by Grant, Livia
A server hurried past, stopped and backtracked. “Would you like me to take your gear to the co-ed shower room, Sir?”
“Dedicated down to the last clients,” Finn murmured, then addressed the little brunette directly. “That would be appreciated, thank you. We’ll be there in just a moment.”
She almost curtsied, then quickly gathered his straps and the rest of their stuff. “I believe a pair of shoes, one with a broken heel, has been handed in to Danny in the locker room if you’re missing a pair.” She offered him a winning smile before whisking away.
Ava wanted to hate her for it but didn’t have the energy.
“Arms and legs around me, Ava.”
Like a child, she obeyed. Her head rested on his shoulder as he stood, completely naked, and carried her through the club, now drastically empty. There were people tidying up, servers at work cleaning alongside staff in plain black clothing. A tall, leggy blonde moved behind the bar more elegantly than a stunningly ethereal ghost.
A beautiful, cathartic night. Three amazing, testing kinks. A new outlook on life. A skilled, caring, handsome Dominant who wanted her of all people.
All of it tainted by her fear of what someone else thought.
Finn wound through empty tables and stations, beelining for the showers. They were deserted save for the DM still prowling on duty, who tapped his wrist with a wink when they walked through the door. “Always a tardy one or two,” he said with a wide grin.
“We won’t hold you up much longer,” Finn assured him and swept her inside. He set her on her feet beside his bag, steadied her as her knees buckled. “Take a seat, Ava. Close your eyes, just rest.”
She sighed and dropped her head in her hands. “Am I a bad person?”
Finn laughed and the sound was a little stunned. “What the hell makes you say that? Unless you’re a murderess in disguise, I’d say you’re probably the sweetest, most appealing young woman I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”
She glanced up miserably, then lifted her arms when he gestured for her to do so. Her words were muffled by her dress sliding over her head, but she knew he caught her drift by the way his eyes hardened. “Am I a bad person for liking what we did tonight?”
“Are you asking this for you or because you’re worried about your roommate?”
“Both?”
He sank to his haunches, resting his hands on her knees. “If we were judged solely on our kinks, little dove, the world would be a fucked-up place. You’re sweet and kind, you want to please. A bad person wouldn’t worry about their roommate; they wouldn’t give a shit about anyone but themselves. Accepting who you are and what you like is part of this journey.”
She let him kiss her, moaned when he drew away and rose, watching him cover up that incredible body one piece of clothing at a time. By the time he was dressed immaculately once again, she was ready to take his hand and start the next chapter of her life with him, no questions asked.
She walked barefoot through the club beside him, finally finding pride in coming out at the end of the night with experience under her belt and hope in her hands. A milestone in her life she’d never even considered, let alone dreamed of achieving.
“Hotel,” Finn decreed, pushing into the locker room and ushering her through. “Hot bath, food, and sleep.”
“Ava?”
Her head snapped around, meeting Rosie’s shocked face. Her friend waited with her Dominant as Jaxson said.. “Rosie? What are you still doing here? Jaxson said he would let you know I was going back to Finn’s hotel room for the night.”
“He let us know, all right. Did you think I’d be okay with just walking out of here without checking to see you were okay first?” Disapproval simmered lightly in her friend’s voice as she gave Ava a swift but thorough appraisal. “My best friend isn’t wandering off into the night with a strange guy if he hasn’t got the official BFF stamp.”
Ava’s stomach plummeted. “This is what you wanted for me, Rosie.”
“It is. Of course, it is. You look happy, Ava. Or you would if you didn’t look nauseous.” Rosie touched her arm, rubbing lightly. “You’re not sick, are you? I can take you home if you’re not well. I’m sure Master Finnegan would understand.”
Ava’s laugh was soft, edged with relief. “Finn has taken care of me all evening. He’s done things to me I can’t even describe, and he’s helped me. I want to spend a few more hours with him before he goes home.” So many miles away.
“You’re sure you can trust him outside the club? No offense, Master Finnegan,” Rosie said, addressing him formally and with a respect Ava hadn’t heard from her friend before, “but playing in here is one thing. Ava’s my best friend and I don’t want to see her hurt.”
“No offense taken. It’s a valid point. I swear to you, Ava’s precious to me. Whatever happens when we walk out those doors to the outside world, I’ll protect her.” Finn’s voice resonated with what Ava thought of as his Dominant tone. Inarguable and strong enough to bend steel. “I want what’s best for her, Rosie. If she wants to go home, I won’t stop her.”
“Finn?” Ava pleaded, looking up at him.
Tears welled as he took the coat Rosie held out, bundling Ava into it. He slipped a card into her pocket. “If you decide to go home, anytime you need me, you call me. Night or day, Ava. I’ll wait for you to call and tell me you’re ready to be mine.”
Rosie took the broken pair of shoes from a watchful Danny, handing them to Ava. They made her lopsided when she put them on, but that didn’t stop her from standing tall and leaning into her Dom. Heat from his big body enveloped her and those arms she loved curled around her.
Finn kissed her, then rubbed his cheek over her hair. “It’s always your choice, Ava. Don’t ever be afraid to say no.”
Ava met her friend’s eyes and smiled. Three hours with Finn wasn’t enough. Three days, three months, three years might never quench the thirst he roused inside her, but surely she was entitled to at least a night to explore this new and slightly terrifying direction in her life.
Rosie’s lips twitched and acknowledgement flared in her eyes. “You’re sure you’re happy with doing this, babe?” At Ava’s eager nod, Rosie raised her formidable gaze above Ava’s head. “Okay then. I’d like this on record, Master Finnegan: you may be some bigshot millionaire rancher, but if you hurt Ava, I’ll castrate you myself. D.C. style.” With that as a warning, she linked her fingers into her waiting Dominant’s and stepped forward to kiss Ava’s cheek. “Be careful and have fun. Like your Dom said, don’t be afraid to say no.”
Watching her best friend leave with her man of the night, Ava gripped Finn’s arms and sighed contentedly as he kissed the side of her neck. “Why would I say no when all I want to do is say yes?”
The End
About the Author
Kay Elle Parker is a British author living in the wilds of Yorkshire. She has an eclectic taste in music, reads anything when she has the time, and loves Fell ponies and Border Collies. Her sense of humor is wicked and often misunderstood, downright dirty and infectious.
Writing romance is the dream, and Kay has books in dark, BDSM, and paranormal romance. Just recently, she released her first contemporary romance, Speechless.
She loves writing all things vampire and shifter. She loves to chat to readers!
Website - https://kayelleparker.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kayelleparker/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/kayelleparker
Inflamed
A Black Light: Roulette War Novella
By
Golden Angel
Prologue
Elliott
Ding dong.
Dammit. He'd just managed to sit down. Sighing, Elliott stood up, stretching his arms up before he turned to go answer his front door. Who the hell was there anyway? This was supposed to be an afternoon to himself. He'd needed it after last night when he'd realized he needed to break up with his current girlfriend. Now he just had to
figure out how to do it.
Not that she was officially his girlfriend. They'd only been dating for a couple of months, but it was long enough that he didn't feel right ending the relationship without talking to her. Not something he was looking forward to. Peggy was gorgeous, quick-witted, and incredibly interested in BDSM, but the more Elliott had gotten to know her, the more he realized she wasn't as submissive as she'd first presented herself to be. Manipulative was the better descriptor.
Maybe they could have still made that work, but last night he'd taken her and her best friend, Melody, to Black Light with him and, well... he'd seen an uglier side of her. A jealous, mean-girl side that he hadn't liked at all.
Peggy's quick wit could be cutting, and Melody had always laughed it off in the past, making Elliott think it was just him that was bothered by it, but last night Peggy had just been cruel. Even if it didn't bother Melody, it bothered him. He'd scened with Peggy, feeling responsible for bringing her there and getting her expectations up, but they hadn't had sex and his heart hadn't been in the scene. He'd just been going through the motions.
The doorbell rang again, increasing his annoyance. It had only been a couple of seconds. What was so important that—
Yanking the door open, he groaned internally.
Speak of the devil and she shall appear.
Not that he thought Peggy was the devil, but she was definitely an unwelcome sight right now. Especially because she was standing with her hip cocked out, a flirty smile on her lips, and twirling the belt of the trench coat she was wearing in front of her. Gorgeous? Yes. She'd done her hair up to expose her neck and her makeup was flawless, enhancing every one of her features in the most flattering way possible... The coat she was wearing covered everything but immediately made him wonder what she had on underneath it.
His dick lifted in interest.
His dick was also really stupid sometimes. We're not going there, so don't bother getting excited.
"Peggy," he said, keeping his expression blank. "I didn't expect to see you today."
Her expression faltered slightly as she realized she wasn't getting the reaction she'd anticipated, but she rallied after just a moment, tossing her head and putting both hands on her coat's belt. "I wanted to surprise you."
"I don't really like surprises, remember?" It was something he'd told her before. Either she'd forgotten or she had decided she didn't care, and he was betting on the latter from the frustration that flashed in her eyes when he didn't respond how she wanted.
"Well, I didn't think you'd mind this kind of surprise." There was an edge to her voice, one that Elliott had heard before. The last few times, he'd ending up spanking her when she'd gotten bratty about getting what she wanted... but this time he wasn't inclined to.
This wasn't how he wanted to break up with her, but he was also having trouble seeing how he was going to get out of this without doing so. He could try at least.
"I'm sorry, but I'm really not up for company right now," he said carefully, leaning his shoulder against the door frame to make it clear she was unwelcome in the house. Her lips pursed together, eyes narrowing.
"Is someone else in there?" she accused, her voice going high and shrill. Elliott almost winced at the sound. Peggy put her hands on her hips, no longer playing the seductress. "Are you cheating on me?!"
He straightened up. "Hell no. I'm completely alone. Which is how I wanted it this afternoon, which is what I told you."
Surprisingly, she seemed to take him at his word, immediately turning apologetic. There was a glint in her eye though as she stepped toward him, putting her hand on his chest, and Elliott realized that she hadn't really thought he was cheating on her. She was just manipulating the situation. Manipulating him.
"I'm sorry, Elliott," she murmured, rubbing his chest with her hand and looking up at him. But this time he saw through the contrite expression on her face; he saw calculation in her eyes rather than true emotion. And it left him cold.
Reaching up he plucked her hand away from his chest. "I appreciate the apology, Peggy. I think it's time for you to go now."
His resistance shocked her, but that shock quickly gave way to fury and she jerked her hand away from his.
"You can't send me away!" She jerked open the belt of her coat and spread it wide so that he could see the lacy bodysuit she was wearing underneath. It covered everything and concealed nothing, and his dick was not immune, unfortunately. "I dressed up for you and everything!"
Closing his eyes, Elliott reached for patience. While he was still physically attracted to her, all it took was remembering her manipulative behavior from moments earlier for his arousal to wilt. When he opened them again, she was smiling expectantly.
"I don't think this is working out between us, Peggy," he said, keeping his voice calm and level. Her mouth dropped open and he took advantage of her shocked silence to keep going. While he hadn't wanted to break up with her like this, he was just at the end of his rope. "I can't be with someone who doesn't respect my boundaries. And I don't think we're looking for the same thing in a relationship. Knowing that, it's better to end this sooner rather than later."
"Are you fucking kidding me?" she exploded, dropping the sides of the jacket and pointing an accusing finger at his chest. "I let you tie me up, I let you spank me, and do all sorts of perverted things to me—" Ah fuck, Elliott really hoped his neighbors weren't home. His gaze skittered around the street, trying to see whose cars were in their driveways. "And you're just going to dump me?! Because we aren't looking for the same things? What the hell else are you looking for?"
Someone who actually wanted to submit. Someone who would enjoy submitting to him, not just say she 'let him' do it. Someone who loved the pain and the pleasure and giving up control to him.
And that someone wasn't Peggy.
"I'm sorry, Peggy, but this is over," he said, and stepped back, closing the door almost in her face.
It wasn't the suavest move, and it wasn't the kindest move, but he honestly didn't know what else to do. Calling her out on using sex to manipulate him seemed crass. Especially because he doubted she'd admit to it. He didn't want to get into an endless argument with her on his doorstep, but he hadn't wanted to let her in either.
Something told him that if he'd let her inside, he would have had an even harder time getting her to leave.
As it was, she kicked his door several times, screamed a bunch of curse words, and then finally stomped off just before he started thinking that maybe he should go back out there and try to reason with her. This was exactly why he'd wanted this afternoon to try and figure out how to handle the breakup.
When she finally drove away, he sank back onto his couch, dropping his face into his hands and leaning on his elbows. "That could have gone better."
He wasn't broken-hearted exactly, but he felt a bit... bruised. In the beginning, he'd really liked Peggy. Enough to introduce her to kink. To bring her to Black Light. And he'd honestly thought she was into it at first. Now...
He just didn't know.
No more vanilla girls, he decided. No more dating women outside of the club. No more women who were just playing around at being a submissive. It never ended well for him.
* * *
Lisa
"He's here!" Lisa half-squealed the words, grabbing onto her friend Melody's arm.
The hottest Dom in the club—in Lisa's opinion at least. And not just because he did fire play, although she absolutely appreciated the pun. Lisa had been long-distance crushing on Master Elliott from the first time she'd visited Black Light with Melody and Melody's Daddy, Kawan.
Daddy Dom, that was. Not her actual dad. Lisa didn't totally understand the dynamic, but what she did understand was that Melody was deliriously happy with Kawan, and that was good enough for her. Lisa was a little envious of their relationship actually, but she was also really happy for Melody. They'd both been juggling their grad programs and real life, but somehow Melody had made it work for her. Lisa h
ad been the one to eschew a social life.
Now that Lisa was post-doc, she had just enough time to squeeze in a weekly visit to Black Light with Melody and Kawan, and she was having a blast exploring everything the club had to offer. If a Dom offered a new experience, she wanted to scene with him.
Master Elliott and fire play were on her Black Light Bucket List.
"Are you going to ask him?" Melody asked, giving Lisa's hand a squeeze. She sounded a little worried.
Melody knew Master Elliott because he was her ex-best friend's ex. He and the ex did not have a good breakup and Melody hadn’t done more than say hello to him at Black Light since then. From what Lisa had seen, he didn't seem to have a problem with Melody, but he did make her nervous even though the woman in question was now an ex to both of them. A crazy ex. Lisa had met Peggy back when she was still Melody’s best friend, and she was a real piece of work.
But she didn't judge someone just because he'd once dated a twat waffle.
Next to Melody, Master Kawan sighed. At first, he’d tried to keep Lisa from approaching the Doms, telling her that it was customary to wait for a Dom to come to the submissive he was interested in, but he’d given up on that weeks ago. To his surprise, most of the dominants she asked to scene with her were willing. Some were even flattered.
“Yup. Doing it now.” Before she lost her courage. Because unlike a lot of the Doms Lisa had scened with, she actually had a crush on Master Elliott. He was sexy, confident, kind to the submissives he scened with, and paid attention to detail. Lisa wanted to scene with him, yes, but she also wanted to get to know him better. Which was why she hadn’t tried to talk to him before.
She’d needed some time to work up the nerve.