Page 156 of Masters of Control

“Murdoch,” she said. They’d find out soon enough.

“Ah, good choice.” She blinked in surprise, but he was already getting to his feet. “Well, if that’s everything, I have actual work to do today. I don’t need to be here while Junior has a tantrum about his crush finding a real boyfriend.”

Now it was Camille’s turn for a jaw drop, and she wasn’t the only one. Junior turned bright red and started yelling at his uncle, who ignored him as he made his way out of the room. Deciding no one was going to stop her, Camille followed him, leaving Junior shouting in the room behind her.

A crush? Ew. Ew. Ew.

She didn’t bother to try to catch up with Steve, not wanting to know if he’d said it to be a jerk or because he truly believed it. If he truly believed it, she was going to be really grossed out.

She would probably laugh about this later—once she stopped being mortified.

Freddy

Camille: Wow, do I have a story to tell you later. But my resignation is officially turned in.

Freddy: Wait, you’re just going to tease me like that?

Camille: Yup.

Freddy: Rude.

Camille: It’s too much to type out. And watch your tone.

Freddy: Rude, ma’am.

The laughing emoji she sent back reassured him his text was received in the manner it had been intended.

Camille: Dinner tonight so I can tell you all about it?

Freddy: It’s a date.

Grinning, he put his phone down on his desk. They still hadn’t talked about Valentine’s Day and if they were doing anything, but he took that she wanted to spend another meal with him as a good sign. They’d spent almost the entire weekend together, though he had slept in his own bed last night.

He’d bring up Valentine’s Day tonight and see if she wanted to do anything. Maybe he should get a card asking if she wanted to be his Valentine. That would be cute, right?

Humming happily under his breath, he got to work, staying focused until it was time for him to meet Morgan for lunch. The weather was cold, but not too terrible, so he decided to walk to the restaurant. He was walking up to the entrance when a car pulled up and Morgan got out of the back, waving at the driver. She brightened when she saw him.

“Hey!”

“Hey, let’s get you inside where it’s warm,” he said, frowning at her attire. She was dressed in jeans and a sweater but no coat.

“Oh, I’m fine, I knew I was just going from the car to the restaurant.” She let him hustle her inside despite her reassurance, and they nearly ran into the backs of three women who were standing in front of the host desk. Three very familiar women.

Mistress Julie and Mistress Camille turned around to see who had just come in behind them in such a rush, but Mistress Olivia was talking to the host. Freddy’s heart rate kicked up in surprised delight, his gaze meeting Camille’s.

“Well, hello there,” Camille said, eyes brightening with happiness when she saw him. “What are you two doing here?”

“Getting lunch,” Morgan replied, smiling at the other three women. She was standing straight and at attention from the moment the three Dominants had noticed her. She wasn’t being bratty, just answering the question literally as she often did.

“Is it a special meeting, or would you like to join us?” Olivia asked, looking over her shoulder at them. There was no demand in her voice or anything to push either way. Morgan looked at Freddy. He tilted his head questioningly at her. Her tiny nod and bright eyes were enough for him to answer.

“We’d love to join you,” he said. He hadn’t noticed any hesitation in Morgan. If anything, she looked excited to be having lunch with the Dommes. Hopefully, she didn’t say anything insulting during lunch, even though they’d understand. She’d come a long way from when she’d first come to Stronghold, when she’d had some very odd ideas about Dominants and submissives—especially about Dommes—including what they should ‘look’ like. None of which was her fault, but it had definitely made for some awkwardness.

It didn’t take them long to be shown to a table. Freddy sat with Morgan on one side and Camille on the other. Morgan was practically bouncing in her seat, looking pleased as punch. He might need to encourage the Dommes to spend more time with her. She tended to gravitate towards spending time with men, but obviously, she found something exciting about being around several female Dominants.

Besides, seeing how powerful, confident women acted could only be good for her.

Once they’d ordered their food, Camille told the story of turning in her resignation. Freddy hadn’t wanted to ask in case she didn’t want to share in front of everyone, but he was thrilled he didn’t have to wait until dinner tonight. Though, he was also incensed on her behalf.