“Or maybe you told him to take you home? I know you, Jenna. You chickened out, didn’t you?”
Had she? She exhaled and shrugged her shoulders. Perhaps. But she’d been in over her head the entire evening.
She dropped her scissors and stepped back to sit on her stool. “The fight was gross. I hated it. Why do men want to do that? Who wants to go somewhere and get their ass kicked on a regular basis? Does he make that much money doing it? Is that it?”
Katy shook her head. “He doesn’t make any money. He’s amateur. He does it because he loves the sport of it.”
“Well, I hate it. It was awful. I don’t know why I didn’t realize that last week. I guess because he won, and it didn’t last as long, and maybe I was lying to myself because I wanted to get into his pants so bad. In either case, it doesn’t matter. I don’t want to go sit and watch that every weekend. I hated it.”
“Then don’t go.” Katy made it sound so simple. “I don’t go very often myself. It’s more of an outlet for pent-up energy for both Rafe and Mason. They think of it as working out. No one goes to the gym with me. Why should I go with him?”
Jenna stared at Katy. “You think it’s really that simple?”
“I do. Listen,” she leaned against the counter. “Every once in a while I go to show support, but not every match. I have other interests. We meet up after and hit the club. We rarely discuss the fight for more than a few minutes. I console. He kisses me, and we move on.”
“I’m not sure Mason is as easy going as Rafe.”
“That may be true. I don’t doubt you on that. But talk to him. Don’t let this thing slip down the drain over a silent misunderstanding. Tell him what you told me and see what he says.”
“Okay.”
Katy stood. “I have to go. Call me?”
“I will. Oh and Katy?”
“Yes?”
“Can you write his address down for me?”
She grinned. “Of course.” She scribbled on the notepad on the corner of the island and passed the piece of paper to Jenna. “Later.” She winked and waltzed out.
»»•««
Jenna pulled in front of Mason’s house at three in the afternoon. Mariel had shooed her out the door when Katy left, telling her to go deal with whatever man issues were making her hurt. Jenna had hugged the woman tight, grateful for someone in her life who cared as much as Mariel did.
Jenna knocked on the door and waited with her hands folded in front of her, trying not to let her nerves eat her alive.
It took longer than she expected, but finally the door opened. The smile that spread across Mason’s face lit her up inside.
“Hi.”
“Come in.” He stepped back and opened the door wider.
Jenna stepped inside, but she didn’t see much of the house at first. Her gaze was pinned on the man who wore only a pair of low-riding, gray sweats. His feet were bare. His chest was divine as usual, and she licked her lips before she had the sense to look away.
Trying not to breathe too heavily, she glanced around his home. “Nice place.”
“Thanks.” He shut the door and leaned against it while she perused his front room. The TV was on but not the volume. Some fighting event. The house was immaculate for a bachelor pad, the only thing not strategically placed being the open book that lay on the sofa upside down to save his spot.
“Did I interrupt anything?” She turned toward him, trying not to ogle his chest.
“No. You’d never be interrupting anything. I was reading, but to be honest, I’ve read the same page several times.”
Jenna lowered her gaze. His feet were so sexy it hardly helped. “I’m sorry about last night.”
“Me too. My bad. I’m not very good with words, and when I lose a fight, I need a bit to unwind.”
“I don’t know you well enough to be aware of your needs. I felt…alienated.”
“I realized that later. Well, Katy beat it into me also.”
Jenna smiled. “I don’t care for the fighting,” she blurted.
Mason grinned. “That’s okay. You don’t have to watch me. It’s not mandatory in the girlfriend handbook.”
Did he say girlfriend?
“So you don’t mind if I don’t hang around at these competitions like some sort of groupie?”
“Nope.”
“Did it piss you off for me to see you lose?”
He shook his head. “Of course not. That’s on me. If I want to beat that guy, I’ve got to work harder. He’s a tough opponent. You had nothing to do with it. I’m just sorry you had to see me brood after.”
“Why did you go to the club?”
He shrugged. “Bad choice on my part. I should have gone home. I think I was punishing myself for the way I treated you by sitting at the bar all evening alone.”
Relief washed through her. “You didn’t have to do that. You should have talked to me. I would have understood.”
He nodded. “I should have.”
She turned around and wandered deeper into his space. “Are you always this tidy?”
“Sometimes. Today particularly. I was trying to occupy my mind to keep from coming after you at the shop.”
Jenna smiled to herself. He cares.
He stepped closer behind her as she wandered. “Were you mad that I went to the club?”
“No. Hurt maybe. I felt like you shut me out and then went out without me.” Jenna stopped and turned around, facing him. She threw up her arms. “What the hell am I saying? I don’t have any say in your life at all. We don’t have some commitment that says you can’t do whatever you want whenever you want.”
Mason reached for her and hauled her up against him. His proximity scrambled her brain. He planted his lips on hers so fast, she didn’t have time to protest. He kissed her senseless, delving into her mouth immediately, his tongue tangling with hers, demanding she open wider for him. Like a starving man, he possessed her until she was dizzy with need. Her pussy ached, and she pressed into his chest urgently.
When he pulled back and set his forehead on hers, he was breathing as heavily as she was. Finally he spoke after staring into her eyes forever. “I can’t yet define this thing we have between us, and I don’t know how long it will take me to figure it out and get it right, but you most certainly do have a say in anything pertaining to me or us. I would never cheat on you. That I can guarantee, and I’m already so into you that I consider myself committed. So, no matter what happens, don’t ever doubt my feelings on that subject.”
Her head swam with all that information. He’s committed to me?
She gulped, realizing she hadn’t breathed while he spoke. “Okay.”
He chuckled. “Well, aren’t we switching tonight?”
“Huh?”
He pulled her closer, nestled her head against his chest, and wove his fingers into her hair. “I’m all full of paragraphs, and you have less than one word to respond with.”
“Oh, sorry,” she muttered against his chiseled perfection.
“Don’t be.” He rubbed her scalp until she calmed beneath his touch. Before she could stop him, he swung her into his arms and strutted to the couch, plopping on the cushions and snuggling her on his lap.
Jenna yelped, but it was too late.
“Anything else you need to clear up?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Any deep dark secrets I should know about?” He held up a hand. “Let me rephrase. Rafe told me you have baggage. I’m guessing I’m not yet privy to your personal problems. Should I be?”
Jenna shook her head. “I’m not ready to go down that path. It’s ugly, and it would ruin our evening.”
Rafe nodded. “Fair enough, as long as you aren’t married or something.” He lifted one eyebrow.
“Of course not. Nothing like that. Let’s just say I have a strange family and leave it at that for now.”
“Good, cause I’m all out of words now. Do you mind if we make out instead?”
She l
ifted her gaze to his. “Make out? What are we, teenagers?” She giggled.
He shrugged. “I’m trying to be a gentleman here. Do you have a better idea? I mean I’m all for suggestions, but I’ve been ready to rip your clothes off since I opened the door.”
“Why am I always naked with you?”
“I like you naked.”
“Maybe we could do not naked for a while, like normal people.” She peered up at him, waiting for his response.
∙•∙
Mason nodded. “I can do normal. I’m sure of it.” He reached for the television remote. “Maybe we could watch a movie.” He was nowhere near as sure of anything as he tried to sound. He didn’t do normal. Ever. He wanted to throw her over his shoulder, haul her to the bedroom, strap her down, and have his way with her. That was normal. Not this. This was so far from normal, his hands shook.
Jenna giggled again in his lap, the vibrations making him squeeze her to hold her still. If he was going to do normal, she was going to have to sit still. His cock couldn’t take any more.
Mason scanned through the choices on the television, but he felt Jenna’s gaze on him instead. She wasn’t paying attention to the screen at all. She toyed with his chest, her fingers dancing around his nipples. “Fuck normal,” she blurted.
Mason froze and lowered the remote. Thank God.
“Show me.”
Mason swallowed. “Show you what?”
She squeezed his chest with her hand, molding her fingers around his muscle. “Your world.”
“You want to go to the club?” He wasn’t sure he was following her meaning.
She shook her head. “Not particularly. Another time. Show me here.”
“Here? In my house?”
She grinned. “Yeah.”
He paused, trying to read her face. If he took her here, in his home, it would be under his terms. His way. Was she ready for that? Did she really understand what she was asking for?
He hadn’t ever brought a woman here, not for any reason. He’d never had a woman who crossed over into his everyday life. He sure hadn’t dominated anyone at home.
Not that he couldn’t—he just hadn’t considered it.
Her chest beat against his as she chewed her bottom lip, waiting for his response.
“I could do that.” It wasn’t as though he didn’t have the props. He kept all his toys in a duffle bag he brought with him to Extreme on weekends. He didn’t have any large items like benches or crosses, but he did have everything else. Could Jenna submit to him, though?
“I want you to.” She sat up and nervously ran her hands through her hair. “Introduce me so that when you do take me to your club, I’m more prepared.”
Mason held her steady, gripping her shoulders and looking deep into her green eyes. Could he read her well enough to know when he was pushing her too far? “You would give up control to me?”
She nodded. “You make my blood boil every time I’m near you, every time you speak. I want to know what else there is.”
“This is serious for me, Jenna. It’s not a game. It’s not just simple role play. It’s my life.”
She nodded. Her voice was barely a whisper when she spoke. “I know.”
“You need a safe word if you’re going to sub for me.”
“Okay.”
“Red.”
“Red. Got it.”
“Yellow if I’m pushing your limit.” He angled his head so he was staring at her intently, trying desperately to read her better. This wasn’t like any other role he’d played. At Extreme the women he met and dominated came there for that purpose.
This was Jenna. He actually felt something for her. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her irrevocably. Even unintentionally.
Mason stood and lifted Jenna to her feet. “Come on.” He nodded behind him and then led her down the hall to his bedroom.
When he stepped inside, he waited a bit for her to look around.
“Pristine. You’re so type A.” She laughed and wandered around, touching his comforter, the deep navy blue looking like midnight next to her skin.
“I’m not. Really. I told you I was trying to keep my mind off things this morning. And this was the result.”
She turned to face him, her expression uncertain. “So what do I do?”
He sauntered toward her. “Obey.”
Her breath hitched.
“Submissives say it’s very freeing to let go and give up all control to someone else.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and then tipped her chin up to his gaze.
“Have you ever been on the submissive side?”
“No.”
“What makes you want to dominate someone? Why is it so important to you?”
He ran his hands down her arms and twined his fingers with hers. “It’s humbling, I suppose. When someone gives their free will to me, it’s like a gift. It’s my responsibility to see to their needs first and ensure they reach their goals. It’s powerful and a huge responsibility.”
“Isn’t the goal orgasm? How hard can that be?”
Mason shook his head. “Not always. Not even usually. Sometimes being submissive is all about releasing stress. When someone controls you, it allows you to purge. Your endorphins run high until you can almost separate from your physical body.”
“Sounds like drugs.”
“In a way it’s like that. That floaty release you get from the endorphin high.”
“Are we going to have sex?”
“Yes. But that’s because we have a connection that’s beyond the domination. I want you, so I’m going to have you. I’ll mold you to my will, and you’ll love it. Crave it.”
The doubt in her eyes was evident, but she would see. Soon.
Assuming he’d judged her right. You know you have. Hell, the woman had stripped for him and given up control to him the night they met. She just didn’t realize how strongly he dominated her even then.
She nodded consent.
Mason stepped back, releasing her. It frightened her to lose the contact, but he would watch her closely for signs of stress. “Remove all your clothes. You can set them here.” He pointed to a chair against the wall.
Jenna nodded, not looking at him.
“Good girl. Keep your eyes downcast and don’t forget the main rule I taught you before. Do not speak unless I ask you to, and then only address me as Sir.”
She didn’t say a word. She was learning.
Thank God he wore sweatpants. His cock was going to take a beating this afternoon.
The pale white skin he loved so much came into view little by little as Jenna stripped her shirt off and then her pants. She chose her bra before her thong and folded everything neatly, setting it on the chair.
“Step forward.” As she complied, he circled her. Her head hung low, and she used her hair as a shield. He would pull it back from her face soon. It wouldn’t be used to hide. He knew the intense scrutiny would ease her into a submissive mode. “There are positions in BDSM. Everyone does them a little different, but I’m going to show you the most basic for now.”
She didn’t move. Good girl.
“Kneel on the floor first.” Mason held his chin with one hand while he watched her for signs of distress.
She shivered, but other than that, she didn’t flinch.
He looked down and decided the plush beige carpet would be sufficient for her knees for now. He didn’t intend to leave her there long. “Spread your thighs wider… Good. Now straighten your back and clasp one hand around the other wrist behind your back.”
Jenna did as he commanded, making his cock jump inside his loose sweatpants. It was going to be difficult to get her where he wanted her to be before he took her. His body already pleaded with him to press into her warmth.
Was it the fact they were in his home that made him crave her so much, or would he feel the same when they were out at the club? He’d never needed a woman like he did this one and certainly not as quickly or as intensely.
/>
“Good job. I like how your breasts rise when you pull your shoulders back.” He touched her for the first time, pinching both nipples lightly.
She gasped, but didn’t speak. Her flinch at his touch was subtle.
“Your nipples are a gorgeous shade of pink.” He rubbed his thumbs over both tips, soothing them after the sting of his pinch.
Leaving her there on the floor, Mason went to his closet and grabbed his toy bag. He returned and set it on the bed, out of her sight. After rummaging around in a side pocket, he pulled out an elastic band and approached her. He casually swept her hair back and formed a ponytail at the back of her neck.
When he finished, he leaned down and kissed her shoulder. He needed to breathe her in, though it may have been a mistake. He adjusted his cock behind her, hoping she didn’t realize how aroused he was already. It would take away some of the control he wanted.
Mason stepped back, breathing in through his mouth to clear his head of her scent. It didn’t work. He reached back into his duffle and pulled out his favorite tool. He insisted on using it with nearly every submissive. Such a simple toy, and yet so powerful. “Close your eyes, Jenna.”
She did as he said without hesitating, making his cock stiffen once again.
He lifted the soft material over her and wiggled the blindfold down until it fit tight over her eyes.
Jenna bit her lower lip and leaned forward an inch as though she’d lost her balance.
“Hold steady. You’ll get used to it.” He cupped her chin and tipped her head up to his face. “Concentrate on all your other senses. Without sight, your arousal will heighten at every smell, touch, sound…”
The innocence on her face endeared him to her. Her mouth opened, but she didn’t speak.
“Come.” He grasped her biceps and helped her to stand.
She shivered as she got to her feet, and he led her to the bed.
After pushing the comforter out of the way, Mason nudged her to climb onto the mattress. “Crawl up on all fours.”
She struggled at first, disoriented. He knew she would be.
“You’re doing good. You can stop there.” He had her in the middle. It gave him plenty of space to maneuver around her. “Slide your arms up and let your forehead rest on the bed, baby.”
The Fight Club - Boxed Set Page 33
