He reached out a hand because she seemed so alone. She took it and squeezed as though letting him know she appreciated the contact.She was such a physically affectionate woman. She needed touch and attention and praise, and in exchange she would be his entirely.
At least that’s how it felt.
“I sent it to the club’s email, and I left a copy with your father.” Ben didn’t take his eyes off Kenzie. “I also booked a privacy room. I talked to one of the monitors and he explained everything would be laid out for us.”
“Then I wish you the best of nights.” Oliver stared toward the locker room as the door came open and Kala strode out, followed by Lou. “You should probably run because trouble is on the way.”
He realized TJ and Cooper had been whispering, and they moved in now.
“I think we should go to the lounge and talk this through,” Cooper announced. “There seems to have been some miscommunication, and I want to nip that in the bud.”
“Kenz, why don’t I get you a robe and a glass of wine and we can sit down and talk about what’s going on,” TJ offered.
“Kenzie, don’t be ridiculous. You’re not going to say that shit to me and then walk away and play with this asshole,” Kala said, folding her arms over her chest and staring at him like she could intimidate him into backing down.
Lou hovered in the background, waiting like she wasn’t sure she should change because Kala had decided they would spend their night in a different way.
Like they were in charge of Kenzie. She was his. He’d signed the contract. It was time he let them know who was in charge of Kenzie Taggart now.
“Ben, come on. We’ll let you sit in,” Cooper suggested.
“Or he can go do whatever he does,” Kala returned. Her tone softened slightly. “Kenz, come on. We need to talk. I’ll buy you a drink, but please put on some clothes.”
And she was back to stiff.
“Mistress Kala, do you intend to enter my dungeon floor in street clothes?” Oliver asked in a surprisingly intimidating voice. “Because right now Kenzie is in full compliance with The Garden’s rules, but you are not.”
“Oliver, I’m trying to talk to my sister not top a sub,” Kala replied through clenched teeth. “This is a family thing.”
If he let them, they would take her away and shove him out and she would always be the fifth wheel in their happy family.
“And this is a Dom thing.” Ben leaned over and scooped Kenzie up. “When she wants to talk to you, she’ll talk to you. Until then, she’s mine. Don’t interrupt us.”
“I told you this was a bad idea.” A pretty young woman stood behind Lou. He thought she’d been introduced briefly. Vivian.
“Hey, I wasn’t done,” Kala began as Ben turned away.
“You are unless you want me to cancel your rights here,” Oliver announced. “He has a contract with her. She has not indicated she wants to void that contract, so I assure you, Mistress Kala, that if you don’t back off, we’re going to have a problem, and we will not need to call in the parents to settle it. I’ll have you hauled right out of here and you can spend the rest of your time in London in your flat.”
“Oliver.” He hadn’t met the other young woman. She looked like she could be related to Kenzie. She had darker hair, but it was there in the set of her chin and those gorgeous eyes.
Oliver held out a hand. “No, Sophy. It’s the first time I’ve seen Kenz select what I feel is a proper top for her, and I won’t fuck that up.”
Someone said something else, but it didn’t matter. Ben walked toward the privacy rooms.
It was time to be the Dom she needed.
* * * *
Kenzie sank to her knees when Ben set her on the floor.
Head down, hands on her thighs, eyes on the floor as her hair flowed around her giving her a little space from the world. This was a position she knew well and felt comfortable in.
What had she been thinking? She took the moment to breathe. Had she really done that? Walked out naked? She knew everyone in the world thought she was some kind of confident boss babe, but she’d been running on pure adrenaline. She knew Ben could be a jealous ass. It was kind of hot. It wasn’t modern of her, but she accepted the fact that watching Ben sort of manhandle Oliver because he dared to flirt with her did something for her. But it also pointed out that Ben had some work to do being comfortable in his role, and walking out nakedmight have sparked something other than desire.
So why was she poking his soft spots so early on?
Because her ground suddenly felt shaky beneath her feet.
