She shuddered at the thought. “But why do you care?”
The muscles in his neck tightened. “Because despite what you may think, I’m not heartless, Brynn. You’ve been through a lot. I don’t want to see you or your sister go through any more tragedy.”
At least that much was true.
She glanced up at him, and for a moment, the mask dropped, revealing the stark fear beneath it. The worry in her big green eyes stirred up a fierce protectiveness deep within him. He had the urge to reach out and pull her in for an embrace.
He peeked over his shoulder and dipped his head next to her ear just in case anyone was listening. “It’s going to be okay, sugar. I was going to wait to tell you until we got to our room, but I’ve already confirmed that Kelsey is here.”Author: Roni Loren
Her eyes widened, hope filling them. “You’ve seen her?”
“No, but I flirted with the girl at the front desk earlier. I got her to leave her post for a second and was able to peek at the employee schedules. There’s a Kiki listed in the sub training slot.”
“Oh, thank God.” The relief was visible in every inch of her stance.
“Yeah, the only problem is anyone in training is on lockdown with their master—no outside contact unless the master allows it. So it’s not like we can go make a social call at whatever cabin or room she’s staying in. We’re going to have to wait for her master to bring her out.”
She frowned. “What if he doesn’t let her out for the whole time she’s here?”
“I’d be surprised if that were the case. If he’s training her to work here, he’s going to want to expose her to as much as possible—public displays, special equipment, et cetera. I think we’re just going to have to keep our eyes peeled, try to blend in, and participate in as many of the group functions here as possible.”
She nodded, some unreadable expression crossing her face. “Right. Participate.”
He shook his head. “Wow, is being here with me really that horrible? You didn’t have to pick me, you know.”
She turned and started walking again. “Not everything is about you, Reid. Let’s just leave it at—I appreciate your help, alright?”
Biting back a sigh, he caught up to her and swung open the exit door, and the damp night air washed over them.
She shivered and crossed her arms over her barely concealed breasts. “Which way are we going?”
“I rented one of the private cabins. It’s just a few yards down that path.” He glanced down at her and watched goose bumps rise on her exposed skin. He let the door click shut behind them and hooked the leash to his belt. “Hold on.”
With quick fingers, he unbuttoned his blue dress shirt and shrugged out of it, leaving him in just his gray slacks. Brynn’s eyes darted to his bare chest. “What are you doing?”
He smirked. “I thought we’d have a quick fuck right here against the wall. Break the ice.”
She gave him a you-must-be-on-crack look.
He shook his head, glad to be back in comfortable territory. Exchanging barbs with her kept them both safe. Kept him from examining the little whispers of old feelings she’d stirred with that kiss. He handed her the shirt. “Here. I wouldn’t be a very good master if I let my woman freeze to death before reaching the room.”
She grabbed the shirt and wrapped it around herself, the bottom reaching her mid-thigh. “Thanks. I’m not sure what they did with my clothes.”
“Don’t worry, they have a closet full in our cabin.” He turned his attention to her bare feet, then to the slate stone path leading to the cabins. “Are you going to be okay barefoot? You can hop on my back… or my front, if you’d like.”
“I think I’ll manage,” she said, her voice as cool as the air around them.
He laughed, grabbing her elbow and leading her forward. “You’re no fun at all anymore. What’s the deal with you, LeBreck?”
She stiffened next to him, but didn’t say another word until they reached the porch of their little wooden cabin. A white envelope labeled “Jamison companion” was clipped to the front door. She grabbed the letter and held it up. “What’s this?”
“Probably your waiver. You have to sign it saying you’re okay with being in unmonitored zones.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Unmonitored?”
He pulled a key out of his pocket and stepped past her to open the door. “I paid extra to get a room without security cameras. Most clubs would never allow it because it’s too risky for the sub, but they’re all about catering to privacy here. So there are private cabins and unmonitored zones. No senator or CEO is going to come here and allow some lackey to have video evidence of his carnal indiscretions.”
“Jace told me to avoid those areas—that it wasn’t safe.”