by Marie Tuhart
She wiped her mouth with a napkin and took a long drink of her iced tea. At least her stomach had calmed down. It had probably been hunger pangs rather than anything else. And she really hated to admit that Gabriel knew her tastes.
“Better?” he asked, grinning.
“Yes. I was hungry.”
“No more skipping meals, Lexi.”
She opened her mouth to retort, but the clenching of his jaw had her forcing down her words. Was he testing her? Probably. Why did she keep wanting to mouth off to him? Habit, more than likely. She was so used to being in control of her life.
Gabriel pushed away his now finished meal and placed her questionnaire back in the envelope. She tensed. Now what? Was he going to back out of being her Dominant?
“Here’s what we’re going to do, Lexi.”
She drew her lower lip between her teeth.
His gaze darkened. “For the next two weeks you are going to allow me to take control of certain things.”
“What things?” Her heart stuttered.
“Easy things.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “Neither of us is into the Dominate/slave lifestyle, and that’s fine. But to help you get past your control issues, I think I need to take over.”
“I’m not sure.” And she wasn’t. She was used to being on her own, making her own decisions.
“I don’t want to take over your life, Lexi, but do like I did today. Like getting you lunch without asking what you wanted. Simple things.”
“It was a test, wasn’t it?” Oh hell, she’d almost failed it, too.
“Yes.” He tightened his fingers around hers. “I wanted you to see that you could trust me to know what you’d like to eat.”
Lexi blew out a breath. He wasn’t asking anything dramatic of her. But it still had taken all her willpower not to yell at him what she wanted.
“Here’s what I propose we do. We’re going to have lunch each work day here at the cafe. Dinner Friday and Saturday nights.”
“I can handle that.” Nothing more than what they’d already been doing.
“Each day, I’m going to give you a task to complete.”
“What kind of task?” Could she do them? What if she didn’t want to do the task? What if it was outside her comfort zone? Her stomach clenched.
“First task, do not interrupt me.” The sternness returned to his voice.
“Sorry.” This time her fingers tightened around his in apology.
“You need to trust me and this is a way to do it. Plus, when we meet up for lunch or dinner, you give up control to me, be it choosing the food, the restaurant, or picking you up from your home for dinner. All those things.”
She gnawed at the inside of her lip with her teeth. She rarely went anywhere without her car, in case she needed to escape. Her chest began to hurt, and then she took a deep breath to ease the pressure. She could do this. If something happened, she could always get a taxi home. She nodded.
“And you will tell me why you hold onto your control so fiercely.”
Lexi’s spine stiffened. No one knew about that. No one.
“Not today.” Gabriel ran his thumb over her knuckles in a soothing motion. “But I want you to understand you can trust me with anything and everything. I won’t think any less of you.”
“And if I can’t?” What if she couldn’t share that with him? She might be able to trust him and give up some control, but what if she couldn’t explain her childhood to him? An icy shiver trailed up her spine. Her past wasn’t something she wanted to share with anyone. It was too painful.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. We’ll take this a step at a time.” He leaned forward. “I’m to blame for what happened Saturday night.”
She shook her head. “No, Gabriel.”
“As your Dominant, I should have realized you weren’t ready yet.”
“But I was.”
“You weren’t, Lexi. I noticed your tight control, and I honestly thought you’d let go at the club. However, I knew within seconds of securing you to the cross you weren’t ready.”
Her stomach cramped, and she began to wonder if her food was going to stay down. “I embarrassed you.”
“Never.” His features softened. “I don’t care about what anyone at Logan’s club said nor do I need their approval. It’s a safe place for us to play and enjoy each other at this point in time.”
“I have a question.” She really didn’t want to ask it, but she had to. She had to know, if only for her own peace of mind.
“Go ahead.”
“What happens at the end of the two weeks?”
“I’m hoping at that point we can go back to Logan’s and have the best play session the two of us can have.” He leaned back in his chair and looked her straight in the eye with the promise he wouldn’t fail.
Oh God, she wanted that, too. “And if we don’t?” She wished she had his confidence.
“Then we reevaluate and figure out where to go from there.”
Her phone alarm went off, and Lexi jumped. “I need to get back to work.” She slipped her hand away from his and rose.
Gabriel stood. “I’m not going to walk away, Lexi.” He stepped over to her. “I’m in it for the long run.” He gathered her into his arms.
Lexi gazed up at his handsome features. Then he lowered his head. His lips were firm, but gentle. Oh, they’d kissed before, but something was different about this one. His tongue traced her lips before she parted them and his tongue dived in.
Her arms went around his neck, her fingers tangled in his soft hair. He tasted like tea, and she sighed into his mouth. One hand grasped the back of her neck, holding her still as he plundered her mouth, his tongue dueling with hers. He took complete and total control, and it didn’t bother her like she thought it would.
When he broke the kiss, she was hot and her panties moist.
Gabriel gazed down at her with passion in his eyes. “That was just a taste of what I can give you, if you allow it.” He withdrew his arms from around her waist.
“Oh shit,” she whispered, before forcing her hands from his hair. She picked up her purse and fled. Did she just let the tiger out? Or did she willingly walk into the tiger’s cage?
Chapter Two
Gabriel grinned as Lexi rushed from the cafe. He’d made himself clear; he wouldn’t walk away. At least not until their contract was fulfilled, and he still had two weeks to go. He strode out of the cafe and back toward his office. His construction crew was getting used to him taking long lunches with Lexi. But then he only hired the best people to keep his business running in tip top shape.
He enjoyed the challenges construction brought him. He specialized in new home construction and residential remodels. In the last six months, he had some small business owners come to him and ask if he was willing to do building and remodeling for them. A new challenge that he’d taken on gladly.
Like Lexi. Lexi was a challenge. He’d noticed her when she had first started coming to Logan’s about two years ago, one of the few unattached women who came to the club. Gabriel had a submissive at the time, but he had kept an eye on Lexi. She’d turned down more than one Dom, until Josh.
Gabriel’s fingers curled into fists at his sides as he walked quickly down the sidewalk. Josh hadn’t been the right Dom for Lexi, proven when he had walked out on Lexi after she refused to submit to him at the club. Not that Gabriel had blamed her. Josh had been pushing her past her limits, and not in a good way.
Josh had humiliated her in front of everyone at the club by telling her she was worthless because she wouldn’t submit. Two of the DMs had flanked Josh and then escorted him out as Logan had taken Lexi aside.
Gabriel shook his head. The picture of her eyes wide and glassy with tears, the tightness of her facial features combined with a profound sadness. He never wanted to see that look again. But she’d never lost control that night. Most women would have broken down in tears, but not Lexi. She’d sat with her head high where
Logan had left her while he took care of things before driving her home.
Logan later told Gabriel that Josh had left town to take a job in New York, and Gabriel was glad. That had been a year ago. When Lexi had shown back up at the club ten months ago, he was going through his own crisis with his submissive.
He ran a hand through his hair. Last he heard, Angelia was doing fine. She’d completed her rehab and was working in Portland, Oregon. He was happy for her. Angelia deserved a good life. That life just wasn’t with him, and he didn’t mind.
His lips turned up as he came upon his business. Huntington Construction. He’d bought this small parcel of land from the city, put up a small, one-story building, and set up his business. He paused and ran his hand over the stonework he’d done himself. This building was his pride and joy. Gabriel was proud of his business. He pushed open the glass door.
His assistant, Robbie, lifted his bright red head. “Hey, boss.”
“Anything need my attention?” He’d hired Robbie straight out of high school three years ago. Robbie never let him down. He had a knack for keeping all the jobs straight, charming clients, and making sure Gabriel didn’t forget he was the boss.
“Mrs. Wilson called about her remodel, and the lumber specs for the Johnson job are on your desk.”
“Thanks.” Gabriel marched into his office. After sitting down at his desk, he pulled out his cell phone. Time for Lexi’s first assignment.
Lexi, your task for today is to go home after work, remove your underwear, and put on a skirt. I’ll be by at seven.
He sent the text and smiled. He couldn’t wait to get things going tonight with Lexi. She was more responsive than she realized. His skin tingled with the knowledge he’d be touching her body tonight, kissing those red lips and making her groan in pleasure. He shifted in his chair. Tonight couldn’t come quick enough for him.
****
Lexi looked around her bedroom and groaned. Piles of clothing were heaped everywhere. She glanced at the clock. Six forty-five. Fifteen minutes. Oh, hell, what was she going to do? Ever since she received Gabriel’s text, her mind was on the task rather than her work.
Thank goodness today had been a light one at her veterinary office. As the lead veterinarian, she had to be on her toes. But all she could think about was Gabriel’s text instructions. She’d agreed with his plan, and this was just the beginning, so why was she waffling? She drew in a deep breath. She could do this. She wouldn’t let her fear get the best of her.
Finding a skirt that would come below her knees, Lexi slipped it on and drew off her panties. Just standing there without them made her stomach clench. He’s not asking you to go out and flash the neighborhood; this is just for him.
After a couple of deep breathing exercises, her muscles slowly untangled. A knock sounded on her front door. Her bedroom clock said seven. Now or never. She padded to the front door and looked out the peephole. Yep, it was Gabriel. She unlocked the door and opened it.
“Good evening, Lexi.”
“Evening, Gabriel.” Oh, God, he was a sight to behold in the dark jeans and T-shirt molded to his chest, outlining all those fantastic muscles. Her palms itched to trace his pecs. “Come on in.”
His gaze swept over her, and Lexi fought against blushing. The skirt she’d chosen was light and flowing. But every time she moved, air swept up over her thighs, caressing her slit and her ass.
A shiver of awareness scurried up her arms as she closed the door after he walked into the house. “You didn’t say what was on the agenda for tonight.”
“Did you obey my instructions?” His tone was firm, but soft.
Lexi swallowed and nodded.
“Show me.”
Her eyes went wide. He wanted her to show him?
“I’m waiting, Lexi.”
Oh, God, that husky, commanding, Dom voice of his caused her nerves to dance with anticipation. Her nipples pebbled beneath the fabric of her bra. It had never been like this with any man. It made her excited and ready for adventure with him.
Her fear of needing control shot to the surface and she fought it down. She would do this. She would make Gabriel proud. Her fingers fisted in the material and she closed her eyes. No one said she had to watch him as he stared at her bare slit. Slowly she gathered the skirt up until it was above her waist.
Her heart pounded with fear. Fear he’d find her lacking or find fault with her in some way.
“Look at me.”
She pressed her lips together and opened her eyes. His hazel gaze was on her face. He wasn’t looking at her sex. Her fear lessened.
“Beautiful,” he whispered, and her lips turned up. “You please me so much by listening and obeying. You can lower your skirt now.”
Lexi dropped the fabric as a sense of satisfaction and peace flowed through her veins. She’d done as he asked. Not that it had been easy, but she did it, and Gabriel was happy. She was still fighting in inner battle with her control, but at least it wasn’t showing.
“Are you ready for dinner?”
“We’re going out?”
“Yes.” He leaned forward and brushed a light kiss against her lips. “And for being so good, you can put on panties before we leave.”
She pulled back in surprise then saw his grin. He was teasing her. His teasing was new to her. Another aspect of his Dom personality.
“I’ll be ready in five minutes. Make yourself comfortable.” She skipped down the hall to her bedroom.
****
Lexi blew a strand of hair out of her face. Fridays were supposed to be easy days, but not this week. She’d had nothing but emergencies all day and she was the only vet in the office. Starting with a hamster that swallowed a jewelry bead to a German shepherd who decided to attack the garbage truck.
She assured the little boy with the hamster that his animal would be fine and nature would take care of the tiny bead. The owner of the shepherd wasn’t as easy to calm down. The dog had broken his leg, and the whines of pain had pulled at Lexi’s heart strings. After sedating the dog, she’d set the leg and then made sure nothing else was wrong. The dog was bruised and battered, but his leg was the only major issue.
She sent the owner home with pain killers and antibiotics for the dog and advised them if there were any problems to call. Thankfully she wasn’t on call this weekend. She loved her job, but she needed some down time. Plus Gabriel had told her he had plans for her this weekend.
She’d texted Gabriel earlier about having to miss their Friday lunch date, he texted back he understood. He would see her at her house for dinner tonight. She thought back to the last week. She had met Gabriel every day at the cafe, he’d order them something, saunter over to the table, and sit down. They would talk, eat, and then both go back to work. And each day, she had gotten a text from him.
He would show up at her house around seven and make sure she completed the task from his text. Monday had been no panties when she got home. Tuesday, it had been no bra. Wednesday, she was to pleasure herself but not come, and he had thoroughly questioned her when he showed up at her house. Thursday, no bra or panties. And today, nothing yet.
“Hey, Lexi,” Rachael, her assistant said, poking her head around the door of the exam room.
“What’s up?” Rachael’s blonde hair was falling out of her clip. A testament of how busy they’d been.
“Hate to bug you, but we’ve got another emergency.” Her tone was resigned.
Lexi let out a sigh. “Okay, bring them back. Any idea of what happened?”
“No, but the guy asked only for you.”
She nodded and began quickly double checking supplies. She heard footsteps and turned to see Gabriel standing in the doorway. “Gabriel.”
He was the last person she expected to see. But it surprised her at how happy she was to see him.
“Lexi, I need your help.”
His worried tone put her on alert. His hair was mussed, and there was mud on his jeans. His jacket was in his arms, holding a bun
dle of some sort.
“What’s going on?” She automatically held out her arms.
Gabriel gently transferred his burden into her care. “One of my workers found him at the site over on Eighth Street. We don’t know how long he’s been there.”
Lexi peeled back part of the jacket and a nose poked out followed by a whine of part pain and part fear. “Oh, little one.” She set the dog down on the exam table and began unwrapping him from Gabriel’s jacket.
Inside was a mud-covered Lab puppy. He couldn’t be more than a couple of months old, and his entire body shook. The mud made it impossible for her to see the color of his coat.
“Oh, you poor baby.” She ran her hand from the puppy’s head to tail in a soothing motion, not caring about getting dirty.
“I hope I didn’t hurt him. He was hard to catch, but we have big equipment on the site and I was afraid he was going to get run over or something.” Gabriel sidled up to the table.
“Well, first things first. We need to get him cleaned up.” She looked up for Rachael, but didn’t see her. “Rachael?” Lexi pulled Gabriel’s ruined jacket out from underneath the puppy.
“Be there in a few minutes, Doc, I’m kind of stuck at the moment,” Rachel called.
Lexi knew that meant Rachael was helping with the dogs in the back. She looked around. “Gabriel, go over there to the counter, grab the towels. In the first drawer there is a box of baby wipes. Grab them, too.”
He nodded, strode over, grabbed the items, and brought them back to her.
The puppy whined again. “It’s going to be okay, baby.” She pulled out several wipes and began cleaning the mud off.
“Wouldn’t it be easier to give him a bath?” Gabriel asked.
“Normally yes, but I don’t know the extent to his injuries, and a bath could hurt him worse.” More baby wipes. Finally a coat appeared. A golden Lab. When she got him all cleaned up, she sat him on a clean towel and then gently wiped him down with another one.
She listened to his lungs and heart rate. Heart a little fast, but the poor thing was scared. Lungs sounded good. She manipulated his legs and all seemed good there. His tummy was a little swollen.
