“How come?”
“She’s been beaten down pretty good by someone in her past. I don’t think she’s ever dealt with it properly.”
“That sucks.”
“I’m not getting through to her. Not yet, anyway. She acts like she’s going to let go and then … doesn’t. I don’t know.”
“Sexually or mentally?”
“Oh, she can come. And that’s just getting better. But emotionally she’s got one foot out the door like she’s just waiting for the signal to run. That’s why I’m trying to not be so intense.”
“Maybe that’s the problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe you shouldn’t take it slow. Has she given you any clear signs of being frightened of going further?”
“No. Nervous.”
“Of course. She doesn’t know what to expect. Does she ask questions?”
“All the time.”
“There’s your answer. She’s curious. She wants more.”
“But what if she can’t handle it and she runs?”
“Then I guess you better tie her down and do your job. You know the drill.”
“I’ve just never had this particular issue before.”
Declan caught a glimpse of Katherine moving up on his flank and dropped the conversation.
“Hey, guys. Declan, can I talk to you for a minute?”
He felt his stomach churn. “Yeah, sure.” He looked over at Owen. He waved as he turned toward the group. “What do you want, Katherine?”
“You don’t have to sound so hostile, do you?”
“Where’s Tony?”
“He’s, uh, I don’t know. Out, I think. That’s not really working out.”
Why am I not surprised? “I came here to practice, not socialize. Is there something you want to say?”
“Well, kind of, but not like this. Can we talk back at your place?”
“Not tonight.”
“Tomorrow night, then?”
“What is there to talk about?”
“I, there are some things I want to say. About what happened and the sort of place I was in when we broke up.”
“Katherine, save it. I don’t want to rehash the past.”
“No, me neither. I just need to say some things, okay? And then you can do whatever you want with me.”
Declan shifted his weight from one hip to the other. He was already growing tired of talking with her.
“Listen, go back to your practice. I’ll call you tomorrow. Okay?”
Declan nodded. He managed to get through the rest of the evening without another Katherine encounter. In truth, he spent most of his time pondering what Owen had said about pushing Charlotte. It was starting to make perfect sense to him. She had some confidence issues and he wasn’t helping them by babying her. In fact, he was probably making them worse.
He walked to the edge of the clearing, out of earshot from the group and called Emerson Stone. He was opening the dungeon for a private event the next Thursday at nine p.m. He planned to get there to ready the place at seven. They could have the dungeon to themselves for two hours. Perfect.
It felt like a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. It was how he always felt when he had a plan in place.
Declan headed back toward the house to bid Becker farewell. Katherine had him cornered in the kitchen, so he kept walking. From the looks of it, she was pouring on her charm pretty thick.
All he could focus on was getting home to call Charlotte. Being away from her was starting to kill him, and he didn’t want to think about why that was.
***
Tuesday at the office dragged. A brief call from Katherine interrupted the monotony. She wanted to pop by Declan’s house after work to talk. He explained he had plans at seven and couldn’t make it. Katherine tried her usual manipulation tactics to change his mind but if he ever wasn’t in the mood for one of her mind fucks, it was right then. Declan considered telling her off right then and there but thought better of it.
The munch group they hung out in was small. Unless one of them moved out of town, they couldn’t avoid running into each other. He thought of Charlotte and how Katherine would relish inflicting hurt with her words. Declan knew he had to keep the peace, so he bit his tongue and told Katherine they’d have to make it another time. He thought she handled it well. He placated her enough to get her off the phone and out of his hair so he could go back to watching the clock. It had to be the slowest fucking day ever.
By four fifteen, he’d had enough. He couldn’t stand it another minute. He shut down his laptop and made a quick exit.
About halfway home, he realized that he was as hard as steel. Mental images of Charlotte’s creamy white bare bottom flogged and striped just about had him coming in his pants like a teenager.
Get a grip. You seriously can’t lose your head tonight. If you want to keep seeing her … God, how I want her … Fuck.
And there was the problem. Declan wanted Charlotte more than he’d ever wanted anyone or anything in his entire life. She was fucking perfection. Five and a half feet of the deadliest curves known to man with an angel’s face that could turn the holiest saint to a sinner. And the way she was all fucked up in the head was adorable. Especially because she knew it. She was humble and nice and caring, and he wanted to fuck her until all those dirty words she edits came tumbling out of that sweet mouth of hers. Declan wanted her to scream his name as he flogged her. And then watch her blush when he kissed her in front of her parents because she knew he might go further because she couldn’t help but imagine it.
I want her in my world every day for the rest of my life.
Declan mentally calculated the number of days he’d known Charlotte. It was too soon to be making such statements. He was with Katherine for a year and never came close. Somewhere in his bones, he knew about Charlotte. He couldn’t explain it.
He headed straight to the shower when he got into the house. He needed to jack off in the worst possible way. Declan barely waited until the water was warm enough before stepping inside. His hand went to work on his hardened length, rubbing out a quick one in a matter of minutes. Fuck, that felt good. Declan washed his hair and lathered up his body. Yet his dick was still bobbing around like a bottle in the ocean. Fuck!
He had a choice. He could walk around with a hard-on or take care of it. Fuck. Declan rested his head on his left arm while his right hand started stroking. He let his mind wander where it wanted to go. Charlotte. Charlotte’s tight ass and how heavenly it was going to feel when he fucked it for the first time. Her head rising and dipping on his lap with a collar around her neck and a chain hanging between her clamped nipples. Marking her sweet white ass until all her pain and all her tears belonged to him. Until she belonged to him. Fuck yes.
He gripped his cock as the last of his cum spewed over his hand. Damn, I love that woman. The water was getting cooler. He’d been in the shower a long time. It was worth it, though. His dick was starting to relax. God, I needed that.
He turned off the water and opened the door to reach for a towel. His heart skipped a beat when he heard a voice. Declan froze and held his breath.
Katherine? Declan couldn’t make out the words, but that was definitely her voice. He listened for a second voice. Who is she talking to? He couldn’t hear anyone. Is she on the phone? What the FUCK is she doing here?
After Declan got over the initial shock of hearing someone in his house, he was pissed off beyond belief. He sprinted over to his chest of drawers and threw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.
When he made his way across the living room toward the kitchen, Katherine was chopping up vegetables.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m cooking you dinner. I wanted to talk to you before you left.”
“How the fuck did you get in here?”
“It was open.”
As Declan pulled his hand away, he noticed a key sitting on the counter top.
“Who were you talking to
earlier?”
“Oh. Um, your friend. That girl from your work.”
It didn’t take him long to put it together. Charlotte had come over and found Katherine. Oh, fuck no! Panic started to rise in him the likes he’d never felt before.
Declan grabbed Katherine’s wrist and yanked her toward the door.
“Declan, you know how much I like it when you hurt me like this.”
“Shut up, Katherine. Where’s your purse?”
“I didn’t bring one.”
“Your car keys?”
“In my pocket.”
“Good.” Declan yanked her through the front door and onto the stoop. “I don’t want you to come back here. Ever. Do you understand?”
She had the nerve to look shocked. Her bottom lip began to quiver. “I know I fucked up, Declan, but I promise I won’t do it again.”
“I don’t care. It’s over. I’m with someone else. Now, leave.”
Katherine stood her ground as if preparing to argue with him.
“I mean it, Katherine. This isn’t a game. Go. Now.”
She turned and stomped toward her car. He didn’t wait for her to drive off. He turned back toward the house. Somehow he needed to right this wrong. But in order to do that, he’d have to catch Charlotte first.
Declan turned off the stove and checked to see if anything else was on, then he ran to the bedroom and pulled out his leather pants and a pair of shoes. He located the cuffs he used on Charlotte, plus a matching collar and ankle cuffs that he hadn’t shown her yet. In the back of his closet was his dungeon satchel. He opened it and threw the cuffs and collar inside.
He swiped Charlotte’s key off the counter and dashed out the door to his car.
Chapter Twelve
Charlie didn’t regret her decision to visit Emerson. He helped her clear her mind, and think more clearly. She knew she needed to confront the pain of the past before she could ever fully be Declan’s. She missed him like crazy, and she wasn’t sleeping well despite her brother’s hospitality. After a few nights of sleeping in Declan’s bed, she’d grown accustomed to sleeping next to him. A dull ache settled in her bones. Charlie’s body physically complained about his absence. I need to see him.
Declan gifted her with a key to his house when they had arrived there Sunday evening. Charlie had forgotten about it because he hadn’t made a big deal about it. But as she sat in her car, fiddling with the key, missing him more than she thought was normal, Charlie wondered if she was underestimating his intent. He gave me this key for a reason. Right?
Once Declan knew she was back from visiting family, he’d texted her with instructions to meet at his place at seven tomorrow night. But, Charlie couldn’t wait. Charlie thought she’d pick up some takeout and have it waiting for him when he got home tonight. She checked the time on her phone. If I hurry, I might beat him to his house and surprise him.
At five thirty, she pulled up to Declan’s place. The presence of his car disappointed her. She rang the bell. The door finally swung open, and time stood still.
***
A woman stood before her. She was stunningly beautiful. Her long red hair fell in waves down her back. Charlie gasped when she saw her, not expecting anyone to be at Declan’s, especially not a woman as beautiful as her.
“May I help you?” the redhead spoke in a rather snippy tone.
“Um, yes. I’m not sure I have the right address. It was so dark the other night … ” Too much damn information, Charlie, zip it. “Is Declan here?”
She cocked her head at Charlie, narrowing her eyes. Jesus. Retract the claws already. Her stare traveled slowly down Charlie’s body. “Yes, Mr. Pearse is at home. Who shall I say is asking for him?”
Charlie glared at her. “Charlie.”
“Oh. You must be the new girl. You’re quite early. You’re not supposed to be here until seven.”
The woman left the door open, her heels clicking as she sauntered casually back into the house. She was wearing a barely ass cheek covering skirt and a sheer blouse. For some odd reason, a sick curiosity no doubt, Charlie followed her into the house. It looked like she had been making dinner.
“Declan’s in the shower right now. He wasn’t expecting you this early but we can always make it a three-way.”
Charlie shook her head, still too stunned to speak.
“You know you really shouldn’t leave him on his own. If he owns you, you need to be with him. I’m sure he’s given you the little speech.”
Charlie’s throat constricted, she couldn’t breathe. It was as though a thousand bees had stung her. Declan had used almost those exact words with her. She thought they sounded a bit rehearsed at the time but had chalked it up to his controlling personality.
The mystery woman looked up from the stove and parked her hand on her hip as she studied Charlie. “And you thought you were something special, huh? I’ve known Declan for a long time, and I can tell you this much -- he could never be happy with a vanilla girlfriend like you. What was the phrase he used to describe you last night … Oh, yeah, sugar kink.”
Charlie wasn’t sure if the stupid label or the fact that the redhead had been with Declan the night before horrified her more. Just as Charlie was about to interrogate her about it, the woman’s blouse gaped open allowing a full view of her breast. The silver barbell embedded in her nipple flashed a glint of light in Charlie’s direction. She could clearly picture Declan’s face as he peered up at her asking if Charlie would object to getting hers pierced for him.
She had to get out of there. She didn’t belong there. She didn’t belong in his world.
She hooked the takeout bag onto her wrist and fished his key from the outer pocket of her handbag. She tossed it on the counter and turned to leave without a word.
Thankfully, the tears didn’t start until she was out the front door. And the sobbing didn’t start until she was halfway down the street.
Charlie wiped her tears away for what she hoped would be the last time because her stash of napkins from Starbucks was dangerously low. She took a deep breath and shifted the car into drive. She was thankful her mind was now numb, and she prayed it would last as long as possible.
***
It wasn’t until she pulled into her driveway that she spotted Declan. He was on the front porch chatting it up with Aaron and Owen.
“Declan, just give her some space,” Aaron shouted as Declan leaped off the front porch.
“Charlotte!” he yelled, panicky as he ran to her, but Charlie managed to lock the car doors before he could reach her. “What the fuck is going on? Why did you run?”
“Just go away, Declan.” The tears stung her cheeks as they streamed down at a faster pace. Her gaze locked on the door as Declan furiously fumbled with the handle. “Go the fuck away!”
Suddenly the grooves on the radio dial seemed infinitely more fascinating than what Declan had to say. She ran the pad of her index finger over the indentations, absentmindedly turning the volume on The Kill by Thirty Seconds to Mars up and down. Anything was better than making eye contact with Declan.
“Charlotte, please talk to me.” Declan rested his forehead against the glass of the driver’s side window. “I didn’t let her in. I didn’t even know she was there until I got out of the shower. I fucking swear I didn’t.”
“You didn’t give her a key?” Charlie’s broken voice stung her throat.
“No. Please open the door.”
She wiped quickly under her eyes, flicked the lock, and looked up at him. He immediately grabbed her, pulling her up and into him. She didn’t protest. She let him hold her until she remembered the piercings and what the redhead said.
“Get your hands off of me!” Charlie yelled, pushing past Declan, feeling his hands on her waist as he spun her around.
“Charlotte.”
“No! You may not have let her in, but she was there. She invited me to have a three-way with the two of you for Christ sakes!”
“Fuck. Charlotte, I am so sorry
that you had to deal with her.” He moved closer to her, and she stepped back, putting her hand up to stop him.
“She quoted you word-for-word on some of the things you’ve said to me. What the hell is going on?” Charlie asked sternly.
Declan’s gaze flicked to Aaron and Owen. By this time, their little kerfuffle had an audience. Old Mr. Stearns was out on his stoop pretending to water plants he didn’t have.
Declan swallowed audibly. “I tend to reuse phrasing when I am training a new submissive. I stick with what works.”
Charlie shook her head. She felt everyone’s stares. She rubbed her temples. “Wow nice, Declan. So it is all just some sort of formula for you?”
Declan remained silent, which was probably for the best. Charlie felt her blood pressure boiling. She wanted to hit something. Or someone. “One of you three better volunteer or I am slapping all of you. Mr. Stearns gets a pass. Eavesdropping is not a punishable offense.”
Aaron looked at Declan, who immediately stepped forward holding his hands out to her. What the hell? I’m not a nun. I don’t carry a ruler. Charlie stepped forward and slapped him as hard as she could, yelping as her hand began to sting. She shook her hand and felt Declan grab it as she stared at his reddening cheek. God, that looks painful. Serves him right!
“Holy hell! Charlie, remind me to never cross you. You’re like your sister when she gets angry. Terrifying little hurricanes the both of you.” Aaron laughed nervously.
“Charlotte, I know this might be hard to believe, but I didn’t really mean those words in the same way when I was her Master. It was not anything close to our dynamic. Not by a long shot.”
“So, in other words, she and I aren’t on the same level. I’m just sugar kink to you. That’s what she said you called me.”
“Owen and I were talking about the kinds of books you were researching and she overheard. Not you.”
“She was with you last night?”
“No. She was at Becker’s house. Owen’s cousin. Katherine invited herself over. I barely talked to her. She said she wanted to get together so she could get some things off her chest.”
Push (Bound #1) Page 13
