I rub my temples, feeling the beginning of a headache coming on. “Don’t yell. You’ll wake the boys.”
“Well at least they’ll know their mom got home okay last night!” He raises his voice even more. “They were worried sick when I put them to bed. What’s up with you, Carrie? This is not like you.”
I glare at him, try to push him out of my way, but when my efforts fail my shoulders sag in defeat. “Okay, I’ll tell you everything.”
“Thank you.” I don’t miss the sarcasm dripping from his tone.
“My new boss…” I fidget, unable to meet his eyes. Before I can continue, I return to the bed and sit with my back to him. “He designs sex toys. For some exclusive sex franchise called Surrender Inc. They run these pleasure resorts and club. I’m … I’m testing toys for him.”
“You’re what?” Jake stomps toward the bed and sits down beside me. “So you’re telling me you had sex with a stranger yesterday while I was babysitting.”
I glare at him, tired of the questions and accusations. “No! I didn’t have sex with him.”
His eyes bore into me. “Did he touch you? Intimately?”
I look away. “Well, yes, he did, but—”
“Mommy?” A small voice interrupts our argument. Preston, eyes still bleary from sleep and his red curls in a tangled mess, stands in the doorway.
“Hey, sweetie,” I say, faking a smile for my youngest. I’m thankful I slipped Jake’s button down shirt on a few minutes earlier. Jake, I notice, has pulled the blankets over his underwear clad lap for more modesty.
Preston screws up his freckled face, rubs an eye. “Why are you and Jake naked?”
I nearly choke on the child’s question. “We’re not naked, sweetie. We’re just getting dressed.”
“Together? But Jake sleeps—”
Jake intervenes at that moment, scooping his jeans off the floor and sliding into them in record time. “Hey, pal, you must be hungry. Why don’t we go get your brother and make mom some breakfast?”
But my smart little boy isn’t so easily swayed. He narrows his eyes and asks me, “Where were you last night?” He feels betrayed and it shows.
“I was working.” I don’t look at him as I grab a robe from a nearby chair. “Mom’s got a new job. It pays great. You’ll probably be able to sign up for hockey this year. How’s that sound?”
The look of betrayal is wiped away by a beautiful smile. “Really?” He runs in the bedroom and wraps his skinny arms around my waist. “Thank you, Mom! You’re the best.”
Then he’s out the door with Jake, and I’m thankful for the respite from all the heat I’ve taken since last night. Finally, a moment to think.
But not a long one, for Jake is back in the bedroom entrance after I slip out of a quick shower and get dressed.
“Someone just pulled into the yard,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest and appearing irritated. “I think it’s your new boss.”
My heart hammers in my ears as I race out to the kitchen to look out the square window in our back door. Sure enough, a vintage Rolls Royce is parking in my muddy yard, right beside the fence that wraps around the front of my place.
Luke gets out and I drink in his form, despite my uncertainty and dislike for the man’s strong arm tactics. In many ways he’s the complete opposite of Jake, who is a thickly built blue collar sort of man. Dom Luke is slender and lithe and moves with the grace of a dancer. His short medium brown hair is done up in gelled spikes today, and he wears an expensive looking pinstriped suit, which makes me cringe as he walks through the messy mud leading up to the door. His shoes and the hem of his pants won’t make it here unscathed, I’m sure.
He glances toward the square window I’m peering through and those full, soft lips curl in a cunning smile. He tips his head at me and approaches the door with a purposeful stride. I peek over my shoulder at the table, where my children and Jake sit eating cereal and toast, and my stomach ties in double knots.
He pins me with a stare as he raps once, twice, on the door. I clench my teeth and breath deep as I open up.
“Have you quit your other job yet, Ms. Brannigan? Time is wasting and we have products to assess,” he says the moment I open the door, tapping his authentic Rolex as he does so.
“Hello to you too,” I drawl, biting back a more acerbic retort.
His brazen grin simply widens.
“Who’s that?” Michael says, narrowing his black-brown eyes at my guest.
Luke takes the cue and brushes right past me to enter the kitchen. He tips his head at my oldest and says, “I’m your mother’s new boss. Who might you be, young sir?”
To my surprise, Michael’s cherubic face lights up in a smile. “I’m Michael. Do you like road hockey? You could come play with us after school?”
Luke gives a hearty and genuine chuckle at my boy’s youthful enthusiasm. “I thank you kindly for the offer, Michael, but your mother and I have business to attend to.”
Michael shrugs, giving a rare lopsided grin. “No problem. Maybe you could come back and play with us again sometime?” I’m shocked by how friendly he is with Luke, an absolute stranger. Usually Michael is the less trusting, and more reserved, of my two boys.
“It would be my pleasure,” Luke tells him, and I don’t miss the glare Jake sends his way. My youngest boy, Preston, seems to be in awe over the stranger, too, and he’s struck uncharacteristically silent. Then Luke turns to me, “Now, we really must be going.”
“I haven’t quit my other job yet,” I protest. “I haven’t even had time to call in.”
Not missing a step, Luke asks, “What’s the number?”
“Why?”
“Because I’ll call and inform them you won’t be returning right now.”
“No, I should really be the one—”
“Number,” he demands, his face stern and commanding.
Now Jake intervenes. “You can’t come in here and boss her around like that. She’s not in your office right now, asshole.”
I close my eyes briefly and rub my temples as another headache threatens. “Jake, please take the kids to school for me?”
“Oh no.” Jake gets up from the table and walks toward us, taking a defensive stance. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
Luke’s lips quirk up in a smug smirk. He stares Jake down, but my best friend isn’t breaking eye contact either. “Tell you what, Mr…”
“Jake,” my renter says. “It’s Jake.”
Luke’s smirk quirks higher. “Jake then. Tell you what, let’s take the kids to school in my Royce. I’m sure they’d enjoy that?”
The boys cheer. Michael says, “Wow, really!?”
Luke nods, then turns his attention back to the fuming Jake. “And you can accompany us too, of course. In fact, why not come to work with us? You can see exactly what Carrie does, and help out with the assessments.”
I feel my face burn as if I’ve spent too many hours in the sun. Jake’s jaw works as he clenches and unclenches his teeth. “I don’t think so.”
“Oh, please, Jake.” Luke walks closer until they are almost nose to nose. “I insist.” Then he turns back to me. “Now, Carrie, perhaps you should call your old job and let them know you won’t be returning? Or shall I do it for you?”
***
The ride to the kids’ school was fairly pleasant, but as soon as they slip out of the back of the Rolls Jake turns his angry, green glare on Luke and it is full of challenge.
“I think you should take me and Carrie home now,” he says, his tone cold and threatening.
“Please, don’t be a backseat driver,” Luke quips.
Jake’s demand makes me angry. He may be my best friend, but he has no right to tell me, or Luke, what to do. And I need this job desperately if I’m going to provide everything my kids need. Plus Jake has some nerve trying to sabotage this job for me, considering his own workload as a carpenter has been low as of late.
“Jake, don’t speak for me, tha
nk you,” I snap at him, taking a peek in the rearview mirror at him. He glowers my way and I glower back. “If you wants to go home, fine, but I’m going to work.” Luke already made good on his promise to quit my other job for me, so there’s no way I’ll be left standing in the unemployment line.
Before Jake can protest, Luke pipes up, “My offer still stands, Jake. You can come and watch.” That smug smirk is back. “For that matter, if you’re looking for work as well I’d be happy to employ you, too.”
In the rearview mirror, I see Jake sneer as he says, “That’s okay. I don’t need help from someone like you.”
The corner of Luke’s mouth curls. “Someone like me. My, you seem to think you know an awful lot about me, even though we’ve just met.”
Jake scoffs. “I know your kind. You prey on helpless women and use them for your own gain.”
At that, Luke’s face becomes a stern mask and he pulls over on Main Street. He gets out of the front of the car and pulls Jake out of the back. I join them on the sidewalk, afraid Dom Luke is about to bust my friend’s jaw.
Before Luke can say a word, I get in between the two raging males. First I turn to Jake. “I’m not helpless, thanks. I took this job knowing full well what it was about. This was my choice. No one coerced me into it.”
“The lady speaks truth,” Luke interjects, earning him another scowl from Jake.
“Well, then I guess it’s up to you, isn’t it, Carrie?” Jake shoves his hands deep in the pockets of his jeans and gives me a disapproving look. He walks away, shoulders sagging in defeat as he returns to the car.
“My, I didn’t expect that to be so easy,” Luke says. “I was prepared for a public fist fight.”
I turn and grin at his ill timed humor. “Let me talk to him alone one moment, please?”
Luke gives me a tender smile, and I don’t like the way it tightens my stomach, or the way it momentarily derails my thoughts. “Of course,” he says.
I climb in the back and Jake moves away from me. Now I’m just getting pissed with him. Really, I know I haven’t been entirely straightforward with him, but he’s being a bit childish at this point.
“You know how much I need this job,” I tell him. “A true friend would understand that.”
He prunes his face. “Don’t throw that true friend crap at me.” Then he sighs, looks at his knees. “But you’re right. I know this money will help you and the boys a lot. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”
“Thank you for understanding.” I run my palm down his cheek and give him a quick kiss.
At that moment Luke joins us, sliding behind the steering wheel that looks as if it’s made from polished mahogany. “So, Jake, would you like to take me up on that offer?”
“Offer?” Jake appears both suspicious and confused.
Luke turns those icy blue eyes and devastating smile on both of us. “For a job. I could use a male, also, to test my products.”
Jake squirms, peers at me, then back at Luke. He exhales slowly and deeply. “Take me to your … place. Let’s see what you do.” He shrugs. “Maybe I’ll accept after all.”
“Ah, that’s better.” Luke reaches in the backseat, strokes Jake’s cheek, and then swiftly starts the Rolls.
My stomach knots as we head to my new job, and possibly Jake’s new job as well.
***
Jake curses and exclaims after walking inside my new place of work. I see Luke smirk at my friend’s surprise and disapproval. “You’re not very open minded when it comes to sex, are you?” he taunts. “Funny, considering Carrie easily put her preconceptions aside to experience this world.” He points to the bevy of sex toys surrounding us.
Jake whirls on him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Luke’s smirk widens and he shrugs. “I simply thought two people living together might share similar views. But I should know better. This isn’t always the case. I’ve been wrong before.”
“We’re not together,” I blurt before I can stop myself, “in the couple sense.”
Now Jake turns his glare on me. “Geez, thanks for clarifying that.”
I turn to face him, feeling bad for hurting his already bruised ego again. “I didn’t mean it as an insult.”
“No, but you were quick to let him know you’re not with me—”
Dom Luke holds up his hands as he gets between us. “Children, please, let’s not fight. There’s work to be done.” He looks at me. “Since we’re behind schedule as it is, Carrie, I’m going to get you to write up your assessment of yesterday’s toys at home, tonight. Consider it homework.” I go to protest, but he’s already whirled back on Jake. “Now, both of you follow me. First, I’ll show Jake my pride and joy, then I have new delights for you to test.”
Luke takes me and Jake into the room with the 3D printer he uses to make sex toys. I can’t help but marvel again at the variety of pleasure devices he can actually print out with this machine. He shows my friend some files filled with vibrators and other toy models that he can print out using his 3D modeling software, as he had shown me on my first day of work. Then he offers Jake a choice of designs.
Once more, Jake bristles. “I didn’t say I was going to work for you yet.”
Dom Luke sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Could you use the money?” He rattles off a salary that makes Jake’s eyes widen. My friend nods as an answer to Luke’s question, and Luke continues, “Then I suggest you put your hang ups on the table and say yes. Carrie did.” He glances over his shoulder and smiles at me, and I can’t help but smile back.
Before Dom Luke, I’d have never entertained such wonderfully kinky delights, so I can’t really judge Jake for his apprehension. But his uber good boy routine is grating on me as well. So I tell him some facts Luke told me on my first day, “Do you realize, Jake, that orgasms are actually good for you?”
He gives me a curious frown.
I nod as I walk closer. “It’s true. Coming on a regular basis reduces your chances of prostate cancer. It also helps with pain, relieving stress, and helps boost the body’s immune system.”
His eyes widen again and he appears less dubious. “Really?”
“The lady speaks truth,” Luke backs me up.
“Now pick some toys and let’s get on with it,” I say, letting my exasperation out. “The kids will be out of school by four.”
He looks less like a churlish child as he asks Dom Luke to help him select, since he really has no knowledge of this stuff. Again I feel guilty for being hard on him, but at least he seems to have embraced the practicality of taking this job, for both me and him.
“Ah, wise choices,” Luke says, giving Jake a friendly pat on the back.
I see the dom now holds an anal plug with tiny nubs peppering its slightly rounded body, and in his other hand he has something light pink in color that looks like a jelly flashlight.
“Follow me,” he says as he walks in my direction. “Your selection for today is in another room, Carrie. We can change and get naked in there.”
With that he takes my hand, and I hear Jake give a little growl behind us, but he says nothing more. We move toward the room right across from the one we’ve just vacated.
I gasp when I get a look at the toy I’ll be testing today. It’s a strange apparatus made of leather and steel. Something that appears like a cross between a mechanical insect and a very elaborate chair.
Dom Luke puts a warm hand on my shoulder and explains to me. “This device is designed to hold you. It responds to your body using radio waves, similar to how Wifi internet works, or sonar in a submarine.” He walks over to a steel set of cupboards and drawers and plucks something out before he returns to me. “Here. I’ll also need you to put this on.”
He hands me a lacy, sheer teddy that sparkles when I hold it up toward the overhead fluorescents. I glance at him, and I’m sure my expression shows I’m puzzled, for he continues to explain.
“See those tiny fibers in the material?” He touches th
e silvery threads. “They will respond to your body. The garment is filled with capacitive sensors, meaning it will use the electricity your flesh creates to communicate with it, to pleasure it. The lace molds to you and actually vibrates.”
He moves from me, wearing that charming smile once more, and I can’t explain it, but I feel instantly comforted and ready. Dom Luke seems to bring out the boldness and bravery in me.
While he goes to Jake, I slip into the crotchless, filmy lingerie. I slip the straps up over my shoulders, adjust the thin cups that are a part of the barely-there bodice so my heavy breasts won’t fall out. The material molds nicely to my curves, and for the first time in a long while I feel truly beautiful.
I join Jake and Luke. Admittedly I’m excited to see what this strange sex toy inventor has in store for my tentative friend.
“Now, Jake,” he says, pacing before the man who sat in a chair when Dom Luke instructed him to do so. “Here’s what I plan to do with you. First, tell me, are you adverse to having another man touch you intimately?”
Jake blushes almost as red as his carroty hair. “I… I’ve never really thought about it.”
Dom Luke brushes a slender finger down my rugged friend’s cheek. “Your eyes tell me a different story.”
Jake’s green eyes do glitter, but I’m not sure whether it’s denied lust or pure anger.
“It’s a job.” Jake shrugs. “I’ll do what I have to do.”
“Good, very good.” Luke’s lopsided grin is lethal and beautiful. “You might even find you enjoy it in spite of your inhibitions. Get naked and prepare to give your ass to me.”
I bite my lip and watch the two men, waiting for Jake to protest, but he looks at me and then back to Luke, clenches his jaw and begins shedding his flannel shirt, t-shirt, jeans, and underwear.
“Good, very good,” Luke purrs as Jake reveals thick muscle and skin that is slightly sun kissed from work outdoors around our place. “While you get ready, I’ll strap our lovely lady into her pleasure device.”
Luke takes my hand and leads me to what I’ve come to think of as the mechanical spider, but despite its insectile appearance it doesn’t frighten me. I find it odd how anything sexual seems so natural in Luke’s presence. Like no matter how wild the ride gets, I’ll always be safe with him.
BDSM Mega Boxed Set Page 62
