To Have and Hold (The Club #19)

by Isobelle Cate

  It seemed that I spent more of my nights at The Club. We had Room 2 to ourselves. I didn’t have to do anything at all except to be there. Either Adam or Brock must have reserved the room beforehand. Sometimes, Adam would pick me up from the office. Most of the time it was Brock after inspecting the construction sites with Dennis. I became furiously red every time he arrived dodging the curious glances of other staff even if I had my own glass enclosed office.

  I felt like a goldfish.

  Dennis didn’t give anything away. He continued to act like it was any other ordinary day at the office, with Brock becoming a regular visitor now the buildings and houses were taking shape. Brock and I would meet Adam at The Club after he came from Hotel Paradiso, the only hotel so far in Karim where he’d invested. We’d have a light dinner before going to the room. At times, it wasn’t all sex. Moments of lucidity were filled with lots of talk about our respective lives. Then we’d cuddle - Adam in front of me, Brock, behind me. When I was in Brock’s arms, Adam would just caress my back but not embrace me from behind. Those nights gave me peace that I had never felt outside of their arms.

  There was also another reason why I was at The Club more often. Adam wanted to spend as much time with me as he could before he left for England. That thought gouged at my insides. Sure, Brock would be with me, but it wouldn’t be the same without my British lover.

  Gradually, the anxiety of people recognizing me eased. The Club became my haven to explore the lengths and depths of my fantasy turned reality. I had never been worshiped by two men at the same time as much as these two. Adam loved being straddled and I’d rock against his cock until I screamed before he’d come inside me. Then he’d watch as Brock took me as we lay down, my back to his chest, smiling as Brock came.

  Thank God for birth control. Otherwise, I’d have a litter in no time.

  They had different ways of treating me to oral pleasures too. Adam’s tongue was firm, strong strokes lapping my clit slowly until I squirmed in desperation. He suspended my pleasure until he gave in and made me fly. Before I even came down from my high, he’d be inside me, fucking me so hard, the bed would creak and move from its place.

  Just as I like it.

  Brock was a different lover. He lapped at my pussy like he was lapping a melting ice cream cone on a very hot Karim day. He’d lick everything around my hole before putting his tongue inside, and my hips would jerk up. He liked cuddling, and when it suited him, he’d take me that way - face to face, my leg over his hip as he slid in and out of me. My release was softer, sweeter. I’d nuzzle his neck as his orgasm swept him off, and kiss him sweetly as he came down from that high. After a night of incredible sex, I’d go home, immune now to Dennis’ smirk.

  “Still planning on going to work?” Dennis was having his breakfast when I arrived early one Monday morning two weeks later. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. I inhaled and sighed. Next to sex, coffee was it.

  “Why wouldn’t I?” I took out my favorite mug from the cupboard and poured a hefty amount of wake-me-up black gold. “Just because I’m enjoying my nights doesn’t mean I’m going to forget I have bills to pay.”

  “And I keep telling you that I’ll take care of it until you can stand on your own two feet. Heck, I’d give you a huge condo in one of our developments if you’d allow me.”

  “Dude, you’ve given me a roof over my head rent free.” I nearly whined. “Believe me, I’m not complaining but paying the bills gives me a sense of accomplishment. I’m so lucky to have a sugar bi.”

  “Sugar bi?” Dennis’ eyes crinkled in laughter.

  Seriously? He was as handsome as the next straight guy.

  “Well, I can’t call you my sugar daddy but I swear you like women too.” I quipped before taking a sip from my coffee. I moaned in bliss. “Oh man, this is good.”

  “How so?” He cocked his head to one side, his muscular arms crossed over his chest. His eyes held amusement and serious curiosity.

  “The way you look at the women in The Club, but in the end, you’re with a guy. I’m thinking, I’m just not your type.”

  Dennis just grunted. That was neither a yes nor a no. “I didn’t know what time you’d be back so I didn’t cook breakfast.”

  “No worries.” I took two strips of bacon and the other half of his toast.

  “Hey!”

  “Thank you!” I blew him a kiss as I walked backwards to rush to my room. “Wait for me. I’m joining you to work.”

  I heard Dennis sigh. That meant he was going to wait. A giggle bubbled up my throat. I really loved the guy.

  Chapter Nine

  I was dressed in less than half an hour. My hair was brushed into some semblance of order. Dennis conceded to me once in a while, but I had no intention of abusing it.

  The office, located on the ground floor of a sprawling building Dennis had bought, was in a frenzy when we arrived. I didn’t have time to think about anything when I had so many messages waiting for me—all of them in varying degrees of urgency. Now that I could indulge in my guilty pleasure, I saw everything more clearly. Dennis left soon after to check on the sites with Brock leaving me to manage the staff. He wouldn’t be returning until late.

  I had just finished one phone call when the phone rang again. I sighed in resignation. The paperwork on my desk would have to wait.

  “Thank you for calling Karim Realty, Bettina Francis speaking, how may I help you?” I said with a smile.

  “So that’s your last name.”

  The deep sexy voice on the other end of the line had my heart flipping. My mouth widened in a happy smile.

  “Hey,” I softened my voice, looking up and waving at the last of the staff leaving for the day.

  “Brock picking you up later?”

  “He hasn’t called so I’m not sure,” I said. “I can always hitch a ride with Dennis. How’s the hotel?”

  “Good.”

  My brow twitched as my hand reached for the stapler on my desk. “Is something wrong, Adam?”

  “No, why?”

  “Dunno.” I cradled the phone between my shoulder and cheek while I gathered the deed of sale documents on my desk. “You sound preoccupied.”

  Adam was quiet. If I knew him as much as I did now, he’d have that faraway look. He finally exhaled.

  “I need to see you.”

  That stopped me from what I was doing.

  “Now?”

  “Yes.”

  Sometimes I really disliked the clipped Brit accent. It sounded impatient when it really wasn’t.

  I swiveled my seat away from the office’s entrance.

  “Adam, Dennis isn’t here. The staff has gone, and I have a lot of work to do before tonight.”

  “I’m leaving.”

  “Then you’ll need to wait here in the office until I get everything done.”

  “No, you don’t understand. I’m leaving Karim.”

  My heart stopped. I suddenly became cold.

  “What? Why?” I whispered.

  “I’ve been called back to London to help with an intricate operation.”

  “But you’re not the only cardiothoracic surgeon in England.”

  “U.K.”

  “Same banana, different peel.” I snapped, my panic getting the better of me. I let out a breath. “I’m sorry.”

  “There’s no need. I need you.” There was longing in his voice, something I’d never heard before.

  I knew this day would come, but it was always at the back of my mind. Adam had initially come to the States for a conference before arriving in Karim. His life was always in the UK. I’d just had this impossible hope that he’d stay for good. I mean he had investments in the town. Perhaps have his own practice here. That was apparently wishful thinking.

  “Does Brock know?” I watched the sun glint on the metal fixtures of a few remaining cars parked in the lot. A man was getting out from one of the cars parked on the farther side.

  “Not yet. I just got the call before
I called you.”

  Oh God.

  I wanted two men at the same time, and they wanted me, and I felt I was falling for these two. It might also be the sex talking. But why did I feel as though I was going to lose a piece of my heart because I was missing Adam and he hadn’t even left yet?

  I swallowed against the lump in my throat. “When are you leaving?”

  “Tonight. O’Hare first then Heathrow.”

  Damn it, my heart was cracking. “How long will you be gone?”

  “A week.”

  That wasn’t so bad, but a week was still a week too long.

  “I’ll be home before you know it, Bettina.”

  Home. Was he thinking of coming back for good? I held on to that hope.

  “If that’s the case, I want to see you now,” I said.

  Adam gave a throaty chuckle that squeezed my heart instead of my pussy. “My thoughts exactly. I’ll pick you up.”

  “Then we go to Gerome Street?” I asked, already tidying my desk. The houses and condos could wait. My need for Adam couldn’t.

  “We’ll go to your flat,” he said. “It’s closer. I’ll let Brock know.”

  “Hurry.” That was all I said.

  I rushed to start closing the office when a woman breezed in. She wore a pale pink suit that looked expensive. Not exactly a comfortable thing to wear in Karim’s heat. She had long glossy hair that fell down to her waist. She didn’t wear much make up, but what little she wore accentuated her beauty. I bristled at the intrusion, wanting to leave.

  “Sorry, the office is closed.” I gave a short smile.

  “I want a house.”

  Really, the haughty air around her could be bottled and sold.

  “You can always come back tomo—”

  “I don’t have time tomorrow,” she snapped. “I have to be elsewhere.”

  I bit my tongue. “What did you have in mind.”

  “A big house.”

  Heaven help me.

  “We have several housing projects that have big houses. It’s just south of town. If you like, I can quickly arrange for a sighting with Mr. Tanner.”

  Just then, I saw Adam arrive in the Benz he was using while he was here. My heart soared and ached at the same time. Behind him, a man who came from the parking lot, I assumed with the pink-suited woman. He and Adam looked at each other…actually sized each other up. I couldn’t stop the grin that curved at my mouth. I glanced at Adam when his phone rang. He turned away talking softly.

  The man entered the office ahead of him.

  I couldn’t stop my heart shriveling in shock. I became lightheaded I thought I’d collapse.

  “Arrange a showing for me and my husband.”

  I dragged my attention back to the woman in front of my desk.

  “Of course.” I sat down numbly, logging back on to check the calendar and searching for an appropriate time. But my mind was reeling. From my side vision, I saw Adam. His smile faltered replaced by a slight frown.

  Could he see the shock on my face?

  “Bettina! I didn’t know this was where you went off to.” The voice slithered down my spine.

  “Not exactly your neck of the woods, Gavin.” I managed to say, still desperately trying to pay attention to the calendar.

  Gavin Tresher. A tall, dark and handsome man oozing with sex appeal and a sleazy dick. He was the reason I left Houston.

  “Gavin, do you know her?” Her Haughtiness-that-could be-bottled looked at both of us.

  “Only in passing,” Gavin said dismissively. I could see the malice lurking in his eyes. It had always been there. I was just too blind to see it all those months ago. Despite the disdain pouring off Gavin’s wife, I felt sorry for her. I hoped she knew what an asshole her husband was.

  “Mr. Tanner has a free afternoon tomorrow,” I said. “What name should I put down?”

  “Dolly and Gavin Tresher,” Mrs. Haughtiness replied. “Mr. Tanner better not be late.”

  “I’ll put a note here,” I said sweetly, smiling when all I wanted was to run away.

  Dolly pivoted on the sole of her skyscraper heels. She did it so effortlessly, as though she had been born with it. She gave Adam an appreciative glance on her way out. Jealousy flared inside me but quickly died when Adam didn’t even glance at her.

  “You haven’t changed, Bettina.” Gavin had the gall to sit on the side of my table. My skin crawled at the way he looked at me. I didn’t bother to shut down and locked the computer instead. “Want to continue where we left off?”

  “You’re an asshole,” I hissed standing up. “Your wife’s waiting. Does she know what a scumbag you are?”

  “That’s not how I remembered it.” He grinned.

  “Get out.”

  Gavin tsked. “That’s no way to treat a potential client. What would people say if I start spreading the word that this real estate firm hires people who are into kink? What would self-respecting people say?”

  “You’re rude. That’s not fair,” I muttered under my breath, my heart plummeting. I couldn’t let my past destroy everything Dennis had built from the ground up.

  Did this mean I would have to move again? Now that I found something so precious?

  “Rude? I didn’t think the truth is rude.”

  Adam ambled towards us.

  Before I could stop myself, my head bowed in shame. I couldn’t raise it up, as though there was an invisible hand keeping my head lowered. It was out of control.

  I was out of control.

  Gavin whipped around. Even with my eyes lowered, I could still see them.

  “Hey, man. I can’t believe the staff in this place.” Gavin shook his head.

  “Why? I have had no problem with them,” Adam replied.

  “I bet you don’t.” Gavin’s malice knew no bounds!

  “Care to explain what you mean?” Adam’s tone changed. It was still quiet, circumspect.

  Lethal.

  “You better tell the owner his agent is —”

  I forced myself to look up. “Gavin, please… don’t.”

  My eyes begged him. My whole world was slowly falling apart.

  Dennis and Brock pushed through the door.

  “What’s going on here?” Brock demanded.

  “Are you the owner?” Gavin didn’t wait for Dennis to speak. “Man, you don’t know who you hired.”

  Where the hell was his wife?

  “What makes you say that?” Dennis asked.

  “My wife and I were only arranging for a viewing and this”—Gavin looked at me with disdain—“was giving me a difficult time.”

  “That’s not what happened,” Adam cut in. “I was here the whole time. Why make up stories?”

  Gavin reddened.

  “I don’t understand why you’re defending her. Unless,” his eyes lit up. “You’ve seen what’s under her sk—”

  I squealed when Brock’s fist connected with Gavin’s nose. I jumped out of my chair, my hand covering my mouth. My blood thudded in my ears at the scene before me.

  “I don’t know where the fuck you crawled out from, but we don’t treat women like that here.” Brock towered over Gavin, his face contorting with fury.

  “You broke my nose!” Gavin tried to stem the blood with his hand.

  Adam went down on his haunches.

  “I would have loved to bash your face in, mate, but I’ll do you one better.” Adam's voice was ice. “I hear one more word out of you about the lady you so maligned, and I will surgically cut out your tongue and transplant it on your dick.”

  “You can’t do that. That’s never been done,” Gavin shouted, but apprehension was now lurking in his eyes as he looked at the three men around him.

  “Really?” Adam arched a brow, his face a mask of dead calm. “Watch me.”

  “Gavin, where the hell are you? I’ve been waiting outside of the damned car! Oh my God!” Dolly abruptly stopped by the door at seeing her husband on the floor. She looked askance at the three other men in my
life.

  “You know him?” Dennis asked her.

  “Of course,” Dolly snapped. “He’s my husband.”

  “I see.” Dennis bent down and hauled Gavin to his feet effortlessly. He pushed Gavin unceremoniously towards Dolly who nearly toppled backward under his sudden weight. “Your husband abused a member of my staff. You wanted to buy a house? Go find it somewhere else.”

  “She’s just a paid hand!” Dolly shot back angrily.

  She was probably more upset that Gavin had soiled her dress with his blood than with me. But in my vulnerable position, something as trivial as what she said, stung.

  “The paid hand is the vice president of this company,” Dennis retorted. “Should I ask my lawyers to file a case of slander against both of you?”

  I looked at Dennis in shock. Vice President? But I didn’t hear what they were saying. My mind refused to listen as the cloud of humiliation settled over me once more.

  Chapter Ten

  The rest of the night passed in a blur. I had no recollection of when Gavin and his wife left the office. All I could remember were scents and smells. Adam was the first to hold me in his arms, his warmth seeping into my chilled body. I clung to him as he kissed me, my anxiety seeking his approval. And if kisses could speak, his said that it was okay. That he still wanted me. That he would protect me. I held on to that promise as my eyes closed and my senses centered on his scent of ambergris and musk.

  Brock held me next, taking my face in his hands branding my lips as though there was no tomorrow. His kiss was desperate yet assuring me that everything was going to be all right. I leaned into him, uncaring that my lips were swollen with the desire and promise given to me by two men who still wanted me despite what they saw. I sighed against his mouth, gripping his shirt to be closer to him. Breathing in his earthy and citrusy scent.

  Then, it was Dennis turn.

  “Shh, sweetheart. He’s gone,” he crooned, kissing my crown. He rocked me like rocking a baby to sleep.

  But what was the point of sleeping when my nightmare was in my waking?