Cowboy Casanova - Lorelei James [9]
“Only that Bennett wants to exchange his bracelet,” Murphy said.
“Christ, Bennett, you’re that bored with the selection of subs tonight? You’re willing to let one of these guys beat you and fuck you?” Sully asked with an edge of sarcasm.
“Fuck no.” He rested his elbows on the bar and they followed suit to keep their conversation private. “I don’t need to point out the woman wearing the gold bracelet, since she’s the only woman I’ve ever seen with a gold bracelet in this establishment. But I know better than to violate club rules and publicly question her right to wear it. So I asked Murphy to clarify why she deserved that status and he refused to provide details.”
Cody nonchalantly cast a glance over his shoulder. “I gotta agree with Bennett on this, Murph. The woman is out of her element, and I’ll eat my fucking keg tap if she’s got any real experience as a Domme.”
“Better give us the basics on her,” Sully added.
The big man stroked his fingers through his long black beard and looked at each one of them in turn, but spoke to Ben. “I told you. Angel is a friend of Layla’s. She’s here to see if this type of club would be a good fit for her.”
“She’s been involved in other clubs like this?”
“According to Layla, yes.”
“If that’s the case, then where does her previous Domme experience come in?”
Murphy sighed. “I argued with Layla about this, especially after she told me Angel’s only Domme experiences were in a controlled setting where she…ah…paid the dude so she could be in charge.”
Silence.
“So you’re telling me this woman waltzed into my club, expecting to be given the gold stamp of approval because she paid some dude from a male escort service to let her boss him around for a few hours?” Cody asked tightly.
Murphy nodded.
“So much for being the master of your house.” Sully snickered.
“Layla assured me that Angel only wanted the Domme designation as protection; she didn’t intend to use it besides to observe.”
“That’s an even worse reason for bein’ here. She’s a poseur,” Ben said. “She ain’t gonna get any real idea if she can handle this, even on a casual basis, if she can’t be honest with herself about what she is.” For Christsake, she’d worn a freakin’ disguise to the club. “I’ll bet you each a thousand bucks she’s submissive.”
A bet no one took, because in six years, Ben hadn’t been wrong even one time.
Cody pointed at Murphy. “You know we can’t let her in the club if she ain’t gonna play. How the fuck did you ever agree to breaking that rule?”
“Let’s just say Layla has a helluva distraction technique and she asked at a…ah, a pivotal moment.”
Sully and Cody shook their heads.
“How many nights is she here?” Ben asked Murphy.
“Two. Why?”
“That’ll be enough. Get Layla to introduce me.”
“Only if you inform my little slave that pushing me to admit her friend to the club as an experienced Domme has earned her a hefty consequence.”
“Why do I have to tell her?” Ben asked.
Murphy motioned Layla over. “Because she’ll sass me. But she never gets away with mouthy behavior around you, Bennett.”
Layla sidled up to the bar. “A Bombay Sapphire and tonic and a cherry Coke.” Her eyes widened when she saw Ben adjusting a white bracelet on his wrist. “Bennett? You’re changing your status?”
“Only temporarily so I can fix your mistake.” He invaded her space and spoke softly. “You are in big trouble, Layla.”
“But why—”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know why.” He watched her gaze skate briefly to Angel’s table.
She dropped her gaze to her hands. “I’m sorry, Sir.”
“You will convince Angel to play with me.” Ben fought a grin when he heard Layla mutter, “Shit. She is so fucked.”
“Not as fucked as you are, my pretty,” Murphy warned her. “You will do whatever Bennett demands to ensure your inexperienced friend doesn’t wind up in a situation we cannot control.”
She muttered, “I should’ve just given her a damn black bracelet.”
“Excuse me?” Murphy snapped.
“Nothing, Sir.”
“Murphy will decide your punishment for your coercion in getting your friend admitted to this private club