Wicked by Sasha White Page A

head. "No, and I'll do my best to make sure my client doesn't
    use them, but I think you'll need to do some damage control there anyway."

    Karl stood, and the two men shook hands. "Sorry I had to bring this to you,
    but we both know how important it is."

    "Yes, thank you," Mason said. "It'll be dealt with, and quickly."

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    Karl left the office and put that issue in the back of his mind.

    Second up was a chat with his mentor and friend, Simone, before Marie
    arrived. Mistress Simone was a friend. A beautiful, sultry Latin woman with a
    well-rounded body that looked illegal in black leather. They'd probably have
    a helluva good time in bed together if they didn't kill each other, but both
    would fight for control…so instead, they worked scenes and subs together
    every now and then. She was someone he trusted to tell him if he was being
    a complete idiot.

    "Simone, thanks for meeting me tonight," he said to the raven-haired beauty he found already seated at his favorite booth.

    "You know I'm always here for you, Karl. Especially when you're so generous
    with your playmates." She winked at him. "Your little Marie is a treat."

    He smiled. Perfect. "I'm glad you enjoyed her, but she's not strictly mine. She
    can play with whoever she chooses."

    "Really?" Simone tapped a red-painted fingernail on the tabletop. "She gave me the impression that she was strictly yours when I suggested we get
    together again."

    "Did she give you a hard time?"

    "Oh, no, she was delightful to play with, and very polite when she said she'd
    be happy to please me, anytime you instructed her to. "

    Karl waited while the waitress set their drinks on the table with a small smile.
    He'd been afraid Marie was getting too attached. Her phone calls and the
    fact that he'd not seen her play with anyone else at the club for a few months
    had made it clear it was time for him to do something.

    "I'm going to tell Marie tonight that I won't be playing with her anymore," he said when the waitress was gone and they were alone again. "She might
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    need some attention."

    Simone's eyebrows rose. "You've been with her for a while, haven't you?"

    "Almost a year," he nodded. "But I made it clear from the start that it was a play situation only. While we have taken it outside of the club, it's been
    scene-play only, and I've never offered up a collar. She knows I play with
    others and I've encouraged her to as well."

    "But she hasn't?"

    "Only when I've arranged it."

    Simone nodded, her dark eyes serious as they looked at one another. Karl
    didn't need to say any more, he knew she understood his worry. "Is that the
    only reason you're turning her loose? You're feeling pressured?"

    He took a swallow from the frosty beer in front of him before answering. "You
    are entirely too astute at times, Simone."

    "I am good, aren't I?"

    They chuckled and he met her gaze. "I've met someone I think could be
    special."

    "Do I know her?"

    Karl shook his head. "She's not part of the scene. In fact, she's not even
    aware of her own submissive nature."

    Simone's eyebrows jumped. "How did you meet her?"

    "It was a random meeting. We had dinner, and I thought that was it. She's
    loud, bold, and even brassy, so I walked away. But I couldn't get her out of
    my head, and when I saw her again, she showed me something rare. She
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    feels… right when I'm with her. Like she was made for me."

    "Does she know what you are?"

    "I've told her and, adventurous minx that she is, she's willing to give it a try.
    But I don't think she truly understands what she's getting herself into and…"

    "And what, baby?"

    He blew out a breath and met her gaze. "And I'm not sure I know what I'm getting into. But I can't walk away."

    "Then don't," Simone said simply, laying one of her hands over his. "You've been playing and skimming the surface with these playmates of yours for a
    long time. Now it's time to get serious. You go after what you