by Fiona Archer
She glanced at Alex and found him watching her.
He said close to her ear. “Don’t worry, Red. I’ll get my hands on you later, and when I do, it will be worth the wait.”
She nearly tripped mid-step. Oh boy. He wanted to touch her. Desired her. A thrill of pleasure shot through her. After years of nothing, this blatant declaration of a man’s attraction was enough to make a girl giddy.
For the next three hours they visited a cavalcade of shops and quirky spots, including a vintage emporium where she purchased a fabulous velvet handbag in a gorgeous shade of chartreuse, and a book shop with its own resident cats. Olivia gave them snuggles as she walked past the shelves of books.
All the while Kane kept touching her, either holding her hand or running his fingers down her arm. Alex, more distant, had taken a couple of calls on his cell but kept them short. During one interruption, he stood next to her, his hand resting on her hip as she admired a selection of antique perfume bottles. Whether that was him staking his claim to others or making a point to her, Olivia wasn’t sure.
By lunchtime, her tummy rumbled, and her feet begged for a reprieve. Ever vigilant, Kane caught her standing on one foot then another. In under a minute, he led them to the pub he recommended last night, with its mouthwatering burgers and a wide selection of beers from local boutique breweries.
“Let’s take a table next to the windows.” Alex, in firm possession of her hand, steered them over the old timber floor to a wooden table with four chairs. He seated her alongside the window, then sat next to her, settling his arm on the back of her chair. Kane sat opposite. A soft breeze flowed over them and carried the sounds of laughter from the street below.
“You drink beer, Olivia?” Kane glanced up from his menu. A lock of hair fell over his forehead, the sun highlighting its blue-blackness against the tan of his skin.
She gripped her menu tighter against the urge to flick his hair back into place.
“Occasionally.” A glance at the bar showed a huge mirror with shelves containing a long line of amber-colored bottles, their labels too hard to read from this distance. “I have to be careful. Beer makes me sleepy.”
“That’s the last thing we want.” Kane’s low voice rippled with laughter.
Alex’s fingers traced over her shoulder. “I’m sure we can think of ways to keep her awake.”
His touch, combined with his words, sent a shiver over her skin.
And they’d both seen her reaction.
Dammit.
She studied the menu and ignored their soft chuckles.
Once their orders were collected and drinks served, she eased into her chair. The firmness of Alex’s arm pressed against her back and shoulders never let her forget their closeness.
She sipped from her glass of pale ale, the taste of hops fresh on her tongue, the liquid cold in her mouth.
Kane took a long swallow from his bottle of stout. She watched the muscles in his neck work as he drank, then let her gaze dip to where the open neck of his shirt gave a glimpse of the chest hair hidden underneath.
Totally gorgeous, and completely not what she should be focusing on right now. Asking questions and learning sexy, tie-me-up stuff was on the agenda.
“Can I ask a newbie BDSM question?”
Alex inclined his head. “Of course.”
“This morning, after we parked the car, you asked me if I was okay with your suggestion for how we’d spend the morning.”
He lifted a brow. “That surprised you?”
She shifted in her seat. “I guess I keep thinking that Doms dictate what happens in everyday stuff. Don’t you…” She waved a hand in the air. “You know, make all of the decisions when it affects how you’d spend your time?”
Alex stared at her a few seconds before answering. “You think Doms make all the decisions?”
“Well…” She shrugged. “Most of the time, yes.”
“Did it disappoint you that I let you have the final say?”
“No,” she answered. “In fact, I liked it. I thought it was considerate. I just didn’t expect it.” Seeing the flash of surprise in his eyes, she rushed on. “I don’t mean you’re normally rude.” She ignored Kane’s strangled laugh, wishing she’d taken, oh, maybe another ten years to reframe her words. “I’m just saying, I wasn’t expecting it, you know, from you.”
Wow. Yeah. That helped.
For some crazy-assed reason, she kept going.
She waved both hands in the air this time, as if erasing her gaff. “Okay, let me start again. What I meant was, you’re such an alpha-Dom kind of guy, and I was guessing this weekend you’d be in ‘take-charge mode’ and I’d have to comply with everything.” She closed her eyes and pushed out a breath.
After counting to five, she risked a glance at Alex.
Amusement gleamed in his eyes. “Thanks for the alpha-Dom compliment, Red.”
“Um, you’re welcome.” She caught Kane lifting his glass to his mouth and rushed to qualify herself. “You’re absolutely an alpha Dom, too. I didn’t mean to imply that you weren’t. It’s just you’re better at communicating than Alex. You have the charm factor.”
He swallowed down his mouthful of beer while laughing. “Appreciate the mention, babe.”
“God, please, just forget I said anything.” She dropped her gaze to her lap. Maybe she could make an excuse to visit the restroom and then drown herself in the little sink. It might take a while, but she was up for it.
“Olivia,” Alex prompted.
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to will herself into invisibility.
“Red, look at me,” he ordered, his tone low, unyielding.
With a sigh, she opened her eyes.
“Never apologize for asking a valid question. This weekend is all about learning.” His arm rubbed against her back as he gripped her shoulder. “Before I answer, I’ll ask you a question. Would you prefer a Dom to make all the decisions, including on things that have nothing to do with what happens inside the bedroom or playroom?”
“No.”
“Why?” Kane asked.
She glanced from Alex to him. “I’m not like that. I think for myself.”
Alex’s thumb stroked over the curve of her shoulder. “Some subs prefer all decisions to be at the discretion of the Dom. That’s not how Kane and I roll. We want a woman who knows her own mind and acts on it. We’ll always be in charge in the bedroom, when playing, or if it’s a matter of safety, but apart from that, everything is up for discussion. That’s not to say we won’t be arrogant bastards and sometimes want to get our own way, but it’s not a given.”
“Just because a guy’s a Dom doesn’t give him a license to be an ass.” Kane tapped his finger against his near empty bottle. “You have friends in the lifestyle. Reagan and Chloe?”
“Yes,” she said.
“They seem like women who can make up their own minds,” Kane said.
“Absolutely. No question of that.”
So was Suzie. And she’d seen her best friend with Gabe, arguing about everyday stuff. As far as Olivia could remember, Gabe had never been over-the-top bossy in front of her. Maybe she shouldn’t have been so surprised by Alex’s willingness to let her decide earlier in the day.
“So it’s not all about having control, at least not for both of you?” Her gaze bounced from Kane to his brother.
Alex’s gaze narrowed. “Hanging on to your independence is a big thing for you, Red.”
“It is.” She wouldn’t deny it. “I gave away my independence to a man not worthy of it, and I’m not prepared to hand it over again.”
Kane cocked his head. “And now you guard your self-determination as if it’s something we’d steal from you?”
“No.” Yes.
Alex didn’t let up. “You think all men are like your ex? That we’re all about what we want and your wishes don’t count?”
“No, of course not.” She stiffened and sat up straighter.
“Sure about that?” Kane a
sked, cocking a brow.
“Yes, I’m sure.” She rubbed the side of her neck, where her gold necklace now irritated her skin.
Alex’s gaze dropped to her hand at her neck, then shot back to her face.
“Not going to lie, Red. Being in command is one hell of an aphrodisiac. Some guys thrive on responsibility, the adrenaline rush of knowing someone trusts you in any situation. That could be from successfully leading your team through a firefight in the back streets of Kabul to pushing a sub’s boundaries in a playroom in Seattle.” Alex ran his fingertips along the back of her neck, sending a frisson of pleasure over her skin. “But there’s more to the dynamic than what influence you have over people.”
“Tell me.” She needed to know more.
Kane leaned back into his seat. “You only get control once you’ve gained a person’s trust. Take the scenario of the sub in the playroom. Depending on her needs, the Dom wants to challenge and pleasure her as he best sees fit. Guiding a sub through that experience, seeing how it affects her, good and bad, makes the Dom accountable for his actions. That happens right from the start of their time together. He has to give of himself, recognizing her strengths and needs, then putting them first so he can command effectively. The taking isn’t all one way.”
“When that encounter is with a beautiful woman, the drive to conquer increases,” Alex added, claiming her gaze back from his brother. “Add in the fact she’s skittish, and the challenge becomes irresistible.”
Her breath caught somewhere in her throat until it burned, forcing her to let it out in a soft whoosh.
Holy moley, she was in such deep water even a life preserver may not save her. With guys like these, their dominance wasn’t something they turned on and off. It was always there, sometimes as an undercurrent that licked at her feet and, at other times, a raging torrent that could sweep her up and carry her to wherever they wanted.
Alex and Kane chose what level of power was exerted.
The fact they possessed such an awareness of themselves sent a beat of panic up her spine, and yet tantalized her to the point she could taste her excitement.
The arrival of their food gave her some much-needed breathing room.
Kane was right. The burgers were to die for, and by the time she’d consumed hers and the thick cut fries, she could barely move from a mixture of a full tummy and lethargy. She watched as Kane dropped several bills on top of their check, then handed it to the waiter as the young man walked past.
Alex checked the silver watch on his wrist. “It’s nearly two-thirty. You want to walk anymore or maybe head somewhere else?”
More walking? God, she’d just die. “You know, if it’s okay with you, I’m happy to either head back to your place or just go for a drive.”
“Tuckered out, babe?” Kane’s eyes twinkled—if it was even possible to associate such a word as twinkle with a badass like Kane.
“Well, I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
His voice deepened. “And you won’t tonight either.”
Her pulse skittered.
How was she supposed to act nonchalant with that kind of sexy promise-but-sounds-more-like-a-threat statement?
“Let’s get you home.” Kane’s mouth twitched as he stood. “You can sun yourself on the back terrace or maybe take a nap.”
“Mmm, a nap sounds tempting.” She rose. “With all those rooms, I should play Goldilocks and sample different beds.” With a chuckle, she looped the strap of her handbag over her shoulder.
Alex rose to tower over her. “In my bed, Olivia.”
She blinked at him.
“This weekend you sleep in either mine or Kane’s bed. His turn was yesterday. Mine today.” He curled a hand around the back of her neck, kept a firm grip, then dipped his face close. “And, Red, my bed’s a fuck of a lot better than ‘just right.’”
He captured her lips in a demanding kiss that left her weak-kneed. When he lifted his head, his gaze locked with hers as if reinforcing his point.
Without another word, Alex gathered her hand in his, and led her out of the pub and into the sunshine, where Kane stood holding her shopping bags. The younger MacKenzie gave her a long, slow smile, then grabbed her free hand as they walked the short distance to Alex’s car.
Obviously, both men felt the need to stamp his ownership of her.
But that “ownership” would only last for this weekend. Their time together was two Masters showing her the ground rules of a Dom/sub relationship. There had been no promises of anything else apart from Kane saying they’d see what developed from their time spent together. And she’d agreed to those terms.
But the one thing she hadn’t taken into account when making this bargain was now clear. She was falling for the MacKenzies, and her heart might not survive the fall.
A groundswell of confusion rose up inside her. When had her feelings come into play? As the guys had talked to her about what being in command meant for them? Or when they’d held her after their first time together in bed? Or were the seeds of those feelings there before this weekend and everything since had reinforced that awakening?
Not that the actual timeframe mattered when the bigger question of how she’d survive working for them once this weekend was over hung heavy and unanswered.
Chapter Nine
Kane felt his gaze narrow as he eyed the unfamiliar older-model black sports car in their driveway. “You recognize the Porsche?” he asked Alex as his brother pulled in behind the car.
Their return trip from Fremont had been filled with laughter, with Olivia taking up the back passenger seat. He didn’t want their easy-going atmosphere interrupted by an uninvited guest.
Alex shook his head. “No idea. I’m not expecting anyone until Nathan arrives tomorrow.” He opened the back passenger door for Olivia while Kane grabbed her purchases.
As the three of them entered the foyer, voices could be heard from the formal lounge.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry, but I have my instructions.” A male. Polite, but firm. Phillip.
“I don’t care if he’s given you instructions that I’m not to wait here uninvited, I’m staying.”
Older Female. Demanding. Impatient. Kane cursed under his breath. Mother.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” Alex’s face turned as hard as his voice.
“I’ll handle this.” Kane shot a meaningful glance toward Olivia, who cast uncertain looks between him and Alex. He dropped her bags near the entry, then strode into the large room with its multiple leather sofas and winged-back chairs in shades of brown.
He nodded to the man blocking his mother’s path. “Thanks, Phillip.”
Phillip inclined his head and quietly exited the room.
Kane skirted one of the many seating arrangements and stopped close to his mom who, dressed in a crimson silk pants suit and with her brunette hair curled and teased into a style befitting someone twenty years younger, stood in the middle of the room.
“Mom.” He bent and kissed her cheek, trying not to stare at the too-smooth skin with its unnatural tightness. Another procedure? “What are you doing here?”
She leaned back, as if in shock. “I need a reason to see my son?”
Son. Not sons.
He bit back the rebuke. It wouldn’t do any good.
“No, but I’d sent you a text on Wednesday saying I wasn’t due back in Seattle for another week.”
“Bunny rang me and said she’d heard you were in town.” Her satisfied smile was aimed over his shoulder, right where he guessed Alex was now standing.
Bunny Lindstrom. Tasha’s mother and one of Claudette MacKenzie’s bridge cronies. No doubt Tasha discussed her power play against Alex with her mother, who in turn couldn’t wait to share the news.
“Did Bunny admit that Tasha stole confidential material from Alex’s room?” Then just for kicks Kane added, “We’re considering what legal action we can take.”
For a second, alarm filled Claudette’s icy blue eyes before h
er face registered appropriate concern. “She didn’t put it in those terms.” She stepped to the side, directing her next words beyond Kane. “How horrible for you, Alex, that someone got the better of you.”
Kane’s jaw hardened. Jesus, she never missed an opportunity. He half turned, not surprised by his brother’s stony-faced expression.
“As ever, Claudette, your concern is underwhelming.” Alex’s words ripped away the thin veneer of fake-politeness between mother and son.
Olivia, held in place beside Alex, with his grip on her hand, shuffled her feet as she looked everywhere but at Claudette.
Christ, he should have insisted Alex take Olivia to the kitchen while he dealt with his mom, but no fucking way Alex would allow Claudette out of his sight in their home. Not for one minute. Now Olivia had a ringside seat into the sideshow that was his dysfunctional family.
Fucking perfect.
And his brother wasn’t finished. “Why don’t you tell us the real reason you’re here? No doubt rubbing my face in Tasha’s small victory is a bonus, but let’s save ourselves some time and get right to business.”
Claudette’s mouth tightened and her eyes hardened to icy chips. There was no innocent outrage at Alex’s accusation. Just anger.
At least until Kane moved a step back. Then, as if catching herself, Claudette softened her features. Her mouth turned down at the edges, and despite the sharp line of her suit jacket, he could see her shoulders slump.
She stared up at Kane. “See, even when I try to get along, he shoots me down.”
He searched her face for something, anything to show some genuine concern for her eldest son. But there was nothing in her surreal youthful features that gave him solace.
“Why are you here, Mom?” he asked calmly.
“Kane, I can be here for more than one reason.” Her too-bright smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“True. So tell me.” He waited.