Page 73 of Master My Love

“Ah, dear Val, I’m glad to see you’ve found your fluffy dom after all?”

The familiar voice, with its deep, laughter-filled southern drawl, had them both looking up to where Anthony “Lil T” Minelli stood at the end of their booth.

“Master T,” Val happily exclaimed. “I didn’t think you’d be back in LA so soon.”

“The big boss sent me to help Grampa clear some of his bottleneck of cases.”

“Go away, brat,” Eric growled. “Can’t you see you’re interrupting aftercare?”

“Is that so?”T eyed their semi-reclined position, a sated Valerie wrapped in a warm sub blanket cuddled on her master’s lap.When his gaze went from Eric’s scowling face to Val’s, he arched a brow in question.

She knew how she must look, flushed cheeks, mussed hair, and glowing with happiness. His grin told her she was right.

“Seems to me like she’s recovered. Are you sure you want this grouchy old ogre, lovely Val? It looks like I will be here for a while. Maybe we can rethink our arrangement.”

“In your dreams, snake eater,” Eric drawled. “You missed your shot, so hands off.”

“You two have gotten close pretty darn quick.” The younger man’s eyes caught hers, a touch of concern visible when he asked quietly, “Are you sure he’s what you want, darlin’?”

“Oh yes.” Val swept her hair behind her shoulders and exposed Eric’s collar wrapped around her throat. “And I’m already signed, sealed, and submitted.”

“So I see. The old guy sure didn’t drag his feet getting a collar on you. He’s smarter than I thought.” Although the insults were flying, T gave Eric a look of approval.

It did not pacify Eric. When she recalled the story of how T had broken his sister’s heart, she understood his animosity. Val felt sure he would keep a watchful eye on the young heartbreaker, especially when she was around.

“Isn’t it past your bedtime, infant?” Looking around, her master signaled to someone across the room. “Mistress Arlene is one of our resident mommy dommes. She’s into age play and will happily spank your ass, give you your bottle, and tuck you in bed. Ah, here she comes now.”

T grimaced, aiming a rude hand gesture in Eric’s direction before he cut and run, moving faster than a big man his size could be expected to.

“You called, Master Eric?” The soft voice came from a petite redhead dressed in a cute baby doll nightie, more sweet than seductive, with a matching ribbon in her hair.

“Yes, Arlene. Please inform Master Thomas that I’m heading up for the night and that he has charge of the club.”

“Yes, sir.”

Val laughed as she watched the sub hurry off to do Eric’s bidding. “You big sneak! Arlene is no mistress, and no way is she a mommy domme or otherwise. She looks all of sixteen. Have you checked her ID?”

“She’s twenty-six and has been Master Thomas’exclusive submissive for three years. As far as T goes, you have to use covert measures with that pup, or he drives you insane. Case in point, he is gone, and I have you to myself for the rest of the evening, so the end justifies the means.”

Purring with contentment, Val snuggled close against him. She thought about the past two weeks, the mysterious invitation, her uncharacteristically daring attendance on open sub night, the chance encounter with Master Eric then T suddenly being called away.

Pushing up from his chest, she looked down at him, filled with suspicion. “Covert measures, huh? You wouldn’t know anything about the phone call that first night. You remember, the one that required my dom for the evening leave at a moment’s notice.”

“Hm...” was his response, so vague it shouldn’t count for one at all. His eyes, however, twinkled merrily, his expression as mischievous as an eight-year-old boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Val sat there, stunned. What she’d thought was fate making everything fall into place had been her master’s interference.

“By now, little subbie, you should be well aware that when I see something I want, I go after it. Especially curvy blondes in tiny black leather skirts who are brave enough to try something different, no matter how scary.”

“I was that something,” she whispered in amazement.

“No, sprite, you are and always will be—something special.”

Her heart turned over as, with a little whimpering sob, she threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him as all the emotion—contentment, joy, thankfulness, and love—bubbled up inside her.

Yes, it was love, with her practically a goner for this gorgeous hunk of a man from the moment she first laid eyes on him.

“This might be too soon, but I need to tell you how I feel before I burst. I’m falling in love with you, master.”

“Then you better catch up because I’ve already fallen. Past tense.”

“Did I say fall with an -ing? I misspoke. I’m head over heels gone for you, sir.”

He grunted. “That’s better,” as he hauled her up his long frame until they were face-to-face. “Forgive me for being cocky, but once again I was correct, and this ending”—he paused, taking her lips in a searing kiss before concluding—“most definitelyjustified the means.”