by KB Alan
Perfect Temptation
Perfect Fit Book 4
KB Alan
This book is dedicated to those who got us through the year 2020. The essential workers who kept the grocery stores running, and stocked. The medical professionals who went above and beyond, just by showing up, but then did so much more. The teachers and parents who had to adapt and revise and rework constantly to try and keep things going for their kids. The factory workers who had to keep showing up while others of us were able to stay home and safe. And the protestors who risked their health and safety to fight for a better us, because Black Lives Matter every single day. I am so thankful for all of you.
Special thanks to Vivienne Westlake for coming up with the title and helping me talk through what the heck I was writing xoxo
Contents
About This Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Excerpt
Also by KB Alan
About the Author
About This Book
Perfect Temptation
A kinky comment that lands on unexpectedly understanding ears leads Natalie to the surprising realization that her best friend’s brother’s best friend is into BDSM. Which means Noah is not the guy for her. She tried that lifestyle while in college and it didn’t end well.
Noah eases the story of Natalie’s past from her, and all his Domly instincts flare to life. He wants to help her figure out if she’s right to close the door on her submissive needs, or embrace them and finally find the happiness she deserves. His plan to mentor her so she can decide would be going just fine if she weren’t so. Damn. Tempting.
Note: This particular series can be read in any order. While they are numbered to be in chronological order, the references/cameos in each book are minor and there is no downside to reading them in any order you choose.
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Chapter One
Natalie forced herself to keep taking deep breaths. It was the only way to prevent bursting into tears. It had been a horrible day, which led to this even more horrible night, but it was almost over. She’d screwed up, but if she just got through this punishment, it would be done, then her Master would forgive her and they could move forward.
Master D jerked on the chain between her bound wrists, bringing her closer to his side. She hadn’t realized she’d drifted, her body leaning away from him, her feet shuffling in place as she waited to find out what the final stage of her punishment would be. It would suck, that much she knew. Of course it would; it was meant to. Wouldn’t be much of a punishment if it didn’t.
And she deserved to be punished. She’d betrayed Master D’s trust, as well as that of her best friend, Felicity.
Her breath shuddered as she remembered how angry Master D had been when she’d screwed up. Felicity hadn’t been angry, just disappointed. Truthfully, Natalie was still having a hard time wrapping her mind around how exactly she’d messed up, but at this point, it didn’t much matter. The betrayal was clear to David—Master D—clear to Felicity, and to Felicity’s Dom, Michael. But they’d all promised that if she took her punishment tonight, they’d forgive her and move on.
David had told her she could regain his trust by doing as he asked, without hesitation or question. It had been heavily implied, and quickly proven, that he was going to ask her to do things she’d told him she wasn’t comfortable with. That was the price of regaining her Master’s trust, so here she was in the club, wearing only a G-string. Sure, there were other people fully naked, so she wasn’t making a total fool of herself. It was a BDSM club, after all. But she’d only been exploring her sexuality in this way for a few months, and David knew she wasn’t ready for this level of nakedness.
But she hadn’t balked, even though she’d felt like throwing up when exiting the changing room. She’d worried she’d be cold, but instead she felt like she was too hot, a sheen of sweat covering her, and she was positive her face had been red the entire time they’d been there.
She’d cried when Master David hung the sign around her neck, first showing her the bold lettering that spelled out Bad Girl in a huge font. The sign sat below her breasts and invited everyone’s attention. Felicity had smirked, then winked at Natalie, as if this were all a game, or a scene from one of the books she and her best friend loved, instead of her burning reality.
For just a second, Natalie had hated Felicity. Then shame had washed through her hard and fast, enough that she’d swayed on her feet and David had been forced to jerk her into the position he’d indicated on the small platform.
This was only happening because she’d betrayed their trust, the two people—outside of her family—who were most important to her, and she was mad at Felicity for giving her a look? What the hell kind of friend was she? She’d forced her head up to meet Master D’s gaze, just for a second, just long enough to show him that she was ready to submit, that she would make him proud.
David offered a paddle to Michael, who handed it to Felicity.
“I’ll tell you when to stop,” Master D told her.
Natalie swallowed hard. Pain was not her thing, though a well-executed spanking could certainly be enjoyable. But she’d never received more than a few swats for an infraction, and she had the distinct impression there were a lot more than that in store for her now.
She squared her shoulders, determined to make Master D proud.
Felicity’s first strike was really freaking painful. It was too high, and the edge of the paddle uncomfortably close to her spine. Natalie heard her friend giggle as the girl’s Master showed her where to aim. The next strike was less painful, but still stronger than Nat expected.
She swallowed back a gasp, and looked for Master D to be sure he was pleased with her. He’d moved a few steps away, talking to a man she didn’t recognize. He wasn’t even watching her.
Tears started to slide down her cheeks, and she hated it because she knew she’d get a snotty nose and there was nothing she could do about it.
Behind her, she heard Felicity say she was going to switch arms, as the other was already tired. The next blow was less powerful, but the edge dug into her and she couldn’t hold back a cry.
David glanced over, then returned his attention to the other man.
Giggling, Felicity handed the paddle to Michael and came around to Natalie’s front. “I guess we should let the experts do their thing,” she said cheerfully. “I’ll just watch.”
Natalie closed her eyes, her body absorbing the hits from the paddle, her brain fighting to reach a place of peace. Because she had to keep forcing her annoyance at her friend, and her Dom, away. Which shamed her even more than the actions that had gotten her into so much trouble.
She had no idea how many times she’d been paddled when David returned to the scene. He smiled sweetly at her as he wiped her tears and handed her a tissue for her nose.
“Almost there, sweets. I’m proud of you for doing what I commanded, even though I know you didn’t want to. One more thing and we’ll call it done, go home, and we don’t need to think about this ever again. You’ll remember to trust your
Master, won’t you?”
“Yes, Master D,” she managed, trying to sniffle back more snot.
“You’ve said you don’t want anyone else touching you, but who controls your orgasms?”
“You, Sir.”
“And I can use whatever means I want,” he said.
Since it wasn’t a question, she didn’t respond, but a heavy feeling was settling in her chest, threatening to squeeze her throat closed.
They’d been very careful to discuss her limits. They’d gone over the club’s limits sheet together many times, to talk about what she was open to and what she wasn’t. What she was curious about and what she was willing to try, if he really wanted to, even though she wasn’t interested. She’d trusted him to keep to her limits, and he always had.
Well, until tonight, asking her to wear so little into the club. But she could have said no. He’d made that clear. He would have walked away, but she could have said no.
She couldn’t feel her fingers as he gripped her hand and led her to the man he’d been talking to. This is fine, she admonished herself. The whole reason for this was because she hadn’t trusted him. He’d tested her, with Felicity’s help, and she’d failed. It made sense that his punishment tonight would include another test of her trust in her Master. He wouldn’t really disregard her hard limits.
The man grinned at her and patted his leather-clad leg. “Come to Daddy.”
Natalie’s feet stopped moving of their own accord. When David pulled on the chain between her wrists, she stood her ground firmly enough that he almost lost his footing and had to backtrack.
“Natalie,” he said, in his most stern voice. “Come here.”
She swallowed. She was failing. She knew that—but couldn’t not do it. Couldn’t trust that he was just testing her, and that this would all turn out fine if she did as he commanded.
“No,” she whispered, though she wasn’t sure she actually produced sound.
It didn’t matter, because he saw her say the word. Furry overtook his expression.
“Last chance. You know why you’re here. You’re already on shaky ground. Hesitate one more second and we’re done. You’re not mine if you can’t trust me to take care of you.”
She looked into his eyes, tried to find her faith that he would, in fact, take care of her. She felt like she was floating outside her body, except for the fiery heat in her ass. She’d let him shame her, convince her that her action last night—done in love of a friend—was wrong and a failure of her devotion to him. She’d let him order her to walk out into the club in practically nothing, when he knew that terrified her.
He’d encouraged his friends to beat her ass, then hadn’t even bothered to watch how stoically she’d endured it. And now…what? He expected her to sit on this stranger’s lap, this stranger who called himself Daddy, and let him touch her?
Or maybe not…maybe it was a test, and he would stop her at the last second.
Fuck. That. Shit.
“Unclip me,” she said, her voice calm, though sounding like it came from someone else.
“You do not get another chance at this,” David told her. His cheeks were flushed and she wasn’t sure if he was mad she was defying him, embarrassed she was doing it in front of others, or upset at the thought of her walking away.
“Unclip me,” she repeated. “I’m going to go get dressed.”
“What the hell are you doing, Natalie? Don’t be ridiculous.” Felicity sounded personally offended. “You’re almost done. Hell, he’s even going to give you an orgasm.” She gestured to the stranger like it was no big deal.
“Dandelion.” Natalie ignored Felicity and stared into David’s eyes as she said the safe word he’d assigned to her. “Unclip me. Now. Or I call for a monitor.”
The red in his cheeks intensified and he jerked her to him, not supporting her when she stumbled. He unclipped the cuffs and pushed her away.
Strong hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her. “You okay, there? You folks need a hand?”
Natalie was certain, from the strained look on David’s face, that she was being supported by one of the club’s dungeon monitors. The very reason she and Felicity had chosen this place was because they had a reputation for being strict on safety. If she told the monitor that David was ignoring her safe word, he might get banned. But he hadn’t ignored her. She was free.
“I’m fine. I’m done. Thank you.” She twisted free of his hands, gave David one last look to see if he would apologize, not surprised to realize he wasn’t even close to feeling sorry. She turned and headed to the changing room.
Chapter Two
Five years later
Natalie could never say exactly how or when she’d been adopted by her best friend’s family. It had snuck up on her, and before she knew it, bam, she was considered part of the Weber-Crawford clan.
When she’d graduated college and moved to Boston, she’d made friends, but not close ones. She’d still been feeling burned by what had happened with Felicity and David. It had been difficult living with her roommate after that night, but she’d toughed it out for the eight weeks, including finals, before they’d graduated college and gone their separate ways.
She could admit now that she’d probably been a bit standoffish to those she’d met that first year in a new city. She’d chosen to spend most of her income on a studio apartment, rather than look for a roommate. And she’d been friendly with her new coworkers, but not inviting, especially since she didn’t have any money to socialize, until she got her first raise.
Then she’d met Annalise her second year. That had been in June. By Thanksgiving, it was already expected that she would spend it with the family, and that she’d bring her Chess pie, which had become one of Joe Weber’s favorites. Natalie adored Annalise’s father. And her mother, Ophelia Crawford-Weber. Well, most of the Webers and Crawfords, to be honest. They were a big, messy group, and they didn’t hesitate to pull Natalie in and treat her like she’d always been there.
Annalise was outgoing and beautiful. Her wild curls, thick and nearly black, a stark contrast to Natalie’s own sleek blonde bob. Where Natalie was quiet and enjoyed her sedate office job, Annalise was bold and thrived as a waitress in a restaurant that was always hopping.
Her older brother, Alec, had similar features to Annalise, though he kept his hair short. Some of the stories of his college years were a bit wild, but he’d met and married Sonya a couple of years ago, and now they were expecting a baby.
Which was why Natalie was here, at Sonya’s mother’s house. Rosa had planned the baby shower, but then she’d been hospitalized with heart trouble several weeks ago. Ophelia, Annalise, and Natalie had promised to make Rosa’s plans a reality. So far the party was going well. People were mingling and enjoying some appetizers after having finished playing one of the games.
Natalie looked around for Sonya’s sister, Tammy. This was going to be the first grandchild on Sonya’s side of the family, and apparently that didn’t please Tammy. At all. She was older than Sonya, and they didn’t have the best relationship. Sonya had told Natalie and Annalise that last she’d heard, Tammy didn’t want to think about having kids until she was thirty, but somehow the fact that Annalise was choosing a different timeline for herself was an insult to her sister.
Seeing a pinched expression on Sonya’s face as she walked away from her sister, Natalie exchanged looks with Annalise. The two of them had made it their mission to keep an eye out for just such an issue. Annalise was on the far side of the room, talking to Rosa. She met Natalie’s gaze, though, clearly having seen the same thing. Natalie jerked her head toward the hallway to indicate she’d follow Sonya and check on her.
She rounded the corner and jerked to a stop as she saw Alec with Sonya. He was holding the back of her neck with one hand, and both of her wrists with the other, his gaze intent on his wife’s.
Natalie drew in a sharp but silent breath. It was clear to her that Alec’s presence—and likely his hold—was calm
ing Sonya down. Her cheeks were flushed but Natalie watched as her shoulders relaxed and she drew in a deep breath. Alec murmured something that Natalie couldn’t hear—didn’t try to hear. She thought about stepping away, but Alec straightened and glanced to her. She had the distinct impression that he’d known the second she’d rounded the corner.
“Are you okay, Sonya? I have a glass of red wine ready to spill on Tammy, just say the word. You know she won’t stick around with a stain on her pretty dress.”
Sonya managed a small smile and opened her mouth to respond. Natalie didn’t give her a chance.
“Actually, you don’t even have to say the word. Plausible deniability and all that. Just, you know, give me a wink.”
Natalie focused all of her attention on Sonya’s eyelids, and the other woman laughed, without winking.
“I’m fine. I just needed a minute so I wouldn’t say something mean to her.”
Alec snorted.
“Tell me again why it’s okay for her to say mean things to you, but not okay for you to do the same?” Natalie asked, honestly wondering.
“Because I’m a better person than she is, and because my mother is two weeks out of the hospital and can’t have any stress right now.”
Natalie grimaced. “Fine. Whatever.” She looked at Alec. “Aren’t you supposed to be out golfing with Joe and Sonya’s dad?”
He raised an eyebrow at her, and she couldn’t help it. A little shiver pulsed through her at the air of command that she’d swear she’d never felt from him before. Not until she’d seen him holding his wife that way. And the way Sonya had reacted.
