Page 22 of Under His Command

“You’ll do it today, at lunch,” Flynn snapped back.

“Yes, sir. I can do that, too,” Meyers agreed in a rush.

She heard a grunt, which she recognized as Flynn being irritated then a muttered, “Damn insensitive putz,” and the footsteps faded.

When the door to the lab opened and closed twice a few moments later, she slumped against the wall. To make sure they were gone, she lingered in her dark, stuffy hiding spot, taking the time to regain her composure. She couldn’t deal with anyone, especially Flynn, if he should come back, seeing the proof of her broken heart trailing down her cheeks.

***

That evening, afterone of the longest days at work ever, she went to see Jules who always made her laugh and would help put things in perspective. It helped that her friend never failed to have a chilled bottle of wine at the ready, or even better, tequila and limes.

When she opened the door and saw Cassie’s expression, she grabbed her hand and hauled her inside, declaring, “I know that sad face. It calls for shooters, stat!”

Jules sat her down at the bar in her kitchen, lined up lime wedges, the salt shaker, and two shot glasses, which she filled almost to the brim with silver label Jose Cuervo. After they both tossed one back, she leaned her forearms on the counter while she grabbed both of Cassie’s hands. “Tell me all about it.”

“I need a change: a makeover, a new wardrobe, a hot new romance...something. I’m in a rut and have been since grad school.”

“That’s why you’re crying? Because you need a makeover? Bull crap!”

“It’s more than that.” She paused long enough to throw back her other shot before continuing. “I’ve realized something I hoped would happen for a while, won’t—ever. No matter how much I want it to.”

“It’s a man,” she guessed. “Who is it?”

“No one you know. He’s a friend. And that’s the problem because that’s all he wants to be.”

“Oh, honey...I’m so sorry. But you’re right, you need a hot new romance. There’s no better way to get over one dumbass man than with another.”

Cassie’s eyes shot to her friend, and she giggled. Or the tequila made her do so.

“That didn’t come out right.” Jules laughed as she poured another round. “I meant, you need a different man, a better one. Definitely not a dumbass.”

Her heart sank. She doubted there was a better one out there than Flynn.

“Come with Colt and me to our club this weekend.”

“I can’t afford your club. I don’t know how you do.”

“The managing partner is an ex-SEAL who gives frogmen special rates. But you don’t have to worry about paying anything, not even a cover charge at the bar. They’re having a membership mixer this weekend. Potential members get in free. You can meet new people, scope out potential play partners, and tour the facility. If you hit it off with a wealthy dom—of which there are many—he can and will take care of your fees for you.”

Cassie wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know. It sounds like a big pickup party and trading my submission for membership fees seems a little whorish, if you ask me.”

“Decadence isn’t like the meat markets you’ve been to in the past, Cass. The clientele is very different, classier, and without all the leering jerks and posers. They have intense security screenings and won’t accept just anybody.”

“What makes you sure they’ll accept me? Clearly, I’m nothing special.”

She stopped and stared at her a moment, a shadow of anger sweeping across her face as her hands came to her hips. “Who did this to you? I’ll have Colt tear him a new one.”

Her friend’s husband was big, though not nearly as tall and muscular as Flynn. He was a few years younger than the commander, but she’d still bet against her longtime friend in a head-to-head matchup.

“I don’t know if I want to try the club scene again.” She’d done it before and come up empty.

“It isn’t like anything you’ve experienced before. I promise. Come with us this once, and if you don’t like what you see, we’ll think of something else.”

What else was there? Online dating? Tinder? Was she that desperate?

Unfortunately, she didn’t like the answer to her question.

She sighed. Even though she vowed never to settle—and anything less than Commander Flynn Dalton was definitely settling—she was facing her thirties alone and unfulfilled. Perhaps she needed to expand her horizons and not limit herself toa long-term commitment. Maybe a happily ever after wasn’t part of her destiny, and the best she could expect was happy for now.

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