Page 23 of Under His Command

Although a daunting way to jumpstart her nonexistent social life, what would it hurt to visit the exclusive club her friends always raved about? And, since there appeared to be no hope for her and Flynn, she needed something in her life other than work.

“What’s involved in this membership mixer?”

Jules’ brows shot up in surprise. “It’s a costume event and should be a lot of fun.”

That sparked her interest; she loved dressing up. But her heart wasn’t in it. “I’ll think about it.”

“Which in Cassie-speak means no. Stop dragging your feet. You’re not getting any younger, ya know.”

“Gee, thanks. After being called barely legal a few hours ago, I don’t know whether to be flattered that you think I’m old or crushed.”

“What jerk said that?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Itdoesso matter! I want a name. I’ll give it to Colt, and he’ll straighten his sorry ass out. He considers you family and worries about you, like a sister.”

“Please, no...” she groaned. That’s all she needed, trouble at work, as well as in her personal life. “What the guy said wasn’t all that bad. The age jokes have always rubbed me the wrong way, that’s all. Besides, he said I had a great ass. How can I be offended by that?”

This defused her anger somewhat. Jules pushed one shot glass in front of her and raised the other. “We should drink to your ass, which is phenomenal, and that’s me who’s straight as an arrow saying it.”

Cassie licked the salt off her hand, tossed it back, and sucked on a lime wedge, but afterward only smiled half-heartedly. “I know I need to get out more and think about other things besides work. The only people I meet now are Navy men. Yes, they’re hot, seriously built, and have all the alpha traits that make a girl’s panties damp. But other than the instructors, whom I have to work with, they come in through a revolving door, do their grueling training stint then head off to the other side of the world. I steer clear. Keeping the home fires burning is not a life I want.”

“I sure am glad it’s not mine anymore,” Jules agreed, understanding better than anyone, having lived it with Colt for almost a decade.

Cassie remembered many frantic phone calls when the nightly news reported an escalation of violence and that special forces were sent in to settle things, take out a radical group, or rappel into a compound and take out a terrorist leader. Thankfully, he was home, healthy, and for the first time since they gotmarried, living on the same continent, year-round.

She frowned suddenly, thinking about how Colt and Flynn were so much alike. Bossy, protective, authoritative Navy men, they seemed cut from the same cloth. Maybe too much so.

“You said the club owner was retired Navy. Are there any non-military doms at your club?”

“Why wouldn’t you want a military man? Lean, fit, perfection in a uniform—especially their summer whites.” She laid one hand on her chest and fanned herself with the other. “They’ll make you do more than stand at attention and salute. Trust me, you’ll love it.”

“Maybe I need a break from all that.” And someone who doesn’t remind her of Flynn.

“The club has members from all walks of life, although quite a few are former servicemen and some active duty. If you want to steer clear, we can have Colt point them out.”

“Active duty!” she exclaimed in alarm. “What if I run into someone I know?”

“Los Alamitos, NWS in Long Beach, LA Air Force Base, and Camp Pendleton. I could go on. Coronado isn’t the only base in California. I think we’re two of the few crazies who drive over two hours to get the chance to play.”

She didn’t find that reassuring. Most people in the lifestyle were dedicated to it, and two hours didn’t seem like much of a barrier to keep them away.

“Come on. You’ll be in costume. Slap on some makeup, a wig, and a mask, and no one will have a clue who you are.”

She bit her lip, still not sold. “If I agree, what do I have to do to get in, sign a contract in blood, or give up my firstborn?”

Jules rolled her eyes. “Stop being so dramatic. There’s a simple guest application and a confidentiality agreement. If you want to play, medical clearance is required. I’ll have Colt get the ball rolling.”

“I haven’t said yes yet!”

“You will, because I’ll wear you down.” Her friend laughed in the face of her scowl. “Don’t worry. We won’t abandon you to the wolves your first time there.” A wicked glint appeared in her eyes the next moment. “I can’t promise a handsome dom won’t like your scent and demand a taste. That’s adifferent scenario and will be solely up to you.”

An image of a hungry, salivating wolf stalking Red Riding Hood popped into her head. No! her rational mind screamed, but she said, “I’ll give it some thought.”

As she reached for the bottle and refilled their glasses, sliding another lime wedge and the salt shaker her way, Jules shook her head. “Here, maybe communing more with Jose will help convince you.”

Using what they learned back at USC, they licked, shot, and sucked lime, finishing by slamming their empty glasses upside down on the counter. Then, after the grimacing and shuddering had passed, their eyes met. And, also like in college, the two girls burst into a fit of giggles.

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