It'll Be An Adventure (Masters of the Shadowlands #15)(61)
Author: Cherise Sinclair

 

She might be getting addicted to his hugs.

 

 

 

When his stubborn Murphy had gotten her composure back, Saxon reluctantly released her. He’d have preferred to have held her for another hour or two.

 

Because damn, he was still trying to deal with discovering she’d been assaulted at the Shadowlands. The one place where a submissive should be safe.

 

He put a finger under her chin. “Why didn’t you tell me? That first night. I wouldn’t have even suggested rough sex.”

 

“That’s why.” Her shoulders hunched. “I didn’t want you worried about every little thing.”

 

“Ah, that happened before?”

 

She grimaced and nodded. “Honestly, I’m pretty much over the past. Now I want to do the things that excite me—even if I trip over a trigger now and then.”

 

Dammit, he didn’t want her to be afraid. Not ever. The Dom in him wanted to argue. At the same time, he admired her courage. Or resilience as Z had called it. “In that case, I definitely want you to use yellow as a stop-and-talk safeword. Can you do that for me?”

 

After a moment, she nodded. “Okay.”

 

“Okay. I’ll trust you to use it.”

 

“So bossy,” she muttered.

 

“Actually, he’s a much nicer boss than Jake.” Rainie joined them with Jake beside her.

 

“It’s good you finally realize that.” Saxon looked down at Murphy and saw a smile appear. Good, the irrepressible Rainie was just what she needed to balance out. “But when it comes to keeping the techs and staff in line, you have us both beat, Rainie.”

 

“That’s because I’m just that amazing.” She turned to Murphy. “So, have you finished writing the scenes you want us to read?”

 

“Actually, I have.” Murphy let out a startled eep when Rainie dragged her away.

 

Smiling at the sound of her laughter, Saxon nudged his partner. “She stole Murphy. You need to corral your woman better.”

 

Grinning, Jake punched Saxon’s shoulder. “Learn to guard your woman better.”

 

My woman. It had a nice ring to it. Turning, he saw she was surrounded by Shadowkittens. Looked like it’d be a while before he got her back. “I’ll bear that in mind.”

 

 

 

An escape from all the emotional stuff was just what she’d needed, Murphy thought. And she couldn’t believe how enthusiastic the women were about the chance to critique her story.

 

Admittedly, she thought she’d done a great job on the BDSM scenes. They were powerful and scary…and the making-love scene had turned out quite sexy.

 

“We’ll figure out a time to get together, hopefully next week,” Rainie said. “Hey, maybe we should have you read some of the scenes here in the club. Get everyone in the mood, right?”

 

“No!” Murphy’s horrified expression had the others laughing their asses off.

 

“Now, Murphy, everyone knows that a woman needs her head in the right place to truly enjoy the act of sexual congress,” Gabi said in a genteel voice.

 

“True. Set the mood. And foreplay—that’s very important.” Natalia grinned. “Having a woman lover definitely makes a difference.”

 

Kim snorted. “Maybe because the common run of guys think foreplay means squeezing your tits a few times before shoving it in?”

 

“Or if they even think about touching a pussy, they can’t find where the clit is. I certainly appreciate the ones who can—like my Doms.” Uzuri grinned, then frowned. “At least up until they decide to keep me on the edge forever.”

 

A chorus of laughing agreement greeted her statement.

 

Murphy’s gaze turned to Saxon. That Master sure knew where everything was located. Just the memory of his mouth on her made her temperature rise. And boy, he sure knew how to keep her on the edge.

 

As if he’d heard her, his eyes met hers. When his eyebrows lifted, her face went hot.

 

Gabi laughed softly. “Look at Murphy’s face. It appears our Master Saxon does damn well in the edging games.”

 

There were grins all around, then Jessica leaned forward and dropped her voice. “Speaking of foreplay and edging, an equipment sales rep talked to Z and Ghost last week. About fucking machines.”

 

“Whoa.” Kim blinked. “You know…it’s a bit scary to think of my Master in control of the remote for one of those.”

 

Natalia shivered and glanced at her Mistress. “Major scary.”

 

Murphy tilted her head. “Fucking machines?”

 

“Uh-huh. The kind you ride. They look kind of like a saddle with a dildo.” Jessica pretended to straddle something. “We had an old Sybian in the dungeon, but it died this year. Z planned to replace it, but Ghost says there are different kinds of machines and wanted to check them out.”

 

Murphy stared at her. “You mean the machine would be…like right out in public?” Which meant the woman would orgasm out in front of everyone. The thought was shocking.

 

Exciting. Heat ran through her veins until her lower half was melting.

 

“Pretty maid, you’re all flushed.” Saxon’s voice from behind her made her jump. He put his arm across her stomach, pulling her back against his chest. “I take it you like the idea of a fucking machine in the middle of the clubroom?”

 

She choked.

 

 

 

 

 

Later that night, Saxon settled on Murphy’s couch with her little black-and-white kitten in his lap.

 

Suggesting they call it an early night, he’d brought her back to watch movies. Here in her own home where she’d feel safe.

 

It worked, he thought. After handing him a beer, she’d disappeared into the kitchen to cook, refusing to let him help.

 

If being alone for a few minutes was what she needed, he could give her that.

 

Since Sherlock had accompanied her to the kitchen to employ his mooching skills, Saxon was entertaining the kitten.

 

Murphy had named the feline Brummell after the Regency dandy Beau Brummell. It was a fitting name for a tuxedo cat.

 

Saxon rubbed Brummell’s ears and grinned at the high-pitched purr. Eyes were clear, fur was glossy and perfectly groomed, the hollowed-out look was disappearing. “You’ve landed in a good place, buddy.”