Beg Me by Jennifer Probst Page A

can’t,” he said shortly. “It’s better this way.”
    Frustration glimmered in Rick’s eyes but he nodded his head. “Okay. We got your back, brother.”
    Sloane cleared her throat and raised her hand. “We’ll need another round here.”
    Rem gave a grim smile and leaned back in the booth.
    -Em's EORD-

Chapter Eleven
    C ARA CHECKED IN AT THE FRONT desk of Chains and waited for Paul. Usually the club was filled with pounding music, orgasmic groans, the slap of whips and floggers, and the smell of sex. Since it was a weeknight and the club didn’t open till nine pm, the place was quiet.
    She had officially completed her lessons with Paul and they’d scheduled an exit interview. This was the time she could become a full member of the club, and he’d guide her into the first public scene.
    Rem’s reaction to the news confirmed he still held real feelings for her. Temper and possession had carved out the lines of his face; blasted from the heat of his gaze. She hadn’t told him as a threat. She intended to fight for Rem as long as it took, but she had to show him she was her own person. He was no longer responsible for her happiness all the time. Cara had seen many Dom/sub relationships and they worked in a variety of ways. In some, Doms took their submissive’s contentment and day to day happiness as a sign of whether or not they’re doing their job. For Cara, she already knew what she needed. A man to let her have a bad day, but comfort her. A man to strip her, beat her, pleasure her, and free her in the bedroom. A man who respected her, but didn’t think every decision in her life was dependent on him.
    She wanted a full blown partner. For life.
    Cara was able to slay her own dragons, but damned if she didn’t want a man to kick a little ass beside her, then kiss her wounds afterward to make them better.
    “Cara?”
    She smiled and hugged Paul. A big meaty man, with bulging muscles and a stout figure, his shaved head gave him a bit of a brutal look but was tempered by his beautiful brown eyes. She once told him they reminded her of a doe’s and he threatened to beat her.
    “Ready?”
    “Yep.”
    “Follow me.” He led her through the club and into the private offices toward the back. She sat on the red leather couch while he propped himself on the edge of the desk.
    “You’ve come a long way, Cara.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest and studied her. “I feel like you’ve grown a lot. Embraced the lifestyle. How do you feel about doing a structured, public scene?”
    She raised her chin. “I want to do it.”
    “Let’s go over limits, and expectations of the scene. I can be in charge, or set you up with one of the other Masters at the club.”
    “You, please.”
    “That’s fine. You’re also free to play with the other members. I can introduce you around on Saturday night to a few Doms.”
    She squirmed on the bench. There was one thing she learned about the lifestyle, and that was the need for honesty at all times. “Paul, there’s only one man I’m interested in. He’s already a member here. His name is Remington Steele.”
    He raised his brow in surprise. “Rem? Yeah, he’s a regular. All of his brothers are members. Wait a minute, you’re involved with Rem?”
    “I spent one night with him. And we were involved when we were young. Now we’re… friends.”
    He stared at her. “Friends, huh? With benefits?”
    She gave a wobbly smile. “I’m still in love with him. I ran away years ago, afraid to tell him I was scared, and now I’m looking for a second chance.”
    Paul winced. “Communication is key in a relationship.”
    “I know. I was young and stupid. But I’m ready now, and know I can give him what we both need. I’m playing for keeps.”
    Paul shook his head. “Cara, this sounds like an emotional mess. Do you want me to talk to him? See where his head is at? Do you think he wants to do the scene with you?”
    She dragged in a breath. “I think so. But