Blake, Abby - Maya's Masters [Viper's Dungeon 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Abby Blake

  Satisfied with the security downstairs, Cam headed back to Maya. He wasn’t sure what to make of her request that he sleep beside her, but he’d dealt with enough civilians to know that they all coped with trauma differently. If he could help her by holding her through the night, then that’s what he’d do.

  He tried to convince himself that was the only reason he’d agreed, yet the rush of blood to his cock called him a first-class liar. But when he saw her lying on her side in her bed, waiting for him to join her, all he could think about was how fragile she looked. It was kind of a silly observation, considering that physically the woman was above average height and beautifully curved, but it was an image that stuck with him. The soft, uncertain smile she offered him tore at his heart.

  Cam kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed fully clothed. He lay down behind her, wrapped an arm over her waist, and made certain to stay above the covers.

  “You can…um…” He had a fairly good idea what she was going to say, but considering that his libido was rather forcefully reminding him that he hadn’t been with a woman in a very, very long time, they were probably words best left unspoken.

  “I’m fine,” he said quietly as he wriggled slightly to get more comfortable.

  “But won’t you get cold?” He couldn’t help the quiet snort at her question. Cold was jumping from a helicopter into a freezing ocean in the middle of the night, not lying beside a beautiful woman in a soft bed.

  “Go to sleep, sugar.” He pressed a kiss to her temple before he could tell himself not to, and then settled in for a long night. Somehow, he managed to hold onto Maya without pressing his rock-hard cock against her ass.

  He stifled a sigh. At least one good thing would come from having a raging hard-on—the damn thing would keep him awake.

  * * * *

  Maya woke slowly.

  She snuggled closer to the warm body behind her, feeling well rested and relaxed. Her first actual thought was entirely pleasant, and rather naughty, and centered on the hard cock pressed against her ass.

  But then reality intruded, and she remembered why Cam was protecting her.

  “Good morning, sugar,” he whispered in her ear. “What time do you need to get up?”

  “Oh…um…” She could feel a blush rising up her throat. Good grief, the man was going to think her socially inept if she couldn’t string at least two words together. She glanced at the clock as she desperately tried to find her voice and cursed her off-balance reaction. Just what she needed—an awkward morning after without at least getting the fun of a night before. “Um…not ’til ten,” she finally managed to mumble.

  “Then go back to sleep. I’ll wake you in three hours.”

  “Maybe I should get up,” she said, feeling suddenly uncomfortable lying in his arms. The direction of her thoughts was disconcerting, to say the least, but it didn’t squash the urge to press back against the hard cock Cam had been trying to hide from her.

  “You need to rest. Go back to sleep, Maya.” She opened her mouth to object, but he added with a laugh, “Or I’ll spank your ass.”

  The shudder that went through her was entirely embarrassing. The worst part was that Cam recognized it for what it was—pure need. Hell, she really had to stop reading those romance novels. Bianca had already told her that the realities of the BDSM lifestyle rarely matched up to the fictitious stories. It was very embarrassing that her curiosity was something she couldn’t quite hide from the man holding her so close.

  But Cam stilled for a moment as if he wasn’t quite certain what to say. He’d said it as a joke—she’d known that the moment the words had left his mouth—but it still hadn’t quelled her reaction. Finally in a low, very serious voice Cam said, “Maybe you should talk to Viper about visiting his club.”

  She shook her head as fear coursed through her. Imagining being spanked by a fictitious character in a romance novel would be nothing like the reality. “I–I don’t think that would be a very good idea.”

  “Why?”

  It was just one little word, and a huge question she really didn’t want to answer. But something in Cam’s voice, something in his demeanor, made her want to explain to him a fear she didn’t completely understand herself.

  “I…um…I just prefer to be in control.”

  He was quiet for what seemed to be a very long time, but was probably only a few seconds, before moving slightly and urging her to roll onto her back. Too late she realized that he wanted to watch her face as he asked his next question. Feeling vulnerable and very nervous, Maya couldn’t resist the urge to close her eyes and hide like a frightened child.

  “Open your eyes, sugar.” It wasn’t a request, and her heartbeat accelerated as she did exactly what he ordered. “Have you ever tried giving up control? Giving it to someone you trust?”

  Right at that moment she trusted him with everything in her. It may have been Viper’s endorsement, but she felt more comfortable with Cam than she had with anyone else in recent years. She shook her head, unable to answer out loud as scenes from her favorite books played through her mind. Holy heavens, she’d be completely mortified if any of those thoughts showed on her face.

  “Go back to sleep, sugar.” Cam said it as if the discussion were closed—except that he leaned over, used his much larger bulk to cage her in without actually putting his weight directly onto her, and proceeded to kiss her like the world was coming to an end.

  His lips were demanding, pressed firmly against her own, caressing her lips as his tongue sought entry to her mouth. She sighed, opening to him, instinctively giving him what he demanded. By the time he pulled away, she was panting hard. Her entire body was enflamed, and she felt ready to orgasm. Shit, it had been a long time for her, but never had a single kiss driven her to such heights of arousal.

  “Go back to sleep, sugar,” Cam said as he rolled her unresisting body back onto her side and cuddled her from behind once more. This time he didn’t try to hide the hard erection. He pressed it against her bottom, and she wanted nothing more than to open her legs and welcome that cock into her body. But when she tried to move, Cam held her still, pressed a soft kiss to the back of her neck, and ordered her to sleep.

  Finally realizing that she’d barely known this man for twelve hours, Maya tried not to cringe in embarrassment. What the hell was wrong with her?

  * * * *

  Cam watched Maya as she finally relaxed and went back to sleep. The woman was adorable. Despite her self-confidence and independent streak, it seemed obvious that she belonged in Viper’s world. The way she’d responded to being held down and kissed so roughly only confirmed in his mind that Maya secretly longed to be dominated.

  Logan had once explained a Dom’s role in caring for his submissive, and as interesting as the concept sounded, Cam had never felt an urge to try BDSM. The idea of hurting a woman to give her pleasure had never sat well with him. But then again, his attitude didn’t explain the many women at Viper’s Dungeon last night who’d seemed more than happy to be there. Judging by the many wails of ecstasy, the spankings, whippings, and other forms of “fun” seemed to be exactly what those women had needed.

  Did Maya need the same?

  It should have been the deal breaker, the one that made him move on and head back to his hometown to seek a new direction in life, but even that wasn’t quite enough to squash how amazingly good it felt to be here protecting her.

  Interestingly, holding her settled something inside him as well. Even when he’d been working hard to try and get back to peak physical condition, and even when he’d accepted a desk job in the hopes of it being only a temporary transfer, Cam had felt like an important part of him had been torn out.

  It hadn’t helped that his final mission had been the most disturbing. Even after six months to think about it, still nothing from that day made sense. The intel had been wrong. The enemy soldiers had been in far larger numbers and way better trained than their squad had been advised. It had also seemed like the
enemy had been waiting for them. Almost like their squad had been set up. It sounded paranoid and he knew enough about psychology to understand that, on an emotional level at least, he was looking for someone to blame, but he’d never been able to fully rationalize the mission in his head. The official report surmised that his commanding officer had used the explosives he’d carried to complete the mission they’d been set. But under heavy fire he’d been unable to escape before the blast and had essentially blown himself up in the process.

  It was exactly something their CO would have done—protect his squad and die for his country, putting all personal concerns aside. But even knowing that the report’s conclusion was most likely what happened, it was also the hardest to accept. Without the physical evidence of his CO’s death the mission felt incomplete, unfinished, and with his Navy career over, Cam had even less chance of learning what really happened that day.

  But as well as the frustration there was something else wrong, something different within him, a change he hadn’t seen coming and really had no way to explain. It felt like part of him was lost, that he’d left something behind on the battlefield that day.

  It was only now that he was charged with protecting this beautiful woman that the realization of exactly what was missing finally hit him. It was why he’d joined the SEAL teams in the first place. Simply put, he needed to be needed.

  Grimacing at the somewhat embarrassing self-revelation, Cam pulled the woman in his arms just a little closer and wondered if she’d mind if he stuck around for a while.

  * * * *

  Derek parked his car outside the front of Maya’s restaurant, relieved to see that all of the windows and doors seemed to be intact. Viper had told him that Logan’s buddy from the Navy was looking after her, and as welcome as the help was, Derek couldn’t quite tamp down his jealousy. He knew Maya was “vanilla.” He knew he didn’t want a permanent sub. But somehow he couldn’t quite convince himself to stay away. Of course her current situation gave him a good reason to be here. It didn’t matter in the end why he thought of Maya a million times a day. It only mattered that she be protected from those who would try to hurt her.

  It was nearly eleven, and he could already see movement in the downstairs area—Maya most likely getting the restaurant set up for the lunchtime crowd. He considered going in to see for himself that the woman was okay, but squashed the idea. The last time he’d seen Maya had been only two days ago, but despite her polite demeanor, she’d managed to give him subtle signs that she wouldn’t accept his way of life. Since he wasn’t actually offering, that was fine with him.

  He was still pondering whether to go home and get some sleep or not when Logan’s buddy came out the front door of Maya’s restaurant and headed straight for him. It was probably ridiculous for him to notice, but Derek felt jealousy tug at him again as Cam flashed perfect, straight, white teeth and offered his hand in greeting. Of course the guy also had the lean, muscular build and imposing height that made both Logan and Viper such intimidating physical examples of Navy SEALs.

  Derek plastered on a smile and tried not to hate the guy.

  “Maya told me to come drag your ass in so that she can make you breakfast.”

  Great. Breakfast with Maya sounded exactly like something he wanted. Breakfast with Maya while the big guy sat beside her was not.

  “Thanks, but I really should get going.”

  Cam shrugged as if he didn’t care either way, but then flashed that cocky grin and added, “I don’t think it was a request.”

  Derek tried not to grind his back teeth together too loudly. It was obvious that Cam knew Derek was a Dom and not used to taking orders from the women in his life, but to react to the man’s teasing by leaving him alone with Maya seemed self-defeating. He plastered a false grin onto his own face.

  “Well in that case,” Derek said as he pulled the keys from the ignition and opened the car door, “I better get my ass in there.”

  Cam gave him an assessing look, stepped out of the way, and turned back to the restaurant. “Oh,” he said casually over his shoulder, “just so you know, we slept together last night.”

  Jealousy flashed through every cell in Derek’s body, and he had Cam by the shirtfront and against the car before he could even think about his reaction. Surprised at himself, Derek dragged in a ragged breath. Hell, he was on the verge of assaulting the guy, and he’d technically done nothing wrong. It wasn’t as if Derek was anyone special in Maya’s life.

  It took a moment to realize that Cam was letting himself be manhandled. Any SEAL, even injured like Cam was, would not only be able to break Derek’s hold but probably wipe the floor with him without raising a sweat. Cop training or not, Derek knew when he was at a disadvantage.

  Cam grinned again. “I thought so,” he said with a soft chuckle. “So why aren’t you inside already?”

  “Because she doesn’t want me.” He let go of Cam’s shirt, really annoyed at himself for his out-of-control reaction and uncensored words. Hell, lack of sleep was making him sloppy.

  “Uh-huh,” Cam said in a noncommittal tone. “I’m going to hang around for a week or three. At least until we know she’s safe from the gang that tried to break in.”

  Derek really wanted to tell the guy to fuck off, but he was sensible enough to realize he needed help to protect Maya. He’d applied for vacation time, but with the precinct short staffed it wasn’t going to happen any time soon. Having Viper and some of the other Doms from the club checking in on her when they could wasn’t the same as having a full-time bodyguard beside her. Derek nodded his thanks to Cam and started walking toward the restaurant. The other man fell in beside him, the limp that he’d sported last night barely noticeable today.

  “Oh, and just for the record, I slept above the covers.”

  Derek stopped in the middle of the road and stared at the man beside him for a moment. Did that mean what he thought it did?

  * * * *

  Maya glanced up as the two men entered the restaurant. In many ways they were as different as chalk and cheese. Physically, Cam was built like a Norse god with golden good looks and muscles that went on for miles. He also seemed like a fun guy to be around, quick to laugh, with an easy smile and a relaxed demeanor. Whereas, Derek was dark where Cam was light, his coloring and build more typical of the Greek gods of old. He was also more serious, and in many ways quite intimidating, but it was the men’s similarities that struck her the most. Both men were protective to a fault, willing to risk life and limb in their chosen professions, and quite able to back up their promises.

  With either one of them she felt safe, protected. She shivered as they came closer. With them both she felt stirrings of a passion she’d forgotten long ago. Embarrassed by her unexpected reaction, Maya swallowed hard and tried to ignore the tingling feeling in her breasts and between her thighs.

  Surreptitiously clearing her throat, she managed to greet Derek with a grin and a raised coffee cup. He nodded, gave her a happy smile she’d long ago realized was for her alone, and then took a seat at his usual table.

  “How long can you stay?” Derek asked Cam as he sat down at the same table.

  “As long as it takes,” he answered with another of those devil-may-care grins.

  “As long as what takes?” Maya asked, uncomfortable with the idea of interfering in Cam’s plans. It was obvious what they were talking about, but she at least wanted to be included in any decisions being made. She wasn’t about to let her independence be taken away by a threat from a gang of thugs.

  “Come here,” Cam said, beckoning her over with his hand. Without thinking she did exactly as he asked. It wasn’t until she was standing directly in front of him that she realized her mistake. A quick glance at Derek proved she’d messed up—big time.

  Cam pulled the seat out for her and nodded for her to sit. She considered refusing, but that would probably make her submissive behavior even more obvious. She sat and silently cursed herself.

  “Derek a
nd I are discussing the best way to keep you safe.”

  “That’s not ne—”

  “We had this argument last night, sugar. It is necessary, and it will happen.” Anger gurgled up her throat. She’d spent years trying to rebuild her self-confidence after her failed marriage. She wasn’t going to give in to being bullied, no matter how well intentioned, but then Derek leaned over and pressed his warm hand over hers.

  “Please let us protect you, Maya.”

  Nothing else he could have said would have deflated her anger so thoroughly. And as much as she hated to admit even knowing they were both dominating men, she felt safer than she had in a long time.

  She nodded. “Okay, but please don’t cut me out of the decision making.”

  Cam nodded, but Derek scowled and added a proviso. “As long as you promise to remember that we are trained to protect you. Neither of us would presume that we know better than you when it comes to running a restaurant, so we ask for the same courtesy.”

  Maya nodded, fighting the urge to lower her gaze. Fuck, what was wrong with her? Memories of the final year of her marriage burned through her, and she tried to hide the fear that threatened to swallow her whole. She’d dealt with this issue years ago. Why was it raising its ugly head now? She knew without the slightest doubt that neither of these men would hurt her. She wasn’t going to get a smack in the mouth for disagreeing with them. Not that she was disagreeing. It was obvious that there was something that she hadn’t been told, but she was smart enough to figure out that it had something to do with the gang member whose nose she’d broken. Dragging her hard-won confidence back into place, Maya turned her gaze on Derek.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked quietly. “I’m not some frightened little sub who needs to be protected from the truth.”

  “Is that what you think a submissive is?”

  Chapter Two