Bending the Rules: Wicked Warrens, Book 5

by Marie Harte

  “I need coffee. Stat.” She sighed and grabbed a cup, then poured herself a healthy amount. Just in time, too, because her right hand man, Harper, showed up with a glower that would have intimidated anyone else. Derrick followed behind him, arguing into her office and not stopping.

  Back to her typical Monday. “Okay, gentlemen—and I use that term loosely. What the hell happened now?”

  Chapter Two

  “Rex, sweetie. You look wonderful.” Sue Samson hugged her son as if she hadn’t seen him two days ago.

  “Yeah, Momma. You too.” He hugged her back, praying they could skip the lecture about his pitiful social life this time. After driving her and his daddy back from the airport last weekend, he’d left them to settle in, barely escaping with his sanity. Swear to God, his mother had a real hankering for grandkids. As the only child, he was supposed to breed on command. Lucky him.

  “Sit, sit. Some tea?” she asked as she bustled about the kitchen island.

  He nodded. He’d grown up in this house. Well, mostly. The early years had been fraught with economic disaster, and they’d moved around a lot. His father had worked his tail off to become a successful venture capitalist, and all with the support of his lifelong partner, Sue. Despite having an old-school father who thought women were no better than chattel, Harry Samson had always treasured his wife. The pair had been through a lot, but always together.

  They doted on Rex. Which made disappointing them such a sour ball in his stomach. He so badly wanted to be what they expected—a young Georgian in love with sweet tea, football and country music. Married at twenty-four, kids by twenty-five. But Rex was anything but typical. He liked the tea and football, sure, but preferred jazz to country. And the thought of settling down with some little Susie Homemaker scared the crap of him, because she’d bore him to tears.

  Still, he tried to play the part they wanted him to, out of love and respect.

  “Great tea, Momma.” He smiled.

  “Good. I made it last night. Had to let it steep, you know.” She wore her hair shorter now, but still frosted to perfection, courtesy of the salon downtown. Attractive, friendly, and with a smile that warmed him whenever he saw it, Sue Samson was everyone’s best friend.

  “You’re going to the gala next week, right?” Rex hoped to forestall what was sure to be a painful dissection of his current dating prospects. “Me too. I’ve got a date, so don’t even ask.”

  “Oh?” She pretended not to care as she put the dishes into the dishwasher, but he knew they’d circle back to his new friend like a heat seeking missile. “That’s nice, dear. So I met Barbara Warren the other day. I’d seen her around, of course, but never met her. Then we started talking, and she is just the nicest woman. I invited her and her husband over for dinner tomorrow.”

  “Warren?” That name sounded familiar. “Derrick Warren’s mom?”

  The Warrens were well known in town, if she was indeed talking about the same family.

  “Yes. I think he’s one of twins.”

  Derrick’s brother, Dr. Dylan Warren, was a noted psychiatrist. Derrick worked in construction with their younger brother. The family was well-liked. Rex knew Derrick pretty well. He’d seen the others around town but had never had much to do with them.

  “What about them?”

  “Barbara’s thrilled. Her boys are all in committed relationships.”

  He stifled a groan. Not long now…

  “I saw her at the salon, and we got to talking. You know, it’s strange you never met her boys growing up. But I suppose spending the summers in Savannah with your cousins took you away from us. That and you had to attend Harvard.” She made a face.

  The one time he’d put his foot down. He’d wanted to go to one of the best business schools in the country. It had been a real fight not to attend his parents’ alma matter at Clemson. But hell, look at him now. He’d been worth it.

  “Momma…”

  “Hush. I’m just sayin’.” She smiled. “Want some dinner, honey? I have some leftover chicken.”

  “That’s fine. Thanks.” He watched her serve him. Any attempt to get his own food would result in an order to sit himself down and wait for her to do it. He dug into the tender chicken, glad he’d skipped eating out.

  “Your daddy will be back soon. Went to the store because we ran out of milk.”

  He waited for it…

  “So this date of yours…”

  The ax started to fall.

  “How did you meet her?”

  “I met her while visiting with Tom Jessup. She works in the city planner’s office. Smart gal. I thought she’d make a nice companion for next week. Plus, she knows most everyone who’ll be there.” He’d spent so much time concerned with business details and expansion that he didn’t have the connections in town he wanted just yet.

  “Good boy.” She smiled. “What’s she like?”

  “I don’t rightly know yet.” But I will. He was itching to find out if she’d be mean in bed. “She’s smart. Really pretty. Tall, thin, brown hair, hazel eyes.”

  “Oh. I’d like to meet her.” His mother’s eyes sparkled. He knew that look.

  “Heck no. I don’t want you scaring her away with talk of grandbabies. It was hard enough getting her to agree to go with me next week.” Hard indeed. To his surprise, even days after meeting her, he’d had some hot, hot dreams about her. Many of them surrounding the image of him kneeling between her spread thighs.

  Embarrassed at getting aroused while sitting next to his mother, he focused on the here and now.

  His mother mused, “I wonder if Judge Goode will be there next week.”

  “Probably. Poor Brian.” His best friend’s father was a horse’s ass, and that was the best thing Rex could say about him.

  Sue laughed. “Now, honey, that’s not nice.” She paused. “But true. How that man can treat his son like he does is beyond me.” She moved around the island to kiss him on the cheek.

  “Momma.” He felt all of two years old while she fussed over him. And truth be told he loved it.

  “So sweet, my little Rex. You know, your daddy and I have always been so proud of you. You’re so successful and smart.” She patted him on the shoulder. “That’s why I’m always on you about a girlfriend, baby. I want you to have what your daddy and I have.”

  “I know. But maybe that’s why I still don’t have that special girl yet. None of them measure up to you.”

  His mother blushed. “Oh now. Get on with you and your pretty words.”

  He chuckled as his father returned. Rex looked just like him, and was often called a chip off the old block. A better compliment he’d never earned.

  “Got the ice cream.” His dad held up a paper bag with pride.

  “Milk, Harry. I said milk.”

  Harry blinked. “Oh. Well, I suppose I can go back out.”

  Rex chuckled. “I’m meeting Brian tonight. I’ll grab your milk and drop it off tomorrow before I head into work.”

  “We don’t want to put you out.” His mother frowned.

  “But we will, because I don’t want to go right back out just now.” His father grinned. “Got us some rocky road. Yum.”

  Rex lifted his fork. “Still working on Momma’s chicken.”

  “Freeloader.” His father frowned. “That was supposed to be my lunch tomorrow.” He sighed and grinned. “Oh well. Easy come, easy go. How’s work treating you, boy?”

  His mother drifted into the living room to answer the phone while Rex talked financials with his father. After a while, he noted the time.

  “Shoot, Daddy. I gotta go.”

  “Where to?”

  Rex rinsed his plate and fork in the sink, then put them in the dishwasher. “Meeting Brian for a beer. It’s tough to get him by himself without Faith, so I’m taking advantage.”

  “Sad
to see them fall, isn’t it?” His father laughed. “Tell Brian I said hey. And take a note. Get yourself a woman and—”

  “Not you too.” He groaned. “I already told Momma I’m bringing a date next week to the gala. And no, I will not introduce you to her until we have at least a few more dates between us. I think I can grow to like this one. I don’t want to scare her off with a ‘meet the parents’ nightmare.”

  “Gotcha.” Harry understood. “Tell me this, she cute?”

  “Nope. Sexy. A little mean.”

  His father’s eyes sparkled. “Even better. Good luck, boy. With a woman like that, you’re gonna need it.”

  Rex left them with kisses goodbye. Anyone seeing how close he was with his parents would call him a momma’s boy, but he loved his folks. They could do no wrong in his book. He just wished he could be the boy they wanted. A two-point-five kids father and husband to a suburban helpmeet. Boring, staid, happily-ever-after.

  God love ’em, but his parents didn’t scream sexy or exciting. They were like a big old plate of comfort food. Something he treasured but couldn’t eat every damn day without getting heart disease.

  Rex wanted something more. Something different. Something he got when he watched Brian and Faith go at it. Or when he played with multiple partners at the club—Augusta’s private place where any and everything happened—on the QT.

  It had been over a month since he’d been by, and he figured he was due. Jerking off to thoughts of Natalie Wielder were pathetic, even for him. Time he saw some action again.

  He met Brian inside the club his buddy privately co-owned with his sister Freddy. Good old Brian. Successful dull millionaire on the outside, perverted fun guy on the inside.

  He grinned as he sat down at a table in the crowding lounge. Must have some kind of show tonight. “Hey there, kinkster. Nice to see ya.”

  Brian flushed. “Shut up. I’m here because you forced me to meet you.”

  “I did not. I merely pointed out what a pussy you’ve grown into since finding luurve with that sexy woman. Where is she, by the way?”

  Brian shrugged and flagged down a waitress. After ordering drinks, they watched as a band set up for a live show. The nameless club had a private membership, the rules clearly stating what went down at the club stayed at the club. Lawsuits and high-profile clientele mandated confidentiality. Considering the wealthy, litigious patrons who frequented, Rex understood why they’d never had a problem being discreet.

  Freddy brought them their beers. “On the house, handsome,” she teased and gave Rex a peck on the cheek. “Where’s Faith?”

  “What I’d like to know,” Rex said.

  “She’s hanging with Sydney and Hailey at the house. Some stupid girls’ night I wasn’t invited to.”

  Rex stared. “Is that why you accepted my invite? Because you got denied a better one?”

  “I wanted to hang out with you, you moron.” Brian’s sneer said otherwise.

  Freddy laughed. At the bar behind her, Rex spotted Dylan Warren and Harper Reynolds, Freddy’s significant others, watching them. When they saw him, they raised their drinks in salute.

  “Nice family you got there, Freddy.” He respected the hell out of her for taking what she wanted in life. He could just imagine the horror on his parents’ faces if he brought home a boy and a girl to play house. Then again, he didn’t want a boy to play house with, just to play with on the side, preferably while his girlfriend watched.

  At the thought, he wondered what Nat was up to tonight.

  “Thanks for the beers, Freddy,” Brian said. “Better get back to Frick and Frack though. Harper looks annoyed at you kissing Rex.”

  Rex grinned and turned his other cheek toward her. “You missed a spot, sugar.”

  She kissed him, then went back to the bar. He noted Dylan frowning now as well. Rex waved, to which the guys answered by flipping him the bird.

  “Oh yeah, Rex,” Brian drawled. “You’ve still got the touch.”

  He grinned. “So guess what? I have myself a date for next week. You’re gonna be there, right?”

  “Yep. In fact, it’ll probably be fun. I’m going with Faith. Freddy will be there with Dylan. Harper’s staying home though. Can’t stand fancy parties.”

  “He’s missing out.”

  “That’s what I said. But he’s content to wait for Freddy and Dylan.” Brian shook his head. “I tell you, the idea of my sister with two guys was beyond weird. But she’s never been this happy. Harper and Dylan are perfect for her.”

  “And each other, hear tell.”

  Brian squirmed. “Dude, TMI.”

  “What’s wrong with a little man love?” He grinned. “You seemed to have no problem letting me know you could handle the thought of me and Peter.” Peter Cordell, his first same-sex experience, and the perfect partner to introduce Rex to voyeurism and submission.

  He wondered what Nat would be like in bed, if she’d act as aggressive in the sack as she had at work. Did she like to be in charge? To watch or be watched?

  He sighed. If only.

  “You seem less embarrassed about admitting it,” Brian said.

  “Hell, man. You’d just come back to town after being gone forever. I didn’t know how cool you’d be knowing about me. Then again, after what we did with Faith…”

  “Now those are some nights I’ll never forget.” Brian took a swig of beer. “I can’t believe you thought I’d be judgmental about your sex life.” Brian shook his head. “Just because I’m not into guys doesn’t mean I have a problem with what anyone else likes.” He coughed. “I mean, Faith likes when you watch us.”

  “You do too, don’t you?”

  “Oh hell. You know I do, but mostly because it gets her so fuckin’ hot. And remember, that’s still our little secret.”

  “Who am I going to tell?” Rex snorted. “You like to be watched, I like watching.” He especially liked watching Brian master Faith, calling her his slave, taking charge. Because Rex wanted that too, but from a woman.

  Odd how he liked sex with both genders, but he wanted a relationship with a woman. The man-sex could be added in, but only for play. Finding a woman to accept his needs? That was the real challenge.

  “Can we stop talking about our kinks, please?” Brian asked.

  Rex chuckled. “Dude, we’re in a sex club. What the hell are we doing here if not…” he tapered off, staring in shock at the woman who’d entered to sit at the bar next to Harper.

  “What’s wrong?” Brian swiveled in his chair. “Who’s the chick next to Harper?”

  “My date for next week.” Rex’s smile grew wide. “And if I play my cards right, my partner tonight in a little play. Wh-oo-ee, this is my lucky night. Do me a favor and find your sister, but be quiet about it. I need a minute to talk to her.”

  Brian rolled his eyes. “The things I do to facilitate your sex life.” At Rex’s look, he stood. “I know, I know. You’ve more than helped me out. Just wait here.”

  Rex sank lower in his seat, keeping an eye on Nat while keeping himself half-hidden behind a menu he’d found on a nearby table. When Brian returned with Freddy, Rex filled her in on what he wanted.

  “Sure thing, Rex. Let me see what I can do.” She winked. “On the house.”

  Nat glanced around the club with interest. When Harper had invited her out to have a drink with him and Dylan downtown, she hadn’t expected this place. A big old Victorian that had been repainted and refurbished, the place looked like a million bucks. Antique wooden flooring, wainscoting, detailed scalloped ceilings and light fixtures… She didn’t even mind signing the weird legal form at the entrance. In order to be a guest of Harper’s, she’d had to agree to not disclose what went on at the club. Harper had told her to expect it, that some important people gathered at the place and wanted anonymity.

  How interesting. She’d gone to
a place with a similar vibe in Aiken a few months ago, drawn to something different and secluded. Nat liked letting her guard down, but she couldn’t afford to do it around people who knew her. She had peculiar tastes in entertainment, and the traditional mores inherent in her job would never pass public scrutiny.

  But after her week—one that hadn’t ended yet—she needed a break. Especially since Harper had promised she’d be safe to let down her hair here, so to speak.

  She still wore it in a ponytail, but she’d eschewed her slacks for shorts and her work blouse for a silk tank. The summer heat could be killer outside her air conditioned office.

  “Can’t believe you took me up on the offer,” Harper said and nodded to his girlfriend tending bar. “Freddy, bring us…” He paused to look at Nat.

  “A screwdriver.”

  He frowned. “Such a girly drink. Fine, fine,” he said when she smacked him. “Screwdriver for the girl. I’ll have a beer.” Next to him, Dylan nodded for the same.

  Some might find it strange that she didn’t find Harper’s relationship weird. But Nat had always been open and accepting of differences. She had two brothers currently in and out of relationships and a gay sister fully committed to her partner. Her own parents had divorced when she was six. They’d made poor spouses to each other, though her mother had successfully remarried. Her father was on wife number six, and she doubted that would last.

  From all that Nat had seen of relationships, conventions could be damned. The only thing that mattered was love. Something she seemed doomed never to find.

  Freddy returned with their drinks, and Nat took a sip and sighed. “What can I say, Harper. I was bored. Figured a night on the town might lift my spirits.”

  Dylan grinned. “Me too. That’s why I agreed to come tonight.”

  Considering Dylan’s status as a prominent psychiatrist in town, she knew she’d be safe enough. He had a sterling reputation. As long as she stuck by him, she’d be protected from scrutiny.

  Harper muttered something to his lover she couldn’t make out but made Dylan turn red. Harper, the huge, sandy-haired contractor with muscles, and Dylan, the streamlined looker who wore sophistication like a second skin. The pair fit. Then to add in Freddy, the cute blond who flittered about like a fairy behind the bar, and the threesome made one hell of an attractive group.