Dungeon Master by Golden Angel

Chapter Seven

Gavin

Should he knock?

No. She might not want to see him this morning.

If he didn’t, she might not realize she had anything outside her door.

Plastic bag full of Leah’s favorite hangover cures hanging from his hand, Gavin shifted, staring at her door. Was it presumptuous or thoughtful to think she might have a hangover this morning? He didn’t remember a ladies’ night ending without one while they were married.

He wasn’t used to second-guessing himself like this. Maybe because he wasn’t used to trying to anticipate what Leah might need instead of fulfilling those she asked for.

He hadn’t done a great job of the latter by the end of their marriage. Dr. Silverwood said it wasn’t all his fault, communication did take two people, but the guilt about how much he’d taken Leah for granted didn’t go away easily. He also didn’t want to let himself off the hook because he knew he could have asked her more often. Should have. And he should have listened when she did finally ask him for something.

Rubbing his hand over his chest where it felt particularly tight, he stared at her door.

Only to hear a car pulling up behind him. Turning, he realized Leah hadn’t even been home as she pulled into the driveway. Large, dark sunglasses covered her eyes, and her hair was done up in a bun. The sunglasses were big enough, they obscured most of her expression, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking, but he was ninety-nine percent sure she was staring at him.

Of course, she’s staring at you. You’re standing in front of her house, ya cunt.

Getting out of the car, she kept staring at him. He wished he could tell what she was thinking, but it was impossible while she was wearing those massive sunglasses.

“Gavin?” Her voice was a little rough, a little croaky, and sent him right back to when they were in their thirties, and the first time she swore she was never drinking again. Hangovers hit harder after twenty-five, but it had been their thirties when she’d mostly stopped getting drunk, even when things were at their shittiest.

“I brought you some orange juice.” He lifted up the bag. “And a sausage pretzel.”

Even with the glasses on, he could see the way her face lit up. The pretzels were damn good. He made them himself after discovering them at an Amish market when visiting Mitch down in Maryland. Sadly, there weren’t any close enough to Pittsburgh to get them on a regular basis, so he’d ended up recreating them as best he could. He’d always made them for Leah as hangover food. Another one of his food gestures of love.

Leah picked up her pace, hurrying over to take his offering. As she got closer, he could see the tightness around her lips and the way her forehead was creased, as if she had a headache.

“Seriously? Thank you. You didn’t have to do this.” She hesitated after taking the bag, thinking about inviting him in.

It was better if he stayed away… for now. She had a date tonight.

“I know, but I wanted to. I know how you lasses get.” He grinned down at her. A little smile lifted her lips. He couldn’t see her eyes, but he took that as a win.

“We had fun. How was your night with Aiden and Jax?”

“It was the Outlands. Same old, same old. No Jax. Aiden and I hung out most of the night. I’m going to put him to work with some of the trainees.”

“That sounds good.” The smile had slipped from her face, and she was frowning. “No Jax… maybe I misunderstood Esther. I thought he was going to the Outlands.”

“Haven’t seen him there in weeks. He and Esther don’t come in much anymore. Was he supposed to be with us last night?” Crap. Was there trouble in paradise? Esther and Jax were the couple who seemed to have it all together. Two kids, a happy marriage, and they’d made it far longer than Gavin and Leah had, though they’d gotten married a little later, too. Their youngest was about the same age as Mitch had been when Gavin and Leah divorced.

“I guess not.” Leah sighed. “Esther said he’s been working a lot lately. She wasn’t real happy about it.”

Great. Something else for him to worry about. Strangely, he couldn’t stop smiling despite now being a little concerned about Jax and Esther. He and Leah hadn’t small talked in a while. When they were alone together, it was all about the scene they were about to do, or they talked about Mitch. They sure as hell didn’t stand around chatting.

Progress. That’s what this was.

But she had a date tonight. He should leave now while things were on a good note. Let her keep this in her head when she was out with Simon later.

“Hopefully, it’s a short-lived thing. You should get inside before your pretzel gets cold.” Leaning down, he brushed a kiss over her cheek, noting her quick intake of breath as he did so. “I’ll talk to you later. Have a good evening.”

By ‘have a good evening,’ he really meant, ‘I hope you spend tonight thinking about me and not your date.’ Damn, it was going to suck waiting to hear how her second date with Professor Simon went.

* * *

Leah

Dammit, Gavin.

He’d ruined her second date with Simon just as thoroughly as he’d ruined her first. Maybe more. Even hours later, all she could think about was how he’d shown up with her favorite morning-after-drinking food, which he’d made himself, and they weren’t exactly effortless. Oliver had tried to steal a bite, and she’d had to resist giving in to his pathetic mewing. She didn’t want to teach him bad habits.

Plus… she didn’t share sausage rolls.

Hmmm, no matter how bad their marriage had become, Gavin had always made them for her after a night of drinking. Somehow, she’d forgotten that. She’d never had to ask. He’d just made them. It had been one of the things she’d really missed after they split. Making them herself wasn’t the same, especially since she was usually cranky and had a pounding headache when she tried.

So, now she was out at dinner with Simon, and all she could think about was Gavin’s sausage. Which would be funny later, but right now, she was too frustrated to laugh about it.

“Leah? Is everything okay?” Jerked out of her thoughts by Simon’s direct question, Leah shook her head, trying to shake off her distraction.

“Yeah, sorry, Gav— I mean, Simon! Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” Horrified, Leah felt something turn over in the pit of her stomach. There was no way she could possibly be more mortified than she was at this moment. “Um, everything’s great. The food is great. I’m just a little distracted. I’m so sorry.”

At least you didn’t call him Gavin’s name while you were having sex.

Seriously? That was the best she could do for an upside? They weren’t anywhere near having sex—the way things were going, she didn’t think they were going to be. Not that she was super interested in having sex with Simon. He was attractive, and a nice guy, and had a certain aura about him, but the chemistry between them was lacking.

Besides, she couldn’t help comparing—literally—everything about him to Gavin. And now she’d gone and called him by her ex’s name, so there was no pretending about what was distracting her.

Simon sighed, a rueful smile on his lips, but there was hurt in his dark eyes. It made Leah feel even worse. She’d almost feel better if he was a jerk about her slip-up. Cyana and Esther were going to give her hell when they heard she’d called him by Gavin’s name.

Crap. She couldn’t tell them. What if they told Gavin? Or if Esther told Jax, who then told Gavin?

Oh my God, stop thinking about Gavin and start focusing on this date before it turns into even more of a train wreck.

Somehow, she managed to get through the rest of the evening without losing focus again. It still wasn’t a good date, not by any standard, and it got worse when Simon walked her to her door at the end of the night.

He was generous, incredibly kind, attractive, funny, understanding, and it killed her she couldn’t be more interested in him. Here was this amazing guy who liked her, and instead of falling head over heels for him, she was still hung up on the ex and the crappy relationship she’d left behind a decade ago.

Be fair—you’ve still been fucking him for most of that decade, so it’s not like it was totally over.

Yeah, that didn’t make it any better.

When they reached her door, Simon smiled down at her, similar to the smile he’d had in the restaurant. Leah inwardly sighed, already knowing it was over.

“Leah, I really like you. You’re funny, you’re smart, and I really enjoyed getting to know you.” Simon’s tone was sympathetic, but it didn’t matter.

Leah still wanted to sink into the ground and never come out. Should have just let Cyana’s couch have its way with me. She was totally getting dumped, and deservedly so.

“But I think it’s probably best if this is our last date.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said, rubbing her hand over her face. She felt lower than dirt. And stupid. She felt monumentally stupid. If this was someone else’s life, she’d be screaming at them to go with Simon and leave Gavin behind for good. Unfortunately, that was apparently much easier said than done. “You’re a great guy, and I… I’m a hot mess. My ex told me he wants me back, and it’s turned me into a total mess, and you deserve so much better than how I’m treating you.”

Simon chuckled, his expression lightening a little. “Actually, it’s almost nice to hear it’s because he’s made a move. I’d hate to feel like I lost a competition to a specter from the past.”

“Not a specter at all, unfortunately. I am so sorry. Again. I probably should have canceled tonight, but I still wanted to try…” Her voice trailed off miserably.

“I’m glad we tried.”

Simon kissed her cheek and left. Even that kiss wasn’t as good as the one Gavin had given her that morning.

Dammit. Gavin so owed her after this, and since it was a Saturday night, she knew exactly where to find him. Scowling, she decided against going inside and went straight to her car. She didn’t want Oliver to think she was home only to abandon him again, and she had a certain meddling man to confront.

* * *

Gavin

The Outlands on a Saturday should have been a good distraction, but Gavin couldn’t think about anything but Leah.

Scene with wax play?

Remembering the last time he and Leah had used wax. Which was fun. Should try that again sometime. If she lets me.

Scene with cock and ball torture?

Reminded him of his own frustrated libido. Sure, the male submissive Cyana had tied up to the St. Andrew’s cross was having a much rougher time than Gavin was, but he was also enjoying it on some level. Gavin had nothing but frustration and no guarantee it would come to any fruition.

Scene with two men and one woman?

Made him think about Professor Simon and Leah—not that he wanted to share her—but since she was currently seeing another man, that was where his head went.

“Master Gavin?” Veronica, one of the club’s long-time submissives, came rushing up to him, worry all over her face. Not much threw Veronica off her game, so for the first time all night, his focus narrowed to a single point. “Eben’s having some trouble with Master Don.”

Crap. Eben could be a bit temperamental, but she was a good switch and rarely had any real trouble with anyone. He knew that guy had been a mistake. Don had talked a good game, but Gavin had a feeling about him during the member interview. Gavin would happily toss him out on his ass if he deserved it.

“What’s going on?” he asked, striding after Veronica as she led him toward the other side of the Dungeon. There were so many people, he couldn’t see every scening space. “Where are the Dungeon Monitors?”

“He touched Eben’s hair. Mistress Terrin is there, but he’s not listening to her.”

Stupid wanker. Touching Eben’s hair was a hard limit for her, and there was no way she would have scened with anyone who hadn’t gone over her list. And he wasn’t listening to Mistress Terrin? Gavin started moving faster.

Gavin pushed through the small crowd already forming around one of the stations. Terrin and Don were facing off, with her standing between him and Eben, while one of Don’s buddies—Michael—was standing behind the man, uselessly wringing his hands. Two other submissives were standing on either side of Eben, who looked as if she was about to launch herself around Terrin and go after Don herself.

Terrin and Don’s voices were already rising as they argued.

“You aren’t in charge—”

“Do you not understand what ‘Dungeon Monitor’ means?”

“I don’t have to listen to you!”

“Actually, you do.” Gavin stepped up beside Terrin, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at Don. “Listening to the Dungeon Monitors is part of the agreement you signed when you joined.”

Huffing, Don tilted his chin up. A little older than Gavin but not in as good of shape, he had thinning blond hair and an almost permanent sulky expression. His friend, Michael, was a little shorter, a little thinner, with grey hair and a wife at home who he had only brought to the club once. It wasn’t Gavin’s business, but he had the sneaking suspicion Michael’s wife had no idea he was still coming to the Outlands. Unlike Don, who always wore leathers, Michael tended to show up in suits as if he was coming from work.

“She’s not listening to me,” Don complained, putting his hands on his hips and glaring at Terrin. “This is all a stupid mistake, and she completely overreacted.”

“Uh huh. Why don’t you tell me what happened then?” Gavin would give the man enough rope to hang himself. That or dig himself out of the hole he was already in, but Gavin was willing to bet the former was more likely.

“We were scening, and I had just tied Eben up and wanted her to tilt her head back, and I grabbed her hair. I forgot it was a hard limit, okay? It’s a weird one, and it was an honest mistake. I wasn’t thinking. Then this bit— uh…” Don’s smooth words faltered when Gavin and Terrin glared at him. He was smart enough to catch himself. “Then she came along—”

“Because Eben used her safe word, and this jackass didn’t stop.” Terrin spat the words out, and Gavin didn’t have to look at her to know her eyes were blazing with fire.

“I was going to! You didn’t give me a chance.” It sounded more like whining than a real protest.

The crowd around them murmured disapprovingly. Drawn by the spectacle, more Dungeon Monitors were converging. Gavin had a feeling he was going to need them to drag Don out. He didn’t seem the type to go willingly. The shit gibbon didn’t even seem to think he’d done anything wrong.

“You told me to stop being so dramatic,” Eben yelled from behind Gavin. There were a few small noises, and he didn’t turn around, but he’d bet her two friends were keeping her behind Terrin and Gavin. It wasn’t as if Eben couldn’t protect herself—she could do it a little too well. Something Don didn’t seem to realize. “When a submissive safe words, you’re supposed to fucking stop, asshole!”

“See? She’s disrespectful and insulting. Neither of these women was willing to listen.” Don’s lip curled up in a sneer. He was the worst kind of Dom—a misogynist on a power trip masquerading as a Dom. Not a real Dom at all. Sadly, it was something that happened all too often. The good news was, this was Gavin’s club, and he didn’t have to put up with these wankers in his club.

“You should have been the one listening. Eben is completely correct. You should have stopped the moment she said her safe word. Period. You do not call the submissive overdramatic. You do not try to continue the scene. And you listen to the Dungeon Monitors.” Gavin shook his head as Don’s expression grew more mulish. Fuck it. “Actually, you don’t need to worry about any of that because I’m revoking your membership. You ignored a submissive’s safe word and a Dungeon Monitor. You’re out of here.”

“Hey! You can’t do that!” Don’s face turned bright red, his fists clenching at his side. If he was stupid enough to get physical, he was going to be in for a big surprise. He’d be lucky if Gavin was the one to deal with him rather than Terrin or Eben.

Michael finally stepped forward. Not to try to get Don under control or talk him out of being an ass, of course, but to defend him.

“It’s not that big a deal. Can’t you give him another chance?” Michael asked, worriedly glancing at Don.

Seriously? Ignoring a safeword wasn’t that big a deal? Ignoring a Dungeon Monitor?

“And now both of your memberships are revoked.” Gavin raised his voice a little louder. “Anyone else who thinks ignoring a safeword isn’t a big deal can also take a hike.”

“Wait!” Michael was completely shocked. Idiot. No wonder he and Don were friends, although Michael now stepped away from Don as if he was trying to put some distance between them in the face of the consequences. “I didn’t even do anything. You can’t kick me out. I didn’t break any rules!”

“What’s Rule Zero, everyone?” Gavin asked, keeping his voice loud enough to carry. He stared straight at Don and Michael.

Everyone within hearing distance spoke in a kind of kinky Greek chorus.

“The Dungeon Master makes the rules.”

Damn straight. And he was the Dungeon Master.

Gavin’s smile was hard-edged as he took a step forward, gesturing to two of the other Dungeon Monitors who were waiting for his signal.

“David, Gareth, escort these men out.” He focused back on Don and Michael again. “Your membership fees will be refunded. Do not attempt to come back. And if you break the nondisclosure agreements you signed, I am sure Mistress Terrin here will have a ball suing the hell out of you.”

“Hell, I’ll do it for free.” Terrin grinned like a shark. Michael and Don paled, finally seeming to give up in the face of everyone arrayed against them. Murmurs of disapproval followed them as they were escorted out the door, and Gavin let out a long sigh.

As he was turning back to see how Eben was doing, he came to a halt when his eyes met the gaze of the last person he’d expected to see here tonight, and he froze. Leah stared back at him. Was she here to help make his night better or worse?

Honestly, he could see it going either way.