uncertainty as he thought about it. “Does it?”
Atticus thumped him on the back. “Gullible as fuck, Loki. You never disappoint.”
“It’s a valid question!” Loki protested.
“We’ll be dominant ‘til the end of our days,” Jasper stepped in smoothly. “I for one plan to die with my cane in hand, listening to some sweet masochist cry while her welted ass rides my cock. That, boys, is how to die happy.”
While laughter filled the room, Braun checked his watch and frowned. His brand-new subbie was cutting her time down to the last minutes. They’d agreed she would be by his side by eight p.m. and the seconds were ticking past without pause.
He glanced towards his office. If she wasn’t out when the clock hit eight, their dynamic would kick off on rocky ground. His plans for tonight didn’t involve a spanking for lateness, but they could be adjusted. He just hated to do it on their first night.
Ninety seconds.
C’mon, darlin’, you can do this.
They’d spoken before she disappeared into his office to change and she’d seemed quiet, reserved, but he considered it a point in his favor she’d actually shown up to the club. Her stage schedule was clear—he’d double-checked that. Her attention needed to be on him and only him tonight, not on whether she was supposed to be up there under the lights.
Her face reflected her thoughts when he’d explained what he would like her to do. There were some choice curse words in her eyes she’d done well not to spit at him, but the nerves he’d seen her trying to bury had held her tongue completely silent.
“Want me to go chase her down before I open the doors?” Liam asked him from the corner of his mouth. “Go give her a nudge? When she’s fearless, she’s unstoppable, but once doubts get under her skin, she can procrastinate with the champs.”
Braun just shook his head. “Leave her be. The choice has to be hers, Liam. If she walks in here of her own volition, she’ll be all the stronger for it.”
“I know. But she—”
“William,” he said a tad sharper than he meant. “Boadicea is an adult. She doesn’t need two Doms nannying over her; she has to focus on me. She’s not just your friend anymore and while she’s here, she’s a submissive who’s come to learn and enjoy herself. You’re not going to mollycoddle and confuse her.”
Liam ran his hand over his hair. “Goddamn you, Fitz.”
Back to Fitz, Braun thought. “As a Dominant, you know better than to interfere with another Dom’s submissive, Liam. I taught you better than that. Don’t make me order her to ignore you when she’s in my care.”
“Fuck.” Liam shifted on the seat. “Okay, okay. I’ll get a handle on it.”
Braun inclined his head. “Thank you.” The air crackled at his back and, slowly, he turned to look at the walkway. Tension seeped from his shoulders when he spotted Bodie hiding by the door, and he clocked her time as having ten seconds to spare.
Cutting it close, yes, but there’d be no reason to punish her.
“Gentlemen,” he murmured, silencing the conversation around him, “I’d appreciate it if you all kept civil tongues in your heads. We have an easily startled filly in our midst.”
Liam rose. “Opening time awaits.”
The conversation restarted as Liam walked away, not quite as rowdy as before, and Braun tuned back in with one ear. He expected the Masters to behave themselves, at least until Bodie got used to them and their raunchy ways.
Movement to his right dragged his gaze in that direction. Bodie rounded the pit on bare feet, heading for the three short steps set into the edge nearest the stage. Head down, eyes averted, she watched where she placed her feet as though giant cracks might open up in the ground and swallow her whole.
Bare feet branched up into smoothly shaven calves, pretty knees, and onwards to shapely thighs. He’d agreed she could wear something to protect her modesty—for now—but he got the feeling she wasn’t thrilled with the rust-colored lace thong and matching half-cut bra he’d chosen for her.
Tough luck. The color gave her skin an even paler cast, which he hadn’t taken into account, but the cut of the lingerie definitely accentuated her slight curves. That particular issue would be dealt with over the coming weeks.
The lace covering her pussy provided little protection; the shadow of her trimmed pubic hair was visible, as was the outline of her labia.
A thin ribbon of lace hugged her hip