Page 83 of The Masquerade: Room 2

“I’m always ready, Dr. Harrison.” The cool detachment with which she addresses me is like a dagger to my heart. I knew this would happen. I can’t do relationships. I do sex and dominance. I excel. Right now, I feel like a failure as Freya refuses to meet my gaze.

“Are you still planning to meet me at the club tonight?”

“Of course.”

“I’ve been thinking about your training.”

“Okay.” I wait for her to say more than two words, but they don’t come. She chews on her bottom lip the way she always does when she’s feeling vulnerable.

“Is there anything on your list you’d like to explore?” I’m trying to connect.

“I’d like to have another man watch us and possibly join in. I enjoyed Celest’s involvement.”

It’s like a punch to the gut. I’ve shared submissives before while they explored their kinks, but the thought of sharing Freya with another man makes me feel physically sick.

“Do you have someone in mind?” I force through gritted teeth.

“Flex.” Fuck. She’s put some thought into this. Her body stiffens as she raises her chin, and her eyes find mine. “If you’re okay with that. And if Flex would even be interested in me.”

“You don’t have to worry about Flex. You’re beautiful, and I know he’ll… relish the opportunity to share our bed.”

“Have you and he shared women before?” I don’t like where this is going, but I want to be honest with her. It’s the least she deserves.

“Yes.”

“And do you two have sex with each other or just me?”

“Freya.”

“Yes or no.”

“No, we don’t have sex with each other.”

“Just me getting railed by two of you then. Sounds good. Do you need me for anything else right now? I want to do some last-minute prep for surgery.”

I reach for her hand, but she’s reluctant as I pull her into my arms. “I’m sorry things have been so impersonal lately. It’s nothing you’ve done.”

“I know. Everything is fine. I am here to be your submissive and learn from you.”

“Freya, stop, please. We need to talk about this. About us. Please look at me.”

She lets herself melt into my arms for a fraction of a second before she thinks better of it. “Everything’s fine. We set our boundaries, and that’s a good thing. Am I not a good submissive? Am I doing something that displeases you, Sir?”

“You could never displease me, little one. Go and do whatever you need to before surgery. We’ll talk at the club.”

She turns on her heel without another word, leaving me with a sour taste in my mouth at the way things are unfolding. I thought we were past the point of her contemplating another man in my playroom. In our playroom.

I told her I love her.

A war stirs to life in the pit of my stomach. My father has taken enough from me in this life. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let him take Freya. If she wants to bring someone else into our playroom, then I’ll do it, but I make no apology for what I’m willing to do to ensure it never happens again.

“You’re coming back to my place tonight, little one.” Freya is breathless and boneless, shackled to the new four-poster bed I had Carter bring in.

“Sir…”

“I’m in no mood for your bratty behavior. It’s not a request. You sleep with me in my bed. Just you and me.”

“I wasn’t going to argue. I wanted to ask if it would be okay to stop by my apartment to pick up some clothes and pajamas?”

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