by Marie Tuhart
She nodded. “The first one wasn’t so bad, but it was the last one he took me to.”
“Did you play at these parties?” He needed to know her history, she knew the right words, but as she’d mentioned, she didn’t have a lot of practical experience.
“Depends on what you mean by play.” She looked away from him then back. Her eyes clouded with apprehension. “At the first club, I allowed him to tie me to a St. Andrews Cross. Just tie me to it. No flogging. Nothing bad happened, but I didn’t like how people looked at me.”
Cameron curled his hand around her neck, caressing her tense muscles. “Tell me.”
She shivered. “I felt dirty. They stared at me like I was a tiny morsel for them to feed on.” Her voice shook. “They wanted to touch me, and I protested. They made me feel unclean, as if I was only there for their amusement. Karl threatened to strip me as I struggled.”
“Did he?” Damn wannabe. Now he really wanted to go after the idiot and show him what humiliation really was. Cameron slid closer to her on the sofa.
“No.” She blew out a breath. “It was just a threat.”
“And the other party?” He continued caressing her neck.
“Because I didn’t feel safe, I wouldn’t allow him to tie me up or anything. We had a big fight after that party and…” Her spine stiffened, and she closed her eyes.
“What happened?” If the bastard had hit her, he’d hunt him down and make him wish he’d never been born. He closed his hand over her clenched fist.
“I don’t know how it happened,” she whispered, “but apparently, someone at the first party had taken pictures of me tied up. Karl was pissed at me, so he sold them.”
The sorrow in her voice told him there was a lot more to the story. He waited patiently while caressing her neck and stroking the back of her hand, letting her know he was there for her.
“When they first came out in the tabloids, I really didn’t care.”
“What did your parents think?”
“Oh, they yelled and got angry, but then I could never please them, so it didn’t bother me too much.” She glanced up at him.
The tears in her eyes did more than pull at his heart. They made him angry. Furious that someone had hurt her so much, that the pain was still with her.
“What hurt more,” she said, “was that I lost my chance to attend classes at a private pastry school. All the media hoopla was too much for them, and they asked me to leave.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He pulled her against his chest. Baking meant so much to her. Losing out of a special school must have wounded her tender heart.
“It’s not your fault.” She snuggled against him.
“How old were you when this happened?”
She tipped her head back. He was happy to see the tears gone. “Trying to guess my age?”
“I know how old you are.”
“Really?”
“The same age as my sister, thirty-two.”
“And you’re thirty-six.”
“Right.” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “So how old were you?”
“Twenty-one, old enough to know better.”
Without thought, he nudged her until she was sitting in his lap. “I don’t agree that you were old enough to know better. He took advantage of you. What about the next boyfriend?”
Kristen scrunched up her nose at him. “Do we really have to do this?”
“Yes. We’re not going any further in our relationship until we get the baggage out of the way.”
“Will you tell me about your last submissive girlfriend?”
He froze for a minute then nodded. “It’s only fair.” He hadn’t talked to many people about Julia, but he would tell Kristen. She deserved to know.
“Now?” The tone of her voice sounded hopeful.
“Later. Tell me about boyfriend number three.”
“Boyfriend number three was also fiancé number one and an ass wipe.”
He smiled at the derision in her voice. “Tell me how you really feel.”
Kristen let out a little laugh and rested her head against his shoulder. “Part of me wonders why I didn’t see through Brian.”
“Another one who wanted to impress your parents?”
“Yes, but also, he was too perfect.”
“Tell me more.” He wanted to know what she meant by too perfect.
“You know”—she waved her hand in the air—“perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect smile. Fake, totally fake, in more ways than one.” She shifted in Cameron’s lap. “Was it wrong for me to ask for a little kink in the bedroom?”
“Hell, no.” What had this Brian done? Was this guy why she was so nervous about approaching him?
“Brian had called me a freak.”
Cameron’s arms tightened around her shoulders. Why did people who didn’t understand the lifestyle want to label those in it? Even as a sexual health professor, he’d run into attitudes that had made him grit his teeth, which is why he pushed to educate more people. “So you broke up with him?”
“Eventually. We ended up engaged first.”
“What the hell?” Cameron couldn’t believe she’d actually been engaged to the jerk.
“I know. I’m such a pushover.” She touched his cheek. “He didn’t call me a freak until later. But that wasn’t the worst he did.” Her eyes closed. “The rat bastard took most of my money and then sold his version of our relationship to a tabloid.”
A pattern was forming. While she didn’t want to talk about her family, it was apparent her parents had some sort of social influence if the tabloids were so interested. Men had used Kristen to gain favor and for access to her money as well.
“And then,” she said as a twinge of sadness colored her voice, “because of the story, I lost the job I’d fought tooth and nail to get. It was the last straw.”
“Did your parents believe you were the victim?”
She let out a bitter laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding. I was the troublemaker. No one ever listened to me.” She shook her head. “Okay, that’s not right. My grandmother listened to me. She held me while I cried and told me not all men were bastards.”
Cameron’s arms tightened, and he cuddled her close. He was glad she had at least one person in her court. “You’re not a troublemaker.” His lips brushed her temple. “You are a beautiful, tempting woman.”
“You are an irresistible, sexy male.”
Her words sent a shaft of heat to his groin. “I seem to remember you resisting me for several years.” He tilted her chin up, pleased to see her green eyes were clear and bright.
“I had a business to set up and get off the ground. I wasn’t in a position to deal with a man. Any man.” She brushed his hair away from his forehead. “I’m sorry it took me so long to realize I was attracted to you.”
He allowed her to change the focus to him. “No worries.” He nuzzled her ear. “Julia and I had a unique relationship.”
“You said she was your submissive.”
“Yes. I wasn’t looking for a long-term relationship, but wanted a woman who would be my submissive.”
“You found that in Julia?”
“I thought I had. Do you know what a masochist is?”
“Someone who enjoys pain.” She tilted her head closer to his lips.
“Yes.” He buried his nose closer to her skin.
“Are you a sadist?”
“No.” He inhaled and enjoyed the smell of her skin, fresh without any artificial perfumes. Just Kristen. “That was the problem. Julia is a masochist, but I’m not a sadist.”
“From everything I’ve read about masochism, I’m surprised you two got together.”
“Julia told me she was fine with me not being a sadist. I’m not saying I didn’t flog her or use a cane, but I’m not into causing pain for pain’s sake. I want to give pleasure to my submissive. Hell, to any submissive.”
“Of course not.” Kristen’s fingers trailed over his chest. “What happened?”
<
br /> He’d made her promise to be honest, so he could give her nothing less. “I thought we were doing well. We’d been together almost three years when I found out Julia was cheating on me.”
“What?” Kristen sat up straight in his arms. “Oh, Cameron, that woman had no idea what she was giving up.”
His lips turned up in a smile. “Thank you.” He dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Julia’s cheating was in the sense of the lifestyle. She was seeing another Dom on the side, who would beat her the way she wanted.” He took a deep breath. “She was able to keep it a secret by not seeing me for several days after seeing her other Dom, waiting until the marks had faded.”
“It doesn’t excuse what she did.” Kristen huffed out a breath. “She had to take responsibility for what she did and why she had lied to you.”
“I agree.”
“Is that why you went to Scotland?”
“Partly.” He shifted Kristen so he could look into her eyes again. “I needed a break to sort out my feelings, not only about what had happened, but the lifestyle.”
She tilted her head. “Were you thinking about getting out of the lifestyle?”
The concern in her eyes warmed his heart. “No. I needed to understand the lifestyle from a different perspective.”
“Going to Scotland did that for you?”
“Yes. They are much more open and accepting over there, and it reinforced my beliefs in the lifestyle.”
“And yet here you are with me.”
“Yes.” He put his forehead against hers. “Because I want to be. I’ve waited a long time for you.” And it was true. His relationship with Julia had been doomed from the beginning. But he wouldn’t let that happen with his relationship with Kristen.
“Me, too.”
Their lips met. Her mouth was soft and pliant. Cameron forced himself to keep the kiss light and easy. He didn’t want to scare Kristen, although he suspected she wouldn’t scare too easily now that they had talked.
He lifted his head, releasing her sweet mouth. “It’s getting late.” Cameron lifted her to her feet and stood. “Did you free up tomorrow afternoon?”
“Yes. Skye is actually going to open in the morning for me. I’ll do some baking and take the afternoon off.”
“Good.” With her hand in his, he walked to the front door. “Tomorrow, we’ll explore your needs and wants.”
“What about yours?”
He smiled. “Mine as well, but something tells me we’ll be compatible.” He drew her into his embrace, loving how she fit in his arms, her nose level with his lips. He kissed it softly. “I’ll be by to pick you up at one tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Her arms tightened around him. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay longer?”
“Don’t tempt me.” He brushed another soft kiss across her lips. “As much as I’d like to, we need to take this slowly. You have some knowledge but no real experience.”
He’d like nothing better than to spend the night in her bed loving her, making her come from his fingers, his lips, and eventually, his cock.
“All right.” Disappointment tinged her tone, but it was for the best.
Cameron withdrew from her embrace and slipped out the door. He waited until Kristen had locked it behind him to head to the car. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.
Chapter Five
“Hey, Kristen, do we have any more scones?” Skye yelled from the front of the café the next morning.
“Ten minutes.” Despite the late night, Kristen had been up early and full of energy. The café had been hopping when she made her way down at eight. Skye and Tim had it covered, but the scones were disappearing fast.
It was only ten thirty, and already, she’d baked a dozen strawberry and a dozen blueberry scones. Was the whole town coming into her café today?
She’d resisted going out to check on things. Skye would tell her if she needed help. Plus, she liked being back here in the kitchen. The timer went off, and she pulled another dozen raspberry scones out before putting another dozen plain ones in.
Kristen blew back a piece of hair from her face. What a Saturday, but in a way, it was good that she’d been so busy. It didn’t give her time to dwell on what she told Cameron last night. He’d been very good about not asking her about her family, and for that she was grateful. She wanted nothing to do with her parents. They had never really seen her as a person. They never cared for her happiness or well-being. Only her grandmother had.
Lord, she missed her grandmother. She had nursed her grandmother until her death and never regretted a moment of it. Her passing spurred Kristen to be where she was today, to make the changes needed to get away from her toxic parents.
Pushing those thoughts away, she finished boxing up the scones then put the quiches into the oven. They would be done by twelve fifteen. Skye or Tim could box them up for her when they cooled.
Kristen glanced at the clock. It was eleven forty-five. She gnawed at her lower lip. What should she wear today for her date with Cameron?
Cameron had said they were going to talk about wants and needs. Hell, half the time she didn’t know what she wanted or needed. She shook her head. Honesty and communication. She could do that. At least, she hoped she could. The only person who had been honest in her life was her grandmother. She hadn’t had a lot of honesty or communication in her life. Lord knows her boyfriends had lied. As for her parents, their form of communication was to ignore her. To make a relationship with Cameron, she’d learn to communicate even if it killed her. If she didn’t try, she’d regret it the rest of her life.
The oven timer went off, and she called out to Skye, who hurried into the kitchen.
“The scones are done for Mrs. Jenkins; you’ll just need to box them up. I’ve got another three dozen in the fridge. All you’ll need to do is bake them if you need them. If not, I’ll bake them tomorrow for Monday.”
“No problem, go have fun with my brother.” Skye turned to leave the kitchen.
“Skye.” Kristen waited for her to turn around. It was hard for Kristen to blow off work, even for an afternoon. “Thanks for everything.”
“Hey.” Skye crossed over and pulled Kristen into her arms. “That’s why I’m here. Besides, I love you like a sister.”
The bell over the door rang. Skye released her and hurried from the kitchen. Kristen’s eyes filled with happy tears. A sister. She’d never had a sister. Or even a best friend.
Blinking away the happy tears, Kristen made her way upstairs to her apartment. What should she wear? She opened her closet door and surveyed the contents.
Cameron had said they were going to his house. Jeans and a shirt would probably be best. Kristen took a quick shower, dressed, and then put her hair into a messy bun. At least it was off her face.
At one on the dot, a knock sounded at her front door. With one last glance in the mirror, she picked up her purse and went to the door.
Cameron stood there in black jeans and a gray T-shirt. The material of both molded to his body, making her mouth water. Hot damn. Talk about sex on two legs. How was it possible that she could be with a man like Cameron?
“Are you finished?” he asked.
“Huh?”
His eyes held laughter as did the grin on his face.
It had been so hard to see him walk away last night after he’d left her apartment. She’d known it was the right thing to do, but she’d bit her lip from calling him back. Cameron stepped closer and drew her into his arms. His lips claimed hers, his tongue thrusting into her mouth.
Oh, hell yeah. She’d dreamt about his kisses last night. Hot, hard, and sensuous. His arms slid around her waist, palms cupping her ass, pulling her against him.
Kristen’s fingers gripped his shoulders, holding on for dear life as the kiss went on. Her tongue tangled with his, dueling, tasting, and playing. This was a kiss of a man who knew what he wanted, and she loved every second of it.
Cameron lifted his head.
She drew in a deep bre
ath as she rested her forehead against his chin. “A girl could get used to kisses like that.”
“Then I better do it often to keep you addicted.”
There was laughter in his voice, and she smiled as she lifted her head. “Ready to go?”
“Yep.” Cameron pulled her out the door, barely allowing her to lock up.
“In a hurry?” she asked.
“I want to be alone with you.”
Her heart jumped. Part of her whispered that she needed to take this slow, but damn, hadn’t she taken it slow enough over the last four years? She’d known Cameron almost as long as she’d known Skye. While she had dated a couple guys here in Grant, she hadn’t slept with either of them. It was time to end the drought and explore a relationship with Cameron.
Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up to a large cabin away from the main roadway. As they drove up the private road, she took in the view. The trees were set back and created a “back to nature” look. Cameron helped her out of the car, but she just stood and stared.
“It’s beautiful.” She gazed at the stunning structure. The house looked rustic with its wooden cabin exterior and modern with large windows and gleaming steel frames. A car port was off to one side.
“Thanks.” He took her hand and led her inside.
Kristen stopped, stunned at the way the windows let in the natural light and the high ceiling. Cameron glanced back at her.
“Holy crap,” she said.
The door had opened into the main floor with an open floor plan. The sun flowed through the windows into the room. The living room held a sofa, love seat, and two overstuffed chairs. A big-screen TV sat on the mantle above the fireplace, and a multi-colored throw rug covered the hardwood floor.
“Kristen?” He nudged her in the side.
“It’s…” She waved her hand. “I love the open floor plan and all the light.” She slipped her shoes off before taking a step onto the rich, hardwood floor.
“I had the house built the way I wanted it.” He slipped out of his shoes before guiding her into the center of the cabin. “Kitchen and dining room.” He waved to where the dark table with four chairs sat. The kitchen was big and roomy with shiny appliances.
