Page 49 of S is for…

“I’m sorry, Sir,” she said softly.“For a minute it sounded alarming, but now that I think about it, and if it’s part of the scene we have planned?—”

“Laney, stop.”

The command froze the air in her lungs.Though she knew she should keep her eyes lowered she looked up, meeting Peter’s gaze.

His lips quirked into a smile that also crinkled the corners of his eyes.

For a moment, panic and the idea of what she should do and be held her still.But the smile in his eyes invited her to find the amusement in this moment.

Laney exhaled, blowing the air between pursed lips, then slumped back.Her reward was a small chuckle from Peter.

“Sorry,” she sighed.“I thought you were upset that I didn’t want to be a table and I panicked.”

“That’s more than fine.You’re welcome to panic or feel anxious.And when you do, I’d like to know about it, but I’m also aware that sort of emotional trust and vulnerability is a lot to ask for when we’ve just met.”

He made her feel safe.Not physically, because part of her was still wary of this Dom who’d happily doled out humiliation and pain.Emotionally though, she felt safe with him.

That was probably a mistake, but before she could spiral with worry about the probably maladaptive feeling of emotional safety, he drew her attention by sitting forward.

“I want to try something.”Peter’s clasped hands dangled loosely between his spread knees, elbows on thighs.“I mean I wantyouto try something.With me.Here.Tonight.”

Anticipation tingled through her, making each breath heavy, the air she pulled in thick and full of promise.Laney nodded, submission sliding through her.

Peter smiled.“I want you to be a brat.”

Chapter13

Diann and Julen

It was more than anticipation.

Diann stepped through the gate that led from the Subs’ Garden to the rest of the club, prepared to answer the summons that had come over the intercom only a moment ago.

Sub Diann to the Iron Court.

She’d gone to the bathroom and checked her makeup and hair before exiting the safety of the subs’ private space.

Anticipation was the primary emotion tingling through her.She was wary too, after what happened last weekend.Her reservations were reflected in her outfit—no bondage bodysuit tonight.Instead, she wore gym gear.The shorts were more like glorified underwear and barely covered her ass cheeks, while the zip-front sports bra gave her ridiculous cleavage.Neither item would be of any use for an actual workout.

But the gym-aesthetic attire was a message.One that told her top—who had better fucking not be Peter—that while she was ready to scene, she wasn’t all-in.Diann didn’t know if Lihn or Julen would understand the message she was trying to send with the outfit, but Diann knew, and that was enough.

Julen.

Despite the wariness, thinking of the man who’d briefly used her body and submission last weekend had her hyper-aware with anticipation as she cleared the gate.

As if her thoughts had conjured him, Julen detached from a patch of shadow just outside the Subs’ Garden, his all-black attire making it seem like he was a piece of darkness coming to life.

Then he stepped into a beam of moonlight, and the jolt of fear at seeing someone where she didn’t expect them turned into something else when she noted the way he was looking at her.

Anticipation was subsumed by a surge of fresh emotions.

Relief—she’d hoped it would be him.

Arousal—her body hummed with desire, remembering the feel of his hands on her skin.

The third emotion was the most troubling though.

Because when she met Julen’s gaze, a breathless emotion that felt like a bubble started rising inside her.Longing.She longed to touch him, hear his voice.To feel that tightly-leashed power.

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