Page 7 of Master of Pleasure (Lessons From the Rack 3)

On their way back to the main building, Fulton pointed out the lighthouse where he and Andie lived. They’d already passed the residential area that housed the majority of the academy staff. All things considered, the job seemed to be a lot more sedate than she’d thought when she first heard about it.

Since housing was provided as part of the position, she’d be able to sublet her current apartment. Extra money in her pocket was always a plus.

The three of them walked inside, and Andie shook her hand once more. “Nice to meet you, Veronica. I hope to see you backsoon.” A quick kiss on the lips for Fulton and she was off toward the kitchen.

“If you’d like,” Fulton said. “I can show you the office that would be yours.”

She told him that would be great and followed as he led her to an office a few doors down from his. Her jaw hit the floor at the sight of the messy desk.

“I’m afraid Lisa left the place in a bit of a mess,” Fulton said. “I attempted to clean it up but was fearful of throwing something important away, and then I thought whoever took the job might like to set up the place with their own organizational style.”

Veronica snorted. “I think it’s more likely you just didn’t want to deal with it.”

“That too.”

She raised an eyebrow at him, more than a little impressed he had been honest. “Lucky for you, I love nothing more than to take a huge mess and shrink it down to something orderly and manageable.”

“Serious?” he asked, eyes lifted in shock.

Veronica laughed. “It’s one of my personality quirks.”

A smile covered Fulton’s face as he replied. “I think you would fit in nicely here at the academy and on the island. The job is yours if you’d like it.”

She could try to play it cool and keep him guessing by saying she’d get back with him. But the truth was, she’d never been one to play games. “I’d love it.”

Chapter 3

TERRENCE

As the boat made its way to the island, Terrence couldn’t help but think back to the morning after Lennox offered the academy as a safe place for him to hide away from the world five years ago.

“Last night,did I make it up or did you suggest I move for who knows how long to an island, only accessible by boat, where my ex-girlfriend lives and works with her current partner?”

“I did, but when you put it that way, even I’ll admit it sounds like a horrible idea.”

“What other way could you put it?”

Lennox sighed. “You need a safe and secure place to stay until this situation with Senator Lewis blows over. The island is perfect for that. Even if the press knew you were there, it isn’t possible for them to show up unannounced. And to your point, who would ever think you’d decide to stay on the same island where your ex lives?”

Terrence had to admit he was right about that.

“All summer?” Terrence asked. “As myself?”

“I’m not sure it would be plausible for you to disguise yourself for an extended period of time,” Lennox replied. “Though I’d understand if you didn’t want to go by Master Knightly. You could always pick an alias, if you would like. Do you still use John as your play name?”

“Yes.” Terrence couldn’t believe he was actually having this conversation, much less seriously thinking about taking Lennox up on his offer. “And sometimes I’ll use Buchanan as a last name.” At Lennox’s raised eyebrow, he added, “My mother’s maiden name.”

“Have you made a decision about my offer, Master Buchanan?”

He hadn’t neededany time to think about the offer. He hadn’t been able to come up with a better place to stay, even though he’d stayed up most of the night before trying to do just that.

It came as a shock when Terrence discovered he actually enjoyed staying on the island during the summer. It was peaceful and, for the most part, people left him alone. After leaving the academy in August before everyone started arriving for the fall session and feeling more relaxed and revived than he had in a long time, he asked Lennox if he could return the next June.

It soon became an annual retreat for him.

He’d spent time that first summer trying to figure out how Senator Lewis got his name. Unfortunately, five years later, he still didn’t know who had tipped the man off.

Part of the entire fiasco made sense. In the eyes of the media, Terrence Knightly leaving a BDSM club with anyone was worthy of a story. Ronnie Lewis leaving one would also be information the public thought they had a right to know. Terrence and Ronnie together? A gold mine. He didn’t care what his agent saidor thought. It did matter who had told the senator about their time together.

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