by Renee Rose
After two short raps, the door to my room opens and I frantically close my messenger app and switch to my eReader app. My face is hot and I smile at Alexander, who is closing the door behind him.
“Hi!”
Alex chuckles. “Well, hello, cupcake.” God, that British accent is almost enough to dumbfound me and make me forget my troubles…almost. He saunters to the wooden chair still at my bedside and sits. “What has your cheeks flushing so deliciously?”
I giggle nervously and fumble with pulling the sheets to my neck. “Oh, just reading a book. It’s at an exciting part of the story.” I lock the screen and drop the phone on the side of me farthest from Alex, as if that will distance him from my secrets.
“What kind of book?” He stretches his long legs out in front of him and crosses them at the ankles. “I’m a rather avid reader myself.”
I warm up to the subject, happy to take my mind off my problems and hopefully disperse my guilty thoughts. “Crime novels. I love the whole process of police procedurals and crime scene investigations.” The words spill out of my mouth and, because I’ve discussed this topic so often, it almost seems rehearsed. Although true, the words dry up on my tongue and I’m thrust right back into my current predicament. Last month, a conversation like this would have been a breeze. Now, I’m the one who’s the victim of a crime, and caught in the middle of my own drama.
He must sense my change of mood because he frowns sympathetically. “I can see why your emotions would be wrapped up in such a book. You probably have a lot to relate to, considering your circumstances.”
“I feel really bad that I’m imposing on you and Theo.”
“Nonsense.” He winks.
Holy bejeezus, he’s so frickin’ charming! Surely, this drop-dead gorgeous guy has better things to do than babysit me. “So…are you visiting from England? Or somewhere else?”
“I’ve just arrived from London and I’m hoping to make Tucson my home.” He smirks, but there’s a sadness in his eyes.
“Wow, you and Theo are that serious?” I know he mentioned a threesome—which I’m super excited to be a part of—but perhaps these two aren’t just a fling. I suddenly feel like a fifth wheel.
“That remains to be seen. I’ve heard good things about this area, and Theo and I go way back, so at a bare minimum, he might be able to help me get settled. As I mentioned, I am hoping to rekindle our relationship.”
“I’ll be honest, I don’t know Theo that well, but from what I do know of him, he deserves to be happy. He puts his job and the people he knows before himself. That’s one of the reasons I like him so much. And he doesn’t even know that’s the kind of person he is, which makes him more irresistible.” I smile. “I can see why you want to rekindle things, but his happiness is my priority.”
Alex laughs softly. “Sounds like you know Theo better than you might think. And I want the same thing for him…his happiness. Whatever that may entail.”
There’s a light rapping at the door, and Alex rises to answer. “Who is it?”
“Zoe,” is her muffled reply. “I’m here with Karina’s things.”
Alex turns the knob and steps aside. Zoe strides in with my overnight bag and a smile on her face. She even has my laptop case slung over her shoulder. She sets both of them in front of the nightstand.
“I’ll give you two some privacy.” Alex winks and closes the door behind him as he exits.
“God, I love the way he says priv-ah-see!”
“I know, right?” Zoe giggles. “I grabbed everything on your list, including your sexy unmentionables.” She waggles her eyebrows. “And I added a few more things I thought you might need, like your laptop, accessories, and power cord. Oh, and your phone charger.”
“Yes! I am so glad you did. Thank you!” I grab her face and give her a grateful kiss on the cheek. “Did you run into Phil?”
“No, thank goodness.” She frowns. “I know Armando can take care of himself and all, but Phil is still lugging around Big Tony. I’d hate to see Armando get jumped by both of them. Two against one just aren’t good odds.”
“Well, I heard Theo said he was going to try and help with this. Maybe they know people high enough up who can bring Phil down once and for all.”
“I hope you’re right. I’d hate to have to move again.”
I nod. “Me, too. I was really starting to like Tucson.”
“And Theo?” Zoe’s mouth tips into a sad smile.
“Yeah. And Theo.” I try to brighten my face with a smile. “Let’s just see what happens, okay?” I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, wincing and grabbing my side, then reach for my overnight bag. “You stick with Armando, and I’ll stay here, and we’ll both have fun while we try to work things out. Ride or die, right?” I stand and put on my robe so I’m wearing something in the air-conditioned room.
She gives me one more tight hug. “Please call me if you need anything.”
I nod my head against her shoulder. “Okay.”
With a kiss to my cheek, she heads for the door.
“I love you,” I tell her.
She grins. “I love you, too.” Zoe flutters her fingers goodbye before exiting.
I peel back the bandage and wince at the long slash across my side. Angling my body to get more light from the nightstand, I examine the cut. Wow. So, now I know what it’s like to get stabbed…or whatever he did to me. I’m surprised I’m not in worse shape. I wrap my robe around me and go to the trash can. Holy shit. Based on the amount of dried blood on my cut-up clothes, I’m stupefied my wound isn’t worse.
Well, thank goodness, I guess. I’m sore, but the Advil must still be working. And I am exhausted. I decide to bury myself under the covers and try to get some sleep.
Chapter 4
Despite my resistance to Alex’s presence, he seems to be lending me a hand in other ways than just watching over Karina. Though he’s not trying to be discreet or secretive about his intentions at all, he is being gracious and not calling me out on my micromanaging in front of the staff. In short, Alex is trying to help me get out of my own way by nudging me to delegate. He convinced me to reschedule the decorator until the next evening, and was on hand to assist me with other simple matters around the club.
I can be a bit of a control freak. In my defense, though, Lucius has been a demanding sire. He holds the bar high, expecting nothing less than perfection from those close to him. As a result, I’ve gravitated toward habits that ensure I’m covering my ass—ergo, trying to do everything myself.
Karina slept the rest of the night, freeing Alex to be as available as possible. She was conscious long enough for him to let her know she would be staying the day at the club without us. He also convinced me to feed her a little of my blood to help with her recovery. With this new development of Zoe’s returning stalker, I agreed.
Before he left for his room at Dexter’s casino, I learned Alex ordered sandwiches, snacks, and bottled water from Toxic’s kitchen for her, which he stocked away in the fridge of Karina’s room. At least she won’t starve during her stay.
I came to the club early to check in with Karina and surprisingly found her fast asleep, so now I focus on helping with the opening procedures. I’m not as agitated this evening as I was last night, so when Alex arrives, ready to help, the tension isn’t so high and I actually start enjoying his presence.
The decorator arrives as rescheduled, but after I’ve dismissed Maximus from the office, it isn’t long after I sit down with the decorator that Maximus returns with Alex at his side, a scolding glare in his green eyes. Maximus looks to me for silent approval and, when Alex narrows his gaze, I nod and invite them both to sit in on the conversation. How can I delegate if I don’t give those under my command the information they need to do their jobs? Point taken, Alex.
When the decorator leaves, Maximus turns to me with a spark of excitement in his eyes. “This event is going to be pretty spectacular. I like Selene’s ideas.”
I nod. “I do, t
oo.”
Alex clears his throat and nods to Maximus.
I wrestle with letting go…but Alex is right. “Maximus.” I clench my fists behind my back. “Would you mind working with the decorator to supervise the transformation of the dungeon?” My words come out a lot slower than I intended as I eke out every syllable.
His eyebrows jack toward his hairline. “Absolutely. Are you sure you don’t want to handle it?”
Alex clears his throat again, pursing his lips at Maximus.
“I mean, I’d love to. Thank you.” Maximus smirks.
I push myself a little further. “Would you also do a few more tasks for me?”
Maximus nods. “Of course.”
“Keep an eye on things for a few hours. I’d like to spend a little time with Karina. See if Alex needs anything medical-wise for her wound.”
“I’m glad you said that. You could use a little bit of a break. I’ll be happy to hold the fort down for you. Take your time, and I’ll get the others to be extra diligent.”
I nod, internally grimacing.
Maximus returns the nod and exits the office.
I level a severe gaze at Alex.
“That must have been hard.” He suppresses a grin.
“You have no idea,” I grumble under my breath. My smartphone buzzes in my trouser pocket. It’s a text from Karina.
I grin at the kiss emoji she sent with her message. “Our little cupcake is missing us.”
I lead Alexander down through the club, the coat check room, and into the dungeon to Karina’s room. As we cross the threshold, Alex collides with my back. My feet stop short, as if I’ve stepped into cement, and I clutch the doorknob to steady myself. My cock stands at attention and I stifle the groan struggling to burst from my lips as Alexander presses against my ass. His erection clearly reveals he’s as turned on by the display as I am.
Our lovely submissive cupcake is on her knees, arms boxed behind her back and her forehead to the carpet. Moisture hangs in the air, along with the clean scent of soap and shampoo. Not only did my little pet take a shower to ready herself for us, but she’s dressed with seductive intent. Black lace-topped stockings hug her toned thighs, all the way down to the black Victorian-style ankle boots on her tiny feet. The perfect globes of her ass, raised high, are waiting for our pleasure, and her arousal perfumes the air through her black thong panties.
Sweet merciful Gods. With the sexual tension that has kept me on edge since I laid eyes on Alexander, coupled with the orgasm we brought her to yesterday, I’m on the verge of spilling my seed in my pants.
I glance over my shoulder at Alex and smirk. “Is my pet so eager to be punished?”
“I have brought a bit of trouble to your door, Sir.” The meekness of her voice breaks my heart. I don’t know who trained her, but whatever arrangement that was doesn’t suit me. With me, she must learn to separate her life from playtime. Her contrition can only mean her previous dom must have had control over her outside the bedroom.
“My precious pet.” I cross the room and sit in the cushioned chair against the back wall. “Come here, Karina.”
Alex closes the door behind him and sets his rump against the dresser.
She sits back on her heels, and I admire her full breasts swelling above her black lace bra. She is a temptation to behold, despite the fresh bandage at her hip. I pat my thigh. Obediently, she rises and comes to me, where I pull her into my lap. Karina bows her head.
With a curled index finger, I lift her chin and gaze into her glassy brown eyes. This woman is going to steal my heart before I know it. How can I guard against it so I don’t hurt her in the process? “I want to be very clear about some boundaries, young lady.”
Worry fills her gaze, and her breath arrests in her chest.
“Our play is about pleasure, sweet girl. Whatever has happened in your life outside of the bedroom or our scenes is not up for discipline. I am not your keeper.”
“I…don’t know if I understand, sir.”
I inhale a breath for strength. “The discipline I dole out to you is for those times when you’re being naughty regarding the sexuality between us. Not for the mistakes you make in your life or the mishaps you stumble into, like this horrible situation with being mugged, and Zoe’s stalker. You don’t answer to me, Karina. So this trouble you talk about bringing to my door? It’s not my place to punish you for that. And I want to make it perfectly clear that I will never punish you for seeking help. You asked for me when you came here last night. Is that correct?”
She swallows and closes her eyes. “Yes, Sir.”
I pinch her chin between my thumb and finger, forcing her to look at me. “I’m glad you trust me enough to do that. I want you to know, your safety is a priority for me.”
She nods, a smile toying with her luscious lips.
“I know we don’t know each other that well and we haven’t established a lot of rules or created a contract, but I hope you can at least count on me as a friend.”
Karina’s bottom lip trembles for a few tense seconds, before she bursts into sobs and buries her face in my neck.
Alex looks as surprised as I feel. The pressure this poor girl has been under, I can only imagine, and it’s obvious she’s needed some release, judging by the emotions overwhelming her.
Karina clings to me and I hold her close. Her soft body curled into my lap arouses a protective streak in me I have not known in centuries. Even when Alexander and I were together, this was something I never experienced with him. Alex has never needed my protection. And until this moment, I hadn’t realized how much I needed someone to protect.
Alex’s caress on my cheek draws my attention. How did I not notice he had knelt in front of me? The compassion in his eyes softens my heart toward him. He gazes at Karina and brushes her hair from her shoulder. “We’re not going to let anyone harm you, cupcake.”
Karina lifts her head and leans into Alex’s palm cradling her cheek. As she shifts in my lap, her bottom nuzzles against my cock and I shudder. Her brown eyes swivel from Alex to me, and she smiles through her tears.
The vulnerability in this woman becomes my undoing. I capture her mouth with mine, tasting the saltiness of her tears and the desperation in her sigh. Alex nuzzles her ear and she moans. I turn my face to Alex and his lips slant over mine. Karina’s whimper joins his, and the three of us fight for each other’s mouths. Tongues darting in and out, both of them vying for my attention, trying to devour me, and I them.
I squeeze Karina’s bare bottom, filling my hand with her flesh. Alex’s erection presses against the back of my hand. I grab his belt and tug. “Take off your pants. Now.”
Karina moans, and she joins him in unfastening his belt. She unzips his slacks, exposing his boxer briefs already wet with a spot of pre-cum. Alex stands and drops his garments to his ankles and removes his shoes and socks. His cock, begging to be touched, stands proud beneath the hem of his Polo shirt.
“Safeword, pet,” I growl.
She shakes her head. “Green, Sir.” Karina pants and stares at Alex’s erection.
“Suck Alex’s cock.”
“Yes, Sir,” she sighs.
Alex steps toward us, but I hold up my hand to stay him. “On your knees, pet.”
She slides from my lap, kneeling before Alex, and wraps her delicate fingers around his shaft. Mewing, she opens her mouth and drags her tongue from his balls to his crown. Alex drops his head back and groans. Her tongue flutters over and dips into his slit, eliciting more sounds from my lover.
“I said, suck his cock.”
“Yes, Sir.” She wraps her lips around his dick.
Alex clenches his jaw, his eyes locked with mine. “Can I grab her head, Sir?”
The power surging through my shaft aches deliciously. “No.” I savor the word. “Keep your hands to yourself.”
He grunts and drops his head back, hands clutching his hips as Karina’s auburn head bobs up and down on his cock.
I stand, prow
ling around them, growing harder with every moan, every slippery click of Karina’s wet hand and mouth sucking Alex off. I slowly roll up my sleeves.
Karina darts her eyes at me and sighs.
“Do you like the way Alex tastes, my pet?”
She nods and moans, her lips dragging along the length of him.
“Good.”
Alex grins.
I smack his ass.
He bites his bottom lip and lets his fangs extend.
I narrow my eyes and land another resounding slap to his ass. “Alex is being naughty, Karina. Stop what you’re doing.”
She pulls his dick from her mouth with a pop, and sits back on her heels.
“On your knees, Alex.”
His eyes glint in a silent contest, but he obeys with a sly smile.
“Lick her face clean.” I start unbuttoning my shirt.
“Yes, Sir.” He dips his head and kisses Karina, his mouth devouring hers, lapping up the juices on her chin, and I delight in watching their tongues duel. I thrill at how tiny she is next to him, as they’re thigh-to-thigh on their knees before me.
I pull my shirt from my trousers, unbuckle my belt, and unzip my pants. I’m so fucking hard right now. I haven’t buried my shaft in Alex’s ass for over a-hundred-and-thirty years and, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m desperate to fill his tight hole. Patience.
I step forward and tug my waistband below my balls. My cock juts forward and I seize it in my fist. I bring the head close to their mouths, but they both know me, and satisfaction blooms in my chest. They don’t dare stop what I told them to do, no matter what temptation I put before them. Although I have not trained them together, they instinctively follow my lead based on our mutual pasts.
“Ohh, you two are behaving so nicely.” I caress their cheeks in turn with my purple head. So good. They moan, but continue kissing each other. “You can stop now.”
Karina and Alex share a secret grin and my stomach flutters. I am surprisingly pleased to see these two getting along, their chemistry so perfectly matched.
I stroke my shaft, pushing the head toward them, so close to their mouths, and it weeps in anticipation. Karina whimpers, her eyes on my head. Alex licks his lips, his gaze locked on my cock.
