I drew in his familiar scent as I automatically relaxed against his warm chest.
Our sweet night together flickered through my mind, and I smiled softly at the perfect memory.
“We’ll figure it out, I promise,” Creeper said firmly as I looked over at him.
His dark eyes were steeled and his body stiff with resolve.
I knew we’d figure this all out.
I flicked my gaze to Miss Sage, who was leaning on the counter as she pondered on everything.
I had people I trusted now. People who’d help me understand all this and find answers.
I closed my eyes as I relished Jack’s touch as he stroked my hair soothingly.
We’d figure it all out.
Everything would be okay.
Because I had my hellhounds.
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Something Wicked
Caia Daniels
About Something Wicked
Five years ago, something wicked came to Scandal, throwing the enigmatic Summerlan West off her game. Since then, she’s spent countless hours and dollars reinventing him into one of the world’s hottest new cover models. Only to let him go, though the wickedly handsome kid has other plans for his last night under the Madame’s protection.
No longer the kid Summer rescued, Dane Cruse plans to prove that he’s more than some cocky guy needing the Madame’s protection, but a wickedly sexy snack seeking her body and her love—not just the platonic kind—the butterflies-in-your-stomach, scew-your-brains-out kind of love.
Can Summer resist the sexy playboy's charm, or will Dane get his wish of finally bedding the enigmatic Madame of Scandal, just once, before she sets him free?
NOTE: Something Wicked is a fun and steamy Polyamory RH contemporary romance SHORT story and RARE ... one of the few planned stories featuring Summerlan West, the enigmatic 40-something Madame of Scandal. Read it while you can... ;))
One
“One hell of a party, eh Cruse?” My roommate Knox had the biggest shit-eating grin on his mug.
Part of me wanted to deck the bastard, but instead, I kept my eyes on the prize and the internal smile where it was.
We’re standing in the ballroom at Scandal. Never knew Halloween decorations could be so classy, but somehow, Scandalous decorators could do things right. Black, purple, and orange decorations flooded the now dark ballroom. Macabre, as I’d overheard Summer’s set designer call it.
“Hear it’s going to be one hell of an afterparty. Too bad you’re not invited, pretty boy.” Knox winked and clapped me on the shoulder. “Want me to sneak you into the observation deck? One more for old time’s sake?”
“Nah. I’m good.”
“Your loss, man.” He looked at his wrist as if noticing the time. Still smiling. “I’m late for my first night as Madame’s number one. That’s right, it’s my night. Madame rotates us, see, and tonight is my night.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Mine.”
The bastard walked beside me, gloating. Fucking gloating. He was clearly stoked about it, and I understood why. . .
Because everyone who’d ever met Summerlan West wanted her, but only a select few ever got to have her. Before tonight, I wasn’t one of them but if I had my way, I would be.
So Knox could gloat all he wanted, but at the end of the day . . . correction. At the end of the night, he’d still just be some random dude sex working his way through college while I was hours from becoming the world’s hottest male model, all thanks to our mutual crush.
“Nah, I got other plans tonight.” I smiled back, feeling pretty damn confident about my afterhours itinerary.
After five years lusting after Summer from the observation deck, tonight, I planned to be in the playroom—one of the lucky few to earn a place in the woman’s heart. And her harem.
“Your loss. See ya later,” Knox said.
“Yes, you will,” I mumbled under my breath as I watched him dance his way down the hallway.
Still smiling, a rush of adrenaline coursed through me knowing exactly what I was not giving up.
Some people might’ve thought my crush was just some case of Florence Nightingale syndrome, but I knew it was more. And if you asked me, I’m pretty sure she’s dropped hints, making me think she wanted me, too. She was just way better at hiding her feelings than me.
Our relationship was complicated.
See, five years ago, I stepped off an Amtrack from St. Louis half expecting some old dude, but instead, I got her. And I swore, I had to be dead because she was the most breathtaking guardian angel I could have ever imagined.
Long, dark curls and plump luscious lips stained like wine were only a small part of her appeal. Dressed like I’d imagine one of those real housewives of New York City—classy but sexy. The woman was perfect from her hair to her designer sunglasses hiding her eyes, and those goddamn stiletto heels that made her stand almost as tall as me.
In five years, she’d never treated me like the dumbass kid that I was; instead, she was protective and even understanding of everything I’d done and all that I’d been through. She could have treated me like filth beneath her heels, but she didn’t.
Instead, she took care of me. Taught me how to stand tall, how to dress impressively, and how act like I wasn’t from East St. Louis, but maybe Plaza Frontenac. Even Park Avenue.
Most importantly, Summer taught me how to treat women. Like the queens that they are, which was exactly what I wanted to do for her. Even if it turned out to be just tonight, I wanted to show her my appreciation and hoped like hell my first night with her wouldn’t be my last.
Fuck, maybe it was Florence Nightingale syndrome, but I didn’t care.
On the brink of moving out after she’d hid me, saved then reinvented me, I owed everything to her, and it was the least I could do.
For both of us.
During the off-season, Summer held exclusive events for Scandal staff, past and present. Tonight, she’d thrown her annual Halloween party and according to Knox, the afterparty was going on right now inside her personal playroom.
So tonight, I planned to finally be part of Summer’s harem.
Over the last few years, I’d watched her play musical harem, and I waited. Waited to be invited into her inner sanctum, but I never was. I always figured it was because of what I was to her—a kid who needed saving, but that all ended tonight.
Halloween night was her last night as my guardian angel, so I figured I had nothing left to lose.
Nothing except a bon voyage orgy for myself before she set me free.
See, five years ago, Summer saved my life.
Literally.
After a drug deal went bad back home, the drug lords killed my father. I was sure they were gunning for me, only it was my dad that had my car that night. Their actions sure did send a message. And when they found out it wasn’t me in my car, they hunted me down like a fucking animal.
Somehow, I managed to hide out in a storage closet for four days until a man my father knew found me. He gave me a couple hundred bucks and put me on a one-way train to New York City where Summer was waiting. She took me in, gave me a job and a place to stay.
A new identity, and a new life.
She’d kept me safe from the crime family that killed my father until they were no longer considered a threat. When the coast was clear, she transformed me from loser low-level drug dealer to a newly signed model for one of the most elite modeling agencies in the world.
Summerlan West saved my life in every way a life could be saved.
Tonight, I wanted to give her a piece of me that she’d helped create. Being with Summer was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a guy like me.
You see, Summer has a harem. A real as fuck harem. Men. Women. She lived by her own rules. Never in my life had I ever met anyone so seductive. So strong.
So powerful.
And I’d been secretly waiting for this night for months now, lusting after her though up till this point, she’d rejected me. Probably because I was, like, 18 years younger than her and a project of sorts. I think she was trying to protect me after all I’d been through.
But I didn’t need to be protected anymore.
I wanted to be fucked.
It was almost midnight now and most of the attendees had either left or disappeared to their private playrooms. Scandal was enormous. Like a billionaire’s estate with a plethora of themed playrooms, one for every sexual fantasy you could imagine. I’d been in Summer’s playroom once or twice, either on a tour or to fetch something for her. The place was . . . awesome.
She’d said goodnight earlier, told me to go back to my room, but fuck that. I had other plans, and I wouldn’t take her usual no for an answer. Not on my last night here.
My heart was racing as I crept my way down the deserted hallway toward her playroom. I sucked in a breath as I reached the door and lifted up my fist, ready to knock.
Holding my breath, I banged on the door three times then waited.
Nobody answered, as expected. From what I’d been told, Summer wasn’t an easy catch. If I wanted an invite into her playroom, I’d have to try harder. She enjoyed playing hard to get, or rather, she just was hard to get. Didn’t matter. I would’ve stood there knocking all night until somebody answered.
I knocked again, harder this time. Standing there waiting. Patiently.
After a third round of knocking, someone finally answered.
The door slowly swung open, giving me a good look at what and who was inside.
Knox answered. He stood there glaring, questioning my presence, though he never said a word. Finally, he opened his mouth to speak but Summer interrupted him before he got out a word.
“Who dares knock on my door?” Summer asked from across the room.
He mouthed, “fuck you,” then turned and looked over at his Domme.
Inside the playroom, there was an orgy of sorts going on. Just as I’d expected.
Luna was sitting at the end of the couch beside Summer. She was one of the girls who gave ladies bisexual fantasies. I had no idea she was part of Summer’s harem. She sat at the end of the sofa, wearing nothing on top and a black thong. Luna was holding Summer’s feet, massaging them. She stopped for a moment, looked over at me and smirked. She knew I’d been lusting after Summer. Her smirk gave me her approval.
Summer was sitting in Lucian’s lap, and Kearney, Summer’s other primary partner, was kneeling beside them on a pillow. Lucian was both Summer’s business partner and her primary sexual partner. Dude was badass, just like girl.
Across from them, two of Summer’s bi dudes were making out on the floor. Naked, of course.
Knox turned back to me. His eyes squinted, and he gave me a death glare, clearly pissed off. Probably because he told me tonight was supposed to be his night with Summer. While I felt slightly guilty highjacking the night from Knox . . . scratch that.
I didn’t feel guilty at all.
“What can I do for you, Dane?” Summer asked from the velvet sofa across the room.
I swallowed down my fear, stood a little straighter, and cocked up my chin. “Let me join you.”
Summer narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to the side. “Why?”
What do I say to that? Seriously, why should that beautiful prowess invite me in to her bedroom?
“Because you want to. Because I’m hot. Because . . . I want you.”
A smirk grew on her face. She was amused. “And what do you have to offer me?” Her eyes widened, waiting for my answer.
“Anything you want.”
Everyone in the room stopped and stared at me. When they realized I was serious, gasps filled the room. Actual fucking gasps.
“Anything?” She cocked an eyebrow. “Oh darling, I’d be careful with statements like that. You’ll end up getting your ass tanned and perhaps even pummeled by one of my boys here.” She winked, gesturing to her bi boys on the floor.
Yeah, maybe she had a point. I’m not offended or intimidated by gay guys—to each their own—it just wasn’t my thing.
I really wanted in, but was I really willing to give or receive a blowjob from a dude? Was I willing to fuck a dude if that’s what Summer wanted?
Truth was, I trusted Summer. She’d been protective of me from day one, so the last thing I would expect from him would be forcing me to do something I didn’t want to do. Because she cared about me.
She changed me.
When I came here, I was scrawny and stubborn, and she helped me grow up. Helped me build a new body and a new life. And while I knew I was just a day from living that life, I also knew I was way out of her league and probably had no chance at a real future with her, but . . . I wanted a shot anyway.
Part of me knew she wanted me, too, in spite of how detached she’d kept herself. She was just too refined to say anything.
Well fuck that, I was far from classy, and I’d kept my nose clean for five years.
That ended now.
A new theme in my life was taking stock of second chances and since tonight could very well be my last shot at being with the infamous Madame of Scandal, I wasn’t going to back down.
I glanced around the room at the half-naked men and women, all staring at me, waiting for my decision.
“I trust you.” I looked back into Summer’s enticing eyes.
The rest of the room looked to her, too, waiting for her answer. Guess they were as curious to see her decision as I was though not nearly as invested.
Except for Knox, who was giving me a death glare.
Summer’s business was about giving women their fantasy. She took the male model of the archaic brothel, broke the patriarchal wheel, and built a brand-new empire that empowered women who’d been wronged by the men of the world.
She gave women their fantasy. Tonight, I would stand by, nearly holding my breath, waiting to see if I’d finally get mine.
After three years, I wanted one thing . . . to be dominated by Madame Summerlan West. And I swear, I was no submissive. Not even close.
Summer changed her look up so much, it was hard to know her true hair and eye color, but none of that mattered because I knew the real Summer.
She was truly exotic. Beautiful. Breathtaking. Tall and built, and sexy as hell. Tonight, she was wearing a dark red wig and a witch’s hat. She also wore a deep crimson corset with a matching thong, and black thigh high stockings.
Summer stared at me for a moment, eyes narrowed. She lifted her legs from Luna’s lap and rose to her full height of five foot seven. Slowly, she paced across the room. Shooing Knox aside, she now stood in front of me. Her eyes stared into mine, intensely. Like she was trying to read my thoughts.
“You know what happens in here, right?” She turned, glanced back at Lucian and Kearney, at Knox, and to the bi-boys, Cache and Caine, gesturing to them. “These are all mine. No one gets special treatment in here. No exclusive rights.” She turned and stared. “And inside my playroom, I’m not Summer. I’m not the woman who found you on a train. I’m the sovereign of my realm. Everyone knows the rules here, save for you. I’m not sure I can get you up to speed quickly enough.”
“I’m leaving soon.” I admitted. “But from the first night you introduced me to Scandal, I’ve wanted this. To be part of your harem, even if it turns out to be just for tonight. You molded me into what I am. You made me Dane Cruse. And you sample all your creations, so . . . I thought tonight, before I leave tomorrow, you should get to sample that creation. First-hand.”
Summer grinned wickedly. “And you don’t think that all I’ve done for you will make things uncomfortable?”
I shook my head. Slowly. My eyes stared into hers, holding on
to every ounce of depth and intensity I could muster.
Summer stepped closer, her lips just centimeters away from mine. Her eyes stared heavily. Her sweet breath breezed across my face, causing me to lick my lips.
Unexpectedly, Summer kissed me. Slowly at first, though not one of those chaste kisses by any means. Her hand grabbed my ass and pulled me towards her, grinding her waist against me, enough that my erection grew inside my jeans as she wiggled her hips, making me harder.
Although I was hard the second her lips plunged onto mine.
She was probably trying to see if there was any chemistry between us.
There was.
My heart practically thumped out of my chest and my breathing grew erratic as I rose my hands and held her waist, feeling her soft skin beneath that corset she was wearing.
So fucking classy. So fucking hot.
As she kissed me, all I could think was how I’d be a mess if she kicked me out now. A hot, wanting mess. And my list of friends with benefits had been slim pickings since leaving St. Louis. Summer kept me on a pretty short leash up until now.
Everything to come flashed though my head as her tongue pushed inside my mouth, exploring it like I would normally do hers. If I’d learned anything about Summer, it was that she called the shots. That was a lesson I learned early on. Summer was in control, and if she wanted to kiss me like a dude, I’d let her.
Hell, I’d let her tie me to a post and whip me with a single tail if that’s what she wanted.
Shivers raced through me at the thought. Fucking shivers.
This woman was driving me mad, and all we were doing was making out.
Every part of me wanted to pick her up, wrap her legs around my waist, and throw her down on that bed.
I wanted to taste her.
I wanted to please her.
I wanted to fuck her.
As my mind fantasized of all the positions I could throw her into, she grabbed onto my bottom lip with her teeth and held on, keeping me in place. Gently, she tugged at it. Pulling away slowly, she finally let go.
Wicked Souls: A Limited Edition Reverse Harem Romance Collection Page 103