Page 8 of What About Love

“You can trust me, Angie,” he assured her softly. “I’ll take care of you as if you were my own.”

Although she thought of him like a big brother—a badass, eat nails, spit tacks, ex-Marine kind of big brother—when he said things like that, possessive things that two years ago would have outraged her inner feminist, she didn’t mind. She supposed, being around it so often, she’d become desensitized to it. First, from having two submissive cousins married to Club Decadence Masters, who weren’t the least bit shy about hiding their protective, dominant sides. And second, from being around the D/s couples in the Decadence lounge when she’d gone to watch her friend Elena perform.

It could also be from working for Tony Rossi and his team of war heroes, all strong, dynamic, honorable men with an innate need to lead, protect, and defend. She never would have thought it possible, but she found the special care and consideration they gave their women endearing in an old-fashioned kind of way. Unlike the revulsion she felt as a female detective in the sexist atmosphere of the San Antonio Police Department.

She couldn’t deny she was anxious, and yes, a little scared, but Dan’s size, obvious strength, and his reassurance eased her fears somewhat, and, although she’d never admit it, made her feel warm and kind of melty inside. It gave her a bit of insight into why the twins, both confident, independent women, liked this dominance and submission dynamic so well.

As quickly as that thought came, she pushed it aside, admonishing herself not to get sucked in by the atmosphere. When the job was done, vanilla Angie would go back to her usual simple self. She’d date regular guys and have regular sex—in terms of type not amount—which wasn’t happening on any kind of consistent basis.

“I know I can trust you,” she affirmed for Dan who was still awaiting a response. “It’s just that all of this is foreign to me.”

“Consider me your tour guide for this new adventure. I’ve been a member of Decadence for almost two years now. I’ve seen a host of posers and wannabes. Those authentic in the lifestyle can sniff them out in short order. I can help you learn what you need to say and do to make it look real.”

“Thanks. I’ll try not to exasperate you too much and I really hope I don’t botch this like I did the simulator.”

He wrapped a companionable arm around her shoulders and started walking again. “Don’t you worry; I’ve got this covered. Besides, no aim is involved and if your tongue gets on my nerves, there are ball gags aplenty should I need one. Sounds like a win-win for both of us.”

Her mouth snapped shut as the image of a red rubber ball wedged between her teeth with black straps to keep it secured came to mind. Dan took one look at her face and chuckled.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Damn straight. There’s nothing quite as much fun as enlightening a newbie.”

He then hauled her newbie ass to the end of the hall and into the Master Dom’s office.

Chapter 3

TSTOPPED A FEW STEPSinside the lounge to take it all in. It was Monday, a slow night at the club compared to Wednesday and Saturday when Elena performed and just about every member came in to enjoy the show. Tonight, there were plenty of tables open in the bar. Only a smattering of couples danced to a slow ballad the house band played. The lead singer was good, although nowhere near the quality of Elena Lopez. Check that. Elena Russell—she and Dex were married now.

To the left was the bar, run by their efficient manager, Ben Daniels. His subbie wife, Sadie, was at his side helping as she did most nights. As he scanned the crowd, T saw more unfamiliar faces than regulars. Dex and Sean had been busy growing the membership while he’d been away.

Uncollared or available subs, he hoped. The latter being his primary interest at the moment. Three months without a submissive was a long damn time.

He strode through the bar to the heavy oak and wrought iron doors that led to the main playroom. Dex and Sean had designed them to be intentionally ominous, to set the mood right off. It was a dungeon after all.

T grinned as he thought of all the new subs who’d turned tail and run at the sight of them, their master or dom in pursuit to reassure them. Inevitably, these frustrated tops spent more time than planned in the bar or the lounge before they inspired enough daring in the frightened newbie to venture inside.

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