Page 6 of Midnight Dissonance

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Reclining in one of the leather chairs in Gabe’s office on the fourth floor of the building, he accepted the proffered glass filled with Meath Irish whiskey from Gabe’s outstretched hand. Josh swirled the amber liquid, and the lovely fumes hit his nose.

He raised his glass. “Sláinte.”

“Sláinte.” Gabe toasted him as he sat behind his desk. It was a stunning, handcrafted mahogany number that dominated the office. It suited his cousin. He was a year older and had some silver threads creeping into his inky black hair and trim beard.

Josh took a drink. The potent liquid burned a path into his belly. What had been her deal tonight? Why had Lexi rejected him so soundly? Obviously, she’d been hurt by someone and had taken it out on him.

Gabe huffed out a frustrated breath. “Okay, give me a rundown of exactly what happened in there.”

“There’s not much. I waltzed into the room. Instead of kneeling in presentation, she was standing defiantly. We traded a few words. When she refused to do as I asked, I pulled her over to the couch to discipline her. I figured I had a mouthy and bratty sub who was looking for some punishment. But after the first swat, she safeworded out.”

“That’s it?” Gabe frowned. “She didn’t even give you a chance to talk beyond a few barbs?”

“No. It’s been a while since I was turned down.” And it was the first time he’d been turned down at the club.

Gabe grimaced. “You’ll recover, I’m sure. But I’m worried.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Not about you, dingus, about Lexi,” he murmured with a thoughtful expression. But then, Gabe had a soft spot for wounded birds.

“Have other Doms had difficulties with her?” He loathed how curious he was about the sexy termagant. But when a woman turned a man down in such a manner, it raised red flags. Was she always that difficult? Or had something happened to her recently? Because she kept mentioning him being a player. And she wasn’t entirely wrong with her statement. But the derision in her voice around that word told him there was a story behind it—and probably not one he would like.

“Not that I’m aware of, but I’ll put together a message and send it out to our Dom group. Ask any of the members who have scened with her to contact me. That way I can ask if they’ve had any issues with her.”

“What do you know about her?” And why the fuck did he care? That little brat had done nothing to earn his interest. But he could seem to help it, which made him just as mental.

“Beyond her application, not much. She’s always been respectful to me and my brothers. But she’s always been reserved about her life outside of the club. From her application, I know she’s a barista at the Java Hut. She’s twenty-three. A Gemini.”

“So basically, you have no clue.” And she was even younger than he’d thought. There was a fourteen-year age difference between them. She was just starting out. While he was approaching middle age. But why didn’t his cousin know anything about her? That wasn’t like him with Eros Pit club members. They were a small community, and he usually had the lowdown on every member.

“Not really. My advice is to forget her. Why don’t you go back down and find yourself another sub?”

On the way up to Gabe’s office, he had considered doing just that but thought better of it. The fewer people who knew about him striking out, the better. And he didn’t know why, but he wanted to protect Lexi from the gossips. “I’m going to pass. All the single subs will be headlong into a scene with another Dom by now. It’s the way the singles night events happen.”

“You could always head to Eternal Eros and find a little dove for the night.”

The idea had merit, but then he would have to take them to his place. And it’s something he never did with a woman. Ever. “I could. But I won’t. I don’t have the patience for an untried submissive.”

Gabe heartily sighed, his exasperation evident. “I understand. I’m sorry your night was ruined.”

Josh shrugged nonchalantly, trying to act as if it was no big deal, even though it smarted. “Can’t win them all. And there was no way you could have planned for the night to go sideways like this.” He drained the rest of this scotch. “I’m heading home. Give my love to Sophia.”

Gabe smiled warmly at the mention of his wife. “Will do. And try not to worry about getting rejected tonight. It sounds to me like Lexi’s going through something and took it out on you.”

“I won’t.” But he would since he was an overthinker. It was one of the things that made him such a good attorney, because he would ponder ways around language until he found one. And her rejection rankled, the way she dismissed him as if he was a fuckboy, instead of a Dom who just so happened to enjoy multiple flavors. He had scened with his fair share of subs since becoming a member almost two years ago. Yet until tonight, he never considered the way the submissives looked at him—as a player.

That’s not how he looked at it. The truth was, he just didn’t want a relationship. He’d done the committed relationship gig. And it wasn’t for him. His failed marriage was a testament to how much it wasn’t for him.

“And you should know she will not be allowed back if she doesn’t change her tune and follow my instructions.”

“Don’t bar her on my account. We’ll talk later. I’m for home.”

“You sure you don’t want to head to Eternal Eros? I hear there are a few bachelorette parties in attendance tonight.”

The thought of wrangling a bachelorette back to his place just didn’t sit well with him. “I’m good.”

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