Show Me, Baby: A Masters of the Shadowlands Novella (1001 Dark Nights) Read online

  “I’m working here temporarily.” Submerging herself in the safety of business, she opened the schedule. “Ah, I see there’s a miniature Doberman scheduled for a routine physical and shots. He belongs to Kailie Hollingsworth.”

  He smiled sheepishly. “She’s my wife.”

  Married. Her mind went blank.

  “Geoff, good to see you.” Jake walked out of his office. The two men shook hands with the brotherly buffet on the shoulder that meant an extra dollop of friendship.

  “Doing great. I don’t know if you heard. Kailie is pregnant.” Geoffrey’s chest pumped up as if he’d invented procreation all by himself.

  The first kick in the teeth hadn’t even dissipated before the pain of the second hit Rainie. Pregnant? What happened to not wanting children for years, maybe not at all?

  “Congratulations.” Jake grinned. “That would be why you’re stuck dealing with Kailie’s demon Doberman?”

  “That would be why. Kailie can’t manage more in the mornings than looking green. At least, she has a ton of international clients and later in the day works well for contacting them.” Geoffrey handed Jake the leash and nodded to Rainie. “It was good to run into you again.”

  “And you,” Rainie managed past the blockage in her throat.

  Jake turned a speculative gaze on her and Geoffrey. “You two know each other?”

  Geoffrey smiled. “I think you were in Afghanistan when we were engaged.” He lifted a hand and strode out.

  She stared after him and then remembered Jake.

  Eyes narrowed, he was studying her.

  Her defensiveness flared. Swiveling her chair around, she faced the computer monitor. “The dog is on your schedule. I’ll check him in.”

  He walked behind the counter and planted a hip on the desktop. Did the man have no concept of personal space?

  “Engaged? So…how long did you and Geoff date?” His voice remained quiet enough that the clients in the waiting room wouldn’t hear.

  She gave an indifferent shrug. “I don’t know”—six months and twelve days—”half a year, maybe.”

  “Quite a while. What happened to break you up?”

  The surge of hurt made her eyes prickle. “That’s not your business.” She raised her chin. “You’re my boss, not my Dom.”

  His intent gaze held the warmth of the sun. “I’m both. Seems like Geoff’s into inertia, so I’d say if he stayed with you that long, something else derailed him. What happened, Rainie?”

  The determined set of his mouth said he’d sit on her desk until she answered him—she’d seen the same determination when he’d pulled a massive St. Bernard out of a room. The dog’s tail had whipped up under its belly as it had given in to the superior force that was Master Jake.

  She gave in, too. “His family happened.”

  “Ah.” Jake’s smile flickered ruefully. “Status conscious. Appearance conscious. Shallow as a Disney cartoon.”

  “Mmm.” His assessment was dead on. He didn’t sound impressed with Geoffrey’s family, as if they weren’t worthy of his regard. She cleared her throat. With his family, Geoffrey’d been ashamed of knowing Rainie, acting like a cat trying to cover his waste. “Our relationship ended the day I met them.”

  She stared at her keyboard and willed Jake to leave.

  His callused hand settled on her wrist, the warmth calming. “I see your hurt, baby. Still…knowing you both, I’d say you can find a better fit.”

  Right. Too bad for her that she wanted a gentleman Dom. The chances were slim that she’d find a gentleman who wouldn’t mind that his woman was raised in the slums, in foster homes, and on the streets. Bitterness tasted foul on her tongue.

  She shut her thoughts down and brought up the next bill on her computer. “I’m busy, Dr. Sheffield.”

  “Of course.” Jake’s light touch on her hair felt like a caress. “We’ll discuss this some other time.”

  “I’ll just pencil that little talk into the appointments.” Not a problem. There should be an hour or two free on the day after the apocalypse. What year would that be?

  * * * *

  On Thursday, Rainie emerged from the dressing room in the bridal store, happily re-attired in jeans, sandals, and a peasant blouse. “No more bridesmaid dress fittings. Yay!” She danced across the floor to Gabi and Kim, who waited by the wall of mirrors.

  Her two friends laughed.

  “Gabi, thank you—and Sally—for picking a gown that’s gorgeous on me.” The clinging halter top and flowing skirt had totally made the most of her assets. “Made me feel like Cinderella at the ball.”

  Gabi beamed. “That’s how I feel in my wedding dress. And we loved finding the perfect style for each of you. You should have seen the over-frilled frumpy rag I got stuck wearing in college.” Gagging sounds ensued. “Thank God for the same-color, different-styles trend.”

  “I love my dress—and the deep blue color too.” Kim patted Gabi’s hand. Her bridesmaid gown would be a skin-tight sheath which displayed her perfect figure.

  As Rainie took a chair near her friends, Kim asked Gabi, “By the way, did Master Z mandate a theme for this weekend?”

  “I didn’t check since”—Gabi scowled—”my beloved has said no Shadowlands this week. Marcus wants a little ‘anticipation’ for the honeymoon which means, starting Saturday, no sex either.”

  “Oh my God.” Kim snickered. “He’ll be so horny, he’ll drag you out of the reception after one dance.”

  “He won’t be the one dragging,” Gabi said grumpily.

  “What about you, Rainie? Do you know the theme?” Kim asked. “I’m in a dress-up mood.”

  “I didn’t check either. I’m taking a hiatus from the club.” When the other two stared at her, she moved her shoulders. “Jake and Saxon are my bosses at the clinic. Interacting with them at the Shadowlands would be…too much.”

  “Huh, I get how you might feel awkward.” Gabi tilted her head. “But—”

  “Here I come!” With the laughing announcement, Andrea popped out of a dressing room and strode toward the mirrors, the seamstress scurrying behind her like a mouse after a big cat. “Well? What do you think?” Her strapless gown exposed her beautiful muscular shoulders and golden tan.

  “Wow.” Kim clapped her hands. “You look fantastic. Like the Amazon Cullen is always calling you.”

  “Wonder Woman,” Rainie said. “Girl, you’ve totally got to wear golden bracelets—you know, the bulletproof ones.”

  Gabi waggled her eyebrows. “Just be careful about wearing a Lasso of Truth. Cullen’s liable to use it on you.”

  “He-he wouldn’t bother.” Andrea’s golden-brown eyes filled with tears.

  Gabi jumped to her feet and wrapped her arms around the taller woman. “What’s wrong, girlfriend? Has he been mean to you?”

  Cullen mean? Rainie knit her brow. Strict, maybe, but the giant Dom didn’t have a cruel bone in his body.

  Andrea shook her head. “No. It’s…” Her breath hitched in a sob. The little seamstress bobbed in to hand her a handful of tissues, and Andrea wiped her face. “I’m being an idiot. It’s just”—she peered at the wedding dress displays—”I want to get married. I’m ready.”

  “Well, finally,” Kim said, smiling.

  Rainie understood the lure of a wedding and having someone to spend a lifetime with, to trust and hold. “But, why the tears? Mast—um, Cullen has been proposing to you forever.”

  “He stopped.” Andrea’s eyes filled again. “He gave up on me. Or maybe he changed his mind.”

  “Fat chance,” Kim said. “He adores you.”

  Gabi took a tissue and patted the tears from Andrea’s cheeks. “He really does. He’ll ask again.” Her mouth set in a stern line. “You’d better say ‘yes’ next time, or I’ll wallop you.”

  “Oooh, threat,” Rainie cooed. “I’m getting all excited. Where’s my flogger?”

  The seamstress’s mouth dropped open, and she backpedaled. “I think everything fits fine. Br
ing the dress upfront when you’re done.” Face a bright pink, she scurried toward the front of the room.

  “Oops,” Rainie whispered, sending the others into giggles.

  When Andrea disappeared to change, Gabi dropped into a chair with a sigh and scrubbed her hands over her face.

  Rainie exchanged glances with Kim and said, “Gabi, Andrea will be fine.”

  Kim added, “I’m not so sure about you. Is something wrong? Are your parents causing trouble?”

  “No.” Gabi grimaced. “Not really…aside from constantly adding more guests and demanding fancier food. But since they’re not paying for the reception, they lack any leverage.”

  “So…?” Rainie prompted.

  Gabi scowled. “They’re unhappy about the ‘double’ wedding and about a ménage being included, so they’re really cold to Sally. And worse, Galen’s mom is just plain nasty and constantly criticizing Sally. “

  Kim winced. “Sally’s pretty vulnerable to parental disapproval.”

  “Yeah.” Gabi slumped in the chair. “No one is openly rude. Sally—and I—could fight that—or the guys would. But Galen and Vance are out of town, and Sally won’t rock Galen’s relationship with his mother, so she hasn’t told her guys anything. And, dammit, I figure it’s her decision to make. Only I’m so frustrated.”

  “I don’t agree since—” Rainie bit back the words. How would she react if someone interfered in her relationship with a lover? “No, I’m wrong. It’s not your choice. But ugh, just imagine—Sally’ll have to celebrate holidays with that woman.” Galen’s mother was the coldest person Rainie’d ever met. One glare from her and mice would flee a cozy heated building in the dead of winter.

  Kim nodded glumly. “Guess we’ll just have to shield Sally.”

  “As much as we can.” Gabi scowled. “Just because Sally wasn’t born to some rich East Coast family, Mrs. Kouros thinks she’s not good enough for Galen.”

  Rainie’s anger at the unfairness was slowly undermined by her dismay…and depression. Sally’s handicap was merely from growing up on a small Iowa farm. What if Mrs. Kouros faced a slum-raised daughter-in-law like Rainie? The woman would go off the rails entirely.

  Rainie thought of her wonderful night with Jake and how he seemed to enjoy having her in the clinic. He never treated her as something…less. Then again, he was a special sort of man. Maybe his years in the military had changed his perception of what was important.

  However, if Jake’s family thought their precious son might date a woman like Rainie, they’d undoubtedly react just as cruelly as Mrs. Kouros.

  Rainie’s chest constricted as her resolve deepened. Once her time at the clinic ended, she’d hunt for a job far away, maybe in the Northeast. When she eventually found someone to love, her manners and attire would be perfect—just as Miss Lily had advocated—and her past would be left far, far behind.

  And she’d never return to Florida.

  Chapter Eight

  With Mrs. Morelli’s miniature poodle cuddled in one arm, Rainie stood in front of Jake’s pale yellow, two-story house and pressed the doorbell.

  No one answered. As she breathed in the moist green scent of freshly cut grass, she listened.

  No footsteps. The “horse country” was so quiet, she could hear the rumble of cars on a distant highway. The birds cheeping in the trees. And the thumping of Rhage’s tail.

  Hoping Jake would unload some of his grief, Rainie had tied Rhage on the shaded porch. He sat on his own special blanky, watching her closely. After being abandoned once, he wouldn’t trust easily again.

  She knew how he felt.

  At the low whine of the dog she carried, she sighed. When Saxon had asked her to deliver Guido, he’d said Jake planned to spend his Saturday off at home. A truck sat in the driveway, so Jake was here.

  But everyone at the clinic knew he didn’t always carry his phone.

  She turned in a circle. Tightly woven fencing enclosed the house’s acreage. In the long expanses of green, colorful patches heralded the gardenias and azalea bushes beneath the oaks. But no Jake.

  Maybe behind the house? Didn’t he have a pool? Since no fence separated the front from the back, Rainie walked around the side of the house. Maybe she’d get lucky and find him sunbathing in the nude.

  The poor excuse for a joke didn’t lighten her mood. She was sad and even unhappier she’d have to break the bad news to Jake.

  Behind the house, a screen-caged octagonal pool sparkled in the sunlight. Bright red-and-white striped deck chairs were scattered around the patio. Under the shade of the overhang, Jake slept on a lounge chair. He wasn’t naked, unfortunately, although the bare chest was a good start.

  Rainie opened the patio’s screen door, deliberately making enough noise to waken him. Smart people didn’t sneak up on war zone veterans.

  He was on his feet before she had the door closed. “Rainie,” he said slowly. Absently, he rubbed the sexy dark stubble on his jaw. His day off meant he hadn’t trimmed his beard. He looked…rough. Dangerous.

  Tempting.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked.

  “I—” Her momentary lust disappeared as she recalled her reason for the visit. God, how could she tell him? Her heart ached as she searched for words that wouldn’t hurt him. There were none. Mrs. Morelli passed on last night.

  Jake’s brows drew together as he studied her face. His gaze dropped to the dog. When his jaw hardened enough to draw the skin taut, she knew he’d recognized Guido and why she’d come.

  Grief filled his eyes for a moment before his expression smoothed out. He walked over and took the dog from her arms. “Thank you for bringing him.”

  “I’m sorry, Jake.” She’d only met the tiny elderly woman once, but her sweetness had drawn Rainie in.

  One of Jake and Saxon’s first clients, Mrs. Morelli had requested they care for Guido if anything happened to her. Like Miss Lily, she’d viewed her mortality with equanimity.

  “I appreciate you making the trip.”

  “Of course. I—”

  “I’m sure you have things to do, and I should get Guido settled in.” He walked away.

  She stared at his back, surprised. Had she ever seen him so brusque? Only, he wasn’t deliberately being rude. His normally smooth voice was almost harsh—as if forced through a tight throat. He made her want to cry for him…because he couldn’t.

  Jake stalked into his house, knowing he’d been discourteous, wanting to apologize, but not trusting his voice.

  Goddammit.

  He wasn’t prepared for this. At the hospital last night, Violetta’s doctor said she had a good chance of recovering. Apparently not.

  “Take care of my Guido, Jake,” she’d asked him. Her only concern had been for her dog. God, Violetta. His chest hurt—ached like a fresh stab wound.

  At an unhappy whine, he cuddled the shivering dog closer. Yes, they both knew the world was a sadder place today.

  Lonelier, as well. His footsteps echoed in the tile-floored room, emphasizing the emptiness. “Hadn’t planned on having a dog, buddy,” he muttered. “You’d better get along with cats, or we’re going to have problems.”

  His two cats had hidden under his bed, but once they saw the intruder was a small canine—rather than a human—they’d be out and ready for war.

  Speaking of problems… “I bet Rainie didn’t give you a chance to piss, did she?” After detouring to the kitchen for a leash, he took the dog out the front door and stopped.

  An ancient Civic sat in his driveway, and Rhage lay curled on a blanket on the porch. Rainie hadn’t left? Jake stopped to pet Rhage, then walked Guido around the side of the house, retracing Rainie’s path to the pool.

  And there she sat with her back to him, in his lounge chair. She was watching the back door, probably hoping he’d settle before she knocked.

  “Problems?” he asked.

  She jumped a good foot—and had a fucking cute scream. Turning, she gave him a glare. “You sadist,
you almost gave me a heart attack.” She patted her chest, making her breasts jiggle in a way he had to appreciate.

  For a full minute, he forgot his grief. “Sorry.”

  “I was worried about you,” she said as he and Guido entered the screened area.

  Once unleashed, Guido ran over to give her an enthusiastic greeting.

  “You act like you haven’t seen me for a month,” she muttered, pulling the wiggling dog onto her lap.

  “He’s nervous,” Jake said. “He knows something is wrong, and his person isn’t here to fix it.” Would never be here.

  “Yeah.” She snuggled Guido closer, murmuring, “It’ll get better, honey.”

  Longing whispered through Jake. Lucky little pup to be the recipient of her affections and soothing caresses. “I notice you didn’t leave.”

  “Observant that way, are you?” She set the dog down and held out her hand, expecting Jake to help her to her feet.

  Manipulative little brat. He pulled her up and smiled at the logo on her pink button-up shirt: Audit Me – Audit Me Now! “What did you want to talk about?”

  “Nothing, actually.” She slid her arms around him. “I’ve never seen anyone so in need of a good hug, and I stayed to give you one.”

  He froze, almost hearing Gunny’s snort of disgust, hearing him lecture: “Pussy Doms need comforting. Real men don’t.”

  “You’re here to care for the submissive. To take what you want. Not to lean on them.”

  “Stand on your own fucking feet.”

  But he wasn’t leaning…exactly. With a sigh, Jake drew the sweet submissive closer and let her tenderness ease the chill in his heart. Something fuzzy settled onto his bare foot.

  He pulled back far enough to see Guido lying beside Rainie with his muzzle on Jake’s foot.

  “I think that’s a dog’s version of a group hug. Or maybe he’s hungry,” Rainie said. She smiled up at him, innocence filling her face. “Me, too. Are you cooking me supper, then?”