“So, who’s lucky number three on tonight’s parade of potential Mrs.Olivers?”Xia asked, not even trying to hide the sarcasm dripping from her words.
“Sub Amy.”Rex nodded toward a statuesque woman with red hair who practically radiated with ‘dominate me, whip me, and fuck me to kingdom come’ energy from across the room.
Xia’s stomach did an uncomfortable flip as she watched the woman throw her head back in laughter.The sound carried across the room like wind chimes in a summer breeze.
Perfect.Even her laugh was sexy.
“Ah, yes, the one whose curves are practically sending out engraved invitations for a spanking.”Xia crossed her arms.“Though I have to point out, her posture suggests she’s had professional dance training.”
Rex raised an eyebrow.“And that’s a problem because...?”
“Because dancers are notoriously controlling about their bodies.They spend years perfecting every movement.Makes them terrible at truly letting go in a scene.They’re always,” Xia demonstrated by striking an exaggerated pose, “thinking about how they look rather than how they feel.”
“Interesting theory.Though I’ve known quite a few dancers who—”
“Plus,” Xia interrupted, warming to her subject, “she’s wearing Jimmy Choos with that outfit.Nobody with any sense wears five-hundred-dollar shoes to a play party.That’s not a sub who’s ready to get down and dirty; that’s a sub who’s auditioning for ‘Real Housewives of BDSM’.”
Rex’s lips twitched.“You got all that from her shoes?”
“I’m thorough in my evaluations.It’s what you pay me for, isn’t it?”
“Speaking of evaluations...”Rex straightened, a broad smile spreading across his face.Xia’s internal warning systems flashed red.“I’ve taken all your initial assessments to heart, Angel, but now it’s time for the real test.Seeing how each sub reacts during a scene.”
Xia’s throat suddenly felt dry.“And you require me to watch and evaluate that, as per usual.”
“Of course.How else will you determine if they deserve the golden ticket to my private suite?”His eyes sparkled with mischief.“Consider yourself theWillie Wonkaof BDSM—except instead of chocolate, you’re quality testing submission.”
“Wonderful,” Xia muttered under her breath as she followed him.“Just what I always wanted to be when I grew up.”
Here she’d thought to cull the list during pre-evaluation.Turns out, that was just the appetizer, and she had no choice but to see it through.The universe had a twisted sense of humor sometimes.
“Are you open to some play in the dungeon with me, Little Dottie?”Rex asked in dulcet tones as he stroked the pretty woman’s hair.
Xia spotted the calculating gleam in Little Dottie’s eyes as she leaned into his touch.So much for the timid submissive act.Time for Plan B—or was she on Plan M by now?She’d lost count.
“So, about impact play,” Xia jumped in before Rex could continue his smooth introduction.“You’re comfortable with single-tail whips, right?Heavy wooden paddles?Oh, and barbed floggers since those are Master R’s specialty.”
Little Dottie’s eyes widened like a startled deer in headlights.“I...um...”
“Angel...”Rex’s voice carried a warning edge.“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Just being helpful,” Xia chirped with manufactured innocence.“Saving time.You know, efficiency expert and all that.So, Dottie, what’s your threshold for bruising?And how do you feel about a little blood play?”
“I...I thought that wasn’t allowed in this club,” she stuttered.Her earlier confidence crumbled.“I actually don’t...I mean, I can’t...No impact tools at all.It’s a hard limit.”Which was exactly why Xia had added her to the list, knowing it was one of Rex’s must-have items for Mrs.Perfect.
“There you have it, Master R.”Xia’s triumph blazed like a supernova.“You do with that what you wish.”
Rex’s glacial stare promised retribution, but she chose to ignore it.
“I apologize, Little Dottie, but if impact play is a hard limit, we’re somewhat of a mismatch,” he explained with gentle consideration, but his iron grip on Xia’s arm told a different story as he dragged her along with him.
The moment they reached a secluded corner, he spun her to face him.His eyes had gone from glacier to volcanic obsidian.
“You were warned, Angel.Your role as my wife whisperer doesn’t put you above club protocol.What you just did wasn’t just disrespectful to a potential play partner, it was publicly insolent and humiliating to me.”
“That wasn’t my intention.”The words tumbled out in panic.Too late, she recognized the trap she’d walked into.No, scratch that, sprinted into with bells on.
“Be that as it may, that’s exactly how everyone who witnessed that shit show will interpret it.”His voice dropped to a dangerous purr.“As did I.Therefore, you will bear the consequences.Since this means foregoing my other two potential evaluations for this flight, you’ve earned yourself additional punishment for blatant interference and annoyance.”
