“So many playmates, but not the one I want,” Ryder muttered as he read the personal ads on the bulletin board. If he were writing his own advertisement, he would’ve said something along the lines of Wanted—a lover and a sub who can handle me. Same woman preferred. Must be willing to work with me, but rein me in, too. He snorted as he gazed out at the people in the main playroom of Exposed. The guests and members were great people, but in his six months there, he hadn’t found the right sub. Well, no… He had an idea of who he wanted, but he hadn’t had the chance to talk to her.

He leaned against the bar and toyed with his bottle of water. Just thinking about Cat sent the blood rushing below his belt. The sweet woman with the long blonde hair came to mind often. He wanted to caress her curves and sample her mouth. He’d heard she was into pain play and he’d watched a couple of her demonstration scenes. She turned him on and had him ready to combust each time he saw her. If she’d participate in a scene with him, he’d show her a good time. Hell, he’d show her she might be a good match for him, too.

Damian, one of the other Masters, strode up to him. He nodded once. “Ryder.”

“D.” Ryder stood tall. He hadn’t been at the club as long as Damian and was expected to defer to him. “How are you?”

“I’m fine,” Damian said, “but I’ve got a problem. There’s a writers’ group coming in at seven and they’d like a demonstration. One of the authors set it up with Sean, but the bastard left last week. He never bothered to let the group know that he wouldn’t be able to do the demo.”

“What does it involve?” He finished his water.

“Wax play. I don’t do that with Missy.” Damian notched his chin in the air. “You’re not coupled up. I’d ask you, but you don’t have a sub.”

“I can find one.” He knew who to ask. “Pencil me in for it.” He left the empty bottle on the bar. “I’ll do it.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive.” He clapped Damian on the shoulder. “We’ll be there.”

“I should ask who you’ve got in mind, but I trust you,” Damian said. “I’ll have the playroom prepped. Playroom one. The supplies will be there and ready. All you have to do is show up. Is there anything you want in particular?”

“I’ll text you once the sub agrees.”

“Good.”

“Thank you.” He left the Master at the bar and headed toward the office. He’d wanted an excuse to speak to Cat and now he had one. He ignored the others in the room. Right now, the only one who mattered was her. A woman in a latex dress winked at him. He nodded once, but kept moving.

“But, Master,” she said, “I’ve been waiting for you.”

He frowned. He wasn’t even sure who she was, yet she’d waited on him? “I’m sorry. I’m not looking for a sub right now.”

“Sir.” She reached for him, but he sidestepped her. Besides her not being Cat, he wasn’t in the mood for someone so pushy. He ducked into the hallway leading to the office and paused to compose himself. He had to think before he spoke. If he demanded her submission, Cat wouldn’t work with him. He knocked on the door.

“Come.”

Her voice echoed in his mind. Ryder bit back a smile and twisted the knob. “Cat?”

“Right here.” She swiveled around in her seat. Her blonde hair shimmered in the fluorescent lighting. Glitter sparkled on her lashes and shoulders. The tank top barely contained her breasts. She smiled. “Ryder, hi. Did you need something? Let me guess. You locked yourself out of the staff computers again?”

“No.” He chuckled. She knew him. He’d become a pro at goofing up the password. He squared his shoulders. “I need to speak with you.”

“Oh.” She folded her hands on her lap and crossed her ankles. “Sir.”

She wasn’t his sub, but she treated him with the same respect. Fucking balls, I need to claim this woman. He tugged the only other chair up to hers and sat backward on it. “I need you.” He paused to gauge her reaction.

Color rushed into her cheeks, but she didn’t giggle or look away.

“I hear you’re into wax play. You’re a masochist, correct?” he asked.

Her eyes widened a moment, but she kept her head held high. “I am,” she murmured. “I didn’t know everyone knew.”

“Not everyone.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. She had four piercings in her lobe and a lone piercing in the interior of her ear. Is she pierced anywhere else? He met her gaze. “Master D asked me to do a demonstration involving wax play. I’d heard from Master Zion that you’ve done wax with him. Would you be interested in doing a scene with me?”

She licked her lips. “What does the scene involve besides wax?”

“Sensory deprivation, exhibition, bondage and temperature play.” He folded his arms on the back of the chair. “You can speak throughout the scene.”

Cat smoothed her palms over her thighs. “I don’t want needles involved and no blood play.”

“Noted. I don’t do those anyhow.” He curled his fingers under her chin. Sparks shot from his hand to his heart. Heat engulfed him. If a simple touch caused such a reaction, he could only imagine what the scene would do to him. He focused on the details of it. “Once you’re nude, you’ll have a robe and my collar on. I’ll blindfold you and lead you out to the first private playroom. You’ll disrobe with my help, then I’ll bind you to the bondage table.”

She nodded. “Then the wax and ice will come out?”

“Yes.” He slid his thumb across her bottom lip. “Will you play with me?”

“You’re not demanding,” she murmured.

“This is a rather last-minute situation.” He palmed his pocket. He’d brought the simple collar he used when he played in the main room. The chain wasn’t good enough for Cat, but if she agreed to play later, he’d find a better one.

“I’ll do it.” She held his gaze. “My safeword is red light.”

“Thank you.” He pulled the collar from his pocket and draped the chain around her neck. “You’re mine?”

“I am.”

He clicked the lock into place. “Thank you. I’ll refer to you as ‘my girl’. Please address me as Sir once the scene starts.” He leaned in close and brushed his nose along hers. “I’ll help D prep the room. Meet me in the changing room of playroom one at six forty-five…which means in like fifteen minutes.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good girl.” He resisted the urge to kiss her. He’d convinced her to play with him and the sparks were real. Once they’d completed the scene, he’d show her just how much he liked her.

 * * * *

 Cat stared at the empty seat long after Ryder had gone. He’d asked her to take part in the scene—not Amie or Sienna…her. She scrubbed her hand across her mouth and sighed. She was about to have what she wanted—the pain, the pleasure and bliss. A shiver of excitement ran the length of her spine. She’d better get moving or she’d overthink the situation and wuss out.

She closed the lid on her laptop then checked to ensure the keycard for the room was still tucked into her bra. The office was her domain and the only place she had to lock up her purse and phone. If she lost her key card, she’d have to get Damian, the owner of Exposed, to let her in. She liked Damian well enough, but she didn’t want to have to go to him in nothing but a robe.

Satisfied the card was in its proper location, she left the office and checked the door. Locked. Good. She headed down to the playroom and ducked into the changing room.

Ryder stood with his back to her. He was toying with a set of leather cuffs. If he’d heard her enter, he made no indication of it.

She blew out a ragged breath. Anticipation slid through her veins. She shoved a lock of her hair out of her eyes then grabbed the hem of her tank top. Her nipples tightened. She yanked the top over her head then shook out her hair. She’d need an elastic band to keep her tresses in order. Getting wax out of hair sucked.

“Sir?” She rested her hands on her hips but held onto the card. “Question.”

Ryder froze, then turned around. His eyes widened. “You’re topless.”

“You told me to disrobe.” She tipped her head. “May I pull my hair back?”

“Of course.” He nodded. “I want you to be comfortable.”

“Good.” She turned her attention to removing the rest of her clothes. Another thought occurred to her. “What about shoes? Do you want me in heels? Boots?”

“Bare is fine.” He held out his hand. “Do you have the elastic—or clips—for your hair?”

“Oh!” She offered up the black band.

He stood behind her and gathered her hair at the crown of her head. “Tell me if this hurts.”

“I get off on the pain,” she said. A laugh bubbled in her throat. At least he’d made her feel comfortable. “You’re fine.”

“Good.”

She bit back a moan. She loved having her hair played with. When a man ran his fingers through the long strands and massaged her scalp, the motions sent her into another orbit. She swayed then righted herself. “Thank you, Sir.”

“You’re welcome.” He stood before her again. His gaze slid up and down her body. “What’s the card?”

“That’s how I get into the office. I usually keep it in my bra, but since I don’t have one on…” She hesitated. “Would you keep it for me? On your person? It’s very important. I don’t like to have it out of my sight.”

“Of course.” He tucked the card into his front pocket. “Won’t leave here until you ask for it.”

“Thank you.” Relief washed over her. She clasped her hands behind her and widened her stance a bit. Do I measure up? Chilly air caressed her body. Electricity zapped her from within.

“You’re pierced.” He tapped her nipple. “What other surprises do you have?”

“I guess you’ll have to find out when we play.”

“Naughty girl.” He left her beside her pile of clothing. When he returned, he was holding the leather cuffs. “Hands.”

She offered up her wrists. He secured the thick leather around her wrists and ankles.

“Was that a tattoo I noticed behind your ear?” His breath warmed her inner thigh. “Girl?”

“It is, Sir.” She focused on the wall behind him. “A pixie.”

“I like it.” He stood then pulled a leash from his pocket. “Like the piercings, the tattoo is hidden.”

So he’s observant. She fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Yes, Sir. But no, I won’t explain why.”

“You’re naughty and full of spirit.” He clicked the leash into place then draped the metal links between her breasts. “Ready?”

“I am, Sir.” She pressed her knees together. Cream slicked her labia. Knowing what he was about to do to her frazzled her nerves.

“I’ve set up the room and the voyeurs should be there already.” He covered her in a robe. “Excited?”

“Yes, Sir.”

He tipped her chin with his fingers. “You may make noise. I expect you to. Let me know you enjoy what’s happening.” He met her gaze. “Use your safeword if you need to. Don’t be shy. I’ll push you, but I like a sub with spirit.”

“Yes, Sir.” Her voice sounded husky in her ears.

He smiled, then leaned in and kissed her on the lips. She wasn’t one to kiss her Masters, but something about Ryder was different. He’d asked for, rather than demanded, her submission. He touched her with care and tenderness. The man knew how to crawl under her skin and they hadn’t played yet. He understood the way to stimulate her with subtle caresses and power play.

He stayed close to her. “Thank you, Cat.” He brushed his nose along hers. “Thank you for playing with me and giving me your trust.”

Something within her splintered. She tended to keep her Masters at arm’s length. Not Ryder. He didn’t understand how he’d affected her, but pushing him away would be almost impossible. She cleared her mind and focused on the scene. Soon, he’d make her body sing then he’d be done with her. She could handle that. She’d outlast him and put the space back between them. Damn it. She wouldn’t lose herself to a Master again.