Master No (20 page)

A hand came over her eyes and she was shocked to find herself manhandled away from the scene. She was trained well enough that she didn’t call out. She knew exactly whose strong arms were around her and she had a sneaking suspicion why.

Was her Master the tiniest bit jealous? He’d told her to pack her bag. He’d been explicit in his instructions that she would be coming home with him, and earlier in the day he’d frowned Theo’s way when he’d walked through the house wearing nothing but a towel.

When he settled her back down and took his hand off her eyes, he stared down at her.

“I didn’t think. Did I frighten you?” He was so serious as he looked her over. They were far enough from the scene that they could speak, though in Sanctum one was never very far from something interesting.

“Frighten me?” She could hear the sounds in the background and knew Erin and Theo’s scene had totally moved on to something interesting, but she knew better than to turn around and look back. She had to think of her Master’s apparently tender feelings.

He liked her. He wanted her to like him. Only him. It was all right because she’d noticed he didn’t ogle other women. Despite all the lovely female flesh on display, Master T seemed to have eyes only for her. He would tip his head and comment on a sub’s loveliness, but there wasn’t heat in his eyes. That was reserved for Faith. Master T knew how to make a sub feel secure. So why would he think he’d frightened her?

“I’m fine, Master. I’m not frightened.”

He straightened up. “I didn’t think about the fact that you’ve been kidnapped before. I covered your eyes. It could have brought back bad memories.”

“Oh.” No, she hadn’t been thinking about that at all. It was nice to not think about it. The truth was once Theo and Erin had been brought on as her security, she’d been able to relax. She’d trusted them from the start. Every instinct she had said those were two people born to protect and defend those weaker than them. Master T was the same way. “No. I’m fine. No PTSD for this girl. And actually, they never blindfolded me. I think they wanted me to see all the horrible stuff.” She shook her head as a couple of horrific images entered it. “Okay, maybe I spoke too soon on the PTSD.”

He wrapped her up in his arms. “I’m sorry. I wanted to get you alone and my hand slipped.”

She barely managed not to laugh. Doms had their egos, too. “It slipped? Over my eyes?”

“Yes.” His sure voice practically begged her to argue with him.

Which she had no intention of doing. She was going to have a lovely evening with a man who couldn’t stand the thought of her looking at another man’s probably really large penis. She was totally going to look at Master T’s penis. And do other stuff with it. “It’s not a problem, Master. I’m perfectly fine and I’m ready for anything you would like to do.”

His smile turned distinctly sensual. “Anything?”

“Anything.”

A warm hand cupped her shoulder as he stared down at her. “And what if I told you I want to go sit in the bar with you at my feet.”

He didn’t want to… She nodded. “Of course.”

He chuckled and lowered his head, kissing her swiftly. “Not on your life, darlin’. But that sad look in your eyes…well, you make a man feel ten feet tall.” He got close, his mouth next to her ear so she felt the heat of his breath. “Do you have any idea what I’m going to do to you?”

Oh, she had ideas. “None, Master.”

“I’m going to make you scream for me in the sweetest way possible. I’m going to tie you up and have my way with you. I’m going to lick and suck and touch every part of you until there isn’t an inch that hasn’t felt my skin or tongue or cock. By the time this night is over, you’re going to know what it means to be my submissive. You’re going to be mine body and soul.”

Her ovaries practically vibrated. “Yes, Master.”

“I like the way you say that. Yes, Master. Keep telling me yes. All night long.” His face turned serious again. “I don’t want to share you tonight. I know you have an exhibitionist streak, but this first time I want to be alone with you.”

It was a little scary. She could see now that her exhibitionist streak served a purpose. It kept things oddly casual. What Master T was asking for was true intimacy. He wanted her all for himself. It meant something. It moved them beyond mere play and into something more.

Did she want that? Hell, yes. Her inner voice didn’t even hesitate. She was crazy about this man and it was likely a really bad idea. It would be so much safer to back off, to find someone more like Roger. Someone she could hold herself away from.

She wasn’t going to do that. She was going to do something truly stupid and jump into this big old scary pond with both feet. “I’m good with that, Master. I want you to myself, too. I see how the other subs look at you.”

His hand caressed her cheek. “You are awfully good at making me feel like a man. I’ll be right back. I want to make sure the room is ready. You stay here. And don’t you dare look at Theo Taggart’s dick. My hand slipped so you wouldn’t see that.”

She suddenly had zero interest in seeing Theo Taggart naked. “I will keep my eyes on you and you alone.”

He touched his fingertip to her nose. “See that you do.”

When he strode away, she watched that hot backside.

A giddy feeling took over. It was silly but she’d never felt this way about a man. Not even her silly, she-was-so-stupid-over-him high school boyfriend. Nope. Only Master T had ever brought out the giddy girl in her.

She wondered. They might not be together for long. It didn’t sit well, but it might be true. They really only had the next few weeks, but he’d already given her so much.

What could she give him? Beyond her submission and her body, she wanted him to have something so much more. She cared about him. It might not be forever, but it was more than enough for her to dream about the rest of her life. She’d always known she would give her life in service. She’d wanted to be a doctor for as long as she could remember, and not the kind who made millions and drove fancy cars. She’d wanted to be the kind who saved the world—one patient at a time.

So she wanted to give this glorious man a gift. She simply needed to figure out what it would be.

Faith did exactly as she’d promised. She kept her eyes on her Master as he strode toward the desk that led to the upper levels. Everywhere one went in Sanctum there was security and customer service. Sometimes both. The man at the counter had a ready smile and a body that told her he could handle himself if things got rough. She doubted things often got rough at Sanctum. It was the single nicest club she’d ever been to.

It was the kind of club a girl could call home.

For the first time she wondered about working in Dallas. Not in a hospital. If she stayed here, she would open a clinic. She would serve those who couldn’t afford health care. She would fight the good fight.

Her mother had taught her that. Faith barely remembered her. Her mother was a sweet face and a kind smile, but Faith remembered her words. Fight the good fight. She’d lived her life by those four words. To honor the woman who had given birth to her. But maybe she could fight that grand and glorious fight and still have a family, too.

He’d done this to her. God, she was a silly, stupid girl, but she was hoping Master T was “the one.”

He spoke a few words to the man at the station and the host got on the phone.

“How are you enjoying Sanctum?”

She looked to her left and Theo’s brother was standing there. Ian Taggart was a wretchedly large man. The Taggarts seemed to only come in extra-large sizes. Still, he’d been sarcastic and personable this afternoon, and it was hard to feel really intimidated by a man who was so madly in love with his wife and two babies. She’d watched him nuzzle his babies and blow raspberries on their baby bellies. She beamed up at him. He was a safe Dom to talk to. He would respect the limits. “It’s like heaven, Sir.”

Taggart smiled. “It is that. I built this place to be a safe haven. For me and my wife and my friends. How’s my friend treating you?”

She didn’t even try to hold back the glow she felt. “Master T is wonderful. He’s been very good to me.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” His eyes were on the scene playing out to their left. They flared briefly, as though he was seeing something truly amazing, but she refused to look that way. Maybe Master T wouldn’t see it, but she wasn’t going to risk hurting him that way.

“Thank you so much for having me here. I know you don’t take many applicants.”

“Thank you for all your money. I hear you’re only going to use a portion of your yearly fee.”

That was something she was thinking about. “I don’t know. I’ve been ruminating on how to deal with it. I think I’m going to let it ride for now. We’ve got a month or so before I need to decide. I like Master T. He’s making me wonder if I shouldn’t stay here in the States.”

Taggart’s blue eyes were suddenly on her. “Are you serious?”

He didn’t believe her? “Yes. I really like him. I’m glad we had that three weeks to get to know each other. It’s made the rest of our time together so much easier. You did a very good job pairing us. I think we’re really compatible.”

“Of course. We consider a lot of factors when we pair Doms and subs.” His face split in a grin. “Actually we roll the dice and you two looked pretty hot together, so that seemed to be a good way to go.”

He was an ass, but a likable one. “Good to know.”

He was quiet for a moment, but it was an oddly companionable silence. Faith liked quiet. She could tell as much about a person from their silences as she could from their words. Ian Taggart was comfortable with himself, with his space. He owned the space around him, but not in a super-aggressive way. More like a benevolent king watching over his kingdom.

Up ahead, a woman approached Ten. She was dressed in what looked like a latex bodysuit.

“I thought you could be good for him,” Taggart said finally.

She looked over to the big blond Dom. “Really? How could you know?”

“Theo. I asked his opinion. I trust my brother’s instincts and I’ve read all the information on your background. In my business, you learn to size people up fairly quickly. I thought you could be very good for Master T. He’s had it rough.”

“I know. He had a hard start to life, but he seems fairly undamaged by it.” Master T seemed willing to accept affection in a way some people wouldn’t after being abandoned as a small child. He was charming and open.

“He buries a lot, Faith. Don’t think you see everything. There’s a hell of a lot of pain bubbling under his surface. Just take care.”

“Did he ever find her?” It was something she’d been wondering about.

“Who?”

“His mother.” She glanced back and the woman was still talking to Master T, thrusting out her chest.

“No,” Taggart said. “At least not that I know of. I don’t think he ever looked. He slipped through the cracks of the system, but he was adopted as a teenager. He has a sister. You met her this morning.”

And that adoption might have been what saved him. “Yes, Phoebe’s lovely. I like her a lot.”

“Has he mentioned his brother?”

She shook her head. “Brother? No. I didn’t know he had one. I only knew about Phoebe.”

“Ah, well, that would be one of those things bubbling under the surface. Forget I said anything. That’s his story to tell. Just know that you’re welcome here at Sanctum. Whatever happens between you and Master T, you’re a member now. You have rights. Oh, and you should probably go deal with that.”

Her jaw dropped. That woman was putting her hands on Master T. She was looking up at him and obviously pleading some kind of case because she was acting like a supplicant. Anger flared. God, she was jealous. She’d never been jealous before. Not like this, and she was stuck with the rules of the club. “I suppose I should let him handle it.”

“Only if you want every woman here to think you’re a door mat. Sorry, I mean that in the most politic way possible, but you should know the subs here at Sanctum aren’t exactly big on letting other women paw their men.”

That was good to know. The other clubs she’d been at had been a bit harder core, and the subs weren’t permitted to solve things on their own. It was the one thing she’d disliked. Sanctum, it seemed, valued its submissive members and their rights. And it was her right to kick some ass.

“Doc, if you break her, are you going to fix her?” Taggart was grinning from ear to ear as though he was really enjoying himself.

Damn Hippocratic Oath. “Yes. But I won’t use pain meds.”

“You’re going to fit in here, Doc.”

She stalked toward her prey, aware that every eye was on her.

Master T took a step back from the girl in front of him. Even from where she stood, she could feel the arctic blast from his stare.

“I simply wanted to offer myself to you, Master,” the woman said, her voice shaking prettily. She was a thin thing, her body graceful and lovely.

“If you touch me again, I’ll see you thrown out of this club. Is that clear?”

The sub went to her knees. “Please don’t, Master.”

“Sir. He’s Sir to you,” Faith said.

Ten’s head whirled around. It was obvious he hadn’t seen her standing there. For a second, she wondered if she wasn’t about to get into serious trouble. She would have allowed Roger to handle a clingy sub in a heartbeat, but she was rapidly realizing she hadn’t been invested in Roger. Not at all. She’d started this whole relationship because it would be relaxing and an amusing way to spend a few months. There was nothing relaxing about the ache in her gut at the thought that Master T might tell her to go away, might punish her.

He held his hand out, gesturing her forward. “Faith, I was about to explain to Shawna that I am not available.”

“But you trained me,” Shawna said with a pout.

“No. I worked with you on a few occasions, as did several of the other Doms. Now I’ve explained that I won’t play with you in the future. I have a submissive.”

Shawna wasn’t letting go. “I don’t understand this place. You’re the Dom. You can play with whoever you like. Tell your sub to accept it.”

“My sub is very good with a scalpel, so I’ll ignore your advice. Perhaps you should find another club. We don’t play that way here. Our submissives are cherished. Even if Faith wanted to invite others to play with us, I would refuse because she’s mine. And if she’s mine, that means I’m hers, and I won’t accept other hands on my body. So go.”