Page 71 of At Her Pleasure
Fine. She’d done it because Vera had asked. She wasn’t a therapy Mistress.
She’d found Mick. He was talking to several Mistresses, reservedly accepting compliments over the kickoff while answering questions. He held up a subtle finger to a stressed-out Jillie, who’d appeared at his elbow, likely looking for direction on some problem.
Cyn wanted to mess up his nice clothes, pull away the shirt to put her hands on his wide shoulders, explore heated skin down to his waist and the muscular, resilient ass. His dark hair was brushed and gleaming, curling at the collar, the thicker strands swept back from his high forehead. Even dressed up and all civilized acting, he conveyed a dangerous physicality that would be hers to goad tonight. She wished it was ten o’clock already, but anticipation brought its own rewards.
He was giving her real memories to add to the endless fantasies she’d had about him. She wanted to give him the same. He knew how to walk through fire with her, craving the burn as much as she desired to add fuel to the flame.
When he courteously extricated himself from the Dommes, Cyn leaned against a pillar, watching him.
Jillie had her hair in a ponytail and wore sparkly white leggings and a pink corset. A dainty kitten collar was wrapped around her throat, pointed felt ears perched in her hair. Dillard’s sub, also his wife. They enjoyed mostly psychological power exchange, and the girl liked being publicly spanked. They’d been together four years. Dillard was fifteen years older, and they were a good match.
Despite the little girl appearance, Jillie could handle truckloads of responsibility. She was also an accomplished freelance photographer and graphic artist. She’d done some layout work for TRA, contracted by Skye.
After Mick explained what he wanted and she nodded, about to dash off, he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. He rubbed her collarbone with his thumb, offering what Cyn suspected was a gentle admonition to take a breath and enjoy the night. Not to take it too seriously. Jillie managed a smile, the breath, and calmed down. Then she scurried away.
When he turned, Cyn waited, watching his gaze pass over his surroundings. On the first round, he was cataloging how things were going, and if anything needed his attention. On the second, he was looking for someone. When he paused on Vera, chatting up a sub, and did a more thorough search around her, Cyn knew he was looking for her.
She enjoyed the feeling, but still she waited. People moved all around her, but as soon as Mick’s attention passed over where she was, his gaze threaded through the interference and located her.
She had her arms crossed and one booted foot hooked over the other as she leaned against the column. She’d left her hair loose, softly curled around her face. There was a hint of sunrise color in her wet crimson lipstick. Though her eyes needed little enhancement, she’d added liner to make them more piercing.
His gaze slid over her face, then down. He paused, confirming that yes, he was looking at the hint of her nipples through the sparkling fabric. His lips tugged wryly at the tease, then finished the sweep to her boots and came back to her face.
His eyes narrowed. With surprise, she realized he’d detected the swelling around her nose she’d concealed with the makeup. As he moved her way, she thought if he came at anyone with that hooded gaze and warrior purpose to his stride, whoever he was pissed at would know they were in trouble and needed to run.
She liked that about him.
When he reached her, she rested a hand on his chest. She played with the cross, caressing the scar with her fingers. She was aware of curious glances, people marking the intimacy between them.
Yeah, he’s mine. Go away.
“I think you like knowing I carry your mark.” Mick chose a different angle to echo what was in her mind.
“Almost as much as you do,” she said.
He didn’t deny it, placing his palm against the pillar by her head, leaning in to create a space like a room with a keep out sign. He gently traced the damage around her nose. “So who do I need to kill?” Those dangerous eyes said he wasn’t kidding.
“Protective men give me such a tingle.” Despite her cynical tone, his response actually did, and the touch on her face was one she welcomed.
The fascination of the watching members had increased. She never allowed a sub to touch her without express permission, and even then, it didn’t happen often.
She ignored them, shut it all out. Everything but him. “You can stand down. I got this from a sparring partner, and he’s been icing his ribs ever since. He’s a business associate, and Ros’s friend.”
“Not your friend?”
“He is. Just not a close one.” That was a kneejerk response. She’d reevaluated that since her discussion with Matt. But she changed the subject. “You ready for tonight?”
“I made sure my health insurance premium was paid.”
“A sensible idea.” She gestured to the busy activity around them. “You did a good job. Everyone is pleased.”
“I had a good team.” He shrugged. “Recruiting from the inside knowledge and resources a club already has makes it far easier.”
She cocked her head, ready to tease him. “Sounds a little like cheating.”
“It’s still work. But I expect you do the same thing with clients.” He twisted one of her curls around his finger and watched it drift back into a loose coil against her cheek. “No one knows their wants and needs as well as the business itself. Sometimes you just have to get them to look at those needs and wants in new ways.”
“Careful. I might hire you to work for me.”