“What?”
“Dom/sub speed dating?”
“Bingo.”
“My idea?” I snort. “I recall saying something like, ‘Whatever you do, please no speed dating.’” Just the concept annoys me. When it comes to kink, I believe in taking the time and doing things right. Speediness is the literal opposite of what a scene should look like. But, as Lucas has reminded me more than once, the club’s success could very well hinge on thinking outside the box. Which is precisely why he and Harlow are in charge of events. I’m just the landlord. “Pull in any new members?”
“Quite a few.”
At least there’s that.
“You stickin’ around to play tonight? Zelda was askin’ about you.”
I say, “Nope,” but what I really mean ishell no. Zelda wants a relationship, a collar, and a Dom to call her own, and that is not me. Which Lucas very well knows. Everyone here knows it. Play, Don’t Stay is my motto.
I suppress a yawn, already planning my exit, when my gaze is drawn toward the front door as it opens. In comes a shaft of mellow light from the anteroom, then Daff, and behind her…
“Oh, hello.” Lucas’s head tilts at an interested angle. “Would you look at that.”
I am looking. I can’t stop looking. Can’t breathe, actually, for the handful of seconds it takes my mind to catch up to my eyes. The woman who’s just walked in is fascinating, though I can’t say exactly why. I’d call her cute if it weren’t for the slightly too-strong nose bisecting her face with its sharp edge. That nose takes the big eyes, round cheeks, and plush lips and makes them arresting, even beautiful. A classical painting instead of a manga cartoon. Something about the way she walks, and that body, all soft looking and round with pale, freckled skin, has me perking up for the first time in ages.
“I’ll go say hi.” Lucas’s thick brows do a little dance.
“Don’t bother.”
“Why not?”
“That woman’s not into what you dole out.”
“Oh, please. You can’t read that from here.” He breaks into a grin. “I better go find out,” he says, taking off. I’ll give it to the guy. Never wastes time.
I, on the other hand, trudge around the bar and turn my backto the room. Because yeah, the newcomer’s absolutely stunning—and I mean that literally as well as figuratively given how I lost my breath when she came in—but between this place, my other properties, and the new project I’m starting on Monday, I don’t have time for distractions.
And that woman would absolutely be a distraction.
I’d bet anything she’s a sub, though. No, I couldn’t see her name tag from that distance, but I’m getting a vibe. Sometimes you just know.
I can’t help but watch over my shoulder as Lucas reaches her side, puts his hand out for a fist bump, and chats her up, all easy smiles. She hands him a few sheets of paper—probably the standard club questionnaire. After a quick scan, he throws me a disappointed look and a subtle shrug. My breath quickens. Dammit, I was right.
Lucas, ever the ingratiating sadist, walks her to a table, pulls out a chair, and after a minute’s discussion, comes my way.
“Sunny does not, alas, wish to be treated like a filthy slut by a man twice her size. You’re in luck, though, because she does wish to be dominated.” He steps behind the bar and reaches for a glass. “This is her first kink event, and she’s nervous.” He pops a champagne bottle with a practiced flourish. “Celebratory bubbles.” The wink he gives me as he pours is equal parts friendly and lascivious. “On you.”
“I’ll pay, but I’m not walking that over there.”
“Oh?” His thick brows flick up. “You scared of a fresh, brand-spanking-new, bright-eyed little subby-sub?”
“Scared, no. Wary, yes.”
“Oooooh, that’s right. The General doesn’t do newbies.”
“They require time, attention, care…”
“Not to mention commitment. God forbid.” Humming hisdisapproval, Lucas swans back to her table, where he places the glass in front of her with exaggerated care before pointing my way.
The dick.
Rather than lead Sunny on, I turn my back to the room again and pick up my beer, surprised to find it empty.
