Free Claimed by Jaymie Holland Page B

see you.” Leslie smiled at her
friends then shook the hands of their men as introductions were
made. Roni’s guy was John while Christy was with Zach.
    “Wow.” Leslie sat on a bench seat at the
table across from her friends. “That auction turned out to be
amazing for all of us.”
    Roni smiled at John. “Most definitely.”
    Christy nodded and put her head on Zach’s
shoulder. “Couldn’t have happened any better.”
    Roni gestured toward Kelley Bachman, whom
they were all friends with. She was with a group of people who were
watching a pony girl race in front of the barn. “Kelley was bid on
by a really hot guy, too, but he’s been out of town since the
auction. If she’s as lucky as we were… Well, we’ll just have to
find out.”
    They laughed and talked for a while. John was
an FBI agent and Zach owned a couple of exclusive restaurants. Roni
was a fashion designer and Christy owned a popular downtown
boutique.
    Rick was a little quiet but friendly and
sociable. Leslie had never been around him with other people, so
she hadn’t known what to expect. Some people were more talkative
one-on-one than they were in a crowd.
    They had been laughing and talking a while
when John looked at Rick and said, “I thought you looked familiar
and now I know why.”
    Leslie glanced at Rick and he seemed to be
bracing for something.
    “You’re the Navy SEAL who was decorated with
the Navy Cross a few months ago.” John smiled. “It’s great to meet
a true American hero.”
    Leslie’s eyes widened. “You didn’t tell me
that.”
    “That’s amazing,” Christy said.
    Zach nodded. “It’s an honor.”
    “Wow.” Roni smiled. “I’ve never met a real
hero before.”
    Even in the dim light of the kerosene
lantern, Leslie thought Rick was blushing. He raised his hands like
he was pushing away the compliments. “I’m no hero,” he said. “I was
just doing my job.”
    “You went far above and beyond, my friend,”
John said then looked at Leslie. “Don’t let him fool you. He may be
humble but he is a hero.”
    Rick looked distinctly uncomfortable. “There
are many men and women in the service who are true heroes.”
    “Shhh.” Roni put her finger to her lips. “At
these things no one uses last names or says anything about knowing
the person outside of the event.”
    “Sorry about that,” John said.
    Rick shook his head. “No problem.”
    John looked at Leslie. “This one’s a
keeper.”
     
     

Chapter 9
     
     
    “Why don’t we check out what’s going on
inside?” Zach said, saving both Leslie and Rick from further
embarrassment by John’s comment.
    Roni stood. “Let’s go.” She had dark red hair
and a full figure and looked great all in leather. John seemed to
agree as he stood behind her and palmed her ass, causing her to
jump and laugh. Roni was exuberant and fun but she loved to submit
to the right men. Looked like John might be that guy. Leslie had
heard a story that he had saved Roni’s life, a story she wanted to
hear more about.
    “It’ll be fun looking at everything.” Christy
stood, too, and grasped Zach’s hand as he got to his feet. Christy
wore tight leather pants and a leather bustier. Zach settled his
hand at her waist and drew her close to him. Christy had been new
to KC but she seemed to have taken to the lifestyle really well.
Leslie could tell by the way Christy was with Zach that he was her
Dom and was protective of her.
    Rick got up with Leslie and she took his hand
again. He seemed even quieter, probably due to his discomfort with
the praise lavished over him just moments before. But he squeezed
her hand and she gave him a smile as he looked down at her.
    “You’re beautiful,” he said.
    “You’re pretty hot yourself.” She let go of
his hand and gripped one of his tight ass cheeks. “Yes, you’re
definitely all that and more.”
    They paused for a moment to watch the pony
girls trotting in an arena. Leslie didn’t see Kelley. She’d hoped
to say hi to