instincts had softened his rampant libido when he saw how forthright she was as she instructed the wedding party as to their respective duties. She probably had to be in her profession as an office manager. However, he liked his women docile, who did what he told them, who were preferably at home when he arrived in the evening and not working late to finish a project.
Deciding to make his presence known as they would probably bump into each other this week, he suddenly called out, “What’s the laughter for?”
As she twisted around, he saw Kat nearly fall out of her seat when she saw him standing there. Her jaw dropped, and his question went unanswered.
He walked slowly forward and perched on the arm of a nearby sofa about ten feet away. That was as close as he was prepared to get to her. Already he could feel his cock hardening in response to her presence. “It’s Kat, isn’t it? Rebecca’s sister.”
She nodded. That seemed about all she could do as she appeared so flummoxed. He raised an eyebrow at her lack of articulation.
“So if I ask you another question, am I going to get an answer out of you or just a nod?” He chuckled as she nodded but still didn’t speak. “What exactly are you doing here?”
After clearing her throat, she finally answered him, her voice somewhat husky, “I’m reading a program.”
He grinned. She had clearly misunderstood his question. “No, I meant here in the hotel.”
“I’m here for a training event.” He watched as the realization hit her that he was probably at the same training event. Her expression of dismay was a picture, and a gasp left her, her hand coming up to her mouth as if to take it back. She then went pale as she became conscious of the implications, and freckles he hadn’t noticed before stood out on her cheeks. The implication being that they may be attending the same sessions. Sessions on BDSM.
“Okay then why are you in this room by yourself and not at the induction event or attending a session with the others?”
“Oh!” He saw her swallow convulsively.
He didn’t remember her being this tongue-tied in the past, and that bemused him. “Yes, oh. I have to say I’m rather surprised to see you here. I didn’t get the impression when we met before at Jon and Rebecca’s that you were into this lifestyle.”
“I am, I think.” She ducked her head as she spoke, not looking at him. She appeared embarrassed. “I saw a leaflet advertising this event and thought I’d come to see what it’s all about and why my sister is into it.”
That got his back up, and he practically shouted at her, “I hate to contradict you, but Rebecca is not into it . She mildly flirts with it, that’s all.” He grimaced at himself. He hadn’t meant to be that brusque, but it was something that annoyed him.
As he said this, she jumped, finally looking up at him, her surprise evident on her face. She then frowned as she framed her next question, “Is the girl I saw you with at the wedding here? I’m sorry I’ve forgotten her name.”
It was his turn to frown at the change of topic. “Laurette. No, she’s not here. This event is intended for beginners, and she is beyond that.” He chuckled grimly. “Besides which, we’re not a couple anymore.”
Looking curiously astounded at that, she asked, “Oh. I was under the impression that she was your…uh…submissive?” Her voice rose on the last word as if she was unsure she had correctly understood his relationship with Laurette.
Ben narrowed his eyes trying to analyze her tone of voice and where she was coming from with that question. What does it matter to her if I have a submissive or not? Then he remembered she was a participant at this event and so must have some interest in the lifestyle.
Recalling her question, he replied, “No. She was only on trial, and she didn’t pass.” He said that in a rather depressed tone, as he had had high hopes when he had taken her on.
Kat looked goggle-eyed at