by lanie love
I need to keep my eye on her, only for her safety, of course. It has nothing to do with the fact that I’m picturing her curled up and purring in my bed.
I find myself stalking her every move like a love-sick teenager as she makes her way to the back room where Jen is still doing her scene. I thought she’d leave at the sight of this hooded freak beating on Jen, but to my surprise, she is extremely turned on. Every guy in here just turned from that scene to look at her as she fights against an orgasm right in the middle of the fucking room. I can tell she's embarrassed and I was on my way to rescue her, but some other prick beats me to it, helping her back to the bar. The fucker grabs her and now I'm pissed. This jackass has his hands on what's soon to be mine.
“I believe the lady isn't interested.” I pull her out of his grasp. I can feel her eyes on me, but I'm not taking my eyes off this jackass until he gets the message. This could be fun. I haven't been in a bar fight since I was drunk off my ass in college. After a moment of trying to intimidate me in this damn staring contest, he smartly backs down. He has the audacity to speak to her again before he leaves and I resist the urge to pop this bastard in his filthy mouth for soiling her with his words. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, sir. Thank you for helping me out.”
My beauty speaks, and the sound of “sir” escaping from those plump lips is nearly my undoing. I guide her outside because there is no way in hell, I'm letting her stay in this shit space for another moment. The reason I was at the club to begin with, has long since left my mind. She tells me that she was just “curious” about the place. Clearly, her Dom doesn’t take her out much. Not that I can blame the guy. I would keep her to myself as well.
Now, usually I respect a Dom and what he allows for his sub, but it's un-fucking-believable that he’d agree to her to go out to a BDSM club without him. And when I lecture her on that point, my beautiful girl utters the seven most tempting words I have ever had the pleasure of hearing.
“But I don't have a Dom, sir,” she says with a sultry innocence that spells trouble.
Walk away, Wade. Just walk away.
Chapter Eight
Downtown Los Angeles.
Sage Turner’s Loft
Sage Turner
Saturday morning, Laura and I stay hold up in my apartment waiting for Allie to take us wedding venue shopping since I have the whole weekend to kill. JR was called in to cover his sous-chef who got a bad case of stomach flu, so I’ve been celebrating our anniversary with Laura. She has me doing her single girl’s version of Netflix and chill, which is basically movies and food without the hot sweaty sex in between. We binge on Kale chips and vegetarian chili. It’s her definition of junk food. I have to admit, the chili is pretty damn good, but she can keep those chips.
“I cannot believe you took your ass to a BDSM club without me.”
“You really can’t believe it?”
“What? I would have gone. I’m a curious person too, ya know.”
“Right. Do you remember that time in college?”
“Oh, give me a break, it was one time and it wasn't that bad.”
“Not that bad, my ass. Laura Ling Roberts, you are full of shit. You were totally out of control. Us banning you from all things club-related is still in effect, new city withstanding.”
“You guys suck.”
“No, that was you. Which is the reason for the ban.”
“Oh, come on, it was one time and the guy was totally into it.”
“Yeah, I know. Every time I ran into him on campus, he kept asking where my friend was. The one with the mouth like a ‘Hoover.’ He followed me for a week straight before he took my word that you were in Europe.”
“College boys are so lame,” she says, snapping off a piece of her Kale chip and popping it into her mouth. “You lucked out with Jake.”
“Not according to Allie.”
“Allie is in the land of love with the perfect guy and she just wants both of us to be there with her. Do you know that little Lovebug tried to sign me up for a dating site? She is unbelievable. I mean really, I just got into town. I’d like to keep my legs closed for just a minute or two.” I try not to, but I have to laugh. Allie has become obnoxiously happy lately. I love that she wants to spread it around.
“She thinks JR and I won’t last and don’t you dare tell her I went to that club to spice things up with him. She’ll never let me hear the end of it.”
“Okay, look, since you brought it up and you know I'm not one to judge,” she says, tucking one of her legs underneath her, letting me know she’s about to judge. “I get that you’re doing what you feel you have to do in order to save your relationship with Jacob and I know you love him and all, but I mean, come on. It seems like a lot of work. Operation: ‘A Him for Sage’ has gone awry. Now, it’s figure out how to fix her relationship.”
“So, you agree with Allie?”
“No. Well, not about everything, but how many times have you tried to tell him what you need? He refuses to hear you. He won't even entertain the notion. How long are you going to be able to take not coming? At some point, you're going to want to climax.”
“Oh my GOD, I don’t even know why I told you that.”
“What? There’s nothing wrong with not being compatible in bed with a guy. I know he’s all dreamy and perfect and everything. Of course, you want to jump his bones and ride him until you’re high. He needs to help you figure it out. I get it’s only been a month, but damn that’s like a lifetime for couples with bad sex.”
“It’s not his fault I’m fucked up.”
“There is nothing wrong with wanting a great sex life. Why is that so fucked up?”
“Never mind, you just don’t get it.”
“No, I get it. I do. I know you love Jacob, but maybe he isn't the right guy for you. I mean there are plenty of guys who are willing to be aggressive in the bedroom.”
“Can we drop it, please?”
“Fine.” She lifts her hands in surrender when I give her the eye.
“I need you to keep that whole club thing secret. It was stupid and I don’t even want Allie to know.”
“Why?”
“Can I count on you or not?”
“Of course, of course, but listen, Sage, take it from someone who knows when I say that keeping all these secrets is like going down a very slippery slope at a hundred miles per hour.” She sighs, sips her Coke, and continues with a shake of her head. “I just don't understand why you can't talk to Jacob. Gosh, if your bitch wants you to slap her, why can’t you just bitch slap her ass? I mean, right? Am I right?”
“Will you please shut up.”
“I’m just saying. Maybe if he knows how desperate you are, he'd be more willing to try different things.
How can I make her understand that JR is repulsed by the thought of this? He and his mother were abused by his father for years until they divorced. He can't stomach hitting me. He doesn't want to be like his father and he doesn't want me to be like his mother.
“Open up,” Allie says, knocking on the door.
“Speaking of the little red devil,” Laura tells her, letting her in.
“I’m an angel and you both know it,” she says, breezing in, glowing like she’s just had the most earth-shattering of orgasms and I hate her so much.
“Where’s your bow and arrow, Cupid,” Laura asks her.
“I left it in the car,” she says, taking a Kale chip and eating it.
“You like those,” I ask her.
“Laura got me hooked on them in Europe,” she says and I grimace as she eats another one. “Are you ready to go? The appointment is in twenty minutes and I parked on the street.”
“Born ready,” Laura says, slipping on that ridiculous wool cap with the ear flaps hanging down she loves so much. She puts her arms out in a ta-da move, wearing this pink Hello Kitty getup that should only be worn by preschoolers on Halloween.
“How cute are you,” Allie says, laughing at her.
> “Are we going or what,” I ask.
“So impatient,” Allie says.
“It’s a New York thing,” Laura tells her with a shake of her head. “She really needs to keep her shirt on.”
“Tell that to JR,” Allie says, making Laura laugh.
“Can we just go now, please?”
“Alright, alright. Jeez.”
****
“I still can't believe you two are actually living here now,” Allie says as we leave my apartment. “Do you realize that all three of us are in Los Angeles and that Sage is living in a loft that costs more than I’ll make in my entire lifetime.”
“Tell us another lie, Miss Computer Genius and I’m not making entire lifetime money yet either. I’m just a news station grunt runner/anchor fill-in until I’m trained, at least that’s the load of crap my producers tell me. I should sue their asses for lying when they first offered me the job.”
“I’m still jealous,” she says.
“Jealous.” I mock her holding up her left hand to get yet another look at that five-carat white diamond and platinum engagement ring that’s been blinding me every time she moves her hand. “Explain that to us again, Miss, soon to be Mrs., I'm-going-to-build-you-your-dream house-in-Malibu, Aaron Wade?”
“I know,” she says. I wince away from her, holding my ears. The girl has a shrill like a sex-crazed dolphin. “I still can't believe I'm marrying him. I love him soooo so much.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I roll my eyes. If I have to hear about the mega-man that is Aaron Wade again, I’m going to puke on the sappy happy overload and no, I’m not at all jealous.
“Why didn’t you park in the garage,” Laura whines as we walk down the block. “It’s too hot out here.”
“Take the damn hat off,” I tell her, but she pulls it down more, refusing to part with it.
“There’s a ticket on your car,” Laura says, ripping it from the windshield wiper and giving it to Allie.
“Dammit,” she says.
“How the hell did you miss the bright red paint on the curb,” Laura asks her.
“Oh, shut up,” she says, balling it up and putting it in her bag.
****
The first venue was in Santa Monica. The plus side was that it was by the ocean, but other than that, it was a definite no. The second venue had an amazing garden and gazebo, but smelled of old cheese, so hell no to that one. Now, we’re at the third venue, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. It just screams LA. I would love to have an apartment on the penthouse level. The view has to be amazing up there, but as far as having a wedding reception here, I’m not sold on the idea. Allie is trying to convince me, but I was thinking of something a little more whimsical.
“I still don’t think this is the right place for the reception,” Laura says, while we leave the ballroom. She hated it on sight and for once, we’re in complete agreement. “You need something more romantic, something more fitting for a girl marrying her first and only love. Gosh, I don’t know if that’s sweet or sad.”
“I agree,” I say. “Not about that first and only love part. I mean about the ballroom.”
“You what,” Laura says. “I’m going to have to write this day down.”
“But, you guys, it will look completely different once we decorate it.”
“Allie, it’s not even on the ground floor,” Laura says, hitting the elevator button. “That is a big wedding no-no.”
“You’re going to have to write a whole novel, Lore, because I totally agree with you again. Allie, let’s just see what else is available. It has to be perfect,” I tell her.
“But this place is elegant and more importantly, it’s within my budget.”
“Oh my God, Sage, we are becoming those friends,” Laura says.
“What friends?” I hold the elevator doors open for us to get in. She hits the ground level button.
“The ones that take over their BFF’s wedding like it’s theirs. The Friendzillas.”
“Oh, no, you’re right,” I say. “We are awful friends.”
“Will you two stop it. You’re not Friendzillas. I’m just anxious to get married and I’m no good at this type of stuff. I’m liable to pick anything. I’m glad you’re here helping me.”
The opening elevator doors bring in a gust of cool air from the parking garage. I lift my head in time to see an Escalade whizzing by, whipping into a parking space. A very large, buff piece of a man exits the driver’s seat.
“Well, hellooo,” Laura says, under her breath as he catches her eye.
Mine just about pop out of my head when I recognize him as one of my rescuers from Chains. Hiding my face, I root through my big Coach bag like I’ve lost something, hoping he’ll just walk on by without noticing me as we cross his path.
“Well, hello, Miss Moore. Ladies.”
So much for that. Now, I just hope he’s alone this time and not with gorgeous guy.
“Hi,” we all say in unison.
I’m about ready to drag Allie and Laura over to the car so we can go while the getting is good, but then it happens. He happens.
“Allie?” The dark-haired God I’ve been hating myself for thinking about struts right up to her. He stops mid-stride, spotting me. He’s thrown for just an instant, but recovers well. “Are you here to see me?” He’s talking to Allie, but his eyes glance over to me and I just want to bury myself into the pavement to stop myself from loving it.
“No, I was just, um, venue shopping. This is Sage and Laura.” She yanks her head in our direction. “Friends of mine from college. They live here in LA now.”
“I see,” he says, looking from me to Laura and back to me again as he waits for an introduction. His demeanor is firm, Dominant and I’m struggling not to bow my head. Dammit! I roll my eyes for doing it. I want to kick myself for giving in, but he’s too good.
“Oh,” Allie says. “Sage and Laura, this is—”
“Kent Wade,” I step forward to shake his hand. His perplexed look at my sudden act of boldness has me feeling all kinds of smug.
“You've heard of me?” He not so subtly checks me out as he takes my offered hand. His thumb is caressing the top of my hand in little circles as he shakes it. I try to ignore the tiny waves that are coming to shore and breaking right between my thighs.
“I have,” I say, standing in all my journalistic glory, not wavering an inch under his roving eye. My four years of communications training has finally kicked in and proves useful. “Any reporter worth their salt would know you.” That’s sort of the truth. I can’t very well tell him I spent hours Googling him after I saw his photo in Allie’s scrapbook yesterday. The article didn’t lie. Kent Wade is a force to be reckoned with, but the printed version has nothing on the real deal. His body becomes ridged and his face is now unreadable. Shit, he must think I’m going to do some exposé on him being in a sex club. Uh-oh. I better plug the hole in this sinking ship and quick. “I work for Strong Media. I'm not with the tabloids. I only report honest, fact-checked, journalism.”
He flashes me a smile that makes my heart pound. I swear the temperature in the garage just elevated a few degrees. I feel the need to fan myself. Good save, Sage.
“Is that right,” he says.
“Yessir.” My southern accent slips out and he raises an amused eyebrow at me. “So, unless you run over a pedestrian or throw cute little kittens down your garbage shoot while I'm on the clock, you don't have to worry about me.”
“Miss… what did you say your name was again. Your full name?”
“I didn’t,” I say with a grin.
“Touché,” he laughs. Laura and Allie frown at each other, not understanding that little inside joke, but Collin snickers.
“It’s Turner. Sage Turner.”
“Do you have a kitten, Miss Turner?” I shake my head. “Pity.”
“Why is that?” Still holding my hand, he gently pulls it to propel me closer.
“I have a fondness for cute little kittens,” he says. His eyes cover every
inch of my face before they settle on mine. “I love making them purr. I’m planning on being very nice to yours, while you're on the clock, of course. I can't promise I'll be so nice after that.”
Stunned silence. Pictures of him rubbing the bellies of cute little purring kittens flash through my mind and I’m disturbingly aroused by it.
Allie nudges me so that I may close my mouth and I quickly snap it shut, swallowing hard. He bends slightly and kisses my hand before he releases it.
“Sir,” Collin steps in to save me from melting into a puddle on the floor. “Your conference call is in ten minutes.”
“Thank you, Collin.” He nods and pushes the button for the elevator and it appears on his command. “Well, Miss Sage Turner, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other.”
“I'm looking forward to it. I'll see what I can do about getting one of those cute little kittens, for when I'm off the clock.” He actually winks at me as the elevator doors slide shut.
“God, I want a kitten,” Laura sighs, still looking longingly at the closed elevator. I look at her. The Kent Wade spell is now broken. “What the hell was that?”
“What?”
“The man nearly hauled you into the elevator with him,” Laura says.
“Oh,” I wave her away. “That's just someone trying to get into a reporter's good graces. Once he finds out I have no intention of spying on him for a story, he'll forget about me.”
“Sure,” Allie says, not buying it.
Chapter Nine
Kent Wade
I lean back against the elevator wall, close my eyes, and sigh loudly. I was not expecting to ever see her again.
