remained standing, facing the bar, too edgy to sit.
Dakota’s lips tilted at the corners, as close to a smile as he usually revealed. “That schoolteacher still getting under your skin a whole week later?”
“No, yes. Fuck. Shut up, both of you.”
“No problem.” Clayton stood and slapped him on the back. “I’d rather go play anyway.”
“How about you?” Shawn asked Dakota. “We don’t have to baby newbies tonight, so you’re free, too.” Dressed in his usual black, with his Stetson lowered and a forbidding set to his jaw, it was always a mystery to Shawn how Dakota could draw so much interest from women. But there was no denying he did, as several pairs of eyes were already aimed his way from submissive members sitting around the tables or on the sofas.
“I’m in no hurry.”
Shawn chuckled. “You never are.”
Shrugging his massive shoulders, Dakota turned toward the room, straightening as he appeared to spot someone who interested him. Shawn didn’t think anything of it until his friend’s slow drawl and next words held a wealth of meaning.
“You might want to get your shit together, fast.”
Spinning around, his gaze zeroed in on Lisa walking toward him, her dainty breasts cupped by a neon-green half bra that revealed a peek of pink nipple. Matching shorts molded to her slim hips and emphasized her bare, slender legs. Even from a distance, there was no mistaking the need in her vivid eyes and etched on her pale face when she spotted him or the hint of uneasiness pinching her mouth.
She ought to worry about whatever game she had been playing with him since arriving in Mountain Bend. He did not like to lose.
“He’s got it bad.”
Shawn ignored Ben’s comment to Dakota as he walked away from them to meet Lisa halfway. He did have it bad for her, but in what way, he still needed to figure out. It pissed him off she’d kept their prior association to herself these past two weeks, but he would remain open to hearing her explanation. Atkins’ attempted molestation had to have been more traumatic for a young girl than the hits he’d subjected him, Clayton, and Dakota to suffer.
That didn’t mean he wouldn’t exact some form of retribution if she continued to deceive him though. Remembering what he’d walked in on that night, he would need to tread carefully so as not to trigger a painful memory without warning.
Fuck, why couldn’t his first real interest in a woman be easy?
Lisa’s eyes had widened when she’d seen him, the convulsive working of her slender throat to swallow another telltale sign of nerves. Shawn’s pulse kicked up a notch as he considered those nerves, speculating whether they stemmed from a sub’s natural reaction to putting herself in the hands of a Dom or from keeping a secret.
Without giving her time to think further, he held his hand out as soon as he reached her. “You’re right on time. I like that, Lisa. Come sit with me.”
“Okay.”
She accepted his hand, her palm sweaty against his, her fingers trembling in his grip. Both jumpy signals were at odds with the glint of determination in her gaze and rigid set to her soft lips. He wasn’t the only one sorting through questions about their association.
Spotting an empty table near the bar, he led her over and pulled her onto his lap as he took a seat. He flashed a wry grin at her look of consternation, releasing her hand to press against her hip as he moved his free hand to dip a finger under the edge of her bra and scoop out her nipple, baring it the rest of the way.
“Haven’t any of your previous Doms placed you on their lap?”
She shook her head, sending her blonde hair flying around her shoulders. “No. We always…I mean, I’m not much for socializing at these places.”
Her nipple hardened under his circling finger, her eyes dilating with arousal as she squirmed on his thigh. “Sit still. We’re not going to jump into a scene tonight. It’s time I got to know more about you.” She stiffened, and he pinched the tender bud. “Is that a problem?”
“It depends on what you want to know.”
“Ah, honesty. Another point in your favor. Tell me, have you ever been dishonest with a Dom?” Keeping his eyes on her face, he continued to torment her nipple.
She bit her lip and struggled to swallow again even as she gave him a negative headshake. “No, I’ve only scened with three Masters before you,