Outback Master

by Lexxie Couper

  “Don’t care. I know her. She sleeps with her phone right by the bed. I’m not stopping until I get her attention.” Again he tapped out a text. Two minutes, Harper.

  “If you ever tried to wake my arse up with those insane texts, I’d—”

  Andrew texted again. One minute, sis.

  “That wasn’t a minute.” The moment she stopped speaking, Andrew’s phone dinged.

  Harper’s response appeared. That was not a minute, Andrew.

  Amy laughed. “Told you so.”

  Andrew dismissed her taunt, his expression brightening at Harper’s reply. It occurred to Amy he really did miss his sister. She experienced a twinge of guilt for keeping him in the dark.

  Ha! You are there after all. Now tell me where there is.

  Amy wondered if Harper would give in.

  Nope. You don’t need to know. Safe. And happy. That should be all that counts.

  “Goddamn it,” Andrew muttered. “This is ridiculous. I don’t know what the hell you two think I’m going to do.”

  “That’s sort of the point, isn’t it? Harper truly thinks you’d hop on a plane to Australia.”

  “I just want to talk to her.” He texted once more. If I call you, you’re not going to answer, are you?

  No.

  Andrew’s shoulders fell. Amy felt bad. She wasn’t one hundred percent sure what the dynamics were between Harper and Andrew. She knew they both adored each other, but sometimes Amy felt as if there was something else lingering beneath the surface. Neither of them had said as much, but it was there just the same.

  I’m not happy about this, Harper. At least tell me where you are.

  Silence met his request.

  “She really is fine, Andrew.”

  He looked at her, then back at his silent phone. The persistent man tried again. Are you going to tell me?

  I’m fine. Stop worrying. Be nice to Amy.

  Amy smiled. “Yeah. Be nice to me.”

  He tossed the phone to the side. “Nice, huh?” He rose from the couch and went back into the hallway briefly. When he returned, he had something in his hands.

  “What’s that?”

  “Your homework assignment. Tonight we’re going to cover some new material.” He handed her the lube and butt plug.

  She narrowed her eyes. “This isn’t exactly new.”

  “What happens after I pull the plug out will be.”

  Though he’d used the toy on her numerous times over the past couple of days, Andrew still hadn’t fucked her arse. It sounded like that was going to change tonight.

  She grinned. Lots of things were going to change. She didn’t intend to stay in the house, but she wasn’t about to ruin the surprise she had planned. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Wait two hours and then put it in. I want your pretty ass nice and stretched out by the time I get home.”

  “Dirty bastard,” she teased, taking the items from him. She stood and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll do my homework as long as you agree to play nice with the advertisers. You need them.”

  “Yes ma’am.” He took her little peck on the cheek and returned it with interest, dragging his lips along her neck and teasing her earlobe with his teeth. His hands gripped her breasts and Amy could tell he was in danger of missing his dinner meeting. He was going to have to tackle rush-hour traffic.

  Reluctantly, she pushed him away. “You better go now.”

  He sighed. “Fuck. Okay. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  She laughed and pushed him toward the door. “I’ll be ready for you with a surprise of my own.”

  He tilted his head suspiciously, but didn’t bother to question her. Instead, he gave her another quick peck and left.

  Amy didn’t even wait until his car was out of the driveway before she sprinted upstairs.

  Nearly an hour later she was back downstairs, dressed in a tight, far-too-revealing shirt she’d bought in Chicago and the leather skirt she’d packed from home. She had no idea what the standard attire was for a sex club, but she felt sexy and daring, so she was just going with it. She propped up the note she’d written for Andrew on a table in the front foyer, grabbed her small purse to stow the butt plug and lube in, then glanced out the window in time to see the cab pull up in front of the house.

  Time to mark another item off the list. She wasn’t sure if Andrew would be happy or angry when he arrived home to find her gone. The note was an invitation for him to join her. If he wouldn’t take her to the club, she’d simply have to take herself and hope he’d follow. She didn’t intend to play with anyone other than Andrew, so if he didn’t come, she’d take a look around, then return home with her curiosity satisfied.

  When she emerged from the taxi forty-five minutes later—idiot man got them lost twice—she stood on the sidewalk for a minute studying the inconspicuous building with a small, tastefully done sign that declared she had indeed made it to Velvet Chains. No wonder the cabbie had struggled to find it. It certainly didn’t stand out in any way.

  Taking a deep breath, she bolstered her courage and walked in the front door.

  A man with a clipboard greeted her inside. “Name please.”

  Amy hadn’t anticipated this. “Um, I’m Amy Wesson.”

  The man consulted his list. She needed to act fast, so she added, “I’m a guest of Andrew Shaw.”

  The man glanced up, taking in her attire. “Mr. Shaw isn’t here this evening.”

  “I know. I’m meeting him here,” she lied. Hopefully Andrew would take her up on her invitation to continue their sex play at the club. After all, they’d already initiated his bed, the shower, several floors in different rooms, the kitchen table and the couch at his house. The change of scenery would be fun.

  “I’m sorry, but he doesn’t appear to have called ahead to give us your name. I’ll have to phone him to confirm.”

  She didn’t want to interrupt—and potentially ruin—Andrew’s business dinner. “Um. He really is expecting me.”

  The man nodded. “I understand. It won’t take me a moment to confirm this.”

  She was about to tell him to forget it when there was a loud disturbance at the front entrance. The doorman’s face flushed with anger and a fair amount of annoyance.

  “Master Turner. I told you earlier. You can’t come in here intoxicated.”

  The newcomer was dressed head to toe in leather, with slicked-back jet-black hair and an earring. Amy had to work hard at restraining her laughter. The guy appeared to have bought into every stereotype in terms of what a big, bad Dom should look like. He and the doorman began arguing, so Amy stepped into the shadows. When another man, the bouncer, arrived, she took the opportunity to move into the club. With any luck, the doorman would assume she left during the altercation and forget all about calling Andrew.

  In the hallway she spotted a bathroom. She quickly stepped inside, grateful for a private place to calm her nerves. She walked to the sink and took in her flushed cheeks. She always blushed something fierce when she got anxious. Time to calm down. Best to lay low in here for a little while before venturing out. Just in case the doorman came looking for her.

  Glancing at her purse, she grinned. Andrew had given her an order. Maybe she’d get submissive brownie points for following it. Stepping into a stall, she pulled the lube and plug out of her purse. It took her several minutes to prepare herself and the toy, to get it into place and manage to stand upright with the bloody big thing in her arse. Walking naturally was going to be a challenge.

  She giggled to herself.

  You’re not in Oz anymore, Amy.

  Returning to the sink, she washed her hands then checked her appearance in the mirror. The color in her face had faded back to normal. She touched up her eyeliner and lipstick then took one more steadying breath as she tried to bolster her courage.

  She peeked out into the hallway. There was no sign of the doorman or the bouncer, so she walked toward the sound of music. Her eyes widened when she entere
d what appeared to be the heart of the club. It resembled a nightclub, with tables and chairs scattered throughout the room, facing a stage that was set against one long wall. That was where the similarities ended.

  The room was fairly dim, with most of the light provided by the stage lights that focused on a performance unlike anything Amy had ever seen. A naked man was chained to cross. He was facing away from the audience, so every person in the room had a clear view of his bare back and arse. A woman, dressed in a leather corset and skintight pants, wielded a whip. Every few seconds or so, she struck the bound man.

  Amy would have been horrified if it weren’t so apparent that the man loved the rough treatment, and if she hadn’t recently been introduced to the concept of how pleasure and pain can indeed make strange but compelling bed partners.

  She’d never anticipated how much she would like the feel of Andrew’s hand as he spanked her or the tight pinch of the nipple clamps. Her American lover had wetted her whistle and she wanted to see how much more she could take and still enjoy. Hazel had always claimed Amy was her own worst enemy—possessing more curiosity than sense.

  Amy didn’t care. She figured life was meant to be lived and enjoyed. She refused to cower from new experiences. And this night ranked right up there as the mother of all experiences. Bloody hell.

  Amy scanned the room, looking for an empty table. She didn’t expect Andrew to arrive for another hour or so at least. She’d simply find a quiet area near the back, enjoy the show and start a new to-do list. As she watched the lovers at the surrounding tables, she spotted at least three or four new things she wouldn’t mind trying with Andrew.

  She’d just found an empty booth when a man stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

  “Excuse me,” she said, intending to sidestep the large man.

  “Are you here alone?”

  Alarm bells went off in Amy’s head as she glanced up into the man’s imposing face. He wasn’t smiling and his eyes were cold. She’d seen jackaroos on the station who’d turned hard with the work. Men who slowly lost every bit of their humanity until they were as compassionate as a pissed-off cut snake. This man fit that mold.

  “No,” she said. “My date will be here soon.”

  “Date?”

  She silently cursed herself for her stupidity. Once again, she’d let her impulsiveness overrule her intelligence, jumping into a situation she didn’t understand without backup. If Marc and Keith were here, they’d read her the riot act for being such a bloody idiot.

  “I’m meeting someone here.”

  The stranger lifted her arm, twisting it from side to side as if looking for something. “You’re not wearing a bracelet.”

  “So?”

  “So as far as this club is concerned, you’re an unattached submissive.”

  She frowned and glanced down at her outfit. “What makes you think I’m a submissive?”

  The man snorted, the sound neither pleasant nor friendly. She had fucked up. Big-time.

  “There you are,” a strange voice said from behind her.

  She glanced over her shoulder as a man she’d never seen before slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her back against his wide chest. Great. Now there were two big bad Doms to deal with.

  “You forgot this,” the man holding her said, as he lifted her arm and slid on a blue wristband. “Paulie tried to catch you at the front door, but you were too quick.”

  “Oh.” While she was still nervous, she decided it was better to play along with the new guy than take her chances with the scary dude. At least this man had a kind smile and friendly manner.

  “She’s with you, Danner?”

  Whoever Danner was nodded. “She’s with me and Shaw. You know the deal.”

  Amy sucked in a relieved breath. This man knew Andrew. Maybe she was saved after all.

  Mr. Nasty Guy didn’t seem convinced. “Shaw’s here?”

  “He will be in a few minutes. Had a business meeting. If you’ll excuse us, Amy and I were about to enjoy a bit of the show while we wait.”

  “You shouldn’t walk around without the wristband.” Then the jerk turned back to Danner. “I hope you and Shaw intend to see she’s properly punished.”

  Amy opened her mouth to blast the arsehole, but Danner’s arm tightened around her middle.

  “It’s up to Shaw and me to deal with our little sub. She isn’t any of your concern, Schuster.”

  Schuster started to speak, then closed his mouth as his eyes landed on something behind her. Amy turned as Andrew walked up to join their little party of three.

  “Is there a problem, Schuster?” Amy had never heard Andrew’s voice so cold, so hard.

  “Your sub was walking around without a bracelet. That’s against the club rules.”

  Andrew smirked, unconcerned, though Amy felt guilty for causing him so much trouble. How the hell had he gotten here so fast? There was no way he could have gone home and found her note already. He was still dressed in the smart-looking shirt and trousers he wore earlier, so the doorman must’ve called him.

  From the tension around his eyes, it didn’t appear she was out of trouble yet after all. He was ticked off.

  “Take it up with the owners if you’re upset about it.”

  Schuster harrumphed. “Like that would do me any good. They’re all your buddies.”

  “Then step off. Amy’s spoken for.”

  Schuster shot her a dirty look and walked away from them.

  Amy thought she should be relieved, but without the nasty man around, Andrew’s irate look was suddenly turned on her. “What the hell do you think you’re doing here?”

  She shrugged. “I wanted to see the club. I told you that.”

  “And I said no.”

  Danner released her, moving to stand next to Andrew. “Why did you say no?”

  Andrew took a step back. It seemed as if he’d forgotten the other man was there. “Tom, I just didn’t think this was,” Andrew paused awkwardly before quietly adding, “a good idea.”

  Tom didn’t prod, didn’t encourage Andrew to continue. Instead, his gaze returned to her and she noticed definite interest in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Amy. We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Tom Danner.”

  “You’re the cameraman.” Several times today, Andrew had mentioned his cameraman as they’d watched the show. She could tell from the stories Andrew told, he and Tom were very good friends.

  Tom nodded. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a clue who you are.”

  “I’m Amy Wesson, a friend of Harper’s.”

  The answer didn’t satisfy Tom. “The gal from Australia?”

  Andrew looked at Tom. “You remembered her name?”

  Tom shook his head, laugh lines crinkling around his eyes. “Jesus, buddy. You have the attention span of a three-year-old sometimes. You’re the pen pal friend, right?”

  Amy was impressed. “Yep, Harper and I started out chatting online about the pen pal program, but then one thing led to another and we decided to do a life swap for a couple weeks.”

  Tom turned to Andrew. “Harper’s in Australia?”

  Andrew grimaced. “Yeah.”

  Shock permeated Tom’s features. “And you’re not there? Shadowing her every move?”

  Amy gave Andrew an I told you so look that seemed to add to his annoyance. If she were even remotely intelligent, she wouldn’t poke the bear. But excessive cleverness wasn’t something she’d ever been accused of.

  “I don’t know exactly where she is in Australia.”

  Tom looked from Andrew to Amy then a grin split his face. “You won’t tell him.”

  It wasn’t a question, but Amy answered anyway. “She’s perfectly safe. If I thought she needed rescuing I’d tell him where to find her.”

  Tom released a brief, loud bark of laughter. Amy decided then and there she liked the cameraman. “None of this explains why you’re here. And why you refused to bring her to begin with, Andrew. Guests are always welcome at partie
s as long as they’re accompanied by a member.”

  “I wanted to surprise you,” Amy said to Andrew. “I left you a note at home.”

  “I never made it home. Paulie phoned to chastise me for forgetting to call and leave the name of my guest.”

  She gave him an embarrassed smile, regret crinkling her nose. “Sorry. Did I mess up your deal with the advertisers?”

  “Dinner was nearly over, so it was no problem for me to claim I had an emergency to attend to.”

  “Well, that’s good, I guess. I’m glad you’re here.”

  Andrew took her hand in his, lifting it to his lips to kiss. It was an old-fashioned gesture, but he still managed to make it feel like pure seduction as he opened his mouth, taking one of her fingers inside to suck on it.

  Tom’s eyes widened. “Looks like you two have become friendly as well.”

  Amy flashed Tom a smile. “Andrew’s teaching me how to be a submissive.”

  Tom choked. “Damn. You’re doing a helluva job so far, Shaw.”

  Andrew narrowed his gaze, giving Tom a dirty look. “Fuck you. I told you to stay home, Amy.”

  “I thought it might be more fun to move our lessons here.”

  “Yeah, well, lucky for you, Tom was already here and able to intervene. Otherwise, you’d most likely be spending the evening with Schuster.”

  “The arsehole? No way.”

  Tom explained. “Amy, you walked into the social room without a Dom or a bracelet. That’s an open invitation.”

  “And I don’t get any say-so?”

  Tom shook his head. “Not tonight. It’s a private party and there are some fairly strict rules regarding the play at this one.”

  She bit her lip. “Oh. Sorry again. I didn’t realize.”

  Tom shrugged good-naturedly. “No harm, no foul. So…are you two planning to stick around for a while?”

  Andrew didn’t respond immediately. Instead he studied his friend’s face before looking at her. His expression was less angry now. If anything, he seemed to be uptight. Then he nodded slowly. “Sure. Why not? We’re already here.”

  Just when Amy didn’t think Tom’s grin could get any bigger, he proved her wrong. “Awesome.” He reached into his pocket for something. “I reserved room seven when I checked in.”