#MidWeekTease Where Anna meets her Master for the first time in years...

I had a right old brain freeze over this week's #MidWeekTease as I had no idea what to show you. I've nothing out until October. But then I thought well, why not go back to one of my favourite books that I've written. One that people either loved or hated, not many in the middle.

Master. 

So this week's #MidWeekTease is from an older story.

Blurb...

Caden McCourt did not expect to find his estranged wife Diana at a BDSM club. When he does, the renowned Master is determined to claim back his errant wife. 

When Diana left him fifteen years prior, she lost a part of herself. Seeing Cade again throws her into a tail spin. 

She cannot be the sub he needs, but she can't walk away either. When she's challenged by Cade to face her demons, her old nightmares resurface. Can they overcome the chasm between them, or are the nightmares simply too strong?

and your tease, where they meet again for the first time in years...

The ornate double doors at the back of the room opened, and Linsey walked into the reception area, wearing a long blue evening dress. What she had on underneath Anna didn't care to speculate. The reception area was strictly vanilla, much to Anna's relief. She'd never once passed through those doors and never intended to. Linsey joked Anna must be the only person in the world who worked in a BDSM club and didn't ever venture inside. Even going into their offices Anna used a separate entrance.
Linsey walked across to the imposing desk Anna sat behind and perched on the edge.
"All okay, hon?"
Anna nodded. "It's quiet."

"It's early. The main players won't be in for another hour or so yet. Talking of players, Carly's Ian had a lovely striped ass, and both he and Carly are going to be ever so grateful to you, I reckon."
Anna couldn't stop the shiver that ran through her body, and she swallowed.
I cannot be sick. She knew the shiver wasn't only fear; however, Anna was one of those people who sometimes showed extreme emotions by throwing up. It had made for some embarrassing moments in the past.
She could only hope Linsey either didn't see her reaction or chose not to comment. Of course being Linsey, she did see and did comment.
"Anna, honey, it isn't all bad, you know. You should try it again. I'll be happy to ease you back into the lifestyle anytime you want."
The trouble was Anna knew who was the only person she wanted to do that, and he came with too many extras for her to contemplate it. Even if he still wanted her, and somehow she doubted it.
A buzz sounded, and Linsey looked at the tiny pager strapped to her wrist.
"Damn, duty calls. That’s Antonia ready for my help. Remember what I said, if you want to feel the sting, I'm the person to show you. The club is there for you." She smiled and walked towards the members’ rooms.
Anna pressed the button to release the lock and allow Linsey through the doors.
She let out her breath in a whoosh. Why, when the idea of being on show revolted her was she wet, and her thong damp? The thought of anything to do with the play in public part of the lifestyle terrified her. The old familiar feeling of clammy skin and pins and needles in her arms began to bombard her. Her vision became blurry, and she began to pant.
Oh god, no not here and now. With enough presence of mind to turn her chair around to let herself put her head down, Anna took deep breaths and waited for the ringing in her ears to go away. She hadn't had an attack for years, and now that was twice in a matter of days. Damn Linsey, she knew not to mention anything about the lifestyle. It was easier to show a dislike for everything rather than try

to explain things she wanted to forget. What with worrying when Caden was going to turn up, Linsey talking about Ian's and Carly's enjoyment had been the last straw. Obviously Linsey had decided she wasn't going to let Anna bury her head in the sand any longer. Anna wished Linsey had held off a bit longer, at least until the dreaded visit from Caden. Once that date was firmed up, Anna was taking holidays. Or calling in sick. Or leaving. The knowledge that she may have to speak to him, that he might want explanations terrified her, even though the thought of seeing him again had her vibrator on high.
Cool hands on the back of her neck made her scream. She jerked her head up and hit a wall of hard body. Hard male body.
"It's okay. Take long, deep breaths. Breath through it: let it flow over you."
The voice rumbled through her, and her nipples became hard, tight, tense, nubs as if someone had clamped them. Oh fuck, that’s all I need, my bloody body responding to his voice like that.
The hands—Caden's hands, there was no doubt in her mind it was him—began to massage her neck. The memories flooded back. Things she had been suppressing for years.
No, please let me be. I can't feel for him again, not if I value my sanity. Against everything her body demanded, Anna struggled upright and shrugged her shoulders. To her vexation he didn't let go of her, and if anything his hands tightened.
"Let go of me." To her intense annoyance, her voice was thready and not at all assertive. It was no wonder he ignored it, and Anna began to struggle.
"Stop it." He was all authority. Anna's clit responded automatically. Her pussy walls tightened, and her juices collected before coating her thighs. Her breath hitched, and she gasped. All of a sudden her throat was dry, and she needed fresh air. By-herself-no- wet dream-inducing-man-around fresh air. He was still kneading her neck as he rubbed each spot he knew was guaranteed to arouse her even more. The chuckle he gave was the last straw. Anna remembered something he'd taught her about self-defense all those years ago, gathered her fast dispersing senses, and used it. He doubled up with an oufft, as her elbows hit his torso. His hold on her slackened, and Anna twisted out of his grasp and almost sprinted around her desk. She mentally thanked whichever god watching over her that day had not let her conscience trouble her over wearing ballet flats. Anna had

never worn a pair of heels since that fateful night so long ago, and had no intention of ever doing so again. It had been one stipulation, along with her never having to enter the main club that swayed whether or not she accepted the position. When she had applied for it, although she'd wondered about Dommissima, the job description had swayed her misgivings about applying. When Linsey had agreed to her demands, she'd accepted the position and from day one enjoyed it all. Anna had no worries about other people enjoying the lifestyle; she just knew it wasn't for her. Not now. Not again.
The look on Caden's face was almost enough to have her on her knees before him. Almost.
Intervention in the shape of Linsey coming through from the club stopped Anna from doing something very silly. In her mind, if she'd have had time to react to him, she'd have made a fool of herself. Or heaven forbid, done something that would have cost her her job. Linsey glanced from one to the other and obviously summed the situation up.
"Master McCourt?" Unless you knew her, you would never know the smile was forced, and the concern in her eyes was for Anna. As Anna did know her, she was somewhat comforted by the thought that Linsey would protect her.
Oh god, I'm losing it. What has Linsey got to protect me from? He's not into force, and I'm sure as hell not into agreeing to anything he wants. Anna concentrated on regulating her breathing and watched as Caden exerted his charm on Linsey.
Linsey might not be into men, but Anna saw the exact moment Cade won her boss and friend over. It was no wonder he was at the top of his tree. His presence was enough to command respect at a dozen paces.
"I know it's unexpected, but I found myself in the area," he said suavely. "And as we agreed, I would like to look round before my evening of demos"
"You can't," Anna said. "You haven't registered. It'd be illegal." Oh god, word vomit, shut up.
He raised one eyebrow in a manner that would have had every sub in the vicinity on their knees and trembling. In fact, once upon a time, Anna would have been the first person to assume the position. No longer. She glared at him.
"Anna, Master McCourt is..."

Anna didn't give Linsey a chance to finish. "With respect, Linsey, I know who he is, and I know the rules. You're not getting shut down because one person doesn’t follow them."
"You're right." Cade spoke before either woman could. "If you find me a copy to read and sign, I'll gladly do so, and then perhaps someone can show me round?"
Anna ignored him. It was up to Linsey to sort all that out. She stalked around her desk and glared at him, as he stood unmoving next to her chair.
"Excuse me." She waited until he took a step back and opened a drawer. Anna handed a sheaf of papers and a pen to him and moved away. "Use my desk," she said. "I won't need it any longer." She looked at Linsey, who gave a faint shrug, as if to say there wasn't anything she could do. Anna didn't believe that for one minute. "Where's Athol?" she asked, as she realized there was nothing else she could say or do to dissuade Caden from his chosen plan. "He's late."
"I'm here, sweet thing." Athol walked across the room and enveloped her in his usual effusive bear hug. "I had to sort out some dickhead who thought I would turn a trick for a tenner. Cheapskate. I told him not for a thousand, I have my standards." He roared with laughter, a deep belly laugh so at odds with his persona. "Oh and who's this?" He looked Cade up and down.
Anna grinned at him. There was no way she could project her nerves onto Athol. "Ask Linsey to explain. I'm away home."
Caden put the pen down and looked up at her. For the first time since he'd walked through the door, he was focused on Anna, and she felt the familiar tingle of arousal as the flames of need began to flicker through her.
"I thought perhaps you would show me around." Cade spoke to her, and his deep voice filled her, focusing all her attention on him.
Outside a car horn sounded, and Anna blinked and jumped, her concentration broken. She could only think she'd had a lucky escape.
"Sorry, I'm finished for the day. Oh, and Linsey?" She looked at her boss who smiled, although it didn't reach her eyes.
"Linsey, I'm just mentioning this and please accept it's not a threat, it's a promise. If I find that somehow, someone has told Caden

where I live, or I'm visited or bothered by him, you can take that as my notice."
A guilty look flickered over Linsey's face, and Anna knew her suspicions were correct. This visit was no accident. And she was certain Cade knew where she lived. That was it; she was leaving, and not just the club.
"Understand?"
Linsey nodded, as her eyes flickered from Anna to Cade and back again. Behind her, Athol stood as still as a statue.
The telephone broke up the tableau. Anna looked at it and then at Athol. He took the hint and lifted the receiver.
Anna flexed her fingers to relieve the pins and needles in them.
"Good, I'm glad we all understand each other." She keyed in the password of the closet, retrieved her handbag and coat and walked out. 

Master is available from Evernight Publishing ~here~

The other #MidWeekTease blogs are ~here~

Happy reading,

love Raven x