Doms of Dark Haven 2: Western Night (2 page)

David dug his fingers into her hair and forced her head down. For long seconds he kept his hand painfully on her scalp. Her eyes watered, but she kept her mouth shut.

After his experience with Janine, she knew what her disobedience meant to David, especially in front of Master Trevor. More than ever, she wished she could behave better. In her mind, she was a much better sub than in reality.

Silence seemed to drag.

“What do we have here?” Master Xavier asked finally.

“We’re waiting, My Liege,” the dealer said. “It’s Master David’s turn to place his bet.”

True to the club’s theme night, the man looked every bit the part of an Old West poker dealer. He wore a long-sleeved striped shirt with a garter around his biceps. A knotted bow tie, gold brocade vest, jeans, and a hat completed his outfit.

David glanced across the table.

She knew they each saw the same thing. Master Trevor had the resources to call any bet he could make.

Pulling his money clip from his front pocket, David said, “Another thousand dollars in chips.”

Shelby gasped.
Another thousand dollars? Was he crazy
? He’d be willing to bet that on two potential turns of the cards?

“While the children’s charity will appreciate your thoughtfulness,” Master Xavier said, “the evening has already been a huge success.”

Shelby admired the owner’s tact. He was offering a dom an easy and graceful way to back out of his aggressive wager. No wonder the man was so respected in San Francisco’s BDSM circles.

“A thousand dollars,” David repeated, peeling off bills and tossing them onto the felt-covered table.

Shelby had never known David to be reckless. Suddenly she was questioning everything she knew about him. Surely the experience with Janine had stung, but no way did the woman matter that much to him. So what the hell was he thinking and doing?

As the moments stretched, Shelby concentrated on her breathing and keeping her body still and being a good sub instead of shifting uncomfortably. Her entire body was fatigued, and she wanted this ridiculous display of David’s masculine ego to be over.

Kneeling for several hours while the men played and she was ignored had not been what she was anticipating when she boarded the flight early this morning at Denver International Airport.

“My Liege?” the dealer asked.

Technically, this was against the rules. Chips needed to “purchased” up front, from the club’s receptionist, Destiny. David was behaving more like he was at a casino than at a charity event.

The quiet conversation that had hummed through the poker room abruptly died as people eavesdropped, waiting for Master Xavier’s decision.

“The children’s charity is the beneficiary,” Master Xavier said with a nod.

The dealer exchanged the cash for poker chips and then gave the money to Destiny for safekeeping.

For a minute, David sat there, as if considering his bet. “Five hundred,” he said finally, pushing a pile of chips into the middle of the table.

Someone whistled.

That was an aggressive bet considering his remaining funds.

Master Trevor studied the flop, but he never glanced at his two cards. Then he thumbed back the brim of his hat. He allowed thirty seconds to pass before he said, “Call.” He matched the other man’s bet.

Master Trevor had more than enough funds to raise the bet. It seemed that, since he hadn’t raised, he might be playing a bit of cat-and-mouse. Either that or the flop hadn’t helped him.

The dealer burned the next card. As each player watched intently, the man then flipped up the next one, known as
the turn
. Ten of spades.

David reached for her and put his hand lightly on the top of her head. He all but petted her. His touch telegraphed confidence. Maybe he did know what he was doing. She hoped he had spades in the hole.

Master Trevor waited for David’s bet.

“One hundred dollars,” he said, adding the chips to the pot.

The bet was at odds with the way he was stroking her. Either his bet was a bluff or his relaxed behavior was.

“Raise,” Master Trevor said. “Four hundred.”

The other dom apparently had a better hand, or he was trying to force David’s hand.

David was almost out of options. If he wanted to raise, he needed more chips. At this point, he had to fold or go
all in.

Over the past few seconds, David’s hand had tightened on her scalp. He might have a good hand, but he didn’t have the funds to back it.

He reached for his money clip again.

Was he crazy?

Before peeling off the few remaining bills, he sat back and said, “Let’s make it more interesting.”

Master Xavier raised a brow.

Other doms, with their subs trailing behind, wandered over and formed a circle around the table.

“If I win, Lawton International remodels the Northwest Community law offices.”

Shelby gasped. She’d been thinking this might be about Janine and a grudge. And it had nothing to do with that.

He’d maneuvered this entire evening to manipulate Master Trevor into donating his time to David’s cause?

Master Trevor sat back in his chair. “You’re asking me to put up something close to half a million dollars?”

“I’ll buy materials.”

“Generous,” Master Trevor said.

For long moments he sat there quietly, a study in self-mastery.

Finally, Master Trevor nodded. “If I win, I want the sub.”

Shelby’s heart stopped.

“Wait a fucking—”

“Master David,” Master Xavier admonished quietly. “I’ll thank you to be more respectful in my club.”

Despite the fact David’s fingers were digging into her scalp, she looked directly at Master Trevor.

His gaze was pinned on her, hot, hard, as if he’d been waiting for and anticipating her inability to keep looking at the ground.

“Can’t get your own subs, Trevor?” David demanded.

Master Trevor didn’t respond. Rather, he continued to look at her.

She knew she should look down, show him the respect he demanded, but she didn’t; she couldn’t.

She felt scorched as his gaze trailed from her face, down her body, lingering for a few seconds on her chest. In keeping with the Western-themed night, she’d selected a white shelf bra and a fringed leather vest. She’s spent a week shopping for a beautiful sterling bolo tie. It had cost a lot more money than she wanted to pay, but the way it caught the light when she moved made it worth every penny.

He continued his perusal and paused again at her pelvis. Unlike some of the other subs who were almost completely naked, her mound was covered by a pink thong. Still, she had felt completely exposed to him.

As if they were alone, he slowly took in her white leather chaps.

She knew he wouldn’t be able to appreciate the sexy pair of heeled boots that completed her outfit. But his slow smile told her he found plenty he liked.

He’d taken his time looking at her, considering her. Suddenly she wanted nothing more than to be his sub and have his complete attention on her.

His gaze left her body, and he looked directly at David. “Do we have a bet?”

“This is an outrage,” David said. He slumped in his chair.

“Does that mean you’re not confident in that next card?” Master Trevor asked.

David sat up straighter and then leaned forward, glaring. “I accept your terms.”

Shelby gave up all pretense of minding her business.

“Let’s ask the sub if she agrees, as well,” Master Trevor said to Master Xavier. “I’m not willing to force the woman to do anything she doesn’t want to. But I think she’ll be willing.”

Was she that transparent?

Master Xavier folded his arms across his chest and nodded toward her. “Excellent suggestion.”

All eyes were on her. Her heart thundered. How the hell was she supposed to deal with this?

Instinctively she looked to David for guidance. He’d already agreed she’d be his stakes, but she had the opportunity to call off this ridiculousness.

She and David had been friends since college. They’d hooked up a few times in the last decade, but they hadn’t been exclusive for at least eight years. Despite their best efforts, their relationship was closer to companionship than spark and sizzle.

Still, she liked him, and she knew Janine’s defection had burned, at least a little. She felt torn. She didn’t want to cause his bruised ego any more damage, and her leaving tonight with Master Trevor would definitely batter David. On the other hand, the law center needed serious work. “Sir?” she asked David softly.

David drummed his fingers along his thigh. After a few seconds, he nodded without looking at her.

Master Xavier took control.

He walked over to her. He placed his finger under her chin and gently tipped her head back. “I don’t know you.”

“No, My Liege,” she said quietly. She could hardly hear above the racing of her heart, and her tongue didn’t want to form around any words. Now, of all times, she wanted to look at the floor.

“Tell me about yourself.”

“I…” She blinked. “I’m afraid I don’t understand the question.” Belatedly she added, “My Liege.”

“Your name.”

“Shelby. Shelby Salazar, My Liege.”

“And Shelby Salazar, I don’t see a collar around your neck.”

“No, My Liege. I don’t belong to anyone. I mean, I’m not a lifestyle sub. I…” She sought for the best explanation.

“She’s more of a dabbler,” David supplied.

“But she’s been here before,” Destiny said, walking over with a digital pad.

Shelby had been introduced to the club’s receptionist before. Destiny. Always outrageous, always welcoming, always on top of things. Nothing happened at Dark Haven that Destiny didn’t know about.

“Tonight is the sub’s fifth visit, My Liege,” Destiny said. “Always with Master David.”

Shelby nodded, confirming what Destiny said. “I live in Denver, My Liege, and I’m visiting San Francisco for the week.”

“Are you staying with Master David?”

“No, My Liege. I have a hotel,” she said.

“Do you know Master Trevor?”

“Only by reputation, My Liege.”

“I’ll amend my bet to say I’ll take the sub for the week she’s in town,” Master Trevor said.

“Generous bastard,” David muttered.

Master Xavier shot David a quelling glance. The other man shrugged and played with the few chips on the table. “Do you understand the stakes as Master Trevor has outlined them?”

She nodded.

“Tell me what you understand the stakes to be,” Master Xavier said.

“I understand that Master Trevor…” She trailed off and looked over at the dom. This was the opportunity of a lifetime. He was unyielding, uncompromising, and attractive as sin in a pair of jeans. This was the opportunity she’d dreamed of, with a man she had a crush on.

Hormones flooded her body. She wanted him, but suddenly nerves swamped her. Was she really going to agree to this? She looked back at Master Xavier. “Master Trevor wants me to be his sub for the week that I’m in town.”

“That means staying at my place,” he added.

Being cut off from her regular life, from David?

“Are you willing to agree to the terms, Shelby?” Master Xavier asked.

“If Master David says so, My Liege.”

“She does know how to behave,” Master Trevor said. “I’d wondered.”

Heat chased across her face. She wanted to show this man she could behave like a proper sub.

“I’ve already said I agree,” David said.

“Winner take all,” Master Trevor said.

“You’re not being coerced, sub?” Master Xavier asked.

“No, Sir.”

Master Xavier released her chin and stood. He nodded toward the dealer, and the man reached for the deck of cards.

The pot of money now a moot point, the dealer burned the next card before turning over the river, the fifth and final community card.

She held her breath, torn.

The jack of spades.

Several people in the room whispered. There were three spades showing. Definitely the potential for a flush. With the jack, a straight was a possibility.

She looked at David. His eyes were wide, and he nodded. Her friend definitely didn’t have a poker face. He squeezed her shoulder. She released her breath. As much as she wanted the opportunity to play with Master Trevor, she wanted David to win. His work meant everything to him.

His thinking had been brilliant. He’d spent six months fundraising, and he was at least another year away from being able to afford the much-needed building renovations.

Time for the showdown.

The dealer nodded to David. He turned over his pocket cards. The eight and nine of spades.

She schooled herself not to smile. But that flush was likely unbeatable.

She looked at Master Trevor. Unlike David, his face was set in unreadable lines.

The dealer signaled for Master Trevor to show his pocket cards. He turned over the two cards lying facedown on the felt.

Ace and queen of spades.

Royal flush.

David shoved back from the table and stood. Then, seeming to draw on the same reserve he used in the courtroom, he extended his hand toward Master Trevor.

The other man stood.

She was aware of the contrast between them. Master Trevor was a couple of inches taller than David. The other man’s shoulders were broader, his arms much more muscular, his thighs more powerful.

Soon, she would be alone with him.

Her heart beat impossibly fast in her chest.

“Congratulations,” David said as the two shook hands. His tone held no warmth. “I’ll leave you two to get to know each other.”

“She’s in safe hands,” Master Trevor promised.

“She means a lot to me,” David said.

Master Trevor nodded. As if she were a true sub, he didn’t address his comments to her. She was alternately thrilled and annoyed.

David crouched in front of her. “Behave yourself, sub.”

“Yes, Sir.” There was so much she wanted to say, needed to say. She ached to touch him, to reassure him.

“You’ve wanted something like this,” he said quietly.

“But—”

“We both know you weren’t getting what you wanted. Try to enjoy it. I’ll see you at the end of the week. I’ll take you back to the airport.”