Page 154 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

HUNTER

“ W hat the actual fuck?” I glare at Eric as Dixie stomps away from us. “What’s wrong with you?”

He winces. “I’m sorry. I just?—”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” I interrupt impatiently. “Cecelia fucked up your life, fucked with your head, and you got yourself a tattoo that you can stare at whenever you’re feeling sorry for yourself. It’s not me you owe an apology to. It’s her.”

He’s looking shamefaced. “I know. I’ll fix this.”

I give him a probing look and then nod. Eric knows he screwed up, and I trust him to do whatever he needs to do to fix this.

But not now. Right now, Dixie is rightfully furious. If Eric approaches her, it’s akin to tossing a match into the flames.

Dixie walks up to a man I don’t recognize. She puts her hand on his arm, closes in, and says something to him, an inviting smile on her face.

He laughs and replies, his head jerking in the direction of the private rooms.

Jealousy explodes through me. Fuck no. Before I’m aware of what I’m doing, I’m there, standing next to Dixie.

I place a possessive hand on the small of her back.

“Hello again,” I murmur into her ear. I stare down the other guy.

“Sorry,” I tell him, wincing inwardly. I sound like a damn dog marking my territory. “She’s taken. Find someone else.”

He gives me an assessing stare. “I’d rather let the lady speak for herself.” He turns to her, his gaze softening. “Would you like me to call a monitor?”

“No, I can handle Hunter on my own.” A smile touches her lips. “But thank you for asking. I really appreciate it.” She waits until the man moves away and then swirls toward me. “Are you out of your mind?”

I’m certainly acting like it. What the hell is wrong with me? “I’m sorry.” Fuck me, I can’t believe I just did what I did. “I shouldn’t have got in your way. You have every right to approach whoever you want. I’ve behaved appallingly.”

She stares at me for a long second, and then she exhales slowly. “You were right. I’m not ready to play at the club. Magnus invited me to scene with him, and I wanted to bolt. Maybe Eric’s right too. Maybe I really do want missionary in the dark.”

Fuck me, now she’s down on herself. I feel like a complete asshole. “Eric was out of line,” I tell her. “He was so far over that he can’t even see the line in his rearview mirror. As for sex, can I offer you some unsolicited advice?”

She doesn’t look at me. “Why not?”

“This is the deep end of the pool,” I murmur. “You’re learning how to swim. If you want to explore BDSM, find someone you trust. You have friends in the lifestyle. Ask them for references. The right partner will listen to what you want, and he won’t overwhelm you.”

She gives me a long, inscrutable look. Then she pulls away. “See you around, Hunter,” she says.

Then she leaves.

I take a deep breath. The band is in full swing. It’s late, and people are forming into pairs, triads, and foursomes, and heading off to the back rooms. This is when the action really begins.

I came here looking for casual sex. A woman to dominate. An encounter that would make me feel in control again. Something that would make me forget the ache in my heart.

But the luster is gone.

Eric is no longer in sight. He must have left. I walk over to the bar and settle up, and then I too head home.