by Lexi Blake
That got Charlotte moving. “Excuse me. That man knows how to make out. I hope you get your shit together, Holmes, because Eric needs a partner. The thing is partners argue and fight and then they make out in a convenient space. Well, it’s what people in love do anyway.”
People in love. Was she in love with Eric?
Charlotte opened the door and before it could close again, Eric was walking through. His face dropped the minute he saw her.
“Baby, I am so sorry.”
Was she going to walk away because he’d been a dick? He would probably be a dick again because underneath all that Captain America awesomeness he was a man with flaws and fears. And she was a woman with the same.
Her father had walked out on someone he’d claimed to love. He hadn’t stayed. Hadn’t fought. It finally struck her that she’d misused the word. Her father hadn’t loved her. Fathers who loved their kids didn’t walk out on them. Husbands who loved their wives didn’t throw in the towel and find a new life. There hadn’t been love. Not from her father. Not from her husband. Eric wasn’t sitting somewhere waiting to see if she would take his abuse, planning on how to use her. He’d been an ass and he was standing right here in front of her, his handsome face so earnest it brought tears to her eyes.
“Do you love me?”
“Yes.” He said the word without hesitation. His hands came up to frame her face as he stared down at her. “Oh, baby, I’ve loved you for a long time but I was afraid to say it because I know how you feel about it. I know you won’t trust it.”
But she trusted him. It was a decision like anything else. She’d decided to move on with her life when she’d signed up for college. Wasn’t this a choice, too? To move on with him? “I love you, too.”
His jaw dropped. “Are you serious? Deena, I’m sorry about the way I talked to you. I didn’t mean to make you feel like I don’t respect your opinions.”
“But you did. You were a condescending asshole and if you do it again, we’re going to fight. So you need to sit back and let me do my job. I better have a job because I quit the one I had.”
“You did what?”
It was good to know she could surprise him. “I quit my job so I can run the business end of the restaurant and I think we should save money by moving in together, but first I’m going out and making sure you don’t sign that contract until it’s right. If you want to fight, we can find somewhere to fight, but I’m going to make you see reason because you’re worth more than what they’re offering.”
His lips curled up and his hands moved in front of his chest. “Go for it, baby. This is all you. Where I come from men cook dinner and women deal with the lawyers. By the way, mine is here. Her name is something Jensen. I don’t know. I haven’t actually talked to her yet. You can do that. Right?”
Too much. Too much emotion. Too much stimulation. Way too much coincidence. “Renee Jensen?”
Tiffany gasped. She knew that name.
Eric nodded. “Yes. I think that’s her name. Mitch brought her in from another firm. Why? Is she bad?”
Oh, she was a bitch, all right. There was a time when Deena might have hidden away and hoped that her past didn’t catch up to her, but today was not that day. She might technically be walking across a stage on Saturday, but today was freaking graduation day. It was time to jump in the deep end and be the woman she wanted to be.
“She’s fired is what she is.” Deena threw open the door and stepped out into the hallway, her mind on one thing.
It was her night to take out the trash.
“Okay.” Eric was right behind her. “Is there a particular reason we’re firing her?”
She must have looked as purpose driven as she felt because Javier practically jumped out of the way as she rounded the corner.
“Do we have anything worse than a Code Red?” Javi asked.
“I don’t know. I’m not even sure why we’re firing the lawyer we haven’t met yet,” Eric admitted. “But she’s in charge. I’m just here for the ride.”
Tiffany was hurrying along behind them. “That’s her ex-husband’s new girlfriend. The one he left her for.”
“I’m going to kill Mitch,” Eric swore.
And there she was. Renee Jensen was dressed in a perfect business suit, her dark hair cut in a chic bob, every inch of her face cosmetically enhanced. She leaned over, talking to Mitch Bradford. The big guy in the suit came in for lunch at least once a week. He usually came with his wife and their baby son. Luckily today he was alone, which was good because babies didn’t need to watch their fathers get an asskicking. A verbal one at least.
But first she was going to deal with Renee.
The brunette skank ho turned, her eyes widening in surprise. “Oh my god, is that Deena? Are you working here?” Her lips curled in a snarky grin. “Can you get me a coffee? Two sugars.”
Mitchell frowned as he looked up at her. “Deena? Are you all right?”
She picked up Renee’s probably thousand-dollar briefcase and turned on her heels. “I will be fine once I deal with your shitty contract, but I’m not doing anything with her in my space.”
“Hey, what are you doing with my briefcase?” Renee started to stalk after her in those five-inch heels of hers.
“You are fired. I’m Eric Vail’s business manager and you are never going to be his lawyer,” she said as she approached the door, opened it, and tossed the briefcase straight out and almost into the street. “Get the hell out of here and don’t come back. These are my people.”
“You bitch.” She ran out to grab her briefcase.
Deena took the opportunity to lock the door. She could hear Renee start to knock and scream, but Deena simply turned back to Mitch. “You have terrible taste in lawyers.”
Mitch nodded. “She was simply doing a favor for her boss, Deena. I was unaware of her…” He leaned over and Charlotte whispered something in his ear. He nodded. “Sorry, I was unaware of her status as a complete skank. I will, naturally, bring in another, less skanky attorney.”
Sean sighed and sat down before yelling toward the bar. “Sebastian, screw the wine. We’re going to need some Scotch.”
Eric slipped his hand into hers. “Yes, we’re going to need that because Deena and I have some problems we would like to work out. You want to explain the situation to them?”
All eyes were on her and she kind of wished she’d tucked her shirt in. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was the fact that she was here with him.
She nodded and began to speak.
CHAPTER TEN
Eric looked out at the stage. He was nervous. He was actually nervous about this. It was odd because it was all he’d been able to think about for the last few days. What if she changed her mind? What was he going to do if she turned tail and ran?
Go after her. Bring her home. It was what he would always do with this woman.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Big Tag asked. “Because sometimes playing the field is fun. Think about all those women you could be fucking.”
Eric rolled his eyes because he’d spent enough time with Big Tag to know when he was being an asshole in order to diffuse an emotional situation. “You said if I took the Dom in residence job I couldn’t fuck the clients.”
Tag’s eyes rolled right back. “Yeah, because so many of you listen to me about that. I promise every one of the new hires will be screwing someone they shouldn’t within weeks. I would crack down on it, but hey, I kind of like the drama. Your girl created some nice drama the other day, by the way.”
He couldn’t help but smile. Deena had fought for him and she’d won. Though Big Tag had moaned and complained about every concession, Eric was pretty sure it had all been for show. “She did what she needed to do.”
“I loved it when she called the cops on the skanky lawyer chick because she wouldn’t go away. That’s the only reason I’m condoning this ceremony of yours. I like a chick with balls. Not real balls, of course. Remind me to tell you about an assignment
Eric sighed and followed him out to the stage where Deena was already standing. Every bit of his nerves fell away. He had to stop and take a breath because she was stunning in an emerald and black corset and leather boy shorts. One day he was going to get her in a wedding gown. He’d already decided that there was no way he was eloping. He wanted all the ceremony he could get with this woman. His woman.
But for today, she was perfect.
“Welcome, everyone,” Big Tag said, addressing the crowd. “We’re here today to witness the formal bonding of a submissive to her Master. It sucks because they both promised me they wouldn’t take this shit seriously in any way and they intended to sleep around as much as they possibly could, but once again all my plans are foiled.” He turned serious, his face going a bit grave. “I started Sanctum as a place to play, a place where my friends could blow off some steam. Like all things in life, it’s grown and evolved and hopefully it’s aging well. It’s also become a place where more than one of you has found the person you needed to feel complete. Though we’ve lost some along the way, we’re still here and I’m very happy to bring these two together, to make our family a little bigger. I can joke about it all I like, but the truth is we can never have too much family. Eric, tonight I grant you Master rights here at Sanctum. Deena, I welcome you as well. Is this the man you wish to submit to? Can you respect him and his place here? Will you do your utmost to ensure his happiness and comfort?”
“I will be properly submissive when I’m in this club and a kick ass partner out of it,” Deena said with a grin.
Big Tag leaned in. “That means she’ll kick your ass. Trust me. I know. All the good ones do.”
“I can handle that,” Eric assured him.
Big Tag clapped his hands together. “All right then, Master Eric, is this the woman you want to be responsible for? Will you take care of her and do your utmost to ensure her happiness and comfort? Will you protect her and honor her place here?”
He was not going to get choked up. He wasn’t. Maybe he should rethink the eloping thing because he might make an idiot of himself at a wedding. He reached for her hand, the weight of it comforting to him. “I will be properly dominant when I’m in this club and our bedroom and I will be a kick ass partner out of it. I love you, baby. Will you accept this necklace as a sign that we belong together? As a promise of things to come?”
There were tears in her eyes when she nodded.
He pulled out the Cartier necklace he’d saved up for a long time to buy. This was the right woman, the one he would be with for the rest of his days.
He placed the necklace around her throat and kissed her as their friends cheered.
Big Tag nodded. “All right, that’s enough mushy shit. There’s a reception in the bar and Sanctum is open for play.”
Receptions were awesome, but he wasn’t going to this one. He leaned over, hooking an arm under Deena’s knees and the other around her back. He lifted her up. “Have fun everyone.”
“Yeah, I thought that’s what you’d do,” Big Tag said as his wife joined him. “Privacy room two is fully stocked and ready for you. Have fun.” He put an arm around his wife. “Kiss me, baby. You know I get emotional at these things.”
Charlotte smiled up at him. “I know you do. And privacy room number one is all set up for us.”
If he didn’t get a move on, he would have to fight Big Tag to get up the stairs, and that was not going to happen.
“Hey, we’re missing our reception,” Deena complained, but snuggled in his arms as he started up the stairs to the privacy rooms.
“I will have them send up a plate later,” he replied. “You’ll need your strength.”
“I bet I will.”
He loved the way the necklace looked around her throat. Maybe it made him a caveman but he wanted the world to know this woman was his. She’d chosen him. She stood by him. It was all a man needed to make his way in the world—a woman who loved him.
The door was slightly open as though whoever had set it up had known the man using it wouldn’t have his hands free. It was nice to know they were joining a long line of loving couples here at Sanctum. He lightly kicked the door open. The room was lit with candles. There was a big bed complete with a bondage package he intended to use later, but first, he had plans for his sub.
He set her on her feet and then locked the door. “Take the clothes off and find your position.”
“Not playing around, are we?” Deena asked in a husky voice, her hands already tugging at the front hooks of her corset.
“Not tonight. Tonight, I’m in charge. I loved the way you handled Mitch and I adored watching you take care of business the other day, but the whole time all I could think about was getting you here and making you mine. Tomorrow, you get to be the graduate. The day after, you get to be the Top franchise’s ballsy business manager, but tonight, oh baby, tonight you are going to be my sweet submissive.”
She practically glowed when she smiled at him. He’d been a bit jealous at first when Sean had suggested Deena take over for both restaurants. He wanted to keep her all to himself, but he was rapidly finding joy in watching her spread her wings and fly. His girl was too smart, too ambitious for just one restaurant. She would help them build an empire. “I can do that for you, Master.”
No more Sirs. He was her Master now and he would always honor her. “Show me your breasts.”
She managed to tug the final eyelet off, freeing her breasts. She tossed the corset on the chair beside her. Eric was certain that chair was built for bondage as well, but it would serve a different purpose tonight.
She stood in front of him, skin soft and lovely in the candlelight. Her hair flowed around her shoulders and her breasts…oh, her breasts made his mouth water.
“The rest of it,” he demanded. He got to be demanding here. He was more than willing to let her handle all the business negotiations she wanted as long as he got to dominate her here. This was the place where he could bring her pleasure and comfort and joy. This was the place where he could find his own. With her and only her.
She placed her shoes and the boy shorts she’d been wearing on the dresser top along with the corset before moving in front of him and sinking gracefully to her knees. Her head dropped in a submissive manner, her palms up on her thighs.
He wanted to feel her mouth on him before he moved on to the more exotic time of the evening. Eric stepped in front of her. She was so lovely in this pose, calm and tranquil and waiting his order. She trusted him. It was an enormous leap of faith because her trust had been destroyed before. How much courage had it taken for her to open herself to him, to let him in?
He reached down, gently lifting her chin so he could look her in the eyes. “I love you, Deena. I will never make you sorry you’re here with me.”
“And I’ll never make you sorry you were patient with me,” she replied serenely.
He wouldn’t be. His patience had brought him her and that was all he could ask for. Well, actually he could think of a few other things he could ask for. “Undo my leathers.”
Her lips curved up in a sultry smile as her hands came up, reaching for the ties on his leathers and gracefully undoing them. His dick was already hard as a rock and desperate for her affection. He hissed as she took it into her hand. Damn but no matter how many times he made love to this woman it always felt like this, like he was young and learning the joys of a woman all over again. She made him feel this way.
“Kiss it.” He couldn’t stop the low growl in his tone.
Her eyes were up, looking at him as she leaned forward and brushed her lips against the head of his cock. Pure fire swept through him as she ran the flat of her tongue around his dick.
“That’s what I want, but don’t think you’ll take me all the way. You’re not getting off that easy. Not at all. Tonight I’m going to have everything I’ve wanted. Everything I’ve been preparing you for.”
Her eyes widened and she moved back on her heels. “We should talk about that.”
Nope. He wasn’t playing that way tonight. “You’ll love it. You have no problem going for hours with the plug. Don’t even pretend. You’ve started to like it.”
She leaned forward again. “I can cry and plead if it makes you happy.”
He wasn’t a sadist, though he did like to play with her. “Not tonight. Tonight I want to make you come. I want to take that pretty ass and make it mine.”
She licked at him, drawing her tongue over the slit of his cock and sucking at the little drop of moisture there. “Everything I have is yours, Master.”
And she would get everything from him. He would work his hardest to build something special with her, to have a life they could both be proud of. He wound a hand in the silk of her hair and drew her forward. She shivered as he pulled slightly. He’d learned exactly the right amount of pressure to apply to ensure she was wet and ready for him.
He twisted her hair, tugging lightly, and was rewarded with a moan. The sound moved over his sensitive flesh. Deena leaned over, taking more of him. He watched as his dick disappeared between those gorgeous lips. Her tongue moved over and around his stalk, and he wasn’t going to think about anything but how good it felt.
“Take more.” He forced another inch in, hissing as her teeth lightly scratched over him. “Don’t make me spank you. I’ll tie you down and you won’t be able to sit at your graduation ceremony. If that’s not enough to make you behave, there’s always the ginger lube.”
She whimpered around his cock and one hand came up to cup his balls. Sensation sizzled up his spine. Deena worked to take him inside, finding that perfect rhythm where every second was pure bliss. There wasn’t a moment when he couldn’t feel the heat of her mouth, the soft pull of her lips.
He tugged at her hair. “Time to take care of you.”
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