some modeling and, truthfully, that was the main reason he’d turned her down.
It was wrong and judgmental, but somehow in his mind he’d convinced himself that anyone in the arts or entertainment industry would not be a good fit for the academy. Of course, he only had Winnie to base that on. Earlier in the summer, though, he’d been around Andie’s ex, Terrence. Terrence was an actor as well as a Dom and being in his presence helped Lennox to see his flawed logic.
So he’d made a last-minute decision to allow Susan to enroll, and another Dom with her so there would still be an even number.
She walked—no sauntered—into the room. “I heard a rumor you might be joining us today.”
God, she was sure of herself. He had anticipated her beauty, and she certainly was a stunning woman. What he had not anticipated was the visceral reaction he had toward her. At the moment, his cock didn’t care that she was a student, that he was the headmaster, or that he’d sworn off relationships, especially those kinky in nature.
No, his cock only cared about one thing.
But his cock was also used to disappointment and it looked as if today would serve as another lesson.
“Susan Mims, right?” he asked, making sure he kept his eyes on her from the neck up.
She stopped. “You know me by sight? You, Mr. Headmaster? I’m honored.”
It didn’t escape his attention that she had yet to address him as either “Sir” or “Master,” which was a clear violation of academy protocol. On one hand, he was only there to be a warm body at this scene. On the other, it was a rule. As a warm body, he shouldn’t say anything. As the headmaster, he had to address her infractions.
He couldn’t help but think she was baiting him. He had pegged her as a bratty sub, and now he saw that his initial assessment was correct.
But to draw her attention to the rule meant he had to enforce it if necessary and discipline her if warranted. He suddenly saw why filling in for Fulton was a very bad idea.
“I’m the one who ultimately decides who is enrolled at my academy, Miss Mims. It’s not so surprising I can tell eighteen students apart. Especially since nine are women. And while ‘Mr. Headmaster’ has a nice ring to it, I believe you know better. There’s a proper way to address me and that’s not it.”
“Well, that certainly puts me in my place, doesn’t it? I guess I’m not so special after all.”
“No. You’re especially not so special that you may feel entitled to drop the proper forms of address. You won’t get another warning.”
She didn’t look overly abashed to be called out on her behavior. “You’re right and I apologize. Do you prefer ‘Sir’ or ‘Master MacLure’?”
“Either one is acceptable, as I’m sure Master Matthews has told you.”
Fortunately, he was spared any further communication with Susan by the arrival of a group of students. He nodded as they entered and moved aside so they could make their way to the various stations Fulton had set up earlier.
Several minutes later, Susan’s partner hadn’t made it to the room and Lennox glanced at his watch. Four minutes. The Dom in training was cutting it close. He wondered if he’d have to step in and scene with Susan, when the young man dashed into the room.
“So sorry, Master MacLure,” he said. “I had a note that a package was waiting for me, but when I stopped by the office, no one could find it or remembered writing the note in the first place.”
Someone in the class—Susan, Lennox believed—snickered.
“And did it not occur to you, Mr. Powell, that perhaps it would be in everyone’s best interest for you to wait until your lunch break?” Lennox asked, narrowing his eyes at the student.
Powell was a first-time applicant. A recent college graduate who had been highly recommended by several Doms Lennox knew on the mainland. While he might one day make a great Dom, it appeared he needed a lot of work.
Susan mumbled something from the back of the room.
“What was that, Miss Mims?” he asked. “Did you want to make a comment?”
“No, I’m good,” she said, her pointed look a clear challenge even as several students gasped.
Cold fingers of panic encircled his heart, but he refused to let the class see his struggle. “I believe I’ve already corrected your lack of respect today, Miss Mims. I let you off with a warning. I will not be as lenient this time.” He crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”
WINNIE’S JOURNAL
In what has to be a cruel joke of the universe, Marie confirmed my fear. MacLure is a Dominant. Damn it all. Now what?
I should have let Marie have him—she’s into that kinky shit. And she’s totally into him. He would be a better fit for her than he would be for me. I should have stepped aside. I know that would have been the right thing to do. The best thing for everyone involved.
But then he asked me out. Me. Not Marie. I honestly did think about telling him no. In the end it was Marie who changed my mind. She told me to go for it.
God help me. I am.
CHAPTER
Four
Mariela tapped her foot as she waited for Andie to pick up her phone, all the while keeping one eye on the live feed from dungeon classroom B.
“Hello,” Andie finally said.
“Andie, thank goodness. I thought you would never answer.”
“Sorry, trying to get lunch ready. What’s up?”
On her computer screen, the student was making her way to Lennox. There was no sound, but she didn’t need it to guess what had just gone down. Nor did she need it to know that Something Very Bad was about to happen.
“We’ve got Code Red or something brewing downstairs.”
“Code Red?”
“It seemed better to put it that way than to yell, ‘Abort! Abort!’”
“Damn. Are you talking about the plan? What’s going on?”
Susan was now kneeling in front of Lennox and he was talking. “Susan Mims must have done something and it looks like Lennox is going to punish her.”
“Oh, shit. Shit. Shit,” Andie muttered.
As Mariela watched, Lennox left his place at the front of the class and walked to one of the well-stocked cabinets. He didn’t immediately search the cabinet, but looked up, directly at the camera. She wondered if he knew she was watching because it certainly felt as if he was staring straight at her.
His expression was so tortured, it made her chest hurt. The pain was made worse by the fact that it was all her fault for agreeing to go along with Andie’s plan. Damn it. She had gotten him in this position and she needed to get him out.
“What do we do? We can’t go in,” Andie said. “And they won’t leave until he’s finished. What’s happening now?”
“He’s opening the cabinet.” Mariela kept an eye on the screen, even as she considered what Andie had said. She couldn’t think of a reason to burst into the dungeon. And like Andie had said, they weren’t coming out anytime soon. Unless . . .
“Fire alarm!” she shouted in the phone. “I’ll go pull it!”
“Yes!” Andie agreed, but Mariela hadn’t waited for her agreement. She left her office and was headed down the hall to the nearest alarm pull. She made it in mere seconds and didn’t think twice before activating it. Even so, the high-pitched beeping made her jump.
She ran back into her office, just in time to see Lennox directing students out of the dungeon, making sure everyone had a robe or a blanket to cover themselves with. Satisfied, she killed the feed and turned her laptop off before joining the students and staff in the hallway.
Andie caught up with her. “Oh my god,” she said, as they stepped out on the main lawn. “I’m not sure our plans could have gone worse.”
Mariela agreed, but she didn’t say anything since she was too busy looking for Lennox. With Fulton and David both out of the building at the moment, she was next in charge. She finally found him near the drive, his hand in his hair, talking on the phone.
“I need to go to him,” Mar
iela told Andie.
“Okay, I’m going to call Fulton and let him know we’re all right.”