by Opal Carew
Just imagining it made heat shimmer over her skin. As she gazed out the window from the shadows of the backseat of her limo, her lips parted, her tongue caressing the backside of her fangs as if she could already taste him.
For months she’d made herself take blood functionally, letting it nourish her the way freeze-dried packets would keep a lost camper alive. But like most vampires, her desire for blood was intertwined with her need to dominate her victim sexually. Without that, the blood had no taste. No vitality.
She missed taking alpha males. She enjoyed the fight, their resistance, the sweet taste of heated blood. The perception, if only for a moment, that the hunt would be a challenge. A vampire didn’t survive by being ruled by her compulsions, any more than a woman survived by being consumed by her most private desires. But tonight she needed release, and she was feeling reckless enough not to care about the consequences to her fragile heart.
Her nails were just the beginning. A manicure, then a man.
It irritated her that the car in the deserted parking lot of the salon was not Max’s. Maybe her manicurist had experienced car trouble and borrowed someone else’s vehicle. Still, it set off alarm bells in Lyssa’s head. But since her limo was an evening’s rental while she stayed in Atlanta, she couldn’t very well ask the driver to scope out the area for signs of rival vampires. Of course, if she’d had a marked human servant, he could have performed the task for her.
She studied her nails by the light thrown into the car from the parking lot lamps. Hellhound that he was, her Irish wolfhound Bran had torn one when she was indulging his incessant need for attention. It had grown back to the half-inch length she preferred in no time, but the glossy burgundy polish could not be regenerated. Perfection was essential, particularly these days when showing any vulnerability could create dangerous situations. Though she easily could afford to pay a manicurist to come to her home, her enemies needed to know she wouldn’t hesitate to go out to seek simple indulgences.
The hell with it. So it wasn’t Max’s car. If it was a trap or trick, she was ready to prove to any enemy or potential suitor foolish enough to challenge her she was not to be trifled with – particularly not when she teetered on the edge of full blown blood lust.
Read another taste of Jacob and Lyssa’s story on The Vampire Queen’s Servant page on Joey’s website, http://www.storywitch.com/book-vqs-vqs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Winner of the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement award, Joey W. Hill has published over thirty contemporary and paranormal BDSM erotic romances. Her emotionally-intense love stories offer everything from vampires, mermaids, witches and angels, to boardroom executives, cops and simple housemaids.
Website: www.storywitch.com
Twitter: @JoeyWHill
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoeyWHillAuthor
Fan forum: www.storywitch.com/community
THREE SECRETS
Three Secrets
Opal Carew
Keeping one secret is intriguing.
Two is naughty.
Three...deserves to be punished.
Sharing secrets has never been so exhilarating...
Praise for Three
4 Stars!
"Grab the ice water ladies, this one is scorching hot!
THREE is the latest erotic short by Opal Carew, and it is off the charts "is it me or is it hot in here?" hot!...a tale about a woman's fantasy turn reality. ...this little erotic gem ... was an absolutely intense sexual journey that left me panting for more!"
Rho, The Romance Reviews
"I finally read Three....OMG love it......."
Michelle
"It's an excellent read! Definitely going on my suggested reading list beside "Blush". Great work!"
Tracy
"I have read all of Opal Carew's books and love them. This is a little different - a short story with lots of good loving, well-written characters. I love it... "
Colette
Three Secrets
Copyright 2014 Opal Carew
Discover more books by Opal Carew at her website
www.OpalCarew.com
All Rights Are Reserved.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical article and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this story are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental
First Edition: January, 2014
www.OpalCarew.com
To Laurie,
thanks for all you do
THREE SECRETS
By
Opal Carew
Nicole’s heart clenched when she saw Abel sitting across the park on the wooden bench, the sunlight shimmering on his wavy, dark brown hair. He looked just like she remembered him when she’d first seen him in Paris.
She’d fallen in love with him ten minutes after she’d met him.
But after spending two months together traveling around Europe, she’d realized with an aching heart that the sweet, gentle-spirited man he was would not really understand her, or accept her… idiosyncrasies.
So, even though it was the most painful thing she'd ever done, she’d walked away. When they’d returned to Canada, she’d gone home to Edmonton to let their relationship die.
At least, that’s what she’d intended. But it had been too difficult to stay away.
He glanced up and she knew the moment he spotted her. His eyes lit up and his smile, so bright and cheerful, set his face aglow. Warmth washed through her at the sight. He stood up and stepped forward—one step, then another—until he was racing toward her. She blinked back tears of joy as he flung his arms around her and spun her in a circle. When she felt the ground beneath her feet again, his lips found hers and his tongue swept into her mouth, singeing her senses.
Oh, God, how had she survived so long without him?
Her arms came around him and she melted into the passion of his kiss.
“Nicole, I can’t believe you’re here.” He gazed at her, his lips turned up in a dazzling smile. “It seems like forever since we’ve seen each other.”
She laughed, joy bubbling through her. “It’s only been three months.”
His face turned serious. “I’d begun to worry I’d never see you again.” He hesitated, as if he wanted to say more—probably ask her why she hadn’t responded to his repeated attempts to contact her—but instead he took her hand and squeezed it. “I’m really looking forward to getting re-acquainted.”
From the glimmer in his eyes, hot images of the two of them entwined on a bed naked, their bodies joined intimately, sent heat washing through her. She wanted that so badly.
It would be so easy to just go with him right now. To lose herself in his loving arms. But she couldn’t do that until she told him her secret.
“Let’s sit down and talk first,” she said.
His eyebrows arched. “Talk. Really?” His hand stroked over her shoulder possessively and he leaned in close, his warmth seeping into her. “I can think of much more interesting things to do than talk,” he murmured against her ear, the warmth of his breath sending a quiver through her.
But she steeled herself, staying strong. “Yes, really. Talk.”
She tugged on his hand as she led him to the bench, then sat down, apprehension building inside her. He settled beside her.
“What is it you want to talk about?” he asked.
She pursed her lips and he frowned.
“Why am I getting the feeling you didn’t meet me to continue our relationship after all?” He took both her hands and held them tight. “You know I’m crazy about you. I thought we had a real chance at making things work between us. Don’t you want that?”
Her breath caught. “Of course I do,” she said, her voice a mere
whisper. It was what she wanted more than anything in the world. She drew her hand free and stroked his cheek, loving the raspy, masculine feel of his light stubble.
His smile returned and her throat closed up.
“But the question is will you still want me after I tell you what I came here to say?”
* * *
Abel stared at Nicole, the woman he hadn’t stopped thinking about since he’d left Europe. It had been ironic, since his trip had been partly to escape the help of his brothers and their new wives who had been driving him crazy trying to play matchmaker, wanting him to find the same happiness they had found. Who knew he would stumble across the woman of his dreams in a park in Paris?
They had spent two wonderful months together, and as it came close to time to return home, he’d known he should tell Nicole his secret, but he was afraid it would scare her away for good. After all, how did he tell a sweet, girl-next-door type like Nicole that hey, my brothers and I are into sharing women.
He had already indulged in sexual adventures with both his brothers’ wives and he’d had many a dream about sharing Nicole with them, with or without their wives, though images of Nicole going down on Marie sent almost painful need slicing through him.
He was sure it would never happen, though. It might be some women’s fantasy, but he was sure Nicole would disapprove. She seemed so… straight-laced.
But even though he hadn’t told her his secret, she had seemed reluctant to continue their relationship once they returned home. When he hadn’t heard from her after so many months, he thought he’d lost her for good.
Then he’d gotten her email last week and hope had soared within him.
Now it seemed she had a secret, too.
She gazed at him, her blue eyes wide. “This might come as a shock to you but… I’m not what you think I am.”
He grinned and arched his eyebrows. “Are you a dude?”
But her expression remained serious. “This is really hard.” She stroked his cheek again, her gentle touch sending shimmers of heat through him. “I love the way you look at me and I’m afraid that after I tell you, that look will… change.”
He took her hand and squeezed. “I don’t think that’s possible, but go ahead and tell me.” At her continued hesitation, he said, “Just take a deep breath and do it.”
He watched her chest rise and fall as she took his advice, then she gazed down at their joined hands.
“You think of me as sweet and a little naïve, but that’s far from the truth. When you and I have sex it’s tender and passionate and lovely. Everything a woman would want.”
He smiled, delighting in her praise.
“At least, most women.”
Fuck, was she going to tell him he wasn’t good enough in bed?
“So what am I doing wrong?”
Her eyes widened. “No, it’s not you. It’s me.”
“Ah, classic break up line.”
“Abel, this is serious.”
“I know, sweetheart. Just tell me.”
“Okay. I’m into BDSM.”
He didn’t know what he’d expected, but it wasn’t that.
“So you want to be tied up? Or you want me to dominate you?”
“Well, no. Actually…”
* * *
“She’s a Domme.” Abel picked up the burger Marie, Drake’s wife, set in front of him and bit into it.
“A Domme?” Drake’s eyes twinkled. “So does she have whips and chains?”
Abel shrugged. “I don’t know.” He grinned. “But I’d sure like to find out.”
“I can’t help envisioning a full latex suit with spike heeled boots,” said Drake. “And a whip.”
Marie grinned at him. “Are you trying to tell me something? Does someone want to submit to the control of his woman?”
Across the table, their other brother, Craig, raised his hand. Drake also put his hand in the air.
Abel laughed. “Well, girls, maybe you can take lessons from Nicole.”
Lori smiled. “That could be fun.”
“So you and Nicole are together again?” Marie asked.
“No.”
Marie’s eyes widened. “No?”
“Well, not yet. I told her I needed to think about things.”
“Why?” Lori asked.
“Well, she seemed so convinced that I might need time to get used to the idea that I didn’t want to disappoint her.”
Marie shook her head. “That just sounds mean.”
“Not at all. It gives her a chance to try and convince me. And more importantly, it gives me a chance to ask a few questions to find out if she’s okay with my secret. Not every woman is okay with a man sharing her with his two brothers.”
Lori giggled. “Though for the life of me, I can’t understand why.”
“When are you going to see her again?” Craig asked.
“I’ve arranged to meet her at her hotel tomorrow night.”
* * *
Nicole was worried.
She hadn’t known exactly what to expect when she told Abel about her being a Domme, and at least he hadn’t outright rejected her, but he hadn’t accepted the idea with open arms, either. He’d seemed cautiously curious and had suggested they talk about it when they had more time and could go somewhere private. So she’d invited him to her hotel.
A knock sounded on the door.
She stood up and approached the door. She loved him and she was determined to convince him they should be together, so she would do everything she could to persuade him. When she peered through the peephole, her heart swelled at the sight of his familiar, handsome face.
She opened the door. “Come in.”
She wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him, to feel his hard body against hers, but instead she turned and walked into the room. She wore a black leather skirt and a silk shirt that fluttered as she walked. Although loose fitting, the shirt draped nicely and silhouetted her curves in a flattering manner. She could almost feel the heat of his gaze on her ass as he followed her. She sat down in the upholstered chair by the low table she’d pulled into the center of the room and gestured for him to sit in the desk chair she’d placed facing hers.
“Thank you for coming. I’ll answer any questions you want.”
He nodded. “Good.”
His expression was serious and she worried he’d already made up his mind and had just come here out of courtesy.
He leaned back in the chair. “So, you’re a Domme. I’m not really sure what that means, but I am curious about one thing. Do you do it with a lot of different men?”
Her stomach tightened. Did he think she did it professionally?
“I wouldn’t say a lot of men. Just the ones I’ve had a sexual relationship with.”
She realized that didn’t really answer the question, but he didn’t press it further.
“I’m curious if you’ve dominated more than one man at a time,” he said.
Her lips compressed. “That’s like me asking if you’ve had a threesome with two women.”
“That’s true. I guess I’m just curious how adventurous you are with sex.”
She raised an eyebrow. “How about we focus on the fact I’m a Domme, so I can address your concerns?”
He nodded. “Okay, why don’t you just explain to me what you do?”
“That’s a pretty broad question, but I’ll do my best.” Now was the time to put her skills to work. “But first, there’s a bottle of water in the fridge, and a clean glass and a bucket of ice on the counter. I’d like some ice water. Would you mind?”
“Sure.” He stood up and fetched the water, then set the tinkling glass on the table in front of her.
She took a sip and set it down again.
“So as a Domme, I take control of the situation. This can be only in the bedroom, or beyond that if that’s what my partner wants.”
“You never did that with us,” he said.
“No. I didn’t want to scare you away. O
ur romance started fast and because of circumstances, I knew we wouldn’t be together long. With previous lovers, I had the luxury of time to build a relationship and introduce the domination slowly.” She gazed into his blue eyes, willing him to understand. “You were so special and I wanted it to work between us so badly… I tried to ignore my usual tendency to take control. I did it, but it was a struggle, and I realized I was denying who I really am, and a relationship cannot continue if it requires that.”
He nodded. “I understand.”
She picked up the water, the ice cubes clinking against the side of the glass, and took another sip. “I don’t know about you, but I find it hot in here.” In fact, she’d turned up the heat so it was a little warm. “Would you turn down the thermostat?”
As he walked to the control box on the wall, she unfastened the sash on her shirt and released the two buttons holding it closed, then dropped the garment from her shoulders and laid it over the arm of the chair. Underneath she wore a snug, black leather top with a zipper down the front and a zipper slashing across each breast.
When he sat back down, his gaze dropped to the silver zipper over her left breast. She fanned herself with her hand and drew the front zipper down a little, revealing cleavage. His gaze followed her movement, his eyes glittering. She dragged her fingertips along her skin as she drew her hand away.
“That’s an interesting top. Are you planning to pull out the whips and chains and dominate me right now?”
She smiled. “I think you’d like me to chain you up so you’re helpless, then take advantage of you,” she said in a seductive voice. Actually, she had no idea and said it just to see his reaction. His expression remained closed, but she could see his cock getting hard beneath the denim.
So, he was interested.
“But to answer your question, I’m not planning anything so brute force. I do think it’s a good idea to give you a taste of what I do, though.”