Dancing with Deception by Avery Gale Read Free Book Online

stood when Brandt walked through the door. “Hey, man, I’m sorry. I had my head up my ass after watching the scene.” Pushing his fingers through his short hair in frustration, he shook his head. “Listen, before she gets up here, I want to tell you what I’ve heard. Word in the medical community is Joelle Phillips made a major discovery related to cancer treatment, but she was shut down by the Phillips Pharmaceuticals Board of Directors. Several of those board members have major holdings in companies who would take a big hit if her discovery becomes public. The last I heard no one knew where she was.”
    “Until now.” Joelle’s soft voice sounded from the door, how she’d managed to enter without them hearing her was anybody’s guess. Jesus, three fucking former Special Forces operatives in the room and a medical researcher gets the drop on us? When Ryan gets settled in Pine Creek, we need to spend some time training. Brandt hated the thought of losing his edge, the world was changing in ways most Americans couldn’t fathom, and letting down his guard wasn’t anywhere in his plan.
    Perhaps it was presumptuous to assume Ryan would decide to take over for Doc, but Brandt didn’t think so. And judging from the way his cousin’s eyes softened when he looked at Joelle, he and Ryan were going to be reviewing a conversation they had several years ago very soon. One night after sharing a ménage scene in their favorite Berlin kink club, they’d both lamented how difficult it was going to be to keep a woman happy given their post military career choices. Ryan planned to return to finish the last of his medical training and Brandt wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. Both of their choices would keep them away from home more often than not, making it difficult to maintain a happy home life.
    When Ryan suggested sharing a wife Brandt had laughed out loud, but Ryan’s reminder about their friends Kent and Kyle West’s parents had made him reconsider. The more they’d discussed it, the more plausible it had seemed despite the obvious cultural problems they anticipated. The entire conversation came back to Brandt in the span of a few heartbeats as he watched Ryan step forward and clasp Joelle’s hands between his own. “Joelle, I want to apologize for how poorly I handled things downstairs.”
    Brandt was relieved to see the lost expression she’d had when he’d first looked up, fade as Ryan spoke. “Please don’t worry, I should have known this would happen at some point. I’ve enjoyed the anonymity longer than I’d originally hoped I would be able to. Although I have to admit, I didn’t anticipate being outted in this particular venue.” His heart stuttered at her attempt to make light of the situation because it was easy to hear the sadness in her voice. A BDSM club was supposed to be a safe place to be yourself and tonight’s disaster had stolen that from her.
    Brandt stepped forward, turning her so she faced him. “Don’t. Don’t try to cover up your sadness with humor, minx. Not only is it not working, but it’s only going to increase your anxiety and piss off the Doms in the room.” He saw the moment she realized the truth of his words, her gray eyes darkened and her gaze dropped to the floor. Brandt tilted her chin up, hoping he could help her strike a balance between being open and honest while also staying respectful to herself as well as the men in the room since they were all intent on helping her.

    After settling on the soft leather sofa, Master Nate handed her a bottle of water, his unspoken order clear. Joelle took several gulping drinks before recapping the bottle and setting it on the low table in front of her. She was grateful for the few seconds it had afforded her to get her thoughts in order. She didn’t want them to think she was hiding her feelings or that she was in denial. Looking at Brandt, she spoke deliberately. “I understand, and I don’t mean to be