Bailey: Independence #1

by Karen Nichols

  “There’s no fun arguing with myself,” she said sullenly, slumping down in the seat and staring out the window, the low growl from her stomach making her wince a few seconds later.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  It was three in the afternoon before they pulled into Gabriel’s garage, a light rain had begun falling that turned into a very serious downpour. Bailey followed him into the bedroom, watching as he rearranged the very large walk-in closet. He cleared one whole side as if it was nothing and then set to work on the low bureau.

  Bailey hung up her coat and turned to find her case on the low bench just outside the closet. Gabriel had excused himself to his office, leaving her to arrange things however she wanted. He had, however, taken her toiletries and decked out the very long counter in the bathroom and came out looking incredibly pleased with himself. She sighed and slid to the edge of the bed and then onto the floor, knees up and head down.

  He had winked at her before he left the bedroom.

  She thought that was a good sign. A sign that he enjoyed tormenting and confusing her.

  Bailey sighed again. This morning she was running. This evening, she was ensconced in the man’s house as if it were her own. Resolutely, she pushed against the floor and finished emptying her case. Somehow with some huffing and puffing, she managed to shove the empty case onto the shelf above her clothes.

  She listened to him talking as she walked closer to his office.

  “Logan, I said I was in with the single condition. I want the use of your security and human resources people for that name I gave you. I want everything and I want it extremely in-depth.” Gabriel leaned back in his chair, listening. The corner of his mouth had tilted with obvious amusement. “I’ll put my department head in touch with yours to co-ordinate all the other additions. But the information I want, I do not want coming through my people. This is private.”

  She felt the air catch in her chest. Was he investigating her? But there wasn’t anything to find, she thought wildly. So if not her, who? And why. She waited, working to hold her breath.

  “I’ve been haunting you for months,” Logan Sheffield’s voice came through the speaker, the soft cooing of a baby in the background.

  “And I’m sorry for bothering you at home. How’s Sam and the baby?”

  “Samantha is as gorgeous as ever,” he winked at the redhead lying on the bed playing with their daughter. “And our daughter is equally adorable. I’ll get the name to the right people first thing in the morning and make you their direct contact. Welcome on board, Gabe.”

  “Thanks. It’s a good thing,” he said with a nod to himself.

  “You already comply with most of the requirements, Gabe. This will simply lessen the cost of health care and some other things that we’re doing because we’re pulling in so many companies and employees around the area.”

  “One city at a time,” Gabe said quietly. “I’ll be in touch. Thanks and good night, Logan.”

  Gabriel pressed the off button and saw her come around the corner.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she crossed the room when he held up his hand. She wasn’t sure why she wasted energy fighting it. For however long it was, he was something she had no resistance to at all. She waited while he moved the chair back and tugged her onto his lap.

  “You will never be an interruption.” Damn, he loved the way her ass felt against his crotch. “Logan has been after me to join the conglomeration. There are benefits that will be good for the staff and I’ve been considering his proposition for a few weeks.”

  “Somehow I don’t imagine you making a choice that would be less than a good move,” Bailey said honestly, laying her head down. “You care about your business a great deal and the people are important to you.”

  “You’re good for my ego,” he teased, kissing her softly. “Have all your things settled and organized?”

  “You’re not making sense to me, Gabriel. You told me it was all about the play,” she said after a few tries of making her voice work. She couldn’t look at him. “You’ve never brought a sub to your home before, have you?”

  “No,” he answered after pulling in a slow breath. He hadn’t been able to explain it to himself with words he was ready to accept. Not yet. Not for him. “If you need anything, there’s a list on the fridge. The housekeeper’s name is Renee and she comes in on Monday and Wednesday.”

  Bailey let her head rest on his shoulder. He didn’t want to talk about it so she’d just suck it up and be rational. That’s what being a programmer taught you. Logic. She made that resolve and pushed against the desk to stand up.

  “I’ll let you get back to your work,” she said without looking back, striding down the hall and into the kitchen.

  Gabriel watched her go and kicked himself.

  He knew he wasn’t handling it right.

  He wasn’t handling her right.

  He’d never thought of himself as a relationship type of guy. Not after the first one melted down so quickly and, yes, he admitted to himself at the time, painfully. He shoved hard against the desk and paced to the window, staring into the waning daylight. He demanded honesty and truth from his sub but couldn’t bring himself to give the same thing in return. There hadn’t been a day in his life where he doubted what he was going after or how to get it.

  Until Bailey O’Conner stepped into his club.

  And he’d be damned if an adorable redhead left him arguing with himself like he belonged in an asylum.

  Bailey had the cabinets open, the pantry door sat wide and she had peered into the freezer. Plenty of options.

  When she heard Gabriel coming down the hall she looked up and then back at the open screen of her laptop. It was just a temporary arrangement, she repeated firmly. Another of those memories she could fold neatly and put into the box beneath her bed.

  The problem was, whether it was one night or one hundred, she could already feel the tiny burning ache inside her that would explode when it was over. Take what you can get, she heard shouted inside her.

  So for a little while, you have a pool to swim in, a guy to bring you to amazing heights in the bedroom and a pretty fancy kitchen to play around in. Not so shabby, she told herself.

  “Bailey…”

  “I found things in the freezer so I’m making dinner,” she said easily, offering a bright smile before pulling out spices and pasta from the pantry.

  “You don’t have to do this. I have…”

  “I like cooking. It de-stresses me,” she said simply, not looking up at him as she set the bowl in the sink and ran hot water into it.

  “Are you stressed?” Gabriel asked after a long pause.

  “Oh, let’s see…people dying ‘cause they look like me, except for that last one and god only knows how the killer fit her into the group. I can’t stay at my own home because you’re worried about me so I’m invading someone else’s home when it’s quite clear that isn’t what he wants in life at all…I’m sure I’m exaggerating. I shouldn’t be stressed at all,” she said through her teeth.

  “You are not invading my home,” he said during the lull, his tone low and level.

  “It’s alright,” she nodded to herself, continuing her internal speech. “I’m fine with it. But you need some things for your kitchen and I need to get my car. I’ll manage tonight but I seriously hope they catch this crazy person soon.”

  “Because living with me stresses you.” Gabriel watched her breaking off bits of the once frozen meat to sauté it with what smelled like garlic. “And we’ll get your car tomorrow after work.”

  “I…” that statement sent her head up with an audible snap. “Tomorrow?”

  “We can go in together and…”

  “Oh, hell no…oh, no,” she repeated a little louder, staring at him in disbelief. Did the man not have a clue??

  “Oh, hell, yes,” he ground out, the reason he followed her abruptly gone. “Me keeping you safe and alive should not be stressful. And we’ll get your car tomor
row after work,” he repeated coldly.

  Bailey opened her mouth but cinched it tightly closed at the expression on his face. He didn’t get it. Okay, maybe she could sneak out of his SUV without anyone seeing them. The mornings are busy around the outside of the building. No one will notice what car she gets out of.

  “I have to be there at seven. It’s training day.”

  “Not a problem. Anything else?” He met the defiance in her eyes, the man who had hungered for a challenge in a companion as well as a sub abruptly surfacing and kicking around inside his head. When she gave him a curt shake of her head, he turned and left her to the kitchen. Time, he told himself. He’d break that spirit to his will and she’d realize stress was the least of her concerns.

  Bailey growled and finished her preparations, working out all the possible ways to get into the building without being seen with him.

  It was just before seven when she had the kitchen clean and sparkling. She stepped back and nodded. She really liked his house. Then the palm came out and smacked her in the head.

  It is not your house, don’t get used to it.

  She knew he was angry. He barely spoke a word other than to tell her she was a good cook and thank you for dinner. Then he’d retreated to the workout room after he’d changed clothing. Really nice long legs, she recalled with a sigh. The man had some serious muscle control.

  She had curled into the heavy chair by the patio doors when he came back through after his shower. There hadn’t been a sound until she felt his hand come from behind her, tugging on the collar she’d replaced.

  “Into the playroom, Bailey,” Gabriel stood beside the chair, stoic and staring down at her in the darkness.

  She thought about refusing. But the fire she saw in his eyes wasn’t anger. Just looking up at the dark tee shirt and jeans made her center more than a little warm and damp.

  “Alright.”

  Gabriel put his palm on her shoulder, stopping her when she went to stand.

  “Excuse me? The correct answer?”

  “Oh…yes, sir,” she said accordingly, her tongue out to moisten her lips when he continued to watch her. “I’m sorry, sir. I was…I don’t know…off someplace…thinking.”

  “I don’t believe you’re learning, Bailey. Or maybe it needs to be placed a little firmer into your memory.” Gabriel dropped his fingers from her shoulder and stepped back. He turned and went down the stairs at the end of the room without looking back.

  “Oh, geeze…” so how could something worry you and excite you at the same time? Was that even sane?? She pushed against the arms of the chair and squared her shoulders.

  No matter. She still wanted him. And she wanted him as her Dom.

  She’d thought about it while she cooked. When he told her it was over, she doubted she’d look for another because no man would level up now that she’d been with him. And that was more frightening than she thought it would be.

  “Is there a reason it took you so long to follow me down?” Gabriel was pacing the shadowy room, stopping near the spanking bench and watching her.

  Bright green eyes skittered over the room. She licked her lips and felt her whole body begin to tremble. It was shadowy but she could see the hard outline in his jeans.

  “I…no, sir. I…I must have dawdled,” she answered quietly, her feet refusing to move forward. She kept her shoulders back, her eyes on him and slipped her hands behind her back.

  She swallowed hard and waited. He’d told her Dom’s never punished in anger and she believed him. But she knew he was angry about the murders. Oh, god, she really didn’t want to try and figure him out! She couldn’t figure her own feelings out on how this portion of her life mingled with the rest of it.

  Gabriel leaned against the spanking bench, his arms up and crossed over his chest.

  Bailey did not like squirming. And having him just stare at her made her twitchy.

  “Strip.”

  One word sent her pulse thumping. She turned to go to the bench and leave her clothes there when his voice echoed off the thick walls.

  “I didn’t tell you to move, Bailey. Just drop them on the floor.” He waited until she turned to face him, the combination of fiery passion and trepidation making his cock push against the front of his jeans. “Dawdling again, Miss O’Conner?”

  “I...no, sir,” she answered hastily, reaching down and opening her jeans. She shoved them down and stepped from inside, her hands busy at the same time tugging the tee shirt over her head.

  “Stop,” Gabriel kept his voice cold, hard and emotionless as he pushed off the spanking bench and walked slowly around her. “Leave those,” he traced one finger along the half-moon fabric of her bra, his gaze sweeping down to the matching black panties of lace and satin.

  He hadn’t watched her dress that morning. Aside from her corset, he hadn’t been privileged to her underwear before now, aside from the bits of confection he’d glimpsed in her drawer.

  “Hands behind your back, Bailey,” he stopped behind her. He liked the husky sound of her breathing when he moved close to her, the hard length of his cock pressing against her panty covered behind. When she repositioned her hands, he pressed himself firmly into her palms. For an instant, she let her fingers touch him, pulling them quickly away when he backed up. “I haven’t given you permission to touch.”

  “No, sir, I’m sorry. I….”

  “You seem to be having a difficult time remembering who the master is, Bailey. Why is that?”

  “I’m not! Well, I might be…I don’t know. My mind wanders,” she whispered finally. “Are you angry with me?”

  “My emotions aren’t up for discussion right now. When we met at the club, you were interested in learning,” he paused thoughtfully. She was holding her breath. He stepped back and swung his palm to fall sharply against the black panties. Her body gave a jump but at least she was breathing again. “Don’t stop breathing, Bailey.”

  “No, sir. I’m sorry,” she answered hurriedly, trying to figure out where he was going with his statement.

  “I placed the collar on you because it was what we both wanted. Are you wanting to change that?”

  “No!” Bailey gulped in a breath, forcing herself to not move.

  “And you said you trusted me.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “But you argue with me about your safety. And about my steps to keep you safe,” he stayed behind her but he could see her biting her lip.

  “I’m sorry, sir,” she whispered, her confusion breaking free with those words.

  “Do you believe any instruction I give you would be less than for your benefit?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Then you want me to believe you’re still learning.”

  “I’m trying to understand…me.” She answered softly.

  “Do you believe I know what’s best for you?”

  “Yes, sir,” Bailey closed her eyes, her body jumping when his hands settled on her hips.

  “We have work tomorrow,” Gabriel kissed her shoulder and backed away. “Get some sleep, Bailey. I’ll be ready to leave at six-thirty. The clock is set in the bedroom for five-thirty so you can get breakfast and shower. I’ll be working in my office for a few hours. Good night.”

  Bailey swayed, her knees wobbling as she spun around in time to catch the leg of his jeans vanishing around the corner of the playroom. She stared in amazement and disbelief. Quickly gathering her clothing, she went straight to the bedroom. She was still shaking her head when she climbed into the bed and pulled the blankets up. She couldn’t stop shaking or the tears that eased free in the darkness. She wasn’t used to him not telling her what was wrong.

  And the more she struggled to figure out what was going on, the more pushed for attention inside her head.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Bailey woke slowly in surroundings still a little unfamiliar. Gabriel wasn’t in bed with her and the spot where he would have been was cold. She squeezed the pillow and wanted to go back to
the dreams.

  But the clock said she didn’t have time. And she swore she smelled coffee and toast. After a quick shower, Bailey efficiently combed and smoothed her hair into a neat bundle at the nape of her neck, pinning it carefully before sliding her blouse on. Even after the steamy shower, she was glad she wore glasses that could hide the puffiness beneath her eyes.

  She carried her heels and checked the small pack she carried, making sure she had her badge, wallet and phone before walking into the main area.

  “There’s extra toast and jam,” Gabriel continued looking at the computer screen, his head shaking now and then as he responded to emails. “Coffee?”

  “No, thank you. Just juice,” Bailey slid into her heels and hitched one leg on the breakfast stool and poured herself a large juice, both hands surrounding the cold glass.

  “We can leave as soon as you’re ready. I’ve got issues with Japan and England that need handled,” he looked from the keyboard, his fingers missing the right keys when he saw her ankle. Wrapped twice was the collar he’d placed on her the night they met. That’s when he realized what she was wearing and how she looked. “Training day.”

  Gabriel heard the strained, gruff sound in his voice and cursed himself for denying them both until he figured out what was in his head. He’d meant it as her punishment.

  Her punishment, yet he lay awake half the night in the guest room. He’d gone to his bedroom and climbed into bed while she slept and pulled her in his arms, just to hold her close. Just to feel her breathing and warm against him. And he’d made certain to vanish long before morning came.

  And now he stared at her back, the long expanse of leg stretched out as she perched on the stool in the snug skirt and creamy blouse. The wild dark red curls tamed and secured in a severe bundle. And those dark framed glasses she wore, not to mention the heels. Sexy as hell.

  Monday’s were going to kill him.

  “Training day,” she repeated with a sigh. “I like teaching the classes for the most part. Most of the people really do want to learn shortcuts and to make the programs function correctly, especially since we create them.” She popped the final piece of toast into her mouth and turned to face him, just glad he was talking to her again.