Page 22 of Vengeance of Childhood Proportions

Fucking hell.

I couldn’t call her ‘Dani’. It felt so wrong. Instead, I said softly, “Little Owl?” I waited, hoping. Slowly, she lifted her eyes up to me. “I’ve wronged you twice this night. You have my sincerest apology. I let my excitement over finally seeing you again get the better of me. I am not standing in your way of leaving, nor will I stop you if it is your desire to go, but I do wish you’d stay.”

Heat flared in her eyes, and fuck, I wanted to stoke that fire. To make it burn bright and hot.

She looked behind her at the stage where I’d fucked her two weeks ago. Finally, she said, “I can’t stay. I can’t be here for a deflowering.”

Fuck, I was an asshole. I should let her go. I should ask her to meet me another day. I should ask her for her number, or hell, even her name. But I didn’t do any of that. Because I was selfish, and I couldn’t stand the idea of letting this little owl go.

“Come upstairs with me. I’ll reserve a room for us.”

Chapter Twelve

Holly

I was tempted,so very tempted. I didn’t know what it was about this man. I should not bewantingto go with Special Agent Mallory.

I’d never been upstairs before. I knew of the rooms above, but nothing specific. There was no reason for me to inquire because I never dreamed I’d have a reason to go upstairs.

Until now.

Suddenly, I felt like a fool for not knowing what the rooms upstairs were. How they worked or what the requirements were. I lowered my eyes again.

Kneeling at Valentino’s feet felt natural. He was the Master of the House and deserved my respect for all that he did for me. I knew that I was safe here, whether Jason was present or not because of Valentino. For that, I would always show deference to him.

It did not escape my notice that I was also kneeling right next to a black tactical boot. His pant legs covered the top and the two dark materials blended where it wasn’t automatically noticeable that he was wearing work boots with a suit. But I could see it now because I was kneeling so close.

I could have very easily been kneeling athisfeet.

I wasn’t sure what to call him. ‘Special Agent’ seemed too formal, but ‘Master Mal’ was too personal. Maybe just ‘Mal’ for now, at least in my head. I also noted that even though both Jason and Valentino had referred to me by my alias ‘Dani’, that Mal had not. He’d called me ‘Little Owl’. The nickname made me feel funny inside.

I felt Valentino’s hand on my head again. He had a very comforting touch, one that was protective and encouraging.

Valentino waited for me to lift my eyes to him before speaking. Some Doms did not like eye contact, thought it was disrespectful for a submissive to look directly at them, but Valentino never did. Personally, I always thought that made him more authoritative. “There is a room upstairs with a pole. I apologize for not thinking of that before. I will have Dominique reserve it for you for the rest of the night. I’ll even post Noah outside your room in case you need something. That way, you don’t have to come downstairs during the party if you don’t wish to.”

Relief filled me. “Thank you, Sir. What about my music?”

I needed to get out of my head. I needed to stop thinking about Sam and my identity, or lack thereof. I needed toescape.

“I will personally see to it that music is brought upstairs for you.”

I felt lightheaded, I was so grateful. “Thank you, Sir.” Sagging back, my eyes lowered to the floor, and the boot right next to my knee. I bit my lip. I had not forgotten the man’s offer. “Sir, would it be okay if Master Mal came upstairs with me?”

“That’s up to him,” I heard Valentino answer. “Sit up straight and ask him, Dani.”

Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders. I was no coward, but this was a new experience for me. I was entering into uncharted territory. I knew the upstairs rooms were closelymonitored, but it was still outside my comfort zone. But Ineededto dance.

Up on my knees, my head came to his hips. As he turned, the motion drew my eyes directly ahead to his zipper—and the generous bulge beneath. I swallowed, my mouth watering. I could not deny my attraction to this man.

A low chuckle sounded above me. “My eyes are up here, Little Owl.”

My blush from minutes before returned as I realized I’d been staring straight ahead at his erection forfartoo long. But rather than cower, I lifted my chin, looking up his tall body to meet his dark green eyes that reminded me of summer forests.

Calling him ‘Mal’ in my head was one thing, but I could not disrespect him by not using his title in front of other Masters. Our flirting before was a bit of a playful exception because no one else had been around.

“Master Mal, would you join me upstairs? I would appreciate the company.”

He reached forward slowly, cupping my cheek just under the curve of my mask. “It would be my pleasure, Little Owl.”

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