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drink, wondering if she should have had the rum.
    “This place can be overwhelming. The first time I was here, I just wanted shelter during a storm. I didn’t know it was a BDSM club. There was all this stuff going on.”
    She rolled her eyes. “I got in so much trouble…”
    Kari grinned. “Tell me more.”
    “Next class, I’ll give you the full story. For now, how do I convince you that Master Dan’s not a white slave trader?”
    “Uh. It helps knowing he didn’t do something that Sally wasn’t expecting, I guess.” Kari frowned. But now that he wasn’t touching her, looking at her, she was starting to have second thoughts. Did she really want to continue? All the other beginners were off in dark corners practicing that bondage stuff, and Master Dan would be expecting to do that with her. And he wasn’t any beginner. A little thrill ran through her at the thought of his big hands on her, and she squashed it down. “But I don’t know him, and to let him tie me up or something seems insane.”
    “I understand completely. What can I tell you about him…” Jessica tapped a finger against her chin as she thought. “He and Master Z are friends, and he’s been a club member for years. He used to come with his wife, but she died, and he hasn’t been seriously involved with anyone since. Z said he’s changed; apparently he used to laugh a lot more. He helps with the beginners, and you certainly aren’t the first new sub he’s taken under command. Oh, and the subs say he’s one of the best Doms in the place.”
    Kari breathed out. Was she pleased or unhappy with this information? Knowing he was a respectable Dom—and didn’t that sound like a contradiction in terms—meant she had no excuse to back out. And she both wanted to and didn’t want to stop, before anything got more intense. She sighed and finished her drink.

    26 Cherise Sinclair
    “It’s scary stuff when you’re not used to it.” Jessica pursed her lips and gave Kari a wry look. “And even when you are used to it. If you have a good Dom, that sense of uneasiness can be pretty exciting.”
    Kari glanced toward the front and saw the group of dungeon monitors reentering the room. Master Dan’s gaze scanned the room. When his eyes came to rest on her, the floor seemed to drop a few inches, leaving her dizzy. Apparently, his look was even more potent than the other Doms.
    He strode over to the bar, his gait long and powerful, and stood so close she could feel the heat radiate off his body. He smiled at Jessica. “Thank you for staying with her,” he said. “Kari, did she answer your questions?”
    Kari nodded.
    His hand tilted her chin up so he could look directly in her eyes. “Do I have your trust? Do you want to continue?”
    She bit back the yes that wanted to escape from her lips. Think, Kari . But she knew the answer, and it wasn’t changing. “ He’s one of the best ,” Jessica said. That must be better than blundering around with beginners. “Yes,” she said. “Continue.” Oh God, was she insane?
    She glanced at Jessica, and her uncertainty must have shown.
    Jessica gave her a sympathetic look. “I’ll get back to Z then.” She shook her finger at Master Dan. “You be nice to her.”
    Master Dan frowned. “If you were mine, I’d beat you more often.”
    Appalled, Kari sucked in a breath and then saw a smile pull at his lips, the gleam of laughter in his eyes.
    And Jessica only laughed as she slid off the stool and moved away.
    Grasping Kari around the waist with hard hands, Master Dan lifted her off the stool and set her on her feet. Startled, she clung to his arms for a second, getting her balance. “All right, Kari. Here are the rules for the rest of the evening. You do what I say. Immediately. Without arguing. You don’t speak unless I ask you a question. If you say anything, it had better be ‘yes, Sir.’ You will address me as either Sir or Master Dan.”
    His voice roughened. “What do you say to me, little