by Mia Ashlinn
“Ha!” Wyatt snorted. “You didn’t stand a chance letting an innocent thing like Sarah in here. That was just stupid, man.”
Deke ignored The Edge’s Techno God. “I wanted to see if you’d claim her, Adam.”
“You risked our woman for that?”
“Didn’t you?” Wyatt asked pointedly. “If I recall, you spent several hours locked in your office with your brother’s girlfriend and Lucian last night. Don’t tell me you were discussing the National Debt.”
Interesting. Kylia and Lucian with Adam? I’m not the only one playing games.
Reaching the bottom of the stairwell, the three men hung a left then advanced down the dimly lit hallway. They wound their way around the few sweeping curves that led to the lounge.
“Fine,” Adam snapped. “I gave Kylia permission to help Ansley sneak Sarah into the club. Lucian was helping us work out the details.” He sighed. “Even though you pissed me off, Deke, I wanted to work things out. That’s why I probably looked like shit when you showed up in my office. I was so fucking nervous about what I was going to say to you. And Sarah being down here didn’t help my frame of mind.”
“Mine either,” Deke replied without thinking. “If I hadn’t ended up distracted, I probably would have stormed down here before now. My plan, be damned.”
Adam scrubbed his hand across his handsome face. “God, I was desperate. I hoped that if Sarah showed up here, you would flip out and claim her in front of the club members. I’m just so damn tired of worrying all the time about the other Doms going after her. I don’t want to go to jail. I’m too pretty for that piece-of-shit place.”
Annoyed by his partner’s overly transparent jesting, Deke rolled his eyes.
Suddenly, the door halfway down the hallway opened, and an obviously pissed-off Hale slipped out of the lounge. Standing there, he waited for their approach with grim eyes and tight lips. “This little plan of yours is a pain in my ass, Deke. Protecting your woman is nearly impossible with Ansley around.” The Dungeonmaster turned on Deke’s partner, shooting Adam a glare that could burn a lesser man alive. “And you, I can’t believe I let you talk me into looking the other way if Kylia helped Ansley sneak Sarah in the club. Shit, I wanted you two to work out your differences and claim Sarah. So I kept my damn mouth shut. But now, I have three subs in the fucking lounge creating all sorts of shit for me to clean up. Ansley is taunting everyone in sight. Kylia’s being her know-it-all self. And Sarah is being…Sarah—which the Doms love, I might add.”
Adam chuckled. “No Dom in there is going to touch her. I made sure she was safe. Declan, Lucian, Dominic, and Calen are watching over her and so is Delancey. She’d protect Sarah with her life. Any sucker stupid enough to go against that woman deserves what he gets.”
“I made sure, too,” Deke added, frowning. “I vetted every member in the lounge with her. God, I shut down the dungeon and this half of the club so that I could pick and choose who she was surrounded by. And I called in Reed and Chason. How the hell did she get into trouble with all of them nearby?”
Wyatt grabbed the handle to the lounge’s door just as they reached it. But before he turned it, he glanced over his shoulder at Deke. “She isn’t in trouble. Yet. You’ll see what I mean.”
Preparing himself for anything, Deke sucked in a deep breath. It was a damn good thing he did because when Wyatt opened the door and he saw Sarah, he couldn’t remember how to breathe. He couldn’t think or move. It was a miracle he could even stand on his own two feet.
Oh, my God. She’s an angel. Deke’s blood accelerated in his veins, tripling in speed, the cadence having no rhythm. Before he could even blink, his dick went on full alert, and he had to bite back a lascivious groan.
But Adam didn’t. He groaned, long and low, then cursed. “We’re so fucked.”
Yes, we are.
* * * *
Sarah opened her mouth to speak to Kylia and Ansley, but she swiftly forgot what she’d been about to say when the door to The Edge’s lounge flew open and slammed into the wall behind it with a bang. As soon as she caught a glimpse of the two massive men towering behind Wyatt, her breath hitched. “Deke. Adam,” she murmured.
Every person in the room turned toward the door, but Sarah didn’t give a rat’s butt about them. Her eyes were glued to Deke and Adam, watching the play of emotions on their yummy faces. Lust, outrage, possessiveness, it was all there to see.
Around her, stillness clogged the air as spectators waited to see what happened between her and the two men. The silence was so severe that she could have heard a penny drop. And the temperature climbed—and climbed—until Sarah felt sweat forming on her skin. Then something shifted, and Wyatt moved aside for Deke and Adam, who stalked into the lounge without hesitation.
As soon as they seemed to get a full-fledged look at her, they froze, stiffening visibly. Their eyes widened, slipping down her body and inspecting her from head to toe. Their penetrating stares caused her arousal to skyrocket. Moisture gathered between her thighs, her nipples beaded painfully, and she nibbled on her bottom lip, praying that she could silence the moan rising within her.
The other men, however, didn’t do a thing. No one spoke a word. No one moved a muscle.
As Sarah awaited their response, self-consciousness settled in, and she fidgeted. “Um, I don’t think Deke and Adam like my dress,” she whispered to her two girlfriends. Dropping her eyes to the fabric clinging to her body like a second skin, anxiety overwhelmed her. She kind of looked like some virgin sacrifice for the gods gone naughty.
Ansley and Kylia had picked a modern-day Marilyn Monroe dress in white, pure white, as in the color of an angel’s wings. But that was the only innocent thing about it. The plunging neckline showed cleavage, more than she was used to, and her back was open, thanks to the halter tie fastened behind her neck. The ruching around her midsection accentuated her waist, and the delicate skirt flowing over her hips fell just below mid-thigh, showing off her legs. The combination gave her slim figure a more curvy, hourglass shape, producing a sexier version of herself. Or so she’d thought. Now, she wasn’t so sure.
“Nah, honey, you look hot,” Ansley replied quietly without tearing her eyes away from the Doms at the door.
At the same time, Kylia elbowed Sarah in the side. “Stop fidgeting.”
That was easier said than done, especially when Deke and Adam abruptly launched themselves toward her, progressing on her rapidly. The air ignited between the three of them, electricity arcing as though someone had lit a sparkler, and Sarah swallowed nervously. Her breaths grew short, coming out in sharp puffs, as her mind raced with questions. Should she meet them? Should she wait? Did they want her to speak? Or was silence right?
Confused and frustrated, Sarah stayed in place, counting every second until one of them would be in touching distance. One, two, three…
Deke reached her first. He grabbed her and pulled her against his body so forcefully she bumped into him and bounced backward with an “Ooph.” But Adam was there, behind her, to catch her. He captured her around the waist, sandwiching her between his and Deke’s bodies.
Everything faded. The room disappeared, and the people vanished. The only thing left was the three of them. Sarah sighed. But Deke cut her off. He swooped his head down and claimed her lips. Unlike the last time he’d kissed her, there was no tenderness, no gentleness. This was all heat, raw power, as he dominated her with his kiss.
Cuddling into Deke, she allowed him to take over completely, and he did without compunction. Pushing past the seam of her lips, he plundered her mouth with his tongue, ravaging every inch, every recess. He sampled every corner, every cranny.
Behind her, Adam unpinned her hair from the clip she’d swept the strands up with earlier, and her mane fell free. But he didn’t leave it unrestrained for long. He fisted the strands tightly, holding her head hostage as he dropped his warm lips to her ear. “You’re ours,” he growled before nipping her lobe with his sharp teeth.
&nb
sp; The twinge of pain felt unbelievably good, arousing in a way she’d never expected, and a moan of pleasure erupted from some deep, unknown place inside her.
Deke inhaled the low noise, covering the sound with a groan of his own. His kiss, however, didn’t alter. If anything, he seemed to increase the intensity.
“Everyone here is going to know it, too,” Adam whispered silkily without lifting his lips from their place at her ear. The vibrations of his voice against her lobe tickled, and she shivered. Oh yes. Please. Tell them. Share the news. Spread the word. Oh yes, yes, yes.
Suddenly, Deke’s lips were gone and so were Adam’s. Feeling abandoned, Sarah whimpered.
“Sweet pea, we aren’t going anywhere,” Adam told her with a confident chuckle.
She mock pouted. “You better not, mister.”
Deke grunted then helped her spin to face Adam. “Kiss him.”
Her lips lifted into smile. “My pleasure.”
“Mine too,” Adam murmured a second before he seized her lips with his and kissed her fiercely.
Brushing her hair aside, Deke licked the curve of her neck. She trembled helplessly, the feel of his velvety tongue tormenting her. One after another, he licked her, each lash of his tongue more maddening than the last.
Ripping her lips from Adam’s, she cried out, “Deke.”
Ansley chuckled. “Does this mean she’s been claimed?”
Sarah glanced at her friend through unfocused eyes and cringed. Ansley had that look, the one that was trouble incarnate. “Ansley,” Sarah croaked. “Don’t.”
“Consider her claimed.”
Sarah gasped at Deke’s declaration. Her eyes flew to his face, and she wanted to sing a sappy love song. His face was stoic but serious. The clench of his jaw, the severity in his tight eyes, screamed for everyone to yield to him.
Apparently, that wasn’t good enough for Ansley, who smirked. “Collared?”
Deke paled.
Oh, purple pickles on crack. They were moving too fast for Deke. They had to slow down before he spooked like a cornered stallion. “I don’t need a collar,” Sarah whispered.
“Yes you do,” Ansley replied. “And you know it. Just like Deke and Adam know The Edge’s rules. A sub isn’t officially claimed until he or she has a collar. Isn’t that right?”
Deke didn’t even blink. Neither did Adam. And they didn’t agree or disagree, either.
Sarah felt nauseous. “Then I guess I won’t come to the club. They are mine—with or without a collar.”
“Are you kidding me?” Ansley snarled. “We’re back to this? Damn it. You dipshits are as bad as fucking Wyatt and Hale. I swear some Doms are such pussies.” Her eyes became Os, and she swayed. Obviously, she’d realized where she was and who she was with. “Oh shit.”
Scanning the Doms, Sarah wasn’t sure who was the angriest. But it didn’t matter because in a heartbeat, Ansley was in Hale’s arms—on her way out of the lounge—with Wyatt hot on their heels.
“Soon,” Deke growled unexpectedly.
It took Sarah a second to get his meaning then it hit her with the force of a runaway train. They were going to collar her. They were really going to do it. Cue those sappy love songs again.
Deke tipped her chin up and to the side, giving her a view of his face. As he stared at her, he spoke to Ansley. “Until then, she’s ours. If anyone has a problem with that, they can get the fuck out. And if he or she is insane enough to touch her, they will die.”
Sarah’s breath caught, a thrill racing up her spine at his show of dominance.
“I will personally castrate anyone who even looks at her the wrong way,” Adam added.
“Good,” Ansley hollered as she disappeared out of the room.
Deke pecked a kiss on her lips. “Want to go somewhere private?”
“I—” She’d thought they were going to…do something a little more than kiss.
Adam chuckled. “Sarah, we need to talk to you. That will come later.”
Deke nodded. “There are some things we need to settle first.”
She wasn’t sure if what they were going to say was good or bad. But she had faith in them, and she trusted them with her heart, body, and soul. They would take care of her. So she placed one hand in each of theirs and allowed them to escort her out of the lounge.
* * * *
Shrouded in the dark shadows of The Edge’s lounge, a man sat alone. He was growling as he gripped the hardwood armrests. His entire body was wound tight, and he was ready to spring into action, ready to take back the people who belonged to him. But he didn’t. He forced himself to remain seated, knowing it wouldn’t do for him to show his cards to Adam this soon. He had a plan to take down that dickhead while reclaiming his woman and snaring his man. He had to stick to it—no matter what.
Chapter 11
Deke held Sarah’s hand in a tight clasp as he led her through the corridor connecting the body of The Edge to his and Adam’s private quarters. The three-story wing was on the other end of grounds, which was quite a walk, but the two of them had wanted seclusion and being that far away gave them isolation in spades.
Normally, he didn’t mind the extensive trip, but today wasn’t any ordinary day. He wanted to be in his home with his man and his soon-to-be woman, talking to them and touching them. Only he was beginning to think he’d never get there. At the moment, he felt as though he were trekking through the Sahara desert, parched and starving, with a backpack full of bricks on his back.
After what felt like eons, they reached the home he shared with Adam. In a flash, he pulled out his keys, fumbling with them once, and unlocked the door. “This way,” he said as he pulled Sarah inside, practically dragging her through the foyer and up the stairs to the living room. But he didn’t stop there. He hung a left and tugged her down the hallway leading to the dining room, where his surprise awaited them.
Staying one step behind him, Adam chuckled. “The dining room? Are we going to eat Sarah for dinner?”
Deke choked. His partner had no idea.
Sarah groaned. “I am hungry.”
He’d bet she was. He was, too.
Patience. Yeah, right. His patience was gone. He’d be amazed if he made it through the evening he’d planned for her without ripping her clothes off and sinking inside what was sure to be the hottest pussy he’d ever fucked. He groaned.
“I think we all are,” Adam muttered.
Not responding to his partner, Deke whirled around and swept Sarah into his arms. Oh, God. She felt good. “Close your eyes, Sassy.” He pretended not to notice how easy and how right it felt to call her that now. “I have a surprise for you.”
“You do?” she asked, a blush staining her cheeks as she stared up at him with those heart-melting gray eyes of hers.
He stalled, her adoring gaze paralyzing him. I don’t deserve her, but I’ll be damned before I give her up. She’s mine. “Yes,” he croaked. “I do.”
When he didn’t move, Sarah smiled serenely. “Can I see?”
“Yeah. Just close those gorgeous eyes.” She did, and he turned around before backing into the dining room with her cuddled in his arms. Spinning, he said, “Open.”
Again, she followed his lead. Her eyes drifted open, and she exclaimed, “Oh my gosh!”
Her happiness had a grin on his face. “I’m glad you like.”
“Shit, Deke,” Adam swore as he sauntered in. “This is…”
His grin widened. He and his helpers had definitely done well, if his partner was lost for words. As he scanned the room, he was a little speechless himself at the sight before him. His vision had come to life, and it exceeded his imagination.
The dining area was dim, not completely dark, merely shadowed enough to create a seductive atmosphere. In the middle of the space, a well-placed table drew the eye. Cobalt linens identical to the color of Sarah’s Depression glass collection draped over the table’s long, rectangular surface. Overlaying the fine cotton fabric, a delicate lace runner stretched f
rom the north end to the south. And atop the lace, three tall, thin white candles lined the length of the table. Each one flickered noticeably, their illumination accentuating the table setting—perfectly polished silverware gleaming, Waterford crystal wineglasses shining, and Lenox china brimming with fresh, steaming food.
“You did this for me?” Sarah smiled brilliantly. “Really?”
“Of course.” Deke grimaced, realizing he’d forgotten to mention his accomplices. “I had help from some of the staff,” he admitted.
Adam slapped him on the back. “Good job. You and the girls have outdone yourselves.”
Not hardly, but he didn’t say that. “Why don’t we sit down and eat?”
Sarah flushed. “I—”
“Sounds good to me,” Adam said as he pulled out one of the heavy chairs, dragging it along the marble flooring noisily. “After all, our girl did say she was hungry.”
If possible, Sarah’s face grew redder. “I did.”
Gingerly lowering her into the cushioned seat, he brushed a kiss across her forehead. “Here you go, Sassy.” Damn, it felt good to call her that. Every time he said Sassy, a chunk of the wall around his heart crumbled. For once, he didn’t think he minded.
“Thank you,” she replied, her eyes twinkling.
With a nod, Deke sat in the seat next to her as Adam took the chair on the other side. “Let’s eat,” he said.
And they did.
* * * *
Once dessert was served, Sarah alternated stares between Deke and Adam. She wanted to memorize this moment, to immortalize every detail—the succulent food, the sexy company, and the sensual atmosphere. She never wanted to forget how cherished she felt sitting between her two men as they fed her bites of two different desserts in their home.
“Mmm.” Sliding her eyes closed, she sighed. “Heaven.”
To her right, Adam groaned. “You have no idea.”
She grinned, knowing he didn’t mean the food, and then fluttered her eyes open. “What to taste?”