Page 20 of Protecting Lanie

CHAPTER 6

LANIE

Lanie stared at the message on her phone for the fifth time that morning.

Private session upstairs. Second door on the right. Midnight. Your choice, little one. Archer

She chewed her bottom lip, heat curling in her stomach. Her choice. No pressure, no demands. Just an open door to something unknown. Something terrifying. Something she wanted more than she should. She’d worked at the club long enough to know at least a smattering about the dynamics between Doms and their subs. A part of her had sworn she’d never submit to anyone again, but Archer wasn’t just anyone. He was the kind of man she’d never allowed herself to even dream about.

Her fingers hovered over the screen. She could say no. Archer would accept that without question. But that wasn’t the problem. The problem was that she wanted to say yes. She let out a slow breath and typed her response.

Okay.

Her heart raced as soon as she hit send. There was no taking it back now.

Midnight arrived too fast.

Lanie stood outside the private playroom, still not sure if she could go through with it. The hallway was quiet, the heavy door in front of her an imposing barrier between her past and whatever came next. She wasn’t sure if she was ready. Her body hummed with nervous energy, torn between anticipation and doubt.

A memory flashed—Vinnie’s voice, slick with control.You trust me, don’t you, baby?

Her stomach twisted. This wasn’t the same. Archer wasn’t Vinnie. Lanie reached for the doorknob before she could talk herself out of it. She found the door unlocked and stepped inside.

The room was dimly lit, a warm glow casting long shadows over the dark leather furniture. The air smelled of fresh rain and something unmistakably Archer.

He stood in the center of the room, arms crossed, waiting.

"Right on time," he said, voice smooth as silk.

Lanie exhaled shakily. "I almost didn’t come."

"But you did."

She nodded.

His gaze softened just a fraction. "Good girl."

The praise settled deep, warming something inside her that had been cold for too long.

"Take off your shoes," Archer ordered.

Lanie hesitated, then toed them off, her socked feet sinking into the plush rug beneath her.

"Come here."

She moved without thinking, stopping just in front of him.

"Hands behind your back."

She laced her fingers together, breath coming faster.

Archer lifted her chin with two fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Are you here because you want this, Lanie? Or because you feel like you have to be?"

His tone was steady, patient.

Lanie swallowed hard. "I… I don’t know."

"Honest. That’s good; then let’s figure it out together."

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