“Thank you for coming, Jeanine. I know you’re traveling tomorrow, so I appreciate you being heretonight.”
She laughed and rolled her eyes atme.
“Honestly, Russell. Do you think I’d miss out on an opportunity to check out your new apprentice?” I led the way toward Ryan and once we were in the kitchen, I stood a few feet away from Ryan and waited for Leonard to stoptalking.
“Pardon my interruption, but I’m going to steal Ryan for amoment.”
Leonard made eye contact with me, nodded and then told Ryan he’d catch up with himlater.
“Ryan, this is my good friend Jeanine. She’s a Domme—a heavy handed one at that,” I joked lightly. “Jeanine, this is my friend and apprentice,Ryan.”
Ryan smiled brightly, nodded once and extended his hand. Jeanine, I could tell, was captivated byhim.
“Pleasure meeting you, Jeanine,” Ryansaid.
“The pleasure is all mine, Ryan. I’ve been hearing great things about you fromRussell.”
Ryan’s cheeks turned a shade of pink and I caught his hand gravitating toward his stomach. Easy Jeanine. Don’t scare my boy—apprentice.Relaxhim.
“Ryan, would you mind pouring a ginger ale for Jeanine? Noice.”
“Yes, ofcourse.”
Ryan was eager to carry out the task and Jeanine gave me a look that was nothing short of insinuating what Daniel had. Daniel joinedus.
“Good evening, Jeanine. Did you meet Ryan?” Daniel asked her and reached for some baby carrots from aplatter.
“Yes, indeed Ihave.”
They were both giving me the samelook.
“Jeanine, you should eat something,” I jokingly suggested and Ryan appeared with the gingerale.
“Thank you, Ryan,” Jeanine said and glanced at the foodtrays.
“I recommend the cookies,” Ryan offered up his opinion as he reached for acookie.
“Cookies, Russell?” Jeanine politely askedme.
“Ryan likes them,” I admitted and then winked atRyan.
“You must be the lucky charm, Ryan. Russell doesn’t serve cookies usually at his parties,” Danieladded.
“No?” Ryan looked at the cookietray.
Yes, I got them especially foryou.
My hand itched to touch him and relax him. He had been under a lot of eyes for a while now. I grasped Ryan’s shoulder and stood tall while looking at him. I felt him relax under my hand and knew that Daniel and Jeanine had spotted that as well. I smiled at them and prayed they wouldn’t draw attention toit.
“If you will excuse us, but we’re going to wander,” I said as I gave Ryan a firm pat on his shoulders and nudged himforward.
It had been the first time in close to an hour that I had had some semi-private time with Ryan. We had mingled with a handful of people here and there, and I was slowly taking him in the direction of the play room. As we chatted with another Service Top, out of the corner of my eye I noticed that Daniel had tried to grab my attention. I excused myself and left Ryan with my friend to joinDaniel.
“I want to negotiate a session with Leonard and thought it might be something for your apprentice to witness,” Danieloffered.
“Wonderfulidea.”
I collected Ryan and we followed Daniel toward Leonard. During our walk, I had filled Ryan in about observing the negotiation. Leonard saw us approaching and stood with a smile on hisface.
