Embracing the Fall

by Lainey Reese

  As he made his way past the bar and toward the dance floor, the music was loud but not overly so, which was nice. He wouldn’t have to shout to be heard, he liked that. The place was crowded. Since Zoe had given him some of the details about her and this place, he felt a measure of pride as he looked around. The woman was a lot more than a beauty with a stunning voice like he’d been told. She looked to have a hell of a head for business on her, too.

  Evan spotted Gage easily. The man towered over everybody else there as he swirled his raven-haired wife around the dance floor with a grace and style that should be impossible for someone with his bulk. Just then, Gage dipped Zoe low and Evan saw a couple dancing right behind him. The sight froze him where he stood.

  The two women who’d taken over his brain for the better part of his day were right there, dancing together. Ziporah had shed her suit jacket and power heels. She was dancing in her bare feet, wearing her snug grey skirt that ended a respectable two inches above her knees, and a plum colored camisole that left her long, toned arms as deliciously bare as her legs. She shimmied and swayed in perfect rhythm and Evan felt his palms itch with the need to touch.

  The woman she was dancing with had to be Cami. Zoe had told him what she would be wearing and had given him a general description of her looks. He’d been told she was soft and curvy, with multi-hued blonde hair and a downright beautiful face. Well, it was a completely accurate description; yet at the same time not accurate at all. He stood where he was in stunned silence while he adjusted to the reality of the beauty that was her.

  All those soft curves were bumping and grinding to the beat with a gusto that made him smile, even as lust tightened like a fist in his gut. She turned then, and when he got a look at her ass, all he could think was JLo had nothing on this woman. She dipped her knees and started pulsing and thrusting those jean-clad hips while she looked back over her shoulder with a saucy smirk for her friend, and Evan began walking without realizing it.

  He wanted to have them both. It was a complication that they knew each other. Evan told himself that he had made a commitment to Zoe to see to her friend and that’s exactly what he would do. The attraction he felt for Ziporah was just something he was going to have to lock away until he was free to pursue it.

  Since Ziporah already knew him he came up behind her. “So, we meet again.” She startled a little, but when she looked back and saw it was him, a dazzling smile lit up her face. He returned it and slid an arm across her waist to grab her opposite hand and spin her into a twirl with a flourish that even Gage would be proud of. She was laughing when he brought her back in to his side. He motioned with his chin toward Cami. “Introduce me to your friend.” It wasn’t a request. He was a Dom and it was a subtle way for him to test the waters to see how she would react to his authority; he said it with a smile to soften the command, but it was an order all the same. She smiled back and reached out just in time, as Cami had turned to leave. Ziporah towed her back with a yank.

  “Cami,” she said over the music, “this is Evan. He’s the friend of Gage and the Marshall clan that Zoe told us about. Evan, this is Camille. Cami for short. My nearest and dearest.”

  He hadn’t let go of Ziporah’s hand, so he used his free one to reach out to shake Cami’s. Like a switch had been flipped, the flirty buoyant attitude faded from Cami’s eyes. Her smile didn’t falter, but Evan caught the shift in her mood and that she took a tiny step in retreat. He noted as well that she whipped her free hand behind her back to keep away from the handshake he offered.

  “Nice to meet you,” she said with that bubbling smile still in place, even as he could actually see the lightness of her spirit fading away. “Welcome. I’m so glad you came. If you’re a friend of Zoe’s, the first drink is on the house and I’ll even throw in a slice of pie.”

  She was panicky and ready to bolt. But she was a sexual submissive who had been researching for months about the lifestyle and what it meant to be what she was. He kept his hand out and said, “Cami, take my hand.”

  He felt a myriad of things when she bolstered her courage and shakily placed her hand in his.

  The man in him was dazzled by her beauty. The Dom in him was challenged by her retreat. And the heart of him was wrenched by the vulnerability she was trying so hard to hide. In two short minutes, her fate was sealed. She would be his, he promised himself. Period.

  Z could hardly believe Evan was here at last. She had been distracted by thoughts of him all afternoon. The judge had noticed, and it was so bad he’d asked her if she needed a recess to pull herself together.

  There was just something so mouthwatering about him that she could not get him out of her thoughts. He had the same commanding air about him that Gage, Brice, Trevor and Cade all had. That presence that forced the attention of everyone around them. He wasn’t for her though, she reminded herself. No matter what she said to Cami, the whole BDSM thing was not her cup of tea. No way. No matter how drool-worthy, nobody was her Master. But, as she let her gaze travel up and down the length of the gorgeous man in front of her, she couldn’t help but wonder what it was going to be like to walk on the wild side with him. If ever there was a man who she would enjoy letting take control like that, she thought she just might be staring at him.

  She didn’t need or want more than that. It had taken her quite a while to realize that relationships didn’t work for her. Her work came first, then Cami, and what energy she had left over didn’t leave a lot of time for romance. Besides, she had found that men couldn’t handle her no-nonsense approach, anyway. She was forward and abrupt and the few guys she had met who were turned on by that, for some reason, didn’t turn her on.

  Evan was still holding her hand, and the zings she felt zapping up her arm were giving her goose flesh. He winked at her, all slow and lazy, and Z swore she felt herself blush. God, she hoped he couldn’t see it if she did. How embarrassing. She forced herself to look away so she could get a grip and caught the change in Cami. Shit.

  Real Cami had gone bye-bye and fake Cami was smiling like a robot. Over the years, Cami had perfected hiding her emotions when things got too real for her. She could put up a front and be nothing but sunshine and roses, even while inside, her world was crumbling. For Cami to be doing this now meant only one thing – she was attracted to Evan. Nothing scared that woman more than a man she thought was sexy. So on one hand, this was perfect. On the other, it was going to be a battle for her friend. Cami had to face that fear and climb over it like a hurdle in order to then climb the next one, which was taking her first steps into a world that scared her almost as much as it intrigued her.

  Z knew that Zoe hadn’t told Evan about the change in plans, so he wasn’t expecting her to join their party. They would find a way to break it to him later tonight. For now, Cami came first. She always had since they first met. Even before that terrible night, Z had felt a protective connection to her. After that night, it had only gotten stronger. If this guy affected Cami so much from just meeting him, Z knew that this was the right choice for them. The right choice for Cami especially.

  So she made a snap decision. She was still holding both of their hands and gave them each a squeeze. “Hey! I gotta hit the restroom. Evan, will you dance with Cami while I’m gone? Thanks.”

  She told herself that she wasn’t abandoning her best friend. She was merely acting like a mother bird and kicking her from the nest so she would be forced to spread her wings and fly. If Cami was in fact a sub, and she liked this guy as much as Z thought she did, then Z couldn’t think of a better way for her to find out or a better time to start.

  Z felt no guilt whatsoever about ducking out when Cami was scared. Dr. West had said that it was time for Cami to face those fears and take back what had been stolen from her. It was past time. Besides, her cousin the cop was dancing right behind her and there was another cop, plus three really big and scary guys, here tonight that would happily rip Evan’s arms off if he got out of line. That was why she had invited them all her
e in the first place.

  “Don’t go.” The order was not unexpected. Who it came from, however, was. Evan leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Your friend has frozen up like a popsicle. You leave now, and I guarantee she’ll bolt like a rabbit.”

  “How can you …?” Z was shocked. Cami was still smiling with serene politeness and gave every outward appearance that all was well in her world. It had taken Z ages to recognize when Cami did this. How in the hell did he see it when he’d never even met her before? Z looked at Even in a new light and not a small amount of awe. In her experience, men just weren’t this observant or considerate. Ziporah made a mental note to buy Zoe flowers. The girl had picked out the perfect Dom.

  “It’s in the eyes,” he said, and turned to smile gently at Cami. Yeah, it is, Z thought. Only how did he see it?

  “Well, you’re a big, strong boy.” Z leaned close to him and taunted, with her lips brushing his ear as she spoke. “Don’t let her.” Then she sailed away with so much swing in her saunter she nearly threw her back out.

  Her exit was ruined however, when her cousin caught up to her just as she rounded the bar. “Hold up there, Zip. What was that?” Much in the same way she had done with Cami, Brandon yanked her by the arm and turned her to face him.

  “What are you talking about?” Z tried to keep a cool and unaffected expression on her face. It wouldn’t do to let her overbearing and protective cousin see she was upset and jittery over the possibilities turning in her head. He loved to see her coming apart at the seams, but only as long as he was the one holding the seam ripper. Anybody else upset her and he turned into a beast.

  “I’m just going to the bathroom detective, sheesh.” She tried to keep her voice nonchalant instead of touched; nobody in the world loved her quite the way this man did. “Am I breaking some law that I’m not aware of?”

  “Cut the shit for once, Z.” Brandon was all seriousness and just his expression alone let her know he wasn’t fooled. Didn’t mean she was going to make it easy for him. “What? Let me go. I have to pee.”

  “There are so many things going on right now I don’t know where to start. Are you really going to be petty enough to make me list them?” He ground his teeth so hard she was surprised they didn’t crack when her answer to that was nothing but stony silence and a raised eyebrow.

  “Okay, be a bitch about it then.” With a growl he tugged her to the hall where the music was muted and the only people around were the ones headed in and out of the bathrooms. Then he backed her up to a wall and started ranting in a low enough volume that only she could hear.

  “First off, I wanna know how you got on fucking Evan’s radar. That guy is dangerous, Zip. He’s into crazy shit I’m not going to tell you about, but I don’t like the way you lit up when he was talking to you.

  “Second. What the fuck? Some guy–forget who at the moment–lights you up like that, and you pass him off to Cami?

  “And that leads to three. Why in hell are you handing Cami off to a guy? Which brings this trip through Wonder-fucking-land back to the first problem: Evan God Damn Grant?”

  Ziporah was speechless. “That’s a lot to pick up on from watching two minutes on the dance floor.”

  “I’m a cop. Observant is a job requirement.”

  “Now I’m the one who doesn’t know where to start.” She ran her unsteady hands through her hair and tried to bring order to her thoughts. “Cami.” Of course, as always, her first thoughts were of her friend. “Cami is fine. You and three other big strong men are out there. That’s why I asked you all to come in the first place. Plus it’s only a dance or two. Nothing is going to happen in the middle of her bar and I highly doubt a man Gage Hollister introduced me to is going to try anything shady, anyway.” She reached out and put a comforting hand over his heart. “Cami likes him. I could tell the minute she looked at him that she does. Bran, she hasn’t liked somebody in forever, it won’t hurt to see if maybe this can go somewhere.” She smiled and tried to lighten the mood. “Even if that somewhere is just to bed. If anybody on this planet needs to get laid good and proper, it’s Cami.”

  “But, Zip.” Brandon got that tender tone in his voice that he only got when he was being very careful with her and every time he did, it made her cry. “You like him, too. Don’t give me that look, and close your mouth. I saw your face when he touched you and I saw the look on your face when you decided to pass him off.” His big calloused palm cupped her hand where it still rested on his heart and he said, “I know you and Cami have a bond. We all love her. But, you gotta stop putting your life on the back burner for her. She’s your best friend, but you have got to stop being Maryann to her Ginger. Sweetheart, didn’t anybody ever tell you? You’re supposed to be the leading lady in your own life, cuz.”

  Absurdly touched, Z felt tears clog her throat. “Gilligan’s Island? Really? I swear you stopped growing at twelve.” She pulled him in for a tight hug. Then sniffed and said, “Now, for God’s sake, stop watching Nick at Night before Angie finds out and leaves you for a real man.”

  “She watches it with me. She loves Lucy.” His grin was as idiotic as his taste in entertainment.

  “Urgh,” she scoffed, “you guys are perfect for each other.”

  “Now,” she continued, “I love that you are concerned. I know what you are trying to say, but you are worried for nothing. Cami and I are great. I’m not taking a back seat, really. This is just a guy, Brandon. He could be any guy, it’s just like I’m passing up on a dress we both like or a pair of shoes–or wait–not shoes.” She winked at him. “I’d gladly strangle her if the right shoes were on the line. In fact, we’d probably fight to the death over that.”

  “I’m calling bullshit on that. I know you.” He took a breath and added, “I’ll let that go though. You’ve been her mother hen for so long now; no way am I going to make you see it standing in a bar for a five-minute chat. Let’s talk about this ‘just a guy’ then. I don’t like either of you tangling with him.”

  “Brandon.” Ziporah dropped her hands and stood tall to give him her best lawyer look. “On that point, I’m going to tell you it’s none of your business who either Cami or I date. You have always tried to stick your nose in when it comes to who we date, but this is not the Victorian era and we are not your chattel. The both of us can make those choices for ourselves.”

  “I know.” Brandon gave her his best bad-cop expression and crossed his arms over his chest. “And you’ve both told me to fuck off every time I’ve tried to step in. I’d like to point out that neither of you stuck with any of the jerk-off’s I hated, so that should speak to my record. And this guy is different, Z. He’s into kinky shit like Brice.”

  “I kind of figured that out for myself, even without being a big scary detective.”

  “Smartass. So, you know what he is. But do you know what it means to be what he is? Do you know even half of what it is to be into that? I do.”

  Shock snapped her mouth shut at that. How did her no-nonsense, raised in the ‘burbs cousin, come by this knowledge?

  “Brice is so fucking into it, he made it seem amazing and hot. So I tried it a couple years ago. Fucking crazy ass shit, Z. Crazy. I am talking tied-up and hanging from the ceiling while a guy, or two or three, whips and canes you and then fucks you in every hole you got. No way are you going to tell me you or Cami are into that. No fucking way.”

  “No,” Z said as the mental picture that put in her mind caught and stayed. Much to her shock, not in a bad way, either. “No, I’m not telling you anything. My sexual preferences are my own damn business. And if I decide I want to see what all the fuss is about, that’s my choice, not yours. And the same goes for Cami. Besides, for now, this is just a dance. Just be here and be supportive, okay? Look, this is her business, but I know you won’t let it go otherwise, so well, Cami has been looking into the possibility that she is a submissive. If he likes her enough, he is going to help ease her in. And, I am, too.”

  “What the hell, Z! T
hat’s why you wanted us all here?” He looked as if she’d just sucker-punched him while he processed that. “Wow, I didn’t see that coming. I’m supposed to be okay with that? Fuck me. No, close your smartass mouth. I know. I know it’s not my place, you’re grown women and able to make your own choices and all. Just gimme a minute, okay?”

  Ziporah watched as the caveman part of his nature struggled with the reasonable part and she almost felt sorry for him. He was a strong alpha-male and he saw it as his duty to watch over those he deemed as his, and when his charges bucked his rule, it was always a battle for him to rein it in and let them be. “You and her are both going to go there, hmm? You? A sexual submissive? That’s all well and good I guess. I still don’t like it. By the way, there is no ‘if he likes her’. He’s in, Z. I saw his face when he looked at her. He’s in.” As the import of that sank in, Brandon added, “Just so you know, I was watching him with you both. And he’s not only all-in on Cami, Z; he’s all-in on you, too.”

  She left me … She left me … I can’t believe she left me. The shocking mantra ran in a loop through Cami’s brain, as she outwardly smiled and swayed to the beat. She fought back the urge to laugh as she flashed on a scene from Jurassic Park where the jerk lawyer left the kids to face the T-Rex alone. In this scenario, that scene was apt, because she felt as small and defenseless as those little kids facing the man in front of her. His gaze was like a tractor beam and never left her face. And the look in that gaze was decidedly ravenous.

  The music was upbeat and lively with a sexy undertone that the people around her were picking up on as their dancing got more and more risqué. Her partner had some good moves on him. He danced close, keeping her pelvis tight to his as he dipped and pulsed in perfect rhythm, with a firm one-handed grip on her hip. He weaved her through the other dancers as though they weren’t even there and Cami barely felt her feet touch the floor.