It had been rather funny.
But Ghost had been content as a security guard and uninterested in being ousted from his responsible-for-nothing cave. “It’s not my fault you’re blind, detective.”
“Gotta say, you sure didn’t act like a Dom.” Ben snorted. “You even sounded horrified I planned to actually go into the club rather than be a guard.”
Ghost raised an eyebrow. “Ben, I didn’t care if your vanilla ass got lured into the club. I was horrified you were planning to offer up your junk to the club’s most sadistic Domme.”
As Ben guffawed—and folded his hands over his groin—Anne snickered. “Why, what a lovely compliment, Colonel.”
Grinning, Ghost rubbed his clean-shaven jaw and told Max, “Back in Seattle, I was still in service and flying in and out of the sandbox, so I had a full beard and long hair. I don’t look the same now.”
“No wonder,” Max muttered.
Z frowned. “You weren’t still a team operator, were you?”
Because combat was for the young. “No. Back when I joined Special Forces, I was honored to lead a team for far longer than is allowed nowadays before getting dumped behind a desk. But, even as a desk jockey, I went overseas to check things out, so I kept my beard.”
He checked for Valerie and saw Linda had introduced her to Jessica—and all three appeared to be enjoying their conversation. Excellent.
“Ghost, I can’t stay long either,” Olivia said in her clipped British accent. “Could we do a quick security tour first?”
“Of course.” Ghost considered her expression. He’d always considered her at least a friendly associate, but the last couple of times he’d seen her, she’d been quite cool. Damned if he knew why.
“Why are the two security systems different?” Ghost asked Z.
“The club’s older system has been in place for years.” Z said. “When Sophia was born, an old friend who owns Demakis International Security installed one for the third floor and grounds as a baby present.”
Jessica laughed. “So many people were interested in the system that Simon opened an office here and stole Olivia away from where she worked. This summer, her crew will upgrade the club’s system to match this one.”
“We do need to get going,” Z said. “Thank you for moving in here, Finlay. I hope you enjoy the place; we had many happy times here.”
Ghost believed it. The quarters felt as if they’d been filled with love. “I’m glad you found a house that suits your growing family.”
Reluctantly, he set Sophia down.
Rather than letting Z pick her up, the toddler beamed and trotted over to pat Valerie’s leg. “Hi.”
Laughing, Valerie bent to shake her hand. “Hi to you.”
“Hug.” Sophia held her arms up in a demand no one in the world could possibly deny.
“Anytime you want, sweetie.” Valerie picked her up and received a neck-squeezing hug with a big kiss on the cheek.
Anne, the sadistic mistress who still terrified Shadowlands submissives actually whined. “I didn’t get a hug.”
As the rest of the Masters teased Anne, Sophia babbled to Valerie about her day.
The professor seemed to understand every garbled word…and answered appropriately.
“Amazing.” Jessica shook her head. “She’s been going through a shy phase, especially with women. Are you wearing some child-attractant perfume, Valerie?”
Valerie touched foreheads with the little girl, making her break into peals of laughter, then smiled at Jessica. “For some reason, children seem to like me.”
“Now, why would that be?” Z murmured and lifted an inquiring eyebrow at Ghost.
Ah, Z hadn’t met her. Ghost lowered his voice. “She feels like sunshine and peace. Of course, children like her.”
“Indeed.” Z moved forward. “Sophia, we need to return home so you can show Galahad where his food is.”
“Kitty,” Sophia explained to Valerie.
“Yes, it’s good to make sure kitties eat on time,” Valerie agreed.
Z took his daughter, set her on his hip, and held his hand out to Valerie. “Valerie, I’m Zachary Grayson, Sophia’s father. It’s good to meet you.”
She shook his hand. “And you.”
Laughing, Max said, “What he’s not saying, darlin’, is he’s the owner of the Shadowlands.”
Valerie’s eyes widened. “Oh. Well, you have a fine club and a wonderful daughter.”
Z chuckled…and released her hand. “Thank you. I’m sure with Ghost in charge, the club will be even better soon.”
Turning back to Ghost, Z rested a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you again for taking over management—and the quick move.” He glanced at Valerie. “Very accurate assessment.”
Ghost smiled at the psychologist’s agreement—sunshine and peace.
As Z left with his family, Linda started introducing Valerie to people.
Ghost turned to Olivia and motioned toward the stairs. “Shall we?”
“Yes, let’s get this over with.”
Upstairs, she showed him the security panel, went through the codes, and displayed the log. “Recently, there have been a couple of alarms, although the police drive-bys showed nothing. Also, a security camera near the pool went offline. I’d like to see which camera is out and what needs to be replaced.”
“Sounds good. I haven’t had a chance to walk the grounds—perhaps you could point out the cameras as we go.” Ghost sighed. His leg was swelling inside the prosthetic sleeve and starting to ache. Damn stairs.
After flowing around the inside of a screened enclosure, an artificial stream splashed into the swimming pool with the melodic sound of falling water. Filled with flowering shrubs and tropical plants, the setting was like a slice of paradise.
He held the door for Olivia, stepped inside after her, then stared down into the pool. Clothes and shoes lay at the bottom.
“It appears someone went skinny dipping and forgot to dress on the way out,” Olivia scowled as she picked up pieces from a broken security camera. “Probably one of Wrecker’s good buddies who didn’t realize the security system would call the police.”
“Seems likely.” Unfortunately, the automatic pool cleaner was tangled in the mess. Ghost flipped off the switch to the robot. “Something else to do.”
With a snort, Olivia motioned. “Get in and hand the stuff up to me.”
“Thanks, no. I’ll deal with it later.”
She gave him a cold stare. “I’ve seen naked men before.”
“I rather assumed that. I’m simply not—”
“Listen.” She braced her legs and folded her arms across her chest. “If you have a problem with lesbians or female Dominants, your new job is going to be difficult. There are quite a few of us in the club.”
For fuck’s sake. He reined in his irritation. Just because he was achy and tired didn’t give him license to be rude. “Why would you think I have a problem with lesbians?”
“I saw the way you looked at me when I was doing a scene. The way you shook your head in disgust.”
He couldn’t remember being disgusted with any of her scenes. “When exactly was this?”
“Last weekend—I was with Chelsey.”
Ah, the scene in the dungeon. Hell of a leap she’d taken, though. “Olivia. I don’t have a problem with lesbians or any of the LGBTQ+ community. Or dominant women. I shook my head because I’ve watched your scenes before, and the one with Chelsey lacked any energy whatsoever.”
She flushed slightly. “Maybe. I suppose.” Her gaze went to the pool, then she gave him another somewhat-less belligerent stare.
Fine. She apparently thought he was unwilling to bare his dick—to be vulnerable—to a lesbian or Domme.
“My flesh-and-blood junk can survive being exposed to a Mistress. However, my metal junk won’t survive an immersion in water.” He pulled up his pant leg far enough to expose the prosthesis.
The color rose and fell in her face. “Bloody hell.�
� Swearing under her breath, she averted her face for a moment, then turned back with a rueful expression. “I’m sorry. I was out of line. Last weekend, Wrecker’s buddies threw a lot of homophobic and other insults my way. I was overly sensitive—and jumped to the wrong conclusion with you. Then and now.”
Here was the Olivia he’d grown to like. Honest. Blunt. Insightful and not sparing of herself.
The tightness in his jaw relaxed. Death had stolen friends from him often enough. It’d be a shame to lose one over a misunderstanding. “Considering the crap I heard being dished out, I’m not surprised you over-reacted.”
After a second, he added mildly, “Or was some of your sensitivity because it’s tough to scene after losing a regular partner?”
He remembered that raw feeling all too well.
Her scowl would’ve been intimidating…if he’d been submissive. “Maybe. Some.”
He opened his mouth, and she cut him off. “No, I don’t want to talk about it. Why people assume a person wants to share her woes just because she’s female is bloody annoying. Or why it’s assumed because I have tits, I’m naturally nurturing and should offer a shoulder to anyone who wants a good cry. Or I’m awesome with children because I have ovaries.”
The rant was the last thing he’d expected from the normally controlled Domme.
He grinned. “Don’t hold back. Tell me how you really feel.”
For a moment, he thought she’d punch him—right into the pool—but after a second, she snorted. “It seems I let the pot simmer long enough to reach a boil. Sorry.”
“Not a problem.” Ghost motioned toward the house. “This isn’t the time, but when you come back to replace the camera, I’d like your help in locating the rest of them. You can use the walk to educate me about assumptions.”
She narrowed her eyes, evaluating him with her quite considerable skills. “You mean that, don’t you.”
“I do. I was Special Forces, surrounded by men. My knowledge of your problems isn’t as good as it could be. If nothing else, help me for the sake of your less…forthright…sisters.”
A corner of her mouth pulled up. “Fair enough. A lecture you will have.”
A weaker man might quail.
He wasn’t weak.
Or stupid, either. He’d wait a while before raising the topic of her love life again.
* * *
After Ghost disappeared with Olivia, Valerie watched the Shadowlands people make themselves at home as if they’d been here many times. But, of course, they had. The owner of the club had lived on the third floor.
Linda might have mentioned it was Ghost’s housewarming she’d be crashing.
Honestly, her heart had almost stopped.
And not only was Ghost here, the place was filled with Dominants who radiated power like high-voltage lines. Here was the top of the Shadowlands hierarchy.
Yet everyone was so nice.
Such unique relationships, though.
Beth was kneeling beside her Master, who she openly called Master Nolan. The mean-looking, scarred-up Master had dropped a cushion onto the paving so his submissive wouldn’t scrape her knees.
Andrea was helping Cullen serve the pizza—and Valerie knew enough Spanish to recognize the rude names she called him when he snuck a bite.
Mistress Anne bossed her giant submissive around but laughed when he pushed her into a chair.
Zuri was bouncy and fun, giggling when her two Masters yanked her down between them on the long patio swing.
Linda didn’t defer to her rancher Master. However, when he snagged her with a long arm, pulled her against his side, and slapped her butt—hard, she simply melted into his side.
Valerie sighed. Envious, much?
Pushing the thought away, she sat at a table beside Natalia, the only other unattached submissive.
A minute later, Olivia and Ghost strolled out from a section of the grounds, chatting about needing more Mistresses since someone named Catherine had left.
After gazing longingly that way, Natalia rose and busied herself getting drinks for the new guests—a Hispanic-looking Dom and his black-haired, blue-eyed submissive accompanied by a gorgeous German shepherd.
Valerie bit her lip as Natalia kept glancing at Ghost and Olivia after they joined Linda and Sam.
Natalia and…Ghost? On Valerie’s first night in the club, Natalia mentioned a relationship not working. Could she have been Ghost’s submissive?
The young woman couldn’t be even thirty. A bitter taste invaded Valerie’s mouth. But really, why was she surprised he’d go for a much younger woman? Look at Barry and his slaves.
Don’t be judgy, Valerie. Natalia was a sweetheart. Any guy would want her, no matter how much older he was.
Valerie sighed. The urge to order Ghost to choose a woman closer to his own age was both shallow and pitiful.
Shaking her head, she rose. “Natalia, I can get the drinks if you want to talk with Ghost.”
Natalia gave her a funny glance. “Why do I need to talk to Ghost? I mean I’m here to help, but…”
“Ah…” Valerie frowned. She’d misstepped, hadn’t she? “You…I saw you watching him, and I guess I misunderstood.”
Natalia turned toward Ghost and Olivia, and the longing look crossed her face again. She saw Valerie watching, blinked, then sputtered. “Oh, noooo, do I have hearts in my eyes? I’m so stupid.” She banged her head on Valerie’s arm.
Valerie rubbed the young woman’s shoulder. “No, c’mon, he’s a good guy. It’ll be all right.”
“No, it won’t,” Natalia whispered. “It’s not Ghost I want. It’s the heartless Brit.”
The Brit. “Olivia? Oh. Oh.” Valerie slung an arm around Natalia’s shoulders. “Well, you might be stupid, but I think I’m stupider. Is that a word? That’s a word, right?”
They started giggling themselves…stupid…and now everyone was watching, which made it worse.
Valerie tried to hold it in, letting out tiny hiccups of laughter. Natalia had her hands plastered over her own mouth, and they caught each other’s eyes and exploded again.
“M-maybe we should—” Valerie waved her hand toward the parking lot. Turning, she bumped right into a hard chest.
Natalia’s giggles grew louder.
“Seems like you keep running into me, Professor,” a guttural voice whispered in her ear. “Now you caught me, what shall we do?”
Heat streaked through her, melting her laughter into pure arousal. Into longing. And she lifted her head. “I…”
Firm fingers closed on her chin, and he held her still enough to plant a kiss on her lips. A perfect kiss—not hard, not soft—just right.
“And there’s how you silence a submissive, ladies and gentlemen,” Cullen announced to a wave of cheering.
Oh…great. Talk about being the center of attention.
Ghost tucked an arm around her, turning to face the group. “Laugh away, fools. When you’ve finished eating, I intend to put you all to work.”
His attempted diversion got a chorus of “what do you need done?” but didn’t stop any of the interested and speculative glances.
* * *
The sound of Natalia’s soft giggles had set up an ache in Olivia’s chest and brought back way too many memories.
The first time they met, the subbie had been suffering from subdrop because a Domme had abandoned her after an intense scene. Bad form. Unless a submissive didn’t need help after a scene or other arrangements were made, a Top was responsible for aftercare.
But Olivia had quite enjoyed providing the shaken submissive with the cuddles and soothing the other Domme had neglected.
She’d left it at that, though. Until the club’s cops-and-robbers theme night where Olivia had been dressed as an English bobby, and shy Natalia had stolen a bag of gold coins off her belt. The little subbie had fled, giggling so hard it was a wonder she could run.
Who could resist those giggles?
That had been the beginning.
&
nbsp; Olivia ran her fingers through her short hair and sighed. Every year it grew more difficult to be around her fellow Masters and Mistresses. So many of them had found wonderful, satisfying relationships and were making families.
She’d thought she had something with Natalia, but, wrong once again. The proof had been unmistakable—her beloved submissive had cheated on her.
Bloody hell, why? Olivia had never been unfaithful in her whole life. Why couldn’t she expect the same?
Her throat closed, hurting. Couldn’t her lovers at least break up with her first before jumping into bed with other women?
She swallowed against the lump and turned her gaze to Ghost and the blonde he’d kissed. The expression on the woman’s face was charming, really.
Olivia studied the woman with a Mistress’s eye. A year ago—before Natalia—she’d have been interested in Valerie herself. The submissive was comfortable with everyone from Sophia to Master Sam. Intelligent. Soft-spoken with an incredibly sexy voice. She had a lovely self-confidence…right up until Ghost spoke to her.
How could a Dominant resist such endearing insecurity? The Colonel certainly couldn’t.
Because Dominants wanted to help.
Olivia had with Natalia, who wasn’t worried about being attractive but was simply timid when it came to strangers. They’d been working on her confidence. She wasn’t shy with friends—or eventually with Olivia.
Nats always woke up first, and when Olivia would grumble and start to move, the little subbie would pounce on her like a puppy.
Mornings were a lot colder these days.
Ah, well. Olivia felt a bittersweet longing as she watched Ghost and Valerie in the beginning of a D/s dance. They looked good together, and even if her heart ached, Olivia hoped his woman would be more loyal than hers had been.
Because when love went away, pain was all that was left.
The evening had arrived, and people were heading home.
After seeing Max, Alastair, and the irrepressible Zuri off, Ghost walked through his new quarters. The enthusiastic volunteers had accomplished an amazing amount of work, and the rooms had become homelike. Furniture was in place, paintings hung on the walls, his TV and stereo system were set up.
The Effing List Page 14