My Obsession (9 page)

He spoke again, his deep voice filling the line and covering the background noise. “For the women, I usually tell them to wear sports bras if they have one. Try not to eat for three or four hours before class unless you need to. We do a lot of kicking, punching, and moving around, and being full isn’t a good combination with that. But several of us usually go grab dinner at the Irish pub down the street afterward. You’re welcome to join us.”

Sandra lifted her chin to meet Brent’s gaze. “I’d like that, Master Dex. I’ll see you Monday night. Thanks.”

“Take care, sweetheart. And don’t worry. Everything will be fine. We’ll take care of you. You’re one of ours now.”

“Thanks, Master Dex,” she said right before he hung up.

Brent took her chin between his fingers. “Now tell me about Diego’s call. Everything you remember, anything you might have heard in the background, any hunches you might have about where he is. Anything that sticks in your mind.”

As Sandra outlined the call and her assumption about Diego still being in New York, Brent catalogued details to tell Dex later. If he could get this guy on some type of watch list it would help. And if anyone had the connections to make that happen, it was Dex.

His friend had been in on several manhunts across the nation. High-profile ones the general public knew nothing about. Brent probably shouldn’t have been privy to them, but two years ago Dex had gotten into trouble and needed Brent’s help to get out, so Brent had not only helped, but had become a sounding board and confidant.

An attractive brunette with large blue eyes and a full figure came through the front door and stopped short when she saw him and Sandra on the couch.

Brent tensed waiting for any flicker of recognition on Michelle’s features, but as the seconds ticked by and there was no change in her expression, the muscles in his neck and shoulders slowly unknotted. He looked nothing like he had in high school, so wasn’t surprised she didn’t recognize him, but there was always that chance.

He needed to tell Sandra who he really was soon so she didn’t find out accidentally.

Sandra straightened, pulling away from him. “Michelle. This is M…Master Brent,” she said. She sounded flustered, as if Michelle had caught them naked on the rug instead of fully clothed on the couch. Brent wondered what was throwing her off about being caught with him. She’d called him “Master Brent” in front of Michelle, so he was reasonably confident Sandra had told her friend about Club Desire and the lifestyle.

Michelle raked a thorough gaze over Brent as if evaluating a horse she was about to buy. Brent had gotten used to women looking at him this way, but it was disconcerting that it was someone from high school. Someone who had definitely never looked at him like this back then.

Finally Michelle seemed to shake herself out of her detailed perusal. “Brent. Hello.” She came nearer and held out her hand. “I heard a lot about you last night after Sandra got home.” She flashed a smile.

Brent stood and took her offered hand. “Hello,” he said lamely instead of the normal “nice to meet you.” That would be an outright lie, since he’d already met her several years ago.

After a long moment of holding on to his hand, and an awkward silence settling over the room, Michelle transferred her intense gaze to Sandra. “Sandra, you’ve been crying. What happened?” Michelle dropped Brent’s hand and her too-friendly gaze turned into a glare aimed straight at him until Sandra’s voice broke through the tension.

“I’m all right. But Diego called me.” Her face darkened, the fear still lingering in her eyes. “Master Brent came as soon as he found out.”

Michelle raked one last gaze over Sandra and inclined her head to Brent. “Thank you for taking care of her. She’s had a rough time of it.” She nudged him out of the way and sat next to Sandra on the couch, hugging her and patting her back.

Brent wondered how much Michelle knew about Sandra’s involvement at both dungeons. Obviously at least enough not to blink at the use of his title. If she knew about Diego, she probably knew at least something about Sandra’s time in the lifestyle. But he would leave that to Sandra. It wasn’t his story to tell. And whatever she’d told Michelle was between the two women.

“Thank you for giving her a place to stay.” He took a breath, searching for the best way to phrase his next question without offending her. “Would you mind if I had a friend of mine who is a security specialist contact you? This is an older house, and I want to make sure you’re both safe.”

Pink stained Michelle’s cheeks. “I can’t afford a security system right now, but thanks.” Her tone was curt and dismissive.

Brent winced. She thought he was trying to sell her something. “I’m sorry. You misunderstand me. He’ll send any bills to me. I only want to make sure there aren’t any security vulnerabilities here that Diego or anyone else could exploit.”

Michelle pursed her lips and glanced between him and Sandra. “Thank you. I apologize for my assumption. I haven’t met too many people who don’t have an ulterior motive for offering to do something nice.” She fell silent for a long moment before continuing. “I know you want to keep Sandra safe from Diego.”

“I’d like to keep everyone safe from Diego. But you two might be the ones in his path right now.” Brent ground his teeth at the thought of Diego getting anywhere near these women.

Michelle nodded. “We appreciate it.” She stood, giving Sandra’s hand one last squeeze. “I’ve got things to do, so I’ll leave you two alone. It was nice to meet you, Brent.” She flashed him a smile and one more appraising glance before she left the room.

Sandra looked a bit stronger, as if she’d soaked up some of her friend’s strength and calm. Brent brushed his thumb over her bottom lip, enjoying the way her eyes dilated as she watched him dip his head until he could capture her lips.

She opened for him and he took, deepening the kiss as heat seared between them.

Nearly drowning in the sensations that Master Brent was stirring with his very thorough kiss, Sandra sucked in a breath and pushed away from him.

Concern and a touch of surprise flowed across his handsome features, nearly making her laugh. He was a Dom, and a very good one if she was any judge, so he probably wasn’t used to women pulling back from his kisses, or from anything else he had to offer for that matter.

He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder, his intense blue gaze clearly showing concern. “Are you all right?”

She nodded lamely as she searched her sluggish brain for anything to say to explain what was going on inside her right now. She finally settled on, “It’s been a long day already and I’ll bet it’s not even lunchtime.” A quick glance over at Michelle’s grandfather clock showed her it was still early for lunch, but just barely.

Brent nodded¸ his expression gentle and caring, which sent another surge of warmth through her. “Why don’t we get you out of here for a while so you can put some emotional distance between you and what happened this morning?”

Diego
.

Master Brent was trying not to say that name in front of her, and she appreciated it. “I have things I need to do before I head to Club Desire tonight.” Although if she were totally honest, she just needed to take a long nap, eat, shower, and dress. Then she would be ready. Or at least she hoped she would.

She wasn’t worried about Master Brent and what he would do to her tonight. She already trusted him, and his racing over here this morning after he’d heard Diego called had only confirmed that. She was more worried about herself and her reactions to the intensity that burned between them.

She longed to be normal. To be more like all the other subs she had met. But since she couldn’t wish away her past, she would just have to move forward from where she was.

“Are you even up for Desire tonight?” He traced his thumb over her bottom lip again as he pinned her with a gentle but insistent gaze. “It would be totally understandable if you wanted to take a lazy, relaxing day and night for yourself at this point.”

Disappointment threatened and she shook her head. “I’ve been looking forward to tonight. That’s one of the things that’s kept me going, so I’d still really like to keep our plans.”

His gaze softened and he nipped at her bottom lip, chuckling at her startled laughter. “All right. Then if you’re comfortable, why don’t you bring a bag with you and you can shower and get ready at Desire.”

Sandra thought about it for a moment. The idea of spending the day with him lifted some of the load of fear and dread she’d been battling since Diego’s call. “I’d like that. Let me go pack a quick bag. I’ll be right back.”

A few hours later they were back in Master Brent’s car, headed to Club Desire. They had already stopped for lunch, and had gotten her cell number changed, thanks to Master Brent. It still had a Phoenix area code, but since changing the number with the proof of the restraining order had been free and immediate, she didn’t want to deal with the extra several steps of getting a number outside of the current area code that didn’t match her billing address.

She would only give her new number to those she trusted implicitly. And Master Brent had given the number Diego had called her from to the proper authorities. She wasn’t sure exactly whom he had called to report it to, but he had assured her that if the number could be traced back to Diego, it would be.

Now, after everything that had happened today and her very abrupt wake-up this morning, her lids were drooping and her thoughts had become sluggish. She had foolishly hoped she and Master Brent could play before tonight, or that he would join her in the shower. But at this rate she would only fall asleep and miss whatever happened.

Brent tucked Sandra into the large bed in one of the guest rooms in Club Desire. “I’ll have dinner brought up around five so you have time to digest before heading down to the dungeon floor whenever you’re feeling up to it.” He brushed a soft kiss over her forehead. “Get some sleep.”

She murmured a sleepy response he couldn’t make out and burrowed farther under the covers.

As he walked out of the room, he nearly ran into Logan, one of the original Doms that Club Desire had opened with. In fact, Logan was the second Dom who had signed on, right behind Dex.

“Hey, Brent. Is everything all right?” Logan studied him critically. “You’re rarely up here.”

They were only one floor above Brent’s own suite of rooms, but he supposed Logan was right. He didn’t come up to level 5 or 6 too often. There wasn’t usually any need to go there. He gestured toward the door he’d just exited. “Sandra. The woman I told you all about this morning.”

Logan glanced toward the door. “I saw you two on the way up and figured after the information this morning that something might be going on, so I followed you to see if you needed anything.”

Brent was glad to see the protective gesture. It meant that Logan was taking the possible threat Diego posed seriously. And even more than that, it meant he was committed to ensuring the safety of the Club Desire members. And if Logan was, then all the Doms were. Logan and Dexter, along with himself, set the tone for what went on here.

Not that Brent doubted they would be diligent in taking care of the members, or they wouldn’t be allowed into his club, but it was a nice confirmation nonetheless.

“Did you find out anything else?” Logan had pitched his voice lower so it didn’t carry beyond the two of them even though the hall was deserted.

Brent clenched his jaw. “Not much. He called from a New York number, a restaurant, apparently. NYPD is checking that out now. Sandra is spooked, but holding up all right. She insisted that looking forward to playing tonight was keeping her going through all of this, or I would’ve kept her out of the action for the rest of the weekend at the very least.”

Logan nodded. “Good. Hiding isn’t going to make this any easier on her. But playing and practicing some power exchange might…not to mention a few dozen killer orgasms could help her feel more relaxed and in control.” He smiled knowingly. “But I’ll leave that to you. Unless you need any help taking care of her in that arena?”

Logan’s teasing grated on Brent’s nerves, especially since Logan was usually a man of few words. This change in personality meant he was worried about Brent’s reactions here.

Brent appreciated the concern, and knew it definitely had merit, but it irritated him nonetheless. He had to force himself to take a deep breath before responding. “No, Logan, but thanks for checking. I’ve got this.” He made a shooing motion, which only made Logan laugh.

“Eager to be rid of me? Are you planning on heading back in there and getting started on those orgasms right now? Does it really take you that long to warm her up?”

Despite wanting to remain irritated, Brent couldn’t help but laugh. Logan was a good guy and a good Dom.

Brent recognized his territorial instincts when it came to Sandra and tried to rein them in. He wouldn’t tolerate them from any other Dom in this type of circumstance, so he had to hold himself to that same standard. Subs should always have the choice about whom they played with and when.

“Logan, I know you’re only trying to look out for me and make sure this situation is handled correctly, but please leave it alone. At least for now.”

Logan cocked his head to the side and studied Brent openly. “All right. I got the message.” He smiled, letting Brent know he wasn’t offended. “Are you going to warn everyone else away from her? Is it there already? From the briefing this morning it sounded like she still needed a lot of experience and training to see if the lifestyle is truly for her.”

At the sound of a door opening down the hall, they both glanced toward the sound and then away as a couple walked the other way down the hallway.

Brent shook his head. “It’s complicated. We all need to watch the situation and do what’s best for Sandra. And that includes me. I’ll admit I’m a bit territorial where she’s concerned, and it will be extremely difficult if she needs another Dom, but whatever’s best for her is what needs to happen, regardless of my personal feelings.”

Logan nodded. “You’re a good man, Brent, and a good Dom. After listening to you this morning I knew there was something decidedly personal about this. I can imagine how hard this must be for you all the way around. Don’t worry. We’ve got your back…and hers.” He smiled. “I’ve got to head down. I’m teaching sub training to the new batch today.” He tipped his head toward the door to the room where Sandra slept. “I’m assuming you’re taking care of her training? And will let us know if you need any help?”

Brent nodded once, acknowledging the statement. “Thanks, Logan. Have a good class.” As Logan was about to leave, he added, “I’ve got to go check in with a few corporate clients as well. Duty calls, and it might involve a trip to London in the very near future, so I’d really love to get this situation with Diego and Sandra handled soon.”

Brent was an efficiency expert for several major corporations around the world, and while he loved his job, he often had to juggle it with his responsibilities at Club Desire. He’d known that when he opened the club, which was why he made sure the Doms he brought on board were not only top-notch Doms, but also men he respected and trusted to take care of things when he had responsibilities elsewhere.

Logan smiled. “No problem, man. Regardless if this situation is resolved before you have to leave, we’ll make sure things go smoothly in your absence. But who knows? Maybe Diego will cooperate and fall and break his neck and save us all a lot of trouble.” Logan’s brow furrowed and he shot Brent a concerned look.

“What?” Brent wasn’t sure what that look was for. He knew his nerves had been stretched tight for the last twenty-four hours, so maybe he’d imagined it. Either way, he needed to make some time for a workout soon.

Logan sent a pointed glance down at Brent’s clenched fists.

Brent forced his fingers to relax, irritated he hadn’t noticed he’d been doing that. “I’m fine. It’s just been a stressful few days. But I’ve got this. Thanks.”

Logan must have heard the finality and dismissal in Brent’s tone because he cast a doubtful glance over his shoulder as he said goodbye and walked away, headed down the hallway toward the elevator to the public areas.

An hour later Brent had completed his business calls and was stepping off the elevator on Basement 4. He had one area here set up as a dojo so he could work out and de-stress as needed. There had been a few times others had rented out that space specifically, and on those rare occasions Brent made sure to have Jake lock up the staffs and other weapons he sometimes practiced with. His practice weapons were not to be used during play of any type, and although he was very careful about who he allowed down into Basement 4, he still didn’t like to take chances. Those in the throes of endorphins sometimes didn’t make the best decisions. Himself included.

He felt an almost physical pull as he neared his temporary dojo. It had become something of a sanctuary for him when he couldn’t calm his turbulent mind or flush the stress from his body. His habit of daily workouts had become ingrained, and no matter where he was he always tried to carve out time for them. But there was something special about using his own space.

One of the myriad ways Brent had reinvented himself back in college was his immersion in martial arts. He practiced several types, and held a black belt in a few, but he had started purely to be able to defend himself.

He’d already hit six foot one by then, but he’d still been just as scrawny and frail as he was in high school. A local gang had mugged him and beaten him up one night when he’d stayed late on campus to study. He’d felt helpless and had sworn to himself he would never have to feel that way again.

Martial arts had been a savior of sorts for him. It had allowed him to discipline his mind, while honing his body and his reflexes. It had also opened a new world for him. One where he could be confident and a leader. Once he’d gotten a taste of what that was like, his life began to change in every area. That’s when he started to think big and actually have hope for the future.

He toed off his shoes and pulled off his socks before stepping into his dojo area. Maintaining that kind of respect for his area helped him concentrate. Much of martial arts took strength of mind, not only of body.

Within minutes his muscles were warming and his mind was focusing. He smiled as he felt the stress sluice off him like water, while his body hummed with energy and vigor.

He pushed himself hard, punching and kicking the Wing Chun wooden practice dummy in the corner of the room until his muscles ached and his hands and feet stung. When he finally stopped, sweat poured off his body and he grabbed a towel out of a cabinet to dry his face and neck.

It was a very good thing he had play sessions scheduled for tonight. He knew he was a better Dom after a particularly taxing workout. The discipline to both his body and mind during his workouts was an easy extension to his play dynamic with his subs. And after a workout like today’s he literally craved the thrill of the power exchange.

Now that he had found the way to discipline Sandra toward her own pleasure, he needed to gently guide her toward a true D/s relationship. He had a lot of work to do to undo the past, but for her, he would go to any lengths.

He looped the towel over his neck and headed off to get ready for tonight.