The idea that anyone might need rescuing—good screams or not—had Emily retreating several steps. “Nope. Not going in there.”
“It’s just a name.”
Emily peered into the shadows and shivered. They could call it Cinderella’s Sparkling Grotto for all she cared. This was a hard no for her. It reminded her too much of a haunted corn maze she’d stumbled through at fifteen, complete with chainsaws and masked idiots jumping out of the dark. It had freaked her out then, and she wasn’t about to relive it at twenty-six.
“Is there a reason you two are lurking where you shouldn’t be?”
They whirled toward the rumbling voice. A massive silhouette stepped into a shaft of moonlight. Emily had to crane her neck to see his face and instantly wished she hadn’t. Everything about him was imposing—the scowl, the shaved head, tattooed biceps, and the carved-from-stone forearms under a sleeveless black muscle shirt.
“Master Leland!” her tour guide breathed, the excitement in her voice unmistakable.
“Julia.” His tone dipped becoming stern. “You know the rules. No subs wandering the maze without an escort.” Even in the dim moonlight, Emily saw his eyes glide slowly over her friend—from corkscrew curls to bubblegum-pink toes, lingering in between. His dark gaze shifted to Emily. “Unless this is your mistress…”
“What? No,” Julia replied, just short of giggling. “She’s a sub, and my guest. I was giving her a tour, but I wouldn’t dare take her into the labyrinth. I know better.”
Emily caught the tremor in her voice, definitely not from fear. The dreamy-eyed, flushed look on her face said it all. This was the dom she’d hoped to run into.
“Is it just the two of you? No tops tonight?”
“No, sir,” Julia answered, softening even more.
“Two beautiful submissives with no one to play with?” He clucked his tongue. “Unacceptable.” Leland held out his hand, which Julia took instantly. “You enjoyed our time on the swings, didn’t you, little subbie?”
“Very much, sir.”
“Then you’re with me for the rest of the night.” He slapped a mosquito on his neck. “Inside, though. I’ve had enough bugs and humidity for one shift.”
As he drew her against his side, Julia looked at her, torn. “I shouldn’t leave you alone.”
“Go,” Emily urged. “I’ll be fine.” Dom-blocking her when she’d been so eager for a sequel seemed like a crime against friendship.
Master Leland smiled, and it transformed him. The harsh lines softened, revealing an unexpectedly handsome face and sensual lips.
“That’s easily fixed,” he said, tucking Julia under his brawny arm. “Wait here,” he told Emily. An order if she’d ever heard one. “I’ll send someone to finish showing you around.”
Subject closed to his satisfaction, they disappeared into the shadows.
Alone now, the night noises closed in—frogs croaked, crickets chirped, birds squawked. A rustle in the bushes had her spinning. Nothing there,but the dark mouth of the labyrinth loomed behind her as though it might consume her whole.
She had an abrupt change of heart. She didn’t want to wait in the dark by herself or be paired with a dom she didn’t know—though that was kind of the point of the evening. Going home and letting Julia enjoy her evening seemed the best option.
Except her friend was her ride.
“Darn it,” she uttered. A cab or an Uber from Deerfield Beach to North Miami wasn’t in her budget. So she’d wait, not that she had much choice.
The last time she was here, the patio pulsed with music, laughter, and the hum of conversation. Tonight, it had a jungle vibe, a shout or a wail echoing through the night air every so often.
Emily glimpsed a shadow of movement. Then a bird exploded out of the tunnel—squawking, wings flailing wildly. Shrieking, she ducked as she bolted toward the patio lights, “wait here” orders be damned.
What could he do to her? She was a guest. And she had the lung capacity to screamredloud enough to reach Key Largo if he tried anything.
Suddenly, a shadow crossed her path. She screamed, arms, elbows, even a fist flying as
strong hands clamped around her upper arms.
“Emily? What the hell?”
She froze. That honey-smooth voice could only belong to one man. She gulped in a breath, trying to calm her runaway heart. “Alec?”
