At His Mercy (Masters Club 1)

Then one of the hands pressed against her shoulder. Master Hayden said, “Kneel here on the mat,” as he guided her down. “Back straight, hands resting comfortably on your thighs.”

She did as directed, her heart kicking up its pace as she waited in the strange silence for whatever came next.

“We have the lab results back,” Mistress Olivia said from somewhere nearby. “I’m pleased to inform you that you have a clean bill of health.”

“And you have passed the exam with flying colors,” Master Hayden added. He touched her shoulder, a smile in his voice as he added, “Congratulations, Jess. Welcome to the Masters Club.”

Warmth and excitement flooded through Jess’s veins at these pronouncements. The unbridled joy rising inside her told her in no uncertain terms that she wanted this, possibly more than anything she’d ever wanted in her life. She was dying to rip the sleep mask from her face, but didn’t quite dare. Instead, she managed a somewhat squeaky, “Thank you.”

She was rewarded for her patience as Master Hayden continued, “Your mentor is here. Are you ready to meet him?”

“Yes, Sir,” Jess replied, her voice breathless with excitement despite her desire to be cool and composed.

The sleep mask was pulled away. Jess squinted as her eyes adjusted to the light.

Her heart stopped, her mouth falling open as she took in the tall, broad-shouldered man with dark, wavy hair and piercing gray eyes standing before her.

“Hello, Jess,” Master Cameron said.

Chapter 9

“You’ll take it from here?” Hayden asked, already heading toward the door.

“Yes, thanks,” Cameron said.

“Good luck, Jess,” Olivia added, following Hayden. She winked at Cameron. “We got us a live one here,” she murmured softly.

“We do, indeed,” Cameron agreed with a grin.

As the pair took their leave, he extended his hand to the naked girl still kneeling on the mat. After a moment’s hesitation, Jess took it, allowing him to help her to her feet. She looked incredibly sexy, her hair wild about her face, her eyes bright, her naked body on full display.

He was still conflicted about this whole mentoring proposition. While he couldn’t deny his newfound, intense attraction to Jess, the fact remained that they worked together, and that could get complicated.

When he’d been offered a Head Master position earlier that year, he’d committed to mentoring new subs on an ongoing basis, and it was past time that he took his turn. He’d been forced to decline the last two opportunities that had come his way, due to conflicts with travel for his work. While Dominique and Grayson had been patient with him, he could tell their patience was running thin.

Dominique, aware of his misgivings regarding Jess, had been fairly adamant. “We all face these sorts of conflicts. From what I know of you, Cameron, you’re quite adept at keeping your worlds separate. Anyone seriously into the scene has to be, by definition. Jess signed the non-disclosure agreement, so she’s aware of the legal ramifications of violating our privacy policies. She has as much to lose as you do if she decides to break your confidence at work. Even more, since you have the ability to fire her at will. And besides, it’s not like you’re asking her out or something. You show her the basics, work with her until you feel she’s up to snuff, and cut her loose.”

Cameron had allowed himself to be persuaded. Dominique was right. It wasn’t like he was asking the girl out. He’d been the one to extend the invitation to the Masters Club, and he might as well see it through.

Still, he needed to give Jess the same consideration. He would throw the ball into her court. Because they worked at the same firm, he would give her an out. If she was uncomfortable with the arrangement, he’d go back to Dominique and request they assign someone else to mentor the girl. That was only fair, after all.

With that in mind, he said to Jess, “Let’s go to the club’s dining room. I have something I want to talk to you about.”

Jess wrapped her arms around her torso, as if just remembering she was naked. “Like this?” she asked.

Cameron cocked an eyebrow, amused. “Do you have a problem with nudity all of a sudden?”

Color rose into her cheeks. “No, Sir.” She dropped her arms.

Cameron tilted his head as he gazed at her pretty breasts. Those sweet plump nipples were fairly begging to be bitten. Forcing himself to concentrate on the moment, he brought his eyes back to her face.

She’d actually made a good point, though she didn’t know it. Until he discussed things directly with her, he didn’t yet consider himself her mentor. As such, it would be better to put the two of them back on somewhat more even footing, by having her cover herself.

“Actually,” he added, “I’d like you to wear something while we talk. There’s a potential issue I want to discuss that may impact my mentoring you.” He looked over to Brandon, who had been summoned by Olivia to wipe down the equipment and put things away. “Brandon, get Jess a robe, please.”