Despite being upside-down, Sally managed to wave goodbye.
Zuri shook her head. “Bet she’ll be walking bow-legged tomorrow.”
“And I thought one Dom was intimidating,” Valerie murmured.
“One is usually more than enough,” Linda agreed. “By the way, you look great tonight.”
Zuri tilted her head, giving her what seemed like an almost professional appraisal. “Agreed. That’s a perfect style for you.” She grinned at Valerie. “I’m a women’s clothing buyer at Brendalls, and my friends all call for help with choosing outfits. You nailed it.”
“Thank you.” Valerie ran her hands over the red vinyl cheerleader-style skirt she’d bought this morning. Although short, it covered her full butt and upper thighs. The black bustier hauled in her tummy. She felt…sexy.
When she’d walked through the club, some of the Tops cast appreciative glances her way. And wasn’t it shallow to admit she loved the attention? “It’s fun to dress up.”
“Unless it’s a sadist who dresses you.” Linda’s lacey gauze pants were topped by a blue waist-trainer corset. “I think my internal organs have been rearranged. My lungs gave up and died an hour ago.”
“Ouch,” Valerie said in sympathy.
When Zuri snickered, Linda frowned at her. “You’re supposed to feel sorry for me. And he’s planning to flog away the dents the whalebone leaves in my skin.”
“Good grief.” Remember not to let Finn ever pick out clothing.
But he wouldn’t. That wasn’t their kind of relationship, although admittedly, during spring break, when she wasn’t out of town to visit Hailey, they’d spent a lot of time together.
Nonetheless, they had a friendship—with benefits, yes—but it was casual. Sometimes, he’d stop by her office to chat or to take her to lunch. Or she’d bake him cookies or a meal.
After work, he taught her self-defense, and sometimes she’d stay over. There was the time she’d cooked him supper at her place and teased him about something. He’d called her a bad subbie and spanked her. When she’d yelped, he made a tsk-tsk sound, said she couldn’t scream in an apartment because the neighbors would hear. The sadist had gagged her.
Which was good, since he’d made her come twice before he’d taken her, hard and fast.
But then he’d left.
Because what we have is a sexy friendship, not a relationship.
She didn’t want a relationship.
Girl, you’re lying to yourself.
A sigh escaped. No one had ever made her feel like he did. Protected. Cared for. Sure, the sex was amazing—okay, yes, he totally aced the sex stuff—but even better, he listened to her. Understood her. Nothing could be more devastatingly wonderful.
Listening to Zuri teasing Linda about Sam, she watched the flow of people in the room. And spotted Ghost.
Her breath caught in her throat even as her heart rate kicked into high gear. All the confusion disappeared under the wave of pure wanting.
With that distinctive military bearing, he strolled through the room, slowing to assess each scene. Members instinctively moved out of his way, merely from the authority in his presence. But he was liked. He was getting smiles. Questions. People simply wanting to talk. The younger Doms kept stopping him to ask questions.
The women…
Valerie’s lips pressed together. Submissives also stopped him, wanting to talk. Wanting more. The one now was fidgeting with her hair, not quite daring to touch him, but leaning in.
“Ah, there’s the Colonel.” Linda had followed her gaze. “Sam says he’s an incredible Dom—and a good man.” Her tone lifted suggestively.
“He is. But I’m not ready for anything other than”—Valerie shrugged—“than some fun times.”
Zuri lifted her eyebrows. “Does he know?”
“Yes, of course. I told him the first time we played.”
“Mmmhmm.” Linda’s lips twitched. “I have a feeling he can be as determined as Sam. Good luck to you.”
Zuri burst out laughing.
Valerie frowned. It was true both men were sadists. But…Linda’s comment seemed to imply something more. Why exactly did Valerie need luck?
Her thoughts were derailed as a beautiful redhead blocked Ghost’s path. When he shook his head no and started to move away, the woman dropped to her knees, holding her hands up in a plea.
He motioned for her to rise, and they stayed there. Talking.
Valerie’s spirits sank. She knew all too well the power of nubile young flesh.
“Valerie, I have what you ordered.” Natalia dropped into a chair and handed Valerie a bag. “Hey, Zuri, remember the top you recommended? It works great with printing.”
“Ooooh, I want to see.” Zuri leaned forward.
“Certainly.” Valerie held up the garment. The off-white, short-sleeved shirt had such a deep V-neck it needed a fabric strip across the