Crime & Punishment 2: Master Delacroix

by Trista Ann Michaels

  With a trunk full of clothes and a tank full of gas, she thought a little fast driving might help to undo her tension. The light turned red, and she hit the brakes. She braced her hands against the wheel and giggled slightly as she slammed back into the driver’s seat when her Camaro came to a hard stop.

  A car pulled up beside her, and she glanced over at the sleek, black Jag convertible. Her gaze met the man behind the steering wheel, and she gasped, shocked at the amber eyes staring back at her over the rim of his sunglasses. “Master Delacroix,” she said, surprised she could even find her voice. “Are you following me?”

  “You bet your ass,” he drawled. His deep voice and sexy grin made her insides quiver. He pushed his glasses back up his nose. “That car is hard to miss. Meet me at Starbucks two lights down on the right.”

  Before she could answer, the light turned green, and he sped away, leaving her staring after him like an idiot. The car behind her honked their horn, and she quickly hit the gas, taking off after Nathan.

  What were the odds of meeting him like this? Low, that’s what. Peter would swear it was fate. Connelly was a little more cautious, as well as a lot more skeptical.

  She pulled into the parking lot next to him and watched as he climbed from his car with a grace that made her swallow a lump of lust. Black hair with hints of red, black slacks, white shirt, and a striped tie loosened at the neck added to his overall sex appeal and made her want to swoon.

  A warm breeze blew, ruffling the unruly waves of his hair. She had an insane desire to run her fingers through it to straighten it out.

  Pulling herself together, she opened her door and stepped out. “You’re awfully sure of yourself, aren’t you?” she said as he walked closer.

  One side of his mouth lifted, but his eyes were still hidden behind his glasses. A well-groomed, close-shaved beard and mustache covered his jaw and framed a mouth that could kiss like the devil. God, he looked so good.

  “All you had to do was say no.”

  She opened her mouth, prepared to tell him he hadn’t given her a chance, then changed her mind. She wasn’t really angry with him, just shocked to see him. Especially after she’d been fantasizing about him most of the morning.

  A blush covered her cheeks, and she quickly brushed past him to head inside. Thank God it was hot and she could blame her red cheeks on the heat. She could’ve sworn she heard his soft chuckle behind her but chose to ignore it as they headed inside the crowded coffee shop.

  She stepped up to the counter and ordered, “A tall no-fat white chocolate mocha, no whipped cream please.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Name?”

  “Connie.”

  “And you, sir?” the cashier asked.

  Connelly didn’t miss the appreciative stare or the way the young girl batted her eyelashes. Pursing her lips, she dropped her stare to the counter to hide her amused grin.

  “I’ll have a tall, double-shot mocha with all the bad stuff,” Nathan replied.

  “Name?” the young girl asked prettily.

  “Nathan.”

  “Nathan,” she repeated and smiled.

  Wow, Connelly thought. Nothing like just openly flirting with the guy like she wasn’t even there. But then she was used to that. Most pretty girls found it hard to believe she would be with someone who looked like Nathan.

  “Thank you,” Nathan said as he handed the girl his credit card with one hand and placed his other on Connelly’s upper back, rubbing her affectionately.

  Apparently Young Pretty Girl got the hint, and her smile faded somewhat as she ran his card. Connelly again had to bite her lip to keep from grinning. Yeah, it was childish, but it still felt good.

  She and Nathan moved down the counter to wait for their drinks.

  “Thank you for all the help on the bad guy. Your suggestions were perfect,” Connelly said.

  Nathan gave her a smile before turning and grabbing their drinks from the counter. He nodded toward an empty table in the corner. Connelly followed.

  “I’m glad I could help. I’m not sure you needed it, though. You’ve written some very good bad guys over the years.”

  “Bad guys are easy,” she said as she took the seat next to him. “I was really surprised to see you here. What are you doing on this end of town?”

  “I had a meeting with a realtor. I’m selling my downtown condo.”

  Connelly nodded. That must’ve set him back a pretty penny, but she doubted Nathan worried too much about money.

  “I’m actually glad I ran across you,” he said.

  She took a sip of her coffee in an attempt to slow her beating heart, not that caffeine would help that any. “Why?” she asked, then inwardly cringed. That sounded so bad.

  “I’m having a small pool party this Thursday night. It’s a party separate from the club festivities. It’s much smaller, more intimate. I thought you might be interested in attending.”

  Oh, boy was she.

  In an effort to appear nonchalant, she shrugged one shoulder. “It would be good, you know, for more writing material, but…”

  NATHAN FELT THE struggle inside her. She wanted to come, but something held her back. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. It wasn’t insecurity; it was more a wariness.

  “Did the club frighten you the other night?” he asked, although he knew it hadn’t, but maybe by asking questions, whatever thoughts were eluding him would surface.

  She snorted. Nathan couldn’t help but grin at the horrified look that briefly crossed her face. She obviously hadn’t meant to make that sound. He found her adorable, especially today with her curls windswept and her cheeks flushed pink. She was dressed simply in a pair of jeans and an Atlanta Braves jersey.

  Was she a baseball fan like him?

  “The club didn’t frighten me,” she said softly. “Just…”

  There it was. It wasn’t the club she was afraid of. It was him and her reaction to his touch.

  “If you came, would you prefer to play with another Dom?” he asked.

  She licked her lips and lifted her cup to take another sip in an obvious attempt to stall.

  “You have to be honest with me, Connelly. Especially if you want to play at the club.”

  “No, I don’t want…” She took a breath before continuing. “I don’t want to play with another Dom.”

  “But you’re not sure you want to continue to play with me either.”

  She frowned. “How the hell do you do that?”

  Nathan chuckled as several people turned to stare at them in curiosity. Connelly noticed them, and her cheeks flamed deep red.

  “It’s part of being a good Dom.”

  “It’s incredibly unnerving,” she snarled in a lower voice. “Can I think about it?”

  “Of course you can,” he replied.

  “Is your brother still in town?” she asked.

  Nathan raised an eyebrow.

  “I was just curious. I’m not asking because I want to play with him.”

  Nathan’s lips twitched. What was it about her that made him want to get closer? He reached out and touched her arm with the tips of his fingers and slowly drew them along her flesh. Goose bumps rose under his touch as he answered her. “Daniel is still here. He wants to learn more about BDSM and being a Dom. You apparently intrigued him.”

  Connelly glanced down at her arm but didn’t move it. She licked her lips in what Nathan perceived as a nervous reaction, especially when he felt the lust radiating off her in waves. If they’d been somewhere private, he would’ve already had her bent over the table and buried balls-deep inside her. He would bet she was wet and, if not for the crowded coffee shop, would touch between her legs to feel for himself. He was tempted to do it anyway. It wouldn’t be the first time.

  “Was it me or just the atmosphere?” she asked, and Nathan had to really focus to remember what they’d been talking about.

  “Maybe a little of both,” he said as he slowly drew his fingers along her forearm.


  The longer he sat here, the more he wanted to touch her, taste her. What would she think if he turned Dom and ordered her into the restroom? Would she run? Would she obey?

  He leaned over and slowly inhaled her scent. She reminded him of warm sunshine, vanilla, and coffee. For the first time in years, he felt his control slipping.

  “What is this party like?” she asked.

  He moved closer and kept his voice low. “We barbeque, play pool games.” His lips twitched as her sultry gaze met his. “We fuck on the patio furniture.”

  “So an orgy,” she whispered.

  He could see her rapid pulse throbbing in her neck, see the quick rise and fall of her breathing. She wanted him right now as much as he wanted her.

  “Some people might call it that.”

  She backed up a little, sitting straighter in her chair. “We probably shouldn’t be talking about this here.”

  He grinned and put his hand high on her thigh, very close to her pussy. He watched her swallow, her cheeks get red, her eyes turn smoky blue.

  “Talking about it is probably a better alternative than actually doing what I would like to.”

  “And what’s that?” she asked in a strained voice.

  He lifted his hand and grabbed her jersey between her breasts. With a tug, he pulled her toward him so he could whisper in her ear. “Right now, I don’t want to wait for the party. Right now, I want to order you into that restroom, rip your pants off, and fuck you.”

  “You are a very bad man, Mister Delacroix,” she whispered.

  Nathan grinned. “That’s Master.”

  He discreetly rubbed his pinky across her nipple. He could feel it harden beneath her bra, just like his cock had hardened in his pants.

  “You wouldn’t,” she breathed.

  He could hear words coming through his head. “Please. Fuck. Now. No.” She fought a battle with herself. Part of her wanting to do it. Part of her scared to death. He actually liked that warring part of her. He could chase her, seduce her, maybe even frighten her a little. Was that what had him so hot for her right now?

  Nathan grinned. “Wouldn’t what? Order you in there? Bend you over the sink?” He blew softly in her ear and didn’t miss the shudder that moved through her body. “I’m not a small man, so it would hurt a little at first, especially for a woman who hadn’t been fucked in a while. But you would take it. Every inch.” He flicked his pinky over her nipple again and smiled at her sudden intake of breath. “I would take you hard and deep. The head of my thick cock would bump your cervix, making you tremble.”

  Connelly swallowed, and her breathing increased.

  “You would whimper and moan, begging for more. I’d slap that delectable ass so hard you’d cry out.”

  “Nath-Nathan,” she sputtered. “Umm.”

  Glass shattered behind her, causing her to jump and squeal in surprise. Nathan let go of her shirt and chuckled. He glanced over her shoulder to the startled barista who’d dropped a tray full of glass cups.

  “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “Did anything hit you?”

  Connelly glanced down at herself and then the floor. She still looked a little shell-shocked. “No. I’m fine. It just startled me.”

  The waitress knelt to pick up the pieces. “Don’t do that,” Nathan said as he stood and walked over. “You’ll cut yourself. Go get a broom.”

  The young girl did as he said without question, which should’ve surprised Connelly but didn’t. What woman could refuse him when he spoke in that authoritative Dom voice of his?

  He glanced down at Connelly and smiled. “Saved by the shattering glass.”

  Her eyes narrowed, and he couldn’t help but chuckle again. He loved her little sparks of fire. The barista returned, and Nathan helped her clean up the mess, then walked Connelly out to her car. She put her sunglasses on, preventing him from seeing her eyes, but he could still sense her arousal.

  “See you Thursday?” he asked.

  She looked up at him and nodded silently. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Then no masturbating between now and then.”

  She back away. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. And Connelly,” he added in a low voice. “I’ll know.”

  Her mouth fell open, and he could sense she was about to say something—most likely something that would get her spanked on Thursday, but she apparently changed her mind and clamped her mouth closed. That didn’t stop him from hearing her thoughts as they floated between them.

  “Arrogant. High-handed. Condescending. Okay, sexy as hell.”

  Nathan fought a grin at that last one. He wasn’t sure what to think of this. Her thoughts in his head? It made no sense. And they weren’t even complete sentences, just jumbled words that came across when her emotions seemed to be the highest. In the past, if he concentrated very hard and the other person did as well, he might be able to pick up on one word, but he’d never been able to do anything like this.

  He wondered, if he could read her this well, could he put his thoughts into her head? Now that would be an interesting experiment.

  “You’re seriously going to make me wait?” she asked.

  “Yes, I am.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “And does this go for you as well?”

  He smiled. “You’re adorable when you’re pissed.”

  She blushed and started to say something, but Nathan cut her off by covering her mouth with his. She whimpered into his kiss and sagged against him. He wrapped his arms around her back, holding her close as he slid his tongue past her parted lips.

  She tasted of coffee and chocolate and smelled of spiced vanilla. Her tongue touched his, and he growled low in his throat. She made him crazy. He wondered if she was even aware of just what kind of effect she had on him. God help him if she figured it out.

  He broke the kiss and placed a quick one on the tip of her nose. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, “See you Thursday, pet. It’s a pool party, so wear only a cover.”

  As he backed away, she reached behind her and gripped the car door for support. The lust glowing in her eyes made his own libido scream to take her, but he held himself in check. Thursday would be the time for that. He just wished it wasn’t so damn far away.

  He put his sunglasses on as he climbed behind the wheel of his car. Connelly still stood by her car with her face flushed, eyes narrowed, and her hard nipples poking through her bra and shirt. She would have a hard time not pleasuring herself. With a smile, he waved and pulled out of the parking lot. He was curious to see if she would actually follow his command and not masturbate.

  Chapter Ten

  Connelly sat in her car at the entrance to the parking lot and just stared at the house. She still couldn’t believe she was actually considering this. She glanced down at the bathing suit cover and tugged at it, trying to pull it toward her knees. She had the top up so the hot sun wouldn’t burn the fair skin on her thighs.

  God, what the hell was she doing here?

  All week she’d thought of nothing but Nathan and the things he’d said to her at Starbucks. Even thinking about it now had her stomach tightening. Her nipples ached behind the terrycloth cover. She rubbed at the back of her neck, arguing with herself over what to do.

  She wanted to go in. She wanted to see and experience more of this dark world, but…God, Nathan was so… He intimidated her, and she didn’t like it. One crook of his finger and she’d be whatever he wanted her to be. That didn’t sit well with her. At all.

  She didn’t want to be someone’s beck-and-call girl. She didn’t want someone having that much control over her. Even her husband hadn’t had that much control. Unfortunately, the possibility of sex with Nathan was too good to pass up. But how long could she do this before she became attached? And then got hurt?

  “This isn’t good,” she grumbled to herself.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” a deep voice said before knuckles rapped against the window.

  Connelly screamed and put her hand
over her heart. She turned to look out the driver’s side window and at first thought she was looking at Nathan, then realized it was Daniel’s more clean-cut face staring at her with curiosity.

  “What the hell are you doing just sitting here?” he asked with amusement. “You have the parking lot blocked.”

  She glanced quickly in her rearview mirror and noticed with embarrassment the large black SUV parked behind her. She rolled her window down to talk to Daniel. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t even hear you pull up.”

  “You okay?” he asked as his gaze turned from amusement to concern. “You look a little green.”

  “I’m okay. Just nervous.”

  Daniel smiled softly. “No reason to be nervous. Nathan can be a bit demanding, but he’s more interested in your pleasure than hurting you.”

  “I know. It’s not that, it’s…”

  “Come on, Connie,” Daniel said with a grin. “You only live once, right?”

  She drew in a deep breath and nodded. “Right.”

  “Valet isn’t out today, so pull up and park at the front. I’ll be right behind you.”

  Connelly noticed her fingers shook slightly as she pushed the button to roll the window back up. Daniel was right. She fisted her fingers to stop the shaking, then put her car into gear and drove to the parking spaces toward the front of the building.

  She would only live once. She hadn’t been having a lot of real fun lately, so this could be her new start. Fun sex with a man or men she would never see outside the confines of the club. Her lips twisted. Unless she ran into them at Starbucks and they put all kinds of wickedly kinky ideas in her head that she couldn’t stop thinking about.

  She turned the wheel and pulled into an empty spot next to a blue BMW. Daniel parked next to her and climbed out. Connelly turned off the engine but remained behind the wheel. Why was she being such a wuss today? She wanted to have sex with Nathan. She had since he’d talked her through his bathroom scenario that had had her masturbating twice that night before going to sleep as well as several other times the nights after.