by S. R. Watson
“I have a penchant for control,” he admits.
“Oooh, okay,” the woman says, unsure of the relevancy or what to do with that answer.
“That control filters into the bedroom,” he explains, now leaning forward.
She now crosses her legs, and I can’t blame her. Holy. Fucking. Shit. I recognize what’s he’s doing. His damn alter ego is transitioning right on live TV. His dominant has a look. It’s in the eyes, but the voice as well. My pussy throbs—unable to stop my reaction to him.
“Um. So, you’re saying you’re a dominant?”
“Something like that, but not in most people’s vanilla definition of it. The things that get me off are depraved and not for the faint at heart.” He gives her a small wink, and she blushes.
“Well, this is live TV, so we can’t go into the specifics, but wow, wasn’t expecting that.” She fans herself. “Was there a reason you wanted to share that with the world.”
“There is a reason for everything I do,” he promises. “There are those who’d like to exploit my predilection to complete submission. As if our sexual nature is reason enough to be shameful or worthy of a scandal with my family’s business. What we do in the privacy of our bedrooms or wherever we choose to partake is independent of our business relations. I’m just putting it out there before anyone else thinks of using it against me. I don’t share this part of myself with every woman I sleep with. In fact, I have to recognize the submissive trait, and even then, I may pass. I’m very selective.”
“Glad you had to get that out there. We’ve definitely learned a lot today—more than we could have imagined.” The host laughs. She wraps up the interview by again thanking him for his time.
I’m too stunned to move. I can’t believe he aired that on live television. Oh, the questions that must be circulating in the guys and Lily’s head. Was I one of his submissives? Lily looks over at me, and I can read it all over her face.
“Desiree is going to kill him.” Keyser chuckles. “He survived the interview—managed to squash all the shit being spread in the news about him and Sevyn trying to steal their father’s company from under him while he’s on his death bed.”
“Yeah, then he goes and gives the media something else to latch onto. Brilliant actually,” Mitch surmises. “Who will be worried about company politics when they can talk about what a kinky bastard he is? I can see panties being soaked everywhere. Their heartthrob just gave them a fantasy to run with.”
“I wonder if that was his plan all along? I mean, why else bring up his sex life? The interview was done. The topic had no relevancy to his reason for being there,” Keyser points out.
They nod in agreement.
“Desiree is still going to kick his ass. She hates surprises,” Xander speaks up. “A damn PR’s worst nightmare. Now we’ll just have to wait to see if this little spin of his results in more media slaying.”
“I wonder if that’s what he and Melissa are up to behind closed doors? She is from his past, so maybe that’s why she’s here. None of the groupies could quell his thirst,” Anderson jokes.
My stomach drops at the possible reality of that statement.
Mitch turns off the television. “I don’t know, but I, for one, don’t want to think about Diesel’s dick or the shit he’s into. I’m starving. Come on. Let’s get our barbecue on, folks.” He is already halfway out the door.
I follow them out, but Anderson had a point. Coupled with the little talk I had with Melissa last night, I’m more than sure she’s his original submissive.
Lily links her arm through mine as we walk down to the beach. “Any of what Diesel said pertain to you?”
I knew that was coming. “Not in the way you’re probably thinking. And not in a way I’m willing to share. Some things are better kept to ourselves.”
“That’s way harsh.” She feigns hurt.
“Uh, do I ask what kind of sex you and my brother have?”
“The regular kind,” she teases. “Just kidding. I get it. That’s personal between you two. Just curious, with the rest of the world I’m sure, after that interview.”
“I’m sure Melissa would be the expert on that subject.”
“Speaking of that twatwaffle, you were supposed to tell me what happened last night.”
I know she has no plans of letting the subject go, and I admit it might make me feel better to get it all off my chest. I tell her about the surprise I had for Diesel, but how she ruined it with her early return. I go on to discuss how I almost spilled the beans about what Thomas did to me, and Melissa’s warning when she visited the room last night.
“I know you shouldn’t hate people, but I really despise the hell out of that chick. She’s nothing but trouble, and Diesel is a damn fool if he can’t see that. I can’t believe he lied about you being stood up just to appease her.”
“I’m pretty close to throwing in the towel. How can I fight for something when I’m the only one fighting? It appears he’s made his choice. I’m just a fuck until he works things out with her.”
“Stop giving up the goods then. He can’t have it both ways. He either wants you back or wants to work things out with her. I say reduce your effort some until he meets you halfway.”
“That’s just what that bitch wants. For me to back off.”
“Don’t think about her. You’re not surrendering to her—you’re surrendering to your own sanity. Diesel will never realize what he’s lost if you make it too easy for him to get some pussy here and there. It has to be about more than sex. Remember, I suggested making him remember why he fell for you—just without the sex part.”
“You have a point. It’s just so hard to even want to try. Every time we take a step forward, we take two steps back. We’re not getting anywhere as long as she’s here.”
“I have an idea,” she says, suddenly excited. I’m afraid to ask.
“What is it? Should I be worried?”
“Nope. Why don’t you follow through with his lie? Teach him a lesson and show the twatwaffle you have other options.”
“You mean go on a date?”
“Yep. Let’s create you a profile. I’m sure you’ll have several matches lined up by morning. I’d bet anything on it. Then we can set up a meetup right away.”
“Reeks of desperation, Lil.”
“No, it doesn’t. You’re a gorgeous girl. Time to make him sweat some. Make him pay for his lie.”
I haven’t spoken to Diesel since last night, but I admit that Lily’s plan has merit. He has Melissa waiting in the wings, so I can give him a glimpse of what it would look like if I had the same. Only this time, my date won’t stand me up.
“Okay. Let’s do this. I hate the thought of playing games, but I’m involved in one whether I like it or not. Sometimes, the best defense is a strong offense.”
“What does that even mean?” She chuckles.
“Hell if I know in this situation, but it sounded right.” We both laugh.
“So today we relax, then we’ll create your profile tonight and watch all the available matches roll in by morning. You never know. You may find somebody—”
I shake my head adamantly before she finishes that statement. I’m doing this with one goal in mind. To give Diesel a wake-up call and show him what it would be like if I moved on with someone else. What it felt like to have to watch him with someone else. I don’t have any hopes beyond that.
“This is my last effort, Lil. I don’t think I can continue watching him with someone else even if he claims it isn’t sexual. She at least has him emotionally. He cares what she thinks. He’s holding on to her for a reason.”
“I can understand that, and it’s fair. Besides, if this doesn’t wake him the hell up, then I don’t know what will.”
We join the guys and pig out on barbecue and potato salad. I’m so stuffed that I can barely move. My state of content is soon interrupted, though, by the arrival of Diesel and twatwaffle. The guys hoorah him as soon as they see him.
&n
bsp; “Where is Desiree?” Xander is the first to ask.
“Ah, she didn’t even come back with us. She had the driver take her to the hotel in Houston. She’s flying home in the morning.”
“We watched your interview. Was she pissed with you?” Keyser asks.
“Oh. That’s an understatement. She bitched me out the entire ride to her hotel. Her exact words were that I was a fucking PR nightmare. Can you believe it?” He grins at the audacity. Melissa spins on her heel and heads toward the house, obviously not impressed.
“Those were my exact words,” Xander jokes. “I called that shit.”
“Well, Desiree isn’t the only person unhappy with your little stunt.” Mitch points toward a disappearing Melissa.
“Yeah. She’ll get over it.”
“I’m guessing she didn’t like you sharing what you two did in the bedroom?” Mitch adds.
Diesel doesn’t bothering answering. He didn’t deny it, so there it is. The fucking truth. She is his submissive. She’s had him the way I’ve had him, but on a deeper level, I’m sure. Bile threatens to rise from my throat. Suddenly, none of this seems worth it. I’ll go through with the plan that Lily and I concocted, but after this, I’m done. If he chooses her, then I’ll walk. I can’t remain on this tour, especially with her around. I’ll just have to find a way to convince Lily to stay.
Mission accomplished. Two birds killed with one stone. I gave a believable narrative for the whole twin scandal nonsense, and I took away Melissa’s only leverage—well, that I know of. She’s been sulking since we returned from Houston. Her only argument was that I made a mockery of something sacred between us and was hurt by my statement regarding people wishing to exploit my kink. Yes, it was a dig at her.
“Are you ever going to forgive me?” she finally asks.
“I’m not getting into this conversation with you … again.” I change into a pair of comfy joggers while she looks on. “I’ve already answered this more times than necessary.”
Her eyebrows knit. Her face sullen. “I’ll meet you downstairs then.”
I can’t let myself feel sorry for her. She started this game of wits, attempting to play me for a fool. I wait a few minutes and then head to see what everyone is up to. They’ve since brought all the barbecue inside, and I’m ready to dive in. I note that Melissa has a plate and is sitting on the floor next to Gable.
“Are you joining us, man? We’re about to start Pacific Rim Uprising.” Gable scoots over, making room for me between him and Melissa.
“Sure. Just let me make myself a plate first.”
“You’re slacking, girl,” he jokes, directed at Melissa.
“I’m not his servant. He can get his own damn plate,” she mumbles, not amused.
“But you are his submissive, right?” Mitch teases.
“Cut the shit, guys. Don’t mock something you don’t understand. Now, I needed to air that bit of info about myself so that it came from me and wasn’t discovered later. But the last thing I want is to be given shit about it from my friends—from my family.”
“You’re right, man. Shit, I’m sorry. I won’t bring it up again. Let’s start this damn movie.”
“Come on, babe. What are you doing over there?” Xander summons.
I look over at Lily and Lourdes tucked away in the corner at the dining room table. Lily looks up from the laptop they have open with a sly grin.
“Just a second. We’re finishing up Lourdes’s dating profile.”
“What the heck for? You know what, never mind. Just hurry your cute butt up.”
Melissa looks over at me … to study my reaction, I’m sure.
“Almost done, babe. We just needed to add a few pictures. The last guy was a real dud,” Lily adds, letting me know she is aware of the lie I created.
Was it her idea to try to fix Lourdes up for real? I want to punch something, but I can’t show my irritation. Melissa continues to eye me closely. I quickly fix a plate of food and go sit next to her, ignoring the fuckery going on at the table behind me. Lily snuggles up to Xander before the movie start, but Lourdes never joins us. I force myself not to look back. The movie plays, but I’m unable to focus on the plot. Melissa eventually eases her head in my lap and puts my arm around her waist. I’m too distracted to care. That is until a chair scrapes across the wood before falling over. We all turn to see what the heck is going on.
“Sorry, guys,” Lourdes apologizes as she rights the chair. She doesn’t speak another word before bolting upstairs, no doubt as a response to our cuddling. I just can’t win. There is no way in hell I’ll be able to focus on the movie now. A smug smile forms at Melissa’s lips, and I want nothing more than to push her off me, but I don’t. I will play the role that I must. For now.
The movie ends, and Mitch suggests we end the night by going out for beers. I was the first to pass and so did Xander. Everyone loaded up into the waiting SUVs, leaving only the two couples in the house and Lourdes. Hopefully, they know better than to stay out too late. We have rehearsal tomorrow before leaving for Austin on Saturday. It’s time to get back to touring. I need music like I need air at the moment—a welcomed distraction. Xander leads Lily to his bedroom, and it doesn’t take a genius to guess what they’re up to.
“I’m going to take a shower,” Melissa announces.
“Sure. Go ahead. I’ll use the one down the hall.”
She frowns but gets up anyway. I wait until she disappears and then call Sevyn.
“What up, shit starter?” he greets.
“Whatever. I told you and Claude that I was going to do it.”
“We had our doubts that you’d actually go through with it. Didn’t seem like any of the questions she asked were going to give you an in, but then she asked the most subjective question ever.” He laughs.
“What did Claude think about my secret?”
“He wasn’t judgmental, if that’s what you’re asking. He took it quite well. I actually admitted to him that I’m into that as well.”
“Holy fuck! And?”
“And let’s just leave at that. You don’t want to know the rest.”
“Bullshit. No more secrets, remember?”
“Okay, just remember you asked for it.”
“Spill it.”
“Let’s just say that Melissa may have introduced us to our need for dominance, but it’s always been in our nature. Claude and our biological father are both dominants. So our dear mother is a—”
“Stop the fucking presses. Don’t you finish that sentence.”
“Submissive,” he finishes anyway.
I scrub my face with my hand. “That’s so damn hard to believe about Mom. I mean, I know she was always sort of passive, but I’ve never witnessed the power exchange. Or have I?”
I don’t even want to comb my memories for the signs. I don’t want to think of either of my parents in that way.
“Our need for control was always there, brother. She just awakened it.”
“Did he know that we were like him?”
“No. He never suspected it, but he wasn’t surprised. He was proud of your idea to get our side out there before it could be used against us.”
“He actually said that?”
“Yep.”
My heart swells. Until this moment, I never realized how much I needed my father’s approval. Even crazier is that he’s not even my real father.
“I got to go but keep digging and keep me updated.”
“Will do.”
We end our call, and I head upstairs to start my shower. It isn’t until the water pelts down on me that I realize I forgot to snag something to sleep in. Fuck it. I hum the song we’ve been working on with Reckless Ambition. I’m at the chorus when a very naked Melissa catches my eye. I’m frozen with desire as my eyes peruse her every curve. She is just as stacked as Lourdes. My cock doesn’t care about the comparison, and it juts to attention, ready to partake in more than my hand. She uses my moment of shock to enter the shower. A petite hand
wraps around my cock. I’m about to push her away, but the door opens, and again, I’m taken off guard. What the fuck is this?
Lourdes steel gray eyes meet mine and then lower to find Melissa’s hand gripping my cock. I swipe her hand away, but it’s too late. Lourdes has already turned her back on us in shame. She removes her earbuds and holds them up, so we can see—her back still to us.
“I thought everyone had left,” she rushes.
“Well, we’re still here obviously, so can you get out? We were kind of in the middle of something.”
“This isn’t my fault. You two have your own bathroom for that,” she retorts.
“Nothing’s going on. I came to use this bathroom because Melissa was supposed to shower in the other one. She snuck in here just before you came in, so it’s not what it looks like.”
“What the fuck are you explaining to her for?” She shoves me. “Why is your dick hard then? Damn sure isn’t for Lourdes.”
“It’s none of my business. I’m out.”
Her words sting with finality. I somehow know that this is the straw that has broke the camel’s back. The sinking feeling that this has run its course knocks the wind from my sails. Lourdes slams the door behind her. Fuck. I exit the shower and struggle to pull my joggers over my still wet skin.
“You’re not seriously running after her?” Melissa asks in astonishment. She gets out the shower to dry off, but I’m already running down the hall—my pride left in that damn bathroom.
“Don’t go,” I hear Lily plead as I enter their bedroom.
A broken Lourdes sobs as she throws clothes into her suitcase. Xander arrives in the room seconds later. “Sis, where are you going?” He looks at me questioning.
“I can’t pretend anymore, Xander,” Lourdes warns.
“Please don’t,” he whispers.
“Pretend about what?” Lily pushes.