“Don’t bet on it.”

CHAPTER THREE

SATURDAY night Shiori walked into the main lounge area of Twisted like she owned the place. The immediate buzz of interest fed her ego, which hadn’t been stroked in so long she’d almost forgotten that feeling of power.

The first man to approach her was Merrick McBride, the club’s owner. He clasped both of her hands in his and kissed her cheeks. “Mistress B, it’s an honor that you’ve joined us.”

“Thank you.” She looked around the space—a horseshoe-shaped bar, a large meet-and-greet lounge area with couches, chairs, and floor cushions. The hallways that led to the private playrooms allowed for a separation of casual conversation from serious play.

Master Merrick gave her a slow perusal. For tonight’s fun and games, Shiori had donned a platinum wig and a cream-colored lace mask. She’d gone for the traditional Domme look in clothing: a black leather vest with burgundy laces up the front, a pair of hip-hugging burgundy leather pants, and four-inch black platform booties.

She fought the urge to fiddle with the gold band adorning her wrist, which denoted her Domme status at the club. “Do I pass inspection, Master Merrick?”

His hungry gaze met hers. “You are stunning. You’ll have subs falling at your feet tonight.” He cocked his head. “I’m curious about the mask. When I did your background check, I was told that’s always been part of your persona at the club in Tokyo.”

“So why would I continue that here in the United States when there’s a slim possibility someone will recognize me?” She leaned in. “Besides the fact I’m Ronin Black’s sister?”

“Your brother hasn’t been here in ages. Which is unfortunate for me, from a business standpoint, because we have some of our biggest crowds when he gives demos.”

“I imagine the bakushi master is a huge draw to show off his rope skills. He’s been through a lot of changes in the past several months, but I’m confident he will return to do demos at some point.” Ronin’s wife had put off any discussion of Ronin doing bondage demos while he was on medical restrictions due to injuries. But Shiori knew now that he’d been cleared by his doctors, his need to teach would force that issue between them—sooner rather than later. “I assume you mentioned my pending membership to my brother?”

Master Merrick shook his head. “I merely verified you’re his sister. It’s against the rules to divulge members’ names—real or the personas they choose to use.”

Shiori touched the mask. “Which is why I wore this. It’s become such a part of Mistress B that I felt naked without it.”

“It adds another layer of mystery to the exotically beautiful Mistress you already are.” He kissed her hand again. “Anytime you decide you want to test your limits on whether you might be a switch, you let me know. I would love to tear that mask away and see the real woman beneath.”

Her belly did a slow curl. She touched Master Merrick’s face. He was beautiful, the epitome of an all-American guy with his classically handsome looks, athletic body, and easy charm. He definitely had that Master’s way about him—where she felt the pull to do what he commanded. “You are a dangerously sexy man, Master Merrick. You almost make me question my orientation.” She smiled. “Almost. And I promise if I’m ever in the mood to be topped, you’re the first man I’ll call.”

He laughed. “I’ll hold you to that. Now, would you like me to introduce you around?”

“I’ll take you up on that later. Right now I’d like to have a glass of wine and get the lay of the land, so to speak.”

“Understood.” He turned and crooked his finger at a young man poised at the end of the bar. “Tell Greg to pour Mistress B a glass of my private reserve.”

“Yes, sir. Right away, sir.”

“I rate the private reserve on my first night?”

“I imagine a woman of your stature doesn’t drink house wine.”

Her stature. There was another reminder on why she’d chosen the mask and become Mistress B. Then no one knew her as a corporate executive and an heiress to billions; they saw her as formidable for an entirely different reason. She flashed Master Merrick a frosty smile. “My stature in the club is Mistress B, and I’m perfectly content drinking house wine. But I do appreciate your gift as a one-time-only welcome gesture.”

His eyebrows rose. Then he smiled. “Understood. And I see that you and I will get along very well indeed, Mistress.”