Total pages in book: 230
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1089(@200wpm)___ 871(@250wpm)___ 726(@300wpm)
“My husband and I are going to keep a low profile while we’re here,” she said simply. “We’re on our honeymoon. I think we want to keep things private. You know how newlyweds are.”
Kori whistled. “Dude, you have to get your stories together. Kash is telling everyone that this is nothing more than an arranged marriage and the two of you have an agreement. He’s planning on playing tonight. One of the things I brought in was a set of leathers for his royal deludeness. Sorry about the dude, Your Majesty. I dude everyone.”
Kash was planning on playing? Was he kidding? “My husband requested that you bring him a set of leathers?”
Kori’s eyes went wide. “Whoa. Okay, I believe it now. I didn’t before. When they said you were in the lifestyle, I thought it was kind of like Kash was in the lifestyle. Like you played around a bit, but you would be more of a delusional tourist than anything. I apologize for the rudeness, Mistress Day.”
She was well aware that she’d likely turned on a dime, but something about Kash going behind her back to play rankled. “I appreciate your acknowledgment, but it isn’t necessary. What is necessary is your honest answer to my question. Did my husband request that you bring him a set of leathers because he intends to play in the club this evening?”
“Yes, ma’am. If he doesn’t intend to play, then he’s going to be walking around your private suite in a full-on mask tonight. He’s the one who requested the masquerade theme. Everyone wearing some form of costume means there can be a full play night.”
“There have been several play nights already.” Not that she’d attended them.
“Yes, but the club hasn’t technically been open to the full membership. It’s only been open to a close-knit group.”
“Why would that…” The answer hit her square in the gut. “Are they all couples? No single submissives?”
Kashmir would want a sub. He would want some delicate thing to blink her eyes at him and never complain so he could feel like a man. It wouldn’t matter that the delicate flower couldn’t give Kash what his soul craved. All her husband cared about was his image.
Kori sighed and sank down to the bench. “Yes, it was all couples the last few nights. I think Big Tag was trying to make you more comfortable. He admires you as a top. Apparently some dude in France likes you, and Tag likes that dude, so there’s a mathematical equation in Tag’s mind that adds up to you being one of the good ones.”
“I’m well known at The Velvet Collar. I believe Mr. Taggart is good friends with Rene, the man who owns the club. He’s also a friend of mine.” And one she should have listened to. “I was trained by Rene. One of the things he taught me was that I can’t change a submissive who doesn’t want to change. I should have listened to him.”
A leopard didn’t change his spots, and Kashmir Kamdar would never be faithful. Certainly not to her. He was probably keeping her quiet and focused until the moment that he could break ties with her. He would know a compliant wife was better than one actively fighting him. Hence his decision to stop haranguing her. He’d made his decision and now he was surviving as best he could until he could spring whatever plan he’d come up with on her.
Until then, if he could quietly have his fun, he would do it.
“Please excuse me.” She started to turn to go.
“Arguing with him won’t solve the problem,” Kori said suddenly.
Day turned, arching a brow and then realizing what she was doing. They weren’t playing. They were in a club, but the roles weren’t rigid here. She was tense and upset and slipping into the one role where she felt in control. It wouldn’t help her. It would only serve to cause her more trouble. “I wasn’t planning on arguing. I was going to talk to him. You’re right. We do need to get our stories straight.”
“But it will end up in an argument, you know. Look, I’m not trying to overstep… Okay, I am, but it’s totally what I do. Overstepping is kind of a hobby of mine. If you go find Kash, you’ll get into an argument, and that won’t solve anything. He’s too stubborn to give in and you gave him an out. Is it so surprising that he took it? Kash has been fooling himself for years.”
“An out?” Now she was confused.
Kori shifted on the bench, gesturing for Day to join her. “Kash talks when he drinks. He wasn’t playing so Tag gave him a free pass to the bar. He came down to the club last night and after a couple of shots, he started talking to my husband. Oh, in the beginning it was all about how Kai should cut his man bun. Don’t you underestimate the power of the man bun. Anyway, after another few shots, he told Kai that you lied to him and tricked him into a D/s relationship.”