The mask I was wearing was liberating. It covered enough of my face, that there’s no way people would assume it was me. For once, I could watch without being watched.

I followed Elena up the walkway, staring at her ass in that dress. What she’d instigated at the house with the lube had shifted the vibe between us into dangerously flirtatious territory and I couldn’t seem to remember why that was bad.

When we got to the door, I recognized the guy working security as the same one who’d checked us in at the dungeon. I guess it made sense that he would pick up extra work for parties.

He was a big dude who didn’t look like he had much of a sense of humor, but when he saw Elena, his expression softened. “Lady Elena, I didn’t expect to see you tonight.” He offered her a discreet bow. I hadn’t noticed his Scottish brogue before, but I couldn’t actually remember him speaking at the dungeon.

She reached up to give him a kiss on the cheek in return. Was bowing to her all it took to earn a kiss on the cheek or was there something more between them?

She said, “I thought I’d come see everyone.”

He turned his attention to me, looking thoroughly unimpressed. “He on the list?”

I did as I’d promised and let her do the talking.

She shook her head.

“He belong to you?” the security guy asked.

“Yeah, he’s mine,” she affirmed casually. I had to fight a smile at the guy’s expression.

“Have a good time, m’lady.” He nodded without further question, letting her past. He stopped me with an arm and patted me down forcefully. The message loud and clear was not to mess with one of his girls.

He eventually nodded and let me past, allowing me to follow Elena through the entryway. People passing by stared at her. She didn’t react to the attention, but I was sure she noticed. She noticed everything.

It was strange but refreshing to be the anonymous one walking in her shadow.

We’d barely made it a few steps when some random woman appeared and kneeled in front of Elena. It surprised me at first, but then I realized she was working the coat check.

“My lady, it would be an honor to take your coat.”

Seeing the deference with which everyone else in the scene treated her was starting to make me feel like a jackass for teasing her and pushing her buttons all the time.

When another person stepped forward to help her out of her coat, I intervened, holding it so she could shrug out of it. She looked at me warily, but didn’t say anything until they’d left.

She pulled me close and murmured, “Don’t get possessive.”

I hadn’t necessarily meant for it to be a possessive move. I was more trying to step up and treat her the way she was accustomed to in this space, but for some reason didn’t want to admit that. Instead, I said, “You’re my girlfriend.”