”

“You would receive this kind of instruction as part of your training.” He studied her. “If you’d like to proceed, return to the cart and try again. This time with much more decorum.”

Cheeks burning with frustration, she carried the plate back.

A tall, good-looking man with the air of a pirate was standing near the tray, arms folded across his chest. His shoulders and chest were massive, and she wouldn’t have been surprised to learn he played professional football. Or maybe he made a living as a bouncer.

“No one is looking at you.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Almost everyone here is with a sub, or they’ve been around the lifestyle for years. All subs have their behavior corrected from time to time. It’s totally natural.” He smiled and set her at ease. “I’m Gregorio,” he explained. “I work with Master Damien here and I take care of the Den.”

“And that includes reassuring wannabe subs?”

His silver earring winked in the overhead light. “My jobs are many and varied.”

“I’m not even his sub. I just want him to train me.”

“So, he’s seeing if you’re worth the effort?”

“He turned me down.”

“Did he?” Skepticism edged his voice. “I’d say he’s intrigued. You found a way to get an invite to a private party to meet him. So don’t give up yet, unless you’ve decided it’s not for you. In that case, move on and find someone who shares your kink.”

She nodded.

“Are you planning to take the cake back to him?”

After thinking about it for a few seconds, she softly sighed. “Yes.”

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