Her hand stilled mine. “You’re in love?”
I immediately shook my head. “No.” I giggled. “No. That’s not what I’m saying. Hypothetically.”
“Right.” Tiffany did not sound convinced. “Well…” She appeared to consider it. “Sure. It’s possible.”
My eyes shot to hers. “Really?”
“Yeah, why couldn’t you be? I mean, the heart’s as much a decision-maker as the brain, right?”
“Definitely.” I felt the tug of a smile. “And it’s not the smartest, at that.”
“So, this is serious?”
Although I was confused about damn near everything that had transpired over the last few weeks, I had no doubts about that. “It’s serious. On my part, at least.”
“How do they feel about you?”
A one-shoulder shrug was all I could offer.
“Have you slept with them?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. But I want to.”
“What’s holding you back?”
I stared at my best friend for a second before I decided to go all in. There was no one in the world I trusted more than Tiffany. Well, besides my brother, but I couldn’t very well have this conversation with him.
“Nothing’s holding me back,” I admitted. “It’s them. Well, Edge more specifically. I think he likes me, or he wants to, but he won’t completely let himself.”
“How so?”
I settled in for the long haul, explaining what had happened at the training class. The way Edge had given me away, the argument we’d had about it, how he had claimed me as theirs in front of everyone last night.
“Wow.” Tiffany’s eyes were wide. “That’s intense. So, he’s claimed you as his submissive. Where’s the problem in that?”
I gave a furtive glance around, ensured no one was listening to us. “I’m not a submissive.”
“No?” Tiffany leaned back, assessed me. “I’d have to disagree there.”
“I mean, yeah, I enjoy it. Something inside me melts when they go all Dom on me. But it’s hard to get completely into it when Edge is holding back.”
“But Cav’s not?”
Remembering the way he’d made me come with his fingers last night, I shook my head, felt my face flush. “No. Not the way Edge is. I feel closer to him. He opens up more, I guess you could say. Edge…” I took a deep breath, exhaled slowly. “He’s hesitant with me. Like he doesn’t want to break me.”
“Maybe he’s worried he will.”
It was possible, I figured. “There’re no guarantees in life,” I conceded. “But I’m not expecting any, either. I’ve been as straightforward with him as I can. Still, it’s like there’s this… I don’t know. It’s like there’s a wall between us and just when I think I’m about to scale it, I feel the ground once again.”
“Good analogy,” Tiffany said with a grin.
“Thanks.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“Well, Dr. Lortimer,” I teased, “I think he’s worried I can’t fulfill his needs.”
“What needs would those be?”
“Submission.”
Tiffany’s face blanked and I could tell she was pondering this information. I waited her out, curious as to what her advice would be.
“What should I do, Doctor?” I finally asked.
“Good question. So, what? Is there a certification needed to be a submissive?”
I giggled. “No.”
“Does Edge know this?”
That was a better question, in my opinion. “I think he’s spent so much time training submissives, he’s not seeing the natural progression. He expects something, but I don’t know what. Every time we’ve been together, I’ve submitted to him. Not necessarily in the physical, drop-to-my-knees-and-bow-my-head way.”
“Emotionally,” Tiffany concluded.
“Yes. Exactly. And I won’t deny, I enjoy the BDSM aspect. But…”
“But what?”
I sighed, decided to lay it all on the line. “I’m tired of being a student,” I admitted. “Tired of having information drilled into me. I’ve already got that full time. I don’t need more. Yet Edge doesn’t seem to understand that I can absorb this knowledge without being in a classroom.”
“Maybe you need to tell him that.”
Yeah. Maybe I should.
The question was … how did I go about doing it?
When I got home from the coffee shop, there was a note on my apartment door informing me I had a package at the main office.
Feeling slightly giddy, I immediately backtracked. I hadn’t been sure what to expect, but the fancy wrapped boxes that had been bound together by a huge ribbon hadn’t been it. Again, the leasing agent did her best to coax the details out of me, but I declined.
Once inside my apartment, I slowly untied the bow, separated the boxes. I opened the smaller one first. It contained a pair of red strappy sandals with four-inch heels. Inside the long, flat box was a strapless black dress. Short, tight, very sexy. I didn’t own anything of the sort, and I wasn’t sure I would’ve purchased it for myself, but I liked it all the same.
The card inside had a simple message: For tonight. Wear only this. Be ready by seven.
There was no signature, so I wasn’t sure who it was from. I could see both Edge and Cav picking this out. It was the perfect mix of sexy and elegant, the right fit for a night out at a restaurant or a club. Was that where we were going? Or did they have something else in mind? Perhaps another long ride in a limo?
Regardless, I was eager for the evening to begin.
Too bad I still had hours yet.
By the time seven o’clock rolled around, I’d finished all my homework for the week and put myself through a rigorous beauty regimen. I was washed, shaved, lotioned, polished, and dressed by the time the knock on my door sounded.
Did I mention I was breathless? Yeah. That, too. More so when I opened the door to see two ridiculously attractive Doms dressed in… “Tuxedos?”
Edge grinned, a sexy smirk that actually reached his eyes. “Do you approve?”
I glanced down at myself, wondered briefly if I was ridiculously underdressed.
Before I could question myself, Edge and Cav stepped into the apartment, crowding me as they did. I took a step back, staring at them both.
Cav, in a move I was getting familiar with, slid his hand beneath my hair, tugged me close until our lips met. “You look stunning, cupcake.”
“Thank you.”
When Cav released me, Edge took his turn, his fingers curling beneath my chin seconds before his lips met mine.
“I apologize for not giving you the details of tonight’s event. We’re going to an engagement party at the Langham.”
“Engagement party?”
“Yes. Justin, Ben, and Addison are making it official.”
I smiled, happy for the three of them. “I didn’t know.”
“They just announced it. The party’s spur-of-the-moment,” Edge admitted. “Apparently, Luci wasn’t going to let Addison forego the opportunity to celebrate.”
“Can’t say I blame her. It’s a big deal.”
“So they say,” Edge said.
Cav moved to stand behind me, his hands sliding my hair back from my shoulders. I was intoxicated by his touch, eager for more until I realized he was merely placing something around my neck.
“This is yours for the evening,” Edge said.
Unable to see, I touched it, trying to get an idea.
“It’s a day collar,” he explained, his gaze zeroed in on my neck. “It’s a symbol to others that you’re claimed.”
I nodded, meeting his eyes. For some reason, his explanation sounded a little cold. Figuring I was reading something that wasn’t there, I absently touched the thin necklace that ringed my neck as I stared up at him. “May I look at it?”
His grin was so sexy. “Of course.”
I shrugged off the strange feeling of disappointment, then walked down the hall to my
bathroom. At the mirror, I peered down at the rose gold chain intricately woven around what looked like a hundred tiny diamond chips. My breath caught in my throat. It was stunning, and though I wasn’t big on jewelry, certainly didn’t own anything expensive, I could tell this wasn’t fake.
When I returned to the living room, both men were waiting for me, hands in their pockets, grins on their faces.
“Tonight’s festivities are vanilla,” Cav clarified. “Considering we’ll be in mixed company. You have nothing to worry about. Despite the location, we’ve been informed it’s a casual get-together.” He motioned toward his fancy suit. “With the exception of the dress code.”
“I’ve booked us a suite for the evening,” Edge said. “So all bets are off after that.”
Really? That was a twist I hadn’t anticipated. The disappointment from a few minutes ago faded away. I was clearly prejudging this situation and I needed to go with the flow.
I glanced back at my bedroom. “Should I pack a bag?”
He shook his head. “Not necessary. Everything you’ll need is already waiting for you.”
Not quite comfortable with that statement, I prepared to argue. “I … uh…”
Edge stepped forward, placed his fingers over my lips. “As your Dom, I’m requesting your silence in this matter.”
As my Dom. Great. We were back to that, laying the groundwork as though there was a script I was supposed to follow.
I nodded, forced a smile. “Understood.”
“Shall we go?” He held out his hand for me to precede him, clearly oblivious to my inner turmoil.
The limo was out front, and it dutifully delivered us to the hotel a short time later.
I was feeling a bit self-conscious about my outfit until we stepped into the elaborate ballroom. I certainly wasn’t underdressed. Every man in the room was wearing a tuxedo, the women wearing dresses very similar to mine in various colors. Most of them, anyway. I noticed Mistress Jane immediately. Her dress was fancier, not quite so revealing, but still spectacular.
From what I could tell, they’d planned this. And that was the only reason I relaxed somewhat as we moved through the room. Cav retrieved a glass of champagne, passed it to me before taking two more.
“There’s my brother,” I muttered when Zeke’s eyes locked on me from across the room.
Edge put a solid step between us, but at the same time, Cav moved closer. Zeke must’ve picked up on the movement because his eyes narrowed.
I couldn’t help but laugh, but there was a slight hint of hysteria in it as Zeke made his way over. Brax and Case were with him, both dressed in tuxedos, only they weren’t wearing shirts. I took a quick peek around the room and noticed a couple of other male submissives wearing the same. Evidently, there was a dress code for submissives tonight. So much for vanilla.
Edge held out his hand when my brother approached. “Zeke. Good to see you.”
In a move that shocked me, my brother shook Edge’s hand, then Cav’s before pulling me in for a hug. His mouth was close to my ear when he said, “I suspect now that you’re outing yourself in public, you won’t be making excuses for breakfast anymore.”
I stepped back, stared into his face. There was no way to ignore the hard edge to his tone. My brother didn’t appear completely happy with this situation, but at least he had the decency to keep his opinion to himself.
“I haven’t made excuses,” I countered.
I could see the hurt in his gaze even if no one else would know what to look for.
He gave a clipped nod, a silent promise that we would have a conversation about this later. He glanced back and forth between Edge and Cav before mumbling something about mingling.
“Well, then,” I said softly when he was out of earshot. “That went better than expected.”
“No black eyes,” Cav teased. “I’d say it’s a good start to the evening.”
For the next couple of hours, we mingled. Cav and Edge introduced me to anyone we encountered. Edge always ensured he mentioned that I was their submissive, as though that little detail explained why I was there with them. I ignored the disappointment as much as I could, taking the opportunity to meet some of the people I knew by name only.
I got to shake the hand of TJ Arlington—who was quite the character, might I add—a well-to-do author who I’d read every single thing he’d published. I rubbed elbows with Trent Ramsey, who I’d had the pleasure of meeting before, but never had the chance to have a conversation with.
Although I didn’t know the official count, I would’ve guessed there were close to two hundred people in attendance. Doms, submissives, Chatter PR employees and clients. Everyone eager to celebrate the engagement of Justin, Ben, and Addison.
Throughout the evening, I watched my brother interact with people. Mostly I paid attention to the way he interacted with Brax and Case. Something had happened between them, it was obvious. Something that had brought the three of them together. Zeke was no longer keeping his distance. Instead, he seemed to be keeping them close. I was curious as to what brought that about, but I had to respect his privacy some.
Especially if I was to get the same in return.
By the time the party was winding down, I was ready to kick my shoes off and fall into bed. I was exhausted. Both physically and emotionally.
After offering our congratulations to the trio and saying our goodbyes to those who remained, Edge and Cav finally steered me out of the ballroom toward the hotel elevators. A short time later, we were walking into a lavish suite that had been turned down for the evening.
As I walked around, admiring the space, Cav and Edge both removed their jackets, laying them over an oversized cushioned chair. I took a moment, peering out the window into the night while I gathered my nerves. I wasn’t sure why I was nervous, but I was.
When I turned to face the two men I would be spending the night with, my heart rate sped up a bit and the flutters in my stomach intensified.
I was gearing up to approach them, right up until Edge ordered me not to move.
It was then I knew Edge had a script for the evening, and based on the gleam in his eyes, I was expected to follow.
I only hoped I could live up to those expectations.
CAV
ALL NIGHT LONG, I’D BEEN THINKING ABOUT this, the moment I would get Jamie and Edge alone. More accurately, getting Jamie back to the room, stripping off that curve-hugging dress, watching her eyes dilate from the desire I could sense just below the surface.
And here we were.
Only, I felt as though something was off. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but there was definitely a chill in the air, and it was coming from Edge mostly. He’d been far too formal for most of the evening, as though this was some sort of convention he was required to perform for.
“Stay right where you are,” Edge ordered Jamie.
His gruffly spoken command drew my attention. Up to this point, he’d shown absolutely no signs that tonight’s encounter would be heading in this direction. Sure, I knew he’d secured a room for the night, but he hadn’t bothered to share his plan. Not that I needed to hear it. Tonight wasn’t about him commanding the three of us, treating us as though we were his possessions. He was here, I was here, Jamie was here. It should’ve been as simple as that. The moment unfolding the way it was meant to. No reason to complicate matters more than they already were.
Wanting to take it down a notch, I walked around the oversized chair and joined Jamie at the window. I smiled down at her, glad she’d turned her attention to me. All night she’d seemed nervous, as though she wasn’t quite comfortable in our presence. I couldn’t say I blamed her. These parties weren’t my forte, but sometimes they were necessary.
“Focus on me, cupcake,” I whispered, sliding my hand beneath her hair and sliding my lips against her. I’d been jonesing for her kiss all night long and I fully intended to take as much as she was willing to offer.
Not thinking about Edge or the plan lik
ely mapped out in his head, I kissed Jamie, moving in close, holding her to me, ensuring she felt how much I wanted her. When she softened, her hands gliding over my chest, I broke the kiss, smiled down at her.
Keeping my voice low, even, I decided to go for seduction, not domination. “Turn to face him,” I said as I sidestepped, moving around behind her as I trailed my fingers over her collarbone, her shoulder.
She was soft and warm, a slight tremble beneath her skin. When I was behind her, I pulled all that silky hair back, revealing those smooth, golden shoulders. The woman took my breath away. And when I touched her, as I was doing now, my heart always seemed to skip a beat.
“I’ve spent all night wantin’ to see you out of this dress,” I told her, leaning in and brushing my lips over her neck.
“Yeah?” She was breathless and so fucking soft, her head tilting just enough to give me better access to the sweet flesh of her neck. She smelled like oranges, a light, fresh scent that went straight to my head.
“Oh, yeah.”
As I ran my palms over her curves, Edge surprised me, taking a seat on the sofa and crossing one ankle over the opposite knee, regarding us.
“Which do you think he’d prefer first?” I asked Jamie, wanting to get him to loosen up a bit. “To see your beautiful breasts? Or your pussy?”
She sucked in air, leaning into me as though her knees had gone weak.
“You pick, cupcake.”
“Breasts,” she whispered.
I took my time working my hands upward, sliding beneath her arms, over her breasts. The stretchy fabric of the dress had no resistance as I tugged it down, freeing her full breasts.
“Touch them, sweetness,” Edge instructed.
My gaze shot to Edge’s. He looked cold, calculating. Almost detached.
It pissed me off, but I had more to focus on than his attitude.
Jamie’s hands were shaking as she lifted them to cup her breasts, but she did as Edge told her. I peered over her shoulder, brushing my lips over her shoulder as she gently kneaded her tits. While she was otherwise occupied, I slid my hands down to the hem of her dress and worked it upward, leaving the fabric ringing her belly while her ass, pussy, and tits were on full display.
Their Naughty Student (Office Intrigue, 6) Page 31