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Within a heartbeat, it was gone, replaced with her strong, steady lover.

Merrick checked his watch, smiling congenially. “We’re right on time to meet Jasper. This should be fun.”

“For you, maybe. I’m not going.”

“I thank God every day you came along to make my dreams come true, little owl.” Bending his knees, he pressed his shoulder into her stomach and folded her over, then straightened. “I’ve always wanted to haul a woman over my shoulder like a Neanderthal and carry her away.”

She yelped in outrage, then squeaked as he turned and started walking. The momentum made her feel like she was about to tip fully over the broad shoulder wedged into her belly, despite the arm encircling her legs. She grabbed hold of his belt. “If God exists, I’m so pleased He put me here for your entertainment. Can you hear the sarcasm, Merrick? Can you?”

He chuckled, pushing through the doors. “Loud and clear, little owl.”

“Merrick, put me down. Merrick.” The pattern of the carpet under his feet changed to the hallway, then he was ascending the stairs. She gave him a poke in the butt as her voice grew higher, losing her ability to say his name properly. “Merk. Merk!”

“It’ll all be over in twenty minutes, tops.” Merrick gave her butt a pat that felt like a warning. “Just remember he’s a happily married sadist with a masochist for a wife, not a virgin-eating monster.”

She tightened her grip on his belt. “I’m not a virgin anymore.”

“No,” he agreed, sounding incredibly pleased with himself. “You’re not. So there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”

Tamsyn swore a guillotine came down on the back of her neck the moment he crossed the threshold into that godforsaken room, the sharp blade stopping just a fraction away from lopping her head off. Cold blossomed, spreading over her skin, under it, until her teeth began to chatter.

“A captive audience,” Jasper commented. “What fun.”

“She hates this room. She’s not keen on you either, so just mind yourself.” A hint of amusement flavored Merrick’s words as he slid her trembling body down his front and plopped her butt straight onto the exam table.

White-blond eyebrows rose above sharp, pale blue eyes. “She won’t be the first and definitely won’t be the last with that opinion. One of the downsides of being a sadist,” he murmured, holding out a big, long-fingered hand. “Give me your arm please, Tamsyn.”

The urge to obey was strong; something in that smooth voice was compelling. She preferred Merrick’s rough timbre, how his directives were in tune with her need to please.

Avoiding Jasper’s eyes, she tucked the cast close to her body, under her breasts. When she tried to bring her knees up to her chin, Merrick laid his hand on her thigh. “We’re not leaving until the cast is off, Tamsyn. Sit still and let Jasper take a look.”

“I—”

“Now, darlin’.”

“Merrick—”

“Tamsyn.”

“Sir—”

“Arm.”

“Please.”

“Now.”

It was the growl that tipped her hand to obedience. She’d never admit that the small, primal sound made her wet at a time when arousal wasn’t wanted or needed, but she felt herself clench as her traitorous arm snapped out to the side.

Lip quivering, she sat frozen while Jasper’s long fingers trailed over the cast, turning her wrist to and fro as he inspected Linnie’s work. Refusing to look at either of the Masters, she stared at the wrinkles in the length of paper on the table.

“This shouldn’t take long,” the sadist decided. “Did the doctor give you any instructions for aftercare, physical therapy?”

“Just to take it easy for a while. Exercises to build the muscles back up, nothing strenuous for a few weeks.”

“That about sums it up. Refrain from using cuffs or doing scenes with suspension. I’ll give you a sling, if I can find one in here. The bone will be vulnerable at the break site for a while, and once the protection of the cast is removed, it’s easy to forget how much damage a hard knock can do.”

Warily, Tamsyn slid her gaze toward Jasper when he released her arm, then felt her stomach heave when she watched him pick up a tool with a small toothed blade attached. Returning her arm to the safe space beneath her breasts, she tried inching her way off the table, only for Merrick to block her.