Read Western Dreams (Rescue Me Saga Extras #1) for Free Online Page B

prepare a memorable special that night.” Being a chef was her calling, apparently.
    “I have a feeling all of your dishes will be memorable.”
    “And you would be correct.” Marc D’Alessio approached. “Hi, Megan.” He wrapped his arm around Angelina’s waist and smiled down at her. “This woman puts an amazing amount of love and care into each dish she makes.”
    Ryder arrived with their bottles of water. “Megan and I need to come to your place soon.”
    “My thought exactly,” Megan agreed.
    The crack of a bullwhip made Megan jump, then laugh self-consciously.
    “Sounds like Gunnar’s planning to play tonight,” Marc said. “He’s usually much quieter with the single tail.”
    “Actually, that might be for our benefit. That’s why we’re here. He’s going to train me to throw one.”
    Marc nodded. “You couldn’t ask for a better instructor.” He glanced down at Angelina. “Maybe you’d be interested in that someday, too?”
    She shook her head. “I doubt it. Let’s stick to the Florentine floggers.”
    Marc grinned. “My pleasure, cara .” Turning his attention to Ryder and Megan again, he said, “If you’ll excuse us, there’s a cross over there awaiting my lady’s pleasure.”
    Megan was tempted to follow and watch, but Gunnar walked up to them at that moment. “Glad you made it. I think we’re all set. Megan, Ryder has asked for a demonstration first.” He had? “How would you feel about being my target tonight?”
    She glanced at Ryder who smiled. “Totally up to you, but I thought we ought to see if you really enjoy this kind of play first. It’s probably going to take me weeks of practice before we can try anything ourselves.”
    Staring up at Gunnar again, she wondered what it would be like. She’d been curious since Ryder had asked her. His intense stare sent a shiver up her spine, but Ryder was here to keep an eye on things, and she’d spelled out her hard limits precisely on the form she’d filled out. But it was never a bad idea to confirm when negotiating with someone who might not have seen the form yet.
    She smiled. “I’m good with it.”
    Gunnar grinned. “Judging by the way your ponytail jumped a few minutes ago when I cracked the popper, we’re going to start with something easy and painless. Excuse me for a few minutes while I look over your form briefly.”
    When he came back, he led her over to the large area devoid of equipment or furniture. No doubt he needed a wide space to throw the whip without hitting unintended targets. Only, at the moment, she would be the bulls-eye.
    “First, because I can’t see your body with your clothing on…”
    Surely he didn’t intend for her to strip naked. She looked at Ryder, whose attention had shifted to Gunnar as well. He didn’t seem at all happy about the prospect, either.
    “…I’ll need to confirm some things and ask some additional questions before we begin. First, are there any medical conditions I should be made aware of? Any skin grafts, superficial injuries in targeted impact areas on your back, ass, or thighs?”
    “I can’t think of anything that might be a problem in that area, but…” She felt awkward about telling someone she barely knew this, but didn’t want to withhold information that might be important. “I had a hysterectomy when I was twenty-four.”
    Gunnar’s brow shot up, but he masked his surprise again quickly. “Any recent impact play?”
    Again her gaze went to Ryder, and she smiled before giving Gunnar her attention again. “Spankings, paddlings—and a run-in with a riding crop. We haven’t taken anything to extreme, though, if that’s what you mean.”
    He turned to Ryder who nodded.
    Gunnar addressed her again. “Your safeword is scarlet?”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    “Got it. Now, stand here and put your hands over your head, clasping them.” She did as instructed, and he stepped back. He curled the whip and threw it in her direction, making it pop just to her left.