Jess halted abruptly and turned to stand in front of him. He might be a good six inches taller than her, but he noticed she was in no way intimidated. Most women looked somewhat apprehensive when he was in full Dom mode. Not his Jessica. The thought hit him like a lightning bolt. His Jessica? Way too soon for that.
“You promise? No blindfold if I shut my eyes?”
“I never renege on my promises.” He heard what Jeff called ‘David’s Dom voice’ in his tone—reassuring, confident and gently insistent—and winced inside. Was that the right way to reassure her?
She took a deep breath, and nodded. “Okay then, but I want it on the record, I’m not happy—with any of you.”
He mentally applauded her attitude. Her skin now had a gray tinge, and she looked as if she could throw up at the slightest provocation, but she stood her ground. “And I’ll make sure I tell Jeff, he’s not getting off the hook easily. Let’s get going then, and get this bloody evening over and done with. There’s a gin and tonic and a good book with my name on it waiting for me at home. It was going to be cocoa, but now it’s alcohol, a double. I reckon I’ll deserve it.”
It was as well she wasn’t his sub, because if she was she’d be tied up and punished for her bratty attitude. And love it, they both would. Poor Kath, she looked more than worried, as he opened the car door for them. She scrambled in and Jess followed at a slower pace. Every movement told of her unease, and there was nothing he could do to help alleviate it.
“Close your eyes. Kathleen is going to make sure you keep them closed, and if you don’t, she’ll be punished as well as you. Do you understand?” He hated that he had to persist with such a hard attitude. It wasn’t him at all. But he understood it was the way to get Jess though the journey. If it went against his chances, well, so be it. David looked through the rear view mirror and watched her face color.
“Bastard.”
“Not at all.” He put the car into gear and set off. “My parents will celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary later this year. I’m only thirty seven.”
She snorted. “And I need to know that why?”
Oh, how he was looking forward to showing her. He decided it was time to needle her in a nicer manner—well, he believed it was nicer.
“Surely it’s better to know a little about the man who’s dominating you?”
Her splutter was all he could have wished for.
Chapter Three
Damn him. Why did his words both scare and excite her? She hoped his concentration was on the road and not on herself. If he looked in the mirror would he see her nipples showing hard and proud through her thin top? They chafed at the flimsy lace and silk that covered them, and Jess forced herself not to look down or cross her arms over her breasts. Her clit throbbed and her cunt all but begged to be touched. She wondered why that word, which she normally avoided like the plague, seemed to fit her situation. Because I’m hot and needy, and haven’t felt just like this for an age. She squirmed and heard his soft laugh.
“Okay, eyes closed, but I’m still not happy.”
“Tough, get used to it.”
Bastard. Hell, he’s got me using a limited vocab. The fact she didn’t know exactly why he laughed made her angrier than ever, but mindful of his words regarding Kath, she kept silent and didn’t open her eyes.
“Good girl.”
Patronizing git. Jess firmed her lips and concentrated on the way the car twisted and turned. Blessed with a good sense of direction, and knowing which road they’d left the city on, gave her a rough idea where they were. She could only assume Jeff had forgotten about that, or chosen not to tell David. Kath knew, but Kath wouldn’t tell—she hoped.
The pinch on her arm was gentle, and it had been a long while since she’d felt it, but Jess knew what it meant. Kath wasn’t just reassuring her, she was giving her their directions. A game they had started as kids was going to come in useful. Distances and directions spelled out in nips and squeezes. Jess felt her juices gather as she remembered the last few times they’d played that game had been in love and lust. Daring each other to find toys that the other had hidden, then using them. In those days, being unsighted was exciting, not fear inducing. She shivered. It was all so long ago, and she had no right remembering any of it. Whatever Jeff and Kath said to the contrary, she was not going down that route again.
Five minutes later, she had a good idea where they were and was ready to spit nails, as well as be sick. Never the best of travelers, worry, anger and trying to keep her eyes shut had thrown her. But if they were where she imagined, Jeff was about to have his balls nailed to the walls—without anesthesia. How dare he? The last thing he’d said was ‘leave it to me and I’ll keep you posted’. That had been well over a year ago, and Jess had forgotten all about the conversation—until then.
“I warn you both now, all promises are off. I’m going to open my eyes. I’m gonna spew.” Why she felt she needed to warn them, she didn’t know, except she was worried about any backlash on Kath. If her brother touched her friend in a way Jess didn’t like, she wouldn’t be responsible for the consequences. Jess considered herself tolerant up to a point, but then…
“Jess, you can’t, I promised.” Kath sounded so worried, Jess grit her teeth. That was wrong.
“Kath, my love, I so can, and if my asshole of a brother blames you, I’ll have his liver for breakfast! If I’m going to throw up, I reckon it’d be better to see just where, or who, I’m spewing over.”
There was a squeal of brakes and she was jolted back into the seat as the car halted abruptly. The whir of a window opening startled her.
“Hold on—let’s get you into the fresh air. Take deep breaths and drop your shoulders.” His voice both soothed and alarmed her. “This is no one’s fault per se, just what has to happen. Now hold on to me, and wonder why you’re blaming everyone else. We’re not mind readers, not even me.”
Shit, I sound like a whiny kid whose mum has refused her a lollypop, and wants to blame everyone for it except herself and her crappy attitude. Think about it, why should they know when I’ve told no one? Not their fault. And why am I reacting to his voice so much?
“Come on, breathe slowly, you’re nigh on hyperventilating.” She felt someone—it had to be David, the hand was too big for Kath—take her arm and stroke her clammy skin. “Okay now, that’s better.” His voice was like molten chocolate, warm and comforting. It swirled around and in her, and Jess began to relax. But he hadn’t finished.
“There’s much better reasons for getting excited, you know. When you’ve recovered I’d be happy to show you them.”
David sounded so determined, Jess wondered why her pussy wasn’t in spasms instead of her stomach. Jess decided she was about three seconds from throwing up, and was glad it wouldn’t be all over the leather seats. She couldn’t help it—she was one of the worst travelers in the world. It helped to know David had accepted what she’d said.
“Will you be okay while I walk round the car and open the door?”
Jess nodded, she didn’t have the energy to do anything else. She heard a door open and close, and seconds later cool air wafted across her as her own door opened.
“Good girl, you haven’t opened your eyes.” His voice indicated his satisfaction. Jess didn’t have the energy to tell him she daren’t open her eyes because she felt so crap, not because of any alleged punishment. She didn’t do pain, not now and not ever again. He might think she was compliant. But give her a chance when the world wasn’t spinning and she’d show him different. She quashed the little dart of pleasure she felt because he was pleased with her. So not going there.
His cool hand guided her out of the car and held her whilst she took deep restorative breaths of fresh air. All the time he whispered words of encouragement, and continued the gentle caress on her arms. Once she was certain she felt a soft kiss on the top of her head. Whatever it was it worked. Although it took time, gradually, the sick feeling disappeared, and she was left feeling thir
sty. Jess gulped, desperate to get more air into her lungs.
“Have some water.” A sports bottle was put into her hand and David’s large fingers wrapped her smaller ones around the plastic. “Little sips no gulping.”
She let the cool liquid trickle down her throat. Hands stroked her back until her breathing slowed and she sighed. “Okay, I’m fine now. And, Kath, you can say I behaved. Against my better judgment and not because I wanted to.”
Kath’s soft laugh sounded in her ear. “No one will believe me.”
“Ha.” Jess was sure her voice sounded slurred. All of a sudden, she felt as drunk as a skunk. “Das…dashtardly David can commy, confy, er tell them I did.” It was always like this. Why feeling car sick made her slur her words she had no idea, but her tongue felt like cotton wool, and the roof of her mouth all furry. It was horrible. She didn’t passenger well in any car. In the back seat, with her eyes closed was a sure-fire way to show her in a bad light. She heard him laugh. If she had the ability, she’d open her eyes and give him what for. Because she didn’t, Jess settled for mentally rolling her eyes and waited to see what happened next.
“You do that, and once you’re fine and dandy, I’ll show you what dissing a Dom does.” His words might be humorous, but his tone certainly was not. Nor was the way a hand—his hand she presumed—tightened on her neck. Boy, he does take himself seriously.
There was nothing she could say or do except try to open her eyes. Jess reflected on it and came to the conclusion that it wasn’t worth the hassle to even show that tiny bit of independence. She’d probably see three arrogant Doms and throw up on however many pairs of feet were in her vision.
“Take me home,” she said. “Please. I can so not deal with this now.”
“Hmm.” A cool hand rested on her brow, and she felt a long hard body brush her. It had to be David. It was so reassuring and so pleasant, it took all of Jess’ willpower not to turn and nuzzle into him.
“The club is closer. If I help you into the front seat, will you be okay for five or ten minutes?”
Jess considered. “Can I open my eyes?” Dare she tell him she had a very good idea where they were?
“Um, Sir?” Kath butted in. Jess groaned. She had a horrid feeling Kath was about to tell David their secret communications. If she did, they were both snookered. What was it with a seemingly sensible woman and some men? One word or look and they metaphorically rolled over and secrets gushed out like a tap on full blast. Jess held her breath, as she waited for Kath to blurt their code out. For once she was wrong. “Sir, I give you my oath, Jess is really not a good traveler, and she can keep a secret.”
“And I part own the bloody place.” And I need to stop always thinking the worst.
David chuckled. “Well, Jess?” The world spun and firm hands held her in the air. She opened one eye to see his face next to hers.
“No, not very,” she muttered. “Not at all. I need to lie down.” She shut her eye again. “Oh, take me wherever. As long as I get time alone in a darkened room, and no one bothers me.”
“No one except me.” His footsteps were firm on the tarmac and within a few seconds Jess found herself seated in the front seat of the car. David’s hands brushed her breast as he stretched over her to fasten her seatbelt. To her embarrassment, Jess’ nipples tightened. Judging by his chuckle, David noticed.
“Oh yes, don’t tell me you’re not interested, my delicious sub. Because not only won’t I believe you, I’ll redden your arse until you admit it.” His voice was soft in her ear.
Jess firmed her lips as her juices dampened her knickers. That was all she needed. A Dom with an attitude fixed on her.
His chuckle added insult to injury. As the car began to move, Jess opened her eyes in defiance.
“Yeah, eyes open and not a scooby of me closing them, okay? If I shut them, I’ll start feeling shite again.” She glanced at his chiseled features. In profile he was forbidding, truly dominant, and she guessed most subs’ wet dream. Not hers. She ignored her uncomfy undies, and twitching clit.
He laughed. “Ignoring the obvious won’t spare you, Jess.”
“Go take a hike. It’s the right countryside.”
Chapter Four
In spite of himself, David chuckled. She might look like a miserable mouse, but he could tell Jess was no mouse. Miserable, he’d allow for the time being. Once again he wondered just what issues Jess had. Normally, he’d stay well clear of anyone with an attitude like hers, but something in Jess called to him. It wasn’t the way her clothes shouted defiance or even her arsy attitude. It was what she did her best not to show that intrigued him. Underneath her take no prisoners bravado, he sensed someone unsure and crying out. For what, he didn’t know. On the outside she might be all bratty defiance, but he was damned sure that on the inside was a loving, caring submissive.
“I like hiking,” he said. “Especially hiking with the right person. Hiking up a shirt, hiking down the…”
“Oh shut up,” Jess said crossly. “You’ll embarrass Kath, and you’re boring me.” He heard Kath’s moan behind him. He looked at her in the rear view mirror and winked. None of this was going to reflect badly on her, he’d make sure of it. She looked more than relieved.
“Jess, I think you’d better shut up whilst you can. ETA three minutes.” He didn’t need to look toward her for her thoughts on that. She hissed between her teeth.
“Don’t remind me. That’s about two minutes and fifty seconds too long.”
David didn’t. He concentrated on avoiding a wayward squirrel who chose that moment to cross the narrow road, and activated the remote control under his dashboard to open the large set of ornate gates that protected the driveway they were about to turn into. As the gates slowly parted, he took a swift glance at Jess. She was slumped back in her seat, her face once more paler than her top and her eyes closed again. He didn’t spare more than a nano-second on the why. The sheen of perspiration that covered her skin certainly wasn’t from arousal.
“Gonna get bumpy,” he warned her. “Sorry, but last week’s storms played havoc with the surface. It’s due to be repaired next week.” The car lurched from side to side.
Jess grabbed the dashboard with one hand and held the other close to her mouth. “So why don’t we put this bloody visit off until next week then?” she muttered from behind her palm. “Or next month, or hey, I know, let’s put it off forever. That suits me fine.”
“No chance, and we’re here.” David looked closely at a particular churned up section of the road. Something large had passed that way and he wondered what. Delivery vans used a different route. He remembered the groundsman had mentioned there might be poachers about, and he made a mental note to ask if anything else untoward had happened.
He drove half way around the flowerbed used as a turning circle, veered to the left, and halted the car as near to the door marked Private 02 as he could. A privilege accorded to him and Jeff, and one at that moment he could only be thankful for. Although, as I have the boss in the car, I guess I could park anywhere. The idea that she might be his boss regarding the business tickled him. That was as may be, but he intended to reverse that position in every other way, and as soon as possible.
“Stay there, both of you, until I get the doors.” He didn’t wait for an answer, but got out and went to help Kath first.
“Thank you, Master David.” She grinned. For some reason Kath seemed intent on goading a response from Jess, and she’d called him Master more times during the last hour or so than she usually did in a week.
He heard Jess snort. Kath bit her lips and rolled her eyes. David touched her cheek to reassure her all was well. In the last few months, as he and Jeff had renewed their friendship and began to work together, Kath had become the sister he’d never had.
“Go and find Jeff, please, and tell him we’re here.” He squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll bring Jess as soon as she’s able to walk. Tell Jeff we’ll be in my lounge.” Kath nodded her understanding. His lounge
was as vanilla as you’d get in the club, and he hoped it would be the perfect place to show Jess it wasn’t all whips and chains. They could come later. He smiled at his whimsy. He’d be the first to admit his personal preferences weren’t that extreme.
David waited until Kath went inside the other entrance set in the stone wall of the house—marked Private 01—then walked around the car to the front passenger door. As he grabbed the door handle and pulled the door open, Jess sat up and released her seatbelt.
David realized with a pang of regret he’d been looking forward to doing that little thing for her. Any ordinary sub would wait for her Sir to do that. But she’s no ordinary anything. Or a sub, he reminded himself.
He held out his hand. Jess ignored it and swung her legs out of the car. He stood his ground and blocked her exit.
“Excuse me.” Her voice was one hundred percent frost.
Brat.
“I never excuse bad manners.” David said in an even tone. She flushed the color of her hair. He judged it best not to ask her to repeat the words she muttered under her breath. Being called a supercilious asshole out loud where someone might hear would do his Dom cred no good at all. And Jess would definitely want to cut his balls off if he gave her the punishment such an attitude deserved.
To his astonishment, she dipped her head and looked up at him from under her long eyelashes. “That was rude to you. I guess.” She guessed? “But I’ve been getting in and out of cars by myself now for a long time. I might have felt like crap when we were getting here, but that was the drive. I’m over that now. Now I just feel like crap because we are here. And because I may well swing for my dumb-ass brother. How dare he involve me in somewhere like this?” Her voice had turned from frost to hot outrage.
“Maybe we need to have this conversation elsewhere?” David said. “Not where anyone could turn up and hear you disparaging their lifestyle.”
Secrets Shared Page 3
