“Did you call…um?” James asked cryptically.
“Destiny,” I finished for him with a brittle smile.
“Yep. It’s all good,” Ian replied.
Reaching into my purse, I dug out my cell phone. “You didn’t need to cancel on my account. I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I can.”
James set the box on the coffee table and stared at me. “I’d like you to stay. I’d also like it if you’d stop shutting me out until we’ve had a chance to talk this through.”
Striving to keep his imploring expression from affecting me, I quickly weighed my options. I could tell him to shove it up his ass and go home… To what? An empty house, a glass of wine, and a book? Or I could stay, hear him out, then decide if I wanted to chuck it all and resume my boring, predictable life. With a heavy sigh, I dropped my cell back in my purse.
“Then you’ll stay?” he asked as a flicker of hope darted across his eyes.
I issued a curt nod. James convinced me to eat a slice of pizza and long minutes passed while the three of us sat on the couch, talking and eating. I didn’t say much as I ate slowly, opting instead to let James and Ian take command of the lighthearted conversation. Even after the pizza was gone, my stomach still swirled. Ian suddenly shifted and placed his hand on my thigh. There was a palpable change in the air, and I tensed.
“I owe you an apology for the way I hit on you earlier,” Ian began with a grim expression. “I had no right to assume you were Destiny’s friend. We’d talked about her bringing someone with her, and I erroneously assumed you were her.”
“I don’t need to hear this, really.” I held up a hand. “I’m sorry I kicked you in the nuts.”
“Yeah, me too,” he chuckled.
“But you do need to hear about Destiny.” James cleared his throat. Apprehension lined his face. “Our arrangement with her isn’t what you think. It is, but it isn’t.”
Jealousy seeped through me once more as James stumbled all over his words.
“Christ, man. Spit it out.” Ian shook his head as he rolled his eyes.
“Give me a fucking minute,” James barked before his expression softened. “Remember when I told you that I decided to pursue the Dom side of life?”
“Yes.”
“My old play partner was a switch as well, but she wasn’t ever my sub, she simply bottomed for me. I’d never had a full-time sub before, so Ian approached Destiny and…” James stopped. Seemingly frustrated, he heaved out a heavy sigh. “She’s not my sub either. She’s—”
“What James is trying to say, not so eloquently, I might add,” Ian interrupted with a scowl. “Is that I’m here to help mentor James in the ways of Dominance. Not that he needs much help; he’s a damn good Dom. Destiny is an unowned sub who graciously offered to be our…well, for lack of a better term, our test subbie.”
I bet she did. No doubt having you two tag-team her in bed was more than enough incentive.
“And of course her compensation for helping is to be the peanut butter sandwiched between you two at the end of each lesson, right?”
“Yeah.” James nodded sheepishly.
“Clever girl,” I stated dryly. “You know you both are being played, right?”
A slow, surprised smile slid over Ian’s mouth. “What makes you say that?”
“If she were truly submissive, wouldn’t she offer to help without any strings attached? Not that I blame her for getting the best of both words,” I added, steeling an appreciative glance at both handsome men. “If I understand submission—which I probably don’t—the sub’s needs are met by serving the Dom. Sounds like she’s using the guise of helping in order to get what she wants; the two of you grunting and grinding on her.”
“That little… She’s topping from the bottom,” James blurted to Ian.
“Fuck yeah, she is,” Ian snorted.
“And you’ve known it all along, haven’t you?”
“Of course I did it,” Ian snorted. “She’s damn fun to fuck.”
Oh I bet she is. An image of the stunning blonde from the waiting room popped into my head. Fucking her wouldn’t be a hardship on any man. I couldn’t compete with the likes of her, not in a million lifetimes. It was time for me to leave. To home to down a bottle of wine.
“Jesus, man,” James barked with a furious scowl. “Why didn’t you tell me that to begin with? Dammit, Ian, do you always think with your dick?”
Ian shrugged. “Not always, but it’s been known to happen from time to time.”
“Wow,” I murmured.
“What?” Ian asked defensively.
“You call yourself a mentor with that attitude? You don’t even take the lifestyle seriously.”
Ian’s demeanor changed on a dime. The teasing sparkle evaporated from his dark eyes and the smart-assed smile fell from his face.
“I take it more seriously than you imagine. What do you know about the lifestyle?”
“Nothing.” I raised my hand in surrender. “I just thought that…well, at first I thought that Doms were a bunch of bossy, spoiled men who manipulated women to get their way. But thanks to James, I know that’s not the case…erm, not always the case. With you I’m not so sure.”
“No, getting our way is the wrong motivation for a Dom—well, for a good Dom at least.” Ian frowned. “Don’t get me wrong, having a submissive eager and willing to please is a treasure; one to be honored and celebrated. But if you think being a Dom or a sub is easy, you ought to try submitting sometime before you start passing judgment.” Ian cocked his head and studied me intently. “Why don’t you try submitting to James and me, little one?”
“I have submitted. At least I think I have.” When I darted a nervous glance toward James, he nodded and smiled proudly.
“Yes. She has. It was amazing.” James preened. Satisfaction lined his face.
“Then let’s start.” Ian clapped his hands together, leering at me with a wolfish grin. “Stand up and strip for us, little one.”
My heart lurched, thundering so hard I thought it was going to pound out of my chest and land on the damn floor. “What?” I squeaked. “Me? You’re on crack, mister.”
“Wait, Ian. She’s not ready for—”
Ian raised a hand to James, cutting him off as he pinned me with an angry glare. “I’m not on crack, little one. And yes, I am talking about you. You’re the only sub in the room.”
“But… I’m not a sub,” I protested, on a soft quiver.
Ian jerked a quizzical expression toward James. The man who had sent me to heaven with the vampire glove nodded affirmatively to his mentor before a proud but somewhat sympathetic smile tugged his lips.
“Ah.” Ian issued a knowing nod. “You’ve submitted, but don’t think you’re a sub. No worries. We’ll teach you.”
Reaching down, Ian threaded his fingers through mine. If he’d intended the gesture to soothe, it didn’t. Anxiety soared. But when he swept his thumb over the inside of my wrist, my hormones roared to life, throbbing with an eager sensation that nearly wiped away my angst. With Ian’s arousal came a blast of guilt. I couldn’t even look James in the eye for fear he’d read the riot of desires waging war inside me and be crushed or at least jealous.
Snatching my hand from Ian’s, I bolted off the couch. Snagging the empty beer bottles and pizza box off the coffee table, I raced to the kitchen.
Tossing the items into the trash, my hands trembled. Why hadn’t I left when I had the chance? I was livid that Ian—the egotistical prick—seemed as if he expected me to spread my legs and take Destiny’s place without a second thought.
“That’s ludicrous,” I mumbled aloud, my face burning as if I had a fever of a hundred and six. “You can’t possibly take the place of another sub.”
“Why not?” James asked.
Jolting, I squealed in surprise. Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, James studied me with a sharp stare.
“Because… I… I—.” Stammering, I opened and closed my mouth like a fish out of water. Grappling for an excuse, my brain wouldn’t cooperate. I couldn’t come up with a single, tangible reason. The only conscious thought careening through my head was imagining how it would feel to be meshed between their hot, naked bodies.
“Because you’re what? Afraid?” James asked.
Terrified. “No,” I lied.
“I thought you were done lying to me, Liz,” James admonished with an unhappy expression. “All I’ve ever asked is that you tell me the truth. I know you’re afraid, but Ian and I will—”
“No,” I barked. “I can’t.”
James stared at me for several long minutes. The disappointment lining his face landed on me like a physical blow. Guilt that I’d done that to him made me cast my eyes toward the floor.
“It’s probably for the best,” he mumbled.
“Why do you say that?” I challenged, snapping my head back up.
Why are you arguing with him? Of course it’s for the best. Shut the hell up!
“Because you can’t be honest with me.” James shrugged. “If you can’t extend me that one courtesy, there’s no point in a Dom/sub relationship with you.”
“Because I won’t vomit up every emotion makes me a liar?” I thrust out my chin defiantly.
“No.” James pushed off the wall, eating up the distance between us in three long strides. “I’m saying you’re not ready. Or rather not willing to open yourself up, vulnerabilities and all, with me.”
Reaching out, he caressed a finger down my cheek. Excitement hurdled through me as he cupped my face.
“I’d truly hoped by giving you a taste of submission, you’d hunger for more.”
He knew I did. It was pointless to deny the fact that James had awakened something incredible and powerful.
“But I do want more,” I softly confessed.
A melancholy smile pulled the corners of his mouth. “Yet you question whether you’re ready or not, right?”
“Yes, I do.”
“What do you need from us to feel more secure?” Ian asked, rounding the corner.
The intimidating, gorgeous bastard had been eavesdropping.
Not making me feel like a substitute sub for Destiny would be a good start.
“I have no idea.” Which was all the truth I was willing to extend to Ian.
“Let’s discuss it then,” he suggested. “But before we start, would you grab me another beer?”
Yanking the refrigerator door open, I gripped the brown-necked bottled and twisted off the cap before thrusting it toward Ian.
“Thank you.” He took a long pull, then wiped his wet lips on the back of his hand. I fought the urge to grasp his fingers and lick the moisture from his skin. Turning to James, Ian issued a curt nod. “You’re right. She is a submissive. She’s just scared.”
“You don’t know anything about me, Ian,” I hissed at the pompous prick before planting my fists on my hips.
He simply smiled and held up his beer. “You may not think you’re a sub, but you are.”
“I’m a sub because I got you a beer?”
“No. You’re a sub because you didn’t tell me to get it my own damn self.” Ian smirked.
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
“You need more proof?” Ian taunted with an arch of his dark brow.
“A hell of a lot more. But not from you,” I scoffed.
“Then how about me?” James offered. “Provided you tell me the truth from here on out.”
I wanted to jump at his offer, but fear won over desire. “You two should stick with Destiny.”
As the words tumbled off my tongue, a bitter stab of jealously pricked deep. My stupid fears had me in a strangle hold and wouldn’t let up. Even the look of disappointment stamped on James’ face couldn’t save me from the trepidation rising inside me.
“No,” Ian replied. Moving in close, the intoxicating scent of sandalwood and cinnamon filled my senses. So did his alluring body heat. “Don’t get me wrong, Destiny is a good sub, but she doesn’t challenge me. At least not like you do, little one. You’re sassy and headstrong and I must say, you pique my interest and a whole lot more.”
As Ian’s slow sensual words spilled over me, the kitchen seemed to grow smaller, airless, and still. A shiver of fear mixed with need slid down my spine.
“I think I should call a cab now,” I whispered.
Ian shook his head disapprovingly as he stepped back. “If that’s what you want. Go ahead. We’re sure as hell not going to force you, Liz.”
“No, we’re not.” James echoed, grimly. “But I still don’t want you calling a fucking cab. I’ll drive you home. Let’s go.”
I bit back the urge to tell him not to bother, but I’d pissed James off enough for one night. Ian said goodbye as James walked me to his truck. The ride home was unnervingly quiet, prickly and awkward. I stole several sideway glances at James. His stoic expression only served to remind how I’d been unable—or as he’d so accurately nailed it: unwilling—to consider his invitation.
I’d been a fool to accept James’ date, especially knowing he craved the kinkier side of life. But if I’d said no, I would have missed out on the best sex of my life, the incredible spanking, and the erotic sensations of the vampire glove. Simply thinking about the soft fur and sharp spikes made my nipples grow hard.
Pulling into my driveway, James shoved the truck into park and turned off the motor. Ready to escape to the safety of my own four walls, I gripped the door handle. But before I could bolt from the truck, James reached out and wrapped a strong, capable hand around my arm.
“I’m sorry we overwhelmed you. Regardless of what you think, Ian’s a good Dom. He just has a tendency to push too hard. But there’s a reason for it. He and I both know you have stunning untapped potential.”
I was flattered by James’ words, but I still didn’t feel like a sub. I only felt depressed that I’d let him down. Ian’s visit had been a blessing of sorts. His ‘push’ forced me to open my eyes, to reevaluate my own naïve and incredibly stupid assumption that I could fulfill James’ needs. It was best to end the whole disaster before I gave in and lost my heart to the man.
“I’d like to make tonight up to you, Liz. Would you go out with me, again, if I tabled the topic of BDSM?”
James actually wanted to see me again? Blindsided, I had no time to weigh the pros and cons of such a decision. My heart said “do it” but my head said “hold on a minute.”
When I didn’t answer, a bitter expression curled his lips. “Guess not. I’ll walk you to your door.”
When had I turned into such a spineless, chicken-shit?
I desperately wanted to spend more time with James, despite his kinky inclinations and my own idiotic fears. I had no reason to harbor anxiety about the lifestyle, at least not with James. He’d been both patient and reassuring when he’d introduced me to a sampling of submission hours ago. Though it might be foolish, I trusted that he’d keep his vow and never hurt me. All he wanted in return was honesty. The man had been forthright and direct in his desire to teach me something new and different and when I was poised over his knees, it had been paradise. James had given me a poignantly deeper level of comfort, reassurance, and affection in one day than Ryan had in over two years.
What about Ian?
The man’s intensity unhinged me and made me nervous, all the way to my bones. He provoked a level of apprehension ten times more powerful than learning about submission. The fact that they wanted to share me, while tripping every trigger in my sexual psyche, scared me half to death. Not that I didn’t want to live out that fantasy, but I didn’t know if I could live with myself if I gave in to my desires. I wasn’t about to turn into some sleazy, slutty whore, no matter how badly I ached to make love to them both. No, some dreams were best left to remain solely in my own head.
Staring at James, I placed my hand over his, shamed that I’d been the one who put the look of rejection on his face.
“I’d like to go out with you again, James.”
“Good. I’d like that, too.” A broad smile finally spread over his lips, smoothing out his prickly expression.
“I’m not sure I’m ready for what you and Ian want from me. I may never be.”
“I appreciate your honesty.”
“I’ll be honest with you from now on.”
“Prove it,” he challenged. “Tell me how it felt when I had you over my knees.”
My face grew hot, and though his bold question embarrassed me, James knew by how wet I’d been that I hadn’t hated it. “It was spectacular. I—I can’t describe how the spanking felt. The burn…it seemed to sink sank past my bones. And the vampire glove? I can’t stop thinking about that either. It shocked and excited me. The soft fur and the biting teeth… I knew in my heart you weren’t going to spank me with the spikes, but my brain kept expecting you to. I lay there thinking what if? So I held still.” Pausing for a moment, I gripped hold of my courage. “I’d like for you to teach me more, but I’m not sure what I need to do in order to move to the next level.”
James brushed his knuckles down my cheek. His tender affection bolstered my confidence, as if he’d placed a safety net beneath me.
“You don’t,” he whispered leaning in close to me. “I’m the one who guides you; one step at a time, and one day at a time. All right?”
From the moment Ian arrived, I felt as if I’d been tossed overboard, splashing to keep my head above water in a sea of rolling whitecaps, afraid that I’d drown before I reached dry land. James’ reassurance was the lifeline I’d been seeking. I felt ready for James to lead me through calmer seas. I might only be the vessel, but James was the captain, and I had complete faith that he would navigate me exactly where I needed to go.
“Okay,” I replied with conviction.
“I may not be able to change who I am, Liz, but I can shift my Dominance down into low gear. The one thing I can’t do is shut off my desire for you.”
James slanted his lips over mine, claiming me in a passionate, powerful kiss. When I parted my lips to greedily suck in his tongue, he pulled away.
“Don’t forget who’s in charge, gorgeous,” he reminded with a playful smile, then jumped out of the truck.
Charmed by the way James enjoyed flexing his Dom muscle, I knew he’d keep me on my toes. Opening the door, he helped me down from his truck, then walked me to the front porch.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow night at seven.”
Gripping my hair, he took possession of another kiss. There was nothing soft or sensual about this one. It was a clothes-tearing-make-my-pussy-come-to-life kind of kiss that James brought to a screeching halt all too soon.
Backing away, he whispered goodnight. James watched until I was safely inside and locked the door behind me. Peering out the window of the front room, I admired his gloriously broad shoulders, long muscular legs, and sexy fine ass as he swaggered back to his truck. Rubbing my palms together, I could still feel the heat of his naked flesh. I watched him drive away before turning toward my bedroom. Halfway down the hall, my cell phone rang. Racing back to the family room, I pulled it from my purse and dragged it to my ear without checking the caller ID.
“Miss me already?” I chuckled.
“Yes. It’s a fucking zoo here again tonight.” Cindy’s laughed.
Hearing her voice caught me off guard. I’d expected the call to be James.
“Oh honey,” I commiserated. “Do you need me to come in?”
“No. Hell no. That’s not why I called.” Cindy paused and sucked in a deep breath. “I’m on break and oh my god, Liz. You’re never going to believe what happened.”
“What? What is it?” I couldn’t help but grin.
“He asked me out. He fucking asked me out.” The excitement in Cindy’s voice held enough electricity to light up all of Vegas. “Oh my god, I thought I was going to pass out at his feet.”
I knew the ‘he’ Cindy was squealing about was none other than Dr. Samuel Brooks—the same man I suspected of being a member of Genesis. Fearing my bestie was unknowingly about to step off the side of a cliff, my duty to protect Sam’s anonymity chafed with the need to protect my friend. Desperate to warn her, I quickly reminded myself that all I had was supposition. And while I didn’t know a lot about the lifestyle, I knew outing a member of Genesis was a huge no-no.
“Sam finally asked you out?” I choked.
“Yes,” she squealed. “The only other man who makes me this freaking-assed hot is Gerard Butler. But I’d choose Sam over him, any day. Oh my god.”
“Details, woman,” I laughed, shoving my worries away to share in Cindy’s excitement.
“He asked me out five freaking minutes ago,” she gushed. “Oh my god, I can’t believe this. Okay, so he came down to check on a woman with a torn placenta. Evidently Sam didn’t know that Dr. Margolis was on call. Anyway, both of them were here in the ER and… Oh god, Liz.” Her voice quivered. “I can’t stop shaking.”
“Slow down,” I laughed. “Tell me step by step.”
Wearing a cheesy grin, I wandered back to my bedroom and plopped down on the bed.
“Okay, so once Sam saw that Margolis had everything under control, hot Dr. Brooks asked if he could have a word with me, privately. I wanted so bad to tell him the only place private was my bedroom, but then I thought maybe he wanted to make the first move. Or tell me in private to stop drooling every time I saw him. Hell, I didn’t know what he wanted. I was so damn nervous I thought I might throw up all over his shoes. So I followed him back to the supply room… walking on air, I might add, and when we stepped inside, he put big strong hands on my shoulders and stared into my eyes.”
“At which point, you stripped him naked and fucked his brains out, right?” I taunted.
“You have no idea how badly I wanted to do just that,” she laughed. “Oh, Liz, he’s so damn confident and assertive, it makes me tingle. He has this whole: I’m-in-charge thing that pours off him. It’s hot as hell.”
That’s because he’s a fucking Dom. I covered my hand over my mouth to keep the words from rolling off my tongue.
“I swear, I haven’t stopped shaking. After he left, I wanted ten minutes of alone time just to take the edge off… I think my toys are going to get a workout tonight. Hell, I might not even need toys. I could probably get off in five seconds just by replaying all the things he said and did to me.”
“What exactly did he say and do, Cindy?” I barked. Cringing, I prayed she didn’t hear the tone of panic in my voice.
“He stroked his big, soft fingers over my cheek. I swear there had to be electricity arcing off his touch. I was shaking and had goosebumps breaking out all over me. He gazed at me with those sparkling, sapphire eyes, and his voice turned all husky. He told me I was the sexiest, little chocolate kiss he’d ever seen. He said that he constantly dreams of me melting all over his tongue.”
Holy crap.
“I wanted to rip off my scrubs, grab him by the ears and drag him to my pussy so he didn’t have to dream about it a minute longer,” she groaned, then squealed. “He’s taking me out to dinner next Friday night. I’ve already put in for a PTO day, and if they don’t give it to me I’m going to call in sick. There’s no way I’m blowing this opportunity. Help me, Liz. What am I going to wear? Lord, I feel like a damn teenager going to prom.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell her she sounded like one, too. We spent the rest of Cindy’s break discussing outfits for her date, giggling like a couple of high school girls.
“Oh, shit. EMT’s just brought another one in. I have to run. I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you. Bye.”
“Bye,” I replied, but she’d already hung up.
After changing my clothes, I crawled into bed. My mind raced with thoughts of James, Ian, Cindy and the likely Dominant, Doctor Brooks. I couldn’t help but worry that she and I were racing down a one-way street—in the wrong damn direction. Time would tell.
#
At half past ten, the next morning, I was anxious to check on Trevor as I pulled into the hospital’s parking garage. I scanned my badge at the employee entrance of ICU, bypassing the waiting room once again. When I crossed the threshold into Trevor’s room, I discovered he wasn’t in bed. Behind the closed bathroom door, I heard water running and an indulgent male moan.
What the hell?
Rapping my knuckles on the door, I was ready to tear into Drake. It was much too soon for Trevor to be having sex.
“Drake. It’s Liz. Are you and Trevor in there?” I barked.
“Yes. Come on in,” he invited.
Pausing, I was afraid of what I’d find. Tentatively poking my head into the room, I spotted Trevor bent over the sink. The back of his hospital gown hung open, revealing his lily-white butt cheeks. Drake stood next to him, washing Trevor’s hair.
“Oh. You’re just washing his…um, never mind.”
As I quickly hauled my mind out of the gutter, Drake arched a brow and smirked. By his look alone, I knew he’d read my mind.
“Hey, Listh,” Trevor lisped, holding tight to the edge of the sink. “They won’t let me take a bath yet, but…”
“The dried blood on his scalp was driving my boy crazy,” Drake explained as he lightly massaged his thick fingers, covered in pink tinted bubbles, over Trevor’s scalp. “Don’t worry I’m being careful of his stitches. I’ve done this before.”
“We hear you kicked Ian… I mean that you met Ian lass night,” Trevor stated with a giggle as Drake snorted. “What did you think of him?”
“Um, yeah. I met him,” I replied, not bothering to give the gory details, which they obviously had already heard. “He seems like a nice guy.”
If you like pushy, cocky, and sarcastically, droll men.
“That must have been before you kicked him in the balls.” Drake grinned.
I groaned and my cheeks grew hot. “Actually it was after. News sure travels fast in the Genesis inner circle.”
“Only the good stuff,” Trevor replied as Drake rinsed the bubbles from his hair.
“It was all a big misunderstanding,” I explained.
“It serves his ass right for assuming you were someone else,” Drake replied with a wink.
“Well, if I’d have known he was Ian I —”
“Are you guys talking shit on me?” Ian interrupted. Moving in close behind me, he peeked into the bathroom before capturing me with a panty-melting stare. “Good morning, little one.”
A practiced smile settled over his lips, the same one that probably charmed dozens of women out of their clothes. And for a split second, I wanted to be one of those women. I couldn’t stop staring at his Italian suit or the way his sun-kissed skin glowed against the crisp, white cotton shirt. While his intensity scared the crap out of me, the man looked positively scrumptious.
“Morning,” I mumbled. Remembering the way he commanded me to strip the night before, I smoothed a hand through my hair, growing more nervous and self-conscious by the second.
“You were right, Drake. The pancakes in the cafeteria are to die for,” Ian announced, staring into my eyes. “Have you had breakfast yet, little one?”
“Um, no.” I shook my head.
“Come on. I’m buying.”
Without waiting for me to respond, Ian clutched my elbow. Electricity zipped up my arm while desire knotted and pulled at my belly. Ian drew me away from the bathroom door; I warred between wriggling free or burying my face against his neck to breathe in the scent of his sandalwood cologne.
“No, really. I’m fine. I don’t eat—”
“I insist,” he replied with a scowl, seemingly unaccustomed to women not following his command without question. Ian gave me a wink as I pursed my lips. “We’ll be back in a few.”
Drake absently nodded as he slowly twisted a towel around Trevor’s long, wet hair.
“Thank you, Daddy. I feel so much better now,” the young man sighed.
As Ian dragged me out the door, I watched Trevor wrap his thin, bruised arms around Drake’s chest and hug him. Ian began leading me toward the waiting room and I jerked free of his grasp, then shot him with a scowl.
“Are you deaf? I said I wasn’t hungry. I want to visit Trevor, not eat.” My tone was harsh and brittle.
Ian arched a brow, regarding me like a disgruntled parent watching their child throw a fit. While I hadn’t reached tantrum level, I was well on my way.
“I’m flattered you want to take me to breakfast, but for the last time, I’m not hungry.”
“Then I won’t force you to eat.” He smirked. “But you will join me. We need to talk.”
Gripping my arm again, Ian ushered me into the ICU waiting room. He didn’t pause to chat, simply led me past the familiar faces. I caught a quick glimpse of Mika and Julianna, each wore a look of confusion. I knew Ian wouldn’t give me time to explain. Spying Kerr standing behind the couple, undressing me with his eyes, I quickly lowered my gaze toward the floor. A shiver of revulsion quivered through me. When Ian and I reached the main hall, I yanked from his grasp once more.
The storm brewing inside me held all the markings of a hurricane…wild and lethal.
“Stop pushing me,” I hissed.
“Habit,” he replied with a shrug as we reached the elevator.
Ian leaned in behind me and pressed the ‘down’ button. Wrapped in his seductive scent, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. My body responded as he pressed in closer, and I inwardly cursed my infuriating attraction to the bossy, pig-headed jerk. Tensing, I reminded myself I couldn’t possibly give him what he wanted. I’d never allow him and James to share me or let them make me their whore.
Ian’s warm breath wafted over my ear. “You can try and fight me all you want, little one. But you’re not going to win.”
“I didn’t know we were at war,” I scoffed indignantly as the elevator doors opened.
Stepping in with Ian right behind me, I jammed my finger to the button that led to the cafeteria.
“War? No. I don’t fight subs, little one,” Ian growled.
He pinned me with a glare. My nipples throbbed in time with the ache between my legs. Damn it. It chapped my ass to be so damn susceptible to his command. I’d never met a man who oozed Dominance like Ian. Still, I couldn’t deny my fascination with the man and being unable to resist his allure made me feel weak. Growing claustrophobic in the tiny elevator, I needed to put a stop to this insanity, fast and final.
“You wanted to talk? You have my undivided attention, Ian, so talk,” I demanded, lifting my chin defiantly.
He leveled an ambiguous smirk my way. “My balls are doing much better today, girl. Thank you for asking.”
“Ah, so forcing me to have breakfast with you, is what… My penance?”
“If you feel it’s owed, sure. Why not?” He shrugged.
“I already apologized for—”
“And if I neglected to tell you last night; apology accepted. But that has nothing to do with what I need to discuss with you.”
“Let me guess. Lifestyle topics, correct?”
“Among other things.”
I found Ian’s evasive and strangely impassive attitude infuriating and childish. The elevator doors opened. Flashing him an impertinent roll of my eyes, I stormed past him and marched toward the cafeteria. The place was practically deserted.
“Are you going to decline a cup of coffee as well as food?”
“I never turn down caffeine,” I countered with a tight smile.
The corners of Ian’s mouth twitched. His smug expression left no doubt he reveled in toying with me. Like a cocky cat, Ian mistakenly thought I’d be a weak and timid mouse. The man was in for one hell of a surprise. With an inward growl, I readied myself for battle.
Whipping out his wallet, Ian paid for my coffee. The thought of owing him so much as a dime rankled. I gnashed my teeth. He chose a booth in a far empty corner of the room, way beyond earshot of others. Sliding onto the padded seat, I sipped the steaming brew, then arched my brows, anxious for Ian to begin.
He opened his mouth, then paused, as if re-thinking what he’d wanted to say. Snapping his lips together, he simply stared at me.
“What? Spit it out,” I snapped.
“Why are you so edgy? Do I make you nervous?” he asked. Ian’s dark brows slashed as his sinfully, sexy eyes shimmered with concern.
“No.” Not nervous, just intimidated, and horny as hell.
He wore his Dominance as impeccably as his expensive, tailored suit. Authority sizzled off his entire body and slammed into me, causing my legs to shake beneath the table. Gazing at his insanely good looks, my angry armor began to chip and peel. Needing to cling tight to my resolve, I tried to picture him as a toad, with warts and bumpy skin. It didn’t work. I couldn’t temper the urge to lean over the table and slide my tongue over his sensual lips and every inch of exposed flesh.
Focus, damn it.
“I—I’m irritated that I didn’t have time to talk with Trevor before you hauled me off.”
Ian smiled, softly. “You might have time to visit with him once we’re done here, little one.”
Little one. His phrase sent a rush of heat up my body that coalesced behind my clit, the exact same way as when James called me Good girl.
Sitting with Ian made my skin tight…made me itch. I could easily loathe the man, if he didn’t make me so fucking wet.
“Then get on with it, before I need a walker or a wheelchair,” I sniped. “What exactly did you haul me down here for?”
A flicker of anger darted across his dark eyes, setting off a wild rush of excitement wrapped in a twinge of fear. Ian clasped his hands, squeezing so hard his fingers turned purple.
“Listen, my pretty, little slut,” Ian bit out between clenched teeth.
Slut? Why you son of a bitch. If you were standing up, I’d kick you in the balls again.
Had any man other than Ian called me that name, he’d be wearing the print of my hand across his face. The entire phrase slowly bled through my rage. Pretty little slut? What the hell did that mean? Was his oxymoron some kind of backhanded compliment?
“I’ve had enough of your smart-assed insolence. Knock it off, or I swear to god I’ll yank you across my lap and paddle your sexy ass here and now. Do I make myself clear?” His expression was like granite, stony and unforgiving, but his low, uncompromising growl unraveled something salacious and dirty inside. And fuck if it didn’t turn me on even more.
“Yes, Sir.”
Shit. Why did I address him as Sir?
His nostrils flared as he inhaled a powerful breath. The anger lining his face morphed to a look of approval, and sent a sense of pride to tingle through me.
“Much better.” Pausing, Ian took a sip of his coffee, then slid a hungry gaze over my face and down my breasts. I felt the heat of his desire, all the way to my toes. The man had the power to strip me naked with just one look. “I want to discuss you, me, and James.”
“I already told you to keep Des—”
“Don’t. Interrupt. Me. Again,” he warned in a stern tone. “I’m well aware of what you said, but I also know you didn’t mean one fucking word of it. You’re dying to tap into the submissive inside you. The thought of James and me taking you together makes you wet, and you’d give almost anything to beg for our pleasure; beg for our pain. So stop lying to me and yourself.”
“It doesn’t matter what I want, Ian. I—I’m a traditional woman. There’s no way that I can be with both of you at the same time.”
“It damn well does matter. Traditional woman or not, you make the choice. Do you want to learn more about submission?”
“I—I…yes,” I whispered.
“Do you want to help James grow more secure in his Dominance?”
“Yes, but I’m not—”
“No buts. Yes or no?”
I shot him a frustrated glare. The bossy bastard wouldn’t even let me explain.
“Yes or no?” Ian all but barked the question again.
“Yes,” I hissed.
“Do you find me the least bit attractive?”
My jaw dropped open. Was the man brain dead? What red-blooded woman wouldn’t?
“Well, yes,” I replied as if he were as dumb as a stump.
“Okay then. Like I said, you make the choice. You can sit back and dream of the things you want to experience in life, or you can step outside your comfort zone and live out your fantasies. It all boils down to one question: “How bad do you want it?”
More than air, water, or food, but I wouldn’t tell him that.
“Not bad enough to drown myself in a pool of guilt and self-loathing afterward.”
Ian cocked his head, confusion written all over his face. “Explain, please.”
“I’m not the kind of woman who… I have morals,” I huffed indignantly. “Sex with two men at once is…it’s…wrong.”
“Says who? Your mother? Your father? Your minister? Who the fuck brainwashed you into believing such bullshit?”
I’d let the asshole back me into a corner. Damn it. Suddenly, self-preservation kicked in like a mule. I pressed my lips together tightly. I’d slice my wrists before I shared my past with a man like Ian.
“We all have skeletons,” he whispered, reading my mind. “I’m not asking you to throw open your closet and show me yours, at least not yet. But I have a problem. See, after James took you home last night, he dropped by the club. We had a long conversation, and the gist of it, is that he doesn’t want Destiny as his practice sub any more. In fact, he released her last night.”
“He what?” I gasped. “Why the hell did he do that?”
“Because he met you. I understand why he’s had a change of heart.” Ian studied me, then took a sip from his cup. “You keep a tight cloak of indifference wrapped around you in order to push people away, or at least at arm’s length. But I’ve seen you. Watched you let down your walls and share those precious pieces of yourself with James. He responds to you like no other woman he’s ever been with. I want to take all that sweet submission you give him, teach him how to mold it, and give it back to you. I want that very badly.”
“What are you, Ian? A private investigator and a shrink?”
“No.” A secretive smile played on his lips. The ache to taste him… To discover if his tongue was as soft and slick as James’ thrummed deep. “I’m simply a highly observant Dom, and I have a proposal for you.”
“Look, if you’re on some kind of fishing expedition, to find a new pseudo-sub for you and James to fuck, you’ve launched your boat in the wrong lake.”
“Have I?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think so.”
His infuriating arrogance had returned in spades. “Thanks for the coffee, but this conversation is over. We’re done,” I spat. Standing, I slung my purse over my shoulder.