by Desiree Holt
“We’re enjoying the evening,” he said.
As casually as he could, he shifted so Margot was forced to remove her hand from his thigh. Her possessive and suggestive gestures were beginning to get on his nerves. It occurred to him that not so long ago he’d have been willing to play this game. Sticking strictly to vanilla sex, of course, but that left a lot of doors open. He’d have enjoyed the suggestive byplay, the little gestures, and taken up the open invitation to take the woman home and come in for more than a cup of coffee.
But tonight he found it more annoying than anything. The scent of her perfume became heavier as the evening wore on, a cloying aroma that stuck to him like a layer of fog. Her laugh was an irritant and if she touched him one more time, he might have to break her wrist.
Easy, he told himself. She’s a friend of Livy’s. The last thing he wanted to do was get on the bad side of his sister-in-law. Either one of them. So he smiled and tuned out as Livy and Margot indulged in some female chatter.
“I think I’ll go dig out another beer.” He hitched himself around to climb off the picnic bench. “Can I get one for either of you charming ladies?”
Livy grinned at him. “Not me, sport. I have to stay sober until the last guest leaves. Thanks anyway.”
“I’ll have another.” Margot winked at him.
Tyler dug up a smile from somewhere as he headed off to the big cooler. He popped the caps on two bottles and turned to walk back to the table, only to bump into a warm female body.
Margot closed her fingers over one of the bottles, touching his hand.
“Thanks. I thought I’d save you the walk back to the table.”
“Oh?” He frowned. “What’s the deal?”
She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and steered him down the two steps from the deck and around the corner.
“I noticed that Livy and Alex have this nice little nook at the side of the house.” Her voice was sultry. Suggestive. “I thought we could take advantage of it to get better acquainted. You know.” She looked up at him. “Without so many people around.”
Tyler managed to detach her hand from his arm but before he could figure out how to get them back to the crowd, Margot had plastered her body to his, pulled his head down to her one-handed and gave him a kiss that was as much tongue as lips. Her mouth was opened against his and she’d thrust her tongue inside almost before he realized what she was doing. As startled as he was by her boldness it took him a few seconds to recover his senses.
For a moment, he allowed himself to respond, curious to see if there might be some chemistry between them. But it took scant moments to realize there was nothing there at all to attract him. And wasn’t that just strange. He’d expected at least some response. Curling an arm around her he threw himself into the kiss, taking possession of her mouth, trying to blank his mind.
It’s not working.
Because all he could think of was Flame, her naked body, and those full pouty lips. But he certainly remembered how soft they felt wrapped around his cock. That was all it took to make him break the kiss.
Margot’s face was flushed and her breathing uneven. “Livy was certainly right about you.”
“In what way?” Tyler had eased himself slightly away from her.
“You are one hot man.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I could do that again. And more. I think tonight will turn out even better than I expected.”
Tyler stepped back, holding his bottle of beer in front of him, almost as a barricade to prevent her from moving in for another kiss. He rubbed his free hand over his face.
“Margot, listen. Let’s just take a minute here.”
“Take all the time you want, honey,” she smiled. “We’ve got all night.”
“No. Yes. That’s not what I mean.” He chuffed out a breath. “You’re really great. Gorgeous. Sexy. Appealing.”
She frowned and took a step back. “Why do I hear a ‘but’ coming?”
He took a long swallow of his beer. “I just don’t want to give you the wrong impression here. I know Livy hoped that we’d hook up and believe me, this has nothing to do with you.”
The smile disappeared from her face and she took a step back, her mouth pinched in anger.
“Are you blowing me off?” she demanded. “Livy will be very upset.”
Tyler swallowed a sigh. He’d known from the beginning this would be a bad idea.
“I understand. And I know it won’t help for me to say this but it’s not you. It’s me.”
“You’re with someone.” Her voice was flat, uninflected, but he could hear the rage simmering beneath the surface.
“No. I mean, yes. Hell.” He rubbed his neck. “I don’t know what I mean.”
“I think you’d better figure it out before you get cozy with anyone else.” She almost spat the words at him.
He wanted to point out that getting cozy had been all on her—well, except for those few final seconds of the kiss—but he at least owed it to her to leave her with her dignity intact.
“You’re right. I totally apologize. I was an asshole. Come on. I’ll make my peace with Livy and Alex and get out of here. Probably for the best.”
He cupped her elbow to guide her but she jerked her arm away from him.
“I can walk by myself.” She stomped ahead of him, then turned. “And don’t worry. I won’t tell them what an absolute jerk you are.”
He hung back until she had found some people in the crowd to talk to before seeking out his brother. Alex was just carrying a sack of trash to the garage.
“What’s up?” he asked, then stopped when he saw the look on Tyler’s face. “Uh oh. Is this something I’m not gonna want to hear about?”
“Please convey my apologies to your lovely and charming wife, but I think it’s best that I leave.”
Alex studied his face. “This must be a big ‘uh oh’. Didn’t you and Margot get along?”
Tyler shoved his hands in his pockets and stared over Alex’s shoulder. “She’s gorgeous and hot and smart. All the things Livy promised.”
“But?” Alex prompted.
“But my head is elsewhere and I think I pissed her off.”
“Elsewhere?” Alex frowned. “Like where? I wasn’t aware you were even seeing anyone.”
Tyler sighed. He realized he was doing a lot of sighing here. “It’s complicated.”
“What’s so complicated? You’re either seeing someone or you’re not.”
“Trust me, I can’t even explain it myself. Just leave it for now, okay? Make peace for me with your wife and call me all the names you want to her friend. But I’m outta here.”
Alex shook his head. “Whatever. See you Monday. You aren’t leaving yet for Wyoming again, right?”
“Not for at least a week. I have stuff to do here, Josh needs to adjust some of the drawings and I want to make sure the two new supervisors I hired are good to go. I talked to my second in Wyoming and he says we’re fine there. At least for now.”
He gave Alex a brotherly punch on the arm then headed down the driveway to where he’d parked his truck at the curb. He sat for a moment, arm draped across the steering wheel, trying to sort out his thoughts. He’d had subs that affected him personally as well as sexually. Some he’d had many repeat performances with. A lot of them he still maintained a friendship with.
But what he felt for Flame was certainly not friendship. He found himself thinking about her constantly, imagining the things he’d like to do with her. To her. Dreaming about her at night. He glanced at his watch. Eight thirty. God, he’d hardly spent any time at Alex’s. He’d probably have to grovel for weeks to get back in his sister-in-law’s good graces.
But it was still early enough to head for Finesse.
Of course, Flame was probably booked for the night. Marco had made it plain she was much in demand and he could certainly see why. Although he hoped he wasn’t deluding himself when he hoped she didn’t have the connection with the others he was sure she had
with him. That flowed both ways between them.
Maybe he should call ahead and see if he could exert a little pressure on Marco. He knew that wasn’t exactly kosher but he also knew it was sometimes done, even though only on rare occasions.
Mentally crossing his fingers he pulled out his cell and punched a number he had on speed dial.
* * * * *
Flame finished cleaning all the toys she’d just used and put them back in their proper places. She never quit in the middle of a session. Ever. Her sub had been more disappointed than angry. In fact, he’d been the one to call a halt to things. She’d had him neatly cuffed and on his knees, studying a variety of butt plugs when he’d spoken to her. A shock in itself, since subs spoke only when given permission.
“Flame.” He cleared his throat. “Permission to speak please?”
She turned to look at him surprised.
“This must be very important for you to break your silence like this.” This particular sub enjoyed being forbidden to speak.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way or think I’m looking for more intense punishment, but…” He hesitated.
She cocked her head. “But what?”
“You are a fine Mistress. Probably the best I’ve spent time with. But please don’t be offended if I tell you that tonight you don’t seem to have your head into the scene.”
Flame was stunned. She’d been doing her best to keep images of Tyler McMann at bay but apparently without much success.
“In fact,” the sub continued, “I think it would do us both more good if we called a halt here. Please, Mistress. For you as well as for me.”
How could she argue with him when she knew he was right? She hadn’t been concentrating at all. And the poor sub was definitely suffering for it.
“You’re right and I apologize.” She unlocked the cuffs and nodded at him to stand. “In fact, I’ll tell Marco to put you at the top of the list for whenever you wish another session.’
When he had dressed and left she sat down for a moment on the big ottoman. What was happening to her? She liked to think she was so disciplined in all areas of her life. But it took every bit of her effort to concentrate at work, not to mention worrying about when she left and when she came to work. She had to avoid running into Tyler again. One of these days he was going to force her to stop running so he could take a good look at her. And obviously she wasn’t doing such a hot job as Flame, either, if her subs were feeling sorry for her.
She was so lost in thought she didn’t hear the door open or Marco come in until he was standing right in front of her. His touch, his hand cradling her chin, startled her.
“Oh!” She looked up at him. “I didn’t notice you come in.”
“I know.” He studied her face, what he could beneath the mask. “I’m worried about you.”
She curved her lips in a wry smile. “You talked to my sub.”
“Listened is more like it. “ He crouched down in front of her. “Are you allowing Tyler McMann to affect you too much?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know if allowing is the right word. I can’t seem to stop thinking about him. God, Marco, we’ve only been together a few times. What’s wrong with me?”
“Perhaps something is right with you. Finally. It’s been a long time since the disaster.”
She gave an unladylike snort. “Disaster is a mild word for it. How could I let one man take over my life and my mind so completely? I wasn’t even sure I knew my own name by the time you rescued me. What was the matter with me?”
He took one of her hands in his. “Derek Collins is an evil person. He found all your hot buttons and knew just how to push them. Discovering you were a pain junkie excited him more than anything because he is a totally unrepentant sadist. He doesn’t have the level of emotion that makes a good Dom. His satisfaction comes only from his pleasure, none from yours. He abused your trust badly.”
“What if he hadn’t brought me here that one night?” she asked. “What would have happened to me?”
“But he did. I was reluctant at first to give him the guest pass for one night but two of my oldest members vouched for him. After that I made up my mind to keep a closer eye on them.”
“Did you ever have a discussion with them about what happened?” She’d never asked him before. The weeks after that dreadful night had passed in such a blurry haze. Then she did her best to wipe everything from her mind.
“Yes. Some day I will tell you the details.”
“So what tipped you off?”
“All the signs were there, from the look in your eyes to the one in his. You looked dazed, almost as if he’d drugged you. And then I discovered afterward that was exactly what had happened.”
Flame looked down at the floor. “And I was so stupid I never even thought about it. How did I even work then? It’s a wonder I didn’t get fired.”
“I asked a lot of questions, believe me. He made sure you were alert enough to go to work, but still dependent enough on him not to question anything he did.”
“What an idiot I was.” She hated thinking back to those days, now four years in the past.
“No, Flame. He was the idiot.”
“Is that why you monitored the room we were using?”
He nodded. “Like I said, something was off. It didn’t take long for me to discover he was going way beyond even your level of tolerance and could do you serious injury.” He squeezed her arm. “You know, control only works for both parties when it is freely given and there is complete trust. That wasn’t the case here. You were too new to the lifestyle when you met him and he took full advantage of it.”
Flame rubbed her finger back and forth along the top of one boot. “He was furious that you came into the room and forced him to leave.”
“Too bad. He deserved it. Not to mention being blacklisted at every club where I have connections.”
She reached out to touch his cheek. “Did I ever thank you for the driver—or should I say bodyguard—you set me up with for weeks until you were sure Derek had finally moved on?”
“A minor thing,” he dismissed it. “And look what a fine person you’ve turned into. It’s made you appreciate both sides of the coin so much better.”
“Oh yes. What I’ve turned into. Look at me. My sub had to be the one to tell me to get my act together.”
“Maybe you’ve reached another turning point in your life. Do you think so?”
She lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know. Truly, Marco. Although I’d like to think so.”
She was getting so tired of the tight control she had to maintain over herself during the day and waiting for the weekends when she could turn into Flame and find some pleasure. Like everyone else, she wanted to find that one perfect mate. She’d begun to despair if there was one out there for her.
Tyler’s image popped into her mind. Was it possible to connect on a deep level with someone that quickly? Was it just wishful thinking on her part?
“So what do you wish to do? I’ve cancelled your other session for tonight.” He smiled at her. “He’s not like Derek. You know that.”
“Yes. I do.” She should have sensed it from the beginning. Her instincts were honed to it by now. She nibbled her lower lip. What should she tell him? “I want to be with Tyler and see if what we have is just an overload of endorphins or something else.”
“If it is that something else, you have to tell him your story. He needs to know.”
“You’re right.” She chewed on her lip again.
“And how will you handle telling him who you are in the daylight? Your anonymity has always been your safety shield up until now. “
She shivered and not from a chill. “I guess I’ll worry about it if and when that time comes.”
“Well, he’s on his way here even as we speak, so that time may come sooner rather than later.”
“He is? Coming here? Right now?”
Marco nodded. “He called and all but threatened me to make sure you
weren’t with anyone else tonight. So what shall we do?”
“I don’t know about you, but I’m going to shower and put Flame back together. Then I’ll be waiting for him in this room.”
Marco rose and held out his hand to her. “Then come. I’ll have the room freshened and it will be ready for you.” He kissed her cheek. “You know I wish you the very best.”
“I do. And thank you. For everything.”
Chapter Eight
Waiting for Marco to tell him what was happening did nothing to improve Tyler’s mood. He wanted to see Flame with an unbelievable degree of expectation. And need. Where was that coming from? But he just couldn’t get her out of his mind. His cock certainly remembered her. What if she refused another session with him? But why would she? He had treated her well, taken good care of her. The sessions had been more than pleasurable for both of them. That he was sure of.
“If you hold that mug any tighter you’ll break off the handle.” Daks grinned at him from behind the bar. “She got to you, didn’t she.”
Tyler frowned at him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The bartender laughed. “Come on. You think there’s anything that goes on around here that I don’t know about? I saw you every time after you’d been with Flame. You’re a goner.”
“After only a few sessions?” He sipped at the hot liquid in the mug. “I don’t think so.”
“Sometimes that’s all it takes. I know the look.” The smile disappeared. “She needs someone like you, Tyler. I’m not kidding.”
Tyler quirked an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Daks set aside the glass he’d been wiping and studied Tyler, then nodded as if he’d come to some decision. “If what you feel for her goes beyond this place, if you want more than this with her, then you need to get her to tell you her story.”
A feeling of unease stole over Tyler. “What story? Is she in trouble? Is there something wrong with her?”
Please, no. Let there not be a pit of hell he’d have to cross.
“No to both of those. But she keeps a tight leash on herself. If you let her know how you feel… Well, that’s all I’m going to say. Oh, and here’s Marco. Catch you later.”
