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Chapter 1
Dan Shylock entered the playroom of his BDSM club tired and unsure why he’d bothered to come out tonight. He’d had his hands full with trying two court cases this week and continuing his newest employees’ education in small ranching. If it weren’t for Bernie, his reliable, trustworthy foreman of the past nine years, he wouldn’t be able to juggle both a legal career and a working ranch. After noting the crowd spread out in the converted barn, he veered toward a quiet, secluded corner, taking a seat on a sofa that faced the room. Leaning back with a sigh, he crossed one booted ankle over his opposite knee and stretched his arms out behind him. Scanning the Saturday night members, he spotted his friends, the Dunbar brothers at the circular bar in the center of the floor, their wives at their sides, like usual. It tickled him how content the two confirmed bachelors now were with wedded bliss. He could see why they had succumbed so fast to the charms of Sydney and Tamara, just not why they’d been in such a hurry to make that commitment. Although, he mused, Connor’s downfall hadn’t come nearly as quick or as easy as Caden’s. You’d think, maintaining such a close friendship with the neighbor girl for years would have made the decision to take their relationship to the next level a no-brainer, but the younger Dunbar had fought against going that route and it almost cost him their special connection for good.
The image of a golden-eyed brunette popped into his head, a common occurrence lately. He’d thought he and Nan Meyers also enjoyed a close bond, both as frequent Dom/sub partners here at The Barn and as friends outside of the sexually charged atmosphere. But the longer she stayed away and out of touch, the more he questioned what was going on with her and why she had shut him out along with her other friends. She’d left Willow Springs last summer, right after the Dunbar’s double wedding, to spend a few weeks with her brother in New Orleans and hadn’t returned in the ten months since. Every time he went by her closed up tea shop located not far from his office in the town square, his gut tightened as he thought of her abrupt silence following the first few weeks of her departure.
“You’ll scare the subs away with that scowl,” Sheriff Grayson Monroe drawled as he took a seat next to Dan.
“Nah, they love all of us just the way we are.” Dan flicked him a sideways glance. “Where’s your pretty wife? Never mind, I see her now.”
With her soft, round curves displayed nicely in a red teddy, Avery padded up to them carrying a soft drink and beer, handing the beer to Grayson with a blush as Dan enjoyed a slow look at her delectable body. “Evening, Avery.”
“Hi, Master Dan.” Grayson tugged her onto his lap and wrapped an arm around her waist. “How are you?” she asked, leaning against her husband with a contented sigh.
“I’d be better if you were still single, or if Master Grayson would share once in a while,” he teased just to watch her face turn a deeper shade of red. “I swear, this place used to be more fun before everyone decided to settle down with their subs.” The sheriff hadn’t waited long after the Dunbars to put a ring on Avery’s finger and the couple had married last fall.
“Maybe you’d enjoy yourself more if you would start playing again. When was the last time you made one of our subs happy?” Grayson never did believe in beating around the bush.
Dan frowned, thinking back. Had it been that long since he’d indulged himself here? There had been a few nights when he hadn’t been in the mood for anything except socializing, and with his caseload, he hadn’t frequented the club as much in the last two months. Between the physical exertion of ranching and keeping up with his law practice, he stayed busy.
Shrugging, he lowered his arms and leg to lean forward, bracing his forearms on his thighs. “I guess it has been a few weeks,” he admitted with a rueful shake of his head.
Grayson reached up and cupped Avery’s breast through the silky material, rasping his thumb over her nipple until the pouty bud hardened. “You kept to yourself a lot right after Nan left as well. Everyone misses her. Still no word?”
Well, yeah, he missed her too. She was the only sub he didn’t shy away from playing with on a regular basis, mainly because she shared his enjoyment of remaining free of entanglements. The delightful way she embraced her submissiveness and her penchant for pain play and rough sex made her the perfect match for his strict dominance.
“I haven’t heard from her, and last I checked with Tamara, neither had she,” he replied, his irritation with Nan’s silence underscoring his words. “I’m just tired tonight. It’s been a long, stressful week.”
“How are the military parolees working for you? Getting the hang of things?” Sliding his hand downward, Grayson idly caressed the inside of Avery’s thigh, the slow circular motions drawing Dan’s gaze.
Shifting, he felt the first stirrings of interest in choosing someone to scene with. “Yeah. Their time in an Army jail for possession followed by a stint in rehab took its toll, just like the others I’ve hired following their release. Morales is doing well but Pete has lapsed twice. I’m holding out hope he’ll come around, though. They deserve a second chance for cleaning up their act, or, at least trying to.” Dan and Grayson both spent years in the military. During his time as a JAG officer, he’d both defended and prosecuted numerous military recruits on drug charges while Grayson had seen combat firsthand. It hadn’t taken him long to understand how the atrocities of war could drive even the most stalwart of young people into substance abuse in order to cope.
“I get it, they still need supervision. I admire your commitment, but don’t envy you the job.” With a nudge, Grayson prodded Avery up and stood to clasp her hand. “Caden has you down to monitor the loft in about fifteen minutes. Does that work?”
Dan nodded. “Sure, I’ll be up. Catch you later.” He winked at Avery and watched his friends head for the stairs leading to the upper level of the converted barn.
The Dunbar brothers and Grayson were already in the middle of renovating the dilapidated barn when he purchased his property, but as soon as he’d gotten wind of the project, he didn’t hesitate to offer his help. The members took turns keeping an eye on scenes, especially those using the bondage equipment. They were a close-knit group and everyone knew and adhered to the rules of the club and the well-known guidelines that ensured safe BDSM play, but that didn’t mean mistakes weren’t made or something consensual couldn’t get out of hand.
Pushing to his feet, Dan decided he’d stayed to himself long enough and strolled toward the bar, noticing Caden leading Sydney out back. He knew the pretty redhead enjoyed the hot tub, and it appeared her husband was in the mood to indulge her. An excellent chef, she likely bribed him with a favorite dish or dessert. If he employed as many hands as the Dunbars, he would hire her in a heartbeat to cook for them. His small cattle herd was manageable with five cowpunchers, just large enough to enable him to indulge in both his love of ranching and practicing law.
Sliding onto a barstool next to Tamara, he tugged on her black braid and flashed her a quick grin. “Why don’t you dump your Dom and play with me tonight? Aren’t you tired of him yet?” He tilted his head toward Connor behind the bar.
She returned his smile, her gray eyes lit with pleasure as she gazed at her husband. “He is tiresome,” she replied with a mock sigh. “But I waited too long to get him into bed to give him up now that I have him there. But, thanks anyway.”
“Did I mention the new spanker I picked up this week, sweetie?” Connor whipped his blue eyes from Tamara to Dan. “Master Dan, why don’t you find your own girl to pester? I think I heard Leslie mention your name earlier.”
