The audience grew. Conversations were kept to a whisper to avoid disturbing the scene. With a shock, Lindsey realized the man next to her was the bottom’s Master—and partner. She frowned and glanced at deVries.

As if understanding her unspoken question, Master Rock said, “Johnboy needs more pain than I’m willing to dish out. So occasionally, I hook him up with a sadist.” As his partner groaned, Rock watched with an indulgent expression. “I asked deVries not to let johnboy get off; I intend to reap the benefits.”

Well. That was different. Lindsey turned back to the scene.

The expression on deVries’s face was akin to the submissive’s. Intent, completely focused, showing both satisfaction and pleasure.

What would it be like to have all that attention focused on her? She actually felt her heart skip a beat at the thought.

Acting as if he had eternity to play, deVries switched to the cane again. The whapping sounds were drowned out by johnboy’s gut-wrenching groans. Faster. Harder.

At last deVries stopped and waved a hand at Master Rock. “All yours. Primed for action.”

And God, johnboy really was. He was so hard his cock pulsed with each heartbeat.

From the mouthwatering bulge barely contained inside deVries’s worn-soft leathers, he was in equal discomfort. Lindsey’s brows drew together. The arrangement was all good for the two gay guys, and yet, what about the sadist? He didn’t get relief?

Come to think of it, she rarely saw him fuck anyone here. And she’d watched him. Ever since she’d joined the club last spring, he’d fascinated her. Damned if she was sure why.

Tilting her head, she studied him as he cleaned his equipment and stowed it away. His hair was military short, his face lean with a strong jaw and well-formed hard lips. A frown line showed between his eyebrows. No laugh lines; he didn’t often smile. He wasn’t quite as tall as Xavier, but God, his broad shoulders and muscular chest under a black T-shirt made saliva pool in her mouth.

And the way he walked was simply deadly…as if it wouldn’t bother him at all to turn someone into a pile of bones and blood. Knowing how much deVries enjoyed dispensing pain, Xavier often asked him to administer punishment to unruly submissives—who’d nicknamed him the Enforcer.

Lindsey bit her lip. Why the hell did she have to be attracted to a sadist?

Now he was done with the heavy scene, what would he do? She felt a smidgen of pity as she watched him pack his toy bag, leaving the submissive tied to the table for Rock to enjoy. No one was there for deVries.

However, though most of the observers had left, several still waited, attention focused so intently on deVries they reminded her of sheep at feeding time. As he slung his bag over his shoulder and picked up his wand case, the submissives—male and female—went to their knees. Offering themselves. In the very front was HurtMe— one of the masochists he often played with. When the blond touched his forehead to the ground, Lindsey snorted. Obviously deVries would have no problem scratching his itch after a scene.

She started to leave and paused, wondering which he’d choose. Sub gossip hadn’t made mention of a favorite, which might simply mean the Enforcer was exceedingly private in who he was screwing.

At least, since she wasn’t kneeling, he wouldn’t think she was one of the applicants for his favor. She couldn’t take another insult.

When he assessed the offerings indifferently, her mood lightened. It was reassuring to know she wasn’t the only sub he’d ever rejected.

Without picking anyone, he headed for the stairs. As he neared Lindsey, she caught his tantalizing scent, wild and musky with a hint of clean masculine sweat.

He stopped in front of her. His gaze was hotter than a Texas summer sun as it swept over her feline costume—cat ears, furry bra, and leopard-fur boy shorts. Violence lurked in his eyes.

And the growl in his voice was unyielding. “Changed my mind. I could use some sweet wildcat pussy, and you’re up. I’m calling in my debt.”

“Wh-what?” The explosion of air from her lungs made his lips tilt…slightly. She shook off the disbelief. “You said no.”

“I said when I wanted. Choose—do I fuck you here or at your house?”

Oh my effing God. Only a sneaky weasel-dog like him would pull such a stunt. She’d hankered after him forever, and yet the thought of being with him dried the spit in her mouth.

She jerked her gaze from his intent one and saw Sir Ethan behind him. Watching. As a dungeon monitor, he could tell deVries to go jump in a lake. He lifted one eyebrow.

But…she’d participated in the games last summer. And lost. There hadn’t been any time limit on collecting the prize.

DeVries stood silently, letting her think. His gray-green eyes showed no expression.

Under Dark Haven’s rules, she could safeword if she was really scared…only it would be a cheat. She wasn’t past her limit. He hadn’t done anything yet. But under his hard gaze, she sure felt like a newborn calf trapped by a wolf.

She shook her head at Sir Ethan and said to deVries, “Fine.”

“Where?”

Heavens. Let him take her here—where all those submissives would watch? Uh-uh. Home? Unease made her bite her lip. What could he learn about her there? Not much, actually. Thank goodness it wasn’t really her place. “Home.”

He looked a little surprised, then nodded.

Aw heck, she was going to have sex with the Enforcer. Maybe it was only for an hour or so, but…he wants me. A thrill shot through her and made her quiver.

And lit his eyes with amusement.

Chapter Two

Her Pacific Heights place was fairly close, and yet she always felt nervous when outside in the open. What if Travis finds me and sets someone up with a rifle? She never managed to relax until she was out of the parking garage and safe in the secured building.

Her heart rate was still elevated when the doorman greeted her with his usual Miss Lindsey, and she led deVries into the elevator.

On the way up to her floor, he frowned at her and tilted her face up. “If you’re this scared, maybe you should back out.”

“Huh?” God, he thought she was afraid of him. “Oh. Right. Parking garages make me jumpy.”

After a long regard, he nodded. The elevator doors opened. As they walked down the hall to the overly ornate, very gorgeous condo, he set his hand on her lower back. The warmth of his palm went right through the denim wraparound dress to sear her skin, blasting away any thought of fear. The knowledge his powerful hands would restrain her body in a few minutes made the very air of the hallway shimmer with heat.

After she ushered him in, he strolled across the living room and silently took in the view of the Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge. Down below, the city sparkled with lights. “Pretty pricy digs, little girl.”

“I like them,” she said lightly. It had been an unanticipated dream when a rich friend of Xavier’s left for Europe and needed a condo-sitter. Although the Italianate décor was stuffy—at least to her mind—everything was oh, so luxurious. Even the fancy house Victor had owned in San Antonio didn’t compare.

Abandoning the view, deVries turned. Utterly confident and masculine, he looked at her, taking her in at his leisure, until she could almost feel his attention stroking against her skin. “Lose the dress.” His voice was level. Unreadable. “Kneel there and wait for me.”

Oh. Man. Her fingers fumbled with the dress’s ties as every nerve in her body started to dance.

***

The surroundings didn’t please deVries. Cold and formal—very different from the warm little submissive kneeling in the living room. But the view over the Bay was a plus. Maybe he’d do her there, looking down at the lights of the city.

He studied her for a minute.

Fast, shallow breathing. The flush on her lightly tanned cheeks deepened with his perusal. He could see her nipples were hard under the fuzzy bra. Her hands on her thighs weren’t palm up as he liked, but were turned over, her fingers digging into the skin. Nervous. Excited. Maybe a little scared.

She should be.

“What the hell were you thinking letting a stranger into your home?”

Her startled gaze met his. “You’re not a stranger. I know you.”

“Hardly. I could break your pretty neck.”

Her lips curved slightly. “Bless your heart; you’re worried about me, aren’t you?”

“About your common sense.”

“I’ve never brought�� I mean, I’m careful. Abby was on reception and knows you’re here…so Xavier will also know.” Her smile disappeared. “I’m not completely stupid. Xavier and Simon are your friends.”

“You’re smarter than you look.”

Her glare was pretty ineffective considering her cat ears had slid sideways. “If you’re through insulting me, how about I give you a blowjob and we call this quits?”

Fuck, she was cute when steamed. His hard-on had returned; his cock was past ready for relief. Pity that, since he had no intention of rushing. Not with this little submissive. However, she needed to learn that snark didn’t win a reward. Not in his universe. “If you’re so eager, you can start with a blowjob.” He stepped in front of her. “Go on.”

Her flush was more from anger now than arousal, but her gaze lowered. And she leaned away from him.

Hell. Even for him, he was being an asshole. He dropped to one knee and lifted her chin. Confused brown eyes met his. Setting his hand on her shoulder, he bent and kissed her gently. Pulled back an inch. “Check the attitude, baby, yeah?”