Playing Hard to Master (Masters Unleashed 2)

“Everly,” Ambrose corrected.

“I knew that.” Banner waved his hand dismissively.

Boxes of cutlery and kitchen implements went into drawers, clothes were unpacked, books went on a shelf. A few files, a stapler, and some BDSM equipment went into the desk drawers. He put his laptop on top of the desk to make it look less like a porn prop. Mismatched throw pillows went on the couch, and he and Banner mounted the TV on the wall while Kate made up the bed.

“Don’t make it look too perfect, Kate,” he warned. “Make it look like a man made it.”

She snorted. “Well, I could throw the pillows on the floor and shove all the blankets off to one side. That would make it look more realistic.”

“I don’t want her to think I’m a slob either.”

“I’m sorry to have to let you in on this horrible secret, but you are a slob.” Banner clapped him on the shoulder.

“Fine. Make it so it looks like I’m a slob on my best behavior, then.” He sighed. “I told her I spent the morning cleaning.”

“When is she getting here?” Banner put the TV box with a stack of other boxes he’d agreed to take away with him.

“Two hours. I guess I’d better get the food in the oven soon.”

“What are you making?” Kate asked eagerly.

“I’m doing stuffed chicken breasts with a pesto cream sauce.”

Kate clapped her hands and grinned. “Let me know how it turns out! If it’s good, I want the recipe.”

“Oh dear God. They’re food nerding again,” Banner said to no one in particular. “Are you going to put anything on your walls? I mean, I know you’re going for this roughing-it look, but it doesn’t even look like you live here. No plaster lions out front, and now bare walls. Don’t you have an extra fluorescent beer sign you can put up?”

“There’s a mirror. I wasn’t sure where to put it.”

Banner found the big, ornately framed mirror, and, without asking Ambrose, he hung it on the wall over the bed.

“Classy,” Ambrose grumbled.

“Oh, like you would have hung it anywhere else. Unless on the ceiling above the bed was a possibility.”

All three of them looked up, but the roof was a long way off.

“No blackboard?” Kate asked innocently.

“Mmm . . . I really should get a blackboard,” Ambrose agreed.

“Don’t encourage him, woman!” Banner narrowed his eyes at Kate. “He doesn’t want to fuck this up. Let the poor girl get to know him a bit before she finds out how much of a pervert he is.”

“If she isn’t a pervert, she doesn’t deserve him.” Kate stuck her tongue out at Banner, and Ambrose politely turned away to prep dinner while Banner dealt with her. The giggling and gasping coming from behind him sounded like she didn’t mind the funishment in the slightest.

“Just fuck her over there somewhere.” He waved them toward the living room area. “I need the table to get dinner ready. There’s always the basement, but there’s no furniture down there.”

“I should find a piece of cardboard to throw down on the basement floor and remind her of what happens when slaves sass their Masters.” Banner growled.

The sound of Kate’s whine reminded Ambrose of the noises Everly made for him at the restaurant earlier, and of the way she’d melted against him when he’d kissed her outside her shop. He glanced at his watch. Had it been two hours yet? Could he order her here sooner?

“I think we’re going to go now,” Banner murmured. “Before this gets out of hand.”

“I’m going to have to get a spray bottle to squirt you with when you start groping her in front of people. You’re married now. Isn’t the sex supposed to stop?” When he looked up, Kate was wearing her leather collar and looking up at Banner contritely. He must have had her play collar in his coat pocket.

For the first time in a long time, Ambrose wasn’t envious of what they had together. Instead, he imagined what Everly would look like in that style of collar. Brattier, he guessed.

And so fucking hot.