Masters of the Shadowlands 7 - This is who I am Read Online Free Page B

you.”
    The words sliced through his flesh like a fillet knife. “Then why the hell did you point her out?”
    “All her fire at just hearing your name? You got unresolved business there, buddy.”
    Not any revelation, at least on Sam’s side. But she wasn’t going to let him close enough to do anything about it.
    Cullen was laughing.
    “What’s so goddamned funny?”
    “Check out the scene.” Cullen nodded to the cross. “That’s one frustrated subbie.”
    Sam looked again. Linda’s back was to the room as Edward used a cane on her jeans-covered ass. Gorgeous body. Maybe not to the fools who wanted their women young and tight and bland. No, Linda’s body was past prime. Soft. The highlighted streaks in her hair were probably there to cover up the gray. He remembered she had fine wrinkles beside her mouth, on her neck. And he wanted her with every cell in his body.
    With a grunt of annoyance, he shut his dick down and studied her. Cullen’s comment held truth. She was flinching from the blows. Not welcoming them. In the way a woman might be unable to have an orgasm, the sweet masochist wasn’t hitting the place that would let her ride the pain. Why? Sam watched awhile longer, and his jaw tightened. “She doesn’t trust him enough to go with it. And he’s not dominant enough to break through to her.”
    “That’s my take.”
    Sam saw Z approaching the scene. The owner of the Shadowlands rarely interrupted a session…unless he felt the play was harmful to the submissive. And that scene certainly wasn’t doing Linda any favors.
    Sam pushed away from the bar and strode over to intercept him.
    Z gave him a level look. “Samuel.”
    He didn’t need to hear Z state what he already knew. “No, she doesn’t want to see me. But I’m the one she needs right now.”
    “You have a history between you. I’ve heard it’s not a happy one.”
    Submissives loved to gossip, and Z’s Jessica would be at the heart of it. “I screwed up, but there was a connection between us. It’s still there.”
    Z’s frown deepened, and he crossed his arms over his chest as he considered. “You may offer. If she accepts, you will emphasize she has a safe word. And I intend to monitor.”
    “Considering what she’s been through, I’m good with a backup.” Sam turned. Butting into another Dom’s scene wasn’t done, but…she needed him. His protective instincts pushed him closer.
    Edward wasn’t into the scene at all, or he wouldn’t have noticed Sam stand one foot too close to the roped-off area. He walked over. “Friend of yours?”
    He’d give his left nut to be able to say yes. “Not quite. But I might be able to get through to her. She’s submissive.”
    “No fucking way. She said she wasn’t.”
    “She lied.”
    “You’ve got to be shitting me.” Edward scowled. “I should have spotted it. But she was so insistent.”
    “The truth isn’t always comfortable. May I?”
    “Go for it. I’m fucking tired of being lied to.” Edward tossed his cane in his bag, picked it up, and stalked away.
    Well, that was easy . Sam moved slowly as if approaching a wild mare. They had a connection from before, and she needed what he had to give. Was it enough to get past her anger? To let her trust him? His shoulder muscles knotted as he approached from the side where she could see him. If she’d open her eyes.
    He took a minute to enjoy the sight of her. She still wore her jeans and an ugly black mask but had removed her shirt and bra, leaving her lightly freckled back bare. In the courthouse, she’d been dead white, but now he saw she had a fading tan. Kim had mentioned she’d been in California to recuperate and escape the asshole newspeople. Welcome home, girl . His mouth tightened when he saw the faint white lines—scars—on her back, left from her trauma.
    He gripped her chin gently but firmly enough that she’d recognize the touch of a Master. “Linda. Look at me.”
    Her eyes popped open, and her body went