Ready for Him

by Tanith Davenport

  And Jade’s stomach spiralled as she remembered the other, less-publicised aspect of Will Vandenmeer.

  His club.

  It had created a frenzy in the press at first, but the stories had come to an abrupt halt—probably, Jade guessed, due to a heavy-handed legal team. The Sanctuary was hidden in the heart of New York City, a haven for those who lived the hardcore BDSM lifestyle. Patrons were protected, behaviour was strictly regulated, and membership was revoked for the slightest infringement. It was not a place for dabblers.

  Will Vandenmeer was a dominant, and didn’t care who knew it.

  ‘You’re safe with me’. Will was holding her gaze now, and Jade refused to look away, although her body was rebelling against her—torn between the flutter of nerves in her gut and a stab of desire in her cunt.

  Maybe she was safe with him. Maybe she wasn’t.

  Or maybe she didn’t want to be.

  “Okay. Tell me what you know about me.”

  Jade’s fingers involuntarily clenched around the stem of her glass.

  “Wait.” Will picked up his own glass, holding his other hand out as though calming a spooked horse. “Scrap that for now. Let me tell you what I’m getting from you.”

  Oh really? Jade raised one pierced eyebrow at him.

  “What’s your full name?”

  “Jade Bleecker.”

  “Nice. Jade Bleecker.” Will took a sip from his glass. “You’re a strong woman. You clearly know how to handle yourself. You’ve got at least three tattoos and two piercings that I can see, and probably more that I can’t, so you’re not afraid of pain. And you know what BDSM is, right?”

  Jade nodded slowly. Where are you going with this?

  “Right. And you’re curious about it.” Will was watching her very closely as he spoke, and Jade held herself very still. “But you think it means all the worst things people say. You think dominants beat their submissives down, that we don’t give a damn about their pleasure, that we expect them to give up everything for our benefit. Right?”

  I’m not telling you anything. Jade could feel her face falling into a mask. If Will noticed, he made no comment.

  “Are you single?”

  “Mmm.”

  “‘Mmm’? Okay.” Will’s eyes were dancing, and Jade’s jaw set in annoyance. “What would you say if I told you that BDSM is nothing like that, Jade?”

  Silence fell between them.

  “What would you say if I offered to—?”

  “Wait.” Jade held up a hand, cursing inwardly as she realised it was trembling.

  What the hell am I doing?

  You want this, a voice taunted in her head.

  I don’t even know him and he’s talking about BDSM. I can’t do this. I can’t.

  But the image from the bar of herself held down, tied down, putting all her trust in one man, still flickered in her head, and something inside her was urging her forward.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking,” Will said, breaking into her thoughts, and Jade found herself answering without thinking.

  “I couldn’t do it.”

  “Do you want to?”

  “That doesn’t matter. I couldn’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I don’t trust any man with my body.” Jade snapped her mouth shut abruptly, hating the look that had come into Will’s eyes at the words.

  Because I’ve been fucked over before. Because I’m a screw-up. Because I don’t need your fucking pity. Go to hell.

  “That’s actually a very good reason why you could.”

  Jade looked up at him, torn between curiosity and defiance.

  “What does that mean?”

  Will tilted his head to one side, looking her up and down. “You look like a person who might like dangerous sports. Think of bungee jumping. The danger is what attracts people, but any reputable company has a thousand regulations in place before they let anyone do it, precisely because of that danger. Right?

  “BDSM works the same way. You’re right not to trust just anyone—but in the community—in my club, for instance, relationships are tightly controlled. Every Dom has rules to follow, as does every sub. Break the rules and you’re thrown out. We protect our patrons.”

  Jade nodded slowly.

  “Not everyone uses contracts, but even without them, limits and boundaries are agreed beforehand. So are safewords. The universal word is ‘red’, but many people choose their own. If I did anything to you that you didn’t want, you would use your word and I would stop—no questions asked. The trust is absolute.”

  “I see.”

  Jade reached for her drink, but her hand was shaking, and hastily she put it back on the table. As if he could tell what she was feeling, Will’s voice took on a seductive quality, and Jade bit down on her lip as a rush of desire flashed through her body.

  “It’s all about needs. Ours are different, that’s all. You take pleasure in doing what I want. I take pleasure in fulfilling your needs. It has to be reciprocal.”

  I take pleasure… You take pleasure… He’s talking as though we’re going to—

  The thought made her catch her breath. Immediately Will’s eyes were on hers, and Jade found it impossible to look away.

  “Do you still think you couldn’t do it?”

  “No.”

  Will arched an eyebrow. “Would you like me to show you?”

  I want…

  “Yes,” Jade heard herself saying, unable to drag her gaze away from Will’s. He smiled.

  “Then let’s begin. Let me see you. Take them off.”

  Jade stood, narrowing her eyes at him. “Just me?”

  “For now.”

  Okay. I can do this. Maintaining eye contact, Jade drew up the edge of her sequinned vest, slowly lifting until it was over her head. The glittering material dropped to the floor at her feet.

  Her black trousers were more difficult—close-fitting, they refused to simply fall. She unbuttoned the top and crouched to lower them, standing again as they pooled around her ankles before kicking them aside. Her boots slid off at the same time.

  “Do you always wear black underwear?” Will asked. His tone was casual, but there was an edge to his voice that made Jade shiver.

  “Not always.”

  “Good. Keep going.”

  Reaching behind her, Jade unsnapped her bra and let it slide down her arms. She lifted her chin defiantly as Will’s eyes widened. This always got a reaction.

  Will crossed to stand in front of her, looking down at her breasts. Jade bit back a smirk. She knew exactly what he was staring at.

  “Big enough for you?”

  “Perfect. Big enough, perky enough. Tell me, Jade—” Will reached out to cover one breast with his hand, drawing one thumb slowly over the peaked nipple. “What made you decide to get these?”

  Jade glanced down at the tattoo, coloured a matching shade of pink, designed to give the illusion of heart-shaped nipples. “I like them. Do you?”

  “Very much.” His thumb was still moving, and Jade caught her breath. “Did you know you can get this done surgically?”

  “I had heard, but I don’t have that kind of money.”

  Will’s eyes glinted. “I do.”

  “Would you like me to take the rest off…sir?” Jade threw in the last word with a coy look, meaning to provoke him, but something in the deferential term sent a sting straight to her clit. The corner of Will’s mouth quirked slightly, as if he knew exactly what she had just done to herself.

  “Turn around before you do. I want to check out your ass.”

  Slowly Jade turned on the spot, hooking her thumbs into the waistband of her panties. She heard shuffling behind her, and guessed Will had stepped back for a better view—fine, then she would give him something to see. Rather than let them fall, she lowered her panties all the way down to her ankles, feeling herself grow wet at the thought of how exposed she was.

  “Stop. Don’t move.” And, before she could even breathe, s
he felt his fingers sliding inside her.

  Jade gasped, tightening her grip on her ankles as she struggled to keep her balance. She felt another finger slip forward to torment her clit in soft, slow motions, teasing, daring her to move.

  “Oh, yeah,” Will said behind her, low and breathless. “To die for.”

  Jade bit her lip to stifle a moan as his fingers continued to move. His other hand ran over the curve of her ass, his thumb tucking into the cleft, and she groaned as the pad of flesh ran over her tight hole.

  “First rule.” Will’s voice had taken on a commanding tone. “Most Doms don’t allow their subs to come without permission.” His fingers twisted, and Jade gasped. “I don’t work that way. Unless I tell you otherwise, I don’t want you holding back your pleasure. I expect you to come as often as you can, and as loudly as you can, because I want you to remember who’s in control here. Is that understood?”

  “Yes,” Jade moaned as his thumb pressed down on her hole, feeling the familiar aching tingle begin in her gut.

  “Good.” The teasing movements on her clit grew stronger. “Then stop biting your lip and come when you’re ready, or I’ll have to remind you who’s in charge.”

  His fingers twisted again, and Jade let go with a cry. Her knees buckled as the pleasure overwhelmed her, and she staggered, letting go of her ankles, but a hand on her hip steadied her.

  “That’s it. Stand up when you’re ready.”

  Fuck. The room swirled around her as she stood. Will’s hands were resting on her waist—as her vision cleared, she felt his grip tighten, turning her to face him. His eyes bored into hers, sharp in their intensity.

  “You’re doing well so far. Now undress me.”

  Jade responded to the order before she realised what she was doing. God, I can’t believe I’m doing this. As she closed her fingers on the hem of his T-shirt, she found herself wishing he had been wearing something more formal. A suit and tie would have been easier to remove than something that needed lifting over his head.

  On the other hand, it saved time on buttons and knots.

  Will’s bare chest was smooth—both nipples were pierced with silver rings, each dangling a small diamond. A light trail of blond hair led from his navel to the waistband of his jeans. He was already hard, and Jade was unable to resist caressing the tip of his cock as she unzipped his fly, kneeling as she did so. A gasp from above her, followed by a low chuckle, told her that this wasn’t unwelcome.

  “Oh, you’re going to be a hot one, I can tell. Keep going.”

  He wore no underwear, and his cock sprang free as Jade tugged his jeans down to the floor. Jade paused and glanced up at him, still on her knees, wondering what he had in mind next.

  Will arched an eyebrow at her. His cock twitched, immediately drawing her attention.

  “I would give you instructions, Miss Bleecker, but I think you know what to do here. Make it good.”

  Jade raised herself on her knees, putting herself level with his shaft. She licked her lips as she clasped one hand around the base, watching as a sparkling droplet of pre-come oozed free.

  Make it good? She’d show him.

  Chapter Three

  She began by cupping his balls.

  Above her, Will gasped, and his cock twitched again. Jade leant forward, feeling the soft skin tighten in her hand, and slowly slid her lips over the head, pressing her tongue to the tip.

  He was uncut. She liked that in a man—it made jerking him off so much easier, and gave blowing him more variety. Carefully she drew more of the firm flesh into her mouth, tucking her lips over her teeth—although maybe he didn’t mind teeth? Best not to test that at this stage.

  “I suggest you don’t tease, Miss Bleecker.” There was a strained edge to Will’s voice. “Unless you like the idea of discipline.”

  Oh, discipline? An image of herself over Will’s knee, naked rump in the air, him spanking her into a state of flushed arousal, came into Jade’s mind and for a moment she considered making him wait even longer. Ultimately she decided against it. Blowing him was a pleasure in itself—no point making them both suffer.

  She took a deep breath and surged forward, swallowing him down to the root.

  Will cried out, a howl somewhere between surprise and delight. Jade drew back, dragging her lips almost to the slit, running her tongue hard along the underside of his cock. She pushed forward again, feeling his head bump the back of her throat, and wrapped her other hand around the base as she felt his hips start to jerk rhythmically.

  “Oh, yeah. Oh, yes…”

  The familiar salty taste of pre-cum filled her mouth as she worked, swallowing over and over, and she slid a finger behind his balls to tease the sensitive skin there. Will’s fingers clenched in her hair—he was moaning, his thighs were trembling, he was close, so very close, and she—

  “Stop.”

  Seriously? For fuck’s sake! Jade sat back on her heels and looked up at him, a little irritated. Will was flushed, gasping for breath, as though he was right on the edge.

  “Stand up,” was all he said.

  Jade stood, deliberately brushing the tip of his cock with her breasts as she did so. The look in Will’s eyes stopped her in her tracks.

  “Go sit on the edge of the bed. Don’t argue.”

  The tautness in his face, in his muscles, was enough to convince Jade. Without a word she crossed to the far doorway and into the bedroom.

  Wow. This place is amazing.

  The bedposts were ornately carved wood, decorated with swathes of Oriental silk. The satin bed sheets slid under her bare ass as she sat down on the bed. Craning her neck back, she saw that the ceiling and the top of the four-poster bed were elaborately decorated in swirls of gold, some of which looked like dragons.

  Then Will appeared in the doorway and, without stopping, strode straight up to her, and Jade immediately snapped her attention back to him.

  “I would have tied you to the bedposts, but right now I don’t want to take the time. Lie back and spread yourself out for me.”

  Jade threw herself back on the bed, letting her arms fall on the pillows and planting her feet on the mattress, drawing her knees back. Will’s eyes were on her, scorching, and for a moment Jade imagined how she must look—splayed on the bed, upturned breasts tipped with pink hearts, butterflies and roses tattooed along arms and ribs, the glinting green of an emerald navel ring—and lower, moist rosy lips and coral centre standing out against the pale skin of her thighs.

  And wanting him. God, the need was rising again, and he was watching her, his eyes resting on every part of her body in turn, and when Jade pulled her knees back farther something seemed to snap in Will’s eyes and he dived onto the bed, landing with his elbows either side of her head and his face directly above hers.

  Jade was barely able to register his nearness—so close, his fresh scent, so hot—when Will roughly covered her mouth with his in a brutal kiss. Her body jerked as a sudden fullness told her that he had entered her at the same time.

  Will broke the kiss briefly and Jade shivered at the look on his face. “Don’t move,” he snarled, and Jade had time only to nod before his mouth was on hers again, his tongue strafing hers.

  She fisted her hands in the pillows, resisting the urge to clutch at his shoulders. Her nipples peaked, brushing his chest with every thrust—his pelvic bone pressed down on her clit, sending aftershocks of pleasure through her body. Will groaned with every stroke, she could feel the vibrations from his tongue to hers, and the sensations were building again, that ache in her clit, her inner walls clenching down on him…

  “Oh!” Will gasped, tearing his mouth from hers, and Jade screamed as her body convulsed around his for the final time.

  * * * *

  At eight a.m., Jade closed the door of the Penthouse Suite behind her and made her way back to the elevator.

  Her own room was a few floors below. Quickly she let herself in, showered and changed into a vest and jeans before heading downstairs
to the restaurant for breakfast.

  She had left Will ordering room service. After they had fallen asleep the night before, she had woken to a beautiful vista of light from the wall-to-wall bedroom window. Her own room was attractive enough, but she had to admit that spending the night with a billionaire had its perks.

  Even if one of those perks was utter exhaustion. She had been out cold almost immediately after Will had hit the light switch. Even now she still felt a residual ache in her legs.

  Will Vandenmeer. God, what the others would say. Leonie would turn into a squealing wreck. Shaundra would be hopelessly jealous. And Piper—well, Piper would be wondering if Jade was going to see him again.

  Was she?

  It wasn’t something they’d discussed. Maybe he just saw it as a one-night stand. Hell, maybe she just saw it as a one-night stand. Her head was in a whirl.

  But there was one way to help sort her brain out, and that was to switch it off for a while. As she crossed the lobby to the restaurant, she could already see the others standing at the buffet, and she quickened her pace.

  Jade chose not to tell where she had spent the night over the breakfast table. As the only one not hopelessly hungover, she kept the conversation on lighter topics. Leonie and Shaundra still wanted to go shopping, while Piper was still keen to spend the morning in the casino—the afternoon was booked up for a hair and makeup trial run, although by the look of Leonie in particular it would take a lot of foundation to make her look human.

  Piper had recovered sufficiently after her pancakes to be quite chatty on their way into the casino. As they settled at a pair of slot machines, Jade took a deep breath and said it.

  “That guy in the bar last night? He was Will Vandenmeer.”

  Piper paused for a moment, then her eyes widened.

  “Will Vandenmeer? As in Vandenmeer Hotels?”

  “That’s him.”

  “And I take it you two—”

  “Yeah.”

  Piper whistled approvingly. Jade gave a casual shrug and turned back to her machine. It would take a few minutes for Piper to process it, she knew.