The Club Sin Series 4-Book Bundle

by Stacey Kennedy

  Reaching into his pocket, he grabbed his personal cell phone, dialed, and pressed it to his ear. Tension rode his shoulders, yet it was a strain he welcomed. It messed with his mind that Mary shut him out, and his response intrigued him. He couldn’t remember a time when he had the urge to pursue a submissive, especially when that submissive seemed to outright refuse any sort of relationship with him, even a simple friendly one.

  The phone rang once before the low voice said, “Hello, Elliott.”

  “Good morning,” Elliott replied, relieved that Dmitri answered.

  The tension in Elliott’s voice was clearly apparent, since Dmitri asked, “Is everything all right?”

  “Don’t worry, everything is fine, but I’m not calling about business.”

  “What’s up?”

  “I’m wondering if I could inquire about Mary,” Elliott said, controlling the strain invading him, and hating that he had to learn more about Mary this way.

  Dmitri paused. “As in my Mary?”

  Mine, if she’d allow it. “Yes, that Mary.”

  The hesitation now was a little longer before Dmitri asked, “Have you seen her again since our dinner?”

  “I have,” Elliott replied, not saying more than that. It wasn’t Dmitri’s business what he and Mary experienced together. “Would I be stepping over the line to inquire a little bit about her?”

  “Depends,” Dmitri said.

  “On?”

  “What you want the information for.”

  Elliott smiled, not surprised. He didn’t know who Mary was to Dmitri except that they were friends, but from the dinner he had had with them and the protectiveness in Dmitri’s voice now, he could tell they were close. “We have become friendly with each other, but I’ve received some mixed signals. I want to make sure that I’m reading her correctly before I proceed any further. Since you two are close, I hoped you could provide some insight.”

  Dmitri’s voice lightened. “Are you interested in dating her or is this in regard to her being a play partner?”

  “Both, if she’d be agreeable.”

  “Well, this is interesting.” Humor touched Dmitri’s voice, which also sounded a lot like approval. “What has she told you?”

  As a Dom, Elliott understood why Dmitri wanted to know what Elliott knew first. He also suspected that Dmitri wouldn’t tell him anything too personal about Mary without her permission. “She told me her husband passed away.”

  “Yes, Charles passed many years ago.”

  Sadness drifted through Dmitri’s tone when he said Charles, and Elliott began to wonder how they were all connected. Staring out at the hordes of people walking along the strip, Elliott said, “It’s pretty apparent that she’s still hurting from his death.”

  “Incredibly so,” Dmitri replied in a solemn voice. “To be honest, Mary doesn’t talk to me about the past or about Charles. But I do know she gave up the lifestyle after he died, so as a play partner, you might have a challenge there.”

  Actually, she’s willing to play, just not agreeable to gamble with her heart. Pushing on, Elliott said, “I understand. Is there anything other than her husband passing away that I should be aware of?” He needed to understand what he was up against. He had to know more about the woman captivating his mind. And he needed to understand why she was so determined to run away from him.

  Dmitri sighed. “Mary is a very private and an incredibly strong woman. If you are asking me does she have any emotional problems that I have seen that would affect your playtime or if you were interested in dating her, then my answer is no. She is extremely put together, always has been.”

  Elliott agreed; he found her to be strong, and her strength was alluring. Yet knowing that also told him exactly what he needed to find out. She wasn’t depressed or suffering from another mental illness that would make his dealings with her more cautious. Knowing that Mary was as strong as he suspected, he figured she was likely scared of a new relationship and maybe feeling guilty over it.

  That, he could work with.

  A hundred questions lingered in Elliott’s mind, but only one remained most important. “Tell me, since she is such a good friend to you—”

  “Not friend,” Dmitri corrected. “She is family to me.”

  “Which I believe makes it clear enough that I should ask your approval of pursuing her when she’s proving to be a little difficult. Dom to Dom, friend to friend, are you all right with my involvement with her?”

  Softness reached Dmitri’s voice declaring his love for Mary. “First, she means a lot to me, so extra caution is warranted here.”

  “Warning heeded,” Elliott replied, leaning back in his chair. Not that he needed the advice. It was clear enough he had to proceed with care. He was also beginning to understand Mary as a submissive and exactly what she needed from him.

  That gave him a plan.

  Dmitri hesitated long enough that it showed he put deep thought behind his choice of words. “You don’t need my permission, Elliott. If Mary has shown interest in you, then I’m glad for you both.” He paused again. “But since you said she is giving mixed signals, I will tell you this: The fact that you have seen her again since our dinner shows her interest in you. Mary doesn’t play games. She might be fearful, since this is all new to her again, but she thinks her choices through. She wouldn’t have met with you if she didn’t feel a connection to you. Don’t let her fool you into believing something different.”

  Elliott snorted. “Believe me, Dmitri, she isn’t fooling anyone.”

  —

  In the examination room of Mary’s family practice, she turned to the desk and logged on to the computer. “Your son has a viral infection.” She entered the details into her patient’s file. “There isn’t much we can do but just let the cold run through his system.” She spun in her seat, looking at the exhausted young mother, who was slightly pale herself. “I know that isn’t what you want to hear.”

  “Not exactly,” the mother grumbled, dressing her toddler. “Sleep would be nice.”

  Mary understood, having children herself. Sick kids weren’t fun kids, but overmedicating kids wasn’t good, either. “If he doesn’t get better in a week or if his symptoms worsen, please come back to see me.”

  The mother picked her son off the examination table and gave a weak smile. “Thanks.” Then she dragged her feet to the door and left without another word.

  Mary sighed, feeling a hardness in her stomach that she couldn’t do more. But sickness was sickness and just part of life. She turned to the computer screen, finishing typing out the chart. She entered the child’s temperature, remembering those long nights when her children were sick and there wasn’t much she could do for them, even as a doctor. Things were so different now. Her children were grown up and had moved out. But she’d always been close to them, and maybe that bond became even tighter after Charles died.

  They were all she had left of him.

  Her eldest son looked so much like his father, and that had always warmed Mary. She might not have her Charles, but she had a piece of him within her children. With a sigh, she shut down the file and logged out of the system, then exited the small examination room.

  The day had been long and somewhat exhausting. Her body hurt in ways it hadn’t hurt in years, and some spots were sore from the flogging. She also noticed that if she moved a certain way the soreness stirred memories of Elliott.

  A man she’d been trying to forget since she’d left him the other morning. Practically running out on him hadn’t been her finest of moments. But Elliott had found a way into that spot in her heart that belonged only to Charles. She’d given her submission to him.

  Fear had made her run, though her body seemed determined to ensure she didn’t forget Elliott. She heaved another sigh as she reached the next closed door and knocked, waiting. When she didn’t get a reply, she entered the room.

  She froze, her breath all but lost to her.

  Warm brown eyes held hers with a knowin
g twinkle as a low, smooth voice said, “Being here is giving me some damn fine fantasies.”

  “What are you doing here?” She gasped in alarm, shutting the door behind her before glaring at Elliott. “You shouldn’t have come.”

  His grin was sinfully wicked as he leaned against the examination table, arms folded. “What can I say? I need a doctor…a beautiful one.” Then he closed the distance between them, staring at her with a smoldering gaze that Mary suspected all women would react to.

  A gaze that spoke of lust and masculinity.

  She inhaled the thick air deeply, attempting to get her thoughts together, but managed only to draw in his woodsy scent. Her lips parted to tell him to go, but Elliott’s body was so close to hers, bringing memories of their heated touches that she couldn’t ignore.

  Keeping his gaze perfectly focused on her, he ran his hand up her arm until he cupped her nape. “I need a certain doctor who can make me feel better.”

  “We cannot do this here,” she said, though even she heard the weakness in her voice.

  His smile wasn’t sweet, it was determined with a sharpshooter’s precision. “I hadn’t planned to do anything, but then I couldn’t stop thinking about you. And you didn’t leave me your telephone number.”

  Her knees nearly buckled under fiery need. His touch trailing up her neck made her feel caged in the most enticing way. “You could have called Dmitri to get my number.”

  “I did call Dmitri and he told me where you worked.” The side of his mouth arched, his eyes blazing hot. “I decided I didn’t want to simply talk to you.” His fingers tightened ever so slightly on her skin. “I figured a face-to-face visit would be much more enjoyable.” The burning of his touch brought dampness into her panties as he added, “I see that I was right.”

  Also so you couldn’t avoid me, his hard stare indicated.

  Mary noted the determination in the firm set of his features, and even sensed her mind being freed under his hold. But her heart screamed to stop. She made a vow to Charles. How could she break the promise that only he could possess her soul?

  She forcibly stepped back and crossed her arms. “Listen, Elliott, we had an incredible weekend, but that’s all it ever can be. I’m not looking for a play partner. I’m also not looking for a man to date. It was a onetime deal.”

  Elliott frowned, darkness washing across his features. “Why don’t you want more? Even now, your body is responding to me.” He closed the distance again with a purposeful step. “Your cheeks are rosy. Lips are parted, nearly begging me to take that mouth.” He dragged a finger along her cheeks. “Your eyes, Mary, they tell me to own you.”

  Shutting her eyes, she fought against losing herself in all of what he said. Her body wanted him with a blaze of fire in her soul. But she wasn’t ruled by her body alone. She opened her eyes and took a step back. “You don’t even know me, so I’m not sure how you think you can make that judgment.”

  His eyes narrowed. “I know we have incredible chemistry. I’m not asking you for a commitment, or even a date. But I do want to take you on as a submissive, and you’ve made it clear enough that you would like that, too.”

  No matter what she felt around Elliott, she had made promises to her Dom. Promises that she couldn’t live with herself if she broke. She lifted her chin. “No.”

  Elliott snorted, shaking his head. “I know you’ve been alone for a long time and are still hurting, and I’m sorry for that.” He reached for her hand, taking it gently. “But you deserve to be happy and enjoying your life, Mary.”

  His touch was dangerous. It made her forget. That couldn’t happen. She yanked her hand away, coldness lacing her veins. “You are reading me wrong. I have no interest in playing with you again.”

  His eyes blazed red-hot. “I believe I already told you that your words are much prettier when you’re speaking the truth.” He gave her a long, measured look. “Do I look like a young and foolish kid?”

  She gazed over him and forced herself not to lick her lips. No, he was a powerful, confident man. “Of course, not.”

  “I have been married and divorced.” His voice tightened into the stern tone that all Doms had mastered. “I have dated many women. I know what I want, and I want to get to know you. Chemistry. Passion. A connection. This doesn’t come around often.”

  “I already told you that I can’t give you what you’re after.” It’s too dangerous to be with you. She knew what this chemistry led to; she had had it once before, an instant power between two people that defied odds. A pull toward each other that couldn’t be explained, nor could it be ignored. A connection that was the perfect recipe for love. “I’m not looking to be involved.”

  Elliott stepped in close to her and ran his hands down her arms, bringing forth her shiver. “Since you seem to keep uttering lies to me, why don’t I try to help you get the truth out? Tell me, is it that you don’t believe you can love two men in one lifetime?”

  She clenched her teeth, hating how damn perceptive Doms were. “No.”

  Leaning down, he tsked in her ear, raising goose bumps on her neck. “When are you going to stop lying to yourself, darlin’?”

  God, the way he purred darlin’ nearly sent her to her knees. “I’m not lying to myself.” She forced herself to jerk away from him. “You are simply choosing not to listen to me. I’m finding it very rude. This is my place of employment. You shouldn’t have come here. You can leave now.”

  He chuckled, as her words bounced right off him. “Pretty lies coming from an even more beautiful mouth.” He dropped his gaze to hers, hard and unforgiving. “Do you take me for a man who if he found a submissive that awakens so perfectly under his touch and makes him feel things he hasn’t in a long time, he’d let her run?”

  She kept her lips shut, avoiding that answer.

  Bringing those warm and soulful eyes right to her eye level, he continued. “You know how I feel. You know what I want.” Something hot and possessive flashed in his features, reflecting a Dom pushed to his max. “I have waited to meet a woman like you for years—a woman who makes me, as a Dom, feel alive. I’m not going to piss around and pretend what I feel with you isn’t special, but I’m too damn old to chase after women.”

  He leaned away, studied her, then added, “I leave for a personal trip on Saturday.” He reached into his back pocket and then placed a business card in her hand. “If you don’t call me before then, this will be over and I will leave you alone. That choice is yours.”

  Before she could catch up with him, his mouth was on hers and he shamelessly took what he wanted. He pressed her right up against the wall and he kissed her as if he was about to strip her clothes and take her right there.

  By the time he broke away, he was breathless, and she was wet and gasping. He arched a brow. “Don’t play games. Don’t ignore what you need. Don’t be scared.”

  “I’m not—”

  He pressed a finger against her mouth. “Please stop.” He cupped her cheek and she fought the urge to lean in to him. “Don’t contact me, if you must. But I simply cannot hear another lie.”

  Then he was gone, just like that.

  Mary was left plastered to the wall. “I’m not scared,” she wheezed, finishing the thought he’d refused her. “I’m fucking terrified.”

  Chapter Nine

  The clang of a fork startled Mary, snapping her gaze up. Her sister, Jennifer, who was two years older, glared from across the table in the Texan restaurant on the strip. The lines around her mouth were accentuated with her frown. “Did you hear anything I just said?”

  Mary shook her head. “Sorry. It’s been a long week.”

  Jennifer tucked her salt-and-pepper chin-length hair behind her ear, raising her brows. “It’s only Tuesday. That cannot be a good sign.”

  It certainly wasn’t.

  Mary sighed, spotting the concern in her sister’s brown eyes. She always thought her sister took after her father, with a strong, straight nose, and features reflecting sternness, w
hich had made her a great high school principal before she retired. Mary took after her mother’s side; her features were just a bit softer.

  “Work is busy,” she lied easily, not interested in telling her sister the reason for her strain was her weekend with Elliott and the fact that he had come to her office yesterday. She still hadn’t reconciled all that happened with him. She wasn’t even sure she wanted to.

  “I hear the flu is going around.” Jennifer cut into her enchiladas and added, “As I was saying, the designer is coming up later this week and we’re finally going to get started on the nursery for Pam’s baby.”

  Mary pierced a piece of her chimichanga with her fork, then dipped it in sour cream. “That’s great news.” She attempted to seem interested, but after all that had happened, the conversation seemed dull in comparison.

  Jennifer was the classic soccer mom. Her life was about her children. Even now that her two children had grown up and moved out, she was still involved in their lives, to the point that Mary knew she drove her kids insane. Mary also had no idea why Jennifer was hiring a designer to redo a bedroom into a nursery for a grandchild who would visit only for the odd sleepover. Though Mary figured a playpen would do just fine, she kept the thought to herself.

  While she had always been a big part of her children’s lives, she liked that they had all grown into being their own individuals who didn’t need her as much as they used to. She was proud that they were living out their dreams. Of course, having them move away from Vegas wasn’t what she preferred, but they were happy.

  That’s all that mattered.

  Laughter from the table next to them drifted over as Jennifer said, “Once we get the nursery done, we’re going to make the backyard a little more kid-friendly.”

  Mary stared at her sister, noting how different they were. She also realized Jennifer was the only friend she had. After Charles passed, Mary had shut out everyone she knew in the BDSM community. She recalled how nice it was being at Elliott’s party, surrounded by others who lived an alternative lifestyle, one filled with erotic adventures. People who knew Mary’s true self. Torn between wanting to call Elliott to dive back into that lifestyle and forgetting last weekend even happened, Mary sensed a headache looming.