by Erika Wilde
“I wanted to introduce you both to my stepbrother, Declan Burke,” Rick said when the two of them reached Mac and Dean. “He’s on leave from the army for a few weeks, and I figured he deserved to have some fun and blow off some stress before returning to Iraq for another tour of duty,” he said in a lighthearted tone.
“Damn straight,” Mac said with a chuckle as he shook the other man’s hand, impressed with Declan’s firm, confident grip. “Welcome to The Players Club. Enjoy yourself.”
“Thank you,” Declan replied with a curt but polite nod. “I appreciate the invitation. Nice to meet you both.”
“Army Special Forces, right?” Dean asked, repeating what Mac had told him a few days ago about the other man. And he was an expert sniper, to be exact.
“That’s correct, sir,” Declan replied.
Mac knew the other man was being respectful with his use of sir, but he shook his head and slapped Declan on the back in male comradery. “You can leave military etiquette at the door. No need for formalities between any of us here.”
A small smile quirked the corner of Declan’s mouth, the only hint of humor he displayed. “After ten years in the service and constantly addressing superiors, it’s a hard habit to break.”
“Dean and I definitely remember those days,” Mac said of their own time spent in the service.
The four of them conversed for a few minutes, mostly about the places Declan had been on tour and when he was heading back to Iraq. Even knowing the two men weren’t blood related but had grown up together as young boys when their parents married, Mac still found the contrast between Rick and Declan interesting, because they appeared to be complete opposites.
Rick, who was older than his stepbrother by a few years, had been working at Noble and Associates for a while, so Mac knew him best. While the other man definitely had a serious side when it came to work, his personality outside of the office was easygoing, sociable, and flirtatious when it came to the ladies, as Mac had discovered when Rick had initially set his sights on Stephanie. Before Mac had come to his senses, realized he wanted her for himself, and become a fucking caveman about having her.
In comparison, Declan came across as austere, confident, and a bit rough around the edges—which was to be expected considering what he’d probably seen and done in the military. Even in a relaxed atmosphere, his expression was unreadable. He stood at attention—spine straight, hands at his sides, and shoulders back. Yeah, some habits were so ingrained they came as naturally as breathing.
Mac recognized that air of control and dominance about Declan, and how aware of his surroundings he was despite being guarded. He was the kind of disciplined man that Mac wouldn’t hesitate to hire for his security team in a hot minute, given the chance.
“I wasn’t expecting Summer to be here tonight,” Rick said, drawing Mac’s attention back to the conversation and the interested glances both he and his stepbrother were casting toward the young, curvy blonde woman. “Is she here strictly for Stephanie’s party or to play?”
“To play, but she is a club virgin,” Mac pointed out, and was surprised to see Summer glance demurely at Rick and Declan, too, then bite her bottom lip. “Stephanie gave her an invitation, and from what my fiancée told me, Summer was quite eager to explore the club and what it has to offer.”
Rick pushed his hands into the front pockets of his trousers, a small frown marring his brows. “I’ve talked to her at a few of the get-togethers you and Dean have had at your places, and while I’ve been attracted to her, I’ve never made a move on Summer because she seems . . . inexperienced when it comes to BDSM.”
Dean laughed. “See all those women at the table with Stephanie?” he asked, jutting his chin back in that direction at the gathering of girlfriends, who all but Summer had significant others there in the VIP lounge. “They were all inexperienced the first time they walked into The Players Club, including my wife, Jillian. But none of them were innocent or naïve, and they certainly knew enough about the place that they hadn’t come here for vanilla sex.”
Mac grinned at the two men. “Maybe Summer is waiting for the right guy . . . or guys to come along and show her the finer aspects of BDSM.”
Mac watched as Paige jumped up from the table where the girls were gathered, then returned a few moments later with a birthday cake for Stephanie, simply decorated with a few lit candles on top. He’d half expected the dessert to be adorned with dirty, kinky objects from Raina’s shop, but he supposed the women were saving that raunchy stuff for Stephanie’s bachelorette party in a few weeks. After Stephanie blew out her candles, Kendall cut the cake and served everyone a piece.
“So, do you think Summer would be interested in a ménage?” Rick asked, his tone curious. Clearly, he was speaking for himself and Declan, who hadn’t looked away from the pretty blonde.
“It wasn’t listed on her paperwork as a hard limit,” Mac said, remembering at least that much about Summer’s preferences. “So she might be open to the possibility of a threesome, but you’ll have to confirm that with her directly.”
Rick nodded at Mac’s pointed tone. “We’ll be sure to respect her limits.”
“Be sure that you do, or you’ll have to answer to Stephanie.” As sweet as his fiancée could be, if anyone dared to hurt someone she cared about, she wouldn’t hesitate to bust some balls.
Even though Rick knew Mac wasn’t joking, he chuckled lightly. “Enough said.”
Chapter Four
“Looks like the boys are starting to get restless,” Paige announced as she cast a surreptitious glance across the VIP lounge to where Sawyer, Logan, and Jace were standing together, waiting for Stephanie’s little birthday celebration with her girlfriends to end so they could take their wives—Paige, Raina, and Kendall respectively—to other parts of the club for an evening of decadent pleasure.
“They need to learn patience, which isn’t a strong suit with any of those alpha men,” Raina teased as she took a bite of the red velvet cake Kendall had served to each of them.
“I think they’re doing pretty damn good considering all the obscene grinding going on between the couples out in the dance area, which is like watching soft porn,” Kendall said with a laugh.
Stephanie glanced in that direction and agreed it was like being a voyeur to a hedonistic pre-fucking ritual. The scene of writhing bodies entwining explicitly made the term dirty dancing pale in comparison. The music wasn’t as loud in their private area, but down below it was a pulsing, sexual rhythm that shook the walls and floors. Stephanie could even feel the beat vibrating through her own body, a pounding staccato that definitely had an arousing element to it.
“I don’t know about you ladies, but I’m way past ready to get tied up in Sawyer’s ropes,” Paige said, sounding excited about the prospect. “I’ll see everyone later.”
With a finger wave, she sauntered across the lounge to her husband, who watched her approach with a wolfish grin. Clearly, he was equally eager to enjoy a little bondage with Paige this evening.
Raina and Kendall dispersed, too, heading to their significant others, who didn’t waste any time whisking them out of the VIP lounge and to whatever part of the club they’d reserved for the night. That left Stephanie, Jillian, and Summer at the table, and Stephanie was reluctant to leave the younger woman alone, considering it was her first time at the club.
“Do you want us to stick around a while longer until you’re more comfortable?” Jillian asked Summer, seemingly feeling the same protectiveness toward her.
Summer shook her head, causing her wavy blonde hair to shift across her bare shoulders. “Actually, I think I’m good,” she murmured, and peered shyly at something, or someone, behind Stephanie.
It wasn’t the first time she’d caught Summer looking in that direction. Curious to know who or what had captured the other woman’s attention, Stephanie glanced over her shoulder. She felt her eyes widen when she found Rick and the hot guy standing beside him staring back at Summer just as av
idly.
She didn’t recognize the dark blonde-haired man Rick was with, but judging by the undisguised heat in their eyes, it was clear they both were interested in Summer. Stephanie returned her shocked gaze to the woman standing across the table from her, wondering if she’d misread her inexperience in this lifestyle. “Have you ever been in a threesome?”
“Ummm . . . no,” Summer admitted, even as her face flushed a light shade of pink. “But it’s a super-hot fantasy, and there’s a first time for everything, right? Considering I’m in a safe, controlled environment here at the club, I figure why not go for it if the opportunity presents itself.”
Stephanie laughed. “You have a good point, and if the way the two of them are eating you up with their gazes is any indication, I do believe the opportunity is going to present itself, so get ready to double your pleasure.”
Summer tipped her chin up a few inches. “I am ready.”
“Wow,” Jillian said, blinking at Summer in complete surprise. “Look at you, being all bold and fearless.”
One of Summer’s shoulders lifted in a shrug, though she was smiling impishly. “What’s the saying . . . no guts, no glory?”
Stephanie was more than a little impressed with Summer’s confidence, which made it a bit easier not to worry about her. Besides, they all knew Rick, and Stephanie trusted him with Summer and her inexperience. It was the wild card standing beside him that Stephanie wasn’t so sure of, but Summer was right. She was in a safe, sane, and consensual environment, with a safe word to stop anything she didn’t want to happen. So, why not be adventurous and enjoy herself?
“Well, whatever you decide to do, have fun, and we all are definitely meeting up for breakfast on Monday before work,” Stephanie said, scheduling the date ahead of time. “Because I’m already dying to know how this evening plays out for you.”
“Oh, me, too,” Jillian added.
Stephanie picked up her plate with her half-eaten cake and carried it with her so she could finish the dessert as she and Jillian made their way toward their significant others—while Rick and the wild card now headed toward Summer, who was by herself.
“What were all you guys talking about?” Stephanie asked when she and Jillian reached Mac and Dean.
“We were talking about how radiant you look tonight,” Dean said smoothly as he wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist and pulled her close to his side. “Happy Birthday, Steph.”
Stephanie rolled her eyes at Dean’s exaggerated compliment, knowing they were discussing no such thing, but still acknowledged his sweet comment. “Thank you.”
She used her fork to cut off a square of cake, then lifted the red velvet confection up to Mac’s mouth. “Want a bite of my birthday cake? It’s really good.”
“No, thank you.” A wicked grin curved her fiancé’s mouth as he leaned toward her and pressed his lips to her ear so only she was privy to what he said next. “The only sweet thing I’m eating tonight is your pussy.”
The low growl of his voice, along with his dirty words, instantly aroused her. Her nipples hardened and her sex pulsed, and while Jillian and Dean hadn’t heard his comment, the heat on her cheeks probably gave them a clue that it hadn’t been sweet nothings he’d just whispered in her ear.
“Jesus, you are so goddamn filthy,” she said with a shake of her head, though her reprimand lacked any true offense.
“It’s why you fell in love with me,” Mac replied with just enough arrogance to amuse her, along with their companions. “And it’s definitely why you’re going to marry me.”
No, she’d fallen in love with Mac because he completed her like no other man ever had. He gave her space and the freedom to be herself, to be an independent woman who enjoyed her own career, yet he cared for her in ways that made her feel cherished and adored, even when he was wrecking her. He was the yin to her yang, counterbalancing them both perfectly. His filthy mouth and more depraved desires and the way he knew her body so well were just a bonus. There was no denying she was a very lucky girl.
Stephanie ate the bite of cake Mac had just declined and shifted her gaze toward Summer and the two men who were now talking to her. “So, what’s with Rick and the wild card he’s with?”
“Wild card?” Dean repeated with a laugh.
“That blonde-haired guy seems a bit . . . mysterious, and intense,” Stephanie mused, taking in the man’s enigmatic presence. “Like the strong, silent, controlled type.”
“That’s Rick’s stepbrother, Declan,” Mac explained. “He’s on leave from the army for a few weeks, and as you can see, the two of them are clearly interested in making Summer their plaything for the night.”
Dean chuckled. “And on that note, I’m taking my plaything to one of the private rooms for the evening, so Jillian and I will see you two later.”
Dean and Jillian left the VIP area, and before Mac could suggest they do the same since most everyone else was gone, too, Stephanie cast yet another glance at Summer, who seemed to be completely charmed by Rick and whatever he was saying to her. Declan stood close by, and while he wasn’t much of a talker, there was no denying he was equally attracted to Summer.
“Do you think she’ll be okay?” Stephanie asked, even though she’d just assured herself that Summer would be fine.
“What she does here at the club, and with whom, is her choice,” Mac said as he trailed a hand down the back of Stephanie’s dress and settled his warm palm on the curve of her ass, making her very aware of the fact that he hadn’t let her put her panties back on after their tryst at home, or remove the anal toy that was still in place. “Let Summer figure things out for herself.”
“You’re right,” she said on a sigh as she met her fiancé’s gaze again. “I just can’t help but feel protective of her.”
Mac arched a brow, humor glimmering in the depths of his eyes. “If that’s the case, then you shouldn’t have given her an invitation to The Players Club.”
A small frown furrowed her brow, because again, Mac was correct. “I just don’t want anyone to take advantage of how sweet and guileless she is.”
“I personally guarantee that no one is going to take advantage of Summer,” Mac assured Stephanie before giving her a sinful grin. “Besides, don’t you remember how sweet and guileless you were before I corrupted you?”
Stephanie laughed. “I was never guileless.”
“Mmm. I beg to differ.” Mac leaned close and nuzzled his face against her neck, his warm breath feathering across her skin, causing her to shiver. “You had no fucking idea what you were getting into with me.”
She couldn’t deny that truth, along with the many shocking ways he’d managed to arouse her mind and body with his wicked sexual preferences. “And now you’ve completely ruined me, because mediocre sex just won’t do.”
“Thank fucking God,” he said on a low, sexy growl, then met her gaze, his own suddenly dark and hot. “No more talking about Summer or anyone else. It’s time for your birthday present.”
Excitement surged through Stephanie as Mac took her hand in his and led the way out of the lounge, giving her no choice but to follow. Yeah, he was done with any idle chitchat, and quite honestly, she was dying to know what he had in store for her.
Chapter Five
With single-minded determination, Mac escorted Stephanie up to their private suite at The Players Club, which was located on the upper level of the mansion and away from the general population. On the way, he didn’t stop or say anything more to Stephanie, not wanting to give himself the chance to change his mind about the eccentric and unconventional gift he’d bought for her.
Once they arrived, he led her past the living room and connecting kitchen and straight to the adjoining room designed in black leather and chrome, which was equipped with all their favorite playthings—all sorts of kinky BDSM furniture, cabinets filled with restraints, paddles and sex toys, a bondage bed, and other erotic fixtures situated throughout the room.
There was one new addition in the
corner, currently covered with a red silk sheet to disguise what was beneath, and it immediately caught Stephanie’s attention. Once he closed the door to the playroom and released her hand, she walked toward the concealed and oddly shaped object. Mac followed, his heart hammering hard and fast in his chest with a mix of anticipation and those annoying doubts he just couldn’t shake.
Her beautiful face was etched with curiosity, and she lifted a hand, intending to pull the sheet off, but Mac lightly and quickly slapped her hand away before she could expose what was beneath. She jerked her fingers back and gave him a startled look for his silent reprimand.
“No touching,” he said in a deep, authoritative voice, letting her know that they were already shifting into a scene. That he was in control and she was his to command.
Confusion filled her blue eyes as they met his, even as she automatically slipped into a more demure, submissive role. “Isn’t this my birthday present?”
“It is,” he confirmed with a curt nod. “But did I give you permission to uncover it?”
She shook her head. “No, sir,” she said softly.
He came up behind her, unzipped her dress, and pushed her sleeves off her arms. The gown slithered down her body, the red pool of fabric settling around her ankles, leaving her completely naked since she wasn’t wearing a bra or panties.
He trailed his fingers down the slope of her bare spine and felt her shiver beneath his touch. “You don’t get to unwrap your gift until after your punishment,” he murmured into her ear.
“Punishment for what?” she asked, her voice coy as she played the game he’d started.
“For being so fucking bossy at home earlier when I was supposed to be in charge,” he reminded her. “I told you you’d be reprimanded, and I wouldn’t be a very good dominant if I didn’t follow through on my promises.”
