“What happened, man?” Cade asked, clearly deviling her by directing his attention to Scott.
“I thought she was the most spectacular woman I’d ever met and she played me from the beginning, all for the sake of a job.”
“Your fucking story,” she bit out. “Cade, do you mind? Can we go in or get the hell out of here?”
“I’m kind of enjoying this.” Cade tapped his fingers against the dash. “Besides, if we’re working together, if we’re a team here, we need to know everything there is to know about one another.”
“Like hell we do.” If Scott kept this up, she’d make his life a living hell! What did he think he was doing? Why did he feel the need to air out their dirty laundry now? “Don’t you see what this is?” She looked at Cade. When he didn’t say anything, she directed her attention to Drake. “Tell me you do. Tell me you see this for what it is.”
“And what is it exactly?”
“This is his way of harming my reputation as an operative. He wants to discredit me so the two of you look at me as his submissive, as a woman who was down on her knees for him, that’s the way he’s presenting this. Surely you see that.”
“I don’t see submissive women as weak, if that’s what you’re afraid of,” Cade said.
“You don’t?” She wanted to hug his neck.
“Not at all,” Cade replied.
“If anything, it’s probably more the opposite.” Drake pulled himself forward. “Sydney Donovan is submissive. So is Abby, the woman you—”
“I know who you mean,” she interrupted him. “And anybody can look at Ace and know he’s a Dom.”
Scott growled. It was low, guttural, and wrought in a possessiveness she’d heard from him so many times before. Scott was a hardcore Dom but even though he was confident as hell, he was also all Alpha male when it came to her, or at least he used to be.
“Careful, Scott,” she rasped, feeling a little vindicated now that she could call him out, too. “You’re acting like a man who still can’t stand the thought of another fellow turning my head.”
“Unlock the door,” he snapped.
She wasn’t surprised when Cade obliged. The good-old-boys club worked that way.
“What’s wrong, Scott? Are you running off to nurse those old wounds?” She clucked, grabbed her purse from the floorboard, and said, “You two will have to overlook him—”
About that time, the front door opened and he yanked her from the front seat. She landed against his hard body with a soft thud, surprised as hell when he locked his arms around her waist and patted her behind.
“You can look to your left. You can look to your right. You can have those uneventful double takes all you want, baby, but one fact remains.” He moistened his lips and zoomed in on hers. “I’m the Dom you want. I’m the Dom you can have. All you have to do is drop to your knees and ask me to forgive you. It’s as simple as that.”
“Lose the act. This is all for show. You didn’t want me on my knees last night. You didn’t ask for an apology either. If anything, you were the one asking for permission when you asked to sleep in my bed.”
He snarled. “I didn’t ask, sub.”
“I’m not your sub,” she said, trying to wiggle free. “As for what you asked? You said you’d take me to bed on a promise. Isn’t that right?” She glanced at Cade and Drake. “Wonder what they’d think about your idea of a fair trade?”
“You should know better by now, Maria. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I know what I want and what it will take to make us both happy.”
“God you’re an ass, Scott Zelmore!”
He stroked her bottom and in that raw male voice, he said, “Interesting choice of words, baby. Since you walked back into my life, the only thing I’ve thought about is the last time I slipped between these sweet cheeks and rode your willing ass until we were both screaming out in pleasure, crying out the other one’s name. That’s what I remember about us.”
“Then you clearly have memory loss because the only thing I remember about us in Vegas is what happened afterward.”
His face hardened. His shoulders slumped.
“You forgot my number. I forgot your name. We both went our separate ways.”
“Well cheer up, buttercup. We’re reunited now and I have a feeling the second time around will be a memorable experience for all to enjoy.”
Chapter Thirteen
“If I’d known you were planning to piss her off, I would’ve stuck with the original pizza plan,” Cade said, waiting with Drake and Scott outside the women’s dressing rooms.
“Let her shop, she’ll be fine,” Scott said.
A high-end boutique for fetish club clothing, Fetish Flares was in the heart of what was recently dubbed as the number one adult entertainment district in the States, an area famed for lifestyle clubs. Those with a heart for exhibitionism and soul for voyeurism found their illicit pleasures fulfilled just minutes from the beating pulse of the historic Stockyards in Fort Worth.
“That kind of mad doesn’t turn to glad with a few bucks thrown her way.”
“I take it you’ve never been here before.” Scott changed the subject.
“I’ve been here,” Drake said.
“Cade?”
“You’re in love with her.” Cade avoided the question and made the accusation to the mirror before looking away from their reflections and staring Scott down man-to-man.
“You’re not the first man to make that assumption.”
“I’d say it’s a pretty safe guess,” Drake said. “I hate to break it to you, but you act like a lion ready to pounce at any given point. You give new meaning to pussy whipped, friend. She walks by you and your blood pressure goes from low to high in about a second flat. Woman does a number on ya.”
“She used to.” Scott fondly recalled their time together.
“See there,” Drake said. “Cade here is lucky you didn’t poke out his other eye when he kissed your girl.”
“Maybe you missed the part where she called him an ass.”
Drake shook his head. “Oh no, I got that.”
“Let’s just shoot straight with each other, one man to another one or two.” Scott took a deep breath, willing himself to ask the question he felt certain he could already answer. “You’re interested.” Question, hell—it was a pointed accusation. “Both of you want her.”
“She’s a fox. I won’t deny that.”
“Cade?”
“I have better things to do than to chase after your woman. If she’s yours, and the two of you have a history, I’ll back off.”
“Yeah, I got that very impression when I witnessed that sloppy kiss. What about you, Drake, do you feel the same way?”
Scott had always liked Drake. He was a standup guy who made no bones about telling someone what was on his mind. As expected, he looked at him dead on and said, “No, Zelmore, I don’t.”
About that time the dressing room door opened. Drake’s masculine growl put a rest to any other questions. All the color washed out of Cade’s face. Every muscle in Scott’s body tightened.
“Forget what I said.” Cade took a step forward.
“Don’t even think about it,” Scott said, walking ahead of him.
Drake said, “Man, I told you where I stood before she even came out of that dressing room.”
“That’s because you saw what I carried inside.” Maria threw her arms high in the air and twirled around.
“Dear God in heaven above,” Cade rasped. “And you let go of that woman, Zelmore?”
Scott’s gaze rushed over her faster than a car spinning around on ice. He dragged his thumb across his bottom lip, remembering the way she’d tasted the night before. Sweet and tangy, tart and spicy, she was intoxicating to him, addictive.
Maria looked the part now. She was dressed in a body-hugging black leather dress with a plunging neckline that reached all the way to her navel. He gasped when he caught a glimpse of the belly ring he’d given her, an eighteen carat
gold heart with a blue diamond stud at the top. It was all he could do to keep from going to her, to keep his hands positioned in front of his cock, a cock that sprang to life at the mere sight of her.
“I don’t know if I ever let go or if I ever will.”
Dominique, the boutique owner, took a leap backward and clapped her hands. “You love her.”
That was an understatement, but he knew what she meant. Dominique wanted to know what they thought of her masterpiece, the way she’d dressed Maria for show.
Love? Yes, absolutely, but what he felt for Maria was deeper than love, too. It was obsession. Cade and Drake called him out and it was a fair and accurate shot.
Now, he was staring at the woman who’d haunted and invaded his dreams. She’d ripped through his life like a blizzard in the middle of the night, trapping him indoors until he had no desire to flee.
He wanted to stay and weather the storm. He longed to endure the ups and downs of a volatile relationship, because then and only then would his life hold significant meaning. His love for her and hers for him had made him a better man and stood the test of time whether she wanted to admit it or not.
As if she’d read his mind, she asked, “What do you think, Zelmore?”
Apparently amused, Cade asked, “Yeah, Zelmore. What do you think?”
“Mr. Zelmore?” The store owner pressed for approval, too.
“I think if that’s a diamond-encrusted belt instead of rhinestones, I’m probably gonna be down a good ten thousand or more.”
Maria tilted her head to her shoulder. She nicked her index fingernail and lightly ran a lone digit between those luscious mounds, tracing the lace ties bounding her breasts together. “You know what they say, boys. A girl’s best friend is her diamonds.”
“Fuck me,” Scott grumbled.
“If you buy me this outfit I just might.”
Scott, Cade, and Drake reached for their billfolds, but it was Drake who beat them to the punch when he flipped out his credit card and hollered, “Sold!”
* * * *
Dominique handed Maria the large white shopping bags. “I really like those fellas, Maria.”
“They’ll do.” Maria accepted her new clothing and accessories. “For now anyway.”
“Honey, they fought over who was going to pay for what. Somebody is a very lucky girl if you ask me.”
Maria shook with laughter. She cupped her hand over her right shoulder and peered behind her, stealing a peek in the mirror. The back of her dress was open and the v-cut was so low, her crack would show if she bent forward. “My guess is they’re all horny.”
“You do look like a sex goddess,” Dominique told her.
“I should hug you.”
“I’m the one who should be dishing out hugs and smooches, darling. Your men just whipped out plastic like Fort Knox was funding their bank accounts.”
“They’re not my—”
“You about ready?” Cade rounded the corner, tucking his wallet in his back pocket.
Dominique waved her hand in front of her face. “Honey, if he isn’t crazy about you, I’ve never seen a fellow in lust.” She winked. “If he doesn’t stop looking at you all wide-eyed, I’m gonna embarrass the man out of him and tell him to wipe the drool off his chin.”
“Oh no we’re just…” Her explanation caught in her throat. She eyed the tall Marine-looking fellow and remembered a time when she’d watched him dance in a club.
He’d had all the right moves. He’d worked some little young thing over that night, really made her bust and move, grinding out a few sexual frustrations before taking her out to his SUV and fucking the daylights out her.
God bless, he’d done a number on Maria as well that night.
He hadn’t known she’d been there, of course, but she hadn’t walked away from the shadows unscathed. She could still close her eyes and see the carved scars and muscles in his back, the way his ass clenched as he’d pounded inside the gal who had not only asked for a hard screw, she’d practically begged for one, too.
Dominique grabbed Maria’s face and dragged her back to the present day with quick pecks on her cheeks. “I appreciate the business.” She hurried over to an antique armoire. “Wait a second. I have something for you.”
Maria dared to look at Cade then. Even with his patched eye, he still stood out as strong and lean, a definite character not to be challenged. He was a man a woman savored, a lover dared and pushed, tested his limits. Any woman would be proud to call Cade out as her own.
She shivered at the thought and was relieved when Drake and Scott joined them and helped Cade with the shopping bags. Dominique rushed them before they exited the boutique. She thrust a large silver key in their direction. “Room 104 at Dim the Lights.” She waggled her brows and pointed to a side street. “Four blocks down on the left.”
“Oh we won’t need a private ro—”
Scott snatched the key from Dominique. “Where do you want us to leave the key when we’re through?”
“Oh honey, I have a few more of those. Those suites are comped for my best customers. You’ll find it clean, accommodating, and—” Dominique stopped midsentence and waved them away. “I don’t want to ruin the surprises you’ll find there. Go have fun. This night is on me!”
As they said their good-byes, the fellows swapped glances. They approached the vehicle and Scott opened her door. Before he helped Maria inside, he said, “Don’t believe a word Dominique just said. This night is on the three of us. We bought and paid for every hour, every single minute at that club.”
Unable to resist, Maria cupped his cheek and said, “My time isn’t sold by the hour or minute, Zelmore, and it was only offered once at the price of love. Too bad you fucked up and earned yourself a full refund by placing unnecessary demands on a woman who has a mind of her own.”
Chapter Fourteen
Bodies, more than the music, established the club’s tempo. The hard-pounding beat left couples grinding up against the walls, on the dance floor, or anywhere else they could find a place to move. The club patrons didn’t leave much for the imagination.
A few heads turned when they walked by those waiting in line. The bouncers didn’t pull rank and try to stop them. Cade led the way and nodded to them as if he owned the club.
He apparently wanted the customers there to believe he was someone pretty important, and the fact didn’t escape Maria when he greeted a man he introduced as “Tig Livers.”
“If that’s his real name, I feel sorry for the sub he’s flaunting around the club.” Maria leaned forward and clasped her hands under her chin as soon as they were seated in a private booth. The private-part didn’t escape her when they were all situated in a dimly lit corner, out of the way of foot traffic yet right in front of elevated cages filled to capacity with exhibitionists.
A bouncy blonde approached them. “Can I get ya somethin’ to drink?”
“She’ll have a glass of water with four lemons.” Scott draped his arm around her like he automatically assumed she wanted it there. “I’ll have the same.”
She shrugged him off. “As a matter of fact, I’d like an apple martini.”
The cocktail waitress released a heavy sigh. She glared at Scott, no doubt awaiting his approval. When he didn’t give it, she said, “This has been a night of all nights. You fellows need to train this one.”
Before Maria corrected her, Cade said, “Water around the table.”
“I still want that martini.”
“Take it up with your Dom, sugar. I don’t scratch against the grain if you know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t.” Maria frowned at Scott who looked smug as hell.
“House rules, honey. If you don’t like ’em, take it up with Tig and he’ll escort you to the door.” She disappeared in the throng of people without another word, returning almost as soon as she’d left. After she made a show out of placing the drinks on the table, she addressed Cade. “Tig said whatever you order is on the house tonigh
t. Are you hungry?”
“Maria, do you want something to eat?”
“No, thanks,” she replied, unwrapping her straw and tossing the ball of paper at Scott. “I’ve lost my appetite.”
Scott ignored her. “Why don’t you ask your boss to set us up with some appetizers? We’ll be in room 104.”
“Like hell we will,” Maria said.
“Sure thing, sugar.” The gal smirked at Maria and left them alone.
This time when she departed, Cade said, “Let’s try to enjoy the night. Shall we?”
“I was having a fine time until—” At that very moment, she could’ve sworn her heart stopped beating.
“Until what?” Cade pressed.
Always in tune with her, Scott leaned over. “Who do you see, baby?”
“At your three o’clock,” she whispered, barely able to manage much more. “It’s my brother.”
Cade rose to his feet. “Yeah, that’s him all right.”
“Sit down, Livingston,” Scott said. “This isn’t the place.”
Before Maria thought of consequences, she turned to Drake seated at her left. “Kiss me.”
“What?”
“I’m sure you’ve kissed a woman before.” He wasn’t as schooled in spontaneity as she might have liked so she grabbed his collar and pulled him to her, looping her arms around his neck at the same time.
A masculine growl slipped from his lips as she kissed him. She thrust her tongue between his lips and tried to remember the heated looks they’d exchanged that first day she’d finally met him face-to-face. They’d been officially introduced under false pretenses. He’d openly flirted and she’d returned the gesture with a lot of careful caresses. As she recalled the way he’d watched her then, she opened her eyes and met his desire-filled gaze. His eyes flickered like brilliant gemstones, full of lust and spilling over with need.
Cradling her head in his hand, he dove inside her mouth with a forceful kiss, one that inevitably inspired her to meet his with one of her own. Her lips parted and she fluttered her tongue across his, reveling in the spicy goodness of his lemony taste. Her lust collided with the excitement and energy in the air, and guided her beyond measure, beyond her need to hide from their enemy.
Cowboy Boots and Uncensored Behavior Page 10
