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There was a private entrance in the back alley with a stairway that led directly to the second floor. The entrance was accessible via electronic key card. Jack pulled his from his wallet and slid it through the lock.
“Wow, it feels so strange to be back here,” Cleo said as they climbed the stairs. “I practically lived here on my days off.”
“You were definitely missed,” Jack said. “I know Ellis and the others will be delighted to see you.” As he said this, he experienced a stab of preemptive jealousy. He didn’t want to share Cleo with any of the other Doms at the club. He wanted her entirely for himself.
As they entered the club, Cleo stopped just inside the door. “Shall I remove my dress, Sir?”
“Not yet,” Jack replied, still not sure if they were staying for long.
Ellis Campbell appeared at that moment to greet them. Manager and caretaker of the London Masters Club, he lived on the premises, staying in one of the three tiny bedrooms on the top floor.
The other two rooms were kept as spares for visiting members from outside of London who needed a place to stay. When unoccupied, those rooms were also available for members whose BDSM play spilled over into something more amorous. The beds were outfitted with cuffs and rope for easy restraint, and each room sported its own St. Andrew’s cross.
Ellis was a big man—easily six-foot four with the body of an American football player, broad and muscular, without a trace of fat. He had curly dark hair and unusually green eyes. That night he was wearing a black leather vest, open to reveal his hairy, massive chest, along with black jeans and heavy black boots. Ellis was very popular with the ladies. A diehard bachelor by choice, he preferred to play the scene with a new pleasure sub each night.
“Is that our little Cleo?” he exclaimed. “You’ve come home at last.”
“Master Ellis,” she replied, her face dimpling into a smile that made Jack’s heart clutch. “I’ve missed you, Sir.”
Ellis swept Cleo into a bear hug that lifted her off her feet. “And I’ve missed you. The place just isn’t the same without our little pixie.”
Then, to Jack’s dismay, Ellis kissed Cleo on the lips. Was that his tongue he was trying to slip into her mouth? Wait, was she kissing him back?
Before he could stop himself, Jack took a step closer, placing a firm hand on Ellis’s massive shoulder. With perhaps a little too much force, he yanked Ellis back, causing the pair to part.
“Whoa, mate,” Ellis said, lifting a brow. He regarded Jack a moment, a slow smile lifting his mouth like a challenge. “It’s like that, is it?”
Jack glanced at Cleo, whose face had flushed rosy pink. “Yeah,” he asserted, managing a smile. “It’s like that.” He draped a proprietary arm around Cleo’s shoulders. To his delight, she leaned into him, her arm snaking around his waist.
The challenge left Ellis’s face, his smile more genuine now. “Well, that’s wonderful news, you two.” He tilted his head, regarding Cleo critically. “No pleasure sub red.” He touched Cleo’s throat with his fingertip, referencing her lack of a collar. “No service slave blue.” He turned his discerning gaze back to Jack, a question in his eyes.
“Yeah,” Jack agreed. He kissed the top of Cleo’s head. “Cleo’s taking a break from Masters Club service. Right now, we’re just taking things as they come. Seeing how they play out.”
“Ha, that’s great,” Ellis replied enthusiastically. “Though I have to say,” he added, turning to Cleo, “I’m surprised. I thought you were dyed-in-the-wool single, like me.”
Jack’s heart gave an unpleasant lurch at this declaration. Was he just fooling himself that Cleo and he could find something more? But, to his relieved delight, Cleo replied, “Things change, people change. You might just find true love yourself one day.”
As Jack silently basked in the implication of her words, Ellis laughed heartily. “Don’t count on it. I like things just the way they are, thank you very much. Keep it simple, keep it fun. That’s my motto.”
“Speaking of fun,” Jack said, “We might check out a scene station or two while we’re here. We just got in this morning from the States, so we won’t be staying long.”
“By all means,” Ellis said graciously, waving a hand toward the dungeon, which took up most of the first floor of the club. “It’s a little early yet, but there are several members already hard at play.”
Bending down, he whispered something into Cleo’s ear. She blushed and giggled, shaking her head.
“What did he say?” Jack asked as he led her toward the dungeon.
“He said he’s glad I came to my senses and came home, and that if I want to get you out of the picture, pronto, he knows a guy.”
“Ha,” Jack said with a laugh. “I know a guy, too.” He hoisted his gear bag higher on his shoulder. “Let’s go play.”
