Free Rude Awakening by Sam Crescent, Natalie Dae

him—Margaret’s a high peal when she slid on hidden ice, Knowles gripping her tightly so she didn’t fall. Master wanted to bark out that if she weren’t wearing ridiculous heels in this weather, she might not have had any trouble.
    They disappeared inside the sex shop. Master positioned himself at the side of the window, giving himself enough space to see inside yet withdraw should either of them look out. Margaret fondled a paddle, and Master released a low grumble. She’d never liked paddles with him, claiming from the beginning that they hurt, made her want to cry because he hit her too hard. He’d shown her he hadn’t hit hard enough and smacked her about the head with it.
    She’d remained silent after that when he’d used the paddle again.
    Knowles selected a crop with several leather straps and ran the strands over his palm, talking to Margaret and looking into her eyes the whole time. She shook her head and he replaced the crop on a hook, leading her further into the shop to look at other toys. She reached up and took a vibrator from the top shelf, modest in size and not nearly wide enough to stretch her mouth or cunt until they hurt. A coward’s choice, one who wasn’t into feeling pain and discomfort.
    She still had so much to learn. There was still so much to teach her.
    At her nod, Knowles took the vibrator and paid for it at the desk, producing a credit card with a flourish.
    Master wanted to burst into the shop and break the man’s neck.
    Instead, he returned to the shopping centre, waiting at a window table in a café for the couple to walk past, then he went back to the sex shop. He had a satisfying argument with the sales assistant, which ended up with him getting a discount and being allowed to stack his contraption box on a trolley. After a painfully annoying time of trying to push it along the side street, he made it to his Land Rover, sure that Knowles and Margaret were long gone.
    Box in his vehicle, he contemplated taking the trolley back to the shop as he’d promised but decided against it. Sitting in the driver’s seat, he entertained thoughts of Margaret and Knowles, still somewhat shocked that they were together, although he was pleased to have noted she wore no collar. Although it signified she was done with Master, it also meant Knowles hadn’t fully claimed her.
    Good job, because she still belongs to me, missing collar or not.
    He gunned the engine, reversed out of his spot, and drove home, the finer details of his plan slotting into place.

Chapter Six
       

    Harry cleared away the remnants of their light supper—cheese, crackers and pickles—while Ruby relaxed in the bath. Her feet ached, she’d said, from their jaunt into the city, her not having walked so much in years. He stacked the plates in the dishwasher, a nugget of annoyance towards her Dom threatening to grow into so much more—anger, terrible anger that would consume him if he thought too hard for too long. Who the hell was the man who had treated her like that, and why wouldn’t she tell him his name? He could understand her withholding that information, but by God, it wasn’t as though he could find the fellow, storm over there and give him a good going over, was it? Harry knew the law too well for that. No, he’d just be content knowing his name so he could file it away for future use. Who knew? Ruby’s former Master might need Harry’s services one day and Harry would have much pleasure in denying him.
    So much had happened today. His head reeled with memories, their kiss in the chip shop top of the list. That had been the last thing he’d expected to happen so soon after she’d escaped an abusive relationship, but the look in her eyes when she’d gazed at the couple in front of them had just about broken his heart. He’d wanted to give her what she’d always dreamed of—a kiss that curled her toes and made her feel wanted—and from the jolt of electricity that had speared through him as their