Bound to be Tested: Emergence, Book 3 Read Free Page A

dead on, something she never would have done in the past. “This is my scene, Jude.” She kept her voice low, trying not to involve the entire room in her altercation.
    “And it looks like you could use a few pointers.”
    She gritted her teeth and glanced around. At least a dozen people were watching, paying close attention. They were frozen. It wasn’t often someone interrupted a scene. That sort of behavior was strictly forbidden.
    As Lori turned to face Jude again, Carlton stepped through the crowd. The front door manager at Emergence didn’t tolerate any violation of the rules. But would he exert his power over his long-time close friend, even though Jude hadn’t been around for over two years? “Jude.” He shook his head. “What’re you doing, man?”
    Lori stepped back and turned her attention to Margaret. She leaned in and kissed her ear, and then she whispered to her, “It’s okay, pet.” She stroked Margaret’s lower lip. “Ready for more?”
    “Yes, Mistress.” Margaret didn’t lift her gaze.
    Lori kissed her sub’s ear again, breathing into the space behind her lobe until Margaret shivered and emitted a low moan.
    When Lori stepped back to resume her scene, Carlton stood to the side, his brow furrowed, his arms crossed. “You want me to escort him out?”
    Lori considered the idea for a moment. Jude was on her last nerve. Finally, she shook her head at Carlton and glanced at Jude. Fuck him. He wasn’t going to bully her. Not if she didn’t let him. She lifted her head and shook off the intimidation she’d felt.
    The cocky bastard stood his ground, legs apart, head held high. As if he owned the planet and all its inhabitants, he tipped his head and addressed Lori again. “Are you opposed to a few pointers?”
    Lori stared at him again. What she wouldn’t give to have the last two years erased from her memory and filled with Jude loving her the way she’d dreamed about in the darkest hours.
    “Let me help you out. Just for a few minutes. And then I’ll leave you in peace. For old time’s sake.”
    The last thing she wanted to do was make this a big deal—one that involved her now. People were watching, so many of them it seemed the entire club had gathered by now. They’d probably heard about Jude’s reappearance and joined the party like magnets.
    He had that effect on people. Even when he wasn’t engaging in a scene. It had always infuriated Lori for women to plaster themselves all over him while she subbed for him. If she was with a man, on a leash no less, then she damn well felt she deserved the respect of others around her to allow her to absorb his attention.
    For his part, he’d never allowed anyone to interrupt, nor had he turned to the right or left to look anyone in the eye when he was with her, but it had niggled her to no end.
    Margaret squirmed.
    Lori turned toward her and grabbed her chin again. “Stay still. You’re still my pet. You don’t have permission to break from this scene no matter what.” Lori released her and stepped behind her. “Whatever I do, you know you’re safe. And you have your safe word.”
    She had no idea what else might happen in the next half hour, but she’d bet her last paycheck it wouldn’t be directed by her any longer.
    Damn infuriating, sexy son of a bitch.
    She couldn’t decide if she wanted to slap him or kneel at his feet.
    And that made her angrier.
    Poised beyond her imagination, she took a deep breath and inspected one of the lines she’d made on her pet. It was in fact, perfect. Even. Raised. Pink. It would last several hours but not leave Margaret cringing tomorrow.
    Not that it was any of Jude’s goddamn business.
    She flinched when Jude set a hand on her forearm and whispered for her ears only, “You need to strike again before she starts to come down. It’s been too long.”
    She turned on him but just managed to rein in her aggravation to keep from hitting his face with the flogger instead of Margaret’s fine