“Yeah, but Angel’s always loud, Jessica and Hilary lull you into a false sense of calm before perforating your ear drums,” Rick said, dipping a tortilla chip in Justin’s homemade salsa before pushing the dishes down the counter towards Ellie and Michael.

“Where’s Patrick?” Ellie wanted to know.

The talks with Luke about coming on as a partner for Marquis were going really well and Patrick had invited him to come hang out with the others today. Not that he needed to be friends with all of them, but since many of them would be helping out at Marquis initially, Michael and Patrick wanted Luke to meet them, preferably in neutral territory. Stronghold, where all the Doms felt the need to maintain their authority, wasn’t really the best place. Ellie suspected the real reason for the more casual ‘meeting’ was because of the contemplative redhead sitting at the other end of the kitchen bar, staring off into space.

Although as soon as Ellie asked the question, Olivia’s focus immediately shifted to her. The Domme was wearing a black button down shirt, neatly tailored to her curves, with the sleeves rolled up, making her look much less casual than everyone else. Which was probably deliberate, since she knew Patrick was bringing Luke today. Ellie was curious and eager to meet him after hearing so much about him, whereas Olivia looked like she was preparing for a confrontation. She was obviously uneasy with the idea of a new partner in the club, especially one she hadn’t ever met and who hadn’t met her.

Which Ellie could understand.

Patrick and Michael deeply respected Olivia, as well as trusted her, and the same went for her. An unknown entity might upset the delicate balance the dominants had achieved of respecting each other’s authority and not stepping on each other’s toes.

“Not here yet,” Olivia said in clipped tones.

Maria widened her eyes at Ellie, as if telling her not to open that particular bread basket.

Well, okay then. Ellie was definitely not interested in poking at an on edge Domme. Beside her, Michael gave a kind of resigned sigh, but the expression on his face was one of amusement. He’d told her a lot about Luke, and it was obvious he liked the guy, who had turned out to be pretty easy going even if he was just as confident and self-assured as Patrick or Michael. He also found Olivia’s general displeasure over the situation amusing. He’d bet Patrick five dollars Olivia would relax and start treating Luke like one of the guys by the end of this afternoon.

Looking at Olivia now, Ellie was having a hard time picturing Michael winning the bet.

“Do you guys need something to drink?” Justin asked as he finished sprinkling green slivers of herbs on the bruschetta. “I’ve got sangria and beer in the fridge.”