His attempted diversion got a chorus of “what do you need done?” but didn’t stop any of the interested and speculative glances.
The sound of Natalia’s soft giggles had set up an ache in Olivia’s chest and brought back way too many memories.
The first time they met, the subbie had been suffering from subdrop because a Domme had abandoned her after an intense scene. Bad form. Unless a submissive didn’t need help after a scene or other arrangements were made, a Top was responsible for aftercare.
But Olivia had quite enjoyed providing the shaken submissive with the cuddles and soothing the other Domme had neglected.
She’d left it at that, though. Until the club’s cops-and-robbers theme night where Olivia had been dressed as an English bobby, and shy Natalia had stolen a bag of gold coins off her belt. The little subbie had fled, giggling so hard it was a wonder she could run.
Who could resist those giggles?
That had been the beginning.
Olivia ran her fingers through her short hair and sighed. Every year it grew more difficult to be around her fellow Masters and Mistresses. So many of them had found wonderful, satisfying relationships and were making families.
She’d thought she had something with Natalia, but, wrong once again. The proof had been unmistakable—her beloved submissive had cheated on her.
Bloody hell, why? Olivia had never been unfaithful in her whole life. Why couldn’t she expect the same?
Her throat closed, hurting. Couldn’t her lovers at least break up with her first before jumping into bed with other women?
She swallowed against the lump and turned her gaze to Ghost and the blonde he’d kissed. The expression on the woman’s face was charming, really.
Olivia studied the woman with a Mistress’s eye. A year ago—before Natalia—she’d have been interested in Valerie herself. The submissive was comfortable with everyone from Sophia to Master Sam. Intelligent. Soft-spoken with an incredibly sexy voice. She had a lovely self-confidence…right up until Ghost spoke to her.
How could a Dominant resist such endearing insecurity? The Colonel certainly couldn’t.
Because Dominants wanted to help.
Olivia had with Natalia, who wasn’t worried about being attractive but was simply timid when it came to strangers. They’d been working on her confidence. She wasn’t shy with friends—or eventually with Olivia.
Nats always woke up first, and when Olivia would grumble and start to move, the little subbie would pounce on her like a puppy.
Mornings were a lot colder these days.
Ah, well. Olivia felt a bittersweet longing as she watched Ghost and Valerie in the beginning of a D/s dance. They looked good together, and even if her heart ached, Olivia hoped his woman would be more loyal than hers had been.
Because when love went away, pain was all that was left.
The evening had arrived, and people were heading home.
After seeing Max, Alastair, and the irrepressible Zuri off, Ghost walked through his new quarters. The enthusiastic volunteers had accomplished an amazing amount of work, and the rooms had become homelike. Furniture was in place, paintings hung on the walls, his TV and stereo system were set up.
Blackmore’s Night drifted through the room, adding a Celtic feel.
His bed was assembled and even made. Towels hung neatly on the bathroom racks.
“More livable now, isn’t it?” Sam flattened a final box and called to Linda, “Time to head out, missy. There’s stock to feed.”
Valerie beside her, Linda emerged from the kitchen and smiled at Ghost. “Everything is put away in here, but it’ll probably take you a few days to orient yourself.”
“Bless you both. I am clueless when it comes to kitchens.” He shook his head. “My wife always unpacked that room after the one time I tried, and she ended up rearranging everything.”
Linda motioned toward Valerie. “She directed. I followed orders.”
Blue eyes alight, Valerie laughed. “It was fun. I had kitchen unpacking down to a science before I reached my teens. I even created my own protocol with rules like: pots and pans live by the stove.”
Created, hmm? He eyed her. “Your mother didn’t teach you?”
Her expression darkened, then the cloud blew away, and she shrugged. “No, she had work. Since it usually took several days to hire a housekeeper, unpacking was my job.”
As a child?
She’d learned to cook from the housekeepers…who’d also treated her illnesses. Had her parents been involved in her life at all? “Your experience is to my benefit. Thank you.”
After seeing Linda and Sam out the door, Ghost stopped Valerie from following by curling his hand around her arm. “If you have