Free Longing: Club Inferno by Jamie K. Schmidt

on a Broadway part, but I’ve got to drop some weight.”
    “Oh bullshit,” Colleen said. “Unless you’re playing Fantine you’re fine the way you are.”
    “I’m actually going for a part Marilyn Monroe played.”
    “Well, there you have it. You’re the same size as she was.”
    Anya kicked off her shoes and went to the bathroom scale. “Actually, the sizes were bigger then, so I’m close, but she still was a few sizes below me.”
    “Oh, who gives a shit?”
    “The director.”
    Anya frowned at the number on the scale. It hadn’t budged, but then again she was wearing clothes. And you’re always lighter in the morning, so…Anya closed her eyes and calculated. She was probably down five pounds.
    “What are we going to do about Istvahn?” Colleen interrupted her thoughts.
    “Tee has to be the one to tell him. But she’s not going to do that until he either confesses his love for her nonpregnant self, or it becomes way too obvious. I’m still cooking up a plan, but I think he’s a little possessive and jealous of her.”
    “Istvahn?” Colleen stage-whispered. “Are we talking about the same man?”
    “Hear me out. Maybe we should play matchmaker and see if that forces his hand.”
    “This has all the ingredients of a recipe for disaster.”
    “Does Nefertiti ever go into the dungeon?”
    Colleen sighed. “I guess. I don’t make it a point of tracking my employees’ whereabouts if they’re not working, but yeah, I’m sure she does.”
    “So maybe she can hang a bit and see if Istvahn makes a move.”
    “Well, it’s worth a shot, I suppose. I’ll run it by her.”
    “I’m heading down there tonight.”
    “Oh really.” Colleen drawled the last word out. “Who are you meeting there?”
    “Clint Reyes.”
    “Not another one of my Doms.”
    “What are you talking about? He’s my first—unless you count some flirting with Master Dante.”
    “You call Dante ‘Master’?”
    “Everybody does.”
    “I don’t.”
    “That’s because you’re his master.”
    “He’d disagree with that statement.” Colleen gave a husky chuckle. “But we’ve had discussions together.”
    “Is that what the kids are calling it nowadays?”
    “Anyway…” Colleen cleared her throat. “How serious is it between you two?”
    “This is our first date. Wait, maybe second.” If a guy got you off, that probably should count as a date.
    “Uh-huh. Is this going to be a fling, or am I going to have to start interviewing another Dom?”
    “Jesus, Colleen, I’ll make sure he gives two weeks’ notice.” Anya rolled her eyes. “Besides, I’m secure when I’m in a relationship. He can strip and dance all he wants, just as long as he doesn’t touch.”
    “He doesn’t just teach a class on pole dancing,” Colleen said. “He fulfills a kink for some of my clients.”
    “What type of kink?” Anya wasn’t sure if that tingling feeling was alarm or desire.
    “I’ll let him explain it to you. Just remember to have the talk with him first.”
    “What talk is that?”
    “He’ll probably go over it, but make sure you tell him your hard limits. He’ll stick to them or I’ll kick his ass.”
    “Whoa,” Anya said. “I’m not going to be his sub, I just want to bone him. Speaking of which, I need that corset dress.”
    “Well, be careful. Did you talk to Marisol?”
    “I forgot,” she admitted.
    “Then you’re shit out of luck.”
    “What am I supposed to wear tonight?”
    “It’s not like you’re going to be dressed for very long. Wear something sexy that’s easy to get out of in a hurry.”
    Anya rolled her eyes. “You’re a big help.”
    “Clint’s a player,” Colleen said after a thoughtful pause.
    “What do you mean? He seems so sweet.”
    “Maybe he’ll be sweet for you. His specialty is playing games. Just make sure you know you’re playing a game.”
    “He said it was game night tonight. Is that a euphemism for something kinky I haven’t heard about yet?”
    “It’s