Cherise Sinclair - Dark Citadel

His gaze turned to Kari. “Here at the Shadowlands, use the term 'Master' for those in authority over you: me, the DMs, and possibly, your Dom. When in doubt, address any Dom as Sir or Ma'am.”

“I understand. Thank you,” she said without thinking and winced at Buck's glare.

Dan Sawyer half listened to Master Z while he sized up the two people who would be in his charge. The bland-faced man with pale blond hair and blue eyes. About five-eleven and a lanky one-seventy in a black suit. He had a narrow mouth with more frown lines than laugh lines and checked his date frequently as if afraid she'd disappear.

The woman wasn't beautiful, but compellingly pretty. Midtwenties. Wide blue eyes and hair the rich brown color of Guinness. A soft pink mouth bracketed by faint lines, showing she knew how to laugh and did it often. She was little, about five-four, and definitely not slender. Her long dress couldn't conceal her very lush curves despite being buttoned right up to the top.

Interesting choice of attire for the club. Was she modest? Probably. He studied the way she'd pulled her hair into a tight French braid. Modest and conservative. Huh.

He rubbed his chin and studied her further. Had she wanted to be in a BDSM club, or had her date dragged her? Maybe he had, considering the way she was rubbing her arm.

Shaking his head, Dan leaned back in his chair. Looked like this couple would bear watching.

She'd be a pleasure to watch. To see tremble. To see helpless need in those big eyes. To see… He set his imagination aside. Wherever those thoughts had come from, they were out of place. He was a teacher tonight.

A roar of laughter from the corner caught his attention, and he glanced at the other DMs for beginners' nights. All had been Dominants for years, all trustworthy men and women. Some with their own submissives, some, like Dan, without. A few were looking for a new sub to train. Dan wasn't.

There were plenty of subs begging for his use, and he frequently enjoyed one for an evening, but his interest in long-term commitments had died with his wife three years ago. No one could replace his Marion.

“Then you're ready to start.” Master Z's voice broke into Dan's thoughts.

Lecture was over; time to get the puppies moving. Dan rose. “Come with me. I'll show you around the club and answer questions until your class begins.”

And like puppies, they followed him across the room, obediently at first. Then Dan heard the man whispering and turned. He caught a few words: “…stay right beside…guys trying to grab themselves a woman…saw how he looked at you. You belong to me…I'm in charge.”

“Uh-huh.” The woman rolled her eyes and tried to move away.

Buck grabbed her arm hard enough that she winced. His voice rose. “Are you listening to me?”

Having once been married, Dan could have told him those were fighting words.

And yes, Kari's face turned pink with anger. She yanked her arm away and stepped back. “Yes, I'm listening, and I don't like what I hear. I'm going home.”

Buck's face darkened. “Don't be childish. You knew this was going to—”

She spun on her heel, headed for the door.

He grabbed her wrist. “Look, honey, I'm sorry. Maybe I—”

“Let me go!” She tried to pry his hand off and failed.

Oh, hell, Dan thought. The guy apparently didn't understand the basic fuck off! she'd put so politely.

“Let her go.” Dan set his hand on the wannabe Dom's shoulder, tightening his fingers until the man flinched and released her.

“If she doesn't want to continue, you can't force her,” Dan said. He glanced at the girl. “Kari, do you want to leave?”

“Yes. I do,” she said. From the pissed-off look in her big blue eyes, she'd crossed the dude off her date list. Smart move, sweetie . Did she have a ride home? “Did you come together or—”

“Separately,” she said.

“Then I'll walk you to your car.” And prevent any altercations in the parking lot. “Buck, if you want to continue, go on in.”

The man stood there for a minute, then scowled at his date. “Fine. I'm going to take the class, since I already put out the money. I'll call you later, and we'll talk. I would have taken good care of you. You're not being reasonable at all.” Straightening his suit coat, he headed for the door to the main club room.

“Well, then.” Dan looked down at his charge. She was rubbing her arm again. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”

Startled, she looked up and he caught his breath at the hint of pain in her eyes, at the vulnerability. The need . His body responded as if she'd been stripped and tied to his bed. Damn .

“Um. Yes, thank you very much. I'm sorry about this,” she said, her voice was melodic, a little husky. And so very polite. What would it take to break through the politeness to the woman beneath?

“No problem.” He nodded toward the front door.

But as they passed the sitting area, Z lifted a hand, stopping them. “Kari, sit down, please.”

She took a seat and folded her hands in her lap, all prim and proper except for the pink toes peeking out from under her dress.

“I see you and your date have parted ways,” Z said. “But you obviously had an interest in this lifestyle or you would not be here. Am I correct?”

Her eyes dropped, and she nodded slightly.

“Excellent.” Master Z continued, “Since that is the case, Master Dan, could you secure her a drink and see if she would like to continue tonight's class with you?”

The woman's head jerked up. “Continue? But…”

Z's glance at Dan was filled with amusement before he said, “Indeed, continue. Master Dan has far more experience and is far more gentle than your…other choice.” Z's voice lowered, commanded, “Look at him now.”

Instant compliance. Submissive. Innocent. Temptingly lovely . Before he could stop himself, Dan held his hand out. “We'll go discuss it, Kari. Come.”

Again, that appealing obedience.

As he curled his fingers around the cold little hand, he could only think about the next time he would order her to come. With his fingers inside her and his mouth on her clit, yes, she would most surely come.

Oh God, what was she doing?

The man's grasp enfolded her hand. Master Dan . She didn't even know his last name.

They crossed the room, heading toward a heavy wooden door. She halted abruptly.

“Kari?”

She looked up. Good grief, he was even bigger than Buck. Somewhere over six feet, but when you're short, anything over six feet was hard to judge. His shoulders were beyond broad. Like the other men in the room, his gold-trimmed black leather vest had nothing under it. Well, nothing except muscles and more muscles and a sprinkling of black chest hair.

His biceps bulged, and his forearms appeared almost as thick. The leathers he wore for pants were—wow, really tight.

When her gaze managed to move back up to his face, he smiled, laugh lines crinkling around his eyes. Her face heated, and she knew her pale skin reddened.

“You're allowed to look, sweetheart,” he murmured, running a finger down her hot cheek. “I enjoy having your eyes on me.”

His eyes were a dark, dark brown, his face tanned and hard looking until he smiled. But when he didn't… She remembered the hard look on his face when he had grabbed Buck. She bit her lip. Go home, she told herself. Now.

He started to push the door open.

“No. Wait, please.” She held up her hand. “If it wouldn't inconvenience you, might I take a minute to think?”

“Take all the time you need.” Crossing his arms, he leaned one shoulder against the wall, amusement in his eyes.