by Becca Van
“Have you ever thought about going to college?” Adam asked.
“I was at college when my sister was killed.” Preston covered her hand offering her a comforting squeeze. “I was so grief-stricken at losing my sister, my best friend, and the last of my family, I deferred indefinitely, packed up everything, and hit the road. I took whatever work I could get as I travelled from town to town and state to state for almost two years.
“When I got to Tigard, something about it just called to me.” She shrugged.
“We’re all glad you stayed, sweetie,” Adam said earnestly.
Lexis was happy she hadn’t moved on, either. She’d been about to pack up when she’d met Ana. Ana had been like a dog with a bone, coming in to the diner nearly every second day for a cup of coffee and a chat. She’d missed having another woman to talk to even if their conversations hadn’t been deep and meaningful. Now that she’d met and was in love with Preston, Adam, and Jonah, her life was full.
Screech.
Back up the truck.
What as that about love? Do you even know what love is?
Lexis pondered over her own question. If love was wanting to be around someone all the time, wanting to get close to them, to hold them and make love to them, if love was the warmth that chased away the cold and filled the empty spaces in her heart, then yes, she was in love.
“Lexis?” Preston rubbed her shoulder. “Are you okay, baby? You’ve gone really pale.”
“I’m fine.”
“What were you thinking about, love?” Jonah asked.
“Uh…” She bit her lip as she tried to decide whether to tell them about her epiphany or to keep her mouth shut. She cleared her throat. “I think I’m falling in love with you guys.”
Preston turned toward her, cupping her face between his hands. “Don’t be scared of how you feel, baby. We’re all falling in love with you, too. You don’t think we’d move just anyone into our house after only knowing them a few days, do you?”
“No,” she replied softly.
“Damn right we don’t,” Adam said.
As Preston lowered his mouth to hers, she wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted up toward him. The kiss they shared was passionate but so full of emotion her breath backed up in her lungs. After a few moments, he released her lips, stroked a finger down her cheek, and sat back in his seat.
“What were you studying in college, love?” Jonah asked.
“Physiotherapy,” she answered.
“How far did you get in your course?” Adam asked.
“Half way.”
“Would you like to go back to college?” Preston met her gaze.
She nibbled on her lip and nodded.
“Then why don’t you?” Jonah frowned.
She shook her head.
“Lexis, answer the question,” Adam said in his Dom voice.
“Because I can’t afford to.”
“You have student loans?” Jonah rose, grabbed the coffee pot and poured them all another cup.
“Yeah, but who doesn’t?”
“If I told you we have more than enough money to cover your loans and for you to go back to college, would you?” Preston asked.
“I don’t know.” Lexis would jump at the chance to get her physiotherapy degree, but she didn’t want to take her men’s money.
“I need to show you something,” Adam said, shoving his chair back and hurrying out of the room.
“What’s he up to?” She frowned.
“Just be patient, love.” Jonah winked at her.
Lexis shifted in her chair, trying to relieve the ache between her legs and ignore the desire warming her blood.
Adam was back moments later with a paper in his hand. He handed it to her with a grin.
Lexis looked down and stared at all the numbers. It took her a few moments to realize that she was holding a bank statement. There was two million dollars in the account.
“W-what…w-why…”
“That, dear heart, is what your men are worth plus the house, which is mortgage free,” Adam explained. “In other words, we own it outright and several rental properties, too.”
“You what…how?”
“My parents had life insurance,” Preston said. “As much as my father was a dictating bastard, he knew how to take care of his wife and son. When the policy came through, I bought my first house and rented it out because I’d already joined the Navy.”
“We were earning good money and not spending it,” Jonah said. “We pooled all our cash, and when we had a good stock pile, we bought another property.”
“Why do you need so many houses?” Lexis asked.
“We don’t need them, baby,” Preston answered. “We bought them for investments and lease them out to people who can’t afford to buy their own home. We make sure they’re maintained. That’s the reason I was so angry when I saw where you were living.”
Lexis nodded in understanding.
“I actually called a building inspector. As a cop, I couldn’t ignore the danger the occupants were in. We offered up two of our houses to a family of four and an older retired couple. The rest of the people were rehoused by the owner of the apartment block to a newer building,” Preston said. “It’s going to be demolished.”
“You’re so amazing,” Lexis shoved to her feet before plopping down in Preston’s lap, hugging him. “You’re all wonderful men.”
“So,” Adam said, drawing her gaze. “Will you think about going back to college?”
“I will, but I’m not going to make a decision right away. I need to weigh up the pros and cons.”
“Fair enough,” Adam said. “If you have any questions or need to talk things out with us, then don’t hesitate. Okay, sweetie?”
“Okay.”
“I need you to come down to the station on Monday, Lexis,” Preston said.
She whipped her head up at the subject change, staring into his serious eyes. He grasped her chin and kissed her forehead. She licked her lips nervously. “Why?”
“I need you to ID the two men who tried to rob the diner.”
“But I didn’t see their faces. Can’t Marcus do that?”
“Yes, but I need you to, too, baby. You heard them speaking. We’ll get them to talk and you can identify them by their voices.”
Lexis was scared about seeing the men and hearing them again, but she would point them out if it meant they paid for their crimes. “Okay.”
“Thank you, Lexis. I will be by your side the whole time. I won’t leave you alone.”
“You have no need to be scared, love,” Jonah said. “You’ll be behind a one-way mirror. Those assholes won’t know that you’re even there.”
Lexis nodded even though she knew the men would know. She and Marcus were the only people involved, so it was obvious who’d be identifying them.
“I contacted the Lincoln PD while you were at work yesterday morning,” Adam said.
Perspiration broke out on her skin, her heart thundered in her chest, and she started to pant.
“Hey, look at me, baby,” Preston commanded. She met his gaze again. “Take a breath and hold it. You’re safe. He doesn’t know even know you saw him.”
Lexis nodded again, hoping that Preston was right, but the knot of anxiety forming in her gut just seemed to get bigger and bigger.
“The picture Jonah drew has been sent nationwide,” Adam explained. “If he’s in the system, he’ll end up being caught.”
“As soon as we get to the precinct tomorrow, Adam and I will start searching for him, love. We aren’t going to stop looking until we’ve got him locked up,” Jonah said.
“And if he’s not in the system?” she asked.
“Bastards like him always fuck up at some time or another,” Preston said. “Even if it takes years, that prick is going to pay for killing your sister.”
Lexis nodded, breathed out, and inhaled again as she tried to quell her fear. She needed to be brave and strong. If she let the fear si
mmering in her belly rule, she might end up losing her mind. If that happened, her sister’s murderer might end up going free. Lexis wasn’t about to let that happen. That man needed to pay for taking her sister’s life and destroying hers. She was going to go to the police station and look through the mug shots. She didn’t care if it took her all day, all week, or all month. She wanted, needed, that asshole to pay for taking her sister’s life. A shiver of fear skated up her spine, causing goosebumps to race over her skin. Her stomach roiled, and her heart stopped beating.
What if he’d killed before? What if Alicia hadn’t been his first victim? How many other people had lost their lives because of that murdering bastard?
Lexis owed so much to Alicia, and this was the only thing she could give her deceased sister some peace.
She was going to make sure that prick ended up in prison.
Chapter Fifteen
“Are you ready, love?” Jonah asked as he leaned against the doorframe, taking in the outfit he and Adam had picked out for Lexis to wear to the club the previous evening.
She licked her lips nervously as she tugged on the hem of the short skirt and the corset with her other hand.
Their woman might be feeling uncomfortable wearing something she wasn’t used to, but Jonah thought she looked sexy as fuck. The black leather mini skirt hugged her hips and upper thighs. The red and black bustier-type corset pushed her gorgeous breasts up until they looked like they were going to spill out the top. Her legs looked a mile long since she was wearing five inch heels.
Turner Pike, the owner of Club of Dominance, had invited some of the members and his friends to play at the club for the afternoon. He, Preston, and Adam were excited to visit and play with their woman. The atmosphere of the club would be electric with sexual tension. He and his lovers had all picked up on Lexis’s voyeuristic tendencies and hoped that she would also become comfortable being on display. So far, she hadn’t shown that she liked being an exhibitionist, but they also hadn’t given her a chance to react to being watched.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Lexis answered softly as she lifted a trembling hand to her hair.
Jonah stepped closer to her, cupping her face between his hands, and met her gaze. “Do you remember reading over all the rules, love?”
She nodded then frowned. “I do, but there were so many of them. Could you please refresh my memory?”
“The most important rule there is, is that all things must be safe, sane, and consensual. We’ll talk to you before we begin a scene.”
“Scene?”
Jonah didn’t know if any of them had used that word with Lexis, but one thing he wouldn’t and couldn’t forget was how new to BDSM she was. “A scene is just another word for our kinky playing.”
“Oh. Okay, that makes sense.”
“When we get to the club, you aren’t allowed to speak unless we give you permission. If you wish to talk, you need to ask politely for permission.”
“Why can’t I talk?”
“Because you’ll be giving over control of yourself to your Doms, love. Everything you do will be because we will it. Your pleasure is ours to give, not for you to take. That’s what being submissive and Dominant is all about.”
“Why are you both?” Lexis asked.
“Being a cop means that I have to be in control and alert to danger and just plain vigilant at all times. Sometimes, I just need a break from being so responsible, alert and having that much power. It’s freeing to just let go and feel. Am I right?”
“Yeah, you are.”
“Preston isn’t going to submit while we’re at the club. Adam and I wouldn’t expect him to give up all his control while we’re out in public, but that’s okay with us. Now that he’s given up his will here at home, I don’t think he’ll hesitate to do so again.”
Lexis drew in a ragged breath. “That was pretty damn hot.”
“Hell yes it was.” Jonah winked. “I was on such a high with all those feel-good endorphins heating my blood, and I don’t mind that he will always want to be on top while we’re out.”
“I know what you mean,” she said. “You all make me feel so safe, but Preston just seems to have this inbuilt radar for trouble, and he has this innate instinct to know what I want and need before I do myself.”
“He does, and that’s what makes him such a great Dom.” Jonah leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “Where’s your coat, love? We’d better get you covered up so you don’t get cold.”
“I don’t have a coat.” She frowned.
“Yes, you do, Lexis.” Jonah dropped his hands from her face and turned toward the closet. After opening the doors, he pushed clothes aside, then reached into the back. He held up a long, tan-colored suede, lined coat.
“Oh! It’s gorgeous.”
“Not as gorgeous as you are, love.” Jonah held the coat up so she could slip her arms into the sleeves. He hoped it wasn’t too heavy for her or too hot, but if she ended up overheating she could remove it without being embarrassed. She was covered plenty even if what she was wearing under the jacket was sexy as hell.
Jonah had been in a state of excited anticipation since he’d opened his eyes first thing this morning. He and his lovers hadn’t told her they were going out until it was time to get ready. They hadn’t wanted Lexis overthinking things and becoming too nervous. He snorted as he met her stunning blue eyes. She looked as excited as he felt.
He just hoped that whatever Preston had in mind for tonight wasn’t out of the realm of Lexis’s comfort zone. He didn’t want her using her safe word to stop their scene.
Jonah wanted to see just how far Lexis was willing to go to please them sexually.
He was an exhibitionist and loved having other people watching him and his lovers while they fucked. Adam didn’t care one way or the other as long as he ended up orgasming. Preston got off showing everyone how masterful and in control he was. The dynamics of their physical relationship had been honed down to a fine art.
It was going to be interesting and exciting to see Lexis caught up in all the pleasure they were going to give her.
He couldn’t wait for the afternoon outing to begin.
* * * *
Lexis let Preston, Adam, and Jonah guide her through to the inner sanctum of the club. There was already an abundance of people milling about the great room, laughing and talking. She spotted Ana and her men and smiled, but mindful of being obedient, she didn’t speak or wave to her friend. Ana had no such qualms, lifting her hand to wave at Lexis, which earned her an immediate slap on the ass. Instead of being outraged, Ana giggled as she cozied up closer to one of her men.
“Do you want something to drink, baby?” Preston asked as he guided her toward the bar.
“No, thank you, Sir,” she answered politely. It was a little too early in the day for her to want to imbibe on an alcoholic beverage.
“A water then,” Adam said as he leant against the bar and raised his finger. Moments later, he handed out three bottles of water, opening the fourth and taking a few sips from his own.
Lexis sipped from her own bottle, glancing about while keeping her eyes shaded with her lowered lashes. When she saw a woman in what looked like a swing, her whole body supported by the straps, her blood began to heat. One of her Doms was fucking her pussy, and there was another man standing near her head. The subs neck was tilted, and each time the Dom pulled on the straps of the swing, he impaled her on his hard cock. When he swung her away, she took the other man’s hard dick into her mouth. She was moaning and gasping with pleasure.
It was so hot cream dripped onto her folds and soaked into the crotch of the lace teddy she had on underneath the corset and skirt.
A few people were dancing on the dance floor to the techno beat playing loudly over the speakers. Two of the women were completely naked except for stiletto heels and collars around their necks. The men dancing with them caressed their hands over their asses, breasts, and pussies. One of the women was even getting fi
nger fucked right there for anyone to see.
Lexis’s pussy clenched, her breasts swelled, and her nipples began to ache. Up on the raised stage in the middle of the room was a male sub, his back to the St. Andrews cross. His female Domme lashed his skin with small flogger, and no part of his anatomy was off limits. The man groaned when she lashed the tendrils at his full heavy hanging balls before flicking at the tip of his engorged cock.
It was so hot she began to pant.
“Is there anything you wouldn’t want to try in here, sweetie?” Adam asked.
After sucking in a deep breath and thinking about the question, Lexis answered honestly, “No, Sir.”
Lexis was so turned on she couldn’t wait to see what her Doms had in store for her. She guzzled down the rest of her water and placed the empty bottle on the bar. “Permission to speak please, Sirs?”
“Very nice, love.” Jonah smiled at her.
Warmth filled her heart at his praise. Lexis no longer questioned the reason why she wanted to please her men with everything sexual. It just was, and there was no point trying figure out why she was the way she was. She was just glad that her men fit in with her kink. In fact, they were all perfect for her, and she hoped that she was perfect for them.
“Permission granted, baby,” Preston said.
“I need to use the bathroom. Could one of you please point out where it is?”
“I’ll show you, sweetie.” Adam laced his fingers with hers and led her across the room. He smiled and greeted several Doms as he guided her to the restrooms. She was just about to push the door to the women’s bathroom open but stopped when Adam squeezed her hand. She turned and met his gaze. “Take off your skirt and corset, Lexis.”
While she wasn’t ashamed of her body, she also wasn’t used to flaunting it. However, she also didn’t want to piss off one of her Doms. Inhaling to try and quell the nervous fluttering in her belly, she slowly unhooked the eyes down the front of her top and removed it, then handed it to Adam. Her trembling fingers felt uncooperative but after a few tries she finally managed to undo the button and lower the zipper on the side of the leather skirt. She shoved her thumbs into the waistband, wiggling her hips as she shimmied out of the garment until it was pooling around her feet.