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“I dunno. I’m sure you deserved it for something.” Before she can disappear behind a locked door, I continue, “It’s the principle of the thing.”

“Your insolence is noted.”

I stare down that look in her eye. She relents, going to the bathroom and leaving me alone. It’s my turn to pick up my collar and gaze at the shining diamonds. Such a simple piece of jewelry that means so much.

I want to throw it across the room. I want to hold it to my chest. I want to put it back on. The war in my mind continues to rage.

Chapter 63

Ira

We’re in Midnight. Together.

No, not sexually, as much as I would love to see Kathleen pull a Stephanie May and go down on me in front of everyone. We’re here, though. We’re on a date, even if other people don’t know that. Tonight is the last night of my darling’s training, and I fully intend on going as far as I can with her here.

“I’m not sure I can…” Kathleen hangs near the door of the coat check. We’re the only ones in here, aside from the woman behind the counter, matching up tickets and doing her best to ignore us. “I mean… people out there know us, Ira.”

She’s dressed to kill in a black number that hugs her curves and accentuates the fairness of her hair and skin. She’s dressed up the collar with another necklace dangling in her cleavage, trying to throw off anyone’s scent regarding what we’re up to. I wish she would settle the hell down. Kathleen is beautiful, and she should know it.

“You will be fine,” I say, clasping my hands on her shoulders. After tilting her head up, I look her in the eye, smiling, reassuring. “Be yourself. I’m not asking you to be anyone other than who you are tonight.”

She vehemently points to the collar.

“Babe, it’s fine. I’m not going to ask you to do anything sexual. You don’t even have to touch me tonight.”

“Then what is the point of this?” Kathleen looks about ready to rip off her collar.

“To remind you of your role tonight. I want you to be yourself so we can protect your image, but you’re still mine. All you need to do is follow my commands. Nothing sexual. Do you understand? We’re here to relax and have fun.”

She snorts as if she doesn’t believe me.

Someone comes into the coat check. I step back, putting distance between us and acting as if we truly are our cover – two workmates out to shake the stress, but not like that.

“Well, if it isn’t the devil herself.”

Jem extends her hand to shake mine as girlfriend Gwenyth takes their coats up to the counter. When Jem turns to Kathleen, however, she meets an uncommon sight.

“Fancy seeing you here as well, Ms. Allen,” she says. I don’t think she and Kathleen have met much before. “Here together, or…?”

I wait until Gwenyth has joined us before answering. “Kathleen and I have been working nonstop on The Ace project, as you know. We decided this was a good place to get some drinks and unwind. And who knows?” I wink at Jem, then Gwenyth. “Maybe some nice people are running around here.” What? Just because I’m going steady with Kathleen doesn’t mean any eye candy for either of us.

“Why don’t you join us for drinks? Gwenyth and I have no plans other than taking in the sights and maybe having some… well, you know.”

God love this place, it’s always about sex.

We head out as a foursome, which is in Kathleen’s favor, as it throws off anyone wondering if we’re here as a couple. Why wonder that when we walk through the main door with two other people? Besides, people know we’re working together. We’re all over the news when it’s a slow day. Not to mention whatever the Anderssens are blabbing.

There’s an empty table to the side of the room where we sit and enjoy more than one glass of whatever we feel like having. I order Katie and me a couple of Old Fashioneds. She’s sitting next to me on the same couch, but we’re distant, her legs crossed toward me but my hands respectfully away from her.

I don’t want it to be this way. I want it to be like at the Manoir, where I threw my arm around her and kissed her in front of everyone.

I want everyone to know that she’s mine. Maybe not my sub, but at least my girlfriend. Who wouldn’t be proud to call a woman like her their girlfriend? Look at her! Listen to her! For fuck’s sake, smell her perfume! A woman with that much good taste deserves to be in a quality relationship. If only it could be me for years to come.

It’s Saturday night, meaning the club quickly fills up. When clubs fill up, it means even VIP guests have difficulty finding an empty place to sit. Not that many come here to not at least chat for a while… before they go have fun with their dates or the people they pick up.

“These seats taken?” Someone leans over the back of Jem and Gwen’s couch, extending her hand for a quick shake. “This place is packed, and I have yet to see some ass on that stage.”

Laughter covers the table as we are joined by Helen Warren and Monique Grant, two people I never expected to join the likes of me but fuck it, Helen and Jem are also friends. It’s not that I don’t know Helen Warner, I simply haven’t done much business with her outside of what my father delegates to me. Like getting money for The Ace.