The tickle of fur started on her skin, beginning on her neck and chest. Eva whimpered in fear. What if she shifted here in front of witnesses?
“Sh… You're all right, Eva.”
A wave of warm, reassuring comfort flowed over her, helping Eva to push the wolf back. He covered her from behind, his huge body wrapping her in an embrace that nearly brought her to her knees. Harte stroked her throat and whispered softly in her ear until the urge to shift passed. She panted with the effort it took.
“Excellent, Eva. You controlled that well.”
She'd done it with his help. Usually Eva avoided any situation that might trigger her wolf. She'd never been able to pull it back once the shift started. She sighed in relief.
“A reward for doing so well…” His tongue stroked slowly down along her throat, further adding to the confusion of sensations that Eva was experiencing.
Harte moved away, and she immediately missed his presence. Just a second later, she felt him kneeling between her legs with his back to the table, his face turned up into her crotch. She tried to pull away—she'd never allowed that before. “No…”
He ignored her, and his tongue slowly passed over her vagina, up to her clit. He flicked his tongue quickly, taking her up the slope of arousal so fast that she gasped. A heartbeat before she could no longer hold back, he stopped and dipped a finger into her juices, then trailed up to her ass. Why the hell was he so fixated there? She squeezed hard.
“Relax, Eva. Let me in.”
She shook her head mutely.
Once again he was tonguing her, taking her back up to the peak. She plunged and bucked and moaned in frustration when he stopped. His wet finger returned to her ass. It pressed and slipped in a tiny bit.
“Push against it, Eva.”
“Fuck. Fuck!” She twisted, still fighting the finger when his mouth began its cruel torture yet again. She whimpered, lost in the sensations that flooded her body. Her back was heated from the wax. Her belly was heavy and tight from the blood flowing to her pelvis. Her legs were locked into place; she couldn't even protect herself. Her pussy clasped on emptiness, and his damned finger was now up to the knuckle in her butt! He pumped in and out as his tongue flitted over her clit. When he pulled the finger out, a second joined it on the way back in.
She was coming and coming fast with him there between her legs.
“Come, Eva.”
She fought it with everything she had.
His free hand swatted her ass, and the climax began deep, wrenching hard through her belly. She didn't pant or whimper; Eva let out a deep, hearty groan as the orgasm drew out endlessly. She couldn't bring herself to be mortified when the burn turned to pleasure, and she rose to meet his pumping fingers. Her hands clutched at the far edge of the table; her fingernails dug into the vinyl. When it finally peaked, she froze, completely unable to breathe or move or to even think. Finally she gasped and ground her clit against his face, desperately chasing the last, fleeting sensations of the shocking release.
Eva dropped her head to the table, panting and spent. After a moment, she felt movement as Harte unbuckled her feet. He rose and stood at her side, gently stroking her back. He picked the hardened wax off her skin and slipped off the blindfold.
“That was…” She trailed off, too confused and drained to summon words.
“I know. There's nothing quite like it, is there?” He leaned down and kissed her—their first kiss, and she tasted herself on his mouth.
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Oh, Eva. Don't thank me now. There's still the matter of your language.”
Chapter Five
“Do you need a drink? Bathroom?” He helped her up onto the table, smiling when she curled up on her side. Her dark hair cushioned her cheek, and he found it difficult to look away. She looked young enough to be in her teens, but she was sexually mature, putting her in her mid- to late twenties.
She shook her head, but Harte wasn't fooled. She needed a break—just a short one to cool down from that climax. He glanced around. The two Abraxas hunters were talking quietly, doing their best to look at every woman and still not draw attention to themselves.
They were failing. A DM was cautiously watching them from across the room.
He caught sight of Kevin hovering anxiously at the bottom of the stairway. Once the omega had his attention, he swiftly moved to join Harte and Eva.
“The one upstairs went outside. Brian and Patrice followed like they were going out for a smoke. He met someone else in a black car. He argued with them and then came back inside.”
“Were they able to hear anything specific?”
Kevin shook his head. “They just seem to know she's still in here. They aren't to leave until they've got her.”
Harte frowned. The men had already walked past Eva several times. The only thing that had him worried was the pink streaks in her hair. Even in the updo, they'd been glaringly obvious. Down here, the dim light muted the color. But eventually they'd spot her.
Kevin looked down at Eva's still form. She appeared to be dozing.
“Are you two almost finished? The other two are getting antsy.”
Harte felt his jaw go tight. Soon—very soon—he and Brian would be coming to blows.
“They can just continue to stay on alert. I'm not finished.” He relented a bit, not wanting Kevin to feel the brunt of his anger. “She's identified two of the hunters by scent so far. Her hearing is perking up, along with her sense of smell. I can't just turn her back out on the street defenseless. Besides, we should stay put till Chase and his men get here.”
Kevin's green eyes flicked in her direction. “She's not a sub. You could teach her without going through all this.”
Harte smiled. “She's not a sub, but she's submitting to me. And…there's something there. I can feel it—almost taste it. I think she's alpha herself.” He shrugged his shoulders. For the first time, he found it odd that he confided in his omega rather than his beta. The beta who was currently upstairs sulking.
On impulse, he reached out and clasped Kevin by the hair, pulling hard. The young man's eyes glazed with pleasure. He didn't know who'd trained Kevin, but he or she had been a class act. The only time Kevin displayed any major anxiety was when his hazy origins were brought up. He'd been through rough times, and they'd left their mark. Yet the young man was surprisingly secure and balanced. His former master had built the young man up rather than torn him down.
From the corner of his eye, he saw one of the hunters returning up the stairs. The other was headed in their general direction. Harte pulled Kevin close, so close their lips brushed. He watched the hunter from behind the screen of the omega's honey-colored hair.
“She's your mate, Harte. That's why you need to dominate her.” Kevin's voice was soft to his ear. “Your wolf already knows. You've already claimed her. I can see it in your face.”
Gently he brushed his lips over Kevin's. By pack tradition, the young man was his if he wanted him. Theirs, if he someday chose to share him with his mate. Just the thought of Eva with Kevin made him want to tear the omega's throat out. Eva was his.
Carefully, Harte pulled himself back under control.
“It doesn't matter what my animal thinks, Kevin. Eva's never learned to listen to her wolf, and as soon as I let her loose, she'll run. All I can do is give her the tools she needs and hope she runs with me instead of away.”
He relaxed his hold on Kevin and let the young wolf loose. “Thank you, Kevin. You're doing good tonight.” The omega glowed with the praise. He returned to the stairs, a smile lingering on his face.
Harte sighed and turned to where he'd left Eva resting on the table. Her eyes were open. She'd been watching with interest.
She sat upright. Her corset lay abandoned and forgotten, and Harte froze at the sight of her almost fully nude. Her legs were neatly folded back, still encased in her boots and stockings. Her breasts were pale and round, tipped by dark rose nipples. Her belly was soft, belying the raw s
trength that she possessed. Her mons was shadowed with dark curls. He knew many men preferred their women to shave, but she was perfect the way she was.
He was fixed to the spot where he stood, staring at her. She blinked slowly. Her ridiculously long lashes shadowed her eyes.
“She's beautiful. Are you keeping her?”
He turned to see Master Xavier at his shoulder. Damn! He'd been so distracted that the club's owner had walked right up on him! He swallowed, watching Eva react as both men gazed at her, talking about her within her hearing.
“If she'll let me, yes. I'd like to keep her.”
She seemed to remember the minimal training he'd given her, and her gaze dropped to the tabletop. He could scent the warmth of her embarrassment.
They took a step closer. “Eva, this is Master Xavier. He owns Dark Haven. Since you owe him for tonight's sanctuary, you will call him 'my Liege.'”
Her eyes grew wide, and he prayed she'd keep a lid on her mouth. He could see the curiosity playing behind her eyes.
“Welcome to Dark Haven, Eva. If you need anything, please feel free to ask any of the staff.”
She nodded, gave a slight smile, and her gaze slid off to the side. That was involuntary, and Harte had no doubt that she was stunned by her own behavior. Submitting to a human? That was probably a first for Eva.
Xavier's hand on his arm urged him out of earshot of his little wolf. She was probably getting fed up with being left there. As he watched, she lowered herself to the table again and lay on her side, her chin propped on her forearm as she continued to watch him. She was wild and feral looking. He had a difficult time pulling his attention away from her.
“Harte, we've noted some strangers in our midst tonight. Is she the reason?” Xavier questioned him bluntly. It never failed to amaze him how much the human observed.
Lying would be very bad form, especially to a man he considered a friend. Harte glanced at Eva again and back to Xavier. “She's in trouble, Xavier. I can't just let her run off into the night.”
The other man nodded and looked at Eva again. “You just met?”
“Those men were following her. She ducked in here to hide and literally ran into me. The minute we step outside, they'll be on her. I've got help coming.”
The black-haired man stared at him enigmatically.
“Just be certain that when anything goes down, it goes down outside, not in here. I won't have my guests endangered.”
“Whatever happens, we'll be in control of it. And it won't be inside of the club.” Harte gave a wicked smile, fully aware that his eyes had shifted. Xavier might not know exactly what he was, but he'd never judged Harte and his people. “We think too highly of you to do that.”
Xavier bowed slightly, and his long braid slipped to the side of his shoulder. “I'm glad that I was able to give her sanctuary, then. You should go back to her now. She's drawing attention.”
Harte turned sharply and growled under his breath as an unattached dom approached Eva. He turned to thank Xavier, but the man was already gone. With his hackles rising and the wolf in his gaze, Harte returned to Eva.
Eva watched the man at Harte's side with some degree of awe. Yes, some humans were innately dominant, but he held a force similar to Harte's alpha presence. He was dressed in black, unrelieved except for the silver and blue vest under his frock coat. His hair was combed back from his face; the braid dropped near to his ass. Under the lights, she could see the high cheekbones of Native American lineage. She let out a deep breath.
Eva looked around, seeing so much more now than she'd been able to take in earlier. In one corner sat a cage; a young woman was crouched inside. She looked uncomfortable in her waist cincher and heels. In another corner, a heavy woman was lying on a table similar to the one Eva was perched on. She was bound to it with clear cellophane wrap. Her dom was between her spread legs, and his entire focus was on fucking her with his fingers.
She looked away only to see a tall man with his pants open, having sex with a woman on a hanging sling of some sort. They were oblivious to watchers. When his pants began to slip down his ass, she sniggered. It was interrupting his focus. He was having a hard time fucking and holding up his pants at the same time.
“Are you alone?” She looked up into the face of a stranger. Frankly she didn't know how he could possibly have missed Harte, but maybe he'd just come in.
“No, I'm with someone.”
“Well, your dom shouldn't have left you here like an offering, should he have?” She firmed her jaw and stared directly into his light blue eyes. He was young, perhaps in his midtwenties, and had blond stubble on his chin. His leathers looked stiff and new. He wasn't dressed for tonight's theme.
“I said I'm with someone. Now go away.”
His fair skin flushed with anger. His jaw went tight, and Eva recognized him for what he was—a poser. A bully. If they weren't in a controlled situation, he'd strike out at her.
“Go. Away.”
The young man leaned over the table, facing Eva. He started to speak and then stopped when a low growl floated through the air.
“She said leave.”
Harte's face was dark with fury; his eyes were molten gold. He was barely a step away from wolf, and that exquisite control of his was slipping. Eva swallowed. Part of her was thrilled at the possessiveness in his voice; another part wanted to run. If she ran, would he follow? Inside, her wolf rose to meet him.
The blond straightened slowly and turned to face Harte. He might have considered challenging the angry dom but wisely changed his mind.
“Sorry, man. Misunderstanding. My mistake.” He was between Harte and the table Eva sat on. It was only then that she remembered she was practically naked. Slippery juices from her orgasm still slicked her thighs. She'd been so high from the climax that she'd forgotten where she was and why she was here in the first place. She found her corset and realized that she'd be unable to put it on without assistance. Great! She was sitting nearly stark naked on a table in the middle of a dungeon while two men were preparing to fight over her. She scooted toward the head of the table, trying to distance herself from trouble.
Just when she thought they were going to burst into a fight, a DM stepped in.
“Hey there, Master Harte. MacKenzie. Is there trouble?”
“No trouble. Mac here was just leaving. Heading home. Weren't you, Mac?” The blond looked ready to argue and then thought better of it. He gave a stiff nod.
“Well, if you're leaving, I'll see you to the door.” The DM winked at Eva as he left. She saw the glint of a collar peeking out from the open neck of his shirt.
“He's a sub? And he's bouncing that guy? Sir?”
Harte was still caught up in fury. His breathing began to slow; his eyes slowly regained their hazel color. By the time he spoke, he'd regained his temper.
“Being a sub doesn't mean you're passive or weak. He's just wired to be the bottom in his relationship. Kevin's another good example. He's tough and a good fighter; he simply has no drive to challenge the other wolves. In personal relationships, he enjoys the power that he gains from being the sub.”
She'd heard about that before, the power of the submissive. Harte might be calling the shots, but if she said stop, he'd obey her without question. It was a comforting idea and empowering as well.
He scooped her up in his powerful arms and lifted her off the table. He was treating her as though she were precious and fragile. He settled her on the floor, watching critically to be certain that she was steady on her feet.
She glanced at the front of his trousers; she could easily see his erection straining against the fabric. Eva didn't even try to hold back her smile.
He reached down and picked up his bag. He tossed the abandoned corset to her. “Rest time is over. Back to work.”
Chapter Six
They walked toward a series of rooms situated to the side of the dungeon. The doors didn't lock, so Harte slid open a small peephole to make sure the room was empty.
“You'll like this.”
Eva entered a small space that was fashioned to look like an exotic tent. Silken hangings of vivid, luxurious colors lined the walls, and the floor was covered with heavy oriental rugs. A hookah was displayed on a table in the corner. Pillows and throws made of silk and velvet were strewn over the floor. A rich, thronelike chair sat at one end of the room. She could easily imagine a sheikh lounging there, choosing from his harem.
“Take a seat.” He gestured to the floor, so Eva settled on one of the huge pillows. Harte sat with his back against fabric-covered wall.
“So talk to me.”
She looked at him in puzzlement. “About what?”
He rested his head against the wall. “I just tied you up and whipped you. Then I dribbled hot wax on your skin and gave you a very public anal orgasm. You crossed some major boundaries, and I need to know what's going on in your head.”
“Sir?”
“Yes, Eva?”
“May I take off my boots?” He nodded his permission, and Eva untied the laces, then removed the boots with a sigh. “I've been on my feet well over twelve hours.”
Without comment, Hart moved over and began to massage her aching feet. She tried to jerk away, but he growled softly, telling her that perhaps his control wasn't as complete as she'd believed. When he pulled massage oil from his bag, she sighed with bliss. He carefully unfastened the garters and rolled down her stockings. He warmed the oil with his hands before smoothing it onto her skin.
“If anyone else in the world tried any of this with me, I'd have had their head.”
“I knew you were a dangerous woman.”
He grinned, and her heart melted just a bit. She reclined and stared at the ceiling. In the relative quiet of the little room, she could make out noises from upstairs: footsteps and muffled voices as well as music and the sound of the pipes in the walls.
“I can hear Brian's voice. I can't hear what he's saying, but I can hear him,” she said.
He rotated her foot, stretching her hamstring.
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