Page 31 of Under His Command

“You have a dom already?” His voice had deepened, a tinge of anger making it more like a growl.

“Oh no,” she quickly explained. “I came with friends. The dom is a member and asked me to introduce him to whomever I selected.”

“That’s fine,” he said, his tone having returned to its usual calm, rich baritone as his fingers circling her upper arm. “Let’s go meet him.”

She glanced up and her, “Not you,” came out bluntly.

His head jerked in surprise. “Why not me?”

At a loss, Cassie searched wildly for an excuse.

He caught her other arm and, staring down at her both stunned and incensed, demanded to know, “Are you telling me you’d rather have one of the protocol-spouting doms or the oaf who stomped on your toes?”

Aware she had offended him, she wrenched free and backed up. “They were all very nice.”

“Nice isn’t what you need, Red,” he murmured, closing the gap between them. “Neither is Charles and his naked weekends, which from your reaction isn’t your thing, either. I could tell you were going to say no when he couldn’t stop staring at your chest. And the other two sure as hell won’t make you as hot and wet as I had you a moment ago.”

She averted her gaze, cheeks flooded with heat, and resumed scanning the crowd and hoping for a timely rescue. Where the heck was Colt?

He caught her chin in his hand and turned her face up to his. “Do I scare you, little sub? Is that it?”

More than you’ll ever know.

She didn’t say that, though, nor did she have time for anything else because the other ribbon-bearing teachers descended upon her and pulled her along with them. All except Flynn who hung back, watching with an irritated look on his face.

One by one, the other subs made their way through the gothic double doors, disappearing into the dungeon with their chosen dom for the night. When it was her turn, and Colt still hadn’t found her, she’d worked herself into a state close to panic. Master Eric held out his hand for her to join him on the steps at the entrance to the dungeon.

“Your mask, little schoolgirl, then I’ll hear your selection.”

She shook her head. “No, sir. I, um...I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to go in.”

He angled his head down, which was a long way since he was about the same height as Flynn. Dressed all in black, he oozed authority and was just as intimidating. Surprisingly, his voice was gentle when he asked, “What has you spooked, little one?”

“I’m sorry. I made a mistake coming here and need to go home.” She thought she heard Colt speaking and turned. He was still a good distance from her but making slow yet steady progress through the press of curious onlookers watching the proceedings.

“What is this?” a stilted voice demanded from behind her. “How can she choose no one?”

“It is always her choice, Charles; you know that,” Master Eric explained, without a hint of the gentleness from before.

“Then this has been a colossal waste of time. At least let us gaze upon the morsel that has escaped us.” Elbow patches caught her arm and dragged her down the steps to him.

“No!” she cried, as his fingers dug into her skin. She struggled as his other hand reached for her mask.

“Release her,” Eric barked, at the same time another angry voice demanded, “Let her go.” This came from Flynn, who suddenly sounded very close.

Colt arrived and became the third dom to order Charles to back off, but it was too late. Even as her hands came up to stop him, the odious dom pulled off her mask, and along with it, her wig. Pins hit the floor as her hair uncoiled from its knot, the thick mass coming down around her shoulders.

“Cassie?”

Her gaze shot to Flynn, reading his shock and disbelief. Then something else darkened his face; she wasn’t sure what it meant, except that it wasn’t pleasant. She pulled free of Charles’ grasp, darted past Eric, and down the steps on the far side. Pushing her way through the gawking crowd, she became frantic when she couldn’t get out of there fast enough. In seconds, Colt was in front of her, gripping her shoulders.

“Are you all right? Did that asshole hurt you?”

She tried to twist free of his hold, thinking only of getting to the front door. “I need to go. Please, take me home.”

“What’s going on, Cass? That’s Flynn Dalton. I know him.”

“I do, too. We work together. My worst fears are coming true. I can’t stay here—”

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