Page 16 of The Cat's Dom

He snorted. “If you can still breathe, I think you’re good.”

He chuckled when she growled and elbowed him, only to gasp and rub her arm. “Geeze, are you made out of concrete?” she hissed.

He pressed his face against the side of her head and breathed in her scent. “No, but I try to keep in shape.”

“How?”

“The guys and I run every morning at five and then lift weights before showering and coming to work.”

“How the hell do you guys have so much energy?” she asked. “I can hardly get out of bed in the morning.”

“One, because we’re used to it since we’ve been doing it for years, and two, it actually gives us more energy to deal with the day.”

“I don’t think I’ve exercised once in my life,” she said.

“Well, we’ll have to change that.”

She shook her head. “No, I’m good, really.”

He chuckled. “You’ll be even better. I’ll also show you some self-defense moves.”

She stiffened and paused. “Why?”

“I think every woman should know them, and if I can’t be with you, I want to know you’re safe. Or as safe as you can be without me there.”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself, bud. What makes you think I’ll spend any time with you?”

He spun her around and then crushed her to his chest. He was always conscious of his strength and would never use it on her. One of his hands tilted her head up so he could study her face because the last thing he wanted was to scare her. “I thought we already discussed this?”

“What?” she asked.

“You and me.”

She rolled her eyes. “When?”

“I could have sworn we already talked about it. Maybe this will help.”

His head bent, and he pressed his lips against hers. His hands cupped her face until she started to respond, and then he wrapped one arm around her waist and kept her against him. When he lifted his head, he was pleased to see her eyes closed, a desire-filled blush on her face, and her lips red and puffy.

Jesus, he could stand there and look at her all day. He bent to get another kiss when someone cleared their throat behind them. He turned to see his friend, Jake, standing just inside the door, grinning. “What?” Macy barked, making Jake’s grin widen.

“I just wanted to tell you that the meeting with the salesman from Drenco is here. We’re by where the bar will eventually be.”

“We’ll be right there,” Macy said. Jake left, and he looked down at Cat and saw her scowl. “What?”

“I’m going back to work…”

“But we might need your help,” Macy said. He knew exactly how to get her to stay with him. Submissives always wanted to help. At least the good ones did. Her eyes narrowed on him, and it took effort not to smile.

“Please. You have more experience with clubs than we do, right?” he asked.

Cat shrugged. “I have no idea. Mine is actually limited.”

“Then you’ll do the best you can to give us the sub’s view of things.”

She huffed and then nodded. He grabbed her hand and pulled her along. Macy tucked her against his body when they got to the group, and he felt her stiffen and then tremble. He wouldn’t have noticed if he wasn’t touching her. He’d make a conscious effort to touch her when she was around other people.

“Macy, this is Brad Collins. He’s going to help us get the equipment we need,” Caden said. Caden turned to Brad. “This is the fourth partner, Macy, and our friend Cat.”

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