Page 25 of Ruined Vows

“Don’t call me Red,” she snaps, glaring at me hard and effectively shutting down the moment. “Didn’t you say we needed to go to the police to make a report? Let’s get to it. I’ve got a busy schedule the next few days.”

When I don’t start moving fast enough, she looks around. “Now, where did we park your shithole truck?”

“There’s no need to go insulting Betty,” I mutter under my breath as I lead the way.

EIGHT

ISAAK

“So what arewe doing here again?” I ask as I park the truck inCarnal’s lot. It’s been a couple days since we made the police report, just following Kira around during her normal life. The police said they’d investigate but when she called today to see if they’d found anything, they said they’d follow up with her, but so far hadn’t found any prints at the scene.

“Research,” Kira snaps primly.

I smirk. “Mm hmm.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Her bright eyes flash my way. I can’t deny, needling her is a perk of the job.

“I’m writing my dissertation on the positive psychological effects of being part of the kink community.”

“Look, lady,” I say as I pop my car door open. “I work here in another life, remember? You don’t have to justify your voyeurism kink to me.” I climb out right as I hear her high-pitched squeak of indignation and grin to myself.

“I’m doing important work,” she says as she hops down from my truck and then heaves all her weight against my big truck door to make it slam. “Some communities will come places like this instead of ever darkening a therapist’s door. Looking at non-traditional means of relieving stress is vital. We can learn from each other.”

I cough out a laugh. Little red shocks the hell out of me sometimes, and to my surprise, I’m starting to like having her around. “Really? You’re into non-traditional stress relief?” I arch an eyebrow at her.

She immediately looks away, cheeks coloring in a way that intrigues me, but shouldn’t.

Whoa, there, buddy. I start heading towards the club to distract myself and calm down my suddenly stiffening dick before it can really get any ideas. Usually I’m in control of the little bastard. I mean, I work at a goddamn sex club. But frankly, that just means I’ve become desensitized. I mean, at least as far as watching people fuck. Porn doesn’t do shit for me, either. Usually I’ve got to have my hands on a woman for my little head to start to give a shit about anything.

Or apparently get some fiery back-talk by a red-head discussing non-traditional stress relief.

But that’s a clear and definitiveno gozone.

She’s just a job.

Sure, she’d probably be a great fuck, and god knows her body is outstanding—I felt it against me all last night. But I’m a strictly one-night stand kinda guy. In addition to the fact that I can’t fuck up this job, having a one-night stand wouldn’t exactly work with Kira since I’ve got to literally wake up next to her the next morning and stay stuck on her ass for however long it takes to find her stalker.

Absolute hard pass.

I try not to find the fact that I’m having to explicitly remind myself of this more and more lately alarming. Especially since I’m only three days into this mission.

She pushes in the front door ofCarnallike she belongs there and smiles and waves at Kit as she tugs off her cardigan. I note she doesnothand it off to anyone, even though Kit reaches for it. “Can I take that for you, Miss?”

Her cheeks flush prettily again, or maybe it’s just the warmth after the cool breeze outside that has her cheeks coloring such a pretty pink. “No thank you. I’ll just keep it with me at my chair. I’m just observing tonight.”

Kit smiles, then looks over at me and gives a s’up nod.

I roll my eyes and follow Kira down the hallway into the club. I know from experience that bouncers here can get all the ass they want. Little fucker better keep it in his pants when it comes to Kira.

Though, I suppose, she said her and that dumb fiancé of hers are in an open relationship. So maybe she’s hoping to hook up sometime here before they tie the knot. I’m only half-buying thatresearchbullshit.

When we round the hallway and get into the club proper, I see the usual crowd. Jinx is crawling on the floor naked with nothing but a collar, a puppy mask, and butt-plugged tail. Their leash is held by their sub, Gemini.

Gemini’s chatting with Quinn by the bar, who also has a collared puppied-out sub at her feet. Her sub is busy licking her boots. His cock is in a chastity device and his ass is already red with her marks. He wiggles his butt to make his puppy tail wag.

Quinn waves Kira over. I can tell Kira was just about to take a seat to observe quietly, but she puts her shoulders back bravely and walks over to the bar. I follow but keep my distance to give them space. It doesn’t mean I’m not close enough to still listen in.

“Good to see you, darling,” Quinn says, giving her a hug.

---