Commanded (Club Sin 6)

Chloe hadn’t thought about it much, but she did know Josh well. “I’m sure he’d love to see you the next time you’re in Vegas.”

Oddly enough, she imagined Sawyer wouldn’t care about Josh, either. He seemed too confident to feel threatened. At some point Josh would return to her life, and any new boyfriend would have to understand that.

Her mother happily nodded. “I’m glad to hear that you two will stay close. He’s a good friend.”

Just then her father said, “Ah, shoot, baby girl, I’m being called up top. We must’ve come into port sooner than expected. We’re staying in France for a few weeks. You should come and see us.”

Next to him, her mother nodded. “Yes, and bring that Sawyer along, too. I’d like to meet the man who’s put such a sparkle in my daughter’s eyes.”

“I’ll think about it,” Chloe replied, having no intention of asking Sawyer. Things were too new to go there. Hell, she didn’t even know if this thing between them was just sex or something more. “Have fun.”

“We always do.” Her mother blew her a kiss. “We love you.”

Her father waved.

“Love you, too.” Chloe ended the Skype chat and sighed.

Sometimes she felt like the adult in their relationship. Her parents were responsible, yes, but they were also such free spirits. Even so, Chloe missed them. Seeing them a couple of times a year didn’t seem like enough, but she loved her life too much to join them on their wild adventures. She’d known for a long time that as much as she loved her mom and dad, she liked a life on land.

A creak sounded in front of her.

Chloe startled, shooting to her feet. “Oh my God,” she shouted at Porter. “You scared the shit out of me! I had no idea you were standing there.”

With a coffee cup in his hand, he grinned at her. “I assumed as much, since I doubt you would’ve been so honest as to tell me that you broke up with Josh and now are dating Sawyer.”

Her cheeks burned as she sank into her chair. “Well, I…”

“It’s fine, Chloe.” Porter took the seat in front of her desk. “I’m happy for you.”

Porter raised his coffee to his lips, and that’s when Chloe noticed the dragon tattoo on his forearm. This was the other reason she’d wanted to come into the office today. Before, she’d thought the tattoo was a sign of friendship; now she suspected there was more behind it. Before she lost her nerve, she asked, “Can I ask you a personal question?” At his nod, she continued, “What

does that tattoo mean? Since Sawyer has it, too, I’m guessing it must have a special meaning for the two of you.”

“Yes, it’s special, and we’re not the only ones with it.” Porter glanced to the tattoo. “It’s a symbol of brotherhood.”

“What kind of brotherhood?”

Porter lifted his head. “Why are you asking?”

“Sawyer told me something last night, and I’m beginning to wonder if that, matched with the tattoo on your arm, makes you two connected in a certain way. I guess it’s left me wondering if there’s a good reason you’ve never extended friendship to me outside of work.” His distance had never made sense to her before, because they had a close relationship at work and she’d always felt comfortable around Porter. Now she suspected why he hadn’t made more of an effort toward establishing a friendship with her outside the office.

He had secrets. Big secrets.

Awareness appeared on Porter’s face. “Ah, so things between you are getting serious.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that,” Chloe retorted. “But he’s being honest about himself, that’s for sure.”

Porter watched her again for a long moment before asking, “Why are you coming to me with these questions?”

“Because I’m just trying to understand it all. You’re a…friend, so I thought I’d ask you, instead of being embarrassed and asking Sawyer.”

“I am your friend.” Porter’s features tightened as he addressed her. “And you’re damn good at your job, girl. You don’t miss much, do you?”

She was great at her job and she never missed the little details, and that tattoo was a big flashing sign to her that Porter was somehow connected to this club, too. “No, I don’t miss anything. You’ve trained me to make sure that I don’t.”

His pause was longer this time as he regarded her closely.

He finally said, “Yes, Chloe, that is how I’m associated with Sawyer. We are experienced sexual Dominants.” He lifted his arm that held his coffee cup. “This is what the tattoo represents in the BDSM club we belong to.”