I'd noticed her self-conscious reaction as we walked into such an upscale place, and her shock over the menu prices in the restaurant. It made me feel bad all over again. I didn't mean to make her uncomfortable or to flaunt my wealth in front of her. Thankfully, my father adored her just like I knew he would, and managed to put her at ease with his easy-going manner and immediate acceptance of her with no judgment whatsoever. He'd always taught me that our money didn't make us any better than anyone else, no matter what my mother tried to teach me otherwise.
By the time lunch was over, Malory seemed to have forgiven me for my hurtful behavior and thoughtlessness, even though I suspected it was mostly my father's doing. I'd taken her back to work and made plans to see her on Friday, hoping by then that some distance would somehow help me get a grip, and I wouldn't hurt her again. However, I'd underestimated how much I'd miss her and ache for her. I was beginning to wonder if I was becoming obsessed, and it was making me rush into something I couldn't handle. I'd almost slipped and told her I loved her again in the hall outside my office, and that just wasn't possible yet, was it? I should just leave and go back home right now.
I pushed the brake pedal down and put the SUV back into drive, and then sat there unmoving. I just couldn't do it. I needed to see her. I had to. I swore and put the vehicle back into park, then turned off the engine. I was a weak selfish asshole, and couldn't do what was best for Malory. So be it. I got out and slammed the Range Rover's door shut before stalking across the street and then entering the building.
I was still vibrating with tension as I crossed the lobby to the elevator. I needed to calm down and breathe. Malory didn't need me showing up at her place like this. I'd hurt her again for sure. I stepped into the elevator and hit the button for her floor, then just stood there taking slow deep breaths. I needed to focus on the parts of our relationship that worked. The sex and the dominance for one. I never fucked that up. I always gave her what she needed when we were intimate. It was easy and always felt right, always felt so good. It had absolutely nothing to do with my ex-wife either, and wouldn't dredge up old painful memories that made me act like a dick.
I closed my eyes and pictured my Malory naked and kneeling for me as she waited for my next command with trust and desire in her eyes. I never felt closer and more connected to her than during our BDSM play. It fed the aching need for her in me. I never hurt her or made her cry, never made her feel like she didn't belong, or that she was less than perfect for me. We were just a man and a woman giving each other pleasure, and nothing else mattered. Yes, if I focused on that part of our relationship, and showed her with my body how I felt about her, maybe I wouldn't hurt her or upset her again today. Goddamn it, I hoped so.
By the time the elevator doors opened, I felt a little better. I had a purpose and a focus, and I was determined to be the man Malory deserved. Not the thoughtless asshole who was haunted by the old memories of an ex-wife that shouldn't even matter anymore.
I approached her apartment and knocked on the door briskly, planning on taking her in my arms the second she closed it behind us and having my wicked way with her. I heard the door being unlocked, and a wild roguish grin spread across my lips in anticipation of setting eyes on my Malory. What I got was something else entirely.
The door swung open to reveal the same tall lanky man who'd answered the door the last time I was here. He grinned down at me with wry amusement in his dark eyes, and my smile died to be replaced by a scowl. Malory said this guy Dean was just a friend, but why was he always fucking here?
"Hey, Mal!" he called back over his shoulder. "When did the Bangkok Palace start serving sausage?"
"What?!" I heard Malory reply in exasperated confusion from further inside the apartment. My lips twitched into a smirk against my will. Okay, that was funny.
"Not that I'm complaining!" Dean continued with a disarming wink. "I love sausage and all, but I don't think you'll be willing to share it with anyone else!" Now I couldn't help grinning back at him.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Malory's voice moved closer to us. She came up beside Dean and froze when she saw me. "Gareth," she said warmly as her eyes lit up and her full kissable lips widened into a happy smile. My heart throbbed at the sight of her.
"Malory," I murmured softly as the throb was suddenly replaced by a surge of guilt because that was how I should have greeted her yesterday. I wanted to take her in my arms, tear her clothes off, and make it up to her like I'd planned, but now I couldn't. I narrowed my eyes at Dean in irritation and annoyance.
"Um...I'm going to head back to the kitchen and let you two kids have a moment alone," the reason my plans were ruined said, his grin faltering before he disappeared down the hall back into Malory's apartment. Yeah, that's right, go away.
"What are you doing here?" she asked happily as she rushed forward to wrap her arms around my neck. I pulled her closer so her gorgeous little body pressed against mine. It was the sweetest torture.
"I missed you," I said in a lust roughened voice as I stared down at her and breathed her in. She smelled so good and looked so beautiful, just like she always did. Her big hazel eyes pulled me in, and I couldn't help myself as I bent my head down to kiss her. She hummed happily into my mouth as she kissed me back and relaxed against me. I groaned in reaction, deepening the kiss and forgetting about everything but the taste of Malory, and my body's visceral reaction to her as my tongue tangled deliciously with hers. The tension I'd been carrying started to fade away.
"Um...uh...ex...excuse me..." an unfamiliar male voice suddenly stuttered out behind me.
I growled in annoyance as I broke the kiss and turned around to glare at an uncomfortable-looking young Asian man. He was holding a bunch of full plastic shopping bags and wearing a baseball cap that said Bangkok Palace on it. He took a step back with wide eyes and an intimidated expression.
"Oh, hi," Malory said sheepishly, her cheeks coloring scarlet with embarrassment.
It never ceased to amuse me when she blushed like that. Especially considering we were just caught kissing, and not some of the nasty kinky things we usually did when we were alone. She was goddamn adorable, and it turned my scowl into a smirk.
"Um...sorry about that. Uh...how much do I owe you?" she asked him uncomfortably as she shuffled nervously on her feet.
He told her the amount in a hesitant tone as he shot a few worried glances at me. Okay, so maybe my scowl wasn't completely gone. Malory pulled some money out of her pocket and paid him. I took the bags from him with a hard stare and an arched brow, before he turned and scurried away down the hallway. I smiled smugly after him until I realized that Malory was glaring at me.
"What?" I asked her with a roguish grin.
"You didn't have to go all alpha male on that poor kid," she said accusingly as she crossed her arms, amusement twinkled in her eyes and belying her stern tone.
"No, I didn't," I agreed wryly, "but it sure was fun." I winked at her.
"You're awful," she said with a laugh.
"I know," I replied as I grinned and kissed her cheek. "You like it."
"I do," she admitted immediately. "I like you too." Her face turned affectionate and sweet.
"I know." I cupped her cheek with my free hand and rubbed my thumb along her soft lips. I couldn't resist touching them.
Warmth and affection swam in her beautiful eyes. "Are you hungry? Willa always orders way too much when we get Thai food, so we have plenty for you too."
It wasn't what I originally had in mind, since I really just wanted to be alone with her, but I was hungry. I'd been picking at the meal Jane prepared for me with little appetite when I decided to go visit Malory. Now that I was with her and touching her, I felt more like myself again. Maybe having her friends here would keep me from doing or saying something to upset her again. I damn well hoped so.
"Alright," I answered.
"Good," she said as she leaned her face into my palm. "I'm so happy you're here."
"M
e too," I answered softly, the guilt from making her cry yesterday spiking again from her heartfelt words.
Thankfully, she grabbed my hand and led me down the short hall into her apartment before I could obsess about it too much. Her friend Dean and her petite blond friend Willa were standing by Malory's kitchen island, laughing and sipping glasses of Riesling white wine. I eyed the nearby bottle. It wasn't the best, but it was very good for an inexpensive brand. It would pair well with the Thai food.
"If they start serving that kind of sausage at the Bangkok Palace, then I'm going to eat there everyday for the rest of my life," Willa announced loudly. She winked at me over the rim of her wine glass.
"Willa," Malory blurted out in exasperation as Dean snickered in amusement.
I glanced over to see Malory blushing again. I smirked at Willa and Dean as I set the bags of food on the counter. Apparently, I wasn't the only who enjoyed making her blush.
"My sausage is way to0 much for you to handle," I dead-panned, then looked at Malory with a lecherous grin. "Malory's the only one up to the challenge." I watched as her face turned a blistering red, and her eyes suddenly narrowed at me.
"If you keep that up, nobody will be handling anything of yours, mister," she snapped out threateningly.
"Whoa, little Mal's got claws today," Dean piped up with a laugh.
"And if you're not careful I'll use them on all of you, so stop trying to make me blush, goddamn it," she added as she glared at each of us in turn.
I leaned in close to brush my lips against her ear and whispered so only she could hear me. "Keep up the threats, beautiful, and I'll take you up to your room and turn some other part of your anatomy bright red."
When I leaned back, I could practically feel the heat radiating off her red face now as she glowered up at me, although I could see the heated interest in her eyes at my suggestion. She liked the idea, and she knew it. I arched a brow meaningfully at her with a knowing smirk, daring her to deny it.
Finally, she huffed out indignantly. "If you three are done picking on me, we can eat." She grabbed the bags of food and stomped toward the living area of her open concept loft. She set the food on the coffee table as she dropped down to sit cross-legged on the floor next to it. Her face was still red.
I looked at her friends to see them smiling at me in approval. So far, this was going better than I expected.
"She almost makes it too easy, doesn't she?" Dean asked wickedly.
"I can hear you!" Malory called out irritably.
I grinned at Dean and wisely kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to press my luck with Malory's ire. I slipped my coat off and hung on one of the island stools. I picked up the third wine glass that I assumed was Malory's and took a sip as I walked over to her. I dropped down onto the rug-covered floor next to her and handed her the glass as a peace offering. She took it from me with a soft smile.
Dean and Willa joined us on the floor around the coffee table as Malory began pulling boxes of food out of the bags. I watched in bemusement for a moment before speaking.
"I have a question," I said quizzically. "Why are we eating here when there's a perfectly serviceable dining table over there?" I nodded toward the aforementioned table across the room.
Suddenly, three sets of eyes stared at me like I'd sprouted a second head. "You don't eat takeout at the table," Malory said in bewildered astonishment, like I'd just been speaking a foreign language.
"Okay," I replied slowly, like I knew what she was talking about. I'd never eaten on a coffee table before in my life, but I guess there was a first time for everything.
She handed me one of the take out boxes and a plastic fork. I opened it and was pleased to see that it was Pad Thai, my favorite. I dug around in it with my fork. It smelled great and looked authentic, with pickled radish, bean sprouts, dried shrimp, Chinese garlic chives and crushed peanuts in it. Good. A lot of places skimped and put in carrots and peppers, throwing any authenticity out the window. Now for the real test. I forked out some of the noodles and took a bite. Goddamn, it was good, and kudos to the Bangkok Palace for getting it right.
"This is really authentic. It tastes like something from a street vendor in Bangkok," I said enthusiastically before shoveling another forkful into my mouth.
"You've been to Thailand?" Malory asked in an impressed tone.
"Yeah," I replied between bites. "Derek and I spent the summer between our first and second years of college in Bangkok training at a Muay Thai gym there. We learned a lot."
"Really?" Dean asked with a big smirk from across the coffee table in front of me. "Is that where you guys learned all that crazy kinky stuff too or did that come later on at Désir Dangereux?"
I froze with a bite halfway to my mouth, instantly angry and defensive. "No," I said flatly as I scowled at him darkly. "And one would think you'd remember that nondisclosure agreement you signed to get into the club in the first place. Especially considering Derek and I are both attorneys." I dropped my fork into the container and straightened indignantly as Dean stared back in sudden dismay and shrank away a little.
"If you even bothered to read it, then you'd know that you already violated it when you told these two about seeing Derek and his wife there. I overlooked it because Malory trusts you, and I trust her, but Derek and Thea have a family and careers to protect. You will not jeopardize either for them. I won't allow it. Désir Dangereux is a safe place for them to enjoy something they love together. You will not cost them that either, or I'll make sure it will cost you far more than you can afford to lose." My voice was harsh and threatening.
This wasn't the first time I had to defend and protect my friends. The other time was from my ex-wife. During our divorce, she threatened to talk freely about Derek and Thea's unconventional sex life. I'd agreed to pay her an exorbitant amount of palimony for three years to get her to sign a nondisclosure agreement and keep her damn mouth shut. I'd never told a soul about it, not even Derek and Thea. I didn't want them to feel guilty. I had enough guilt of my own since it was my fault for telling Ryan about it in the first place. Fuck, why did I ever trust her? I ground my teeth in anger and shame. Thank God, this time I didn't have to kowtow to anyone to keep them safe.
Thick silence fell over the room as the three of them stared at me in slack-jawed shock.
"Jesus, I...I'm sorry. I was just messing around," Dean finally replied timidly with genuine fear in his eyes. "I haven't said a word to anyone else. I won't. I...I swear."
"Empty fucking promises won't help my friend's reputations if the wrong close-minded person finds out, and a court of law won't care that you were messing around if you breach the agreement," I continued harshly. "So you'd do well to act wisely and keep your goddamn mouth shut." I gave Dean a baleful glare for a moment before shooting a hard look at Willa too, who stared back with wide intimidated eyes. "The same goes for you," I told her pointedly. "Understood?" I growled out. Derek and Thea were my best friends, and I'd defend them vehemently and with everything at my disposal if need be.
"He said he was sorry, Gareth," Malory said sharply before either of her friends could reply. I looked over to see her watching me with narrowed eyes and a deep frown. "If he says he won't tell anyone else, then he won't, and neither will Willa. You don't have to act like a jerk and threaten my friends, or treat them like criminals. Are you going to threaten me with a lawsuit next?" Her tone was indignant and offended. "All you had to do was ask us not to say anything." Her eyes were glistening with angry tears now.
Well, fuck me. I hadn't even been here for ten minutes, and I already had her on the verge of tears. I closed my eyes and deflated in shame.
"I'm sorry, Malory," I said softly as I opened my eyes to stare down at my food. I didn't want to see Malory's hurt expression again. I glanced up at Willa and Dean's frowns then immediately looked back down again. "I...I overreacted, and...um...I'm so sorry," I said remorsefully. I stood without even waiting for a response. "I...I have to go." I crossed the room to leave,
grabbing my coat on my way by. I knew this would happen, and I should have just fucking stayed home. If I left now, I wouldn't hurt Malory again.
I made it to her front door and was just grabbing the knob when Malory called out my name behind me. "Gareth?" Her voice sounded worried and perplexed. "Why are you leaving?"
I schooled my face into a calm expression and turned to face her. She looked deeply concerned and upset. Damn, what was I going to do? Tell her I acted like an asshole because of my ex-wife again? I'd seen the sad disappointment in her eyes when I told her exactly that yesterday. No, I wasn't doing that again.
"I have an appeal tomorrow I need to finish preparing for." It wasn't a complete lie. I really did have an appeal tomorrow, but I'd finished it before I left the office today. I watched her brows knit together dubiously. Damn it. "I just stopped by to see you before I had to get back home to work on it. Besides, I think your friends have had enough of me for one day," I added, a little bitterness managing to seep into my voice. Her family didn't like me, and now her friends certainly didn't either. Great.
"You just got carried away trying to protect your friends, but you apologized, so it's okay," she said as she smiled reassuringly up at me. "They understand."
She sounded so reasonable, so optimistic, but I was deeply jaded and knew better. Just like the saying said, first impressions were everything, but telling her that wasn't going to help.
"Do you still want to have dinner at Derek and Thea's place with me on Friday night?" I asked to change the subject.
"Of course, I do." She reached up to cradle my face in her hands and smiled gloriously up at me. "I can't wait."
She pulled my face down to hers and kissed me. I sighed in relief and kissed her back deeply before cupping her face and caressing her lips with my thumb for a lingering moment.
"Good-bye, beautiful," I told her with soft affection as I opened the door. "I'll miss you."
"Me too," was her sweet reply before I slipped out the door.
Dark Dominion: Dangerous Desire Book 1 Page 28
