by Sara Brookes
He needed space. Kochran wasn’t against looking at all the gorgeous window dressing, but Ezra needed something else. More than likely, the last thing he was looking for was a fucked-in-the-head alpha Dominant who had a secret past as a submissive. The safest thing to do was slam down on his arousal. The guy needed a few breaks in life, not more difficulties.
After his extraordinarily cold shower, he discovered Ezra had left. As he poured himself another mug full of the delicious coffee Ezra had prepared, Kochran didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed.
Fuck me.
Chapter Ten
A week after her quick trip to New York, Maddy decided to take advantage of her day off with a stroll through her favorite stationery store, Take Note. This wasn’t the sort of place where a consumer could purchase a plain paper ream for their everyday computer needs. It was the kind of store where paper was bought by the sheet. Where a patron could spend hours deciding between the delicate stacks of paper or the heavy weight of stylish enamel pens.
The small store in Fairfield also wasn’t the type of place she expected to see the owner of Noble House shopping on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. But as she rounded a corner, she spotted Kochran studying a display of perfect-bound notebooks. Though he wasn’t impeccably dressed like normal, his dark jeans and faded red shirt fit him as well as a tailored suit. The cut defined his broad shoulders, the short sleeves exposing his forearms. A watch wrapped around his right wrist. She’d never been so fascinated with a man’s favored hand, but for some unknown reason, the fact Kochran was left-handed fascinated her. The sneakers on his feet were worn, but not dirty. He was a normal man on a normal day out shopping. His hair looked as though he’d just rolled out of bed. He also wore a battered brown leather belt, and she had a sudden, blinding image form in her mind of him stripping it off and using it on her. Not because she’d misbehaved, but simply because he’d known she would enjoy it.
Would she?
She’d never thought of pain mingled with the pleasure of sex until she’d agreed to work for Noble House. Until she’d had unrestricted access to the archives. As she approached, she wondered what his office at the club looked like. If he had one of those fancy stacked organizers filled with sheets of paper, sorted by color and style. Perhaps a box filled with a selection of fountain pens and pots filled with a colorful array of inks.
Or maybe that was just her stationery fetish. Most women could drop serious funds on purses, clothes and shoes, but office supply stores were Maddy’s chosen place to binge shop. Pens, notecards and pads of exquisite paper in all shades of the rainbow begging to be used. Her deep, abiding love for the feel of expensive paper between her fingers was only matched with her fascination for ones and zeros. The two interests couldn’t be more varied, but she loved them both equally. Coding notes written on expensive paper with a fountain pen? Her own personal nirvana.
When he reached out and touched the spine of a neon green notebook, his eyes narrowing as he picked it up and studied it intently, she stopped. He tucked it against his palm as though weighing the object’s mass. The shock of color wasn’t what she’d expected him to select, but he moved on to a display of pens with the notebook still in his hand.
The slip of paper with his personal cell phone number that he’d tucked into her pocket made sense now. He could have easily taken her phone to input his number. Most men she knew wouldn’t be caught dead in this kind of package supply house, preferring to lurk around video game havens and comic book stores. Writing a note for him wasn’t an act, it was an experience.
He used the same appraising look as he examined the neat column of writing instruments. He selected one, studying a cobalt blue jewel tone pen with an appraising eye, as though he was measuring up a prospective lover. Assessing if it was worthy of belonging to him. Her throat went dry at the idea of him choosing a submissive for the night in the same manner.
He returned it to the display case, shaking his head as he carefully examined the other selections. As he straightened, he faced her, his eyes going half-lidded as he smiled. The dark lashes framed his brown eyes intensifying the look of utter desire he aimed her way.
“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” Maddy stammered out as her cheeks heated.
“You are always welcome to bother me, Madeline.”
His open appraisal coursed over her legs, her swaying hips, the movement of her body as she came to stand beside him. Just as she leaned one hip against the glass display case, his gaze reached her face. The heat kindling in his eyes made delicious things happen between her legs.
As Maddy took a steadying breath, she struggled to remember why she’d come to the store. Then she spotted something over Kochran’s shoulder. Not what she’d come for, but instead a beautiful stack of notecards. The top edge was the palest blue and transitioned down at the bottom to a blue so deep it was almost black. Along the bottom quarter, nestled in that blue-black, was a row of sparkling stars and hearts. Matching envelopes sat in the display box next to the cards, the same stunning design in the left corner, shining against the deep blue, as though they’d been plucked from space and woven between the fibers of the paper.
Poppy Coverdale, the owner of the store, grinned as she presented the box to Maddy. “Just arrived Tuesday, special order from Japan. One of my regulars put in the order, but they weren’t what she was expecting when they were delivered.”
Maddy touched the stars and hearts, sighing at the texture. “Not really my style, but wow. Impressive.”
“Hard to believe anything in this store isn’t your style.”
Maddy smiled at Kochran’s good-natured jab. “They’re too dark to be practical. You’d have to use a special ink just to write a note. I don’t have anything like that in my supply stash.”
“Hang on.” Kochran disappeared around the corner, vanishing from sight.
“I got in a shipment of those adorable adhesive notes you like. Have them in the back for the next time you came in. Give me a second.” Poppy scooted off, fumbling for her glasses, which were perched on top of her head.
Kochran returned, the cobalt blue pen he’d been examining earlier in one hand and a pot of metallic silver ink in the other. Maddy watched in fascination as he expertly disassembled the pen, filled the reservoir and fit the barrel back into place without spilling a drop.
“I would have been covered in silver. Given the Tin Man a run for his money.”
“It’s just a simple cartridge fountain pen. Nothing to it.”
Maddy stared at him in wide-eyed wonder as he plucked a card from the top of the stack. He formed a few letters with precise and deliberate strokes. No extra flourishes or whorls that some people used to add decorative touches to their handwriting. Once he’d finished, he lifted the card, blowing gently across the surface to help speed the process. Maddy’s skin pebbled with gooseflesh, as though he was breathing against her body. Somehow Kochran made the whole experience of writing sexual.
“There.” He handed her the notecard.
The expensive paper had a high-grade linen feel. Unable to stop herself, she lifted the sheet to her nose, sniffing the faint musky cologne that clung to the corner where he’d rested his hand. The scent drew her in, a dizzying combination when mixed with the aroma of the ink and the new paper.
She touched the glittering silver letters Kochran had written. Madeline. A slow, tumbling roll like a child spinning down a hill on a long summer evening flipped her stomach. Did tingly things to her. If they’d been alone, she would have crawled up his body, spread her legs and shoved herself onto him. Stationery and pens had always been a euphoric experience for her, but Kochran had just vaulted it to the next level. And judging by his smug grin, he damn well knew it.
“I can’t afford anything this lavish. And if you’re going to say you’ll buy it for me, I won’t have any of that, thank-you-very-much.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He swept up the entire pile and cradled it like a newborn baby. “I’m buying them so I can write you notes that make you look at me like you’re eye-fucking me like you just were.” He left her standing at the case alone as he walked toward the front register.
“Everything all right, dear?”
Poppy’s question made Maddy jump. “Is it hot in here?” Maddy fanned herself as she scooped up the assortment of cellophane wrapped notepads Poppy had brought her without looking. Heat pricked at her skin as she waited in line behind Kochran. After he paid for his purchase, he waited at the end of the counter for her. The handle of her paper bag dampened as she approached him again.
Sweaty palms, Zane? You sure know how to take sexy to the next level.
“Care to join me for a cup of coffee and maybe a pastry? There’s a good bakery in Ashes Fork,” Kochran offered. Maddy bit her lip to keep from blurting out an immediate agreement. “You know there’s no reason to be afraid of me.”
She swallowed as she looked up to him. “What if I want to be?”
* * *
Dangerous thoughts surged inside Kochran. It must have clearly showed in his expression because she’d avoided eye contact as her cheeks flushed an alluring shade of pink. “Just coffee,” he insisted as he tamped down on his desire.
“Fine,” she said carefully. “But I’ll meet you there.”
Watching her walk away had taken a remarkable act of restraint. He hadn’t intended to make a day of shopping, but once he’d seen her, he hadn’t been able to resist spending more time with her.
He’d thought about her often. How her lips had pressed enticingly against his. How sweetly soft her body had been. How she had enough restraint to walk away from him even though the desire had been written all over her face.
The lighting inside Vanilla was golden and indirect, a homey touch that brought regulars around for miles. Kochran had directed her to a booth by a wide plate glass window painted with the bakery’s logo. While he waited his turn in line, he watched how the afternoon sun streamed through the glass and highlighted the bits of gilded color in her blonde hair. He wanted to stare and drink in the fine features and grace of Madeline Zane. The way she took out the note he’d written for her on that ridiculously expensive notecard and gently traced the letters. The paper could have pure gold and he still would have bought it to write her notes. He’d never done that before, for friends, family or lovers. Never wanted to until he’d seen the way her face had lit up. How she looked at him as though she wanted him to take her right then and there.
“Well hello, stranger. Been a while since you’ve come in.”
Kochran tore his gaze away from Madeline. The owner of the bakery, Charlene Husk, had spun up her strawberry blonde hair into a messy bun and painted her lips a vibrant shade of red that made her pale skin appear even more translucent. Though her makeup wasn’t as heavy as on nights she worked the stage with the band, she still used kohl to rim her friendly blue eyes.
“You know I can’t stay away from your scones.”
“Long as you keep that girlish figure of yours to bring in the women to the shows, you can have all the scones you want.” Charlie pulled one out of the case, set it on an antique plate that she handed to him. “And for your lady friend?”
“One of those fruit tarts, and a vow you’ll stop looking at me like that.”
“Oh, come on.” She affected a pout for a split second before her knowing grin returned. “You never bring anyone in here. Usually you’re too busy taking up real estate on the couches reserved for paying customers, writing songs in those notebooks you love so much.” She waved off the bill he offered as she keyed in his order and zeroed it out. She waved him off again when he held out his hand for the two mugs she’d filled with coffee.
A sudden terrifying thought stabbed at his stomach. “No. No, Charlene, no you don’t.”
“Oh hell yeah.” Charlie ducked under the counter, expertly balancing the two very full mugs, and headed directly for Maddy. He swore under his breath as he scooped up the two plates with their pastries and beat a quick path to the booth. He made it just as Maddy was introducing herself.
“Kochran was just telling me you’re the newest employee at the club I pretend doesn’t exist.”
Kochran rolled his eyes. “Charlie likes to pretend everyone in the world is having the same, boring, missionary style sex she isn’t having.”
Charlie stuck her tongue out. “Not everyone needs all the extras.”
“Kink has its place. So does vanilla.” Maddy bit off a corner of the fruit tart and groaned. “Have to say, Charlie, your pastries are anything but plain and unexciting.”
“Thank you. Don’t let this one convince you to do wild perverted things just to satisfy his sense of adventure.” Charlie waved over her shoulder as she moved to another table to chat with one of her regulars.
Kochran blew out a steadying breath. “She likes to butt in.”
“She’s sweet. Adores you, obviously.” Maddy brushed the crumbs from her fingers as something shifted in her expression. “You treasure her as well. Unless I’m mistaken about the familiar scent I caught as soon as we walked in.”
“What?” he responded, caught off guard by her affectionate smile. “It smells like a bakery.”
“It also smells like a certain club. Not the sex part, of course. It’s...warm and inviting. I suspect you use some custom formulation at Noble House to help mask the usual chemical aroma of cleaners so members don’t feel like they’re in sterile surroundings.”
“That’s ridiculous,” he said mildly. Even though she was the only one who’d ever figured out the secret, he wasn’t interested in confirming. He’d spent a hefty sum making sure it was perfect and he intended to keep it that way.
She stared at him for a long moment before saying casually, “How do you know each other?”
“Her family moved in across the street, much to my parents’ displeasure.”
Maddy lifted her coffee halfway to her mouth, paused and smiled back. “Riff raff dirtying up the neighborhood?”
“Our sisters have been dating since right after graduation.” As Kochran suspected, Maddy didn’t bat an eye. Her open mind was one more trait he adored about her.
“Quite the scandal, I take it?”
“You have no idea.” Kochran thought back to the day the family had discovered the relationship. The screaming demands to conform. Noelle loathed the idea of her daughter being a lesbian. If she knew the truth about her son, she would probably keel over.
“Are they still together?”
“For the time being.”
Maddy frowned. “You make it sound as though they’re having some troubles.”
Kochran sighed. It never got easier taking about his sister’s illness. “Tory, my kid sister, has a medical condition that will eventually kill her. Very soon, in fact.” He grew somber as he thought about his last visit to the hospice.
“I’m sorry.” A glimmer of sadness crossed her expression. “They must be very special women to stay together and endure something like that.”
“They are.” Kochran finished his scone, marveling once again at his friend’s talent. “Charlie and I became friends when we discovered a mutual interest in music.”
“Oh really?” Maddy’s eyes danced with curiosity. “I can’t imagine you with long hair and singing into a microphone in a garage.”
“Hey, I looked damn awesome with long hair.” He held up his index finger and pinky, throwing himself back into the days where hair bands and metal had ruled the music charts. “I play the drums, actually. And we set up in a shed in the Husk family’s backyard. Charlie’s mom kept us all fed with homemade cookies and lemonade most of the summer.”
Maddy held the last bite of her tart. “Must be where she’s gotten her talent.”
“The wh
ole Husk family is talented.” Unlike his parents, who were too busy hobnobbing with their elite, rich friends to bother with their children’s activities. His father had given up on the idea Kochran would take over the family business. His mother...well, she lived happily with her delusions of grandeur. “Charlie is the lead singer. Paddy and Jolie round out the rest of Duality.”
“Did you guys ever try to take it beyond the garage?”
Kochran shrugged. “We had a few agents talk to us early on, but I didn’t feel right traipsing around the country when Tory couldn’t get out and live her life.” More like he wanted to be close to home and be the shield that protected Tory from their mother. On the road, he couldn’t do that. “We’re happy playing the local bars now. Lets us all stay close to home. What about you? Any legal activities your parents can be proud of?”
“Just the normal stuff.”
“I assure you, Madeline...” He lowered his voice as he angled forward. “There is nothing normal about you.”
“You know, from anyone else, I would take offense to that.”
He couldn’t help himself. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand, flicking his tongue out to gently lick the delicate skin between two of her knuckles. “And you know, I’m not anyone else.”
* * *
When the symbols on Ezra’s screen had started to make his eyes bleed, he’d known it was break time. The weather was nice enough that he’d decided to take a stroll down Main to clear his head since he was working from home. It had worked too. Five minutes prior, the solution to a bit of code that had been giving him a fit, had presented itself.
He’d been in a rush to get home to work on the issue again, but came upon an inviting bench positioned outside of Three Mile Bookstore. It wasn’t comfortable by any means, or visually appealing, with faded and chipping blue paint, but it was functional and that was all he needed. He retrieved his cell phone to pull up an app that would sync the information he typed in to his computer. The cloud-based application had saved more than one project when he had no access to his system.