Independence: #2 Angel (32 page)

“Around the box…sir?”

“My, my…just a bit on the surly side. All from a little walk?”

“I…you…” her back was too him and she stood quiet for a few seconds. “I thought it had been a…a mistake.”

“And you didn’t ask.”

“I felt silly asking about a…a…”

“I laid everything out for you, Angel. Even shoes. Did you honestly believe I’d forgotten a bra?”

She hated the laughter in his voice and spun on her bare toes. With hands clasped behind her, she marched off the large square of play space on the floor.

“Slower. We’re not in a foot race. Besides, I like watching you move. It’s quite erotic and arousing.”

“Interesting display, Colin,” Reed Carrington commented, a trace of humor in his voice.

“I’m at work here,” Colin tossed back, looking up and winking when he was sure Angel couldn’t see them.

“Strenuous.”

“Eye strain,” Colin agreed. “She swears she jiggles without a bra. I just can’t see it. Can you?”

“I hate you.”

“Lying to your Dom…” Colin chuckled and tsked at the same time, his laughter joining that of Reed’s.

“I’m guessing this is a corrective behavior measure.” Reed leaned against one of many supporting columns, his arms raised and crossed over his chest.

“I laid out her clothing. Sans bra,” Colin looked up with a little shrug.

“Ahh…well, from a completely objective point of view…not a single jiggle to be seen.”

They watched her mouth open and close with an audible snap as she continued around the eight by eight space.

“Of course, we’re not females,” Reed pointed out, his voice low and clinical. “They tend to feel things differently than we do.”

“Very true there. I, for one, completely love the differences.” Colin sat up straight and raised his voice. “Come over and face the cross, Angel.”

Her shoulders shuddered when she came to a stop, turned and went to the cross. She was about to face into the large, smooth wooden structure when a gruff, loud voice broke the spell around them.

“I didn’t see any jiggle,” the voice declared. “But I bet if pretty boy here was naked, I could make him shake and rattle.”

Colin and Reed were on their feet, facing the tone that was far from respectful.

“Evan,” Colin said with a nod. The sub of Mistress Dianna tipped his head down, his hands carrying two large bottles of water.

“Sirs,” he responded politely.

“Your mistress should have you naked, boy,” the burly, clean shaven man declared. He ran a hand over the hair-free dome of his head, his eyes traveling along Evan’s exposed body. He wore the collar Dianna had bought him, as well as a pair of snug bike shorts, his broad chest bare.

“My mistress prefers to keep me to herself, sir,” Evan answered carefully. He glanced over at Angel and winked. “So I don’t jiggle.”

Colin and Reed offered a laugh that ended abruptly. The unknown man had shot out his hand, gripping Evan’s collar and pulling up on it sharply. There wasn’t much difference in their heights, but Evan was barefoot and lighter in weight.

Not accustomed to being manhandled, his hands and body reacted accordingly. Still holding the bottles of water, he spun swiftly. The elbow closest snapped down hard on the man’s upper arm while the other hand shot out, and up. The plastic bottle filled with water caught him in the throat and sent him stumbling back two steps.

“That’s why you’re a damn good monitor,” Reed remarked in approval. Then his gaze fell on Angel. “Colin…you’d better see to your sub.”

“Angel?” He turned from the scene. Two of the designated monitors had come forward, keeping the man encased between them while he recovered and to keep him from further assaulting Evan. Colin was across the small space immediately, whipping a blanket from the shelf behind the cross and wrapping her in it. It wasn’t the least bit cold, but she was pale as ice and just as cold, shaking so much he thought her bones would rattle. “Talk to me, Angel.”

“He works for…for…I’ve seen him at my father’s,” she whispered shakily, trying to back away and get behind something. “He works for…that man…”

“Leonard?” Colin accepted the nod this time. “On the floor, Angel. On the pillow, kneeling, head down.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

He waited while she did as he ordered, her breathing slowly returning to normal. The pillow was nice beneath her knees and he remained beside her, his hand stroking gently over her head.

“Does he have ID?” Colin asked flatly, directing his question at one of the monitors.

“I’ve never met him before,” Evan stated, the water set down as he loosened the collar and rubbed his neck.

“Dianna is going to be livid,” Reed said quietly when he saw the red, bruised abrasion where the collar had been twisted into his skin. “What is with these people?”

“Master Colin,” Alex held out the man’s wallet, avoiding the hand that tried to grab it back. The monitor on the other side of him, kept a biting hand on his shoulder, refusing to allow him to rise to his feet.

“How long have you been a member here?” Colin demanded, taking the wallet and riffling through the collection of cards and bills.

“Fuck off,” was the growled response. He tried to rise but Alex slammed his hand down on the opposite shoulder and gripped. Judging from the wince, tightly.

“Not a smart thing to piss off an owner,” Alex tsked flatly.

“You work for Earl Leonard?” Colin asked tonelessly, watching the man’s surprised reaction. Interesting. That means he hadn’t recognized Angel. Not surprising, he thought. Taking in the long legs, curved hips and pink tipped breasts, he probably hadn’t gotten as far as her face. Especially since he seemed more interested in Evan. “Does your boss know you prefer men? I bet that goes against the church teachings. But then…I could be wrong.”

He started to open his mouth, thought better of it and clamped it shut.

“Mark him canceled, refund him and pass his name and photo to the other clubs. You’re obviously in need of a severe refresher in the rules. Never manhandle a sub. Period. But manhandling one that’s collared?” Colin tsked, a slight wince on his face when he saw the stately blonde weaving her way toward them.

Word traveled fast when something went wrong. He sighed.

“Evan?” Dianna barely noticed the others, her gaze only on her partner, her sub. And the very angry bruise on his throat. “What happened?”

Reed closed his eyes. The tone was not only familiar, but sent most sane men running for cover.

She didn’t wait for an answer, her gaze and body turning immediately to the man on his knees between the pair of monitors.

“You did this? You assaulted my sub?” She demanded angrily.

“It’s been handled, Dianna,” Colin handed Alex the wallet. “His membership has been canceled and his photo will be circulated to the other clubs.”

“He wasn’t given an option?” Her temper sizzled just barely beneath the surface.

“What’s the option?” The man demanded.

“Two hours with me and a riding crop,” she informed him, dropping to her heels and running the crop she carried along his throat. “And you get to keep your membership. After a thirty day suspension.”

Colin pushed a long breath free. “Dianna, may I have a word, please?” He gestured to the far side, his back turned to the man watching the interaction.

“I want the option,” she said flatly.

“I’d like you to reconsider. For my sub. He’s employed by Earl Leonard,” he waited while the name registered. It was impossible to live in the area, or have access to the internet and not know about the story Vianne had done after the hearing. “He hasn’t recognized her, but it sent her into a panic. I know that is nothing compared to the insult to Evan…”

Dianna pushed a very slow breath between her perfect red lips. “Evan wouldn’t want me to do this. I know it. But…”

“I know. Seeing someone…anyone…hurt the one we love, shuts down the logical side of us. Believe me, I do understand. And because he’s your sub, you have the right and I’d give it to you. To be honest, I think he’ll be out of the area real soon anyway.”

“Thank you. You’re right. Evan isn’t a retribution kind of guy.”

“Now…don’t go crazy,” Colin teased. “If you’d been hurt, I don’t doubt for a minute he would have exacted his pound of flesh. He’s the one who took the man to his knees, Dianna. He might be a professor, but he’s not a pushover.”

“Oh…believe me…” she grinned and looked over at the man she loved. “I know that. I think I’ll take him off somewhere private and play. Thank you again for keeping me sane.”

“My pleasure, my lady,” Colin tipped his head before going to Angel. He dropped to his heels, his hands framing her face. “He’s leaving and he didn’t see you.”

“But Evan…”

“Handled himself and Dianna is here for him.” Angel nodded but he knew the play time had been upended for the moment. “I’ll be right back.”

“Thank you, sir.” She whispered before returning her gaze to the floor, her eyes closing.

Colin went to the monitors. “Take him out of here. Give his membership card to the desk with my instructions.”

“Consider it done,” Alex told him with a nod. He looked over at his partner and together, they lifted the man from the floor.

Dianna stepped forward, her hand on the collar still held in Evan’s fingers. She wound her hand with his and led him off without a backward glance.

“You let subs get away with shit here,” the man sputtered angrily, trying to jerk his arms free and losing the battle.

“Good bye. Call up security and have them meet you at the door, Alex. If his car isn’t out of the private parking area within ten minutes, call the cops.” Colin watched the man nod and lead the arguing member from the main floor. “Gabe is right…we need some kind of fucking test for morons. How the hell did he get in? Who sponsored him?”

“I was at the desk,” Reed said, rejoining him in the play space. “He passed all the checks. He joined six months back and visits once a weekend. Haven’t been any complaints and I know some of the male subs he’s played with. If something had been off, they would have spoken up. Bad for Evan, the fool was just having a bad day.” He glanced over at the silent sub kneeling peacefully. “Considering what his boss went through the last few days…”

“Yeah. And he strikes me as the type to blame everyone for the problem,” Colin lifted his bag. “Angel. We’re leaving the area for tonight.” He moved to her side and offered his hand, a slight chill in her fingers making him grind his teeth. “Get dressed.”

“May I go to the restroom?”

“Of course. Take your clothes. I’ll wait for you at the bar,” his fingers trailed over her jaw. “Alright?”

“I am. It’s okay, sir,” she gave into the urge and leaned up to kiss his cheek. “I don’t like the panic attacks.”

“And you aren’t to blame for them and you handle them very well. I’m proud of you, Angel,” Colin kissed her softly. “Go dress.”

“Relocating your play?” Reed watched the blanket wrapped woman gather her clothing and walk down the hall.

“I never expected to run into one of them here.”

“Might be best to take it private until this mess is squared away,” Reed suggested. “I think one of the rooms might be available.”

“Thanks, but I think I’m taking her home. I’m not sure even I could get her head back in the play.”

“It’s not like you to give up easily.”

Colin eyed him and looked toward the stairs. “Which room is available?”

****

Angel wasn’t sure what was going on. She’d finished dressing and was headed toward the bar when one of the staff monitors stopped her in the hall.

“Angel? Master Colin asked me to give you this message and point you to the stairway. It’ll be the room at the very end of the left hallway,” he told her, walking with her to the stairs.

“Is he inside?” She looked at the key with a little frown.

“Yes. Knock twice and wait for his order.”

Angel was about to speak. Wanted to ask more questions, but he was gone, leaving her to stand on the bottom step, alone. Nothing to be afraid of. It was Colin, after all. She knew she was more than a little in love with him, despite all the lectures she kept giving herself.

Step after step happened until she was at the top of the stairs, gazing down the long halls that led in both directions. Per her instructions, she took the left hall and tried to ignore the sexy sounds floating around her from all directions. The open floor below and the various rooms with their doors closed on either side as she walked were filled with couples or more, enjoying themselves a great deal.

The last door at the end. She hadn’t done anything yet she was positive her breasts were achy and the parts between her legs…totally damp on the silly thing he called panties. And he’d kept her bra so she couldn’t put it back on. She was certain she jiggled, so she moved slowly. She knocked twice, relieved and anxious when she heard his voice call out to her to enter.

Her hand only shook a little when it gripped the large, old-fashioned glass knob. The key fit the lock perfectly and it turned smoothly, opening inward on a darkened room filled with flickering shadows from candles. She didn’t try and stop the smile. He knew how much she loved candles. The scents were mingled but her nose had zeroed in on one of the spicy ones from her apartment.

“Sir?” Dark lashes squinted a little into the shadows but nothing came clear until she stepped into the room. The door was removed from her grasp the instant she was past the opening, a firm kick had sent it closing.

“Turn the lock, Angel. I’m not in the mood for any more interruptions.”

She tried to make out his stance, his position but her hand rose and she did as he ordered, the lock clicking into place without hesitation. She didn’t have a chance to turn back around, a pair of strong hands came from the side and pushed her into the door.

Not enough to hurt. Just enough for her to know who was in charge. Another shot of hot need pulsed through her. Irrational and frightening and arousing, all at the same time.

Angel shivered, the warmth of his skin against hers making her jerk slightly. He’d removed his shirt.

“Raise your hands, Angel. Palms flat against the wall above your head.” His body absorbed another shiver at the same time his mouth cruised along her shoulder. He didn’t have to hold her in place. She willingly stayed and did as he ordered. “Don’t move.”