by Tara Rose
He shook his head and grinned again. “We never could talk a girl into it.”
“Then I guess he’s not much of a snake charmer, is he?”
Mateo laughed and pulled her close. “Thanks. My ego needed that.” He smacked her ass again. “Now get downstairs before I lose what little willpower I have left.”
“Yes, sir.”
He groaned as he released her. When he went into the bathroom, she scooped the hairbrush out of her bag and brushed her hair, then fixed her makeup. Mateo came out of the bathroom and put on his clothes. “Want me to wait for you?”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll just be a minute.” After Mateo left the room, Carma took one last look at her hair and makeup, wondering why she cared so much. She walked downstairs to find they’d put on music, and Blaine lounged on the sofa as if he lived there. He really was a handsome man, with that dark hair, and eyes the color of a crystal-blue lake on a clear summer day. Mateo sat in an armchair across from the sofa, facing Blaine.
When she smiled at each of them, Blaine patted the sofa cushion next to him. “Sit next to me, Carma. I won’t bite.” She took a seat as far away from him as possible, not because she didn’t want to sit close to him, but because she wasn’t sure how Mateo would feel about that. “What do you do for fun in this town?” he asked.
“Well, we have a movie theater, an ice skating rink, and bowling. Not too far away is Rio Blanco Lake, where you can ride horses or rent a boat. And of course the mountains are right outside of town. You can hike or go camping.”
“I meant what do you do for fun, Carma?”
She resisted the urge to tell him that most evenings she hung out with Van and Rowena and watched TV. If it weren’t for those two, her social life would consist of reruns of Law & Order: Criminal Intent on cable, and watching all five seasons of Quantum Leap on DVD. “Oh, I hang out with friends.” It wasn’t a lie.
“Doing what?”
His gaze was so penetrating and intense that Carma felt a sudden compulsion to tell him her darkest secrets. Apparently Mateo had been right about him being a snake charmer. “Probably not anything as exciting as you’re imagining, Blaine.”
“Why is that?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I like long stories.”
Mateo’s voice was sharp. “I told you she’s not in the lifestyle, Blaine.”
He spread his hands. “So who says I was asking about that? But since you’ve brought it up, she obviously knows I am, right?”
“I did tell her that, but only because the subject came up.” He glanced at Carma. “Blaine has been a Dom since we were sophomores in college.”
“Oh.” What else could she say? Just the mention of the word “Dom” sent her hormones racing again. Mateo’s earlier words upstairs came back to her as images of being spanked and then fucked by both men played in her head. She was in deep trouble here.
“Then, I take it you haven’t been to Indulgence?” asked Blaine, watching her face carefully.
“No, I haven’t.”
He cut his gaze toward Mateo. “We should take her. Just to see it I mean. She’s obviously curious about it, and so are you, so we should all go.” He turned those penetrating eyes in her direction again. “Or, have I misinterpreted your reaction to the mention of my being a Dom and to the subject of Indulgence?”
“You haven’t.” She couldn’t seem to lie to this guy, or even give him an evasive answer. What the hell was going on here?
“There, you see? It’s settled then. I’ll take you and Mateo so you can both see what it’s all about and ask questions. If you’re nice, I might even let you play with something.” He winked at her, and Carma’s panties flooded. She glanced at Mateo, who was watching her intently, but she couldn’t quite interpret the look in his eyes.
“Okay, Blaine. I’m game, as long as that’s all right with Carma.”
She took a deep breath. This was her chance to actually see the club and get all her questions answered. She had imagined it would be Annalise, Chad and Dustin who would take her to Indulgence, or at least talk about it with her. If anyone had told her this morning that before this night was over she’d have had sex with Mateo and would be talking about going to Indulgence with him and Blaine, she’d have laughed herself silly.
“Okay. I’d like that.” That was an understatement. This day had turned out so differently from the way it had started that Carma wondered if she’d been sucked into a time warp where Michael and her uncle no longer existed. She had no clue how this would turn out, but she was very excited about it, and she couldn’t wait to see where it led. For the first time in years, she felt as though she had something exciting and new to look forward to.
Mateo rose from the armchair, turned off the music, and then turned on the TV. Big was on one of the movie channels, and they all agreed to watch it. He asked Carma to move into the middle of the sofa, and then he took a seat next to her. She thought she’d be self-conscious sitting in between them but she wasn’t. Blaine projected an aura of easy confidence, and Mateo’s earlier strained facial expression had finally relaxed.
During one of the commercials, Mateo went to get them water and make popcorn, and Carma asked Blaine where in Chicago he was from.
“Lake View neighborhood. Do you know it?”
Carma forced the muscles in her face to remain neutral as she nodded. “Yes, I’ve been there before. And you’re here to start a new job, is that right?” Lake View was a stone’s throw from Lincoln Park. If he’d grown up in Lake View, he’d been only a few miles from where she’d spent the summer at her uncle Dominick’s house.
“I’ll be working in R&D at Notus. I’m an electrical engineer.”
“That sounds exciting.”
He smiled at her, and she noticed for the first time the tiny dimples in his cheeks. They were sexy enough to help force thoughts of Uncle Dominick’s house down deep, back into the black pit where she prayed every day they’d stay.
“I’m excited about it.”
Mateo returned to the room and handed each of them a bottle of water, and then he went into the kitchen for the popcorn as the movie started again. They ate and watched in silence, until a piece of popcorn landed in her lap from the left. She glanced at Blaine in disbelief, and then another piece hit her right arm. Carma laughed. “Okay, you two. You really don’t want to get into a food fight with me. I know all the tricks. I have two older brothers.”
“I know your brothers,” said Mateo, tossing two pieces at her. “They’re wusses.”
Blaine tossed several pieces at her. “I don’t know your brothers, but if Mateo isn’t impressed by them, neither am I.”
The movie was forgotten as popcorn flew across the sofa, with most of it striking Carma’s arms and landing in her lap. She laughed so hard she could barely catch her breath. When the bowl was almost empty, Blaine rose and stretched. “That was fun.”
“You’re leaving?” asked Mateo, eyeing his sofa and floor.
“I’m sure you both have to get up for work in the morning.”
Carma groaned. “Don’t remind me. I should have taken tomorrow off as well.”
“Thanks, Blaine,” said Mateo. “Way to bring down the mood. Now I have popcorn to clean up and reality to face.”
Blaine grinned, grabbed the popcorn bowl, and began to help Mateo and Carma pick up the pieces. “Hey, what are friends for?”
Once the mess was cleaned up, Blaine shook Carma’s hand. “It was nice meeting you, Carma.” His touch sent a jolt of electricity up her arm, and she had to avert her gaze. Surely he could see the images dancing through her head. “I’m looking forward to showing you Indulgence. Is Friday all right for that?”
“Sure, if that’s okay with Mateo.”
“Friday works.” Mateo placed an arm across her shoulder. “Sleep well, Blaine.”
She had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing at the looks on their faces. They were squaring off again, but at least this time they
didn’t look like they were about to come to blows.
“Sure. You, too, Mateo.” Just before Blaine turned to leave, he winked at her, and she sighed to cover up the moan that tried to escape.
Once he was gone, Mateo turned to face her. “Shall I take you home? I get up pretty early.”
“I don’t want you to, but I don’t have to be at work until noon. I usually sleep late on Thursdays.”
He pulled her close, and suddenly Carma wanted to tell him that she didn’t give a shit about how early she’d have to get up to go home in the morning. She could always go back to sleep. But then he released the embrace and reached for his keys. “Come on then, before I change my mind and handcuff you to my bed.”
Carma couldn’t get that image out of her head during the ten-minute ride to her apartment. Mateo walked her to the door, and then he kissed her like he’d never stop, and when he finally released her, she was ready to beg him to come inside and stay. As she watched his car drive away, she wondered if she’d get any sleep at all tonight. She was tired, her pussy was sore, and she’d eaten too much popcorn, but that wasn’t why she was certain she wouldn’t sleep for a while.
Her entire body tingled with anticipation of what Friday would bring. She’d finally made love to Mateo. The man she’d fantasized about for years was now her lover. And, she was going to visit a real BDSM club with two gorgeous, funny, charming men. How had this happened in the space of one day? And why was she questioning it?
Chapter Thirteen
Carma answered her phone before she was fully awake, and without looking at the caller ID, hoping it was Mateo, but it wasn’t. “Carma, it’s me.”
“Annalise, it’s too early.”
“Sorry, but I’ve been worried about you. Are you okay?”
Carma smiled as memories of last evening flooded her mind. “I’m absolutely wonderful.”
“Really?”
“Don’t be upset when I tell you this.” Carma gave her cousin the short version of yesterday, omitting the parts where she’d fantasized about having sex with both Mateo and Blaine at the same time, and glossing over the fight she’d been convinced was about to occur between the men when Blaine had first come over.
“Carma, I know you had a terrible shock yesterday morning, but do you really think having sex with some guy you barely know is the healthiest response?” Annalise was practically whispering. Was that because she didn’t want Rowena to overhear, or were Chad and Dustin close by?
“I’ve known Mateo my entire life. And, I didn’t have sex with him because of what happened after the will was read. It just…I just did. I’ve had a huge crush on him for years, Annalise. I was there, he was a perfect gentleman to me, and it just felt right.” Carma didn’t want to have to justify this to anyone, including Annalise.
“Hon, you know I love you and I only want you to be happy. Will you at least let us come with you to the club tomorrow? Chad, Dustin, and I were planning on staying until Sunday anyway. Hannah is watching Shadow.” Shadow was Annalise’s cat, and Hannah was the other vet who worked at the Racy Animal Clinic, which Dustin owned.
“I’ll ask Mateo and Blaine if they would mind.”
“That might make it sound like you don’t trust them, and obviously you do. But still…I’ll tell you what. Van knows Nash Stonecraft. I’ll ask him to call Nash so I can talk to him myself and ask if it’s all right if we visit tomorrow, okay? That way it will look like a coincidence that we’re all there on the same day.”
Carma couldn’t think of a valid excuse to protest. Fresh guilt washed over her as she realized it was already Thursday, and she’d hardly spent any time with her cousin. “I’m only working until six today. Want me to come over afterwards? I’ve had so little time with you.”
“I’d love that.” Annalise sounded relieved. “I’ll see you then.”
Carma tried to fall back to sleep but she couldn’t, so she got up and took a long shower, letting the previous evening play over in her mind. She still found it amazing that Mateo had broken through the years of loneliness and pain she’d felt. She had convinced herself that she could never have a meaningful intimate relationship, and in one evening, it was as if he’d simply wiped all that away.
Was Annalise right? Had she simply traded the shock and emotional pain of yesterday for the comfort of Mateo’s arms and his bed in nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction? No. It didn’t feel that way deep inside. Annalise had to be wrong. As she was drying off, her phone chirped, and this time it was a text message from Mateo.
Wish I was holding you in my arms again instead of working.
She texted back, saying she wished the same thing.
Can’t wait to see you again tomorrow, Carma.
* * * *
Carma floated through the first few hours of her shift at work, comfortable to be back in her routine but unable to stop her thoughts from racing toward the possibilities the following night might bring. Every time she had occasion to speak to Darlene, she wondered if she’d be there. What if other people she knew were at the club as well? It was a small town. The likelihood of seeing others she recognized at least by name was high. She might even see clients there.
Carma hadn’t considered that possibility until now, but what did it matter? Darlene came in every day and did her job, and no one who knew she was a sub found that a reason to treat her any differently. Plus, she was jumping to some mighty large conclusions here. Blaine and Mateo were taking her to see the club, nothing more. She’d best slow down her crazy thoughts and not get carried away or assume anything.
When Carma arrived at Rowena’s house after her shift, Annalise had food waiting. Carma sat in the dining room with Rowena and Annalise to eat. The guys were watching a baseball game on TV and had taken their dinner into the media room with them.
“Did you tell Rowena everything I told you on the phone this morning?” asked Carma.
“Of course.” Annalise didn’t look the least bit ashamed of that fact, which didn’t surprise Carma at all. “So, ask your questions about the inside of a club, and about the lifestyle. We want you as informed as possible before tomorrow night.”
Carma laughed. “You make it sound like I’m going behind enemy lines.”
Annalise wasn’t smiling. “Carma, while Van and Rowena have both assured me that you have nothing to fear from Mateo, you only met Blaine last night. No one here knows anything about him.”
“He and Mateo have known each other for eighteen years.”
Annalise didn’t answer. She simply glared at Carma. How could she explain this to them? She couldn’t even explain it to herself. “Okay.” She put down her fork, not hungry anymore. “What will I see there?”
“Naked or near-naked people being whipped, spanked, flogged, tied up in various ways, and probably some edgier stuff as well. Possibly you’ll see needle play, electric play, and maybe even blood play.” Annalise leaned forward slightly. “I spoke with Nash on the phone today. Very nice guy, by the way, but he knows the people who come to his club regularly quite well, and since he rarely has newcomers or strangers show up, he maintains a no-holds-barred atmosphere. Don’t misunderstand me. He has a number of friends who help serve as Dungeon Monitors, but he pretty much allows anything as long as he knows about some of the edgier scenes ahead of time.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning you’re likely to see some things that might scare the shit out of you. I just want you prepared for that.”
“But I don’t have to do anything if I don’t want to, right?”
“No, of course not. Everything should be safe, sane and consensual. If anything Mateo or Blaine asks you to do isn’t all of those three things at its core, you’re out of there. Understood?”
“Mateo gave me a safeword last night.”
“Well, good for you. I would hope so, considering you’ve never been held over a man’s knee and spanked before. Have you?”
Carma smiled and shook her head. “And he used a con
dom.” She suddenly felt like she was five years old, defending the crayon marks she’d put on the wall.
“Let’s hope he keeps doing so until you both agree it isn’t necessary, if and when that day comes. Look, Carma, I’m not trying to upset you here. But the fact is you don’t really know Mateo, at least not on that level.”
“How long had you known Dustin or Chad before you had kinky sex with them?” It was a low blow, and Carma knew that, but she couldn’t help it.
Annalise held up her hands. “Okay, okay. You got me. You’re right. But it’s not the same thing. It felt right to me, Carma.”
Carma reached across the table and took a hand from each woman into her own, and then lowered her voice. “I love you both, and I know you’re only concerned about me. I can’t explain to you why this feels right, but it does.”
Annalise frowned. “Just one more question. Did you tell Mateo how much money you inherited?”
Carma shook her head. “No, and he never asked. Why? Do you think that’s why he seduced me? Annalise, he’s a millionaire. He doesn’t need my money.”
“I was just wondering if you told him.”
Carma rose from the table and began to pace the room. “Annalise, I’m not a damn child.”
“I know you’re not. But you have a lot hanging over your head right now. Aunt Pet has been calling all day, worried about you.”
“I know. She left several messages on my voice mail.” Carma pushed aside the Victorian lace curtains and gazed at the trees. The home backed up to Oak Park, and the trees and bushes were so thick, that in the summertime only the windows in the third-floor towers were visible above them.
“She wants to know what you intend to do about Michael.”
“What can I do?” Carma turned to face them. “No one knows where he is. No one has or probably will ever admit to knowing what he did to me. What recourse do I have? You two found out yesterday about this. I’ve been living with it for sixteen years.”
