by Becca Van
“There is that.” Nixon drained the last of his beer and then yawned. He knew that he would be able to sleep now that the adrenaline, which had been flowing through his veins, was finally dissipating.
“Let’s get to bed,” Nathan said and he rose to his feet. “It’s already after midnight and we have to be at our best to deal with our woman tomorrow.”
“God, I hope she gets comfortable with us quickly,” Nixon said as he too stood and followed Nathan inside.
“Do you think that’s going to happen?”
“Nope.” Nixon made sure the door was locked and after putting his bottle into the recycle bin headed to his room. Nathan wasn’t far behind him.
“Neither do I.”
* * * *
Kara was so anxious she was trembling inside. After an almost sleepless night, tossing and turning in bed, she felt utterly drained but she needed this job or she was going to be in a hell of a bind. Her rent was due next week and even though she suspected old Mrs. Chambers would give her a little more time if she asked for it, she didn’t want to. She’d always been so diligent about paying her bills on time, if not early, and even though she knew it was because she felt she needed to be regimented to stay in control, she couldn’t break habits of a lifetime.
She was parked in a car space a few shops down from the clinic and her palms were so damn sweaty it was a wonder they hadn’t slipped off the steering wheel. It was only when she looked down and saw her white knuckles that she realized her hands were aching from her hard grip.
She took a deep breath, held it for the count of three, and then exhaled slowly. Dr. Ridge and her therapist had taught her how to circumvent her anxiety to an extent but when they had suggested medication, she’d refused. As long as she stayed calm and in control of everything in her life, she was fine. But if the boat ever rocked—she didn’t even want to think about what might happen then.
Kara pulled the key from the ignition, wiped her hands on her slacks, grabbed her purse, and got out of the car. After taking a few more deep breaths, she locked her car and headed toward the clinic. When she noticed the closed sign on the door, she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to try the handle and walk in if it was unlocked or knock on the door and wait for it to be answered.
When she realized she was dithering on purpose, she gave herself a mental berating. You are such a dumbass, Kara. You’ve never had problems making decisions or doing what was necessary before. Suck it up, girl!
Kara pushed her shoulders back and pulled on the handle. The door swung open and as she stepped inside a beep sounded. They must have a motion and weight sensor in the doorway. She moved aside and turned to close the door behind her. As she turned back she heard footsteps coming down the hall.
Her stomach fluttered and her heart stalled for a beat. Nathan and Nixon looked so damn sexy in their jeans and button-down shirts. Air whooshed from her lungs and she hoped they couldn’t tell she was getting horny by the sight of them as they came toward her.
“Kara, how are you, baby?” Nathan smiled and held his hand out to her.
Baby?
After wiping her hand on her pants again, she found herself reaching out to him. He took her hand in his and stifled the gasp as fire raced from her hand, up her arm and into her chest and then straight down to her pussy. She moved her legs closer and squeezed her thighs.
“I’m good, thanks.”
Shit, Kara, could you be any more of an idiot?
Nathan let her hand go and she was about to drop it at her side but Nixon grabbed it and held it. He didn’t shake her hand like Nathan did, he just stood there holding it and scrutinizing her.
“Hi,” she said quietly.
“Hi yourself, hon.”
Hon?
She sighed with relief when he finally released her hand and decided to ignore the endearments.
Nixon smiled at her after glancing at his watch. “You’re early. That’s good. We have a lot to get through before patients start arriving at nine.”
Nathan started walking around the end of the counter and looked back at her over his shoulder. “Come on, Kara, we’ll show you the ropes. Oh and by the way, you can call us Nate and Nix.”
She nodded and followed him behind the reception desk. Nate pulled out a chair and saw her seated in front of the computer and then he and Nix grabbed a chair each and sat down beside her.
She felt a little hemmed in and it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room. She was having trouble breathing, but each time she inhaled, she had to stifle a groan as their delectable colognes and the scent of clean males assailed her senses. But that wasn’t the only thing she was aware of. She could feel their body heat and would have asked them to back off if she didn’t need them to show her how their system worked.
When they began talking, she relaxed a little and was able to draw a deeper breath, and as the minutes past she got involved in learning their system and was able to concentrate on what they were telling her.
When it was only five minutes until patients began arriving, Kara felt competent enough to use their computer.
Nixon pushed his chair back and then carried it back out to the waiting area. “Don’t get into a frazzle if you don’t know how something works. When we come out for our patients you can ask questions if you need to. Okay?”
“Okay, thanks. Even though I’ve never used this software before, it’s not that different to the one we used at the insurance company.”
Kara jumped when Nathan’s hand landed on her shoulder.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Kara gave him a tentative smile when he moved around the counter and faced her again. “I startle easily.”
“We’ll have to remember not to walk up behind you then,” Nixon said. “We’d better go make sure our rooms are ready.”
Kara nodded.
“Tomorrow we’ll show you how to sterilize our equipment and prepare the rooms after a patient,” Nathan said. “Sometimes one of us is working at the hospital and one of us is here. When that happens we use both rooms and it would be a big help if you could clean up in the empty room between patients.”
“I can do that.”
“Good.”
Kara watched them head down the hallway into their exam rooms and sighed. She felt a lot better now that she mostly knew how their system and phones worked. Hopefully she wouldn’t stuff anything up but she had a pretty good handle on what needed to be done. If she was confident in her work she could be confident and professional in dealing with the two doctors.
She wasn’t even going to think about what they’d said to her at the club last night.
The hours flew by as Kara worked. She made sure all the patient files were updated and that payments were made after each visit. It surprised her that she was actually enjoying herself. Even though she had talked to a lot people in her last job, it had been so impersonal since it had been over the phone. She liked meeting new people, which had never happened before, and was glad that she hadn’t chickened out like she’d been going to and turned up for her first day at Drs. Charleston Clinic.
Maybe this was the optimum opportunity to turn her life around and start living instead of existing.
Deep down Kara knew the way she had been conceived had nothing to do with her and she had nothing to feel ashamed or guilty about. But knowing something and accepting it was harder than she’d ever imagined.
She just hoped that one day really soon she would start believing everything Dr. Ridge and her therapist had told her so long ago.
“You are a beautiful, intelligent young woman and you have your whole life in front of you, Kara. Someday you’ll meet the man of your dreams and all that pain will go. You are worthy and loveable, and one day when you least expect it, you’ll be swept off your feet.
“You are lovable, Kara Benjamin.”
Chapter Four
Nathan stopped at the end of the hallway near the wa
iting room and watched Kara. She was so intent on her work she didn’t even know he was there. But then she looked up and stared across the room. The expressions that flittered across her face made his chest hurt for her. She looked so damned sad and full of pain but then the expression changed to what looked like enlightenment and determination. For a minute there he’d thought she was so scared and beaten down he began to wonder if he and Nix had any chance at all with her.
His inner Dom came to the fore and he pushed those negative thoughts aside. He and his brother were going to make damn sure they had a chance with her. Failing wasn’t an option and neither was giving up. She was perfect for them.
From what he could see she needed a damn good spanking so she could release those inner emotions she kept locked down deep inside. He could just imagine her strapped down to a spanking bench or a St. Andrew’s Cross. The palm of his hand connecting with her soft, warm, silky skin making it glow a nice pink color and leaving his hand print behind. But he didn’t think that his hand on that delectable ass would be enough and maybe not even a flogger would do the trick either.
He wasn’t a hardcore sadist and didn’t like inflicting pain for the sake of it and neither did Nix, but sometimes a sub needed more so they could let their emotions have free rein. A crop might be enough to do the job and he knew that a cane would, but Turner Pike, the owner of Club of Dominance, his silent partner, Barry Winston, and the other part owner, Anton “Tank” Taylor, didn’t allow intransigent discipline. Nate and Nix weren’t into it either but he had a feeling that Kara would need more than what they usually did.
If they were able to get her to agree to submit to them, he and Nix were going to have to start off slow, but after that they were going to push her boundaries until they got what they wanted. He didn’t want to break her, but they needed to get to her heart and if the only way they could do that was with a crop or cane, then so be it.
They were going to have to practice some since it had been a long time since he and Nix had used a cane, but he guessed it was like riding a bike. Once you learned, hopefully you never forgot.
But for now he wanted to take that sad, pain-filled look from her eyes.
“Are you ready to come to lunch?” Nathan asked as he walked closer. He nearly cursed when she jumped so high she almost fell off her chair. “Shit! I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She looked away and then back at him again. “You didn’t. I already told you I startle easily.”
“Okay, but I’ll try not to…startle you again.”
Nixon came down the hall and stood next to him. His brother looked to him, then to Kara and back to him again. “What’s going on?”
“I gave Kara a fright.”
“Oh. We’ll have to make sure we make a lot of noise so you know we’re coming. Are we ready to go?”
“Yep,” Nathan said. “We’re going to the diner for a bite to eat.”
“Okay.” Kara blinked at him and then gave a forced but tentative smile. She looked like she was staying put, but Nathan wasn’t having that.
“Do you need to bring anything with you?”
She shook her head and frowned.
“Good. Let’s get moving then, we only have an hour.”
“But…”
“Move your ass, honey,” Nixon demanded.
Nathan held in his smile when she rose to her feet and then walked around the counter. He linked arms with her and then guided her out while Nixon locked up. Kara looked a little dazed, like she couldn’t believe she had let them railroad her into going with them, but he was really happy that she complied with their will. He knew she had no clue about how really submissive she was. She wasn’t slave material, thank God, and even though he was sure she would stand up for herself if pushed too far, she was a sub through and through. Now all he and Nixon had to do was teach her to submit.
And he knew that wasn’t going to be as easy as it sounded.
After taking their seats at the diner and placing their orders, Nathan couldn’t help but notice how uncomfortable she was. Of course he and Nix had made sure she was sitting between the two of them and he also made sure that his thigh brushed against hers now and then. He was getting rather concerned with the way she tensed up each time he did that and glanced over at Nix. His brother had also seen her reaction because he was frowning. Then he realized they were sitting there studying her without saying a thing, and bit back a curse. No wonder she was so uptight. They weren’t even talking to her.
“How long have you lived in Tigard, Kara?”
She sighed and relaxed a little. Good. Talking with her helped ease her tension.
“All my life.”
“Have you traveled at all, honey?” Nix asked.
Damn, she tensed up again. Oh shit. Why is she embarrassed?
Kara’s face was red enough to rival a cooked lobster.
“No.”
“Why does that make you uncomfortable?” Nathan decided the only way to get to know her was to be forthright. He didn’t like people to pussyfoot around so he wouldn’t with her either.
“You’re doctors.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Nix almost snapped the question and he was frowning. Nathan glared at his brother. They didn’t need her withdrawing anymore with his impatience and attitude.
“You’ve probably been to a lot of places,” Kara finally replied quietly while looking at her finger as she ran it around the rim of her iced-tea glass.
“Nope.” Nathan relaxed back in his seat, hoping his tranquil demeanor would rub off on her.
Kara looked up and met his gaze. “You haven’t?” She sounded almost incredulous.
“Other than going away to college, we haven’t traveled any. Of course we’ve taken breaks but we’re real homebodies. We like to spend our vacation time relaxing. We read, swim, and just generally chill out. Being doctors we’re always on the go and can work hours on end. Nothing beats sitting back with a good book and sipping on a beer.”
“What about you?” Nixon asked. “What do you do to relax?”
“I like reading and listening to music.”
“What do you like to read?” Nathan asked and then cursed when her face went red again. He wanted to retract his question but he was curious so he just sat quietly and waited.
“Romance.” Again her answer was quiet, almost a whisper.
“There’s nothing wrong with that, baby. I’ve read a romance or two myself.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“What?”
“I’ve read a few erotic romances.”
“From what author?”
“Sophie Oak and Cara Covington, who is also known as Morgan Ashbury.”
“Oh my God. You have? I love those authors. I read their books, too. I love Dixie Lynn Dwyer and Heather Rainier as well.”
Now isn’t that interesting. Most of the above-mentioned authors wrote about ménages and some even had BDSM books. Maybe things are looking up after all.
“Out of those I’ve mentioned, who is your favorite?”
“I can’t choose. They’re all good.”
Nathan didn’t get to reply because the waitress brought their food. The next twenty minutes was spent on doing justice to their meal. Kara ate daintily, cutting up her salad into small bites and wiping her mouth with her napkin after nearly every mouthful. It took him a while to realize that she liked to be in control of everything, but if he and Nixon had their way they would be the ones in control in the bedroom.
He knew from the paperwork she’d filled in that she was twenty-five, which meant he was eight years older than her and Nix was six, but as far as he was concerned when you were attracted to someone age didn’t come into it. But first they needed to know more about her.
“Do you still live at home with your parents, baby?”
And just like that she went as tense as a board of wood and even though her shoulders curled around in a defensive mov
e. They were also up around her ears. That was the same reaction to nearly the same question as last night.
Damn it all to fucking hell.
He looked at Nix and saw the concern on his brother’s face and then he looked back at Kara. Her face had gone as white as a sheet and there was such pain in her eyes he wondered if she was going to cry. Was that shame he could see too? And then he saw the moisture in her eyes, but she blinked a few times and it was gone. He heard her take deep breath, hold it for a moment or two and then she exhaled slowly. She repeated that action a few more times.
What the fuck?
Kara had started to go into a panic attack but had circumvented it by doing breathing exercises.
“No.” When she answered her voice was hoarse and it sounded like she was being strangled.
So much emotion. So much pain.
Nathan didn’t want to ask her any more questions and cause her more pain but he needed to know what was wrong, because it was so fucking obvious there was something seriously bad going on here.
“Do you see your parents often?”
Again the strangled reply. “No.” And then her eyes met his for a moment and skittered away. “Can you please let me out? I need the ladies room.”
That was the last thing Nathan wanted to do but he couldn’t deny her request so he found himself standing and moving aside as she scooted along the curved bench seat. Kara almost stumbled in her haste to get away but as he reached out to steady her, she hurried away as if all the hounds of hell were chasing her.
He slowly lowered himself down on the edge of the seat and looked at Nix.
“What…” It looked like Nixon was so concerned he couldn’t finish his sentence.
“Don’t know.”
“We have to do something to help her.”
“But what?”
“Hell if I know.” Nathan kept watch on the door to the ladies room and hoped to God that he hadn’t ruined any chance that he and his brother may have had with Kara.