Lukas

by Josephine Jade

  Dom shook his head. “And I’m going to help him.”

  Cassandra’s feet hitting the treadmill was the only sound for a moment. Lukas just grinned before finally telling them.

  “Little Reina Torres.”

  Except hell, there was nothing little about her anymore. A lot of perfect about her—the shape of her ass, the way her tight little pussy had clamped around his fingers when she came, and damn near everything about those breasts—but she definitely wasn’t the shy, young girl they knew years ago.

  Dominic nearly choked on the water he’d grabbed. “I guess she’s not twelve anymore then.”

  “No, asshole, she’s only four years younger than us.” That would make her twenty-seven now.

  Roman shook his head. “I don’t really remember her as a kid, but hell, I do remembered the rumors I heard about her in high school and college. You mean to tell me the Ice Queen was in our BDSM club?”

  Lukas thought about her soft scream as she came all over his fingers at his command. “Whoever gave her that nickname obviously didn’t know his elbow from a monkey’s ass, because there was not a bit icy about Reina on Sunday.” Nervous, maybe. Shocked, definitely. But not cold.

  “Okay,” Dominic cut in, “Ice Queen or not, she’s not a member of Deeper Threat. What the hell was she doing there? How did she get in? Did you ask the door guard?”

  “She didn’t come in through the main door. I found her in the back hallway by the service stairwell that leads to upstairs. Evidently she was in Triple Threat and got lost or something.”

  Roman gave him an incredulous look. “Or something? You talked to her, right? Caught her? What did she say?”

  “We didn’t actually get around to talking about why she was there or how she’d gotten there.”

  “Really, asshole? What was more important than to talk about issues that would preserve the privacy of Deeper?” Roman threw his hands up in the air.

  Damn it, he’d known he was going to catch hell for this. “Yes, actually. Let’s just say she didn’t know there was a BDSM club down there.”

  “I still don’t know what you thought was more important to talk about than what the hell she was doing there,” Roman muttered.

  “Hell, Roman, I wasn’t really thinking too much about club security once Reina Torres was nearly naked in front of me. Our conversation was more along the lines of ‘You’ll come right here on my fingers while we watch the scene where the guy is fucking his sub in the ass.’”

  The words boomed through the room since Cassandra had chosen that moment to turn off her treadmill.

  “Well, damn, son. Why didn’t you just say so?” Dominic laughed and Roman was soon joining him.

  Cassandra, small towel draped around her neck, came and knelt down next to Dominic where he sat on the weight bench. He tilted her chin up for a kiss. “Good run?”

  “Yes, Master. Even better when I stopped and heard a piece of the conversation. Sounded very interesting.”

  Dom smiled down at her, a love Lukas never would’ve thought he’d see for her shining clear in his brother’s eyes. “Which part? The part about coming on fingers or fucking in the ass?”

  “Either.”

  “Then why don’t you head up to the shower, and I’ll meet you there in a few minutes. Obviously, I’m not going to get much of a workout with my pansy brothers, so I’m afraid I’m going to need to take out all this energy on you instead.”

  He kissed her again, and Cassandra bounded out of the room with a little wave.

  “She’s looking a lot better,” Lukas said once she was out of earshot.

  A shadow fell over Dominic’s face. “She still struggles. Feels inadequate. Has panic attacks when we leave the house. I just wish those bastards were still alive so I could kill them again.”

  La Cosa Nostra only killed when it was necessary. In this case with Cassandra, it very much had been.

  “I can’t convince her that her not being able to have kids doesn’t matter to me. And when I think about what I said to her… what I did…”

  Roman slapped a hand on Dominic’s shoulder. “Preaching to the choir, brother. The fact that Sarah married me after what I did to her continues to be a mystery.”

  “Give Cassandra time, Dom,” Lukas said. “She just needs to know that you’re not going anywhere. The only thing that can prove that is time.”

  Dominic gave them a half smile. “And a lot of dirty deeds in the shower. Later, brothers.”

  Lukas shook his head as Dominic jogged out of the room to be with the woman who meant more to him than anything else in the world.

  “I guess I’ll be getting home to my own wife,” Roman said. “I’m assuming you’re going to get this situation with Reina under control. I know Jonathan Torres was her father, but that doesn’t mean she’s as trustworthy as he was. As a matter of fact, I keep hearing some shit about Peter Torres and what he’s doing to the company.”

  “Yeah, I’ve heard some of the same.”

  “And not just bad decisions, but talks about maybe scams. I hate to think of Torres Software going down like that, and I’m not saying it’s true just that there are rumors. And it’s interesting that just as they’re coming to light, Reina—a computer genius in her own right—is back in town.”

  Lukas took a sip of water. “What are you saying, Rome?”

  “I’m saying, I’m glad you had a good time with a hot piece of ass, but until you’re sure what her end game is, make sure that’s all she is. And definitely that she’s not wandering around Deeper Threat unaccompanied.”

  Lukas didn’t like it, but he knew Roman was right. He didn’t know anything about Reina except what she sounded like when she came. And it was quite suspicious that she’d ended up at the club just a few minutes after he’d been talking to her uncle.

  A distraction possibly? If so, it had worked beautifully. A bomb could’ve gone off next to him, and he wouldn’t have noticed anything but her.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I don’t let my guard down.” Again. “She and I have an appointment scheduled for Friday. I’ll make sure to get some answers.”

  And he would. He’d just be fucking her when he did.

  Chapter Six

  “What the hell do you think this means?” Reina grimaced as the words flew out of her mouth, her hands waving around the package Lukas had sent her as if they had a mind of their own.

  She’d meant to handle this more coolly and calmly. She’d dressed impeccably businesslike with her trim black pants, plum-colored blouse, and fitted blazer. Work heels completed the ensemble, and she knew she looked like what she was: a professional woman who knew what she was doing.

  Right up until the gorgeous sight of him—looking so businesslike himself behind his desk—had completely thrown her for a loop. Lukas had stood politely, nodding at his receptionist—a tiny, gorgeous redhead—who had escorted Reina in and then left quietly, closing the door behind her.

  He had the nerve to be grinning. “And good afternoon to you too, Reina. So good to… see you again.”

  His eyes flickered down her body for just the briefest of seconds, but she knew. Knew he was replaying every detail of what had happened on Sunday. Touching her. Making her moan in desire. Scream at his command.

  And there wasn’t a damn thing she could do except remember too. Her nipples hardened against her bra, and she was beyond thankful she hadn’t worn a thin, lacy one like she normally did. Thick push-up for the win.

  She glanced around his office, which was in the upper floors of Triple Threat. Reina had been kept in the empty dance club until Lukas was ready to see her and then had been escorted by a guard in a suit upstairs before being delivered to Gorgeous Redhead.

  Definitely no time to snoop around and look for the server room.

  “I see you got my gift.” He gestured to the box in her hands.

  “Yes, and I would’ve returned it to you yesterday, but evidently the Rinaldi brothers don’t have to work eve
ry day like we commoners do.”

  Eyebrow raised, Lukas gestured for her to sit in one of the chairs across from his desk. She shook her head sharply. There was no way she could sit right now. He remained standing too.

  “Yes, well, actually Tuesday is one of my normal days off. Because I own a night club, I tend to work most weekends, so my days off are a little more unorthodox. Usually Tuesdays and Thursdays are when I’m not here. Though I’m very sorry I missed you.”

  Which made perfect sense. Reina gritted her teeth. She wasn’t normally such a bitch. Just everything about this man—from his dark good looks, charming smile, and large body that made her own five-foot-nine frame feel delicate and feminine—made her uncomfortable. Add that to the fact that he’d touched her more intimately than anyone ever had in her entire life, plus still needing to figure out some way to sneak into his server room…

  Yeah, completely off balance. As someone who’d always prided herself on her control, her neutrality to damn near everything, this situation was disconcerting to say the least.

  “That’s understandable, I guess,” she admitted, albeit with not nearly as much grace as she should.

  “Let’s talk about Sunday, Reina.”

  “Wh-what about it?”

  “Deeper Threat, our basement club, is very private. Certainly, you can understand that after the glimpse you got. People are not just allowed in without escort. How did you know about it?”

  She shook her head. “I-I didn’t.” That was true. She’d had no idea about the sex club beneath the dance club. “I was at Triple Threat, just checking it out. I’d heard about it.”

  His eyes narrowed. “You were there by yourself?”

  Oh, hell. That did seem suspicious, didn’t it? What woman went to a dance club by herself?

  She shrugged. “I haven’t been back in town long. I haven’t really reconnected with anyone.” She’d never planned to return to New Orleans, so keeping in touch with old friends hadn’t been a priority.

  Lukas was studying her. “I was up in Triple Threat earlier that night but didn’t see you. I was talking to your uncle, as a matter of fact. Does Peter know about the other club? Did he send you?”

  Her teeth clenched at her uncle’s name. “I don’t take orders from Peter for anything.”

  “You’re not working with him and Torres Software?”

  She had to tread carefully. “No, I am not a Torres Software employee. And no, I don’t have any reason to think anyone knows about your dirty little club downstairs.”

  “So how did you get there?”

  “I got lost. The music was loud, I was a little tired. I thought I was just finding a quiet spot.”

  He didn’t believe her, she could tell, but at least he wasn’t suspecting that she’d been trying to find and break into the server room.

  “Anyway, that’s not important,” she continued, desperate to change the subject. “What’s important are these… gifts you sent yesterday. I cannot accept them. They’re totally inappropriate.”

  She sat the box down on his desk and stepped back.

  His eyes never leaving hers, he came around to the side of the desk nearest her and sat down on the edge of it, next to the box, stretching his long legs out in front of him.

  “Tell me, princess, what’s inappropriate about them exactly?”

  That lowered deep voice—so similar to the one he’d used in her ear at the club—had her thighs clenching in desire under her tailored trousers. But at least he wasn’t asking her more questions about why she’d been where she’d been.

  “Why do you call me that? Princess? You don’t even know me.”

  His dark head tilted to the side as he considered her question. “I guess I’m just keeping along with the royalty theme.”

  “Ice Queen.” She knew the guys around here had called her that in high school and college because she’d been so cold. Her body had never really responded to their touches, kisses. She knew it. Knew something had always been wrong with her.

  But the thought of Lukas knowing it too, of having heard the rumors, caused something ugly and broken to uncurl inside her. She took a step back.

  But before she could even process he was moving, Lukas was standing right in front of her, hands on her hips,

  “No.” His voice was deep, his chin resting against her temple. “Not Ice Queen. I think we blew that theory to smithereens on Sunday. Reina. It means queen in Spanish, right?”

  She nodded, surprised that he knew that. “My mother’s family was from Spain.”

  “The royalty theme was how I came up with princess.” His fingers bit softly into her hips. “I don’t want to hear you refer to yourself as the Ice Queen again, do you understand? That’s just bullshit.”

  It wasn’t, but he didn’t need to know how much of an exception her actions had been on Sunday. She nodded.

  He stepped back and sat down on the edge of his desk again. “So, princess. What was it you were saying about my gifts? I didn’t expect to see you with them until Friday.”

  “You didn’t honestly expect me to use these?”

  Those brown eyes studied her, humor lighting them. “If you experiment with them at home, it will give you a better understanding of what you like. You were fascinated when Timothy put those clamps on Melinda’s nipples. Yours hardened to tiny little points just watching, you were so turned on.” He picked up the clamps—two, held together by a long chain—and dangled them in front of him. “Have you used them?”

  “No, of course not!” She could feel her face heating. And other parts of her body.

  “This chain between the two clamps would allow me to tug on it, pulling on both nipples at once. So that way, if one of my hands is playing with your clit, it’s still possible to keep both nipples stimulated.”

  Oh, sweet Jesus.

  He moved the device so the actual clamp was in his fingers. “See this? It’s got a screw mechanism. So, what I’ll do is pinch and suck on one nipple until it’s nice and pointy and hard. Then I’ll slip the clamp on and tighten it.” His voice got deeper. “You’ll cry out, princess, as the pain gets intense, and then I’ll tighten it just the slightest bit more.”

  Reina felt like there wasn’t enough oxygen in the room. He pushed off from the desk and took a step closer, but didn’t touch her.

  “Yes, you’ll be breathing exactly like that, but with moans and little pants mixed in. Then I’ll do the same thing to the other nipple. Except this time, while I’m getting it ready by sucking on it, I reach down and finger your pussy. You’ll be so wet Reina. I’ll bring some of your own sweet juices up and wipe it all over your nipple just before I clamp it.”

  She stood there, teeth clenched, trying to get her breathing under control. She knew if she opened her mouth right now it would be to beg him to do it.

  His half smile was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. “I’ll admit, I never actually expected you to experiment with the butt plug. And I’m glad you didn’t want to. That little asshole of yours felt so tight around my finger. I want to be the one to introduce you to a plug.”

  She could actually feel herself getting wet. Wetter. She struggled not to squirm.

  “Would you like that, princess?” He walked around so he was standing behind her. “What if I told you to bend over my desk right now? What if I eased those very professional trousers down your legs then worked that plug right into your ass? Fucked you with it a little bit like Timothy did Melinda.”

  Oh, God. His mouth was right by her ear as he spoke the words, but he wasn’t touching her in any way. What would she do if he decided to touch her? She’d never get back in control of this situation. She had to take control right now.

  “No. No, that’s sick, and I don’t want that. I don’t know what you think Sunday night meant, but I am not into this sort of stuff. I have a Master’s degree in Computer Science, for crying out loud. I’m not going to let someone disrespect me—”

  “Oh, sweet Reina, believe me when
I say there is no disrespect involved whatsoever. I have the utmost respect for someone who is willing to trust me with her pleasure. You think Timothy doesn’t respect Melinda? He worships the ground she walks on. Even when he was whipping her and fucking her in the ass with that plug. It was a power exchange, definitely. But based on mutual respect on both sides. Hell, I think he sets her up to cheat on him just so the two of them can do this elaborate punishment scene they both love so much.”

  “But that’s not what I want.”

  He was still standing behind her, his lips close to her ear. “Are you sure about that? Because your body doesn’t give a shit that you have an IQ higher than Einstein and multiple advanced degrees. Your body wants what it wants, and it wants you to submit.”

  “No, I—”

  “Walk to my desk and put your hands on it.” His voice took on a hard tone. “Do it now.”

  She did it before her brain could even figure out what was going on. And damn if she didn’t feel a burning in her pussy at following his command.

  “See? You’re a natural submissive. You want to be told what to do. Want to turn that brain off and let someone else control your pleasure.”

  No. She shot up from where she was leaning on the desk and turned, spinning right into Lukas.

  “I don’t want this.”

  “You came as I slapped your pussy, Reina, because I commanded you to come.”

  She could feel her face turning red and stared down at the floor. She had done those things. And it was sick.

  “No.” He took her chin between his fingers and lifted her face. “You have nothing to be ashamed of. You came beautifully all over my fingers, and I want to feel that again, as well as on my tongue and cock.”

  A shudder ran through her whole body. “I—I…” She couldn’t get words out.

  “That’s right, princess, just feel. Turn off that brain.”

  “I can’t.” That meant losing control.

  “You sure about that?” His fingers eased into her hair at the nape of her neck, big palms engulfing her cheeks as his lips lowered onto hers.

  They’d done so much. He’d had her exposed, screaming. Begging. But they’d never kissed.