“Say it, shooter,” he whispered.
“I…” A hot flush was wending its way up my neck.
When do I ever get ruffled?
“Say it, Freya, say you’re my submissive. I know you can. You’re a strong, authentic female and it’s what makes you so appealing to me as your Master.”
“You can’t be my Master. Not out there, in the field.”
“I know that, you’re in charge. But in The Dungeon, wearing my collar, that’s when you hand yourself over to me. Now all you’ve got to do is say it when we’re not in that environment. Say you’re my submissive, Freya, while we’re standing here.”
I stopped walking and turned to him. “And that’s so important to you?”
“You’reimportant to me.”
Jonathan Maine was a man any woman would want to be important to. He was not only tall, dark and handsome, he was one hell of a SWAT officer, a deadly shot, and one of the most honest and loyal people I knew. To say his moral compass was set on a perfect course summed him up.
“Say it,” he said, a challenging glint in his eye.
I glanced at Ricardo. He’d paused and was watching our exchange with interest.
“I’m your submissive,” I whispered, enjoying the look of triumph in Jonathan’s eyes. He was pleased with my words and in turn that pleased me. “But only when I say so,” I added.
Suddenly he wrapped his arms around me. He gripped my ass and dragged me close. I was aware of his cock beneath his sweats pressing on my belly and his hard muscles tensing.
“You just earned yourself a flogging the next time we go to the club,” he said against my lips.
“For telling the truth? Hardly seems fair.”
“No.” He grinned, then with his lips still curved in a smile, he kissed me. “Not for telling the truth, for the defiant tone of your voice.”
A snake of sensation ran over my ass. Jonathan knew how to deliver sensual pain. He’d turned my butt red on a few occasions with his palms. But a flogging? That was a new suggestion.
“Come on,” he said, suddenly releasing me. “I bet our new team members, Sean and Balko, are already in there, keen to prove themselves to the female officer they’ve found themselves reporting to.”
I steeled myself, clenching my fists and blowing out a breath that felt full of Jonathan’s scent and taste and touch.
Ricardo winked at me, then headed into the gym.
I followed, Jonathan behind me, and paused.
There were two men in the boxing ring sparring without gloves and wearing only gym shorts. Neither of them I recognised, which could only mean one thing.
They were Sean Mendez and Balko Schichof. Our new colleagues.
“Hey,” Ricardo called, holding up his hand. “You the rookies?”
The taller of the two, with pale skin, a tattoo of an eagle on his right pec and super-short brown hair turned with a grin. “Yes. That’s us. I am Balko Schichof.”
I detected a slight accent in those few words.
“Good to meet you.” Ricardo strode up to the ring and hung over the red ropes. The two men shook.
“This is Sean Mendez.” Balko said. “We’ve worked together for five years.”
“Hey.” Sean stepped forward and held out his hand to Ricardo.
“Five years,” Ricardo said, shaking Sean’s hand. “At least it’s not all new today then.”