by Lexi Blake
He caught sight of her struggling up the steps with her ridiculously oversized trunk. She was wearing a skirt and heels to a place where half an inch of snow was practically summer. Still, his breath caught. She was the sweetest thing. It went far beyond her luscious body and pretty face. Jessica was funny and kind. She was one of those people who lit up a room when she smiled. Gideon might think he knew what was best for her, but Reid knew better.
She was the one, and he intended to prove it.
What was life without a little risk? He moved to open the door for her.
He was making a big bet and gambling everything, but she was going to be worth it.
She smiled brightly and immediately threw herself into his arms. She was a soft armful in the parka he’d insisted she buy. “I’m so glad to see you. I thought I was going to fall off that damn mountain. I shouldn’t have come by car. I should have rented a mountain goat.”
He chuckled and enjoyed the feel of her pressed against him. He needed her softness the same way he needed Gideon’s tough exterior. “I don’t think a mountain goat could carry you and your luggage, love. I thought you were staying for the week, not moving in.” He looked pointedly at her trunk.
She wrinkled her nose at him. “It’s my only good piece. It’s antique Louis Vuitton. My very fashionable grandmother left it to me. If I’m going on a trip, it’s coming with me. I’m not a ‘pack light’ kind of girl. Besides, how do I know what I’ll need?”
“Sweetheart, this is a BDSM seminar. All you need is some rope and a pair of stilettos,” Reid quipped, loving how she blushed. Her face always flushed when he shocked her. He tried to do it on a regular basis. “See you don’t need to wear clothes to change colors. You’re the sweetest pink right now.”
She laughed and playfully struck his arm. She went on her toes and brushed her mouth lightly across his. God, she wouldn’t do that if she knew how hard it made him. His dick was standing at full attention. He took a step back and prayed she didn’t look down. She took off her coat, and Reid practically drooled. She wore a tight V-neck sweater that showed off her breasts to perfection. He wanted to reach out and cup them. He intended to reveal his plans to her, but the lobby wasn’t the place to do it.
“Do you want to see your room?”
“Lead on,” she purred, thrusting her arm into his. “I’m excited.” Her blue eyes were wide as she took in the place. “You really grew up here?”
“Only during the summers.” Reid paused, letting her take in the lobby. It was what he liked to call rustic elegance. “It was cheaper than summer camp. Mother thought I could learn a thing or two from my uncle. Of course later, when I came out, she blamed the whole mess on him. Apparently spending summers outside the city makes one gay. You know these wilderness folks, they’re all flaming homosexuals.”
“Yes, I’d heard that,” Jessica replied, playing along.
It was so good to see her smile. Was he doing the right thing? She was starting to get over Gideon. Did he have any right to throw her back in?
He had a sudden attack of conscience. He didn’t like it.
“Damn it.” He stopped in the middle of the lobby. He had to warn her. Anxiety suddenly tightened his gut. “Sweetie, I have to tell you something.”
She was staring straight ahead. She wasn’t flushed now. She’d gone stark white.
“Gideon’s here,” she whispered.
Reid followed her eyes. Gideon stood watching them, the darkest look on his face. Oh, he was in for so much more than a spanking.
“Yes, Gideon’s here,” Reid agreed. “Please forgive me.” He hoped Jessica would, because there was not a hint of forgiveness in Gideon’s eyes.
Chapter Two
Jessica felt her heart pound at the sight of him. He looked dangerous even though he was wearing a perfectly sedate black sweater and black jeans. His sandy blond hair was starting to curl around his ears. He would cut it soon. He never let it get too long. She’d been his assistant long enough to know his habits. It was on the tip of her tongue to beg his forgiveness. She hadn’t meant to move into his space.
“What is she doing here?” Gideon asked Reid. His gaze slid off her like she wasn’t there.
Apology forgotten. She clenched her fists even as she promised herself she wasn’t going to punch him. She would be a lady. She would be polite and not let him know how much his dismissiveness hurt her.
“She signed up for the seminar.” Reid’s voice was even, but she saw the fine tremor in his hand. He quickly shoved them in his pockets.
She watched Reid because it was easier to look at him than to see the coldness in Gideon’s eyes.
“And how did someone like Jessica know about the seminar?”
Reid actually swallowed before answering. “She saw the material at a club I took her to.”
“You took Jessica to a bondage club?” The question came out as an angry shout.
“I told him I would go on my own if he didn’t take me.” She didn’t like the thought that Reid was going to get in trouble for helping her. Though he and Reid were friends and partners, she’d noticed right away that Reid tended to defer to Gideon. She wasn’t sure why he’d hidden Gideon’s presence from her, but he’d been nothing but kind to her up to this point. She was willing to listen to Reid’s explanation before making a judgment about his motivations. “He didn’t think it was a good idea for me to go alone.”
Gideon’s jaw clenched. It was a sure sign he was angry. She’d seen him have the same expression with more than one client who turned out to be guilty as sin. “It was a stupid idea. It was an idiotic thing to try. Those clubs are hard core. The men there will eat you alive.”
“I acted as her Dom,” Reid explained, sounding annoyed. “No one is going to question me. No one bothered her. She just wanted to try it.”
Gideon squared off with Reid. “Good, she tried it. Now she can get her ass home where she belongs.”
Angry tears sprang to her eyes. “No. I signed up. I got here. I’m taking these classes. I have every right. Reid is the teacher. You can’t kick me out.”
Gideon laughed, a sound that held not an ounce of humor. “Reid is the secondary teacher. He’s my assistant. This is my seminar, and you are not welcome here. Get your stuff and head home.”
Gideon turned, having made his decision. He simply began to walk away with no further discussion. A righteous anger suffused her. She wasn’t going to meekly walk away. He couldn’t act as though she didn’t exist. Jessica calmly took off her red three-and-a-half-inch J. Reneé pump. Reid’s eyes were large as he realized what she was about to do.
“You don’t want to do that, Jess.”
Oh, but she did. Remembering everything her father ever taught her about pitching with power, she shot a fastball special right at Gideon’s retreating figure. It hit the back of his head with a satisfying thud. For a moment, she was perfectly content with her rebellion. Then he stopped and turned around.
“Oh, shit,” she breathed.
He wasn’t out of control. There was nothing wild about Gideon’s eyes. They were focused, and she now had his complete attention. There wasn’t a hint of indecision in his gray eyes. He had a course, and he would follow through. His long legs ate the distance between them in no time at all.
“Gideon,” Jessica began.
“Too late,” Reid said under his breath.
She lifted her hands in front of her in a vain attempt at warding him off. He pulled her wrist up and sank down to the nearby sofa in one smooth move. Jessica found herself over his lap in an instant.
“Have you spanked her yet?” Gideon asked.
She squirmed as he flipped up her skirt. She wished she’d been practical and had worn jeans. She had to try to impress Reid with her fashion sense. She protested as Gideon started to tug at her panties. He paid her zero attention.
“No.” Reid’s voice was husky and dark. “I haven’t had to.”
“She minds you better than me,” Gideon sai
d with a certain bitterness. He dragged the panties down her thighs.
“You never gave her a chance,” Reid protested.
If he said anything else, she didn’t hear it. There was a loud smack as Gideon’s hand came down on her bare ass. She shrieked. She couldn’t help it. It hurt. Then…it didn’t so much. The pain sank deep into her muscles as a sensual heat. Just as she was starting to enjoy it, he struck again.
There was no shriek this time. She moaned as he smacked her cheek and then caressed the spot he’d hit. His hand slid over and around her cheeks. His fingers closed in on the perfect spot and just when she thought he might stroke her, he struck again.
“No, she’s not submissive at all.” Reid’s sarcasm seemed a distant thing. All Jessica could think of was where he would touch her this time. She wriggled her ass up trying to tease him into spanking her again. If he just hit the right spot, she knew she would go off like a rocket.
“What the fuck am I doing?” Gideon’s voice pulled her out of the nice place she’d been starting to find.
Jessica felt Gideon pull her panties up and over her ass. She was on her feet in a second. Her legs were wobbly. Only Reid taking her arm kept her from falling over. Her whole body was humming. She looked around and realized they had drawn a crowd. Her face flushed. She looked for condemnation in their eyes, but realized they were, at worst, curious and at best aroused.
Gideon stood up, looking no worse for the wear. She was practically panting and he looked like he was taking a leisurely stroll.
His gray eyes slid past her to focus on his partner. “Get her out of here. She doesn’t belong at this conference.”
He began to walk off. Jessica found her balance and pulled away from Reid.
“Why?” She shouted the question because she only had one shoe left, and she wasn’t sure how else to get his attention.
He didn’t bother to turn. He just stopped and answered her question with a low growl. “You don’t belong here. It won’t work. I don’t want you following after me. I told you, it’s over.”
She clenched her teeth and really thought about throwing the other shoe at him. Why had she loved him?
“You are such an ass, Gideon,” she spat out, letting the venom fly. It felt good, actually. “I didn’t know you were going to be here. I didn’t come for you. I came for me. But, no, you’re the only one allowed to figure out who you are. You’re the only one allowed to experiment and find out you’re kind of a freak. You’re the only one allowed to seek out what you want.”
Gideon turned and looked at her seriously for the first time.
“She didn’t know you would be here,” Reid explained quietly. “I didn’t tell her because I knew she wouldn’t come if she knew you were here. I’ve been hanging out with her for six months, man. She’s never even bothered to mention your name.”
Jessica was somewhat satisfied with the light stain in Gideon’s cheeks. It made her bold enough to ask the question she really wanted the answer to. There was no rage in her query, merely honest curiosity. “Why, Gideon? What did I do that was so horrible that I deserve your scorn? I loved you. I gave myself to you the only way I knew how. When you didn’t want me, I left and didn’t bother you again. So I need to know what I did to offend you. Why would you deny me the right you give to everyone else? I came here to find out stuff about me. I came to see if I could find someone who wants me, the crazy, freaky me I’m discovering. Why is that so wrong?”
Gideon’s jaw clenched, and he suddenly turned and walked away. Jessica cursed, the tears falling down her cheeks. He wasn’t worth her tears, but they fell anyway. She felt Reid’s arm around her.
“Could you help me get my trunk to the car?” Jessica asked, taking in a ragged breath. She knew when to retreat. She hadn’t meant to see him again. She would leave and find another way. There were other avenues. This time she would leave Reid out of it. She wouldn’t let Gideon Michaels dictate the way she lived her life.
“Sweetie, you can’t drive down the mountain in the dark.” Reid pulled her close. She knew she should push him away. He was the reason she was here. She couldn’t. She just burrowed closer. “Let me take you to your room. We’ll talk about it in the morning, okay? I’m so sorry. If I had thought he would react like this, I would never have invited you.”
She laughed a little through her tears. “What did you think he would do?”
Reid’s green eyes were sad as he looked down at her. “Fall at your feet and beg your forgiveness because you’re everything he ever wanted in a woman?”
She shook her head. “Silly man. I have it on the greatest authority that I’m not his type.” She glanced at the window. The snow came down hard and fast. Reid was right. She wasn’t driving down the mountain tonight. “Take me to my room. Luckily, I brought a couple of books. In the morning, I want to go home, okay?”
“I’ll drive you myself if I have to.” His hand wound around her waist. He picked up her trunk with no effort at all. “How about I settle you in, and then I’ll go grab us some dinner. I’ll build a fire, and we can cuddle. I won’t leave you alone.”
She sank into Reid’s comforting warmth and let him lead her.
* * * *
Gideon strode away, his stomach in knots. He carefully schooled his face. There were plenty of seminar participants watching his retreat from a five-foot-three-inch curvy brunette who knew exactly how to rip his heart out.
Of course, she wasn’t trying to hurt you, the rational part of him said. She was trying to understand why you’re such a fucking asshole.
What had she done that was so terrible? She’d been open and completely giving when they made love. He’d punished her for another woman’s crimes. He’d taken a long-time friendship and tossed it away because he couldn’t handle getting involved with another woman. Jessica had been brave. He’d been a coward.
Gideon opened the door and dragged cold air into his lungs. He lifted his face and let the snow fall on him, willing it to penetrate his body and worm its way into his heart. He preferred the cold of the last several months to the ache seeing Jessica again caused.
He remembered the day he hired her. She’d been twenty-four and fresh faced. She’d been eager to learn. Against his better judgment, he’d hired her on the spot. She tirelessly helped them build their law practice. How had he repaid her? He’d fucked her senseless and told her she wasn’t his type.
But she was. That was the trouble. He knew now that he had a type, and it was very specific.
He should have either not hired her at all or realized he was never going to be his father’s golden boy and accepted it. He’d been willing to marry Anna to please his family. He’d been willing to marry Anna to further his career. Anna was a practical girl. They’d had an ironclad arrangement. She got his money and connections. He got to please his family. She was beautiful and came from a good background, but her family money had dried up. They would never sleep together and had agreed to divorce if either found a person they wanted to be with. He didn’t need to know about her lovers and she didn’t need to know about Reid.
It was a simple exchange that went very wrong. Two weeks before their wedding, she’d discovered him in bed with Reid. Anna had gone straight to his father and found another way to get at the Michaels’ family fortune. She promised to keep her mouth shut about their son in exchange for two million. His father paid her off and then promptly cut off Gideon. That was the night he’d found Jessica in the office. He’d taken comfort in her softness and acceptance, then pushed her away as fast as he could.
Gideon shivered. It was really cold. The snow was starting to cling to him. She hadn’t mentioned his name to Reid in six months? He’d thought of her every second of the day. And she’d been visiting BDSM clubs with Reid.
He remembered the way her naked backside felt in his hands while he spanked her saucy ass. Jessica was a spit-fire when pissed off. The back of his head still stung from her shoe. If he looked at it logically, he knew Jessica h
ad been wet and ready at the end of that spanking. It probably wouldn’t have taken much to get her on her knees sucking his cock despite the fact that they had an audience.
She really was submissive.
She was perfect for him. She loved Reid, and Reid was crazy about her. A sudden vision of Jessica in between him and Reid made his cock harden painfully. She would be small between them. He would have to prepare her, but she could take them both.
Put it out of your mind, Michaels.
He’d dug a big hole with Jessica. It was too big for him to crawl out of. He should send her a note of apology and let her move on. He didn’t deserve anything like another chance with her, even if he wanted one.
A man held his woman’s hand, hurrying her inside. Gideon recognized the man from various functions though he couldn’t place the name. He nodded briefly as he brushed past.
“It’s getting bad out there, Master Gideon,” the man said deferentially. “It’s snowing like crazy. The ski operator said they’re closing the road down. Looks like we’re stuck for a couple of days.”
The lovely blonde looked like she knew what to do, Gideon thought, and then quickly disregarded the pair when he remembered he’d ordered Jessica to go home. His heart thudded in his chest. Had she already left? Could he catch up? She wasn’t used to driving on these roads. Anything could happen to her.
He sprinted inside, desperate to stop her from leaving.
Chapter Three
“You don’t have to stay with me.” Jessica glanced around at the suite Reid had brought her to. It was gorgeous, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the mountains. The world looked fresh and clean. It was so different from her bland apartment in Alabama. It would have been nice to spend the week here. Maybe she would stop somewhere on her way home. She’d told the temp agency she needed the whole week. It seemed a shame to waste it.
