Caught Up in You by Roni Loren Page B

some of the clubs in Dallas are looking
     for part-time dommes, if you’d like. You could earn extra money that way, though their
     screening processes for members are going to be more lax so you may get some jerks
     in the mix.”
    She shook her head. The last thing she wanted were guys who thought dominatrix equaled
     prostitute. No way. As she sat there, frustration started to morph brick by brick
     into resolve. “No. I’m tired of this. Davis is dead and letting him haunt me means
     he wins. Fuck that. I need to try again.”
    Grant watched her for a long moment, then nodded. “I’ll tell you what, darlin’. You
     find a dom you’re comfortable with to complete the other half of your training and
     when you’re done, I’ll be more than happy to let you take on a few trainees or a small
     class. And if you do well with those, I’ll even recommend you to The Plantation in
     New Orleans. They pay well and are looking for new trainers. It’d get you out of town
     and a place to stay rent free.”
    A ticket out of town and more money? It was exactly what she needed. “That would be
     amazing.”
    “Do you want me to ask Colby if he wants to take you on? Or maybe Kade Vandergriff?
     Kade’s looking for a sub, though I think he prefers one who is going to submit to
     the full experience.”
    “No.” She adored Kade, but didn’t want to muddy the waters with a friend. She didn’t
     need to take the training to that level to get the benefit. “I’d prefer to keep sex
     out of the training.”
    “Not a problem,” Grant said, making a note on a pad on his desk. “I’ll talk to Colby
     later and see if he’s interested.”
    She wet her lips. Colby was a friend and a good guy. She’d assisted him in more than
     one training class, but the thought of submitting to him left her feeling hollow inside.
     However, the sooner she could get this done, the sooner she could put some real money
     in her pocket and get the hell out of town. “Thank you, Grant.”
    He gave a quick nod, though he looked more resigned than pleased. “Anytime, Kelsey.
     But please make sure you’re truly ready to do this and that this is the job you want.
     I think you have potential to be a terrific trainer, but unless you feel a passion
     for that role, the position will drain you dry. A nice paycheck won’t fill in the
     gaps.”
    She glanced away, her body feeling heavier in the chair than it had a moment before.
     The Ranch had been her saving grace after she’d recovered from the attack. It had
     provided her a job, structure, and a group of friends who had treated her like family.
     She loved the strange, alternative world that existed behind its gates. But despite
     the good people, the posh resort, and the luxury of the surroundings, she never felt
     more excited than when she was crammed in that tiny, hot kitchen at the Sugarcane
     concocting a new recipe and chatting with her customers. That was what put the froth
     in her coffee each morning. That and serving her favorite patron . . .
    But that dream was going to have to be put on hold for a while. Culinary school would
     have to wait. Her life would have to wait.
    Again.
    Perhaps payment for former sins was never really done.
    But at the very least, maybe she could put a vicious ghost to rest.

FIVE
    Wyattleaned back in the seat of his brother’s car, plucked off his glasses, and rubbed his eyes, a blinding headache booming behind his
     lids. “Half of me is hoping you’re fucking with me about this and that you’re going
     to say ‘just kidding’ when we pull up.”
    Jace glanced over at him, wryness tugging at the side of his mouth. “Sorry, brother.
     ’Fraid not. But if you’re going to give Kelsey shit about this, I’ll turn around right
     now. Just because she’s not as innocent and vanilla as you thought she was shouldn’t
     make a difference.”
    “It’s not that,” Wyatt said with a tired sigh. “It just makes the favor I was going
     to ask her