“Are you sure? I was looking forward to burying myself inside you again.”

A quiver ran through her, and he smiled before his eyes turned serious. “And talking about this.”

He just didn't make sense. “Master Cullen, I'm a trainee. For the club. Why are you doing this?”

He took her face between his hands. “I want to see if we have more than just trainee and trainer going for us.” His thumbs stroked over her cheekbones, and her breathing paused.

Oh, please, she wanted that so much. She swallowed. “I… Can we discuss that later, maybe?” Would he still feel this way tomorrow?

He frowned but nodded. “I can't command your trust. But, Andrea, there will come a time when both your body and your emotions will be open to me.”

She shivered, undone by the dark promise in his eyes.

Chapter Fourteen

As she entered the dressing room, Andrea hesitated at the sound of Heather's voice and choice of subject.

“He was still holding her when I left. And Jessica said Z was giving a party after closing for some of the Masters.”

“You're mistaken. Master Cullen wouldn't be interested in her,” Vanessa said. “That's insane. She's a maid, for God's sake.”

“Yeah?” Sally spotted Andrea and rolled her eyes cheerfully. “So what?”

“So she doesn't belong here with us. She's—”

“Andrea, you'd better change quickly, or you'll be late,” Heather called out.

Vanessa glanced over her shoulder and grimaced. “Look what the cat dragged in.”

Andrea's chin went up. She'd run into this attitude before and undoubtedly would again. Damned if she'd let it drive her off. Especially now.

She opened her locker, her fingers trembling a bit. She'd see Cullen in a minute. Would he treat her differently after last night? He'd said her background didn't matter, but he'd had time to think. Had he changed his mind?

And she'd also thought about it and come to an uncomfortable decision. If he really wanted to continue with her, then she needed to tell him about her past. About Enrique Marchado, about her cousins. About her. Her stomach did a slow roll. But maybe he wouldn't care. Maybe he'd meant what he said. Her hopes blended with her anxieties until it seemed as if each heartbeat switched her emotions on and off like a light switch.

She'd find out all too soon. After hanging her long coat in the locker, she checked her attire. Señor had requested it last night during their discussion on submissive clothing, and between jobs, she'd gone costume hunting.

“Hey, that's cute,” Dara said. The tough-looking Goth had a surprisingly high giggle. “I like the cat ears.”

Andrea grinned. Most of the cat outfits for sale either looked silly or like a maid's outfit with ears. She'd found a couple of complete catsuits. But Señor didn't appreciate his subs wearing too many clothes, and she wanted to please him. She hadn't really understood when he'd talked about the difference in following the rules versus pleasing him. Now she knew. As she'd dressed tonight, she'd imagined how his eyes would light up and get that hot look into them, the look that made her want to feel his hands on her. Oh Dios, she had it bad.

Vanessa looked over and sniffed. “Sleazy.”

“I don't think so.” Sally hooked her fishnet stocking to a garter. “That's incredibly sexy. Do you mind if I copy it next week?”

Andrea laughed. “Feel free. In fact, maybe we should have a cat night sometime.”

“A pussy night.” Dara examined her fingernails. “I bet I can find a glove with claws.”

“Shouldn't your outfit have a tail?” Heather asked.

“Master Cullen said he had one for me.”

“He did, huh? Oh, man.” Sally gave Andrea a sympathetic look that set off every anxious nerve in her body.

Cullen found the trainees already kneeling. He walked around the line, keeping his mind strictly on business. Austin got a nod of approval.

He tightened Heather's corset, enjoying her tremor as the constriction increased. Sally, as always, looked adorable. She had a child's delight in dressing up.

Vanessa. Cullen's mouth thinned. Last night, she'd mouthed off to a newer Dom who didn't meet her high standards. “When Gary arrives, you'll beg his forgiveness for your rudeness and ask him to discipline you.”

The brunette glowered for a second before catching herself and turning sweet. “Please, Master Cullen, won't you punish me yourself?”

This sub wasn't working out well. Too self-involved. Too competitive. He stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. “If Gary isn't pleased with your submission, I will strap you to the spanking bench and let every Dom in the place take a turn with a cane. Am I clear, Vanessa?”

Her eyes dropped. “Yes, Sir.”

“Go.”

Only Andrea remained. He lifted her to her feet and grinned. She wore a matching bra and thong with tiger stripes and black fur edging. He ran a finger across the top of the thong—very soft fur—and watched the muscles in her stomach contract. She'd gone all out with black fur cuffs and legwarmers. Black cat ears poked out from her mop of curly hair. “Now that is a very nice outfit, sweetie,” he said softly

Her golden eyes lit up like the sun.

His little tiger. He ran a hand down her arm, wanting nothing more than to haul her upstairs and take her over and over until she wailed her release like a cat on a dark night, clawing his back as she came. Later, buddy; it'll have to be later.

Still… With the trainees gone and only Ben in the room, Cullen could at least have himself an appetizer. He clamped a hand on her slender nape. Putting a leg between hers and a hand under her ass, he slid her up his thigh until her lips met his. He ravaged her mouth, barely controlling the urge to shove her up against a wall and ravage everything else. When he pulled back, her arms loosened from around his neck slowly, her eyes dazed, her lips swollen and wet.

He let her slide down his leg, knowing the effect the friction would have on her sensitive little clit.

“You're an evil man.” Her whisper was almost a whine.

He tucked his fingers under her thong. Very, very wet. God, he loved that. “What do you call me?”

“You're an evil man, Señor.”

“Did you clear your schedule for tonight?” He slid a finger over her clit.

Her breath hitched as he rubbed back and forth, and she only managed a nod. He pushed a finger inside her, enjoying the way her hands clamped on his arms, the fingernails digging in like tiny claws. Responsive little tiger.

“Good.” He grinned and bent to kiss her again when a noise from the other side of the room drew his attention.

Vanessa stood just inside the clubroom door, her knuckles pressed to her mouth. Slowly she took a step back and disappeared into the bar without a word.

Andrea looked up, her eyes worried. “She heard you. Will you get in trouble? I mean, as the trainer—”

“No, little tiger.” Regretfully, Cullen pulled back. “My rules are my own, not Z's.” And according to those rules he'd made, he couldn't continue as a trainer if he got involved. He and Z needed to talk. “Go on in. And be at the bar in five minutes. I have a present for you that you might or might not like.”

She swallowed hard.

Vanessa had been furious to see her with Master Cullen, Andrea knew. Would the other trainees care? The thought of their anger sat uneasily in her stomach. She enjoyed belonging to a group. Making friends. She hadn't had female friends before. As a child, the brief periods when her father hadn't needed her, she'd hung out with Antonio. Later, when she lived in Drew Park, no one wanted a friend associated with the dealer Enrique Marchado. After that, she'd buried herself in making a living and starting her business.

Now she had time for friends, but she'd discovered they were hard to find. But in the Shadowlands, maybe that would change.

She walked across the barroom and tried to ignore the dampness of her thong. Damn the man, he knew exactly what he'd done to her. Then again, she'd felt his massive erection pressing against her stomach. She wouldn't suffer alone tonight.

But what if Master Z assigned her to another Dom? She bit her lip as dismay ran through her. Would her Señor say anything?

Music started at the dance floor. Sounded like Adam and the Antz. At the buffet tables, Heather was arranging the munchies. Austin went down the back hallway, and lights flickered on in the theme rooms. The usual setting up for the night. Andrea headed for the bar.

Oh. Arms crossed over his chest, Master Cullen watched her, his expression unreadable. Back in trainer mode. She eyed him nervously. Why had Sally looked so sympathetic?

The members had started straggling in already. Masters Nolan, Dan, and Marcus sat at the bar along with Mistress Olivia.

“I believe my little tiger needs a tail,” Señor said, his voice echoing in the underpopulated room. He rummaged under the bar, then ducked out and over to her with a long, furry tail in his hand. She frowned, looking for pins or belts. How would he keep it in place?

He smiled slowly, lifted her, and placed her stomach-down on the bar.

“Hey!” She started to push back and earned a sharp swat on her bottom and a hard hand pushing her down.

“Lie still.” His voice deepened, and she stopped struggling. The tail. Relax. He'd fasten the tail to something and—