won’t think I’m an idiot?”
“Darlin’, we don’t judge people. This is out of your comfort zone, I know. No one will think any differently of you if things overwhelm you on your first few nights, and the monitors are always pleased to help anyone who needs it.”
How fascinating was it to see his calm answer strip another layer of unease from her slight frame? The poor girl had so much pent-up anxiety inside her with more triggers than she might realize. Her mind must be an intricate spider’s web of traps and pitfalls twisted along the narrow path of her thoughts.
They fell into an almost companionable silence, both observing the other with quiet intensity. The longer the silence went on, the more Bodie relaxed. White-knuckled fingers returned to their normal color and her breathing slowed, deepened.
“Have you any questions?” Braun murmured, unwilling to break the easy atmosphere with a loud voice. “Anything I can reassure you about?”
She shook her head slowly, gnawing lightly on her bottom lip.
“Okay then, I think we’re done here for the moment. If you speak to Liam, he’ll show you where the music system is kept. We have a vast selection of music so feel free to rummage through and use what suits you. I’ll have the rest of your requests brought directly to you when they arrive.”
The woman sitting before him now was intrinsically different to the one who walked in behind him and threw herself into his visitor’s chair like a put-upon teenager. She really was the most enigmatic creature he’d ever come across. “Thank you. I-I’m sorry for being such a bitch. I get...snarky when I’m uncomfortable.”
Uncomfortable wasn’t the word he’d use to describe her, Braun thought, but let it slide. He wasn’t going to turn this into a confrontation when she had the guts to apologize to him without prompting. “I appreciate the apology, Boadicea. One bit of advice, darlin’? If you get nervous out there when the club’s occupied and you need to mouth off, come to Liam or me and blow off some steam. We’ll give you leeway on your temper.” Braun rubbed his chin carefully. “Do not get shitty with the clients. Should you unleash that delightful inner bitch on a Dominant...you might find your ass is forfeit to a punishment.”
She looked unbearably sad and young then. Her fingers intertwined worriedly. “I know. I saw the stipulation in the club rules.”
Promising, he decided. Very promising. For her to read and recognize the rule of disrespect and still sign the document...well, there was hope for her yet. He gentled his voice to the point it soothed the lines of tension around her eyes. “Good girl, darlin’. I’m very pleased you’ve taken notice of the rules and remembered them.”
Bodie looked startled, but as his words sank in, an attractive flush of arousal crept up her throat. On her lap, her knotted hands pressed hard into the apex of her thighs.
Hmmm, the little scared mouse became stimulated by praise.
Handy to know.
Before she could freak herself out by overthinking her reaction, Braun made the decision to leave things on a high note. He rose and rounded the desk, offering his hand and waiting for her to choose her stance. Would she remain docile or would she take a protective stand?
When she swallowed hard enough for her throat to click nervously, Braun smiled kindly. He fucking loved how her brain worked. She hesitated before slipping a slightly damp, incredibly cold set of fingers against his palm, then jolted when he wrapped his big hand completely around hers and drew her to her feet.
“That’s a clever girl,” he crooned, leading her toward the door. If he didn’t get her at least twenty feet away from him in the next thirty seconds, his immaculate self-control threatened to revolt. “You know where to find Liam?”
Bodie nodded, seemingly struck mute by the capture of her hand. Meek as a lamb, she followed him without a single sharp word or ball-busting glare.
Perfect.
With one last good girl to make her happy, Braun nudged her out of his office and shut the door behind her before he could drag her back in and plunder her mouth. He ran his hands over his face and blew out a long breath, ignoring the throb of his cock trapped in his pants.
He was a sucker for a woman with fire in her blood, with a little something about her when she wasn’t immersed in a scene. Give him character and spirit any day of