Because she was most often in the company of a high-ranking Dom, she had gained an unspoken pass to the VIP area.
Since Master Dex was a new Dom, introduced to her directly by Master Ralston, she doubted it would be thought odd. Actually, she doubted anyone would ever question a man like Master Dex. He radiated complete confidence and authority with every movement. Not narcissism like a lot of the Doms here, but a self-assurance he looked like he knew he could back up.
That was one of the things that drew her to him like a magnet sliding too close to a large chunk of metal. Now if she could avoid plastering her body against his, and embarrassing herself.
She slid into the booth at the far back corner. There was more privacy here, to talk—and for other things.
Regardless of the chivalry Master Dex had shown so far, she was sure he would move on to those other things now. She couldn’t wait, which surprised her. Many times in the past she had been angry or annoyed with Doms who moved too fast, expected too much, and didn’t take her wishes into account when setting the schedule or the curriculum for their play. Now she just wanted to hit the full-throttle button.
A pretty blond waitress came to the booth, running a hungry gaze over Dex and sparing Kate only a dismissive glance. The snub didn’t surprise her. Kate wasn’t someone “important,” famous, or openly rich like most of the clientele. Many of the employees saved their A-game for those types.
Several, like this woman, had tried to catch the eye of a Dom who would sponsor his or her membership. But that type of Cinderella story rarely happened here. Especially since the men or women who could afford that, or had the influence and power to convince Master Ralston to let an ex-staffer join, were mostly self-centered egotists who were always on the lookout for something better.
Sponsoring someone would imply a certain level of responsibility they didn’t want to be saddled with.
Kate sighed. Most of hers were exactly those types of Doms. There had been some terrific Doms when she’d first joined, but one by one they had either relocated for work or family, transferred to other dungeons, or decided to become monogamous with one of their other subs. But she had gone into each of her decisions with her eyes wide open. More to silently get back at her father than anything else, she realized with a mental wince.
She loved the lifestyle—or at least what it was supposed to be. If Kate could find one Dom who interested her enough both inside and outside of The Dungeon, she might consider dating her Dom and thinking about a more fluid relationship. Finding a man like that seemed like discovering the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and yet she couldn’t help but hope that one day she would.
A large, warm hand settled over hers, jarring her out of her thoughts as she realized she’d fallen silent again. Her cheeks burned for a second as she cast Master Dex in that possible role in her mind.
It was too soon to know if he even qualified, but right now he was sexy as hell, and hers for the evening.
“What would you like, Kate?” His deep voice resonated inside her and scattered her thoughts even further.
She glanced at the waitress, and her mind spun with possibilities. She normally didn’t order anything alcoholic here because she thought it was a bad combination with play. Although she needed a drink after the episode with Balkins, she instead stayed with her regular preference and ordered a vanilla latte.
She thanked the waitress. She had seen the woman many times but didn’t know her name. She had heard her go by several different names, depending on who had asked. So Kate was never sure which, if any, was the true one. Kate shrugged it off. People in Los Angeles sometimes used different personas for various reasons. It was none of her business why the woman felt she needed the extra identities.
Master Dex’s hand still covered Kate’s. He lightly squeezed as he looked at the waitress. “I’ll have black coffee, please. What’s your name?” He smiled, and the waitress wobbled a little, like her knees had weakened.
Kate knew exactly how the woman felt. Dex’s smiles were potent. Hell, the same could be said for everything about him. He was unlike any Dom she had ever met, at least so far. She hoped he continued to surprise her.
“I’m Opal,” the woman said as if in a trance, before taking a deep breath as though she hoped it would steady her.
Opal.
That was one Kate hadn’t heard her use before. Interesting.
“I’ll be right back with your drinks. If you need anything, just yell for me. I’m Opal…” she trailed off as she walked away, looking back over her shoulder at Dex every few steps.
Kate laughed softly. “If every woman in the place reacts to you like that, the other Doms are going to be pissed when they have no subs left to play scenes with.”