Page 72 of To Catch a Sub

“It’s cold out here,” he said. “We’ll go in. I just though you could use some fresh air.”

“I could. Thank you.”

He turned to the door, but she stopped him with a hand on his arm. He leaned back against the brick, arms crossed.

Though she felt more centered than she had a moment ago, she still felt soft and raw.

And tired. Tired of being afraid and alone.

“Are you back to being a jewel thief?” Landon asked when she didn’t speak.

Colette smiled. “Alleged jewel thief.”

Landon snorted.

“But…no. I’m not.” She took a breath, and even knowing she’d probably regret it, told Landon the truth.

“You were right about why I seek out submission. The power exchange is an emotional release. Usually I scene when my…job…is at a high stress point.”

To her surprise he didn’t make a snarky comment about the word job.

“The past few weeks have been stressful.”

She swallowed down the other things she wanted to say. Swallowed the urge to tell him everything and just let him and Interpol take over instead of pulling the strings and parceling out information that would guarantee the outcome she needed.

“What are you saying, Colette.”

“I’m saying that being in the club, seeing other people scening, makes me want…”

Colette hugged herself, hands spanned over her cold upper arms.

“Need,” she corrected. “Not just want, but need, to scene myself.”

“Understandable.”

“But I didn’t.” She could no longer hold his gaze, it was too intense. She looked down and to the side. “I wasn’t lying before. I didn’t scene with Master Red.”

“It looked like you were going to.”

“I was tempted,” she admitted. “He reminded me a little of my old Master, the man who trained me.”

“It’s your right to pick a partner. Rolf reminded me that we’ve vetted all the private club members, so if you’re worried about your safety?—”

“I’m not.”

“Fine.”

She darted a glance at his face. His expression said it wasn’t fine.

“I don’t want to scene with just anyone,” she whispered.

There was a pause as he let out a long, slow breath.

“Say it, Colette. Say what you want.”

“You’re the only person in the club I’d submit to.”

The words seemed to heat the air between them.