by Lana Lachlan
It was over. They were safe but Ophelia still held Lily’s icy hand tightly. From the moment Sebastian had burst into the apartment an hour ago, she and Lily had been on the floor, hunched against the wall, watching Sebastian pace and rant and wave his gun at them. Only once had Ophelia tried to reason with him but he’d put the gun to Lily’s head and said if Lily died it would be Ophelia’s fault just like Shaw dying had been her fault. From then on, Ophelia had stayed silent. Sebastian Raynott was going to jail for the rest of his life. More victims wouldn’t make any difference.
“You two okay for a few minutes?”
Ophelia, shaking like a leaf, looked up into Jack’s calm eyes. As blue as the ocean on a still, cloudless day. “Yes.”
“Any injuries?”
His matter-of-fact tone eased her jitters. “No, he didn’t hurt us.”
“Good.” He dragged the semi-conscious Sebastian to his feet and placed him in an arm lock. “I’ll call the police from downstairs. Stay here until I get back.”
He and Sebastian disappeared into the hallway. Ophelia rubbed Lily’s frozen fingers. “It’s all right now, Lily.”
Lily was staring blankly at the wall and shaking uncontrollably so Ophelia wrapped her arms around her friend to keep her warm. They were still on the floor when Jack returned minutes later. He closed the door, crouched down in front of them. “Sebastian’s been arrested and taken downtown. How’s your friend?”
“She’s very scared.”
Lily moved her blank stare to Jack, alarm widening her eyes.
“It’s okay,” Ophelia soothed, hugging Lily tighter. “Jack helped us.”
He smiled. God, that smile could melt an iceberg.
“T-thank you, Jack.”
He turned to Ophelia, the calm blue meeting her own frightened eyes. “And are you okay?”
“Yes.”
She spoke bravely, but she couldn’t fool Jack. “I doubt you are.”
Ophelia summoned up her coolest voice, fighting tears but needing to be strong for Lily. “Thank you for helping us. I’ll be staying with Lily tonight to make sure she’s all right. There’s no need for you to stay.”
Jack ignored her. Taking Lily’s hand, he helped her upright and guided her to the sofa where he put a blanket around her shoulders. Ophelia struggled up on cramped legs, leaning against the wall until the circulation returned to her limbs. On her first step to the sofa, she stumbled. Jack caught her in an instant. She tried to push away but his arms were steel.
“No. You’re in shock.”
His closeness made it impossible to look up at him without craning her neck and when she did, she saw frustration and worry. That was all it took.
It came in a flood of guilt that heaved sickness in her stomach and soured her mouth. She felt the room spin, felt herself crumpling, felt Jack’s arms lifting her and taking her through to Lily’s bedroom and laying her on the bed. She tried to sit up, but he pressed her back down. “Stay.”
Tears erupted, spilled down her cheeks and made salty tracks over her lips. Jack sat beside her, saying nothing while she sobbed as though the tears could wash away her guilt.
“I-I did this, Jack. All of it. I turned him into a monster.”
Jack stroked her cheek in the way he always did. “He was already a monster.”
“If it wasn’t for me…”
“You’re a prosecutor, Ophelia. Every day, prosecutors bring charges against criminals. Sometimes those criminals react violently. This isn’t your fault.”
She shook her head in denial. “Yes, it is.”
Jack gathered her close and Ophelia cried into his shoulder. “Brock Shaw died because of me. And Lily could have died. So you see, it is my fault.”
He eased her back to fix her with his stern gaze. “And every day, I get the bastards off so it’s my fault when they reoffend. It’s how the system works. You’ll get through this, Ophelia, I promise you. But the most important thing at the moment is for you to rest.”
That reminded her of Lily. “I have to see to Lily.”
“I’ll check on her shortly.”
Fresh tears welled. “I had to leave the apartment.”
Her voice sounded small to her, but Jack heard her because he tapped her chin. “And I told you to stay put. You disobeyed me.”
There were two Jack Slayers. Jack who’d come to the apartment to save her and Jack the dominant—all mixed up into one big ball of man. A girl couldn’t have one without the other.
“You should have trusted me, girl.”
Candice. The name hung in the air between them. And while she longed to forget about Candice and all the other submissives in his life, it wouldn’t make her any less of a plaything to Jack the Dominant.
Ophelia looked down so he wouldn’t see her misery. “It’s no use, Jack. I don’t belong in your world and you don’t belong in mine.”
He scooped her face up in his palm. “Tomorrow night, I’m picking you up at your apartment.”
Stubbornly she refused to make eye contact. “I won’t be home.”
When he didn’t respond, she ended up looking at him. His heavy brows were down but the corner of his lips was turned up. “If you argue, there will be consequences.”
If it weren’t for that smile, she might have held out. “Where are we going?”
“To my apartment for dinner.”
Ophelia got feisty. “Don’t they serve dinner at the Cavern Club?”
A fat thumb traced her bottom lip. “Any more cheek and there’ll be no supper for you, little one. It’ll be a spanking and straight to bed.”
“Ah-hem.”
Lily stood in the doorway, her eyes stuck on Jack like burrs to a hide. “I came to see if you’re okay, O, but I see you’re… you’re busy.”
“He’s leaving now,” Ophelia said weakly, wishing the mattress would open up and consume her whole.
Lily’s head shot forward as she peered at Jack. “I know you. You’re that fucking psychopath’s attorney, Jack Slayer.”
The attorney in question smoothly found his feet. “You’re obviously feeling better, Ms. Mason, so I’ll leave you girls to rest up. The police will need to interview you, but I’ve told them it can wait until tomorrow. Raynott won’t make bail so you’ll be safe. Eight o’clock sharp, Ophelia.”
And with a wink at Lily, he walked out. Ophelia heard the click of the front door.
Lily took his place on the bed. “Wow.”
How to explain this embarrassment away. “You seem much better now, Lily.”
“Uh-huh. Lucky your man arrived.”
“He’s not my man.”
“Sounded like it to me.”
If Lily’s excited face was anything to go by, the talk was about to take a turn. “You look very pale, Lily. Why don’t you hop into bed while I make tea? Strawberry or redcurrant?”
Trying to get Lily Mason off topic never worked.
“Gosh, Ophelia Tate. You and that gorgeous beast, Jack Slayer. I had no idea. How did it happen?”
Her friend would be all over this until she got the truth. “He’s the library man.”
Lily’s mouth formed a beautiful circle. “Holy shit.”
“Anyway it’s over.”
“Hardly. Tomorrow night you’re going to dinner at his place. The hottest man in New York.”
The hottest man and the hottest Dom. Ophelia felt herself blushing. “It’s complicated.”
Lily took Ophelia’s hand. “Hey girl, I’m your friend. You don’t need to say anything.”
Yes she did because she didn’t want this to be one of those uncomfortable subjects that never got mentioned. “I want to tell you because being with Jack is like nothing I’ve ever known. I don’t expect you to understand.”
Lily’s eyes softened. “I do understand, sweetie. You have great sex.”
Encouraged, Ophelia went on. “He has this way of looking at me and touching me. He’s very strict and can be so frightening… like a wolf. I dread what he
does yet at the same time I want it… need it. It makes me feel so alive. Being with Jack is the most incredibly sexual thing, like we’re connected in a special way. I’ve never had so many… um… you know.”
There, she’d admitted it and Lily’s mouth had stretched to a big grin. “Oh my God, girl, your inner submissive is like, totally unleashed.”
Unleashed? “I guess I have been unleashed but it doesn’t change anything with Jack. He’s got so many women, including your rich client.”
“And you don’t want to share?”
No sane woman would want to share Jack. “I couldn’t anyway because he has a girlfriend. She turned up at the apartment today. Her name is Candice and she’s everything I’m not. Do you remember the phone sex in the library?”
Lily nodded eagerly.
“That was her.”
“Oh.”
Ophelia sniffled, about to cry. Immediately she found herself wrapped in Lily’s fierce hug. “It’s okay, sweetie.”
“And another thing,” Ophelia went on tearfully after Lily had let her go. “She said Jack sees me as a plaything.”
Lily shook her head firmly. “A plaything? My God, O, I saw the way he looked at you. Fuck toy you might be but you’re definitely not a plaything in the way you mean.”
“What’s a fuck toy?”
A deep sigh from Lily. “Never mind.”
Being a fuck toy sounded worse than being a plaything. Whatever. It didn’t change anything. “I’m not going to dinner because there’s no point.”
“I don’t think your Daddy will allow you to cancel.”
Ophelia opened her mouth to correct Lily that Jack was a Sir then decided not to share. “How’s Jake?”
“Great. He’s definitely the one, O.”
Ophelia managed a smile.
Lily patted the bed covers. “Hop into bed and get some rest.”
Gratefully, Ophelia climbed in and pulled the covers up to her chin. “You must be tired, Lily.”
“Exhausted.” Lily snuggled down beside her. “It’s going to be all right, O. You’ll see. If you like, you can borrow my little black dress for tomorrow night.”
“I’m going to sleep now if that’s okay.”
She heard Lily yawn. “Of course. Sweet dreams, little one. Isn’t that what he calls you?”
Ophelia brushed away the tears that threatened to wet her pillow. “Sweet dreams, Lily.”
Chapter 9
Jack’s caterers had worked most of the afternoon to meet his request for a five-course vegan dinner with chocolate dessert. They’d set the outdoor table, decorated it with roses and candles and fairy lights. The right setting for him and Ophelia to talk. But from the moment he’d escorted her to his car for the drive to his apartment, she’d been as tense as a violin string, sitting as far away from him as she could, not speaking and staring out the window as though counting streetlights. She didn’t want anything to do with him. Then the surprise when she’d slipped off her red coat. A short black, low-cut cocktail dress and heels. She might not want anything to do with him, but it hadn’t stopped her from going all out. She wore her hair up but as usual, something had gone wrong and a thick golden tendril hung loose over one cheek. She looked fresh and beautiful in her unique way. Fresh and beautiful and not speaking.
Jack took a second mouthful of his tofu starter, hating it more than the first. “I had the caterers do vegan, so I hope nothing animal has slipped in here.”
No smile and she hadn’t touched her food.
“Try your starter. It’s delicious.”
No answer.
“There’s chocolate dessert.”
She looked at the view.
“Ophelia, I want you to tell me what’s going through your mind.”
“Nothing.”
Jack nudged her glass closer to her plate. “Some wine might get you talking.”
“No thank you.”
What to do with a sulky woman? Put her across his knee? A good idea but before that happened, he had to clear the air once and for all.
“I had many sessions with her, Ophelia, and I fucked her every time. I’ve had more women than I can remember. Nothing will ever change that.”
She shifted her cold gaze to him. “Good for you, Jack Slayer.”
He patted his lap. “I want you to come over here.”
“No.”
Pain showed in her eyes. His stubborn girl needed a helping hand. “Come here or I’ll come and get you.”
The steel in his tone brought her close enough for him to sit her on his knee. “Talk to me.”
A lone tear slid down her cheek. “It’s no use, Jack.”
“Why isn’t it any use?”
“Because I’m… I’m a mouse.”
Many descriptions could fit Ophelia Tate, but never mouse. “Who told you that?”
“You’re in love with her. She’s beautiful and wears Fifth Avenue so it’s only natural you would love her.”
Jack said the words that he should have said days ago. “I’m in love with you, sweetheart.”
She blinked rapidly. “Why?”
“Because you mean everything to me and because I want a partner, not some empty relationship. I love you and I’ve hoped you would feel the same way.”
She threw her arms around his neck, sobbing into his shirt. “Oh God, Jack, I love you so much.”
It struck him then, how much he needed to hear those words. She felt so right in his arms, in his heart… in his life.
He kissed behind her ear, making her shiver. “You’re my girl.”
A sniffle into his collar. “I don’t mind being your fuck toy.”
Whoa. Where did she get that from? “Do you know what that is?”
She leaned back to look at him while pondering his question. “No, but it’s a bad thing, right?”
“No, it’s a good thing.”
Her mouth popped open in surprise. “Really?”
Hell, she looked sexy with her hair tousled around her face and her mouth in a pretty circle. Jack felt his groin stir.
“Absolutely it’s a good thing.”
She looked at him slyly from under her lashes. “What do they do?”
“They please their Doms.”
A squirm of her butt. “Like this?”
The grind increased the ache. “Among other things.”
She slipped off his lap, sashayed to the dinner table. “I’m hungry now.”
Naughty miss to give him a hard on and walk away. “You’re playing with fire, little one.”
A cheeky smile came over her shoulder. “So sue me, Mr. Slayer.”
In a flash, Jack had her in his arms and in the lounge where he put her face down across his knee. She struggled to free herself, the rubbing against his cock adding to the pressure.
“Behave.”
She stopped moving but it didn’t ease the strain on his pecker. “First off, I’m going to warm up this pretty ass. Then I’ll see what else my fuck toy might enjoy.”
“I… I… yes, Jack.”
He caressed her bottom through the fabric. “You missed something.”
“Sir.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
Easing up her dress—super slow, because he intended to stretch out this heady indulgence, he couldn’t believe his eyes. A black lace thong.
WTF.
“Where are your panties?” Jack demanded, so furious he smacked her in genuine punishment.
She tried to guard her ass with a hand, but he brushed it aside. How dare she deny him the big panties? He drew on the lace floss until she squealed.
“When I tend to you, girl, I expect to see your full panties.”
She tried to loosen the wedgie by raising her hips, but he held her down. “Well?”
“I wanted to look sexy for you.”
Sexy like Candice, he imagined. He yanked harder. “When were you planning to show me this thing.”
“I-I wasn’t.”
“Obviou
sly that’s a lie or you wouldn’t have worn it. Where did you get it?”
“I bought it today. Lily lent me her cocktail dress and shoes.”
He might be pissed at her, but he couldn’t stop his satisfaction at knowing this was for his benefit. And boy, did her ass look good with her pink bottom and the black lace stuck in the crack.
“You’ve disappointed me, missy, so I’m going to smack you extra hard.”
He got a quiver in response.
Several decent spanks later and after her wailing had eased, he rubbed her blotchy red butt. With a sharp yank, he tore the thong away and held it in front of her face. “See how wet you’ve made it.”
“I’m so hot, Sir.”
Jack snarled his liking. His hot to trot submissive was ripe for servicing and he intended to service the hell out of her tonight. This would be a claiming like no other. Transporting her to the bed, he lay her on her back, flicked off her pumps and shoved up her dress. Before anything else, he needed to taste her, fill his mouth with her, own that beautiful cunt. But as he went down, he got another surprise. She’d waxed. This was getting out of hand.
He tugged on her labia, perhaps too hard because she tried to close her legs. Using his forearm to hold her thighs apart, he felt along her pussy lips. “When did this happen?”
“This… this morning at a beauty salon. I thought you’d like it.”
Shifting his focus to her clit, he pressed it in warning as an extra incentive to behave. “From now on, you don’t do anything to your cunt without my permission. I won’t have my kitten making silly decisions.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
Sliding down again, he swiped her with his tongue. Damnation, he wanted the scratchiness of a shaved pussy. Waxes were a dime a dozen. This would be the last time she went to any beauty parlor without his say so. Sliding his tongue between the smooth folds, he worked deep, feeling her clenching on his tongue slides, her wetness running down his chin. Bare pussy or not, her flavors drugged him like no other woman could.
He pulled away, shoved pillows under her hips and buried his mouth again. With more depth, he tongue-fucked her hard and fast to orgasm. Her cry of climax split the air, hips heaving, legs flopped wide across the pillows. Jack continued relentlessly on her hyper-sensitive clit–adding two more orgasms–until finally she begged him to stop.
