The Dom's Dungeon by Cherise Sinclair Read Free Book Online

attend.”
    “I want to
attend? Does that mean you don't?” When she turned to look up at him, he was
still so close that her lips grazed his cheek. She froze.
    Rather
than stepping away, he slowly straightened, his lips brushing against hers, as
if accidentally. Only the crinkling of the lines at the corners of his eyes
told her he'd done it deliberately. That, and the fact that every move he made
was as controlled as the words he used.
    “Normally
I'd make a short appearance and leave.” He touched her chin lightly with a
finger. “But to do a good job of networking for you, we'll need to spend the
evening.”
    He'd do
that for her? An odd uneasiness lodged in the pit of her stomach, one having
nothing to do with his teasing games. Jim and Mary had shown her a selfless
generosity, but they'd thought of her as a daughter. Her sorority sisters in
college had befriended her and given her etiquette lessons, thinking of her as
a challenge. But men…men didn't help women. Not unless they wanted something,
and Fontaine already had her under his thumb. He didn't need to do this.
    Head
tilted, he studied her face. “I've rarely seen that amount of disbelief when I
ask a woman to a dance,” he murmured. “But this isn't the place to discuss it.”
He guided her forward through the aisles of clothing.
    If he
thought she'd talk about her reaction or why, he was sadly mistaken. Not a
chance.
    A minute
later, she planted her feet as something else occurred to her. “I didn't mind
your paying for the…the kinky clothing since it's more for your problem than
mine, but you can't buy me formal wear. That's not right.”
    He turned, his piercing blue eyes as focused as a laser from a
science-fiction novel. Then he smiled and ran his hands up and down her arms,
less a sexual than a comforting gesture. “ MacKensie ,
I doubt you could afford what you need. It's my pleasure to get it for you.”
    She knew
better. Gifts came first, followed by demands. She wasn't that kind of person
anymore. “I can't accept, but thank you.”
    When she
tried to step back, his hands tightened on her arms, holding her firmly in
place. “I see. Well then, how about a trade? A lifetime of free care for Butler
in exchange for my purchasing everything I think you'll need while you remain
under my care.”
    “Under
your care?”
    “Yes, pet ,” he said, deliberately emphasizing
the word. “I believe that is the bargain we made yesterday. This just adds a
codicil to it.”
    “What are
you, a lawyer?”
    When he
grinned, the sternness left his face. “I have a law degree, yes, but I'm mostly
a boring businessman.”
    “You
couldn't be boring if you tried,” she muttered, then realized he still held her
arms, apparently oblivious to the people having to detour around them. He'd probably
wait there forever for his damned answer, wouldn't he? Considering the
exorbitant price tags for the T-shirts on the rack beside them, the fancy
clothing must be horrendously expensive. Even a lifetime of vet care might not
cover it. But he obviously wasn't lacking for money, and he'd made an effort to
salvage her pride. “All right. We have a deal.”
    “Good
girl.” He released her and headed toward the elevator.
    Despite
the fact that he wore jeans, he obviously exuded the scent of money, for the
saleswoman in the formal-wear department upstairs pounced on him like a cat
discovering a mouse. With an effort, Mac concealed the fact she was shaking in
her sneakers and tried to emulate his polite reserve.
    Arm around
Mac, Alex instructed the woman about what he had in mind, consulting Mac only
to get her shoe size. Mac couldn't decide if she felt insulted or coddled.
Coddled won out since she had no clue how to buy a formal gown; she'd never
bought one in her life. Her college finances sure hadn't extended that far.
She'd only been in the sorority because of the influence and funds provided by
an alumnus friend of Mary's.
    The
saleswoman returned with an armload of