by Mandy Harbin
She blinked as she felt her eyes water. She couldn’t fall in—no, she couldn’t even think about feelings. Couldn’t go there at all. To do so would force her to admit something she was too scared to.
The door opened, drawing her attention. Viola stared at her wide-eyed and slowly approached as if she was scared Shelby would be spooked by her presence and try to run.
“Hey,” she said slowly.
“Hi.” Shelby looked behind her, but didn’t see anybody else come in. “Where’s Dave?”
“He’s outside with Showalter.” She took her time moving toward Shelby and sat carefully. “How do you feel?”
She would’ve laughed without mirth if she could’ve mustered the strength. “That’s the million dollar question now, isn’t it?” She shrugged and seriously regretted the movement, but she tried to cover her grimace. “I don’t know,” she murmured. “Everything seems so… I don’t know.”
Viola reached over and took her hand. “That was intense. If Showalter hadn’t shown up when he did, I was about to stop that shit myself. I don’t know how. I think I started to on instinct because I’d stepped away from Dave all tense and caught that big bald guy watching me.”
“Master Jedrek.”
“Yeah, whatever. That dude has a serious attitude problem.”
Shelby chuckled then. “I thought of him as Mr. Mean when I first saw him.”
“It suits.” Her smile was sad. “I couldn’t find out anything. He watched me like a damn hawk. He didn’t realize I noticed, but I sure as hell did. I had to play off the concerned friend, then the pissed friend when you were whisked away—emotions I did not have to fake, by the way. I even confronted Emory. He seemed cool and easygoing again. It was like he was a different person while he was whipping you. I demanded answers, but he gave placating ones. It was a total bust for me. I did have Dave hang out at the bar, though, to see if he could get some general information about the club. It’s a long shot, but I didn’t want to waste the resource.”
“Smart.”
“Maybe. I’ll talk to him tonight to see if he picked up anything, but I’m not holding my breath.”
“You did what you could. I don’t know what Rick expected you to find.”
“I think maybe he doesn’t like you being here alone and wanted you to feel secure knowing you had backup this time.”
“I get it, but the change of heart is too little too late.”
Viola arched an eyebrow at her. “You know he’s not leaving you alone here, right? Not really.”
“I know protocol is to have a team in place in case something happens when one of us is out in the field, but this isn’t a simple sting op. They’d have to have a team working twenty-four-seven since I never know when Showalter will call.”
“True, but I heard him talking to Carson about taking the shift tonight. I asked Carson after Rick left, and he said they’ve had a surveillance team near the location whenever you’re scheduled to be here. He didn’t give specifics, and I got the feeling he’d been instructed to keep quiet about it.”
Shelby’s mouth dropped. “Why wouldn’t he announce it in the meeting if he had someone watching the outside while I’m here?” That didn’t make any sense. If their objective was to solve this case, then they should all be privy to everything.
“You know Rick doesn’t believe in democracy. Not on his team. He’s lord of his manner, and we all do what he says. I’m sure he has his reasons, and he’ll align himself with them until the end.”
Viola was right about that, but she had another nagging thought. “Then why didn’t Darrell say anything? He’s not one to keep secrets from me.”
That earned her an eye roll. “Girl, I know you two are tight and all, but that man is so by the book the damn thing is fused to his hand. Maybe Rick didn’t want you focusing your energy on anything other than getting close to Showalter. Who knows? If he told Darrell to leave you out of it, he would follow his orders.”
Shelby nodded slowly. “Yeah, you’re right.” But as she looked at Viola, another thought came to her. “If I wasn’t told because of some concern over my ability to maintain focus on my objective—”
“I didn’t say that.”
Shelby held up her hand to stop Viola’s protest. “Anyway. Why weren’t you told?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. It was just a theory. The guys are all single except for Rick. Maybe he didn’t want me pulling all-nighters away from my husband unless it was necessary. Maybe he figured I’d be pulled in with you at some point for support since I’m the only other female on our team since Anna got reassigned. Who knows how that man’s mind works.”
“I’ll talk to Darrell, see if he tells me anything since Carson didn’t elaborate with you.”
Viola shook her head and grabbed her arm. “Don’t. If you tell Darrell, then Darrell will go to Rick and inform him you asked. It’ll get back to him that Carson talked to me, and I don’t want his ass chewed. No matter how much he deserves it for being such an irritating flirt.” She let go and eased back. “At least now we both know what’s going on, if not the details.”
“We don’t know anything other than they’re out there somewhere.”
The smile Viola gave her was calculating. “A few tracking devices and a nifty little app fixed that.” She winked.
Oh no. “And you’re worried about Carson getting in trouble? Have you lost your mind?” she whispered heatedly. “If Rick finds out—”
“He won’t. I’m watching their backs, too. If the shit hits the fan, I’ll be able to help.”
Shelby’s shoulders fell as realization dawned. “You tagged my car, too, didn’t you?” she asked, deadpan.
Viola wiggled her phone and wagged her eyebrows.
She sighed. “Don’t get caught.” Using tools of the trade on suspects was one thing…turning them on fellow agents was completely another.
“You let me worry about that. I’m watching everybody.” She checked her watch. “We should probably go. I’ll drive your car, and Dave can follow me to your house. Unless you just want to come home with us.” She frowned and made an attempt to look to Shelby’s side for a glimpse of the marks she knew marred her back. “You shouldn’t be alone. We have a guest room—”
“No.”
“Okay. I’ll stay with you. I brought a change of clothes since I wasn’t sure how long I could stay in this getup, but it’s surprisingly comfortable.” She smirked and looked down at her outfit. “We can ride in together tomorrow, and Dave can pick me up from the office.”
Shelby took a deep breath before clarifying. “I mean, no. I’m not going anywhere. Mason wants me to stay with him tonight.”
If Viola’s eyes opened any wider, they’d pop out. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
The door opened then, and they both jumped. Shelby winced at the pain.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Mason said, hanging onto the doorframe, not coming into the room. “But I really should get some medicine on your back, pet. Let me take care of that, and you can keep visiting with your friend.”
“We’re not visiting,” Viola said, venom in her voice. “I was just telling her it was time to go. Dave can help her to my car.”
Shelby glanced between the two of them. Viola looked pissed, but Mason didn’t seem bothered by it. He slowly crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb. “I’ve asked her to stay.”
“I don’t care.”
“Shelby?” Mason asked with a single raised eyebrow.
She licked her lips. There was no question where she’d be staying. She knew where she wanted to be. She looked at her endearing friend. “I’ll be fine. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Viola stared at her as if she was going to say something, or maybe communicate with her eyes. It didn’t matter. Her reply would be the same no matter how Viola relayed her message. “All right.” She leaned in and hugged her, careful not to touch her back.
When she stood, Shelby gave her a reas
suring smile and watched as she walked away. By the slight smirk on Mason’s face once she cleared the doorway, Shelby was sure her friend had given him the stink-eye on her way out.
He came toward her, and her body tried to come alive, which only intensified the pain. The blood rushing in her veins made her back throb something awful.
“Are you ready for me to take care of you, baby?” he said softly, and kissed her forehead.
He was so tender, and in that moment, all she could manage was a nod in response.
Mason watched for any signs of discomfort as he placed Shelby on her feet by his bed. He would have lain her down if not for her clothes. He needed her bare to tend to her welts. Without outlining his intent, he pulled the blanket from her, tossed it to the edge of the bed, and proceeded to untie the apron from behind her neck, never taking his gaze off hers. He wondered if she realized she watched him so openly, but he worried she’d stop the moment he broke the silence.
So he didn’t.
With her apron now puddled on the floor, her breasts were exposed. He dared not look.
Unzipping her short dress had been easy even without the benefit of watching what he was doing. Once it fell free, he clutched her hands and coaxed her to the side. She stepped out of it easily, and he squatted before her, looking up as she looked down at him, still locked in his gaze. He slid his hands up her legs and over her thighs to her panties to quickly divest her of them as well.
Now that she was completely naked, it was time to turn her away from him. He missed the connection before it was even broken.
“Lie down on your tummy,” he softly ordered.
She turned and climbed onto the bed, her abraded back a glaring beacon, calling him to fix her. He wasn’t a sadist, though he didn’t judge those who were. He enjoyed some pain when mixed with pleasure, but his fascination with it wasn’t to the extent of Emory’s. His business partner thrived on the pain, but hadn’t found anyone strong enough to endure what he needed to give. As long as Mason had known him, he’d always had to back off before he was ready. The man would never push a sub beyond her limit, would never take his skill too far with one, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t missing that feeling of completeness.
Though, right now, Mason had an insane urge to go downstairs and turn the whip on his friend. He pushed down that gut reaction as he walked to the bathroom to gather the necessary items. There was no need to avenge Shelby’s whipping, no matter what part of him tried to demand it.
With a warm, wet cloth and medicine in hand, he returned to Shelby to find her in the exact same position as he’d left her.
“This may hurt, pet. I’ll try to be gentle.”
She moaned as he started to clean the sweat from her back, but he was careful not to irritate her skin too much.
“You did very well tonight, Shelby. I know I’ve already praised you, but it bears repeating.”
“Thank you.”
He tossed the washcloth to the side and hit the button on the ceiling fan remote to help dry her back before applying the ointment. She shivered lightly, and he caressed her arm as they waited. When her skin was no longer damp, he flicked the lid on the tube.
“You doing okay?”
“Yes, Master.”
His chest tightened as he smeared the medicine on her marks. She’d wear them for several days, but Emory hadn’t broken her skin. Good thing. If he’d made his Shelby bleed, Mason would have returned the favor.
His Shelby?
He swallowed and escaped that longing thought to focus on his task. When she was sufficiently covered, he wiped his fingers on the cloth and moved to the other side of the bed to turn down the covers. He stripped before scooting her to the exposed sheets and sliding into bed beside her, tucking them both in.
Because he couldn’t help himself, he touched her cheek as she burrowed closer to him. “So beautiful,” he whispered.
She kissed his neck and slid her leg over his hip. Lightning flashed in his groin when her knee grazed his dick, bringing it instantly to life. In her position, she was open to him, knowledge his body couldn’t ignore. His hand found her hip and pulled her closer to him as his mouth descended to hers. She moaned, and he ate it up, possessing her mouth with a need so profound it rocked him to his core.
So he kissed her, massaged her tongue with his, inhaled her breaths, made love to her mouth while his hands swept over her body, discovering areas that were unorthodox erogenous zones. Beside her bellybutton, in the crook of her hip, along her waist, between her breasts. All the while he ravished her mouth, his kiss becoming impatient, which belied the gentleness of his exploration of her body.
When she groaned and thrust her hips toward him, he answered her call by rolling them until he loomed over her. He trailed kisses down her neck, and she clutched at his back. It had been a long time since he’d had sex with another woman, even longer since he’d done so without topping. His inner Dom usually demanded it, but right now, he just wanted to be with her. No restraints, no kink.
“Oh God,” she breathed when he reached her breast and tongued her nipple. She arched into him, and he sucked it into his mouth. He devoured her offering, her whimpers and moans fueling him. When he released it, he dove for her other nipple, not letting her rest. Shelby fisted his hair as he worshiped her with his mouth. He shivered at the feel of her hands on him, a sensation he wasn’t sure he’d ever experience without instinctively reacting.
“Shelby.” He moved down, peppering kisses in his wake. The lower he went, the more her heady scent surrounded him. He could get drunk on her and love every second of it. He licked along the side of her labia, taking his time circling her pussy, inhaling her ambrosia. He knew when his tongue connected with her core he wouldn’t be able to go slow. He was already about to lose his mind for wanting her.
“P-please.”
That was all it took. He wanted to take his time with her, but her needs came first. She would never have to beg him to tend to her. Not ever. He licked up her center and growled and how good she tasted. The hands in his hair tightened, and yes, he ravished her. There had never been any doubt. He licked, nipped, stabbed his tongue inside of her while she became restless beneath him. He shoved her legs wider and pushed two fingers inside of her. He bent his fingers, rubbed the sweet spot vigorously, and sucked on her clit until her whimpers became screams.
“Fuck,” he groaned, pulling away and fumbling in the nightstand drawer for a condom. He ripped it open and rolled in on before she came down from her high. He had to have her now. “I can’t wait.”
He thrust into her clenching pussy, and she gasped at the sudden intrusion. He didn’t give her time to adjust. He pulled almost all the way out and forged in again, looking down, watching where their bodies were connected, the image too powerful to ignore.
“Maso—Master.”
His gaze sought hers when she’d almost said his name. She’d corrected herself before finishing it, but he didn’t know how he felt about that. He’d tossed her out the last time she’d called him by his name while being intimate. Now, he regretted her not saying it. Any Dom could be a Master. His business partners were all titled that at the club, but there was only one Mason in her life. It was another intimate level, another connection to make, one he was surprised he coveted.
He pushed those thoughts away and focused on the here and now. He held her to him, and she wrapped her arms around his back as he continued to take her. He tried controlling his thrusts, but it was so damn difficult with her breathing in his ear, clutching him like she couldn’t get enough.
She hooked her leg on his hip, so he grabbed her knee and pushed her wider. He ground his pelvis into her, going deep, and she exploded. He roared as he came with her.
The sublime release.
A perfect woman.
He let go of her knee and collapsed onto her, barely remembering to catch his weight on his forearms. He kissed the tip of her nose. “How’s your back, baby?”
Her face s
crunched. “I hadn’t noticed until you said something.”
He eased back and stood beside the bed. “Roll to your side,” he said before leaving to deal with the condom. When he returned, he smiled to see she’d done as he’d instructed. He loved it when a sub trusted him enough to do what he’d asked without question. It might seem barbaric to those on the outside, but he was man enough to admit how precious a gift that was.
How precious she was becoming to him.
As he watched her from a few feet away, he couldn’t help how right this felt to him. How perfect she fit. He swallowed as his heart pounded while looking at her. The feeling in his chest was so strong it was getting difficult for him to breathe.
God, he was falling in love with her. He ran a hand through his hair, debating what he should do about that. Could he love her and not have her?
No. No, he couldn’t, but that didn’t change his circumstances.
His feet were cold by the time he crawled back into bed, so he was careful not to touch her with them. She turned to him, and he wrapped his arms around her. They still hadn’t talked about things, but she was already breathing heavily, almost asleep. He couldn’t put it off past tomorrow. The longer he waited, the harder it’d be. There was only one way he could ensure they cleared the air before he did any more damage to his heart.
“Spend tomorrow with me,” he whispered into her hair.
She stirred and blinked up at him. “Don’t you have to work?”
“You’re more important.”
She took longer than his comfort level preferred before responding. Then she smiled slowly. “Okay.”
He stole a kiss because he couldn’t help himself, relief and something else burrowing inside of him. Tomorrow, they would talk and make some decisions about what was happening between them.
Tonight, he would hold her.
Chapter Fifteen
Shelby stretched sore muscles, a feeling of comfort and happiness blanketing her as she awoke.
