It'll Be An Adventure (Masters of the Shadowlands #15)(98)
Author: Cherise Sinclair

 

“Um.” She still felt a bit shaky inside from the panic attack, but some food and friends would be good. “Okay.”

 

He touched her cheek. “Whenever you’re ready to leave, just give me a squeeze.”

 

Yes, she truly did love him.

 

As they walked through the gate, she could see people on the well-lit lanai.

 

She frowned down at herself. Her softest, oldest jeans were ripped at the knees. Her maroon T-shirt was ancient as were her faded flip-flops. She wasn’t even wearing a bra. “Gabi dragged me out of the house, and it was all right since I’d just be gardening. I’m not dressed for socializing.”

 

Saxon’s eyes held a wicked gleam. “If you’re worried about looking like a proper submissive, lose the shirt.”

 

She took a step back. “No, no. I’m good. For sure.”

 

In the dim lighting, his grin was white. “Of course you are.”

 

 

 

As they entered the enclosed lanai, Saxon saw Z was watching them. No surprise there.

 

In the gardens, while Saxon was talking Murphy down, Z had been nearby, ready to assist if needed. He’d disappeared as soon as Murphy came out of it.

 

Saxon shook his head. The Shadowlands owner was undoubtedly feeling the guilt again. It was a Dominant’s strength—and perhaps greatest weakness—the need to fix everything, to protect everyone.

 

It made for unhappy Doms when they discovered they couldn’t.

 

However, in this case, he knew just how to help Z feel better.

 

Saxon kissed the top of Murphy’s head and squeezed her hard. “I missed you.”

 

She dimpled, making her little cat-laugh. “You said that.”

 

“Because yeah. I missed you a lot.”

 

Her smile could brighten the darkest of days. And could ease a guilt-laden Master’s feelings.

 

Z met his gaze and nodded, a slight smile curving his lips.

 

Arm around his woman, Saxon guided her to the food and drink tables, getting a chorus of welcomes.

 

“Murphy, I would have come to find you, but Nolan said Saxon went after you,” Beth said.

 

Murphy smiled. “He did. He found me.”

 

Across the lanai, Rainie was grinning. Saxon smothered a laugh. She was undoubtedly delighted her boss would be in a better mood at the clinic.

 

A few minutes later, food in hand, Saxon sat on the patio swing beside Murphy. Ghost and Valerie were at the closest table with Master Z and Jessica. Cullen and Andrea were in nearby chairs.

 

Ghost was telling Master Z, “Since there are recessed power outlets in the center of the floor past the bar, that’s where I’ll have the three machines set up.”

 

“Right out in the middle of the room?” Cullen let out a hearty laugh. “I might have to bartend tomorrow night.”

 

“Pendejo,” Andrea elbowed Cullen’s ribs hard enough to make him grin. “At least I won’t be riding one this time.”

 

Maybe she wouldn’t be, but…Saxon studied his own little submissive. Maybe someone else would like to?

 

 

 

“Riding what?” Feeling wonderfully comfortable nestled against her Dom’s side, Murphy looked up at him. “Are they talking about one of those bulls from country-western bars?”

 

She saw Ghost’s lips quirk, and then Saxon bent and whispered in her ear, “They’re talking about fucking machines.”

 

Oh. My. God. Heat swept into her face.

 

Jessica gave her a sympathetic look. “I know. I still get surprised by some of the kinks that show up in the club.”

 

A fucking machine. Murphy swallowed. Being fucked by a machine. The thought was very hot, only it shouldn’t be…should it?

 

“Why three of them?” Saxon asked, diverting attention away from her. He stroked her arm in a comforting gesture.

 

“Since the original, there’s now more variety,” Ghost said. “I leased three different kinds.”

 

Master Z smiled slightly. “This weekend, the members will rate the machines. The club will purchase the favorite.”

 

“Not that many will ride the machines,” Andrea said, frowning.

 

“Aye, but the rest of us will know which one is most effective by watching the person using it,” Cullen explained.

 

Watching the person? Murphy’s body roused as she imagined being observed while some machine had its way with her.

 

“Yes, anyone watching will be able to evaluate the participant’s responses and judge the quality of the orgasms.” Saxon’s low voice stroked over Murphy’s sensitive nerves. “Even listen to the submissive whimper and scream as they get off.”

 

She sucked in a hard breath. Looking up, she realized he was studying her with far too perceptive eyes.

 

Oh no, he could see that the idea was turning her on. She jumped up. “I need some…some water.” Even though her glass was still half full.

 

Behind her, she could hear more than one masculine chuckle.

 

At the drink table, she puttered about to let her body settle down. How embarrassing, getting all hot and bothered by the thought of a machine, for heaven’s sake.

 

A glass of wine in hand, she detoured well away from the group discussing machines and instead joined Rainie and Natalia and Uzuri. They were talking about children and kittens and puppies. Who could resist a conversation like that one?

 

A bit later, Saxon joined her as the other women headed to the tables to get seconds.

 

Saxon tugged on Murphy’s hair. “I’m ready for more food too. Want—”

 

“Uh-uh.” Actually, she’d been planning to escape for a few moments. “I’m good, thank you.”

 

He tapped her nose the way he would a kitten to get attention. “Did you see that Valerie brought out cookies? She makes all kinds—because Ghost is crazy that way.”

 

There were cookies? Dammit, the Dom knew her weakness. Her mouth started to water. “Were there frosted ones?”

 

“Yes, kitlet, there were.”

 

She glanced at the horde around the table and took a step back. “Beth mentioned her night garden, and I wanted to see it.”