Kaylin's Pursuit [The Black Iris Club 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Skye Michaels

  Jack smiled. She was a nice woman, very attractive, and well-spoken. So she wasn’t Kaylin. He needed a jumpstart as well. “Let’s see what we can do about that. I’ll meet you at Le Cirque for lunch tomorrow. How about 12:30? I’ll make a reservation.” He knew he’d be comfortable there. It was one of his favorite New York watering holes. They said goodnight and he kissed her cheek before she left. He was waiting for Barbara to finish up her business duties for the night. Then she and Ross would drop him off at the apartment before they went on to Ross’s place. Jack could see that Barbara had romance on her mind, and he wasn’t going to stand in the way of that.

  At Le Cirque the next day, Jack and Melissa enjoyed a great lunch and some excellent conversation. She was someone he would like to have as a friend, and so he thought he needed to be honest with her. He told her the whole story of Kaylin just as he had told Barbara, and that that was why their encounter was not going to extend to sex.

  “You’re a beautiful woman, Melissa, and I really like you a lot. In other circumstances, say a couple of weeks ago, I would have been all over the opportunity. But I really don’t think I could give anyone that right now. If Kaylin and I don’t work it out, I don’t plan to become a monk. But right now, my head would not be in it, and that wouldn’t be fair to you. So, it’s up to you if you want to continue our deal or not. If you don’t, I’ll reimburse your bid price.”

  “You are a special man, Jack Dalton Brown. It seems I chose well, but not soon enough. Yes, I want my scene with you. All the same reasons still apply. I think you will be good for me, and I want us to be friends no matter what happens with Kaylin. I hope she wises up because she is going to mess up a really good thing.” She continued. “BDSM saved my marriage. Tom wanted to try it. He was bored and didn’t want to have an affair to solve the problem. I could have said no, not for me, but I tried it for him. We both ended up loving it and joining the club. It brought us closer and broke through the barriers that had piled up between us over the years.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence. Let’s talk hard limits, subbie.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Fox Run Ranch in Davie, Florida, Sunday afternoon, July 27, 2014, 12:30 p.m.

  On Sunday afternoon, Kaylin met Gabby at the ranch where she kept her red roan Appaloosa with the blue eyes, Oliver J. Hardy, also known as Ollie. The gelding had a white blanket on his hindquarters and a brown patch around one eye. Gabby laughingly called him the pirate horse, which totally fit his personality. Kaylin met Gabby at Fox Run every chance she got, and Toby, the owner of the stables, generously let her ride one of her horses. They were trotting down the wide greenway along the Orange Drive canal toward Tree Tops Park in West Broward.

  “So, tell me what happened with Jack Brown. You studiously avoid mentioning him every time we talk. Give.”

  Kaylin filled her in. “I was joking for heaven’s sake. I didn’t mean I thought he was depraved. He wouldn’t listen to me after that, just totally cut me off. I haven’t talked to him since. As you know, we closed the case. You have it on your desk now. I know Del called him to tell him we had made an arrest and to thank him for letting us run the op from the club. I haven’t heard a word from him.”

  “Ouch. That stings. Did you have feelings for him, Kay?”

  “Yeah. I guess I did—probably still do. I’ll have to get over it. I’m sure not going to track him down and tackle him.” She giggled as she remembered that time on the roof. “Maybe I should flip him on his back like a turtle and make him listen.” She recounted that episode to Gabby, and they were both laughing their heads off. It felt so good to unburden herself to a nonjudgmental listener who wouldn’t say, “I told you so.”

  “Don’t be so stubborn that you cut off your own nose…”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. But he’s the one who’s stubborn. I tried to explain and apologized repeatedly. He wasn’t listening.”

  “I can see you’re hurting, babe. I’m sorry about that. I thought he might be the one—kink aside. He seems to be on the up and up in all other ways, and he definitely seemed to be into you. Who is to say what’s abnormal between two people? Now, three people, not going to go there.” Gabby was cackling as she spurred Ollie into an easy lope while Kaylin and her mount scrambled to catch up.

  Kaylin was giggling and out of breath after Blarney’s rocket blast off. The big, red App stallion who had been born on St. Paddy’s Day wasn’t going to be left behind by his friend. “Really,” she gasped. “Three would definitely be over the top.” After a leisurely ride through the park, they continued east along Orange Drive past the Rodeo Arena and into downtown Davie. They rode their horses through the drive-thru of the local McDonald’s for Cokes. This was the only McDonald’s they knew of that had a corral for horses and where people routinely rode through the drive-thru—ha! Without cars.

  They continued to hash over the situation on the long ride back to the ranch. Unfortunately, a solution to the problem of Jack Dalton Brown, that stubborn shit, had not been reached. But Kaylin definitely felt better for unloading on her friend.

  * * * *

  Kaylin was reading the Sunday New York Times, the only paper she had delivered, on her patio on Sunday evening. She had already done most of the crossword puzzle. She had a plate of nachos dripping with cheese and smothered in jalapeños on the table and was sipping a cold beer when she turned to the society pages. There was a picture two columns wide of Ms. Melissa Gantry with Mr. Jack Dalton Brown in tow after her winning bid on him at the annual Bachelor Auction hosted by Ms. Barbara Brown benefiting The Sanctuary Women and Children’s Shelter in New York City on Saturday night. Well, hi there, Jackie Boy, as Del would have said. It didn’t take you long to hook up with another willing victim. A hand closed around her heart and squeezed—tight. Well, now she knew. It would be pointless to think about patching things up with Jack. He had apparently already moved on. No grass grows under that boy’s feet. She felt the unwelcome tears rolling down her cheeks.

  Chapter Twelve

  Barbara Brown’s duplex apartment overlooking Central Park, New York, New York, Sunday evening, July 27, 2014, 7:30 p.m.

  Sunday night, Jack and Barbara had their feet up on the coffee table while they shared a pizza and beer. Barbara had wandered home from Ross’s place late that afternoon looking sublimely satisfied. Whatever they did, whatever their arrangement, it worked for them.

  “I’m going to meet Melissa at the club tomorrow for our scene. We talked it out over lunch this afternoon, and she understands where I’m coming from. She really is a special lady. If I had met her before I got involved with Kaylin, things might have been different.”

  “Well, at least you were up front with her and won’t be leaving her wondering why you never called. That is the cruelest thing a man can do to a woman—have a great date or two and then just disappear into the ether, never to be heard from again. That just sucks. It’s one of the reasons I’m a Domme. I do the calling on my terms.”

  “That you do, and I intend to do the same. Barb, I know I promised to stay for a while, but I think I’m going to fly home on Tuesday. I’m going to rattle Detective Kaylin Gallagher’s cage a little when I get home and see what shakes out.”

  * * * *

  Le Club Eastside, Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York, Monday night, July 28, 2014, 8:30, p.m.

  Melissa Gantry was waiting in the foyer at Le Club Eastside. She had been nervous all day, and if she admitted it to herself, she was disappointed. She understood Jack’s situation with the recalcitrant Kaylin, but she couldn’t help wishing she’d had a chance to reel in the gorgeous and so very nice Jack Dalton Brown for herself. I guess I’ll have to settle for a good orgasm or two and maybe a lifetime friend. All in all, maybe not such a bad deal. The money had been for charity, not for sex. It was a donation she would have made anyway. The bachelor was a bonus.

  When Jack walked in, her heart did a little stutter. He had looked fabulous in a tux and cowboy boots, but in
tight, black jeans that rode low on his hips and a leather vest over his sleekly muscled chest, he took her breath away. She wanted to lick her way up and back down that chest to the prize. He was delicious.

  Jack took her hand and led her into the dungeon. “We’re in the scene, sub. Stow your clothes in your locker and get wrist and ankle cuffs. Put them on and then stand at parade rest, arms behind your back and feet spread apart. I’ll check the cuffs for fit.” His voice seemed to have gotten an octave lower, and his chest and arm muscles even bigger. They had already discussed hard limits, safe words, and what they each expected from the scene, so she thought she was ready. But when she saw Jack in Dom mode, she wasn’t so sure. He had a Dominant presence she hadn’t expected given his easy, pleasant personality. Perception was everything, she guessed. In a social situation, he was social. In a Dom/sub situation, he was Dominant. When she came back naked except for her padded wrist and ankle cuffs and stood with her head bowed in the position he had indicated he smiled. “Very nice, sub. Let me check the cuffs.” He adjusted the fit and made sure the cuffs were not chafing her skin. “Okay. I think we’ll try the St. Andrew’s cross.”

  When she was bound snugly to the cross, arms and legs spread wide, he stepped back and just looked at her. She could swear she felt his gaze moving over her skin—sliding down her back, over her butt, between her legs—and he hadn’t touched her yet. The man was powerful. He was the Master Dom. She was the sub. She had craved this since Tom’s death, and Jack was going to give it to her. She was grateful for that and intended to enjoy every minute she had with him. This was her time, and she knew she was his focus and had his full attention.

  * * * *

  Jack was thinking about what to do that Melissa would enjoy without going beyond his own comfort level at this time. A few months ago he would have had no compunction about fucking the lovely and willing Melissa. That was pre-Kaylin. He didn’t know if he should allow their currently “off” relationship to govern his actions. He just knew he wasn’t comfortable going the whole nine yards for the touchdown.

  He came up close behind Melissa and let her feel his warmth against her naked back and butt. He nestled his admittedly hard cock into the crack of her ass. This was going to be harder on him than he had thought. Melissa was a very desirable woman, and he was a man. She had indicated to him at lunch yesterday that she wanted a good spanking and possibly manual sex. He could go that far. Intercourse and oral sex were off the table, but seeing to his sub in other ways and good aftercare was definitely a go.

  Jack used his big hands to massage Melissa’s slightly tense shoulders until she groaned her appreciation, and he could feel her muscles ease under his touch. He ran his hands around the front of her body, up her rib cage, and over her plump breasts. He teased her nipples until they hardened to tight nubs. “Much better, sub. Relax. Your Master is going to take care of everything.” He ran his lips and tongue down her spine from her neck to the top of her butt where he administered a light bite. “I think my subbie needs some correction for her naughty thoughts about her Master. What do you think, sub?”

  “Whatever my Master desires.” He could hear the anticipation in her breathy voice. Good. His hands and mouth were doing the job, and her own active imagination was doing the rest. He continued the massage down her back and over the nicely rounded ass it would be a pleasure to spank. His job was to seduce her into compliance, and it appeared he had done that. She was eager for his touch.

  When she pushed her butt into his crotch in what he knew was an involuntary response, he delivered a sharp smack to her ass quickly followed by two more. “Naughty sub. You get the pleasure I give you. No topping from the bottom.” He punctuated his statement with another slap to her bottom. It was pinking up nicely. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Do you like that, sub? Do you want your Master’s hand on your ass?”

  “Yes, please, Master. Please correct this disobedient sub.”

  He continued to smack her bottom, giving her sharp slaps until the sting in his own palm became uncomfortable. She was moaning and tipping her ass up to receive her punishment. He could tell she wanted more, but he thought he had given her enough. He didn’t want to bruise her delicate skin. He slipped his hand down between her thighs and felt the warm cream gathered on her pussy. Melissa had enjoyed her spanking.

  Jack used his long elegant fingers to lightly play with her wet pussy. He spread the lips and plunged two fingers into her center. He began to pump them in and out to mimic the motions of fucking. She tilted her ass to grant him more access and began to pump her hips in time with his motions. She was close. She was straining toward completion. He could feel her orgasm teetering on the edge. He withdrew his finger to her moaned protest and knelt down behind her. He breathed a hot breath against her clit and then blew a cool one. He replaced his fingers in her pussy while his thumb went to work on her pulsing clit. She blasted into a shuddering orgasm that shook her body until she collapsed in her restraints and hung from the crossbars.

  He gave her a few moments to come down before he pushed his hard cock up against her center and began to rub against her from behind. She came again, and this time she seemed to slip into subspace. He stopped before he came himself, and then he gently disengaged her restraints and picked her up. He walked over to the seating area and grabbed a soft cotton blanket. He sat down with her in his lap and covered her. She nestled her bottom against his rampant hard-on and settled in. Finally, she cuddled up against him like a sleepy kitten, and her silky blonde hair spilled over his chest. He just held her while his own discomfort slowly abated. Yeah, this was a lot harder than he had thought it would be.

  * * * *

  Melissa knew she had zoned out. When she was back, she wanted to give her Master the pleasure he deserved. She felt his hard-on under her bottom. She tentatively reached her hand down to the front of his jeans and slid the straining zipper down over his impressive package. If he didn’t stop her, she wanted to bring him relief with her hands. She didn’t know if that would go against the restrictions he had placed on their encounter. She didn’t think so. After all, it wasn’t intercourse.

  When his straining cock popped out from behind the zipper, he groaned. She took that for acceptance and began to lightly massage his hard shaft. He didn’t protest those ministrations, and she quickly slipped off his lap to her knees between his legs. She took his thick cock between her hands and proceeded to massage the length of him. His cock was beautiful—long and thick with a full mushroom tip and prominent veins. She ached to have him in her mouth, but she knew he would not permit that. After a few minutes of rubbing his length he began to pump into her hands. She had learned that technique from her husband, and she had not thought she would ever have need of it again. It was a lesson she was glad to have learned as Jack came in her hands with several mighty spurts. She cleaned him, tucked him back in, and climbed back into his lap. They both relaxed in the aftermath of sublime pleasure.

  “Thank you, subbie. I probably shouldn’t have let you do that, but truthfully, I really needed it.”

  “It was my greatest pleasure, Master.”

  * * * *

  When Melissa and Jack had both showered and changed into street clothes, they met in the foyer of the club. “Can I take you out to dinner, Melissa? I could do Italian right now. I’m starved.”

  “Thank you, Jack, but I think I should just go home. I enjoyed our scene, but I don’t want to prolong something I can’t have again.” She sighed. “I’d like us to remain friends and keep in touch, but I don’t think I can handle any more right now.”

  “Are you sure? A friendly dinner wouldn’t be out of bounds.”

  “No, my friend. Good luck with Kaylin. I hope you can work it out with her. You are an extraordinary man. I wish we could have more, but that is not in the cards.” She walked out the door to the waiting taxi she had called. She walked with dignity, head held high. She glanced back over her shoulder and gave him a little wave before s
he climbed into the taxi and it took off out the gates. She had managed to hold her tears in check until she closed the door, and then they rolled down her cheeks with abandon.

  * * * *

  Jack smiled. The woman had class. A different time, a different place… He hoped Melissa found a good Master and a good man to bring her happiness. She deserved the best.

  He would fly home tomorrow. Barbara would be disappointed he wasn’t staying longer, but she would understand. He was ready to go home and see if he and Kaylin could work things out. He hoped so. If not, he would have given it his best try. He had needed this week to get his head straight.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kaylin Gallagher’s bungalow in the Rio Vista section of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Friday night, August 1, 2014, 7:15 p.m.

  Jack had been home for several days. A lot of work had piled up on his desk, and he had been thinking about what he wanted to say to Kaylin. Frankly, he had been dragging his feet. This was not going to be as easy as he had thought. Finally, he decided to just bite the bullet, go over to her house, and wait for her to come home. He knew she owned a house in Rio Vista, south on Federal Highway, really just a stone’s throw away from the building. He could probably see it from his apartment if he were able to pick it out in the heavy tree cover.

  He parked his car in front of the house next door, got out, and went up on her porch. He sat down in the rattan swing hanging from the open rafters and tried to relax. He closed his eyes and did some deep breathing. Wasn’t helping. He hadn’t seen her in two weeks. God, it seemed like a long time.

  Kaylin’s SUV pulled up in front of her house. She got out with her house keys in one hand and her handbag and briefcase in the other. She came up the front walk and mounted the steps to the front door before she saw him sitting quietly in the swing.