“My father would be crushed if I chose to be with Owen and Landon.”
“And you have to tell Philip—why? Lisa, you’re a grown woman with her own life. If the placement works out, then yes, you will have to tell him that you’re in a relationship with the Merrick men. But in the meantime, for once in your life, would you do something that makes you happy?” Kennedy held up her hand as she leaned forward and picked up a file. “I say that as a friend. And now that I’ve given you my ‘friend’ speech, I feel obligated to present my position at Safeword LLC.”
“Here we go,” Lisa muttered, walking over to the three guest chairs in front of Kennedy’s desk and picking one to sit down in. She knew she plopped into the seat, but there were times when she didn’t want to be the high-class society woman that everyone thought of and wanted to just sulk. “I much rather prefer my friend.”
“I still recommend that you pull your application and slowly enter the lifestyle through munches, clubs, and like-minded people. Using Safeword LLC can be…more of an advanced proposition.”
“Then place me with someone other than Owen and Landon,” Lisa said, interjecting her thoughts. “There are too many personal issues that will get in the way.”
“That’s why I’m talking to you as the CEO of Safeword LLC right now. There are no other Masters that complement your interests and desires so perfectly. Their personalities match with yours, yet leave enough differences to make things interesting. And the one thing that makes them your ideal Dominants,” Kennedy said, her voice softening a bit—well, as soft as hers could get, “is that they truly care for you.”
“Why? Because they say so?” Lisa asked, twirling the ring on her finger. “Their actions tend to show quite the opposite.”
“Don’t they care for you? If someone else had taken over Philip’s company, would they have had the decency to leave him a golden parachute?”
“We don’t know Landon and Owen are telling the truth, do we? Where’s the proof that someone else was going to make an acquisition?”
“You said so yourself that your father has enough money to see him through retirement. Now do me a favor, and pretend nothing happened—nothing at all. Close your eyes.”
“What?” Lisa asked, leery of what Kennedy was up to. “Why?”
“Just do it, Lisa. Close your eyes. Let me prove something to you.”
Lisa stopped fidgeting and could see that Kennedy was serious. She exhaled and ran a hand across her hair, making sure there weren’t any strands out of place. If this would get Kennedy to back off a bit in regards to the Doms she was placed with, Lisa would play along.
“Fine.” Lisa closed her eyes and immediately reached for her hand, needing the calming affect she received when playing with her mother’s ring. “They’re closed.”
“You’ve come for your appointment, dressed as you are now. The white suit forms to your body like a lover’s caress. The heels stretch your calve muscles, reminding you that you’re a woman. You feel empowered, reveling in your femininity. Yet there’s a part of you that knows you’re about to discover the true meaning of your womanliness. The Dominants that I’ve chosen for you are about to walk through the door. Your heart is racing, the blood is rushing through your ears, and your skin develops a light sheen of perspiration. An ache has developed in your breasts, causing your nipples to harden. A throb in your core is letting you know that it wants and needs that elusive orgasm you’ve promised it. You have no fears about handing over your submissiveness, as you trust my decision to place you in the capable hands of your perfect two Masters. You listen closely and hear the knob on the door begin to turn. Your breath hitches as the wooden surface breaks open, revealing masculine fingers. You know that hand will not only touch you in pleasure, but discipline you when needed, and you want it on your flesh all the more. You look up, finally seeing who is standing there—it’s two perfect strangers.”
Lisa went from being flushed and aroused to instantly feeling like she’d been doused in cold water. Her eyes flew open to see Kennedy watching her closely. She didn’t smile, or for that matter, respond in any way. Damn the woman. Her friend knew exactly how she would react when presented with other men besides Owen and Landon. And it was just her luck that her body knew her better than her mind. She groaned and tilted her head to rest on the back of the chair. What was she going to do now?
* * * *
“You pushed too hard Friday night,” Owen said, pressing the button for the thirty-third floor. The doors closed and the elevator started to move them closer to their destination. “If Lisa had chosen to go through with the placement, Kennedy would have been the one to phone us. Instead, it was James that called.”
“I can’t take back what I said,” Landon replied. He brought up his arm and rubbed the back of his neck. “Having her standing there in front of me and knowing, for the first time since we met her years ago, that she wanted what we could give her was just too much. If there was a way, I would have taken her home with us then.”
Owen knew too well what Landon was referring to. Seeing her looking up at Landon as if she were frightened of seeing him in a different light, yet being drawn by the warmth that he’d obviously been radiating had been vastly different than the other times they were around her. Owen also would have liked to have picked her up and carried her up to one of the hotel rooms, but he knew that wasn’t going to happen.
The ding of the elevator signified they’d reached their destination. Owen held his breath as the doors glided open, not knowing why, but almost expecting Kennedy to be standing there and shoving their application back to them. He suspected she knew that if Lisa didn’t go through with signing the contract, he and Landon would have her place their paperwork on hold. No other submissive would do for them. He exhaled in relief when he only saw Jenny sitting behind her desk.
“Good morning, Jenny,” Owen said, walking up to the receptionist’s desk. He knew that Jenny was more than a receptionist. She was Kennedy’s personal assistant, along with carrying the title of being the first submissive ever placed by Safeword LLC. The gold choker around her neck that she constantly stroked indicated her happiness. Her bright smile and twinkling eyes were another, but what the hell was up with her hair? Were those orange stripes? “Is James in? He called us around a half hour ago.”
“Yes, he said for you to go right in.”
“Thank you.” Landon started to lead the way with a nod of his head, but Owen held back a bit. He felt like one of his cats and hoped like hell curiosity didn’t bite him in the ass. “Is Kennedy here by chance?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Owen, let’s go,” Landon called out as he walked down the hallway.
Owen gave Jenny a wink and strolled down the hallway behind Landon. He caught up with him as he entered James’s office. James was sitting behind his desk with the phone cradled against his shoulder, as he gestured for them to take a seat. The last thing Owen wanted was to delay this any further, but seeing as he didn’t have a choice, he sat in irritation and waited for James to wrap up his call.
“Yes, Cunningham Publishing. She’s a journalist there.” James paused to write something down. “See what you can do.”
James hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair. Owen knew he was talking about Trish Lawton, the journalist that had snuck into the club to do an exposé on the members. It definitely wasn’t Safeword LLC’s business he was conducting, but who was he to say what James could and couldn’t do on company time. James appeared out of his element in the office and Owen figured he was happier being in the field and had cut some sort of deal with Kennedy. It wasn’t his business, so he concentrated on what was.
“Has Lisa made a decision?”
“She’s in with Kennedy now,” James answered, always the type of man to get down to business. “Kennedy asked for me to have a discussion with you two and to go over a few things.”
Owen exchanged glances with Landon. Did that mean she had chosen to be placed
with them? They weren’t the type of men to be kept waiting, but they did understand that this was a major decision that Lisa was formulating. They would do everything in their power to assure her that they were the right ones.
“This list contains her soft and hard limits. I don’t have to tell you to respect them. Your reputations, of course, speak for themselves.” James picked up a folder and held it out to them. Landon was the first to reach it, but leaned forward in his chair so that Owen could peruse it as well. “Her social status is a worry, as Lisa doesn’t want her personal desires to affect the good work that she’s done for her charities. She is requesting that all play be done within the realm of your residence or within a private setting with a group of trusted friends during the contract time frame.”
Owen saw that anal was a soft limit and his eyes went immediately to the area that listed her experience. She’d never had anal sex. Lisa didn’t know it, but he loved anal play. Owen was pleased that they would be the ones to teach her the pleasure that could be obtained in that area. He also noticed that the one thing she didn’t have on either list was electrical play. Landon favored the violet wand. Owen was positive that it would be a subject that his cousin and Lisa would cover thoroughly.
“Wait. Is this true?” Owen asked, looking up at James for verification. He heard Landon mutter underneath his breath. His cousin had seen the same information listed across the page. Lisa was in her midthirties and had never reached—it must be some kind of typo. “Has she never had a—”
“All information has been verified with the applicant,” James answered, cutting him off from saying anything more. “There are no mistakes. What you see is accurate.”
The ringing of the telephone cut through Owen’s concentration as he read over the rest of Lisa’s limits. He was still amazed at the fact that Lisa had never had an orgasm. What kind of men had she been with in the past? Owen looked up when James agreed to something over the phone, seeing a wry smile cross the man’s face. The next words out of his mouth made Owen realize they were finally starting a new chapter of their lives. He just hoped like hell their past decisions and actions wouldn’t come back to ruin it all.
“Kennedy’s waiting for you, along with your new submissive, in her office. I’d say your week just got a hell of a lot better.”
Chapter Five
“If I faint, please just leave me facedown on the floor,” Lisa whispered, leaning against Kennedy’s desk.
She watched the doorknob turn, similar to what her imagination conjured up when Kennedy relayed her little tale. This time, she was positive as to who was about to walk through door. Lisa’s knowledge only made her trepidation worse. How could she desire something so much, or better yet, want two men with such abandon, that she was willing to push aside her doubts about their objectives in regards to her father?
“Where is the courageous woman who finagles money out of tight-fisted cheapskates? Where is the brave woman who decided to fill out an application with my company in hopes of finally giving in to her most basic needs? And what happened to the fearless socialite who doesn’t give a damn what the press says, as long as it doesn’t hurt your charities?”
“Oh, my God,” Lisa whispered as she watched Owen and Landon walk into the room. “I have a multiple personality disorder. Do you have my therapist’s number?”
It was rare that Kennedy laughed, let alone to the point where she had to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. It made Lisa feel better though. She usually handled stressful situations well, and she’d been wondering what was so different about this one. Lisa finally figured it out. It was due to the fact that the present circumstance wasn’t about a charity, or her father, or anyone else for that matter. This directly affected her, and she wasn’t used to doing things for herself. But as she watched Owen and Landon come closer to her, there was no denying the influence they had on her body on such a primal level. Acceptance finally washed over her, although it did little to dispel her anxiety of what was to come.
“Owen. Landon. It’s good to see you again,” Kennedy said, recovered from her bout of laughter yet still smiling. Lisa had to grip the desk she was leaning against to keep herself from reaching out to them. Why did they always look so appetizing? “I’ve gone over the contract with Lisa, but I’d like to go over it with you as well. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
It was a good thing they didn’t sit in the chairs in front of the desk, or Lisa would have had to move and make a reality of her earlier joke. Her legs felt like gelatin, and she knew she wouldn’t have been able to hold herself up. She just needed a little more time to process that this evening was going to be spent with them and not in front of her television, drinking wine like she had done for so many nights. Her breath hitched when they both smiled and said hello to her. She felt the pull all the way down to her pussy, regardless of the fact that they turned away and walked over to the couch.
“As with all of my clients, this initial contract will last two months. The first week stipulates that there will be no intercourse. Obviously, that leaves the door open for many different things in the physical sense. This provision is primarily placed there in order for each of you to make an emotional and intimate connection before you consummate your plural relationship.” Kennedy paused and raised her hand as she often tended to do to ward off verbal attacks. “I’m well aware that you’ve known each other for years, but the clause remains. At the end of the first week, an annex will be provided to you releasing that restriction and possibly including an addendum for anything you feel that might need to be addressed at that time.”
“Were you able to access our medical information with the releases we signed last week?” Landon asked.
Lisa felt like she was having an out-of-body experience. Hearing them speak, knowing that every word affected her was mind-blowing. There was nothing that she would object to, yet it felt odd to be discussed without her input. She was well aware that if she wanted to join in the conversation, she could, but there was no need. Kennedy was representing her interests for her, and Lisa knew her friend was thorough. This gave Lisa time to come to terms with the fact that they wanted her completely waxed and she would most likely be spending time at the spa later this evening. She liked her downy curls down below. What was the big deal about going bare?
“Yes, everything cleared. I asked James to go over Lisa’s soft and hard limits, so I also know you’re privy to the fact she’s healthy. She does have an invasive spa treatment later today. Janet, the woman who will be overseeing her care today, was given your specifications. James, I’m sure, also covered the fact that Lisa would rather play privately instead of at a club open to the public. That is not to say there cannot be private parties, but only with those associates with whom you hold in your confidence. I’m sure you are well aware of the journalist that stole into one of the clubs a few weeks ago. Lisa’s charities are not to be affected by her choice of lifestyle. There is one thing that wasn’t in the file James gave you that Lisa feels is vital to her placement with you. It’s a make or break on the deal.”
Lisa kept her eyes downcast on the carpet. Would they accept her condition? The longer Kennedy spoke, the reality of the situation was starting to sink in. Limits. Health histories. Waxing. Play parties. This was really happening. The one thing in life she yearned for herself was about to be served up to her on a silver platter.
“What is this stipulation?” Landon asked.
“It will be Lisa’s decision if or when she decides to tell her father that she’s seeing the two of you. Obviously, the context of your relationship is between the three of you, but Lisa’s speaking of any resulting relationship should it pass the two-month contract.”
The silence was deafening, and Lisa couldn’t prevent herself from looking up. She met Owen’s gaze first, his blue eyes startling in their clarity. They were the mirrors of the ice blue fiords of Norway. His black hair was mussed and his dimple deepened. She quickly averted her stare and connecte
d with Landon’s dark eyes. They were freshly melted caramel with dark coffee centers. He was such a type A personality, about that she had no doubt. They would work well together if ever needed, however, on a personal level? She wasn’t sure and that made the future all that more interesting. What were they thinking right now? Landon directed his question toward her, breaking her out of her reverie.
“We’ll consent to your decision as to how and when, but only given that you agree we will be present when that conversation occurs.”
“Why? So you can rub it in his face?” Lisa bit her lip, but it was too late. Those regretfully hurtful words had rushed out. It was going to be harder to push aside what they’d done than what she’d thought. “I realize you say it was because of me, but do you understand how insane that sounds? We were friends. People don’t spend millions of dollars to help out another friend without some kind of twisted Machiavellian plot.”
“Were?” Owen asked, leaning against the couch and placing one ankle over his other knee.
“You know what I mean,” Lisa replied. She lifted her hand in gesture. “All of this changes that.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Landon answered. “Trust is built on a foundation of friendship. We’re simply proposing that we three take it to a higher level. And as for not understanding that true friends help each other out, you are obviously hanging out with the wrong fucking people.”
“I take exception to that statement,” Kennedy said, taking a seat in the matching chair next to the sofa. “Regardless, it is clear that the three of you need to discuss what happened further. Along with this first week being spent getting to know one another on a physical level, sans actual intercourse, it would behoove the two of you to disclose more information regarding your reasoning behind the acquisition.”
“You never answered the question, princess,” Landon said, raising an eyebrow. “Do you accept our counter proposal?”
A Princess Submits [Safeword LLC 4] (Siren Publishing Sensations) Page 4
