Master Class by Cassandra Carr Page A

stripped and began applying the olive oil to their torsos. The guys had decided to only play in that area to keep things simple, and Lisette appreciated both their attention to detail and obvious regard for the health and safety of their submissives.
    “So, how long have you and Jack been together?”
    Callie colored slightly. “Well, I consider our anniversary to be New Year’s Eve, since that’s when he collared me permanently, so almost a year. But we were involved before that. I, um…”
    Callie bit her lip, her gaze darting away before returning to Lisette’s.
    “I kind of ran out on him a while ago. It wasn’t until we happened to meet up at a mutual friend’s holiday party last year when I was visiting that we agreed to try a D/s relationship again.”
    “Sounds like an interesting story,” Lisette murmured.
    “It is, but much of it I’m not proud of.” Callie shrugged. “I still don’t really know what happened that first time. Did I just get scared and run, or did I have a good reason to leave? One thing’s for sure. When he saw me again, I could tell pretty quickly he was a different man. Oh, he was still the forceful Dom I knew and, frankly, loved, but those layers underneath—the onion—were just… I know I keep saying it, but different.”
    “I’m happy for you.”
    “So you and Ryan met on Halloween for the first time, right? I don’t remember a lot from that night.” She grinned at Jack, who was visible to them as he stood several feet away, with affection. “He put me pretty deep in subspace that night.”
    “Yeah, we did.” Lisette sent a glance toward the guys, who were rigging some sort of restraint system over both of the bondage tables. Her heart skipped a beat.
    “And how’s it going so far?”
    “Good. Really, really good.” She glanced at Callie. “He took me out for dinner on Monday. Like out on a date. We didn’t do anything BDSM-ish, just had a lovely time.”
    “Wow.”
    “Why do you react like that?”
    “Well, he told you he hasn’t been divorced long, right?”
    “He mentioned their marriage broke up over a year ago.”
    “Yeah, late summer last year if I recall correctly. But she put him through the wringer. Jack said she fought for every last paper clip and treated him like dirt. Ryan doesn’t like to talk about it, but the process dragged out and took a toll on him. Anyway, he’d only just gotten the final divorce decree a few days before the Halloween party. I guess I’m just surprised he’s jumping into things with both feet, as it were.” She put a hand on Lisette’s arm. “Just don’t expect too much, okay? That bitch of an ex-wife did a number on him. Now, there’s a woman if I ever saw one who deserves a punishment with no safe word.”
    Callie’s face darkened, and it was obvious she cared about Ryan even though she didn’t seem to be as close to him as Jack was.
    “Bottom line, I’m not sure how ready he is for a serious relationship.”
    “Thanks for the warning. I do appreciate it. But we agreed to take things slowly, see where they go from here.”
    “A good approach.”
    They exchanged a quick, somewhat squicky hug, and both made faces. “I’m glad they have a shower in here. Going all the way back through the club covered in not only olive oil, but likely wax too, doesn’t sound comfortable.”
    Callie grinned. “It isn’t especially comfortable. Of course, Jack doesn’t usually let me use olive oil. This will be an interesting experience.”
    “Callie,” Jack called from the other room, “are we going to have to come in there and drag you two out? I doubt your respective asses would be fond of that.”
    Lisette had to clamp a hand over her mouth when Callie turned away from Jack and stuck her tongue out.
    “He can’t see me,” Callie told her with a wicked grin. “But we’d better behave. Jack promised me some time with his new vampire gloves later when we get home, and I can’t decide if I’m nervous or