Desired Page 13

  “Well, I’m glad,” she said. “This past week I’ve had more fun than I’ve had—”

  Her words cut off and her eyes widened. As if she’d nearly said something that she would’ve regretted. So close. Yet not close enough. Leaning in toward her, he brushed his fingers over the soft edge of her cheek. “In a long time, I know.”

  The side of her mouth arched. “It’s all because of you, you know that, right? Thank you for letting me be a part of all this and sharing your friends with me.”

  He grinned and then lightly pressed his lips against hers before he whispered across them, “Ah, sweetheart, it’s all because of you, believe me.”

  A dreary and rainy Tuesday morning came and went with a mountain of paperwork and e-mails. Aidan was due home from his honeymoon on Friday, and Ella began counting down the hours. Not to say she didn’t hope he was having a nice time with his new wife, but keeping the impatient lawyers and clients at bay called for some serious dodging techniques. Besides, she anticipated Friday for an entirely different reason.

  She enjoyed the dinner with Presley and Dmitri, but last night, a stirring developed deep inside her. Which only increased with her late-night reading when she finished the BDSM book. She was starting to understand how the D/s relationship worked.

  Somehow, seeing how normal Dmitri and Presley had been outside of Club Sin made it all a little easier to accept. Giving up control wasn’t so scary, knowing she wouldn’t have to do it all the time.

  The biggest thing she noted between Dmitri and Presley was the happiness they shared. It was like they mirrored each other. They seemed so in tune with each other in a way that she’d never seen before in a couple, not even in her family, who she thought loved each other beyond words.

  Ella might not want a boyfriend or be on the hunt for love, but something that magical needed investigating. She smiled to herself and began cleaning up the paperwork on her desk. Her thoughts spun back to Kyler and this whole submission business. She couldn’t identify the need behind it, only that she wanted to learn more, and that for all he’d done for her, she wanted to do a little something for him. She wasn’t blind to the fact that submission was important to him. The obviousness of it was there in the flare of his gaze every time they talked about it.

  He liked control.

  He wanted to own her pleasure.

  That was clear cut in his behavior when they were together.

  One thing was certain: She was curious, and wasn’t that her dare to herself? Don’t think. Just act. Go with it. She believed Kyler wouldn’t ask her to join the dungeon and become a submissive; he simply wanted her to make the decision on her own. Even if she’d only read the textbook version on submission and didn’t know firsthand what she was getting herself fully into, she trusted Kyler.

  More to the point, she desperately ached to go into one of those BDSM scenes. She couldn’t possibly sit and watch all that fascinating sex and not take part in it. And he couldn’t take her into a scene unless she became a Club Sin member. Accepting commands and letting him be in control of pleasure wasn’t so frightening when she knew he could deliver.

  Firm in her decision, she picked up her cell phone off the desk and texted Kyler, Can you meet for lunch?

  He replied a few seconds later, I can, but not until 1. Does that work?

  Yep.

  Where?

  The coffee shop on the corner by the office.

  See you soon.

  Ella grinned and placed her phone on her desk. Then, with a long sigh, she dug back into her work, wishing her time away.

  Hours flew by quickly, since she ended up taking four phone calls that simply annoyed the hell out of her. She couldn’t wait to give Aidan a notepad with all the calls he had to make and say, “Here. You deal with them!”

  After she sent off one last e-mail, she looked to the clock. Twelve-forty-five. Perfect. She quickly tidied up her desk and then grabbed her purse out of her drawer. On her way through the receptionist area, she waved to the receptionist. “I’m out for lunch. Just send all calls to voicemail.”

  Christine, the receptionist, grinned. “Enjoy.”

  I plan to! “Thanks.”

  She wasted no time getting into the elevator; making it outside into the dry, hot air; and hurrying down the street to the coffee shop. When she entered the small café, she took in the warm atmosphere where people were drinking coffee and talking quietly. Then her gaze landed on the man standing by the counter.

  Lord Almighty!

  She scanned Kyler from head to toe, and tingles sped through her. She’d never seen him in his police uniform, and holy shit, he was hot! When her gaze slid back up his tall, muscular frame, she found a full-blown smile on his face.

  One brow arched. “Ah, so she likes a man in uniform.”

  “Um, no.” She cleared her throat. “I like this man in uniform.”

  He barked a laugh, then placed a warm hand on her back, ushering her into the booth on the right by the big bay window. Once she sat, he asked, with his smile intact, “Coffee and a sandwich sound good?”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  He turned and approached the counter, and her focus went straight to his fine ass in his blue uniform. Really, it was just the whole package: The gun, the uniform, it all spelled power.

  He exuded sex.

  Within a few minutes, he returned with a tray and placed it on the table. She smiled when she saw he’d ordered two sandwiches for himself, as well as a coffee, too. The man had proven he could eat, and then some. But she supposed that made sense; to fuel that hot body, he needed more food than she could possibly imagine eating.

  Ella grabbed her coffee and sandwich off the tray, and then dug right in. As she bit into the sandwich, the honey mustard all but exploded in her mouth, being both sweet and slightly spicy.

  A little like Kyler, she mused to herself.

  After she swallowed, she said, “I’m surprised you can meet me in your uniform.”

  Kyler stopped midway from taking a bite of his sandwich. “The force actually encourages it. It’s nice to get out in the public on happy terms and to make those around us comfortable.”

  “Makes sense.” Then she winked. “Good for me, too, since you’re some damn fine eye candy.”

  He gave a low chuckle, then took two huge bites of his sandwich before he grabbed his napkin to wipe his mouth. Without taking those gorgeous eyes off her, he asked, “Were you just missing me? Is that the reason for our lunch?”

  Nerves made her throat thick, but she pushed past them. While she liked being around Kyler and enjoyed this friends-with-benefits arrangement, she also wanted to experience his dark-and-kinky world. Before she lost her courage, she blurted out, “I want to submit.”

  Kyler snorted a laugh, placing his sandwich down on the plate. He glanced around the café and grinned to the couple watching them. Then he turned to Ella and said loudly, “You are welcome to submit those documents anytime you’d like.”

  Her cheeks warmed. “Oops.”

  “A quieter voice might serve you better.” He leaned against the booth, studying her. “Now, to this new development, what made you decide this?”

  “Well, it’s a few things.” She hesitated, wanting to get it right. “But I like what I see in the club, and I like what I saw between Dmitri and Presley. I want to see what else I might like. And I’ve been reading about it.”

  His brows rose. “Researching?”

  “BDSM 101,” she whispered.

  A smile grazed his kissable mouth. “Quite smart of you.” He cocked his head, rubbing his chin. “You know what’s expected of you?”

  “I got the gist of it all, but reading it and doing it I expect will be different,” she admitted, and then added with a smile, “But I’m willing to learn.”

  Something dark and oh, so seductive filled his eyes, giving them a bit of spice. “All right, Ella. We’ll get the doctor’s appointment arranged. And we’ll get your local police checks for Vegas and
Savannah. In respect of your privacy, and since we’re playing together, I’ll have another officer print out your reports. I won’t read what’s on there. All good?”

  “Perfect.” She grinned, not worried about it, anyway. The restraining order and abuse would show up on Rory’s report, not hers. He was the criminal. But Kyler’s actions warmed her. She supposed as a cop he did take privacy seriously. As a Dom, she imagined that protection was only amplified.

  His gaze held hers with a pure promise of seduction. “However, I’d like to do one thing first. A little test would be good for you.”

  “What test?” she asked.

  “A test to show me that you’re ready and as willing as you suggest.” He glanced down to his sandwich for a a few seconds, then lifted his head. “I’m off tomorrow, so let’s do this: Meet me for breakfast tomorrow at the diner beside your office. Let’s say eight o’clock, so you won’t be late for work at nine.” He arched a brow. “Does that work?”

  She frowned. “Why do I have to meet you? Can’t we just get the documents together and go to the club on the weekend?”

  His lips pressed into a firm line. “You want to play this game, little one. This is how it’s done. Always on my terms.”

  His unyielding gaze told her that this wasn’t up for negotiation. Perhaps he needed to believe she was serious, and, well, she was. “Okay, I’ll meet you tomorrow.”

  “Terrific.” All the tension faded from his eyes with his pleased smile. “Now eat your sandwich, Ella.”

  She rolled her eyes. “For a man who says he only likes the Dom thing in the dungeon, has anyone ever told you you are extremely bossy?”

  “I never said I only like being a Dom in the dungeon, did I? Though, we can talk about that tomorrow.”

  A shiver slid through her at his low, rumbly voice. “Color me intrigued.”

  He winked. “So you should be.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next morning, the soft music played through the speakers in the diner and Ella stared down at the menu for the tenth time. She’d slept all of four hours last night and tossed and turned the rest, anticipating today. Her body felt weighted against the exhaustion.

  Waitresses dressed in fifties-inspired clothing hustled around the restaurant, and Ella found herself feeling right at home wearing her navy blue sakura sailor dress. As a bell chimed on the front door, she glanced in its direction and immediate warmth sped through her.

  Dressed in jeans and a white golf shirt, Kyler strode through the restaurant, passing by the bright speckled red stools at the counter. He stared right at her, as if no one else existed.

  She cocked her head, watching the way he moved. His strides were long and purposeful, speaking of power and dominance. She didn’t doubt she’d pick him out of a crowd within a few seconds, because Kyler had an element born into his sexy body that only some men owned.

  Confidence.

  Not simply a love for oneself, but that he lived life to the fullest. She’d needed a challenge to herself to get what he possessed, though more and more she started to believe she was getting closer to feeling what he must in his soul.

  No regrets.

  Pure happiness.

  Once he reached her, the side of his mouth curved in his sexy way, and he leaned down, dropping a soft kiss against her lips. “You look beautiful this morning.” Then he lowered onto the bench across from her.

  “Thank you.” She noticed a small boutique bag in his hand. “What’s that?”

  “Something for you,” he replied with a grin.

  Ella’s stared at the bag in wonderment. Before she could dig in a little deeper to that, the waitress said, “Hi, I’m Emily, and I’ll be your server today. Can I get you both some coffee?”

  “Please,” Kyler replied.

  Ella nodded.

  The waitress added, “Do you need a minute with the menus?”

  Kyler’s gaze swept to Ella. She replied to the waitress, “I’ll just take the special with scrambled eggs.” She had no clue what the special was, but in most diners that meant eggs and bacon.

  “I’ll have the same,” Kyler added.

  The waitress gathered the menus with a smile. “Perfect. I’ll go and grab your coffees.” Then she was off toward the kitchen.

  Ella glanced to Kyler, spotting a notable difference in him. His gaze was harder, more demanding. It touched something inside her—something that wanted to burn for him. “So …”

  He shook his head. “Wait for the coffees, then we’ll talk.”

  That’s how they stayed, silent and staring at each other for the next few minutes until the waitress placed their coffees and the creamer on the table. Ella looked between Kyler and the bag, curious about what this test was. Her belly fluttered in excitement—half in nervousness, the other half in unquenched desire.

  By the time the waitress left the table, Ella could barely sit still in her seat. Kyler took a drink of his coffee, regarding her over the rim of his mug. Another long moment passed before he said, “All right. Let’s get the talk out of the way. I chatted with Dmitri and he has agreed to let you join Club Sin.” He pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to her. “Dmitri arranged for you to meet with a doctor tonight after work for your exams. Be there for five o’clock, all right?” At her nod, he added, “Her name is Mary. She’s a close friend of Dmitri’s and will give you all the needed physical tests.”

  Ella sipped her coffee, then asked, “Which are?”

  “Pregnancy, HIV, and STD. Every member must be tested on a quarterly basis, and if they play with others outside of the club they must use condoms.” He hesitated, regarding her with his watchful stare. “Are you on the pill or another form of birth control?”

  “The pill.”

  “Perfect.” His gaze darkened, voice got gruff. “Are you good at taking it?”

  “Yes.”

  “No missed pills in a while, then?”

  “I take it every morning.”

  His smile was as sweet as it was dangerous. “If I said we won’t use condoms anymore, would you have a problem with that?”

  Skin against skin with this guy. No more interruptions to get the condom on. And knowing that he was tested often for diseases and he’d see her clear test results, too? “I would be okay with that.”

  His brow arched, stern and serious. “If you ever miss a pill, or if you’re taking antibiotics, please tell me. We’ll use condoms. All right?”

  “Okay.” Though she understood the necessity of the conversation, it felt awkward. From what she’d read in BDSM 101, everything Kyler did and all the communication made him a good Dom.

  She had no doubt about that.

  He drew in a long breath and then continued. “You’re new to all this, so there will be a learning curve for both of us. I need to get to know you. You need to learn what I expect. We’ll take things slowly once I get you into a scene.”

  “Makes sense.” Heat flooded her from head to toe, leaving her fidgeting against the hard cushion.

  His mouth twitched, his gaze sizzled. “If you have questions about your first scene, now is the time to ask them.”

  God, I have a thousand questions. Where to start? At the beginning, she supposed. “Will you tell me what to do? Like how to act at first, because I imagine I’m going to feel like a mouse in a pit full of lions.”

  He chuckled. “Of course. I’ll make sure you understand everything that is going to happen before it does. I’m there to guide you throughout. You’ll never feel unstable or unsure.” He took her hand in his, wrapping her in his strength. “I’m well aware this will come with nerves on your part. I won’t push you too far, Ella. I want this to be fun.”

  “Okay.”

  “There are personal things that I don’t like a submissive to do and that I will correct during our playtime.”

  “Like what?” she blurted out.

  “Some are small personal preferences, like eye contact.” He ran his thumb over her hand, f
ollowing the movement with his gaze. “But I will explain all this in the scene. You won’t question what I expect. It’ll all be very clear.” He paused, studying her intently. “In regard to something I don’t like, how you orgasm easily poses a problem for me.”

  “Don’t most men like that?” She laughed.

  A flare erupted in his potent stare. “We’re not talking about most men, we are taking about me.” There was hardness in his voice as he continued, “And no, I don’t like that. Your pleasure can’t ever build because it unleashes too quickly.”

  She watched him, seeing he was dead serious. In fact, this conversation was the most stern she’d ever seen him. From what she’d read, a good Dom always negotiated the scene with his submissive first, and she supposed Kyler took all that very seriously. Somehow it made him all the more worthy. “And you plan to fix my orgasms?” she mused.

  He nodded. “That I will.”

  She studied him, looking for any uncertainty in his features, but there was none. As it seemed, he firmly believed he’d fix her orgasms, for cripes’ sake. Wasn’t that the point of sex—to orgasm?

  Before she could state as much, he went on, “My personal preferences are things you’ll learn over time. There’s no need to rush anything. For now, if you have questions during the scene it’s all right that you ask me. I want you to be comfortable.”

  She pondered, nibbling her lip. “But I get no say in what happens during the scene?” At the shake of his head, she added, “And I’ll learn through punishment when I do something that you don’t like?”

  She’d seen submissives at Club Sin being punished. Some in horrible ways, others in creative ways that were sometimes funny. One submissive had a butt plug inserted that looked like a horse’s tail, because her Dom had said she kept whining at him and it sounded like neighing.

  Kyler slid his fingers down her forearm, stirring heat. “There will be some punishment, yes, but not at first. You’re new to the lifestyle, and I understand this. You’ll be allowed to make a few mistakes before punishment comes into play.” He winked. “As long as they aren’t big mistakes.”