Bonds of Trust Read Free

question, his knee bouncing in a rapid beat of contained energy. “But it’s not feeling right. Nothing against Marcus, he’s one of our best Dom’s, but my gut tells me I’m missing something.”
    “Like what?”
    Seth’s lips compressed in a brief line of frustration. “Shit,” he exhaled. “I don’t know. That’s why I want you to meet her.” He stood abruptly and paced across the room to the mini-fridge, yanked the door open and stared inside before slamming it closed and turning back to Jake empty-handed. “She’s not typical. The interviews I’ve had with her just don’t fit with the divorced cougar looking to feel better about herself.”
    Intrigued now, Jake examined the details outlined in the client dossier. The puzzle of one Ms. Cali Reynolds was becoming more attractive than he wanted it to be.
    Over the last few months, he’d felt the restlessness returning. That inescapable, persistent itch to move on. His five-year commitment was up at the end of December, and he knew he’d be leaving. Seth and Dek, his de facto brothers since they’d bonded dodging fists and abuse in a foster home together, had made him promise he’d stick with the club for five years. Knowing him and his wanderlust a little too well, it was the only way they’d agree to go into business with him.
    He didn’t need to be pulled into client issues when he was quietly trying to disentangle himself from the club. Hence, his reluctance to do the interview. But he couldn’t dodge the task without making Seth suspicious.
    Not when both Dek and Seth were already looking for departure signs.
    Jake picked up the head shot then studied at the full-body shot. “She’s very attractive.” He glanced up at Seth, who was watching him a bit too intently. “Are you sure her age is correct?”
    Seth frowned, crossing his arm over his chest. “Like Dek would mess that up. Everything in her file has been validated. Like always.” Membership was strictly monitored and all applicants had to pass a rigorous interview and background check before membership was granted.
    Jake flashed an apologetic smile. “Right. I’d place her at least ten years younger by her photos.” The blonde in the pictures had the face and figure of a woman in her early thirties. Hell, she looked better than a lot of women did in their twenties.
    “And you look like you’re crowding forty?” Seth scoffed. “Come on, Jake. You, of all people, should know how deceiving appearances can be.”
    “Touché.” People constantly assumed Jake was younger than he was. He pulled his attention from the soulful green eyes in the picture and tossed the papers back on the desk. “Is Marcus doing the meet and greet then?”
    Seth nodded. “I told him to take Ms. Reynolds to Lounge One when he was done with the basics.” He turned to leave but paused before he opened the door. His lips quirked in a mischievous smile. “Let me know how it goes with the cougar.”
    Jake laughed, a reflexive bark that burst from his gut. “Right. She looks and sounds more like a kitten. I’ll be surprised if she doesn’t run from the club in blind fear once she sees the action up close and personal.”
    “Don’t be so sure.” Seth opened the door, letting the noise enter in a smooth rhythm of drums. “I told you, there’s something about this one.”
    He left before Jake could respond. A quick exit was the only way Seth could leave and still get in the last word.
    Damn .
    Jake picked up the headshot once again. A submissive? She had the doe eyes, but they were sharp and filled with intelligence. Not that subs were stupid, but most had that eager, need-to-please expression when they were at The Den. Her hair was styled in an efficient bob that grazed her shoulders. Not a strand out of place. Pale pink lipstick complimented her creamy skin and highlighted the cupids-bow arch of her upper lip that was curled in an almost shy smile, contradicting the edge in her eyes.
    Intriguing.
    His