Craving HIM (Serving HIM Vol. 7) by M. S. Parker, Cassie Wild

gaze was replaced by an ugliness that had my internal radar screaming.
    “Is that a collar?” she asked, her voice surprising deep.
    Dominic’s eyes narrowed, but his voice was soft when he responded, “Yes.” He reached up, running his finger alone the soft velvet. “Koren, this is Aleena. She’s mine.”
    I glanced at him. Here, I was his Sub, but I needed to make something clear to Koren. “You’re mine too,” I reminded him quietly.
    He grinned at me as he took my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I am.” He brushed his mouth against mine and then looked back at Koren. She was still staring at me, that hot, burning rage filling her eyes.
    Abruptly, she stood, turned on her heel and stormed away.
    “I don’t think she likes me,” I said.
    “Koren doesn’t like anybody.” Dominic nuzzled my neck. “Keep away from her, okay?”
    I nodded. That wouldn’t be an issue. I didn't want to go anywhere near her. I snuggled down against Dominic's broad chest. I was quite happy where I was.
    A few minutes later, a sharp cry echoed through the air in between a lull in the music. I looked up and heat flooded my face.
    It was Koren.
    The VIP had its own small stage and she was now tied to the poles, arms stretched out wide, legs spread. Her dress had disappeared somewhere and every inch of her was exposed.
    A masked man behind her plied a whip and I flinched at the sharp crack of it as it came down on her flesh. It curled around to kiss her nipple on one stroke, then came between her thighs. Every touch brought with it a sound, but none of them were pained. Judging by the way her body was writhing, she was enjoying every bit of it. That wasn't what was freaking me out though. If someone got off on what I thought of as painful, that was their business. No, what got to me was that her eyes didn't leave Dominic the entire time.
    “That’s…creepy,” I whispered, turning to Dominic.
    He didn’t say anything, just nudged me off his lap and held up a hand. “Come on. I’ve reserved a room.”
    He led me off, but I couldn’t resist looking back once.
    She was still staring at us. I needed to watch this woman.

Chapter 9
    Dominic
    The gathering wasn’t what anyone could call informal and it definitely wasn’t low-key, although that was the impression they were trying to give off. The checkered tablecloths over white tables, the rich tang of barbecue in the air, it all added up to what felt like a giant family picnic. Or at least what I assumed a family picnic would feel like. The Snows never had anything so crass.
    I’d driven well over an hour to attend this fundraiser and it had taken some work to secure a ticket. I could have had Aleena do it, but she’d know why and then she would have wanted to come. While I loved being with her, she sometimes made it hard for me to think, and I wanted my wits about me. I wasn’t sure I was ready to do this, to look at the man who'd made me possible.
    He stood at the podium and it was disturbing to look up at him from across the crowd and see my own face. He was older, of course, but didn't even look close to his age. I wondered how much of that was good genes and how much was the result of discreet nips and tucks, possibly some Botox.
    Woodrow turned my way so I shifted my attention to the crowd. I spent the past hour watching him, seeing how he interacted with everybody. The typical person would probably just see a friendly man who had been blessed in life and believed in giving back to the community.
    He said all the right things, smiled at the right times and nodded soberly when needed. He made all the right movements, a friendly touch on the shoulder or a quick hug, an easy laugh. His gaze and touch never lingered too long on any one person, never showed favoritism.
    I didn’t trust him.
    I couldn't even say why, but I didn’t. I didn't think it had anything to do with what Cecily had told me either. I wouldn’t have trusted this man with anything remotely