Dark Citadel Read Free Page B

head back, let her see the pleasure on his face.
    “Good girl. I can tell that wasn’t easy for you.” He brushed a kiss across her lips.
    Her lips tingled although the touch had been fleeting, a tiny hint of pleasure.

    Dan studied the little newbie. Nervous as a burglar who’d tripped an alarm. And so polite. Her hands lay in her lap, laced together.
    “May I ask you some questions?” He massaged her cold little fingers as he waited for her reply.
    “Of course. May I ask questions also?” She fidgeted. He watched her fidget. His deliberate intrusion into her personal space definitely set her off balance.
    “I hope you will since that’s my job tonight, being an instructor. So what do you do when you’re not in a wicked house of sin?”
    “I’m a—” She hesitated, stiffening a little.
    Smart girl, not blurting out too much personal information. Caution wasn’t a bad thing. “Ah. Never mind that. Why don’t you tell me about the assh—about Buck? I’m assuming he’s not your husband.”
    “No!” Obviously horrified, she frowned at him. “I wouldn’t have gone with you if I were married.”
    “Good to hear. Just a boyfriend, then?” And hadn’t the man looked steamed there at the bar. Dan automatically checked his surroundings. All clear.
    “I was dating him.” She studied her fingers. “He’s usually a nice man. I’m not sure why he was like that tonight.”
    The idea of dominance brought out more than just true Dominants. Perverts, control freaks, and general assholes were plentiful. “You need to be careful about who you trust when you’re getting into any kind of power exchange. That’s why the class is Masters of the Shadowlands: Dark Citadel

    11
    restricted to this room tonight. No one goes anywhere private.” He put his arm across her shoulders, pulling her closer. Curves and softness. Delightful. “Have you ever been married?”
    “No. Engaged once, but it didn’t work out.” The muscles around her eyes tightened…a past hurt? Before he could quiz her, she asked hastily, “How about you?
    Are you married or involved?”
    The unexpected question stabbed through him, and he forced his voice to stay even. “No. My wife died a few years ago. A car accident.”
    “I’m so sorry.” She laid her hand on his cheek. “Do you have children?”
    He shook his head. “She wanted to wait. She said she was having too much fun to want to slow down.” At times, he could be grateful he wasn’t responsible for a child; other times, he ached for someone to love.
    “I’m sorry,” she repeated.
    “Thank you.” Her sympathy touched him inside, lightened the heavy feeling in his gut. He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the center.
    She smiled at him, her eyes gentle…and pulled her hand back.
    Her retreat returned him to the present. So the little miss might be shy, but not when someone needed comfort.
    “Um—Mas—”
    “So many worries. If ‘Master Dan’ feels awkward, call me Sir. Any other designation here will get you in trouble.”
    She frowned. “All right, but—”
    He interrupted, taking her hand. “So, Kari. We get a variety of people on beginners’ nights. Some have used bondage and such at home, sometimes for years. Do you have any experience at all?”
    “Not really. I…we…Buck wanted to tie my hands, and I wouldn’t let him.” Her muscles tensed, and she tugged at her hand. “I probably don’t belong here. Not really.
    I’m not—”
    He chuckled but didn’t release her hand or move his arm from her shoulders.
    “You know, if someone like Buck tried to tie me up, I’d run for the hills. All that shows is your body has better taste in men than your mind.”
    She blinked. Relaxed a little.
    “What does your body say about being with me?” he asked. “Do you feel safe?”
    Glancing away from him, she considered, and her brows drew together. “Pretty much. Yes.” She sounded surprised.
    “All right then. Now tell me about your fiancé. Did you