Page 46 of Winter’s Fire

Lucy wasn't surprised Logan had been asked to step in. His skill with the implements was unquestionable, as were his reasons for working with an experienced submissive. However, everyone had to start somewhere. What were her chances of persuading him to repeat the performance, with her, in private?

As the stage curtains swung back into place at the end of the show, Lucy experienced a sharp stab of what she could only describe as out-and-out jealousy. Nothing to do with the demonstration itself, and everything to do with what Logan had told her earlier about aftercare.

Her head knew it was only right and fair that he take care of Pixie after she’d helped him out. Her heart was all passive-aggressive indignation about it. As for her cave-girl instincts, they were all about dragging him off and demanding he have his way with her.

And on top of all that there was her reaction to the club itself, the lifestyle it represented, and the part she wanted it to play in her future.

“Are you ready to talk about what’s put such a serious look on your face?”

That voice. The man who owned it shouldn’t have been there, not yet. He was supposed to be busy with Pixie, not standing in front of her with his arms folded, one of three men staring at her and clearly expecting an explanation.

All she could do was stare at him open-mouthed.

“Master Logan, since that may be something Lucy would prefer to discuss with you in private, I suggest that Tristan and I make ourselves scarce. Thank you for the demonstration—it was most enjoyable, and if you ever consider offering a class, I’d be more than happy to sign up.”

“My pleasure, Master Lee. I’m not planning to hold any classes for now, but who knows? Thank you for taking care of Lucy for me—I trust her manners were better than this?”

“She was delightful company. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Master and sub departed, leaving Lucy alone with Logan. He slid into the booth beside her. “So?”

“Shouldn’t you be taking care of Pixie? Aftercare, I mean.”

A dark eyebrow lifted. “That’s what this is about?”

“What?”

“The fact that you were a million miles away when I came back, and I had to ask the question twice before you even acknowledged I was there. Why does that concern you so much?”

“It doesn’t. I mean, I thought you wouldn’t be back yet. Pixie should have aftercare, shouldn’t she?”

“One of the other Tops stepped in. The duty manager knows her job, she had that organised as well.”

“Oh.” A surge of happiness lit her up inside. Only a hint of guilt kept her from showing it.

“I think we’d better continue this conversation somewhere a little more private.”

“A little more private” meant his apartment, and to prolong the torture even further, Logan insisted that she take the bathroom and shower first. Too tired to care, she changed into her favourite PJs, and barely had time to make herself comfortable on the sofa before Logan joined her and kicked off the conversation.

“So what was all the introspection about at the club? Did you have a problem with the scene with Pixie?”

Though his voice was gentle, domination rolled off Logan in waves. The black jeans and t-shirt he’d changed into added to the impression, as did the ragged scar on his left arm. Only a fool would mess with this man.

“No, not really. I understand why you didn’t want me to… take part. I just… I’d like to try it sometime. That is, if you…”

“Maybe—when you’re ready. So if it wasn't really about Pixie, what was it about?”

“I spent a lot of time people-watching—when you were talking to Sean, and while I was with Master Lee and Tris.”

“And?”

Trust. Honesty. Communication. “I thought about things you told me about the people, and the conversation I had with the two of them. What it was like at the club. How I feel about it—not just the club but the whole lifestyle.”

“And how is that?”

His voice was steady, his tone neutral, neither giving any indication of what was going through his mind. At least he was prepared to hear her out before giving her the benefit of his thoughts. She wished she had a cup of tea to keep her hands occupied and give her an excuse to divert her attention away from him.

“That it’s not for everyone, but that’s fairly obvious. Until a few days ago, I never even gave it much of a thought, beyond that book that’s been in the news over the last couple of years. I only intended to learn enough about it for the mission, but tonight—today as a whole, come to think of it—that changed.”