by Sienna Snow
“Man up, girlfriend. We beat them, didn’t we?” Adrenaline surged throughout my body. I couldn’t believe I’d raced Adrian St. James and won.
Holy shit, I beat a racing legend.
Ian waved to me from across the water as he leaned on the deck of his AC-45.
“Lex is going to slaughter you.” Milla announced, while laughing. “First, you tricked him into giving you permission to take his beast of a ship, and then you nearly tipped us over three times.” She tucked the stray hairs set lose from her ponytail behind her ear. “Taking those curves like that was insane. Our crew was about to jump overboard, thinking they’d rather survive the freezing Atlantic waters than continue sailing with you.”
“Whatever. You know you loved it. You’re as much an adrenaline junkie as I am.” I squeezed the vessel’s throttle, slowing its speed to a casual pace. My team gathered the sails and everyone cheered.
I squealed and jumped up and down. I’d won five hundred thousand dollars. Wagering against Ian was daring but hey, it was for charity. Even if I’d lost, it would have benefited my foundation.
“Why Lex believed you when you told him you’d treat his precious ship with tender loving care is beyond me. He waited three years for this thing to be built.”
I ignored her as I picked up a towel from the captain’s chair and wiped the dampness from my hair.
“He’s never going to trust you with any of his vehicles again. Land or sea.”
I cringed. Yeah, I hadn’t thought that part through. Oh well.
“He knows I’d buy him a new one if I’d wrecked it.”
“Fucking hell, Ari. I just smoothed things over between us, and now he’s going to think I was in on this.”
“Since when does Lex’s anger bother you? Besides, who cares? We won.”
“This boat is like his baby. And you treated it like a rag doll. You know he’s going to retaliate by taking AlySas when you least expect it?”
“There is more security on that ship than he can imagine. I’ll know if he even breathes on the boat wrong.”
“I’m just warning you revenge will be sweet. And I can’t wait to watch.”
“Whatever. Stop worrying.”
“Ms. Rey,” a crew member called from behind me. “There’s a person on the radio who insists on speaking with you. I told him you’d call back once you were in dock, but he said a few things I won’t repeat.”
Oh hell, Lex was going to rip me a new one.
I scowled at Milla, who smiled and ran the side of her finger across her neck in a slicing motion. “I’ll pull us into the dock. Go apologize to Lex, so we can celebrate our victory against my cousin. Make sure to grovel. He’s a sucker for groveling.”
“Thanks for the support,” I mumbled.
“Anytime.”
I reluctantly entered the crew cabin, took a deep breath, and answered the radio. “Hey Lex, sorry I took your baby out without permission. I promise to make it up to you.”
“This isn’t Lex.”
And I’m in big trouble.
“Max.”
“Do you have a death wish?” His voice was cold and simmering with rage.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. Mr. Control was about to bust a gasket. “Let me explain.”
He cut me off. “I don’t want to hear it. After Lex tears into you for stealing his ship, you’ll deal with me.”
Wait a second. Why was he upset? “This has nothing to do with you. I was having fun.”
“Believe me when I say it has everything to do with me. Whether you admit it or not, you took what belongs to me and placed her in extreme danger, among other things.”
Was he talking about me? I wasn’t his property. “I don’t belong to you, Max. Remember the rules?”
“Oh, I recall them in detail. You’re the one who keeps breaking them.”
“What rules have I broken?”
“Exclusivity.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You let St. James think he had a chance with you.”
I cringed. I’d forgotten that tidbit of the meeting. “Max, I was just flirting. You’re the one who’s still seen around town and splashed across tabloids with socialites. I don’t—”
“I’m finished discussing this over the radio. We’ll have our conversation in private.”
The radio when dead, and Milla announced we were at dock.
Less than a few minute after I stepped onto the deck, Lex jumped aboard and strode straight for me.
“I am going to kill you.” He threw me over his shoulder and glared at Milla.
She tossed her hands up in surrender. “I didn’t know until a few moments before we docked that she had stolen the thing.”
He growled and carried me off his ship.
Ian jumped in front of Lex and me. From the side of my eyes, I could see Max standing with his hands in his pockets, his livid emerald gaze bearing into me.
“Put her down, Lex. She didn’t harm your precious boat. She handed me my ass.”
Fire ran across my butt as Lex smacked me. My gaze shot to Max, who looked ready to pounce. He stalked toward us.
“Put me down, you Neanderthal. There was no way I’d have won without your precious jewel.”
Lex smacked me again and a growl came from behind us.
“I’ll make it up to you. I’ll let you take AlySas out any time you want, for however long you want. I didn’t break her. I put her through her paces.”
“That’s not the point, Ari. You could have killed everyone taking the curves the way you did. I barely held Max back when you skimmed the tip almost to the point of no return. I think I lost a few years off my life.”
“Lex, we were fine. I knew what I was doing.”
“Not only did you put your life in danger, but you put Milla and the crew in danger.”
Oh fuck, I hadn’t considered that.
“I’m sorry Lex. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Stop berating her and put her down. It’s over.” Ian wiped the water from his head.
Not quite. I still had to deal with Max.
Lex flipped me back over and held my hand while I gained my bearings. Immediately Ian engulfed me in a bear hug. “You have to marry me. With you by my side, I’ll never lose another race ever again.”
“Sorry, St. James. She’s a girl who doesn’t have time for marriage and happily ever after. Isn’t that right, Arya?” Max strolled up and shook hands with Ian.
I slid out of Ian’s grasp, but he tugged me back under his arm. The vein on the side of Max’s face pulsed as he grounded his jaw. He was jealous, and I loved it. Well, maybe I didn’t; that meant I’d deal with the consequences later.
A shiver ran along my spine, and I zipped my jacket tighter as the winter chill suddenly hit me. Max and Ian stared at each other as if ready to duel for me.
A silent message must have passed between them, because Ian released me and buttoned his own jacket.
“Let’s take this aboard Arya’s yacht,” Lex suggested and the tension eased.
“I could use a stiff drink to ward off this freezing New England weather, and I’m sure Arya and Milla could use a warm shower after the soaking they received from their superwoman stunts. Wouldn’t you agree, baby cousin?”
Milla strolled to us, scanned all three men, and raised her eyebrow in question. I shrugged.
Ian caught our silent conversation and shook his head. “Lex, man, you’ve got your hands full with those two.”
“Don’t I know it. Too bad both of them don’t realize their stunts are going to get their asses tanned.”
“Bite me, Lex.” Milla scowled. “We belong to no one but ourselves.”
“Keep telling yourselves that.”
Max remained silent during the exchange, but he never took his gaze from me. I was in trouble. And the thought of the consequences aroused me. He’d never hurt me, but he’d find a way to make his point.
“Come on, Ari, let’s go clean up.” Milla pulled me
behind her. “Guys, meet us back in the lounge in two hours. We gals are overdue for a nap.”
“Hold on a sec.” I stopped mid-tug. “I need to call the captain and give him our route.”
“Already taken care of.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one to tell the captain our destination, since the ship belongs to me? You’re so freaking bossy.” I grumbled.
“Pipe down. I knew where you’d take us. Plus, you had your hands full with three Doms.”
Ian is a Dom? Figures.
Milla’s statement had me glancing back at the men in question, and Max’s eyes locked with mine, causing me to stumble. He was deep in conversation, but his focus remained on me.
“What’s wrong with you? It isn’t like you to trip over your own feet.” Milla followed the direction of my gaze. “Oh shit, he’s pissed. Glad it’s you and not me.”
I rushed away from the group and up the stairs of the vessel.
Milla pulled my arm as she raced behind me. “Apologize. How would you feel if he pulled the same shit you did?”
I hated that she was right. I’d behaved poorly and hurt him. “I’ll think of some way to make it up to him.”
“Okay, now let’s change the subject. Carmen’s already aboard and she sent me a text telling me she needed a Thomas-free weekend. When the fuck did that happen?”
I smiled. I shouldn’t be happy that I wasn’t the only one with a jacked love life, but knowing Milla and Carmen shared my misery made life more bearable.
I walked through the lounge entrance and directly to the bar. I poured myself and Milla a glass of water, handed her the drink, and sat on the cream sectional.
“I’ll let Carmen fill in all the juicy details. What I can tell you is that, they had a fling a few months ago in New York, and it developed into something more after they met again in Cali. That is why we haven’t seen more of her since she got back from Germany three weeks ago.”
Milla choked. “Carmen? No way. She’s a Domme, not a sub. And Thomas is a Dom all the way.”
“I know. Maybe they’re switches. Speaking of the devil, here she is.”
Carmen strolled into the lounge and glared at me as she plopped down on the sofa. “What the hell did you do to my brother? He’s in a complete piss-poor mood.”
There went my not being the subject of discussion. “What makes you think it has anything to do with me?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“My brother’s the master of control. The single exception is when you’re involved.”
“I find that hard to believe. Even with me, there’s little he doesn’t control.”
“Are you blind?” Carmen growled.
Startled, I sat up from my relaxed lounge. “Blind to what?”
“Arya, he let you set the rules of this crazy relationship you’re in. This no-strings, keep it a secret from the world thing is counter to what’s ingrained in him. He needs to make the decisions, set the pace, and take care of you. But you only give him that in private. Hiding what you have is tearing him apart. He loves you and all you do is act like a brat.”
She knew about the rules?
I ran a hand across my face. I was exhausted from all the lectures. I snatched my towel. “Fine, I get it. I know he’s your brother, and you have this need to protect him, but what you don’t realize is I’m trying to protect myself, too. I would have given anything to be with him, and he destroyed me. I won’t allow that again.”
“I think it’s time you forgave him. He was young and stupid and dealing with more than any twenty-five-year-old should ever be handed.”
I cocked my head to the side and placed my hand on my hip. “Like what?”
“He wants to be the one to tell you. I love my brother and he deserves to be happy. You do, too. Besides, you’re the one holding a whopper of a secret that he should know. Do you even realize what it’s like to keep this from him? You’re using your loss as a weapon against him.”
Whirling to Milla, I said, “You told her?”
“Of course I did. We never finished our conversation at Aunt El’s, and I wanted her to understand.”
I released a heavy breath. “Fine, you’re right, but I don’t need advice on my relationship.” My voice quivered on the last word.
“Shut up for a minute and listen. I agree with Carmen. It’s time to stop playing this stupid game. You both love each other, and neither of you is cut out for the no-strings thing. There’s only so much a man can take before he gives up.”
Tears rimmed my eyes. I needed to be alone. I held back an emotional hiccup and turned without a word toward the stairs.
“Where are you going?” Milla asked.
I glared at both women. “To take a shower and cool down. I’ve had enough scolding from the two of you.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Thirty minutes later, after a lengthy, hot shower and a heart-wrenching cry, I leaned on my cabin’s balcony, staring into the crisp breeze of the Sound. The captain had set sail moments after I’d left my two annoying best friends in the lounge.
An icy breeze hit my face, and I shuddered, wrapping my robe tighter around me. Thank goodness for the heat lamps on the deck. It kept the wintry chill from destroying the experience of a March sail.
If I was honest with myself, the girls had a point. Max and I both deserved to be happy, but could it be together? My lips trembled and I blew out a deep breath. How many tears did I still have locked inside me?
I grasped the rails and peered into the distance. The cabin door clicked, jerking me from my contemplation.
Great, Milla and Carmen are back for another heart-to-heart.
“The point of having my own yacht is to give me some peace and quiet,” I called out to the occupant of the room. “I’m not in the mood for another lecture.”
“Good. Because I’m not in the mood to talk.”
I whirled to find Max leaning against the glass balcony doors with two sets of handcuffs dangling from his hands. He’d changed and now wore a pair of casual khakis and a ribbed T-shirt that accentuated his sculpted shoulders and arms.
My mouth went dry, and I bit my lip. My Dom stood before me, and he simmered with rage. He stalked toward me and held out his hand, and I, without thought, placed mine in his.
He kept his gaze steady and smiled. “Are you ready to accept your punishment for behaving poorly?”
I swallowed, and then nodded.
“I didn’t hear you.”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, Sir,” I whispered.
The snap of the first cuff jarred me from my haze. I jerked my wrist and found it locked to the balcony railing.
“What—”
“Shhh,” Max placed a finger against my lips. “Be a good girl and follow directions.” He took my other hand and attached it to the metal.
Laughter echoed from above us. It didn’t matter that we were on a two-hundred-foot yacht. If someone wanted, he or she would be able to see the balcony of the owner’s suite from the lounge upstairs. Privacy was questionable.
“Sir, the others will hear our conversation.”
He cocked his head to the side, but remained silent. The realization hit me. He wanted everyone to hear.
Why did that both scare and arouse me?
“Now let me see if my property is still in mint condition.”
He cupped my neck, tilting it to the side as he grazed his five o’clock whiskers against my cheek. “You smell incredible. It’s haunted me for years. Not your soap or your lotion, but you. Sweet and intoxicating.”
His own natural, crisp scent engulfed me, sending a shot straight to my core. He’d barely touched me, and my pussy soaked my thong.
His palm slid down my throat to the opening of my robe. “Are you bare under here or is there a surprise?”
I regarded him through desire-clouded eyes. “Why don’t you find out?”
“My pleasure.” He yanked open my robe, leaving it hanging on my arm
s, and inhaled sharply. The frigid breeze prickled my skin, but the lust-filled survey of my body heated me and had me wanting to sink to my knees.
I stood in front of him in a white, form-fitting Chantilly-lace garter slip connected to thigh-high stockings. Strappy bands crisscrossed over the front as it accentuated my full breasts, which spilled over the tops of the cups. The lace formed a braided pattern down my torso and ended an inch above my matching G-string.
“Did you wear this for me?” His voice gruff and filled with need.
“Yes.”
He traced the zigzag design of the material. “Any particular reason?”
“To apologize for upsetting you.” I moaned aloud as his face brushed my nipple and his fingers pinched the other.
“Why would I be upset?”
“For taking Lex’s racing yacht.” I gasped as he squeezed harder. My core quickened and I exhaled a shallow breath.
“Wrong.” He bit my aching bud through the lace-covered cups. “Try again.”
I cried out, arching toward him. “For flirting with Ian.”
The pressure on both nipples increased to an unendurable level and then eased. “Halfway there. Why else?” His mouth shifted to the other breast, teasing the tip with light licks.
“For taking dangerous chances with the ship?”
“There is that. Why else?”
I went through all the stupid mistakes I’d made over the past twenty-four hours. I had no clue what other things I could have done wrong. “I don’t know.”
He stopped, clutched my hair, and forced my head back, holding it still. His angry green eyes bore into me. “Let me explain,” he said through clenched teeth.
I swallowed and shook.
“You denied seeing anyone, you denied our relationship, and you denied that I mattered. On top of everything else, you let another Dom touch you and believe he had a chance with you.”
He released me. I panted, trying to steady my nerves and heartbeat. He ran a frustrated hand down his face and rested his head against the cabin door. “I’ve never met a more baffling woman. In a matter of years, you went from the perfect submissive to a walking contradiction: dominant in the outside world and a complete submissive in private. I don’t know which way is up with you.”
