by Fiona Archer
Then he saw it. The forced cheerfulness fled, replaced by a flat acceptance that her charm offensive had failed.
Still, he waited, wanting to hear the words, forcing her to say them in front of Alex. It wasn’t nice, but in the face of her joy at Tasha’s betrayal of her eldest son, she deserved no better. The time for bullshit was over, and the hollowness in the pit of his stomach was a necessary price to pay.
“I’ve broken up with Nicky,” she declared, glancing off to the side as she spoke. “Told him to pack his stuff and leave, but it’s complicated.”
It always was. Still, he had to make sure of a few things first.
“Did he threaten you? Make demands?”
Her sigh was tight, impatient. “No, nothing like that.”
Obviously, the kind of comfort she was seeking from him didn’t come in the form of a hug and protection. He would have given it, gladly.
Resigned, he asked, “How much?”
“Fifty grand.” She rushed on. “It’s just so I can stay at a hotel while he gets his stuff out of my place, and, you know, to cover a few extra items.”
“I’ll have Phillip book you into our corporate suite, the one we use for visiting executives, for the week.” His mom opened her mouth, but he cut her off. “Nicky’s ass and his possessions better be out of your apartment by then or our security guys will help him pack.”
She didn’t miss a beat. “And the extra cash?”
Let’s not forget the important stuff.
“Yeah, mom, you’ll get the extra cash.” His mother would never change.
Claudette inclined her head. “Thank you.”
“Mom, you know I’d help. Why didn’t you tell me the real reason you were here from the start?”
“Not in front of him.” She didn’t even bother to use her son’s name.
Kane heard Olivia’s sharp hiss and turned to see her mouth open before she snapped it shut. Her gaze narrowed on his mother. She stepped closer to Alex, gripping his arm with her free hand as if wanting to give him comfort. Sweet little sub.
For his part, Alex stood like a pillar of stone. No movement. He fixed Claudette with a look of such cold remoteness, Kane wondered how she managed not to step back.
Kane swung his gaze back to the woman beside him. “For God’s sake, Mom, he’s your son.”
“But he was his father’s favorite. He came first.”
Alex shook his head. “Lady, you have a twisted way of looking at things to suit your own conscience.”
Claudette leaned forward, pointing a finger at Alex. “One mistake. Not even an affair. Just a…a flirtation, and he moved me down a rung on the ladder. It was all about you after that.” Her chin jutted out. Accusation shone bright in her eyes. “I came a poor second.”
Kane knew all about it. Even years after the event, the tale of the wife trying to tempt the chauffer made juicy gossip between one of their many nannies and a cook. A small child can easily overhear things.
But this was the first time he’d actually heard his mother lay the blame for the repercussions of her husband’s hurt feelings at Alex’s feet.
She faced Kane, shoulders back, unrepentant. “But we still managed to have you, and I decided you’d be mine.”
By buying him embarrassingly large presents? Making a big show of him in front of her friends on the rare occasions she’d have him during school breaks? Not to forget trying to pit one son against another?
Maybe it was the fact that for the first time in ages he, his brother, and his mom were in the same room and he saw what had been obvious for years, but he hadn’t been able to admit.
There was nothing he could do to fix the division in his family.
Fuck, it wasn’t until now that he’d even realized he’d clung to such a ridiculous hope. His mother would always resent the shit out of Alex. It wasn’t just indifference. Went well beyond that. Whatever mask she wore when she was with Kane had hid her hatred of her eldest son, someone he’d practically worshipped all his goddamned life.
And if that mask hid how she felt about Alex, what else did it conceal? How often had she hid her true self from him? Was anything she said genuine?
Was it like that with all women? Did Olivia use a mask?
He studied Olivia’s wide green eyes, how her gaze darted between him and his mother. No, her wariness and confusion was plain to see. All her emotions were. This morning, her eyes had lit up when a cat had butted its head under her chin and snuggled with her at the bookstore. She’d blushed after Kane’s thorough kiss before he’d helped her back into the car for their journey home.
Hell, even when she’d become defensive in the pub when he and Alex had prodded about her issues on control, she hadn’t hid her reaction.
She was just how she seemed. Genuine. Open. Kind.
And he wanted her near him. Wanted to take her. Revel in her goodness and the comfort she could offer.
“I drove a friend’s car here. Mine’s being serviced. They’ll be expecting me back soon.”
His mom’s clipped words failed to conceal their real meaning.
Money’s on its way. Goal achieved.
“Then you should go.” He wasted no time, gripping her elbow, and steering her past a disgusted Alex and Olivia, then straight to the front door. “I’ll call you.” He couldn’t bring himself to kiss his mom’s cheek.
Claudette’s gaze narrowed. “Who’s that with Alex?” she demanded, ignoring the fact he had the door half closed.
“A good woman.” And with that he closed the door.
By the time he got back to the others, Olivia was still standing in the same place, but Alex was across the room in front of the French cabinet that housed their liquor, his face cold, body tense. Typical Alex behavior after a confrontation with their mother. Retreat. Close himself off.
Not this time. No fucking way.
And he had just the little sub, with her issues on power and control, to help drag Alex back into the fold.
“Olivia, come here.” He put his hand out to the side, keeping his gaze fixed on his brother. A small hand curled into his palm. He tugged her around to face him, and scanned her features. No panic, no wariness. Only gentle concern showed in her soft face. “I apologize for you having to see our mother at her worst.”
She tilted her head slightly to one side. “No apology needed. Families can be”—she shrugged her shoulders and gave a small smile—“complicated.”
Fuck, she was sweet. He wanted to taste that goodness.
“Yeah, so let’s put our minds”—he cupped her face in his hands—“and bodies elsewhere.” He kissed her lips hard, wanting her to feel the pressure, know it was from him, and have that consume her thoughts as his arms surrounded her.
She hesitated for a second, then gripped his shirt at his sides and opened her mouth for him. He growled deep and felt himself harden at her answering shiver. Reaching down, he squeezed the cheeks of her ass, loving their ripe softness as he gathered her close.
From across the room, he heard the tinkling of ice in a glass. He lifted his head, and saw the hard clench of his brother’s jaw, the heat in his eyes. Olivia was a temptation. One Kane was counting on that Alex couldn’t resist.
Time to up the ante.
“Arms up, sub.” She recognized his use of the title signified a change in their dynamic. Her arms were up and her dress over her head in seconds, soon followed by her bra. He nodded down to her panties. “Off, baby.”
She glanced toward the door leading to the foyer. “May I ask, Sir, what if Phillip and Bonnie see me?”
“After dealing with our mother, Phillip will know we’ll want privacy unless we call for them.” He finished by staring at her panties, which she’d yet to remove.
She swallowed, then bent forward and with jerky movements, pulled the slip of white cotton down her legs.
He made a mental note to get her some sexy underwear. She wouldn’t be wearing it for long, but when she was, she’d know he picked it out
for her and that suited him just fine.
The fact he was making plans to buy her underwear after their weekend was over was something he chose to ignore. His concentration focused on more immediate issues. Like how the sight of her low-heeled red sandals with those winding straps that went around her ankles had teased his prick all day long. They’d stay on, especially when he was deep inside her later and those little kitten heels pushed into his back.
“Turn around, face Alex.”
His older sibling stayed rooted to the spot. The tight grip of Alex’s hand on his glass made a mockery of his blank expression.
Olivia cast Kane a questioning glance, but complied. He guided her hands back around him to his sides. “Grip my belt.” Her knuckles pressed the fabric against his skin as she grabbed hold. “Keep them there, sweetness, or you’ll earn a punishment.”
Her sharp indrawn breath made him smile. He loved that sweet moment of panic just before she rose to the challenge. Their little sub might be nervous, but her instinct to please was stronger.
She looked beautiful, arms back, chest forced forward so that every inch of her pale skin was on display. He reached around, cupping her breasts in his hands, squeezing first gently then harder. He flicked the tip of each nipple, watching them bead.
She moaned as the back of her head rested against his chest.
“Keep your eyes on Alex. Close them and you’ll end up on the spanking horse.”
He almost laughed as she pressed her lips together in grim determination. A futile exercise, since she’d likely be there sometime during the evening.
“Spread your legs.” He looked down over her chest. “Further. That’s it. Good girl.”
Letting go of one breast, he ran a hand down over the gentle sway of her stomach, then skimmed the smooth bareness just above her clit. Lower still, he rubbed the sensitive skin at the top of her inner thigh, grazing the tip of his thumbnail over her labia.
She lifted away from his front and clenched her muscles. He chuckled. Poor baby. She’d have good reason to squirm soon enough.
“You like that? Want me to touch your clit?” His fingers dipped into her pussy, spreading her wetness.
“Yes, Sir,” her words came out in a little pant.
Up and down he rubbed, lifting the hood of the hard bundle of nerves.
Her hands twisted his belt, pulling at the waist.
“You ready to submit completely?”
A pause, short but still there. “Um, maybe.”
“Maybe? That’s unacceptable.” He pinched her nipple—hard—for further emphasis.
He watched her teeth sink into her lower lip, then followed her line of sight. Alex had straightened, his stare unrelenting as it held Olivia’s captive.
Kame smiled inwardly. He liked it when things went according to plan.
Alex couldn’t help himself. Olivia needed them. Fuck, right now they needed her, too.
He lifted his chin to Alex. “What do you think? Is our sub holding back?”
Setting his glass on the sideboard, Alex stalked over to Olivia, stretching out her nervousness.
Kane had to bite down on a chuckle.
Alex gripped her jaw, forcing her head back. “You made a commitment to us last night. But now you’re running from it. Why?” he demanded, his voice uncompromising.
“I’m not.” She rushed out.
Alex cocked a brow, silently dismissing her denial. “Have we given you reason to be afraid of us?”
Kane felt her hands tighten their grip on his belt before she answered, “I’m a newbie at this. Everything we’re doing is scary.”
“That’s not what I asked.” Alex stepped closer, enough that her nipples flattened against his chest. “Have we given you reason to be afraid of us.”
“No.” She licked her lips. “But you can’t hold it against me if I get nervous.”
“I don’t. That doesn’t mean we’ll let you retreat from the progress you’ve already made.” He glanced at Kane. “We have a long ways to go.”
“Seems like it.” Kane dipped his fingers deeper into her pussy, teasing the edge of her vagina. “Still got issues giving up that control, don’t you, baby.”
Her chest rose and fell quickly as his fingers circled her clit. Finally, she bit out, “That’s not true. I’m here aren’t I?”
Alex shook his head. “I’m calling your bluff, Red. You say you want to learn about BDSM and experience what true submission is like when a Dom masters you, takes charge. But in your mind you already have a fallback excuse for when that learning gets too hard and you want to run.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Red stained her cheeks. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t taking learning all about dominance and submission seriously.”
Kane moved his hands from the front of her body to grip her upper arms, guiding them behind her back. She cast a nervous look over her shoulder but swung her head back around when Alex spoke.
“I didn’t say you were aware you were running.” His brother’s tone was almost gentle.
Kane backed him up. “You’re judging every man as if he was that asshole you were married to. You’ve got some strange idea that every time there’s a power exchange you give away a piece of yourself.”
“That’s not true.” She glared over her shoulder. “You’re making simplistic statements. You know nothing about my marriage or what’s in my head.” She wrenched against Kane’s hold.
He caught Alex’s gaze, then lifted his chin toward a side table against the far wall.
Alex’s eyes flashed hot. “Pity, Red. You shouldn’t issue that kind of challenge to men like Kane and me.” He went to the table, opened a small drawer underneath, and then drew out a pair of handcuffs and a black silk eye mask.
She tensed, watching Alex make his way back with what looked like a mixture of fascination and dread.
“You’re just going to have to trust us, little one. And therein lies the battle.” Alex slid the blindfold over her head, then passed the handcuffs to Kane before holding her arms still while Kane secured her wrists behind her.
“Let’s get started.” Kane lifted her in a fireman’s hold over his shoulder. Her squeak of protest was an added bonus. He slapped her ass as he headed toward the foyer.
Stairs or the elevator down to the dungeon? He chose the latter. Too much bumping on her stomach wasn’t a good idea, not when she was in for a challenging enough time as it is.
The angry bundle wiggled her hips. “Where are you taking me?”
“You don’t ask the questions, Olivia.” He spanked her ass again, this time harder.
A minute later they were downstairs, walking along the dark-carpeted hallway toward the black doorway. Alex punched in the code in the keyed lock. A loud click sounded before the door sprang open a few inches. Alex pulled it wide, then turned on the lights, revealing the large general play area with a huge suspension frame in the middle and equipment stations along each of the brown suede-effect painted walls.
Without a word, Alex walked toward a counter near the wall where they’d been devising a new activity for their club in King’s Bluff. He turned, glancing at Kane for agreement.
Kane nodded. It was the perfect tool to teach her that life had unexpected twists and turns. Like two Doms that weren’t afraid of pushing her limits.
He deposited their sub on the side of the thick, padded, full-length bench and kept a hand on her hip. Normally he’d move around the dungeon, but a blindfolded sub was vulnerable not only to her fears, but the equipment around her. “Don’t move, baby.”
“Yes, Sir.” Her voice came out strong, defiant.
No cowering for this flame-haired sub. He swallowed a chuckle at Alex’s frown. Watching how those two played out their tussle was a bonus.
Alex pulled off his shirt, tossing it on a stool nearby. He steered a blank prize wheel set on casters close to the other side of the bench, so it faced Olivia’s back. Next he pushed a red metal mobile tool cabinet next to it. “We
have a treat in store for you, sub.”
She sucked in a breath as she turned her head to the side.
Alex slid drawers open, laid supplies out on the top of the cabinet, purposely dropping the items just shy of the surface so they variously clinked, flapped, and thudded against the metal casing.
Kane studied her pulse ticking near the base of her throat, and the hard, ripe points of her nipples. She liked a little dark with her kink, the threat of the unknown.
Once he had discarded his shirt on the nearby chair, Kane squeezed his hand on her hip, reclaiming her attention. “Leg’s up.” Wrapping one arm around her back to steady her, he put another under her knees and swung her legs up on the bench. He unlocked her cuffs, then gently pushed her back so she lay flat on the bench with her head resting on a slim, removable head cushion.
“Arms above your head. Good girl.” Together, he and Alex strapped her wrists into leather cuffs, keeping the length of adjustable chain attached short. If later they wanted to turn her over, they’d change it then.
Kane leaned down. “Close your eyes, sweetness.” He removed the eye mask. “No peeping.” Combing his fingers through the sides of her hair, he splayed it out around her, loving the way the red glowed against the black leather of the bench. “Now you can open them.”
He stood over her, keeping her face in shadow as she blinked, allowing her eyesight to adjust to the light before he stepped back.
Alex rubbed a hand over the top of her right thigh. “Welcome to our dungeon, little one.”
Her gaze jumped over the room as she turned her head one way, then another. “It’s huge.”
Kane ran the back of his knuckles over her hip, “And full of ways to tease and torment a sub.”
Her gaze whipped back to his face, then followed him as he moved around the bench to stand beside Alex.
Taking a thick leather strap, Kane wrapped it once around her thighs, buckled it in place and pulled firmly. It was a move designed to emphasize her captivity since there was no way she could escape from her leather cuffs.
He watched her wriggle her hips and thighs, testing the strap before she relaxed her body back onto the bench.
Likes firm bondage. Wants to struggle, but doesn’t want to be able to escape. Exactly the way he liked restraining a sub.