Surrender to Chance [King's Bluff, Wyoming 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Fiona Archer

  Alex wanted to punch it right off his face. Jesus, he’d turned back into a jealous teenager. This was a fellow Dom, one to whom he’d entrusted the daily workings of the club.

  Kane sent Eli a hard look before speaking. “Rachel responded well to the flogger.” He glanced over at the chains dangling down from the ceiling. “Looked gorgeous under the lights.”

  Eli nodded. Satisfaction clear in his brown eyes. “She did. Her training’s coming along nicely. Her last master was a fool to leave her.”

  Agreed. Sweet natured and polite, the young woman in her early twenties had been referred to Alex by a friend who had his own club in San Francisco. Rachel had seemed destined to make poor choices when it came to trusting a Dom to show her the way. Here, she could learn more about the lifestyle in a safe environment and earn a wage working at the lodge, with her hours scheduled around her lessons and shifts at the club.

  “Rachel has the last spot of the five interns,” Eli said.

  “And Cara?” Alex wouldn’t interfere. Eli governed which interns made the cut.

  “She’s in, but taking some remedial lessons.” His eyes gleamed with his smile. “Mistakes happen. And will continue to from time to time. That’s understood. It’s my job to see she learns from them.” He began walking toward the doorway leading back in the main area of the club. “Besides, every club needs their share of brats. Nothing like beating the ass of a naughty sub.”

  Olivia’s soft gasp had Kane chuckling. Alex’s lips twitched. He recalled her open mouth at Cara’s punishment. What would she think of him disciplining subs? Or more importantly, when he disciplined her?

  He chose to ignore the fact he’d said when and not if.

  Dom’s prerogative.

  As they followed Eli, he rested his hand on the small of Olivia’s back, enjoying the sway of her body under his touch. He wasn’t being supportive. Far from it. He needed to have his hand on her, feel the warmth of her skin just as much as Kane needed to stand close enough that his denim shirt brushed against her shirt sleeve.

  Cara’s muffled wails reached them long before they stood before the hitching post. Tears streaked her cheeks in long mascara-stained trails. Strands of hair stuck to her face. Alex didn’t particularly enjoy punishing subs, but letting one get away with open disrespect was unacceptable. Cara needed to understand that the basic rules of submission weren’t negotiable with Eli, him, and Kane.

  Eli glanced at Mikhal. “How long?”

  “Twenty-two minutes.” The giant answered as he passed a towel to his boss.

  “We’re done.” Eli stepped in front of Cara and lifted her chin. “Are you ready to be polite?”

  She nodded, sending more hair sticking against her cheeks.

  Eli unbuckled the gag, then used the towel to wipe her face, pushing her hair back from out of her eyes.

  He reached behind to untie the tether from her wrist cuffs to the hitching post, but left her wrists still cuffed behind her. “Kneel.” Mikhal helped her to her knees. “You have something to say to me, pet?”

  The sub swallowed, her voice thick as she croaked out her words. “I’m s–sorry, Master Eli. I’m s–so sorry.” Tears continued to slide down her face. Eli used a thumb to brush some away.

  “That’s a lovely apology.” His hand gripped her jaw, firming until her eyes rounded slightly. “Don’t force me to do that again.”

  “Yes, Sir,” she rushed out.

  The big Dom glanced at Mikhal. “Remove the belt, please, Mikhal. But keep her secured for a while yet. I don’t trust her not to get off when she’s on her own.”

  Smart Dom.

  At the sub’s loud gasp, Eli laughed. “You didn’t think I’d let you come, did you?” He leaned down, his face inches from hers. “It’s not a punishment when you come, sub.” With that he turned, ignoring her flood of tears as Mikhal lead her to a door built into the wall near the bar.

  Alex caught the fierce line marring Olivia’s forehead. Not hard to guess she sided with the sub. That was why the Doms were in charge.

  “You have time for coffee?” Eli asked.

  Kane checked his watch. “Fifteen minutes, then we need to meet the site manager.”

  Eli waved over one of the subs that had entered the room. After gaining everyone’s order, she left to bring the beverages.

  Kane used his hand under Olivia’s elbow to steer her toward the couches at the front. Sitting her down on a two-seater, he claimed the space next to her while Alex and Eli sat in single chairs opposite.

  Alex got straight down to business. “Any problems?”

  “No. The subs are near ready, just getting them primed on their work duties. Equipment has been thoroughly tested.” He broke off, his teeth white against his tanned skin. “I can personally vouch for the spanking bench. I know you can’t wait to try that out.”

  Alex glanced over at Olivia. An alluring pink stained her cheeks. Damn straight he couldn’t wait. He forced himself to turn back to Eli. “Anything else?”

  “No.” The Dom nodded for the sub to set out their coffees. Olivia’s water came in a chilled glass with ice.

  “Thank you.” She smiled shyly at the sub, who nodded politely. When it came to serving the Doms, she left Kane last and when finished, followed his gesture to kneel by his chair, eyes down. His brother ran a hand over her head. “Thank you, pet.”

  Alex remembered Kane and the sub had played together a couple of times in Seattle. What was her name? Kimber?

  Look at that. The muscles around Olivia’s mouth tightened a smidgeon before she sipped her water. Little Red’s jealous? Pure male satisfaction filled his chest. What he and Kane would do with that information, who knew, but it pleased him nonetheless.

  “Kimber, find Gregory for me, please, and tell him I want him in my office in fifteen minutes. I need to discuss his upcoming schedule.” Eli phrased the words politely, but like any Dom, it wasn’t a request.

  The sub jumped up to do his bidding.

  Alex sipped his coffee, sighing at the extra strong flavor of the roasted blend they’d had specially made for the lodge and club. There was a milder blend, too, but for Alex, coffee should be strong enough to keep a man awake through the night. “You’ve done an excellent job here, Eli. You should be proud of yourself and your team.”

  Their resident Dom bowed his head slightly, accepting the praise without a show of false modesty. “I’ll convey that to all concerned.”

  Kane said, “Please do.”

  Alex couldn’t help but ask, “No more subs turning up out of the blue wanting training?”

  “God, no.” Eli rolled his eyes. “The last one virtually threatened my manhood if I didn’t train her.” He chuckled. “Caleb escorted that one off the premises. I think he followed her all the way to the county line. He’s never liked brats.” He paused, twisting his mouth in a wry line. “Well, except for one.”

  “You know Caleb King?” Olivia’s brows rose.

  “We were in the Rangers together.” Eli answered, his features guarded.

  When it was clear he wasn’t saying any more, Olivia sipped her water, absorbing this intel.

  In fact, he and Kane had met Eli at a friend’s club in San Francisco nearly four years ago when Eli was still in active service. They hadn’t realized his connection to Caleb until much later when discussing with him their plans to open a club in King’s Bluff. The chance to live near his best friend and take on a tailor-made job he was born for convinced him to sign up.

  “Are you in the lifestyle, Olivia?” Eli’s direct question gave her no chance to obfuscate.

  “No,” Olivia blurted out before dropping her gaze to the safety of her lap.

  Eli’s gaze narrowed. Alex understood his suspicion. The Dom’s instincts weren’t off. She might not be wearing a collar, but little Red was a sub at heart.

  Kane glanced over at Alex, his lips pursed, as if debating something. In the end he glanced at his watch, a sure sign to leave. Maybe that was best. There wa
s enough left to contemplate after this visit, and none of it had anything to do with concerns over the management of the club. Eli Wolf knew his shit. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have been hired at the spectacular salary he’d demanded. Then again, when your reputation was at stake—and it was for all three men in regards to the club—everyone was invested in making it a success.

  Kane drank the last of his coffee then stood. “Thanks for the update. Let’s meet for lunch Friday.”

  “Sounds good.” Eli rose, extending his hand to help Olivia up off the couch. The fat, generous upholstery was perfect for post-scene snuggles but short subs sank down into the deep, soft cushions, making it hard to get out, which wasn’t always a minus for the Dom.

  Olivia’s hand disappeared inside Eli’s grasp. Alex stomped down the urge to growl. The man met her stare, eyes evaluating. Bastard knew exactly what he was doing.

  Kane, standing behind Olivia, backed Alex up with his own lethal glare. Considering the three men were all former SEALS or Rangers, the testosterone level in the room might suffocate Olivia.

  Amusement shone in Eli’s gaze as he glanced at Kane before centering back on the woman whose hand he still held captive. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Olivia. I’m sure we’ll have a lot to do with each other.”

  “Not likely.” Kane took Olivia’s free hand and headed out of the club.

  Olivia cast a hurried glance over her shoulder. “Thank you. I, um, look forward to that.”

  Alex waited until the second Olivia passed over the barn door’s entrance.

  “You’ll keep yourself occupied with your stable of subs. Olivia’s off-limits. Understood?” His voice was cold enough to freeze water.

  Eli cocked a brow. “Who are you trying to warn off? Me or yourself?”

  Good fucking question.

  He glared at Eli before walking out. The answer was obvious, as well as the knowledge that for he and Kane, the warning had come way too late.

  Chapter Six

  Kane held the phone’s receiver to his ear as he stared out his floor to ceiling view of downtown Seattle, but his mind wasn’t on the view. It was two weeks since he and Alex had shown Olivia the club. Now was the time to set his plan in motion. He tapped the screen of his cell and waited for the call to connect. The phone answered on the fourth ring.

  “Hello, this is Olivia Fletcher.”

  “Olivia, it’s Kane. How’s your second day in Seattle?”

  “Hi, Kane. Great so far.” A ripple of excitement bubbled in her voice. “I’m just leaving a meeting with some of the marketing team. My schedule has been pretty full, but I’m loving getting to know everyone.”

  “Good.” He fixed his gaze on a distant building’s rooftop. “Before I forget, Alex is staying on in Seattle next week for business, but I’m flying back to King’s Bluff late Sunday on the company jet. Why don’t you join me? It’s easier than you having to take the connecting flights home.”

  “Seriously?” Her tone held surprise. “That would be wonderful, thanks.”

  “I’ll let Louisa know. She’ll handle the details.” He pressed on. “Alex and I would like to take you out for dinner tonight. With both him and me travelling so much, we haven’t had a chance to catch up since we visited the club.” When it looked like your world had been rocked on its axis.

  “Okay. Sure, that’d be great. Do you want me to have something ready to discuss with you?”

  He smiled to himself. Was she poised to make a list in one of her numerous notebooks with their special covers?

  “No, this isn’t business.” He let that sink in for a few seconds. “It’s the three of us spending time together.”

  He heard a quick intake of breath. Then in a sure voice she said, “I’d like that.”

  Now that was sexy. Yes, she was nervous, but bold enough to accept.

  “Great.” He sat forward in his chair. “We’ll look forward to seeing you. Say, five? Up on our floor? We’ll go someplace casual, start the weekend off right.”

  “That would be lovely.”

  “Until then.”

  The rest of the day flew by in a blur of meetings. Later that afternoon he gathered up a sheaf of papers from his desk. As he strode toward his office’s doorway, he couldn’t help but compare his workspace at the lodge, with its wood and mountain views, to this modernist glass structure. The former was smaller, more intimate. Just like everything to do with King’s Bluff.

  Walking over to their PA’s sleek desk in the expansive lounge area between his and Alex’s offices, he held out the papers. “You did an excellent job on the brief, Louisa. You’ve spared me endless hours in meetings with the regulators.”

  The diminutive brunette aged in her sixties and dressed impeccably in a sapphire blue silk shirt and black skirt, reached for the report. “Thank you, Kane. Knowing your level of zeal for dealing with bureaucracy, I’m glad it helped.” She rested her arms on her desk and stared at him.

  Kane shifted his feet under her continued scrutiny. Louisa didn’t blink. Not once. This could only mean one thing.

  “You have something to say.” It wasn’t a question. Years of being part mothered, part lovingly bossed by Louisa had taught him the signs.

  “I met Olivia Fletcher this morning. She came up to thank me for the hotel and flight bookings I made for her trip.”

  And he’d missed seeing her? He masked his disappointment with a vague nod. “That was nice of her.” And not unexpected. The woman had manners.

  “Yes, it was. She’s accepted our offer to fly back with you on Sunday afternoon.” Louisa clasped her hands in front of her. “It was fortuitous, you changing your plans and visiting us on the off week of your normal schedule and even better that it matched up with Olivia’s visit to headquarters.”

  He felt his gaze narrow. “I thought so.”

  Louisa’s hazel gaze turned watchful. “I managed to get that early dinner reservation for you.”

  “Good.” He tensed, poised for her strike.

  Louisa tilted her head to the side. “I can’t remember the last time you both took a PR consultant out to dinner.”

  “Don’t stress yourself trying to—”

  “Ah, that’s right. That would be never.” Their long-time PA lifted her chin in a gesture of triumph.

  Kane sighed.

  “You like her.” Louisa’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “Don’t even try hiding that from me.”

  “I wouldn’t dare.” His dry reply failed to dent the older woman’s enthusiasm.

  “I don’t have a lock on Alex yet. He’s always been harder to read. But you”—she nodded with obvious certainty—“I’ve always been able to see what you’re thinking.”

  “Are you picking up anything right now?”

  She huffed away his sarcasm. “You changed your schedule to make sure you were in Seattle, and you chose her hotel arrangements instead of leaving it to me.” She lifted her brows at the significance of these deductions. “Plus, you cleared your arrangements on the weekend. As in nothing. Nada. Completely clear except for your brunch on Sunday with Nathan.”

  Any minute now she was going to shine her desk lamp in his face. “Lady, the FBI needs you on speed dial.”

  “You’re fooling nobody, young man.” She picked up a pencil from her desk and tapped it on the front page of her notepad. “I’ve known you too long. Don’t forget who changed your diapers when you visited your dad in his office.”

  He closed his eyes, absorbing the blow. “Jesus spare me.”

  A hand clapped him on the shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Now there’s an image that’s going to haunt you for months to come.” Alex shook his head at Kane before fixing his gaze on their PA. “If you’re through mentally torturing my brother, we’ll call it a day.” He dropped a file into her IN tray. “Is Olivia meeting us here?”

  “Yes, at five sharp.” She glanced at her watch. “You have ten minutes.”

  Both men started to walk away before Alex turned
back to face Louisa. A frown cut into his forehead. “Did you ever change my diapers?”

  Their secretary had to think before answering. “No, the situation never arose with you.”

  “Thank God for small mercies,” Alex muttered under his breath.

  For the first time in years, Kane was truly envious of his brother.

  Back in his office, Kane cleared his desk, and then grabbed his coat. As he picked up his leather satchel, he paused to center his thoughts.

  Ever since their visit to their club, he’d been distracted, make that fucking tormented, with images of Olivia’s open and honest reaction to BDSM. Seeing her face, the way she’d soaked up the atmosphere as Eli had scened with the sub, was something to behold. In all his years in the lifestyle, he’d never witnessed such a natural awakening.

  Olivia’s response had sealed her fate. He and Alex were committed to testing out the dating waters.

  They had decided to give her space to process everything she’d seen.

  He wanted her to know she could ask him anything about BDSM. There were too many freaks on the net basking in the Fifty Shades glory that would steer her wrong. And if they ended up meeting her? Taking her to their house, doing whatever the fuck they wanted when she was tied up and helpless?

  He scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. Christ, he didn’t even want to think about that. Besides, he wanted to be the one tying her up and tormenting her in all the kinkiest ways possible.

  He and Alex both.

  Without knocking he strode into Alex’s office, dumping his coat and bag on a chair.

  His brother stared out the window that showcased the Seattle skyline and the water beyond. “You’re sure about this?”

  “You’re having second thoughts?” Seriously? He shoved his hands in the pockets of his navy pants.

  Alex snorted. “No. But you need to remember I don’t do the full dating scenario.”

  “Then let’s go for a drive along the shore, check out one of our favorite places on Alki, and forget the world for a few hours.” He gave a wry laugh. “We’ll take it slow with Olivia. I’ll ride interference when you turn into ice-man.”