by Aoide, Arden
An excerpt of Morphoses, second book in the Tame trilogy.
Nicholas Jones was thankful that all the lights were green as he sped home. Luckily, Dishabille wasn't too far away from his destination, but the traffic in downtown Austin was always an exercise of extreme patience. Patience that he didn't usually have, but today...well.
It didn't help that for the first time in a very long time, he had an erection. One that was making him alarmingly lightheaded.
He'd get them in the morning sometimes, and he might quickly take care of business, but usually it wouldn't even be an issue by the time he'd rinsed his hair. It had been a pitiful existence, but fortunately he was only just now realizing it.
He pulled into the gate, punched in the code forcefully, and barely had the car in park when he opened his jeans and freed his miserable cock. The head was the angriest shade of red he'd ever seen short of rug burn and he watched, detached, as he instinctively fucked his fist. And ruined a perfectly good white tee. Damn. One of his new ones. He sagged in relief and astonishment, and sat in the car until the heat became unbearable.
Once he was out of the car, he walked into Warwick Jones Financial and trudged his way to the elevator. He pulled his shirt over his head and wadded it up, half disgusted with himself, and half wondering when he'd get to see Miranda again. He had needed to get away from her so that he could look at the situation more objectively. He hadn't wanted to do something that he'd regret or God forbid, embarrass himself. Because that in the car? That was mortifying. All ten seconds of it.
Nick walked into his apartment and threw his sticky shirt into the corner. He wanted to forget about it. Surely, men had better self-control than that. He grabbed a soda from the fridge and sat down heavily on his recliner and got reacquainted with his beloved remote. As he flipped through the channels, he wondered if Miranda was thinking of him, or was he just one of many men that she saw every day. Certainly, she must have a flirtatious personality; she would have to, but maybe she was being herself since they had been alone for today. She hadn't acted any differently than the day before at Alex's, so maybe he was seeing Miranda the woman, rather than Miranda, owner and operator of a successful fetish club. Maybe they were one and the same. Nick didn't know what to think about that. He didn't know how he could even begin to be someone that could please a person like that.
He let his mind wander to Dahlia. He understood in an abstract way how much he'd hurt her over the years. She'd tolerated his horrible family, his disinterest, and his denial, and she never left him. Sure, she divorced him, but that was the least of what he deserved and Nick was beginning to see, with stunning clarity, that he well and truly fucked up. He had a sudden urge to go see her, to watch her with Alex. He needed to see. He needed to assuage his guilt before it ate him alive. He owed her over a decade's worth of happiness. The fact still remained, though: She never left him.
Nick sighed. He didn't want to think about it anymore. He thought he might want to skip his shot for the week. Too many thoughts running in too many directions and nothing good could come of it. He knew he'd be too lazy to try anyway.
Miranda sat at her desk and stared off into space. She hated not knowing exactly how she felt. She didn't know if she was interested in Nick, or if she was interested in the challenge of Nick. Well, she was interested, but was she interested enough? It bothered her. She hadn't been able to get him off her mind since yesterday, and now it was worse. She was sure he had been about to kiss her, and she had really desperately wanted him to.
Maybe it had started out as her being interested in the challenge, but Miranda was almost positive that it hadn't been that when he was pressed up against her. At that moment, all she'd wanted was to drop to her knees and it had been a very very long time since she'd felt any sort of inclination to do that. That had always been a means to an end.
Miranda realized then that while she loved a challenge, there wouldn't have been any challenge at all had he kissed her. She felt relieved that she'd made that bit of headway. She didn't know exactly how she wanted to pursue him. She could go for brute force, but didn't want to scare him away even further. He was already noticeably skittish.
She thought about Dahlia. She wanted information, but she knew instinctively that Dahlia hadn't given her the full story when they'd spoke before. She had wondered if he'd been gay, but not anymore. The day before was the first time Miranda was able to witness the two together and even with the inclusion of Alex into their strange relationship, she had seen nothing odd. She had expected tension and there had been none. The only weirdness was the lack of drama and Miranda didn't know quite what to make of it. There were no jealous glances, nor blatant schemes to incite them.
She needed to talk to Dahlia. She didn't think she'd get any pertinent information out of her, but maybe she'd get some advice. She picked up her phone and hesitated. What would Dahlia's reaction be? She knew that she'd be protective, but she didn't know if it would be a wise move. Alex had mentioned that Dahlia had wanted to set her up with Nick a few days before, but Miranda had brushed it off. She was ready to take it seriously.
Miranda picked up her phone. She decided to brave it.
This is Miranda. Are you busy?
Not ATM. Alex is napping. I'm uh, attempting to read one of his gadget magazines.
Ooh, fun. :-P Nick was just here. We had sort of a thing before he left and he all but ran out of here. He looked a little freaked out.
What sort of thing?
Dahlia sat straight up and fought the instinct to go home and see if he was okay. He was a big boy.
I ran into him and we sort of shifted together. He was hard.
OMFG Seriously? Do you want him?
I think so. Yes. How difficult is he?
Dahlia didn't know how to answer that. She wouldn't reveal his medical problems. She knew he probably would be difficult, but she didn't want to discourage Miranda.
Hard to say. Let me text him and feel him out. I won't let on that we've talked.
Okay.
I'll get back to you.
Miranda thought that was a promising reaction on Dahlia's part. She felt a bit more relieved. She leaned back in her chair, getting back to work, but glancing at her phone far too often to get anything done.
Hey.
What.
Alex is asleep. I'm bored. What are you up to?
Just watching TV.
Alex and I were thinking of going down to the club later. Wanna come people watch with us?
What time?
After dark.
Will Miranda be around?
I imagine so. Why?
Just wondering. She's nice.
Dahlia stifled a laugh and looked down the other end of the sofa and was met with the predatory gaze of her ridiculously insatiable lover. She was going to have to cut this short.
Will you come?
Do I have to dress nice?
Yes. Wear your black pants and a button up.
Will you protect me from all the loose women?
I'll certainly try.
I'll be there, then.
Come at 9. You can come to the room first. Oh and bring my black sleeveless dress from the back of my closet. I forgot I had it. The one I bought for Callie's last show.
This is all becoming clear.
And my new black boots. They're by the closet.
Is that all, dear?
Yes. Thank you.
Dahlia texted Miranda. She was sure Nick wasn't having a freak out or he wouldn't have agreed to come tonight. She was going to surprise Miranda with that, though.
He didn't confide anything to me, but he didn't seem bothered. On Monday, I'll talk about you a bit and see how he reacts. I will say that his behavior yesterday was astonishing.
What do you mean?
He was just very friendly. He's not generally a social person. He comes off as rude to most people, but he's just quiet.
He was friendly enough today. He was a little freaked out
by all the shop paraphernalia on my desk, but I was able to distract him with food.
There you go. That's the key to Nicholas Jones. I bet if you invited him over and cooked for him, he might not ever leave.
:-) Good to know. I've got to go grease the manacles. You should get Alex to bring you down later and see the club.
He's already mentioned it, so we'll see you later.
Alex was crawling up Dahlia's body as she put her phone down. “What was that about?” Alex asked as he mouthed at her breast through her pink nylon chemise. He would never get enough of seeing her in this color.
Dahlia shivered. “Apparently Miranda ran into Nick and gave him a boner. Nick doesn't know that I know this. Miranda wants him, so I texted him and invited him to the club this evening. Miranda doesn't know this.”
Alex paused and looked at her. “You've been busy.”
Dahlia nodded and spread her legs. He slipped between them easily. She loved the look of astonishment and gratefulness that graced his face every time she did something that invited him into her. “I have.”
Alex pulled himself up to his knees and pushed her legs up indecently. He couldn't stop looking at her slightly bruised bottom. He still felt a smidgen of guilt when he saw it, but lust easily overtook him when he couldn't resist dipping his thumb inside her as he went to palm her bottom. He scratched his nails across her, scoring white streaks in her skin and he needed.
Alex looked up at Dahlia and took in her face flushed with arousal. “I want you to wear the scarf tonight. Around your neck.” He squeezed her bottom, causing her to cry out. “No panties. Plug inside. Bottom raw.” He pushed inside of her. He couldn't not push inside of her. He squeezed her bottom harder.
“Everyone will know, too. Everyone will know that you belong to me when they see you. They'll smell you. They'll smell me all over you. They'll see your red mouth, flushed face, relaxed body...” Alex buried his face in her neck, sucking her skin, and lost control over his hips. His only thought was marking her. Marking her with his mouth and with his come. She was his.
Dahlia wound her arms around his back and hugged him tightly. Too tightly. She pressed her face into his shoulder. Alex lifted his head to look at her face, but she was clinging effectively to him. He slowed his rhythm and pressed both palms against her head. She allowed him to pull her face away to look at his. “What is it? Is it Nick and Miranda?” It wouldn't surprise him. He wouldn't be exactly pleased, but he still didn't quite get them. But, it's fine. It's all fine. Really.
Really.
Dahlia laughed wetly. “No, no.” She kissed him softly, but with purpose. “It's you. God, it's you. I'm thinking of all those that had you before me and–”
“What? Don't do that! Please!” Alex kissed her desperately, on her mouth and on her cheeks.
“I'm not upset about it! I'm incredulous. How could they not see? How could they have this and give it up? Gorgeous and passionate and perfect. God. They are such fools.” Dahlia tried to pull him closer still, but he was too shocked, nearly choking on the intensity of her words.
Alex just looked into her face, speechless for the first time in his life. He moved steadily again, slowly and deeply, never looking away from her face. His eyes didn't leave her and once he finally emptied inside her, he was still at a loss. He wanted to say something, but nothing seemed sufficient.
“Did I embarrass you?” Dahlia sounded amused, and she ran her hands up and down his upper back. He had fallen on top of her, but he wasn't inclined to move anytime soon.
He cleared his throat. “Not embarrassed. I don't know.”
Dahlia was silent for a moment. She couldn't work out his tone. “I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
He shook his head. “I...liked it. Quite a bit.” He let out a breath.
“And you thought I was thinking of Nick or was jealous. Silly.” She kissed the top of his head.
“It must be weird for you, trying to set up Nick and Miranda.” Alex moved his head up to look at her. “Why is it so important to you?”
Dahlia hadn't asked herself that, yet. She didn't quite know. She would try to work it out. “It's always been on my mind, I think. The last couple of years. One of my fears was that he'd fall in love with a woman and she wouldn't like me.” Dahlia frowned. That wasn't quite what she meant. Well, maybe it was. “Nick and I are...solid. A unit. Family. I know realistically that it's only until Callie has moved out that I get to demand that things stay just the way they are.”
“You must realize that it's strange, though. Not many people would understand. I don't really understand,” Alex said honestly.
Dahlia looked at him, expression seeking. “I don't want–”
“It's fine, though. Just because I've never witnessed something like what you have, doesn't mean it can't exist. It's weird, but I don't worry that he'll come between us,” Alex reassured.
Dahlia was relieved. “Good,” she breathed. “I think I want Nick to be with someone who already knows and accepts our strange set-up, I guess. I'd hate for someone to ask him to choose.” She looked at Alex, serious again. “Because he would choose me, each and every time, no matter that you'd be in my bed every night. He would choose me on principle.”
“You wouldn't want him to be with a woman who wouldn't understand though, would you?” Alex asked, a little relieved.
Dahlia made a pained sound and looked at the ceiling. “If you were in the same situation as Nick, I'm not sure what sort of woman I would turn into. It would eat at me to know that you were that close to another woman. I don't know that I'd be patient enough to get to know her. I don't know that I'd have it in me. I can't expect something out of another woman that I don't expect out of myself.” She closed her eyes. “You and I happened so fast that I didn't think. I don't know why you didn't bail the first morning. I wanted to murder Nick. But, he was asserting his place. Same as I would have. But I was lucky. You stayed. You came back. I don't know why you did.”
Alex was silent while he thought back to the first week. He shrugged. “I just really wanted you. I could tell right away that he wasn't trying to come between us. It almost seemed like you were siblings.”
Dahlia nodded. “I'd rather be his sister than his mother. I try to make a conscious effort to be helpful rather than bossy. I used to be worse. I've gotten a lot better.”
Alex nearly forgot the point of the conversation. “So, why Miranda then?”
“Ah. Well physically, she's the complete opposite of me. But, it was when she was curious about our relationship. She seemed...interested. And so I thought it would be perfect. I mean, it was all wishful thinking on my part, really.” Dahlia yawned. “I'm hopeful, though.”
“You should've taken a nap when I did.” Alex smiled at her. He was glad that they talked. He felt like he knew a little more and was surprised that he felt impossibly closer to her.
She laughed a little. “I tried for a bit, but I couldn't. You wore me out.”
He bent down and kissed her. “Sleep for a bit. You'll need your rest for later.”
I hope you enjoyed Club Dishabille. Morphoses and Force Majeure are books two and three. Stay tuned for free Vignettes.
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Other tasty morsels by Arden:
A continuation of Tame, sold in the bundle, or seperately:
Morphoses
Force Majeure
And her debut Erotic Urban Fantasy infused with a Southern Gothic Romance:
Ancient Hunger: A Modern Mythos
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