Throwing out the half-mixed drink, she smiled at him.“Funny how easy it is to spot a topping sub when you’re standing on the outside, isn’t it?”
“This early, already?”Master Coop glanced around, his gaze homing in on the blonde swaying her hips as she circled the group where Rex was standing.“That little subbie might just be taking on more than she can handle.Of all the CDS Masters, Master R has no patience with a manipulative sub, especially one doing it deliberately to entice a reaction.”
“Oh, she’s not just testing the waters,” she said in a voice dry as a martini as she polished the glass with the intensity of someone trying to scrub away an existential threat.“She’s gunning for the whole nine yards—marriage, kids, a white picket fence...the works.”She mimed writing in the air.“‘Permanency in an intimate relationship.’”The glass squeaked under her rag.She shrugged as Master Coop’s eyebrows lifted questioningly.“Her words, not mine.”She set it down with a clink as she glowered at the offending sub.Too bad for you, sub, I already called dibs.And I don’t play nicely with poachers.
“Hmm.”He studied her for a moment before his gaze drifted back to the blonde who was now in an earnest discussion with a Dom standing close to Master R.“He mentioned you are somewhat of a sub whisperer.”Another thoughtful gaze landed on her.“We could use a skill like that, especially inflight.”
“I...don’t follow.”Xia wasn’t really paying attention as she watched Rex slowly turn toward the couple behind him.A hard hand on the blonde’s shoulder spun her to face him.His expression was stoic, but the stern line of his lips confirmed his discontent.
The blonde smiled at Rex, all I’m-so-sweet-and-innocent energy, like she hadn’t just spent the last five minutes trying to claim what was very clearly Xia’s.Oh, bless her heart.That grin was supposed to be disarming, but all it did was make Xia want to accidentally spill a drink on her.Okay, fine, maybe not accidentally.
“There are always certain types of submissive members who believe they should receive preferential treatment because of positions they hold in their careers or their financial status in life.Of course, we don’t know that until they arrive.”Master Coop’s deep voice drew her attention back to him.“As an experienced submissive of this lifestyle in a club scenario, I’m sure you know that’s not what true Dominants react favorably to.A sub ‘whisperer’ would be the perfect solution to make them realize the error of theirthinking.Guide them on the right path to ensure they receive the benefits our club and attention from the Doms, who we very carefully select, could offer them.”
“I...er,” Xia’s tongue stumbled over the words as she stared at him with a sense of warmth filling her that Rex had remembered her telling him of her ability.It wasn’t a lifestyle term, but since she was so good at reading and understanding other submissives in a BDSM club environment, especially brats who thrived on topping from the bottom, they’d christened her with the title at the clubs she and Cheri frequented.“I’m not sure I’d be of much help, especially since I’m only employed as a fill-in on this trip.”
“Believe me, as you’ve just seen,” he gestured toward Master R, who grasped the blonde by the nape and marched her toward the dungeon entrance.“Even on the maiden flights, they have their own agendas.”The sullen look on the sub’s face was proof that her scheme had backfired.
“I heard he does the punishments in his private suite,” Xia said as she watched the group of people who had followed the couple disappear through the arch leading to the dungeon.
“Private indicates exactly what it says.All the CDS owner Masters use their suites for scening and playing when they choose a play partner for the evening.”
“The evening?So, they play with one sub the entire time?”
“In certain cases, the Masters choose one submissive for the entire trip.Punishments of recalcitrant subs, however, like that bratty blonde, happen in public.It’s not just to correct her attitude but also to send a message to others of the repercussions of being insolent.”
“Hmm,” Xia grimaced.“That in itself might backfire.Your Master R might just find himself so busy handing out so many punishments, he won’t have time to play.”
“Ah,” Master Coop chuckled.“You’ve noticed how all the women drool over our Club Master.”He shrugged.“Believe me, they’ve been in the lifestyle long enough to know when they’re being played.The submissives might end up with a couple of restrictions once we land that would definitely not be the kind of attention they’re seeking from Master R, or Master A for that matter.”
“Why him, too?”
“They’re the only two who are still single and unattached of the five CDS owners.Many women have been waiting for this club to open, since the other three Masters all met their wives on CDS maiden flights, and they believe it’ll happen with the final two as well.”
“Well, good luck to them.”
Master Coop’s gaze sharpened on her.“Do you know something I don’t?”
“Meaning?”Xia’s polishing of the wineglass intensified.
“You don’t seem to think Master R is going to have the same luck.”
“Oh, I have no doubt he’s going to have the same luck...it all depends on whether he sees what’s under his nose or whether he’s looking for Miss Perfect.”
“Hmm, very cryptic response, sub.”Master Coop smiled as a loud shriek sounded from the dungeon.“Have you been on the dungeon tour?”
“Not yet.I had to prepare the pre-boarding drinks.”
“Come, I’ll take you.Then you can witness firsthand how Master R hands out punishment for a manipulative sub.”He wiggled his eyebrows.“Just in case you have aspirations of your own.”
“I have no such aspirations,” she mumbled, annoyed that she had given herself away.Master Coop was clearly a powerful Dominant himself and saw past her fiddling and lowered lashes.“I’m an employee, in case you forgot, and I’ve heard that the CDS Masters have a very strict policy against involvement with inflight staff.”
“Also true.”Grasping her elbow, he started off toward the dungeon.“Come, you can’t be a sub whisperer until you’ve seen the entirety of Louisiana Club Decadent Skies.”
“Thanks for the tour, Master Coop,” Xia said with excitement coursing through her.“I’ve been very curious about the rest of the plane.”
“Just remember, Xia.Master R’s private suite is off-limits.Even to inflight staff.”
“Noted, Sir.”
