She leaned into Lake, her breasts pressing into his back. From the way he straightened up and pushed backwards, she knew that he appreciated the feel of her against him. Maybe, just maybe, she would let her guard down and enjoy Lake’s company, for just one night. The idea of having a real flesh-and-blood cock inside her had definite appeal.
Lucy pushed the idea out of her head. There was no way she was falling into bed with this man. He’d just use her and abuse her, the way Brandon had. She pushed back gently, aware that this seat didn’t have back support for the rider.
A few blocks up, he pulled into the parking lot of a grocery store. Lake parked the bike at the end of the lot and turned off the engine.
He twisted in his seat so he could look her in the eye.
“How about we split the difference and go for twenty-two and a half.”
“Cash?”
“I can have the money wire transferred to you tomorrow, if you can have the title for me at the same time.”
“I can do that.”
Lake stuck out his hand. This time, Lucy took it and didn’t pull back. He grinned at her and she nodded, fighting the inner war that waged inside her.
Chapter Two
Lake slipped the truck into park and exited the cab. He looked for Lucy, but didn’t see her. He was sure she’d said to meet him in the parking lot, and not in the bank.
A check of his watch showed he was about ten minutes early. He wondered if he was anxious to purchase the bike, or to see Lucy again. He decided it was a bit of both, heavy on the Lucy side.
Her behavior last night had mystified him. When she’d leaned into him on the bike, he’d known she was aroused. He could feel it in the way her body rested against his. Damn, he’d been hard since the minute he’d seen her walk into Margaret’s backyard.
Medium height and curvy, with long auburn hair she’d pulled back into a braid for riding. Her lips were full and very, very kissable. Of course he’d fantasized about them doing other things to him last night. His cock had been hard all through the ride, and after getting home, he’d had to take matters into his own hands. The fantasy of Lucy in front of him, her lips wrapped around him, had fueled the fire.
She would be the perfect little sub, if he could just get her to open up and trust him. When he’d heard about her ex, and about her mother’s six marriages, he knew exactly where the hesitancy to let anyone new into her life came from. He had a few plans to work on that. Lucy was definitely someone he wanted to get to know better.
He leaned against the truck and waited. About five minutes later she pulled into the lot in an SUV that he knew probably cost her a pretty penny. What did Margaret say that she did? He racked his brain, and then snapped his fingers. She worked at a garden shop, one of many scattered around the New Mexico area. He couldn’t believe that she could afford such a high priced machine on her salary.
She parked next to him and smiled tentatively as she exited the car.
“You’re early,” she said, and he took advantage of the time to watch her walk toward him. He used his doctor’s training to pin her at about a size sixteen. She had large breasts and hips, with a smaller waist. A perfect hourglass figure. He felt his cock harden again.
“I’m anxious. Nice truck.”
“It was Craig’s. It’s paid for, and mine wasn’t. So I sold mine and kept his.”
“Wow. What did he do for a living?”
“Delivery man for a trucking service.”
Lake’s eyebrows shot up and Lucy laughed.
“He also played poker at the casinos, quite successfully.”
“Ah, I see. He must have been pretty good at it.”
“He was. Shall we go inside?”
Lake nodded, then took her elbow as they walked across the parking lot. He felt her tense up, but she didn’t pull away. That was a start. She’d left Margaret’s house minutes after they’d returned from his test drive. She didn’t even stay for the food, which surprised him. He’d been hoping to use that time to get to know her better.
They concluded their transaction very quickly, he transferring the funds and she signing over the title. Once it was completed, she planned to go with him to the DMV to make sure there were no hold-ups, since she’d signed a title with Craig’s name on it.
“OK, I have the death certificate, and my power of attorney and the will. Let’s go and change it over.”
“Sounds good to me. Can I treat you to dinner tonight? Although, after the wad of cash you just received it should be the other way around.” He was grateful to see a smile crack through her hardened exterior.
“Thanks, but I have other plans.”
“Later in the week, then? Come on, I’ll drive the bike over and you can visit it. We’ll go for a ride and you can practice riding bitch. I know you didn’t want to get rid of it.”
“You’re right, I didn’t. But I needed the money. I’ll think about the offer and let you know. We’d best get down to the tag office. The line there is usually horrendous.”
“Fine, but you’re passing up a great deal. Trust me.”
“Trust you? I’ve heard that line before.”
“Yeah, but I’m a doctor.”
* * * * *
Lucy rolled the large clay pot onto the dolly, tied it down, and wheeled it toward the tourist’s car. She could tell by looking at the vehicle that the woman’s trunk would not hold the pot and be able to close. Before she could voice her opinion the woman’s husband objected, saying that they would have to have the item shipped to their home in New York.
“No way. I don’t trust those services.” The woman stomped her foot and put her hands on her hips.
“Well, we could put it in the passenger’s seat and tie you to the roof.” The husband’s voice was harsh.
Lucy bit her lip to hide a smile. It was obvious this couple had been on an extended trip and were getting on each other’s nerves. As they argued, she checked her watch. An hour and a half until Brownlee’s closed and she could jump on her Harley and go home.
Thoughts of the motorcycle brought up an image of Lake Ross. It had been four days since he’d purchased the Indian. He’d given her his card and said that she should call him. He’d made no bones about what she should call him for. She’d practically worn out George’s batteries thinking about his offer.
The man was gorgeous. Even though he was a doctor, he hadn’t said anything about her needing to lose thirty pounds. Instead, he’d eyed her breasts and hips with appreciation. She’d been so very tempted to go home with him that day. Only the idea of being crapped on again held her back.
She’d just started to help the customer’s husband load things from the trunk into the back seat when the distinct sound of the Indian reached her ears. She turned and watched Lake pilot the bike next to her own, park it, and take off his helmet. Their gazes locked as he unzipped his jacket. He licked his lips and ran his fingers through his hair. And Lucy almost had an orgasm on the spot.
“Watch it! You drop that and you’ll buy us another one!” The annoying husband shot her an angry look.
“Sorry, sorry.” She bit back a nasty retort, grabbed the pot, and lifted it into the trunk. The husband scoffed at her and was still arguing with his wife when their car drove off.
Lake had propped himself against his bike, watching her carefully as she walked toward him. He looks at me like he knows what I look like naked. And why am I suddenly wet? You know why, Lucy. George just isn’t going to hack it for you tonight.
“Hi. You put a new seat on the bike. Cool.”
“Yeah, it’s got support for my rider. Which, hopefully, will be you. When do you get off?”
“A little over an hour.” Her stomach rolled and her clit twitched. It wasn’t a bad feeling, except that Lucy knew that Lake knew the effect he had on her.
“Good. Meet me at the picnic area about twenty minutes from here, off I-25 on the way to Santa Fe. You know where I’m talking about?”
Lucy nodded.
“I’ll meet you there after you get off work. Don’t be late.”
He stood and strapped on his helmet.
“You’re awfully sure of yourself.”
“Well, you didn’t call me back, so I figured I’d have to dangle a carrot in front of your nose.”
Lucy’s brow furrowed. “What carrot?”
“Something I found taped to the underside of the seat when I changed it out. I’m guessing it belonged to Craig, and that you’d want it back.”
“Yeah, I do. Just give it to me now instead of all this cloak and dagger stuff.”
Lake straddled the bike and grinned. “I always loved detective shows. See ya in an hour and a half.”
He revved the engine and drove off, leaving Lucy standing with her hands on her hips, and a smart-ass answer on her lips.
* * * * *
She found the picnic site with little effort. It was back from the road, sitting in a copse of trees. Lake sat on the table, chewing on an apple. She parked and took off her helmet.
“Can I have what you found?”
“Nice to see you, too. Some fruit? I brought apples, pears, and some grapes. I also bought some cheese and some green tea. I would have brought beer but I never drink and drive. I’ve stitched up too many wounds from the dumb asses who do.”
Lucy hitched her rear onto the table and grabbed a pear. She took a bite and licked the juice from her chin.
“What did you find?”
“I’m not sure. I didn’t open it.”
He pulled a letter-sized envelope from his pocket.
Lucy took it and frowned. The number eight, followed by thirty-two in parenthesis, was in the left hand corner. In the middle of the envelope Craig had written three-nine-seven-four. She tore open the seal and a key fell into her hands.
“No markings,” she murmured. “I have no idea what this means.”
“It means something, or else your uncle wouldn’t have hidden it on the bike. Do those numbers mean anything to you?”
“Nothing. I’ve gone through everything that was in the safety deposit box, and in his house. The lawyer didn’t give me anything with this on it.”
“Hmm, it’s a mystery, then. I’ll help you solve it, if you like.”
Lake finished his apple, then threw the core into the trees. He picked up a pear and mimicked Lucy’s early movements. When his tongue touched the juice on his chin she felt her knees weaken. She stared at the area his tongue had caressed, her mouth watering at the idea of tracing her tongue over the exact same spot.
“I feel the same way, but you’re a tough nut to crack.” His voice was low and sensuous.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Lucy put the key in the envelope, folded it, and put it in her back pocket.
“Come on, the attraction between us is obvious. Why won’t you at least let me take you to dinner?”
“Isn’t that what we’re doing now?” Lucy finished her pear and threw it in the same place as Lake had tossed his core.
“Hardly. I’m talking steaks and potatoes, or chicken, fish, Mexican, Italian…you name it, and I’m there.”
“With sex for dessert?”
“I’m not opposed to that idea.”
“Look, I appreciate the offer, but…”
“I know, Margaret told me.”
Lucy jumped from the table. “She told you what?”
“Come on. I was curious, so I asked. She told me about your lousy ex leaving you with all those bills. It doesn’t mean that every man is going to dump on you.”
“Yeah? Well George and I get along just fine, and all I have to do is supply him with batteries.”
She started to walk toward her bike, but stopped when his voice reached her ears.
“Tell me, when you’ve been playing with George the last few nights, have you been thinking about me? Have you imagined me above you, behind you, beside you? What have I been doing, Lucy? Sucking those beautiful breasts? Fucking you? Did I tie you up and do all sorts of nasty things to you? Did you come hard?”
She turned toward him, her chest heaving. “How dare you?”
But she stood, rooted to the spot. Her words held no conviction. They stared at each other for several minutes; then he gathered the fruit and set it on the seat of the table.
“Come here.”
“No.”
“I’m not going to do anything. I just want to prove a point. Come here.”
“What point?”
“A little leeway, please?” He held out his hand.
Lucy shook her head. She should hop onto her hog and head home. But the pull between them was too much. Damn, but she wanted him. She straightened her shoulders and walked toward him.
“Lie down on the table.”
“Don’t I need to put on a gown first, Doctor?”
He grinned and winked.
“Lie down.” The command in his voice was obvious. It sent ripples of desire running through her body.
Lucy did as he asked, her chest expanding more and more as her nerves hit overdrive.
“Close your eyes and listen, OK?”
Lucy nodded, the wonderful feeling of arousal taking over. Then, panic set in. She started to rise, and Lake gently pushed her back down.
“Relax. Each time I meet a new patient, I have to develop trust. I have to remember that this is a person who’s been hurt, usually through no fault of their own. They have to trust me to help them, trust me to recover what they’ve lost.”
His fingertips touched her hair, combing gently through down to the braid.
“And is this how you get them to trust you?”
“No, we talk and get to know each other. Sometimes I do it by giving them a massage. But you’re not one of my patients, and if I start to massage you, my hands are going to go places they probably shouldn’t be…just yet.”
Lucy moaned lightly. This was the most impetuous thing she’d done in ages. And she was loving it.
“Tell me what you like, Lucy. Tell me what makes you hot, what gets you off.”
“Don’t you think you should buy me dinner, first?” She was so turned on right now that she wanted to scream at him to bend her over the table and fuck her. She tried to relax as he moved his hands back up to her forehead and traced them through her hair again.
“Tell me. Tell me how you’d like me to top you. Tell me how you’d like to submit to me, to give your body to me.”
Her body tensed. I’m gonna kill her. I’m gonna kill her.
She swallowed her anger against her friend, who she knew was just trying to help Lucy out of a bad time.
“Margaret told you.”
“That you’re a sub? Yes. Did Margaret tell you that, even though we work at the hospital together, we met at Tygers?”
“Oh, shit.” Lucy sat up, and Lake pushed her shoulders back down. His touch turned her nipples to hard little pebbles. Brandon had been her top, and he’d dumped on her. What made her think this man would be any different just because he was Margaret’s friend?
“I’ve topped her several times, all under the watchful eye of her husband. The kind of topping I want to do with you, however, involves more than things that happen at Tygers. But I’m willing to start there.”
“What if I’m not?”
“Your body tells me you are. Meet me there at nine tomorrow. I’ll be in one of the private rooms. Just ask downstairs.”
He traced his fingers along her lips, then picked up his helmet, straddled his bike, and took off. Lucy sat up on the table and stared at the mountains. She was going to kill Margaret. She could have at least warned her that Lake was a Dom. She’d been set up.
She laughed and shook her head. Maybe an intense session with Lake would do her good. Trust was the main aspect in a D/s relationship. If Lake could help her recover her ability to trust, then it would be worth it. She’d been lonely for the last year, with Brandon leaving and Craig dying.
She pulled the key and envelope from her p
ocket.
“So, Craig, since you’ve left me this little mystery, tell me what this means?”
She lifted her eyes to the sky. The only sounds that hit her ears were far off car engines and animals scavenging for half eaten fruit cores.
Maybe I can get Lake to help me with this later, after I meet him at Tygers. The idea that she’d so readily accepted the invitation made her very nervous. A breath of hot air left her lips. The idea of submitting to Lake was very intriguing, but also very disturbing. It had been more than a year since she’d been to Tygers. She hoped she had the courage to walk through the front door, much less submit to a man she’d known for less than a week.
Chapter Three
Tygers was hopping, as always. Lucy parked the SUV near the back of the lot and stared out across the sea of vehicles. She examined each car until her gaze lit upon Lake’s truck. Her stomach lurched.
Part of her had hoped that he wouldn’t be there, although she knew that he would be. A glance at her watch showed that it was twenty minutes before nine. She had time to sit here and rethink her decision.
Of course she’d done nothing but think about it all day, and all last night. She hadn’t even taken George out, because she knew that it would only leave her wanting more. Only leave her wanting Lake.
She should have screamed after him before he’d mounted the bike yesterday. She should have told him that, while she’d appreciate a hard screw, she wasn’t up for opening herself up to submission. The idea was too risky, too scary.
She’d always loved being submissive, loved the way it made her feel and the pleasures it brought. Loved it at first. As their relationship had progressed, Brandon had changed all that. He’d shown her people were not to be trusted. She’d known him for years before he’d dumped on her. Why did she think Lake Ross would be any different?
Lucy closed her eyes and tried to channel her anxieties out of her body.
She knew she didn’t want to be the type of person who pushed everyone away, who lived alone, ate alone, and did everything alone. She needed to have human contact. But she was too nervous to submit to Lake tonight.
“No, no, I can’t do it.” She reached for the key and turned the engine back on. She shut it off almost as quickly. She should at least go inside and tell him that yes, she was intrigued, but she just wasn’t ready for a new Dom. He had to give her some time.
Sweet Vibrations Page 2
