Page 103 of Dance for Me
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His little subbie was all tuckered out.
Supremely pleased with himself, Braun carried her back to their usual spot in the bar. He settled them into the seating pit, glowering at anyone who came close enough to disturb them, and simply sat rocking her, his own eyes half-closed.
Atticus was nowhere to be seen, probably off scening with a willing subbie who’d caught his eye.
When he stirred, Braun noted the number of people in the bar had diminished considerably. When he checked his watch, he blinked in surprise—more time had passed than he’d realized, and Bodie was still nestled into him.
That had been one hell of a reintroduction, and not quite the one he’d imagined. His idea had been to give her sweet and romantic; maybe some candles scattered around the bathroom, the bedroom. Woo his girl back into the swing of things, just the two of them. No kink, just them.
But she’d flown so high beneath the flogger. So high, he’d seen the universe glinting in those blue depths as she stared blindly into space. He’d never been able to resist a woman who could lose herself so completely, give herself over freely, and Bodie was his to take as he wished. Resistance wasn’t his forte when it came to her—six months of celibacy, of not touching her even after the doc cleared it—had tested his willpower to shattering point.
Fuck, it had shattered tonight.
A shirt and purple bra draped over the edge of the pit as Jasper stepped over to sit beside Braun. “Quite the display you put on, brother. Think you made half the Doms in there green with envy.”
Braun chuckled. “If they paid more attention to their own subs and less to mine, they wouldn’t need to be. Where did everyone go?”
Jasper stretched out his long legs, making himself comfortable. “Atticus is herding out the stragglers from barn three and closing it down. Loki is still on the front desk, and Anarchy...” He glanced over his shoulder. “She’s being a star employee and cleaning shit like the world will end if it doesn’t get done tonight.”
“You like clean,” Braun pointed out.
“I also like to play with subs who know what the hell they’re getting into with me,” he shot back, frustrated. “Watching a scene and living it are two very different quantities, Braun. We’ve had this conversation before. Anarchy wouldn’t like me if she knew the real me. These pretty fantasies she has in her head...they’re just not realistic.”
“Then you’d best tell her that.”
“She won’t listen. For some reason, I check her boxes.”
Braun rolled his eyes. “Yes, I can see where you’re confused. It’s not like you’re attractive or anything. And, you know, you give aftercare like a dick, so God knows what the poor girl sees in you.”
“Fuck you, nobody ever complains about my aftercare.” Jasper huffed. Wisely, he changed the conversation. “Connie and Liam are at the house, by the way, with a special delivery. They’ll bring it over as soon as the coast is clear.”
Ah, well that explained Atticus’s slightly premature eviction of members. “How many are left?”
“Half a dozen at most. Nearly all the scenes were already drawing to a close when Connie texted to say they were here.” Jasper grinned. “Anarchy’s refusing to serve anyone else, so they won’t hang around for long.”
Braun pinched the bridge of his nose. His inbox might suffer from an influx of angry emails from members come morning. One night of not having a drink after a scene wouldn’t kill them, but he’d have to make amends for those who felt it was their given right. Luckily, they didn’t have many assholes on the membership roster.
“I’d better wake sleeping beauty here and get her dressed. She’s more comfortable with being around people naked, but she gets antsy and stressed if she thinks they’re staring at her scar.”
“A natural reaction. No one likes to think they’re lesser than anyone else, and a scar is a flaw to some people. Close-minded idiots. No one who knows Bodie would dare think anything along those lines. She’ll adjust.”
Yeah, she would. She was strong and feisty. A scar wouldn’t hold her back.
Reluctant to disturb her, Braun shifted her limp weight on his lap and untucked the blanket down to her waist. He managed to get her arm through a shirt sleeve, cursed under his breath as he fought to get it around her back, then wrestled her other arm in.
Thank God he hadn’t tried to put the bra on first.
Jasper just linked his hands behind his head and watched in amusement.
Braun had just finished buttoning up the shirt when the last stragglers came through. Looking satisfied and tired, they headed for the bar, only for Anarchy to firmly but politely point out she was done for the evening and wish them goodnight.
The few people still hovering here and there joined the group leaving, and finally there was blessed silence. Braun heard the front doors close, and a few minutes later, Loki wandered in. Not long after, Atticus came from the other direction.
Almost a full house, Braun thought, suddenly nervous about the surprise delivery Connie would bring at any moment. He was taking a huge gamble, springing this on Bodie, especially now she was soft and sleepy, more open to being emotional.
Emotional Bodie was a train wreck waiting to happen.