Page 36 of Illicit Education

“Great.” Mina gave a curt nod, then leaned over the back of the booth. “Bring us that ninety-seven pinot noir we got in last week, please. With two glasses and two bottles of water.”

“Yes. Mistress.”

I turned around to thank the server, but he was already gone, so I leaned toward Mina. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” Her dark gaze flicked back and forth between my eyes. “But, really, please don’t be nervous. You’re safe here. Nothing will ever happen to you in my clubs without your full consent. Do you understand?”

I nodded, though something about the emphasis onconsentmade my stomach twist. I was way out of my element here.

“We have rules in place, contracts. When people come to my sanctuary, they follow my rules. And, honestly, Rylan, that’s something we can discuss later on. For tonight, I just want you to relax and observe. Take it all in. Events like this are fun and carefree. You won’t come across any scenes or presentations unless you seek them out.” She motioned toward a hallway on the opposite side of the room. “Tonight, I’d like you to see what it’s like down here. We’re supporting Lacey’s first fashion show, nothing more. No pressure, okay?”

My shoulders relaxed just a fraction. No pressure was exactly what I needed to hear.

“Your comfort level is extremely important to me, Rylan, as is every other member of my club. If at any time you feel like you’d like to leave, please tell me—”

A man cleared his throat behind us and Mina looked up, greeting him with a wide smile.

“Mistress Sinclair. We’re ready.”

I gasped at the sound of his voice. I’d smelled him before I heard him, but my brain hadn’t fully registered his presence. Hell, I’d been smelling him for the past twenty minutes and convinced myself it was just a super popular cologne.

But now…

Hearing that voice…

So deep and melodic. Gruff and, yet... slightly amused.

And the way it affected me. My entire body ignited like a Fourth of July bonfire at the shore.

“Wonderful,” Mina said, giving a celebratory single clap. “Your usual room is ready.”

Taking a chance, I breathed deeply, pulling Cabot Reed’s delicious scent into my lungs. My eyes fluttered closed. God, he smelled so incredibly good.

It should be illegal.

After allowing myself just a quick second of reveling in the scent of him, I opened my eyes and caught Mina’s gaze on me. She watched me with a curious look in her eyes.

Oh God,how long had I been sitting here with my eyes closed and a goofy grin on my face?

Shit.

I quickly schooled my expression into something less… dumbstruck?

Mina’s brows furrowed and she looked up at him, then back at me.

I clenched my hands into fists on my thighs and fought to control my breathing, but with every deep breath, I inhaled more of his intoxicating scent. It completely incapacitated me, sinking deep into my body and twisting my belly into a tight knot of desire.

Here I was, in this sensual, seductive place, running into a man that could elicit visceral reactions in my body with a simple look or one-word command. I could physically feel him standing behind me as if there wasn’t a booth between us, as if nothing separated the heat of his body from the greedy desperation of my skin.

Mina cleared her throat. “Master Creed, I’d like you to meet my guest.”

Creed?

Oh.

Creed. Cabot Reed.

C. Reed.