Take a Chance

by Lavender Daye

  “Have sex with me, but without the dominance.”

  He answered with a quick shake of his head. “I won’t have sex with you, baby. But I’ll try to keep the dominance to a minimum while we make love.”

  Pressure in her chest caused moisture to collect and she blinked several times, hoping he wouldn’t notice. He leaned close and kissed the tears away, forcing her to give up the pretense.

  A relief, really.

  His mouth moved lower and took hers with a passion she’d yearned for during their separation. Hands moved over her body, the caress of roughened skin cupping her breast, a thumb rubbing against the sensitive nub of her nipple, made her moan.

  She slipped her knee over his thighs and shifted her weight to straddle him as he went over onto his back. The hard length of his cock jutted out in front of her. “Oh, good. Mr. Big wants to play.” She wrapped her hand around it and slid up and down the shaft with a slow steady rhythm.

  A half laugh half groan came out of his mouth and he pulled her forward with a quick jerk. As her chest met his, her hips rose and their bodies aligned. He thrust upward, impaling her. “Damn, woman. Laughter during sex is scary for a man. Help me out, here.”

  “I heard what you said outside my door the day I made you leave.”

  “I remember. I just said it again. What do you think about it?”

  She placed her mouth on his and nibbled on his lower lip. “I said it, too, but you were already gone.”

  He took control of her mouth in a blisteringly hot communion and when they stopped for air, he rolled until she was under him. “Don’t take this for domination, doll. This is called the missionary position by most of the world.”

  He didn’t give her time to reply, his kisses keeping her mouth busy while he drove in and out of her body until they both exploded.

  Steve reached for his alarm as soon as he heard it beep, hoping to let Dena sleep a little longer. He’d taken her three times last night, each time sweeter than the last. He’d never been a fan of vanilla sex, but Dena in all her glory was an angel he never wanted to lose. He rolled over to watch her sleep and found her side of the bed empty.

  He checked the house and found not one sign of her, not even a note. Damn the woman. Last night was about coming together as a couple, or, at least, he thought so. Sometime after the third orgasm, she’d changed her mind and skipped out on him.

  No point in staying in bed, so he showered and fired up the Keurig for his morning coffee, knowing he and Derek would work through a full pot by noon. Checking his phone before leaving the house, he finally found her message.

  A text sent while he was in the shower.

  Sorry I left while you slept. Thanks for helping me work this out.

  Fuck. She left him with nothing. Not one fucking hint about what she’d decided or when he’d see her again.

  Son of a bitch.

  He had half a mind to camp out in her office until she explained herself, but he and Derek had a pile of shit to take care of at G&L today, not to mention the final walk through of the Lindsay job. He’d track her down when he got there and make her face the fact that they belonged together.

  Hell, he’d already used the L word more than once. And he didn’t think either of them was ready for the M word, but he might have to use some version of it to bring her around. Maybe.

  Chapter 21

  Dena slipped out of Steve’s bed when the sun was still hiding, a light blue glow on the horizon the only hint of daybreak. He’d given her an amazing night and she’d slept deeply between each interlude, as had he. Still dazed by all he’d said and done, she’d awakened in the wee hours of the morning and then slept fitfully for the past hour, her head and her heart trying to decide what to do next. The only compromise she had was to escape before he woke and asked what she’d decided.

  She wasn’t ready to talk about it.

  Not yet.

  Once home, she showered and made some breakfast before calling her brother. The request for a day off was easily acknowledged. She’d been a mess since Sara’s death and her brothers were still in bend-over-backward mode where she was concerned. She didn’t like to miss work, but Steve would be in her office for the final walk through for the security system and she didn’t want to see him there.

  Best to wait on their first meeting post vanilla sex.

  Susan called at nine.

  “Yes, I’m fine. He was home and alone, and we talked.”

  “Is that all you did? Talk?”

  Dena laughed and had an immediate image drop into her head of Steve’s face when she’d laughed in his bed. “No, we did other things, too.”

  Susan’s reaction was a heartfelt. “Thank goodness. So, what did you decide?”

  “I’m going to continue seeing him.”

  “And he agreed?”

  “Well, he didn’t disagree.” She’d put the sleepless morning to good use, figuring how to make up for her melt down with Steve, and she’d conceived a plan. “What do you have planned today?”

  Susan groaned. “I have to work the evening shift tonight. Why?”

  “Can you help me with a few things this morning and let me buy you lunch for your great advice?”

  “Great advice, huh? Sure, I’d love a free lunch and some shopping.”

  Dena kept an eye on the door while they waited for Mark, but Susan was the first to see him, even though she didn’t know who to look for.

  “Wow. That is one good-looking man. Look at the guy waiting for a table, Dena. He’s gorgeous.”

  Dena turned her head as Susan said, “Hey, he’s coming this way.”

  “Yes,” she laughed. “That’s Mark, Steve’s friend and one of his business partners.”

  “Really.” Susan’s blush was a soft pink by the time Mark sat down, but it flared again when he shook her hand.

  “Ladies, as much as I love having lunch with beautiful women, I’m not sure why I was invited. Clue me in, please. And no, I didn’t tell anyone where I was going when I left. My PA will call if I’m needed.”

  The waiter arrived and they ordered quickly, knowing Mark had other obligations. When they were alone, Dena answered. “I want to show Steve that I’m willing to participate in the club.”

  Mark’s brows rose with curiosity. “I thought you’d walked away from him. He’s been irritated as hell for the last week or so but wouldn’t talk about it.”

  “I kind of kicked him out of my house after Sara’s funeral.” Dena kept her gaze in her lap. “I wasn’t very nice to him.”

  “And now?”

  Mark’s dark tone implied trouble and when she looked up, she recognized the dominance in him even before he spoke. “If this is about hurting him with my help, I’m out. I don’t play those games.”

  His chair squeaked when he pushed back from the table and she grabbed his wrist.

  “No, please. It’s not like that at all.”

  He didn’t look happy but he stayed at the table. “Talk.”

  “I saw Steve last night. I was trying to figure some things out.”

  “Like what?”

  Total Dom mode. Great. “I wanted to know if I was, I mean, I was trying to decide if I cared about him or craved the stuff in the club. You know, the um, the dominance.”

  Mark leaned forward, his elbows on the table and his face close to hers. “What did you decide?”

  She faced him, eye to eye despite his dominant persona, and said, “I want him. In any way he wants. I’m in love with him.”

  He didn’t look surprised, but a little apprehensive. “Have you told him this? Why am I here?”

  “I want to submit to him at the club tonight. I need permission to be there without him and I was hoping you’d give me your blessing.”

  He leaned back in his seat, fingers tapping on the table and eyes on something across the room. The waiter deposited plates in front of them while he remained silent.

  This was rapidly turning into a bad idea. Mark was Steve’s friend, not
hers, and she didn’t have the right to ask for his help after what she’d done to Steve. A glance at Susan confirmed it. The awed look she’d had when introduced to Mark had faded to resignation. They both picked up their forks, expecting him to leave after dressing them down for hurting Steve.

  “What did you have in mind?” Mark said.

  She almost dropped her fork, but Susan remained in control with a surprised smile.

  “I’m not sure. I wanted to ask you about what would be appropriate.”

  Mark nodded and started eating, making her wait while he tasted everything on his plate.

  “You can use the public room upstairs. Do you still have the collar he gave you? I noticed it missing from your throat. That’s why I assumed you’d broken it off with him.”

  “It’s at home.”

  “Bring it, but don’t wear it. He needs to put it back on you. If he agrees.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’ll need to offer yourself to him.”

  “Okay.”

  “Naked and on your knees.”

  Susan gasped but Dena had anticipated the requirement and wasn’t shocked. “Okay.”

  “How many witnesses do you want?”

  “Witnesses?”

  Susan’s echo of her reply didn’t help. Mark’s brow rose, his mouth a thin line.

  “Putting a collar on a sub is a commitment akin to marriage. I’ve seen a few elaborate ceremonies performed over the years.”

  “He didn’t tell me anything, just put it on me. I thought it was a gift.”

  “It was. But there’s significance in any gift he gives. Me, I like to shower women with tokens of my appreciation. Steve isn’t into it, though. You were different from the start.”

  “Oh.” Overwhelmed and staggered by what she hadn’t known, she stared at Mark and wondered what other subtext information she’d missed. “Thank you, Master Mark. Can you tell me anything else I need to know?”

  “Sure. He’s my best friend. Don’t fuck with him. Be honest and he’ll appreciate you. Break his heart and deal with me.”

  The threat in his words warmed her heart, even after she saw Susan’s shocked expression. This was a man who cared about his friends, and she appreciated the way Steve’s friends supported him. She felt the same way about her friends. When she smiled at Mark and tipped her head in acknowledgement, he met her expression with a respectful nod.

  They finished eating in companionable silence, her head buzzing with ideas. “How public should this be?” she asked.

  “As large or as intimate as you want it to be.”

  Being naked in front of a crowd didn’t appeal to her, even though she knew it was commonplace in the BDSM clubs. “What do you think Steve would want?”

  His eyes lit up and a mischievous grin appeared for a minute. “Fuck,” he sighed. “He’d probably want something small, something intimate. How about using his suite at the club, with Derek and me as witnesses?”

  “What time?”

  “Come in around five. Better yet, I’ll send my driver to pick you up so you won’t have to worry about getting your car back home afterward. Once you’re ready, I’ll call him with a good reason to come to Private Delights.”

  “Thank you.”

  He slid a business card across the table. “Give me your address and I’ll have George pick you up at five.”

  “I hate to be a spoilsport, but what if he doesn’t show? Maybe I should drive you,” Susan said. “I can wait outside in the car.”

  “You’re welcome to come inside as my guest.” Mark flashed her a smile, then shook his head. “I seriously doubt he’d no-show, but if something comes up and he can’t get there, my driver will take you home.”

  “I appreciate your help, Master Mark.”

  “My pleasure.” He took the card and the lunch check as he stood. “I’ll see you later, Dena.” Turning to Susan, he lifted her hand and rolled her wrist to press a kiss into her palm. “Susan, if you ever want to walk on the wild side, give me a call. I’d love to show you around my place.”

  She laughed. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m happy with my everyday love life.”

  He tipped his head and left the restaurant.

  “Damn. What a silver tongued devil.”

  Dena nodded, suddenly wondering if she’d done the right thing in asking for his help. It must’ve been apparent, because Susan reached for her hand.

  “You look like a woman in need of a mani-pedi and maybe a massage. Let’s get you ready for this submission ceremony.”

  * * * *

  Mark met her at the door, his smile a welcome sight. “Everything’s ready for you and once you’re settled, I’ll call him.”

  “Thank you, Master Mark. This means the world to me. I just hope Steve understands.”

  “He will.”

  She fell in step behind him, her eyes watching the floor as he led her to the upstairs hall. Before he swiped his card, he turned and cupped her chin. When their eyes met, he smiled. “Steve’s a lucky man. I took the liberty of adding a few things to the room.”

  The lock beeped and he pushed open the door, leaning against it to allow her entrance.

  Her breath caught at the decorations. “Oh, my. This is lovely. Thank you.”

  The lights were dimmed and strings of white twinkle lights were hung from the braces of the ceiling to illuminate the room. A tall candle sat on the table and soft music played in the background. A thick white rug was placed in the center of the floor.

  Mark walked over to the rug and bent down to rub his hand across the thick pile. “You might have to wait a while for him to arrive. This will be easier on your knees.”

  “Thank you, Master Mark. I’m overwhelmed.”

  “You’re very welcome. I’ll call him now and ring the room phone when I know his ETA.”

  The door shut behind him and she sank onto the bed, trying hard to keep her heart in her chest. This was really happening. She fished the white choker he’d given her out of her purse and set it on the counter next to the candle, stuck her purse in a chair across the room and went into the small bathroom to get naked. Halfway there, the phone next to the door rang and she jumped, her nerves jangled by the old-fashioned ring.

  “He’s on his way. Probably twenty minutes or so.”

  “Thank you, Master Mark.”

  The line disconnected and she stood there shaking and hoping she wasn’t making a terrible mistake. A few deep breaths had her back to removing her clothes. Once they were neatly folded and stacked on a shelf, she went to the candle and lit it with the lighter Mark had provided. He was something else, and some day she’d need to truly thank him. She’d find a way.

  Rearranging the collar in front of the candle took a few minutes, then a few more, until she finally let go of the anxiety and went to her knees on the rug.

  She’d never been good at waiting, but with a sigh, she decided it was time to learn a little patience.

  Still, waiting sucked.

  Chapter 22

  Steve was pissed.

  He’d spent the morning wondering where the hell Dena was. She wasn’t at work, and no one at Lindsay & Associates would talk about her. She wouldn’t answer her phone at home or her cell. He went by the house twice and beat on the door, with no response.

  He’d left messages all over the fucking county and he was worried. When his phone rang, he snatched it off the counter as soon as he dried his hand. “Dena?”

  Mark laughed in his ear. “No. You coming to Private Delights tonight?”

  “No. Not until I find Dena.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Home. Just got out of the shower.”

  “I need you to come out to the club. It’s important.”

  “Fuck that. I need to take care of something. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”

  “No. You had a delivery today and it’s perishable. It can’t wait any longer.”

  Steve cussed a blue streak. “Just dump it in the freezer and
I’ll be there in the morning.”

  “Can’t. Trust me and get your ass out here now.”

  The line disconnected and when he tried to call back, Mark’s phone went to voicemail. Damn the fucker. He called the office but Mildred wasn’t any help, either.

  Derek’s phone was likewise useless.

  He left another message on Dena’s phone and got dressed in a hurry. The sooner he took care of Mark’s issue, the sooner he could focus on finding his woman.

  Yeah, she was his whether she knew it or not. He’d convince her even if he had to tie her to a bed and keep his dick inside her for a month or two straight.

  There were several cars in the lot when he got to the club, but it was early for the wild crowd to be out and about. Some of their members came for the restaurant’s growing reputation, thanks to Mark’s influence and the advertisements he’d strategically placed, and in a couple hours, the place would be crowded.

  If he could find Dena, he’d bring her back here and spank her ass until it glowed red. The woman drove him crazy.

  And he liked it.

  Mark and Derek were at the reception desk with Joanne, their Staff Submissive, when he walked in.

  “Why the fuck am I here when I have things to do tonight?”

  He knew something had gone to shit when his two best buds flanked him and started for the elevator in the back of the first floor. “What the fuck?”

  “Don’t ask questions, just move, buddy. This is important.”

  He planted his feet and turned to Mark. “Talk to me.”

  “Can’t explain it. You have to see it first.”

  Derek nudged him in the back when the elevator doors opened. It was a short ride, since there building only had two levels, and when they stopped at his suite, he looked at both men before reaching for his keycard. The silence played on his senses more than their strangely self-satisfied expressions.

  The locking mechanism pinged and the door swung open to reveal a darkened room, twinkle lights and candles illuminating a form on the floor.

  Dena.