Page 10 of Reignite

Gray picked up several stapled folios. “There’s a lot here. You’ve been working hard.”

“Yes. I don’t want to stay in Austin either, but I think we could probably get good clientele in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. But look at this place in San Francisco.”

Gray sifted through another few listings and picked one up. “This one.”

I looked at the page. Not my first choice, but if I was there with Gray, it would be perfect no matter what. “Really?”

“Yes, it’s not a large city, but not small, there’s a mix of both conservative and liberal views so you’ll get both the open and willing clientele and the behind closed doors people.” He flipped to a graph on another page. “They’ve got a housing shortage so that means a lot of people are moving in, and there’s a good mix of downtown and suburban.”

Either he was a fast reader or… he didn’t give me a chance to find out.

He pointed to the address of the listing. “This location is in a warehouse district near downtown and the area is being revitalized, so you’ll get it for cheaper than if you try to buy something directly in the city center, and your members will get the privacy they need.”

The spec sheet didn’t have half that information. I gave Gray an eyeballing. “You sneaky bastard.”

He laughed. “You’re not the only one who has been doing their homework. It means something that we both came up with the same place when doing our research. It’s also the last place Foster would think to look for us.”

I hated that Foster had to be a consideration in this decision, but I was happy as pie on the fourth of July that we were going to start a new life together. If Gray felt safer in a city I’d never even been to, then it was my new favorite place in the world. I tackled him and smattered kisses all over his face. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”

“Far from it, love, but for you, I try.” The heat in his eyes just about seared me.

If we started something now, we’d never leave the room again. I rolled off the bed and went to my closet. My luggage was ready and waiting to be filled. I yanked clothes off hangers and tossed them in the bags, stopping only to pull on a skirt, a bra and a tank top. No panties, because you never know what might happen later.

Gray, in all his naked glory, joined me in the closet. “Just when I think you couldn’t make me love you anymore, you surprise me over and over. You’re packing to leave now, aren’t you?”

“Why shouldn’t we? This place is done for us. I got what I came here for and more. It’s time to move on.” I yanked down half a dozen items on hangers and threw the whole kit and caboodle into a suitcase.

“Are we running away from home or are you bringing it all with you?” Gray folded his arms and leaned against the wall watching me shove things here and there.

I bit my lip, worrying it. “I need to tell Dominic and Ilario too. I’m not sure they’ll come with.”

“They’re devoted to you.” Was that a bit of grump I detected in his voice?

They were. But I was devoted to Gray and I knew what he needed to hear. It didn’t bother me to tell him over and over, with words or with my body. “The guys and I will never have the same relationship as before.”

He pulled me to him and caressed my neck. “No. They’ll have to find new mistresses.”

I cupped his cheek in my hand and ran a thumb across his lips. “I know, querida, I know.”

His hands snaked down my sides and cupped my butt. “Good. Because you are mine alone. I know you’ve enjoyed your harem, and I wish I could let you play with whoever you wanted, but I can’t. It would kill me to see you with another man now that I finally have you for my own.”

I matched his movements and grabbed his butt right back. “That’s good, because you’re never allowed to touch another woman ever again.”

That not wearing panties thing came in handy then because we had fast and hard sex right there up against the wall of the closet.

Gray’s new nickname was going to be Harvey Wallbanger. He was delicious, and I was drunk on him.

By that evening, we were packed and ready to go. The jet was fueled and the crew ready to head out to our new lives in the morning.

I had one more important task to do before we could leave. I’d made promises to Dominic and Ilario that I was going to break. That hurt my heart, but I knew they would understand.

I saved out one Dominatrix outfit for tonight. The black corset with the red ties and leather clasps gave me the same feeling a new pair of Louboutins used to. There was power in having a new pair of shoes or the exact right outfit.

I made my way through the club saying hello to members and searching out those I called friends and family. I invited Dominic, Ilario, Hawk, and Gray to meet me at the bar. We’d either be toasting to the future or having one last hurrah.

I’d ply the guys all with a little champagne and then pounce to convince them to join us.

Hawk sat down first, with one possessive arm over Lilly’s shoulder. She wore skinny jeans and a deep cut halter and had conveniently lost the gilded lily charm and chain that had marked her as Foster’s. I’d hardly recognized her with clothes on. Or a smile.