Take a Chance

by Lavender Daye

  “I’ll be back.” He disappeared into the crowd and she ordered a fresh glass of white wine.

  “Well?”

  Sara leaned close to her sister. “Well, what?”

  “Who is he? Do you like him?” As twins, they’d shared everything for the last twenty-four years. Sometimes verbal worked, sometimes the info passing from one to the other was more intuitive. For the most part, Sara preferred to keep her love life a little more private. “Ethan.”

  Susan gave her a nod, her right brow rising in a miniscule query, but she let it wait, thank God. Picking apart a man she met in a bar and danced with one time wasn’t how she wanted to spend the evening.

  A few minutes later, Kellie leaned in and whispered, “Who’s the guy? Did you ask him for another wine?”

  Ethan was making his way through the crowd surrounding the dance floor. She sent Kellie a quick shake of her head before he got to their table and then sighed when she lost sight of him in the crowd. Hard to know if her luck was good or bad.

  A few minutes later, he reappeared with a beer and a glass of white wine in hand. Insinuating himself between her chair and that of her sister, he set the glass in front of her and pressed his face into her hair close to her ear. Instead of speaking, he left wet kisses along her jaw and nibbled her earlobe.

  Different, considering they’d barely met.

  She reached for the wine and Kellie tapped her finger on the fresh glass the waitress had brought, a nice white napkin under it. Sara took a sip and kept it in her hand. When he tugged her back to the dance floor, she handed her wine to Kellie for safekeeping. When they returned to the table, the other glass had disappeared.

  Thankful for good friends, she shimmied back onto the bar chair and sipped her wine. Ethan hovered. Kellie leaned close and asked, “You okay?”

  The only response she could think of was wide eyes and a shrug. They danced again, and when he brought her back to the table, he kissed her full on the mouth. His kiss was a lot like his vocabulary, direct and to the point without a lot of hearts and flowers. The tip of his tongue brushed her bottom lip for a few seconds and disappeared when he pulled back.

  His wallet landed on the table and he extricated two business cards, sliding both to her along with a short golf pencil. Great. A boy scout on the make.

  “Give me your number and I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Afterwards, they watched him walk out the door before the giggles started.

  “What was that? Did you give him your real number?” Susan asked.

  Sara grinned. “Yes. He’s just quiet, but he’s a decent dancer—”

  “And a decent kisser?” Kellie asked.

  More laughter. “Yes, that, too. Sort of.”

  “You’ll go out with him?” Susan asked.

  “Sure, why not? So he’s quiet. I can deal with that, and he’s kind of cute.”

  “Just be careful, Sara. Weirdoes are everywhere these days.”

  “I’m willing to take a chance on love. He could very well be Mr. Right.”

  Kellie smiled. “I’d be happy with a Mr. Right Now. I just can’t find a decent guy anywhere. My roommate hogs all the good ones,” she said with a long look at Susan.

  “Hey, he’s mine, all mine, even if he has to work the late shift on Fridays.” Susan glanced at her watch and scooted off the chair. “I need to get home. You ready, Kellie?”

  “What happened to that guy you were dating, Kellie?” Sara asked. “I thought you said he was the one.”

  “He’s taking a semester off to travel abroad.”

  “Wow. Must be nice to have money,” Sara said. “So, you’re taking a break from the relationship game?”

  “Yes. We agreed to see other people, but I’m not in a hurry. I think being single is a good idea for me right now.”

  Sara and Susan shared a look. They’d both seen Kellie with bruises on her arms and legs. Marks she’d had a quick excuse for, but still, they worried. Didn’t help that the guy was someone neither of them liked.

  “Maybe you’ll meet someone sweet,” Sara suggested.

  Kellie shook her head in her friend’s direction. “No. I just got into grad school, and I don’t want to go through the process again. Besides, I’m not really interested in a long term relationship right now.”

  “Wise choice. I don’t want to get hitched, either. Sara? You thinking about marriage?” Susan asked her sister, knowing the answer before it was voiced.

  “Hell, no. But a little fun would be nice.” Sara leaned against the side of her car, the parking lot’s lights reinforcing their sense of safety.

  “What really happened with Dena tonight?” Kellie asked once she and Susan joined her.

  “She had a date with the guy that saved her this morning, but she was home by ten. Don’t ask me why. She wouldn’t say. We’ll get the whole story tomorrow at breakfast.”

  Chapter 5

  Steve spent most of his day in the office, his mind split along two lines of thought. He put together a prospectus for the security system he wanted to install at Lindsay & Associates while his libido worked on a training plan for cute little Dena Lindsay.

  Mark was right. Simon would never willingly condone the introduction of BDSM to his baby sister. However, she was a helluva lot more than a baby. And she needed the discipline and self-control he could give her.

  He flashed to an image of what might happen to such a sweet young lady if she offered herself up to the wrong man. A jackass who didn’t know what to do with her or how to treat her would screw up the rest of her life with little effort.

  Not happening on his watch.

  She’d responded to his voice. That alone made her susceptible to the lifestyle. With careful training, Miss Dena would be a perfect submissive. He hit print on the Lindsay file and switched to the notepad on his desk. Half a shopping list already existed for tonight’s date.

  He needed to pick up a new cloth restraint, nothing but the best and softest fabric for Dena. There’d be plenty of time to work around to the more extreme aspects of his lifestyle and he’d take it slow. A little gentle bondage and sex would set her on fire. Once he’d banked the first flame, he’d work on building the bonfire one date at a time.

  He’d done a little research on her early this morning. Hell, sleep had been sporadic last night, his mind already processing the steps to making her his. What she’d told him about her brothers was true. They’d interfered in her life regularly and some of the men, rather. The boys she’d dated had posted shit on social media complaining about the trouble her brothers caused.

  Of course, he’d worked a little magic and most of those posts were wiped. A few would require more time than he had at the moment, but they’d disappear soon.

  He tore off the top sheet of his notepad and stuck it in his pocket, sure he’d find a few other items at Private Delights to borrow when he stopped on the way home. The club was damn near ready to open and he wanted to see what the private rooms looked like. The design specs had been tight, but he wanted to set eyes on the real thing.

  When he stopped by yesterday, he’d been roped into working and hadn’t had a chance to look around. Mark assured him things were on track for the opening, but he wanted to see for himself.

  Half an hour later, he walked through the front door. Man, the place had changed overnight. As he made his way to the main staircase, he noticed all the little details that made the club a work of art. Mark and Derek had done an excellent job putting the place together.

  At the top of the stairs, he took a right and looked for the room number he’d been assigned. His membership privileges gave him access to the entire building and to one well-stocked private room. He was looking forward to seeing what Mark and Derek had deemed must-have items for every room. He pushed down on the door lever and nothing happened.

  Dammit. They’d already set the locks. Now, he’d have to hunt down one of them and find out where to get his keycard. Best place to start would be Mark’s office. Mi
ldred, his personal assistant, kept close tabs on her boss and all his business dealings. A true asset to the club and Mark’s other businesses.

  Sure as shitting, the older woman with clear, no nonsense eyes and steel gray hair was at her desk.

  “Welcome, Master Steve. How can I help you?”

  Steve leaned a hip against the corner of her desk and gave her his best smile. “Mildred, so good to see you. How’s things?” Getting a smile out of her was a game they played regularly, and he didn’t often win. Screwing with the English language usual got him a slap on the wrist or at least a dirty look. Today, not so much as a flick of the finger.

  “Everything is progressing nicely. What do you need?”

  “Well, ma’am, I’d like to get into my private room, but it appears the locks have been set. Any idea where I can get my keycard?”

  “I believe I can help you, Master Steve.”

  “Thank you,” he replied. She’d been Mark’s assistant for several years, and while she calmly took care of their business interests, the three men treated her as they would a favorite aunt. She was married to Mark’s uncle, so they weren’t too far off the map with her, and she treated them like the children she never had. All of them could be downright belligerent and foulmouthed, but when she was around, they curbed it as much as nature allowed.

  Mildred opened a ledger on her desk. “Please sign next to your name.”

  While he scribbled what he called his signature, she pulled a short stack of cards from the drawer and located his.

  “Are those the only cards? I must be the last one to get mine.”

  “No, Master Steve. The cards are grouped by number. There are several stacks still in the drawer.”

  He offered her a smile, hoping she might reciprocate. Rarely happened, and today was one of those days. “Thank God. I thought we might end up broke if we didn’t get enough members.”

  She nodded her head and said, “No worries.” A softly worded dismissal from her, she turned back to her screen and keyboard.

  Steve stood there a minute or three, admiring her squared shoulders and slender throat. An attractive woman, she must’ve driven the men wild in her heyday. And the clipped British accent was charming as hell. Pulling out of his reverie, he left the office before she complained about his lingering presence.

  Once in his suite, he pulled open all the drawers and inspected the contents. The guys had done a good job and he collected a few pieces to take home for his date. A soft wrist restraint was a must—have, and there were several in one drawer. After running his hands over all of them, he chose the softest and set it aside.

  Standing in the midst of his future playground, he couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. Mark had been right. Starting over with a new design for the old country club was much better than refurbishing the club they’d thought about buying downtown. Here, they had everything they needed and with the club sitting in the county instead of surrounded by high-rises, they had more room to grow.

  Steve closed all the drawers with a soft push and ran his hand across the soft sheets on the bed. It would take a few dates to convince Dena to play in this bed, but it would happen. He could already imagine her face as he pushed her into a higher state of arousal than she’d ever known.

  Hell, he might not get past foreplay tonight. She needed to learn patience before he let her have an orgasm.

  On her front step at six sharp, he rang the bell and waited. When the door opened, he calmed his breath and gave her a long look. A vision of soft, curvy woman washed over him and he pushed it back into his long term memory before he spoke. He gathered his control and stepped into her home.

  “Did you look out the peephole?”

  “Of course.”

  “What did you see?”

  She cocked her hip and put a hand on it. He was getting to her. “A man wearing dark sunglasses.” Before he could reprimand her, she put up a hand and continued. “I also looked out the window and saw your truck.”

  Dena turned and headed for the little table where her purse sat, her voice floating back to him with an irritated tone. “I have three brothers. I know what to do. I’m not an idiot.”

  Then she screamed.

  With good reason.

  He’d moved fast when she turned away, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her body. One hand pressed into her belly and held her tight to his torso while the other moved to cover her mouth. Steve insinuated one foot between her feet and pushed them farther apart, throwing her off balance.

  “What should you do now?” he whispered in her ear. “Show me what you know.”

  She struggled, twisting against his body until the ache in his dick threatened to take over the game, but he held back. She tried to kick at his legs but a shift of his body changed the pressure of her feet to the floor and she couldn’t manage the difference.

  She growled, frustration getting the better of her.

  “Think, Dena.”

  Her hands wrapped around the arm he had across her body, tugging at his hold and curling her nails into his skin, but not enough to break the skin.

  “Close, but not enough, doll.” He let a laugh slip free, since he was enjoying the game, and she stopped all motion. Anger called, and she followed for a minute, her body tightening. She was thinking. Good girl. With a deep breath, her entire body went limp in his arms.

  The sudden change in her body weight forced him to realign his position.

  A sharp elbow came out of nowhere and got him right in the gut, a perfect shot. She spun away as he released her, breathing hard and staring at him like he was the devil incarnate.

  Steve rubbed at his gut and grinned. “Nicely played. Perfect. How do you feel?”

  She stared daggers at him for a minute. “Was this a test?”

  “Yes. I don’t want you to feel threatened at work or anywhere you might be, and I’d like to help you with some self-defense techniques. I wanted to see what you’re capable of.”

  “And?”

  “You used your brain instead of trying to fight me off.” He lifted his arm and inspected the skin while she watched. “You must be willing to draw blood to get away.”

  “I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  He stepped into her personal space and cupped her face. “I know, doll. But if anyone else does that to you, go for blood. If you have the chance, grab the family jewels and twist. Anything to get free.” With every word, he moved closer, until his mouth hovered right over hers. “Remember.”

  “Okay.”

  “Ready for dinner?”

  She hummed a bit, waiting, he knew, for the kiss she expected. Not yet.

  He reached to the side and snagged her purse from the table, handing it to her. “Don’t forget your keys.”

  Her lips formed a little pout but she followed directions. On the front stoop, he watched her turn the key before he touched her again. He took the keys from her hand, dropped them into his pocket, and settled his palm on her nape. The feel of her hair flowing across the back of his hand enticed, but he kept to the rules for the night.

  Once moving, he pulled an envelope off the dash and handed it to her. “This my most recent medical report. If—” But he meant when. “—we’re intimate, I want you to feel secure in my health. I’d like to see your test results, too.”

  She stumbled with a reply, caught off guard as he’d intended. Dena wasn’t getting the upper hand if he could help it, and he was good at maintaining power in a relationship.

  “I had my last well check last month and they did blood work. Everything was fine. I’ll ask for a copy.”

  “Good. When we’re together, I’d prefer not to use a condom.” A major change for him, but the urge to feel bare skin on bare skin had been a persistent thought since their first meeting.

  “Oh. Okay.” Her fingers intertwined in her lap, slipped around and resettled. “I’m on the pill, have been for a couple of years, but I’ve never not used a condom.”

  �
�Good girl.”

  More fidgeting and he kept his smile moderate. Keeping her a little off balance worked in his favor while he put together her personal adventure. Waiting to have her under him, begging for release while he pounded into her sweet body was worth it. He had all the time in the world, and she’d be his soon enough.

  Keeping her hands out of his lap during the drive to the restaurant might require restraints, and wasn’t he lucky to have just what he needed for that?

  Chapter 6

  Dena recited the Gettysburg Address in her head while the truck sped down the road. Dinner had been wonderful and frustrating. Steve was the perfect gentleman, holding her chair, cutting her meat, offering her a taste of his food, more than she’d expected from him.

  Less, too.

  He still hadn’t kissed her, hadn’t even touched her. She asked for an adventure of the sexual variety and instead, she got a monk with nice table manners and a body to tempt the most devout nun in the world. They were almost to her house and she had no idea what he had planned. After last night’s goodnight kiss, she’d hoped for more of the same. In fact, it was all she thought about. The feel of his lips on hers, the pressure and texture of them making her tremble with need, filled most of her day. When he’d arrived and leaned close, she’d assumed they were picking up right where they left off last night.

  Wrong.

  He teased. He taunted. He tortured.

  Even as his hot gaze slid over her body and he grinned in approval at what she’d chosen to wear.

  Oh, yes, she’d recognized the look in his eyes when she opened the front door.

  Growing up with three brothers and doting parents made delayed satisfaction a non-issue for her. She was the spoiled only daughter and she knew it. Lived it and loved it. But Steve didn’t seem to notice.

  At least he was a gentleman, she thought as she waited for him to open her door and help her from the truck. He kept a hand at the small of her back as they walked to her front door. The sight of it half-open shocked the hell out of both of them.