I lean against the counter and watch her shower. I know it’s unnerving to her. That’s half the reason I do it. Her body is amazing. She’s petite, but proportionate. When she lifts her arms to wash her hair, I can’t keep my eyes off her tits and the sharp points of her nipples. Her bare pussy is calling out to me, but I’m not going there again this morning. She’s shaking, clearly affected by me watching, but I like the effect I have on her.
When she’s done, I grab a towel and dry her myself, ending by squeezing out her hair. I don’t give her the towel. I love seeing her naked. She’s so fucking sexy. I could stare at her all day. I already knew she would be this sexy from the glimpses I’ve gotten over the last several days, but naked… Shit. She’s divine. And the addition of her misplaced embarrassment is even hotter. I like that I can get her all flustered so easily.
I have to leave the room and let her get ready for work, so I force myself to tip her chin back, kiss her briefly, then pat her naked bottom. “I’ll leave you alone to get ready while I shower in the other bathroom this morning. We’ll leave at the usual time.”
She sighs. “I thought I’d drive myself.”
I lift a brow, loving how she reacts every time I do so. “Why would you think that?”
She looks down. “Because I need the time to transition. Otherwise, I’ll end up walking into my office straddling both worlds like yesterday. You’ll dominate me in the car, and I’ll end up hot and bothered and little when I get there.”
“Then I guess we better leave a few minutes earlier than usual so you’ll have a chance to regroup before you start working.”
“Colt…”
I lift her chin again. “Not debatable, Eve. Don’t mention it again. It’s not safe. You’re not leaving my side until I’m certain you’re no longer in danger. That means, wherever you go, I take you. No exceptions.”
“But, you could follow me like you did the first day,” she hedges.
I grip her chin harder, not letting her look away. “Things changed. Did you forget a man was stalking you at lunch the other day? He’s not just hanging around your apartment, Eve. He’s watching your office.”
She swallows.
“He’s more than twice your size. You think you could take him on in the parking lot and get away?”
“No.” Her voice is soft.
“Then don’t challenge me on this issue again, understood?”
“Yeah.”
I dip lower, meet her gaze, and lift that brow that makes her shudder.
“Yes, Sir.” She gives me that gorgeous tremble as she submits to me, and her nipples are hard little points.
“Surely you understand the concept of human trafficking. I don’t need to spell it out for you. If someone succeeds in kidnapping you and selling you as a commodity, your life is over. They aren’t planning to sell you to someone local, Eve. The plan is to sell you to the Middle East. Do you get that? You won’t even understand a word anyone is speaking.” I’m scaring the hell out of her, and that’s my intention. She’s not taking this situation seriously enough.
She’s shaking as she looks down, chagrined.
“So, no. You may not drive yourself anywhere. We’ll leave ten minutes earlier so you have extra time. Are we done with this argument?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good girl.” I release her and point toward her closet. “Get ready.”
An hour later when I pull up outside her building, I grab her hand before she can open the door and climb down. “Do you have any plans to leave the office today?”
“No. I’ll order lunch in.”
I nod. “Good. Text me if you change your mind so I can escort you.”
She sighs. “Okay.” Her voice comes out a bit whiny.
“Are you sassing me again today?”
She fidgets. That’s her little taking over her adult. I know the signs. I shouldn’t have pushed her like this again today. I know she’s going to struggle to shake her little off when she gets out of the car. But I have two reasons for being so demanding. One, her life is truly at stake, so I need her to do as I tell her. And two, God forgive me, but I love a flustered submissive Eve.
She shakes her head. “No, Sir. I won’t leave the building. I promise.”
“Good girl. Have a great day. I’ll see you at six unless you need to change anything.” I slide my hand up to cup her face and lean close, kissing her lips before sitting back. I probably shouldn’t have. It was too risky. Someone might have seen us.
But—and I might go to hell for this too—I don’t care. I’d kind of like someone to see us. I’d kind of like for her to claim me as her man in front of her coworkers. Damn the consequences.
She’s beyond flustered as she exits the SUV, and I kick myself as I watch her walk away. I do not own her. Telling her coworkers she has a boyfriend is a horrible idea. How is she going to undo that when my job is done? In theory, that could be any day. People would have whiplash if they thought she was dating someone and then I disappeared.
I really need a head exam.
As I watch the confident, professional woman I just kissed walk toward the building, I can’t help but compare her to the little I dominated last night. The woman disappearing in front of me is wearing a thong under the pencil skirt. My gaze travels down her legs to the heels that take my breath away. So different from the barefoot little she’d been last night wearing cute lavender cotton panties with hearts on them and a twirl dress. I smile at the memory of her spinning around in the kitchen so fast I thought she would fall on her butt. The smile on her face. The innocence. So carefree. Both of those personas appeal to me. Equally. It’s a lot to process.
Chapter 16
Evelyn
“You’re holding out on me.” The teasing voice belongs to Lacy, and I spin around from the coffee pot to meet her gaze.
I’m not completely level-headed yet this morning. I was hoping not to run into anyone until I at least had my first cup of coffee. Arriving early hasn’t done me a bit of good because apparently, Lacy is early today too.
Her eyes are dancing.
I frown. “What am I holding out on you about?” I force myself to stand taller and shake off my little.
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, come on. I saw that sexy hunk of man who dropped you off out front. And he kissed you. How long have you been seeing him? Long enough that he dropped you off at work.” She wiggles her brows. “Details, girlfriend.”
I chuckle as I spin back around to grab my cup from under the spout. Why the hell didn’t I plan for this and come up with something to say?
When I turn back around, she’s leaning casually in the doorway, smirking.
I shrug. I’m going to have to wing it. “It hasn’t been long, and I’m not sure if it’s going anywhere, so I don’t want to jinx it.” I sip my coffee, finding my adult. Thank God. My mind wanders to the man who kissed me fifteen minutes ago as I got out of his SUV. Damn, that was hot.
She lifts both brows. “You’re not sure if it’s going anywhere, but you obviously slept over at his place or he slept at yours if he’s driving you to work. Interesting. I think I’m jealous. I want a man to fuck me all night, drive me to work, look at me like he did you, and kiss me as I start my day. Even better if it never goes anywhere.” She sighs dramatically. “Where do I get one? Does he have a brother?”
Finally, Lacy comes all the way into the room and heads for the coffee pot. “Okay. Okay. I won’t bug you for more details yet, but if you’re still climbing out of that man’s car in a week, I’m going to demand a night of drinks and information.”
“You’ve got it.” I’m relieved, but also uncertain. Will I still have him in my life this time next week? The idea of him not being with me every waking moment I’m not at work already stings. I’m getting too attached to him. He’s not mine to keep.
When I get to my desk, my phone pings, and I smile as I reach for it, assuming it will be a text from Colt. If anything, I should be nervous. Yesterday w
hen he texted me, he caused me to slide under his thumb for nearly half an hour. I can’t have him doing that every day or I’ll get nothing done.
It’s not from Colt. It’s from Owen. Jesus. I haven’t spoken to Owen all week. Neither of us has contacted the other since we left the club last Saturday. Though we have a standing appointment for tonight, I cringe as I realize we don’t usually go all week without chatting at some point or meeting for coffee or a drink. We’re friends.
I open the text.
Hey. Sorry I’ve been so busy at work this week I haven’t had a chance to talk. Are we still on for tonight?
I release a breath. He’s been busy too. Good.
Hey, yourself. It’s been crazy here too. And yes, I’ll see you tonight.
He knows where to find me. We have an arrangement. I arrive at the club, change into my little in the locker room, and check myself into the daycare. Most of my club hours are spent in the daycare where I interact with other littles, playing and coloring. Owen will find me there and steal me away for an hour to do a scene. After I recover, he’ll take me back and I’ll continue to unwind by lounging on a beanbag chair and mindlessly watching cartoons in the corner, or reading.
Perfect. See you soon.
I close my eyes and inhale. Tonight isn’t going to be like other nights. Colt will be there. He’ll be with Davis, who has agreed to show him around as if he’s a prospective member. His presence will always be on my mind, distracting me. What is he going to think when he sees Owen dominating me?
I need to do this for multiple reasons. One of them is that I’m aware Colt thinks someone at the club might be watching me. If that’s the case, I need to stick to my routine and not cause anyone to become suspicious. I’ll try hard to pretend he’s overreacting out of an abundance of caution. The thought of someone at Surrender plotting my sale makes me want to vomit.
I’m struggling with the idea of submitting to Owen too. I’ve never once paused to worry about a scene like this. I’m not interested in Owen sexually, even though Leah doesn’t understand my dynamic.
I rub my temples. Leah. Dammit. I haven’t spoken to her all week either. Should I call her before I see her tonight? Tell her what’s going on? Probably not. There are already several people involved. The fewer people who know about my situation the better. Leah’s not going to be pleased when she finds out I kept this from her though.
When I think about her mistrust of Owen, I cringe. Does she have a sixth sense I should have listened to? Speaking of which, Colt mentioned some distrust for Owen also. I somehow managed to ignore this fact all week. Now, I’m feeling a little freaked out.
Granted, even if Owen is a serious suspect, that doesn’t explain the large man who’s been stalking me. That man is definitely not Owen. Owen is too slender to be the man in the ball cap. But maybe Colt has more than one suspect. Or maybe the stalker and Owen are working together.
I need more information.
I yank up my phone and send a text to Colt.
Do you still think Owen is a suspect?
I stare at the phone for several moments, fidgeting nervously while I wait for him to return my text. Finally, I get a response.
What makes you ask that suddenly?
I’m furious and texting back and forth with Colt is not going to suffice. I close my office door and dial his number.
He picks up on the first ring. “Eve?”
My voice wobbles as I speak. “Tell me the truth. Do you think Owen might be involved in trafficking?” I accuse.
He sighs heavily. “It’s possible. Still not ruling it out. I have no evidence though.”
“And you don’t think this might affect my ability to submit to him tonight?” I’m angry, trying to keep my voice low, but probably failing.
“Eve… I don’t have anything on Owen. Everyone is a suspect right now.”
“But you want me to go on with my plans with him as if nothing is out of the ordinary while you watch to make sure he doesn’t intend to kidnap me?”
“Eve, baby, calm down. It’s not like that. I’m suspicious, yes, but I’m suspicious of every damn person who glances at you.”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I’m hanging up.” My hands are shaking and I’m close to screaming.
His voice firms. “Eve, don’t hang up. Please. You either talk to me or I’m coming to your office to meet you face-to-face. Your choice.”
I lean back in my chair and rub my temples. “You’re not playing fair.”
“And I’ll never play fair when it comes to you. You’re not like any other woman I’ve been tasked with protecting before, Eve. Not even close. I’m out of my mind worrying about you. I should have removed myself from this case the moment I met you and had the captain put someone else on it. I’m not impartial. I’m a fool for not calling my boss right now and telling him to assign someone else.”
I gasp. “Don’t you dare.”
He sighs. “I won’t, but for all the wrong reasons. I can’t stand the idea of another man protecting you, so it’s not going to happen, but you need to listen to me, baby. This is not a game. It’s fucking serious shit. Yes, Owen is on my radar because you’ve known him only a few weeks and you’ve been seeing him both in and out of the club. That’s all. I have nothing else on Owen. He’s obviously not the man stalking you out front. But I am concerned about the possibility that someone inside the club might have their eye on you. So I’d like to be able to set my sights on every damn person who belongs to Surrender, and the best way to do that is to go tonight and keep a close eye on who pays attention to you.”
I’m deflating. “Okay.”
“Do I need to come over there and convince you face-to-face?”
“No.”
“Pardon?”
My heart is racing and I’m trembling all over as I glance at my closed office door. “No, Sir,” I murmur.
“Good girl. Now get back to work. Stop panicking about something that may or may not be true. I’ll see you at six.”
“Yes, Sir,” I whisper. How does he do this to me? How does he manage to turn my anger and frustration into total submission?
I squirm in my seat as we end the call. My thong is soaked and I’m so aroused I can’t possibly concentrate for a while. Thank God nothing urgent needs my attention today and I don’t have any client meetings.
Chapter 17
Colton
I’m marginally concerned about arriving at Surrender with Eve. I don’t want anyone at the club to suspect we know each other or have ever met, but I’m also not willing for her to arrive on her own.
To help dispel this idea, I’ve arranged to arrive at the same time as Davis and Britney. That way we can all walk in together. It will appear that I have come as Davis’s guest and Eve has coincidentally arrived at the same time.
I park in the shadows. We’ve beaten Davis and Britney. After I turn off the SUV, I unfasten my seatbelt and turn to face Eve. I’m damn nervous, but I don’t want her to know it.
I reach for her hand. She’s been incredibly quiet since I picked her up from work. She’s also remained in her adult persona all evening. When she changed, she put on jeans and a sweater, telling me she would take a bag to the club. She doesn’t come and go from the club in little attire. Makes sense.
We ordered Chinese takeout and ate in near silence. I know she has a lot on her mind, but I’m worried about her and I don’t want to go inside with tension between the two of us. It’s going to be stressful enough without adding to it.
I stroke her knuckles. “Talk to me.”
She shrugs. “Nothing to say.”
“I beg to differ. Are you mad about our conversation earlier?”
She shakes her head. “No. You’re right. I’m nervous and a little scared.” She meets my gaze. “You really think a member of the club might be planning to sell me?”
“I have no idea, Eve. I just don’t want to rule anything out. I’m going to watch every damn person in there
to see if they’re paying too close attention to you.”
She offers me a strange coy smile, tipping her head to one side. “You know, it’s possible someone might pay attention to me because they think I’m cute and they want to do a scene with me.”
I chuckle, glad the mood has lightened. “In which case, I’ll knock them out with my fist and drag their limp body out back.”
She giggles. “How chivalrous.”
“That’s me.”
“Or possessive.”
“That’s probably me too.” I’m grinning at her.
“You do realize you can’t interrupt my scenes here, right? It’s against the rules. So, suck in your misplaced jealousy and hold your tongue and your fists.”
I sigh. “I’ve read the rules. I know. I won’t interfere. Promise. But, it’s going to be very strange watching another man dominate you.”
“Think of it as a learning experience. In the fetish community, it’s not uncommon for even married couples to go different ways inside the club and scene with other people. It’s not even odd for their partner to watch. He or she might want to learn or maybe even gets off on watching. Anything is possible in the club scene.”
“Really?” I’m kind of surprised. I have a long way to go before I’m going to grasp the dynamic. “A lot of swingers then?”
She shakes her head. “Not necessarily. That’s something else entirely. It’s just that often people like to get a rush from a scene their partner isn’t proficient at. Like I’ve told you before, it’s not always sexual. Often it’s not.”
I nod slowly. I’m not even close to understanding, probably because all of my experience in the fetish community has been with Eve, and there is no doubt everything between us is steaming hot sexual. Even for her, and she’s the one who told me she doesn’t mix sex with her kink.
Charming Colton (Surrender Book 8) Page 13
