Page 6 of Master Cordell

“Yes, Sir.”

God, her breathy words had his cock twitching again.

Taking her hand, he led her toward the front door. They passed under a stone archway into a small courtyard with a large fountain in the middle of it. The beautiful, multicolored landscaping continued into the area with several flower beds and trim shrubs. Before they reached the door, it swung open, and Dante greeted them with Cooper by his side. It didn’t escape Cordell’s notice that there was a security camera above the door. Between Dante’s training and military background and Reed being a very wealthy businessman, it made sense they took their own safety seriously. Cordell didn’t doubt there were a lot more security measures he hadn’t noticed for both the house and property.

“G’day, mate.” Dante shook Cordell’s hand, then kissed Tiffany’s cheek. “C’mon out back. I’ll give you the grand tour later.”

“Sorry we’re late,” Cordell said, even though they were only fifteen minutes overdue. “There was an accident on Highway One—minor, but it was blocking the eastbound lane.”

“No worries—we kind of figured that’s what happened to you. Jared said they saw it happen but didn’t stick around after making sure no one was injured and one of the drivers had flares. You made it just in time though—dinner’s almost ready.”

While they trailed behind Dante and Cooper as they made their way through the house, Cordell and Tiffany both glanced around. The place was richly decorated, yet not ostentatious. The furniture was both stylish and comfortable looking. Modern artworks adorned the walls, and Cordell didn’t doubt that one of the paintings hanging above a couch in the huge living room was an original Andy Warhol.

Out on a large patio, overlooking a pool with a Jacuzzi and the canal beyond—and, yes, there was a nice-sized boat at the dock—Sasha, Sloan, Troy, and Jared were talking to Reed Montgomery. Cordell recognized him right away, having looked him up after finding out about his relationship with MKR’s head of security. He was about an inch shorter than Cordell’s six feet three which made him the same height as Dante. Reed also had an athletic body, but that’s where the similarities to his submissive ended. While Dante’s overgrown crew cut was blond and his eyes blue, Reed had dark-brown eyes and jet-black hair that was a little longer than trimmed perfection. His olive-colored skin was possibly from Greek or Italian descent—Cordell wasn’t sure, since his last name didn’t give a hint of either. Unlike Dante’s tan cargo shorts, blue T-shirt, and flip-flops—completing the surfer look—his Dom was wearing gray chinos, a black polo shirt, and loafers sans socks.

When they joined the group, Dante took care of the introductions. “Master Reed, this is Master Cordell Roberts and Tiffany Armstrong.”

Reed shook Cordell’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Welcome to our home.”

“Thanks for having us.”

The Dom turned to Tiffany, took her hand, and kissed her knuckles. “Welcome, little one.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Her cheeks pinkened, and even though Cordell knew Reed was gay, he still barely pushed down a flash of jealousy.

“What can I get you both to drink?” It was a little weird having a multi-millionaire serve them, but it was also the sign of a good host and someone who didn’t think menial tasks were beneath him. Cordell liked the man immediately, despite the fact he’d made Tiffany blush.

After taking their orders, Reed stepped over to a tiki bar while Dante manned a monstrous grill nearby, flipping over several steaks and pieces of barbecued chicken. There were also what seemed to be a dozen or so potatoes wrapped in foil. The enticing aromas wafting toward Cordell had his stomach rumbling, which was a reminder he hadn’t stopped to have lunch earlier after the spy cameras had been found.

Once the others had greeted the newcomers, Cordell didn’t miss the way Tiffany quickly veered away from Jared and Troy after politely saying hello to them. Her stiff shoulders relaxed again as soon as she settled herself between Sasha and Sloan. They’d been so busy getting the resort up and running, that it hadn’t occurred to Cordell the lack of a club setting had Tiffany falling back on her uneasiness around other Doms. She hadn’t been surrounded by many since they’d left Vegas and had only had to deal with a few in a professional manner recently. Mitch and Ty had been the exceptions, but when they’d been there, Tiffany had been comfortable around them since they were practically family now. Mitch treated her like a kid sister, and Ty was a lifestyle switch who only topped Tori, and neither were into high protocol outside of playtime.

When Reed returned with Cordell’s and Tiffany’s drinks, he invited everyone to have a seat at a beautiful, teak dining table which was long enough to easily accommodate all eight of them. As they took their seats, a woman in her sixties, carrying a large salad bowl, bustled out from a door that appeared to be off the home’s kitchen. Reed stood, took it from her, and set it on the table. “Cordell, Tiffany, this is our longtime housekeeper and cook, Greta Lange. You’ll understand why she’s worked for me for so long after you taste her key lime pie later.” There was no mistaking the affection in his voice, and it was obvious that the others had already met the woman.

With twinkling blue eyes, she smiled at them as Cordell stood out of courtesy, but then she waved her hand at him. “Please, sit. It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Tiffany and Cordell said at the same time. Since the man had already shown he wasn’t too pretentious to serve them, it didn’t surprise Cordell that Reed had introduced his employee to them. As a cop in Vegas, he’d been in quite a few upscale homes owned by filthy rich people who had people cooking and cleaning for them, among other chores. He couldn’t recall ever being introduced to any of them as if they were part of the family.

After two more trips to the kitchen, Greta had dropped off bowls of macaroni salad, fresh green beans, and corn on the cob. When she asked if they needed anything else, Reed assured her, if they did, he or Dante could get it and told her to retire for the rest of the evening. Apparently, she lived on the property. Once she’d bid everyone goodnight, and Cooper had followed her inside, Dante brought the chicken and sliced steaks to the table.

Dinner was delicious, and the conversation flowed effortlessly. There was also plenty of laughter. It took a while, but Tiffany finally stopped tensing whenever Reed, Jared, or Troy asked her a question. Aside from addressing them as Sir or Master, there hadn’t been any other protocols, and that seemed to have put her a little more at ease.

“Cordell,” Reed said, catching his attention. “How do you like the Keys compared to Vegas?”

He smiled. “I love Nevada, but I lived there all my life. After getting settled down here though, I really like it—especially the water and sunsets. It’s beautiful. Have you lived here long?”

Reed took a sip from his glass of wine. “About five years now. After living in Miami for years, I wanted someplace quieter where I could come and unwind. I’d been to Key West a few times, but it’s a little too touristy and busy there. Marathon became a logical choice for me because of their airport. Now, I split my time between here and Miami, only staying overnight there when I have to. I have a helicopter take me back and forth.”

“Nowthat’show to commute,” Jared said with a chuckle, eliciting several agreeable nods from the others.

After everyone finished their meals, the group moved to the seating area around the fire pit at the urging of their hosts as they began to clear the table. Before Tiffany had a chance to sit on one of the cushioned chairs or loveseats though, Cordell decided to put her in a different frame of mind and tossed a throw pillow onto the ground next to his foot. When he gestured to it, her eyes widened slightly before she lowered herself to her knees. Yup, it had definitely been a while since they’d played or followed any lifestyle protocol outside of their little cottage.

Cordell ran a hand over the back of her head, reveling in how her silky hair felt against his palm and fingers. “Get comfortable, Pet.”

“Yes, Sir.” She curled her legs under her and then laid her head on his thigh. Within minutes, he could tell she’d slid into that zone she experienced before going into subspace. Her breathing slowed, and the last of the anxiety being around other Doms had caused drained from her body. If it weren’t for the conversation and activity around them, Cordell wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d eventually closed her eyes and fallen asleep.

When Dante and Reed rejoined them, the latter eyed Tiffany, then smiled and nodded at Cordell. Clearly the other man had noticed her uneasiness toward the Dominant men in attendance. Cordell needed to figure out how to expose her to more Doms between now and when the resort opened. He’d neglected to do his job in fully nurturing her back from the dark side, where she’d gone to and stayed since that day in Key West, and he swore he’d never fail her again.

Chapter6

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