She was scared, of course, and reserved the right to back out of the restaurant without looking over her shoulder if need be, but she could at least hear them out. And she needed them, well one of them, badly for Saturday.
Stephanie’s hand shook so much she nearly sloshed wine out of the wide glass when Aiden returned, Dane at his side.
Dane pulled a starched apron over his head and he tossed it on a chair as he approached. He wore the equally starched white shirt and black pants she always saw him in. Somehow he managed to stay perfectly clean in the kitchen. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, but there wasn’t a spot on him.
Her gaze wandered from his waist, up his pecs, and landed on his face. The mass of dark hair hanging across one side of his forehead begged her to run her fingers through it.
Stephanie shook the image from her head. Two men. She ogled both of them as though she were going to engage in an orgy. Was a threesome an orgy? Geez.
“Hey,” Dane murmured as he pulled out a chair. “I’m glad you came by.” He sat gingerly, as though if he kept his voice low and his movements to a minimum, he wouldn’t scare her off.
“Yeah. Sorry I ran out of your place earlier like I was on fire.”
“Well, technically, you sort of were. After all, I did spill scalding coffee on you.” Aiden smiled.
“True.” She loosened up a little with the light banter, but still took another sip of the wine to fortify herself. It was so smooth. Obviously expensive. She could easily polish off the bottle if she wasn’t careful. And if Aiden wasn’t sharing. “This is delicious.” She set the glass back down on the table, watching her hand to make sure she wasn’t shaking.
Dane glanced at the bottle and then casually reached for the glass in front of Aiden. He swirled the wine, held it up and then took a sip. “It’s one of my favorites. Good choice, Aid.”
Stephanie nearly moaned when Dane set the glass back in front of Aiden. Why was it so sexy that they’d shared the wine? Effortlessly, as though they did it every day. She had a strong urge to take a sip from the same glass herself, just to join the club.
Neither man made a move to grab another glass. Stephanie squeezed her legs together when Aiden took another drink and then handed it to Dane. Fuck, that was hot. The temperature in the restaurant ratcheted up.
Aiden leaned on his elbows. “We didn’t mean to scare you off earlier. We just didn’t want to mislead you. It didn’t seem fair. I’m so glad you came by.” He leaned closer, his face inches from hers across the cozy table.
“It’s not altogether altruistic.” She shrugged. “I’m desperate.”
“Why’s that?” Dane leaned forward, mimicking Aiden. “I can’t imagine you being hard up to find a date.” He looked perplexed.
“Aren’t you sweet.” She rolled her eyes. “I hardly put myself out there.”
“There must be a story to go with that.” Aiden reached for the bottle of wine and topped both their glasses off.
Oh, not good. When she drank that way, she never knew how much actually got imbibed. She did have to work tomorrow as though it were two days instead of one.
“Maybe…” She zipped her lips. No way was she going to divulge so much about her past right here, right now. She barely knew these guys. “I just came by to tell you I’ve reconsidered. You have a deal.” There, she’d spit it all out.
Dane chuckled. “A trade? We get you Friday and you get one of us Saturday?”
“Yep.” Stay strong.
Both men smiled broadly. “Fantastic,” they said in unison.
“How long have you two known each other?” They sounded like brothers, or twins.
“We’ve been living together three years. We do have a tendency to sound like an old married couple.” Aiden winked.
They were so enticing, like those gay friends everyone has but wishes they could sleep with. Only difference was, these gay friends swung both ways. That made them considerably less safe.
Dane cleared his throat and leaned closer toward her. “There are a few details you need to know before you consent. It’s not quite as simple as just heading out the door with us Friday night. We need to…uh…act the part, so to speak.”
Don’t run. Listen to him.
She could smell his personal scent mixed with whatever aftershave he wore. She wanted to close the gap and lean her head into the crook of his neck. But she needed to pay attention. Her physical reaction to these guys was ridiculous considering what they might be asking of her.
“What exactly do you have in mind?”
“Well, we need to get you some appropriate clothes. It’s a fetish bar. We can’t get in the door in regular street clothes.” Aiden took a drink of his wine. His hand shook a bit as he set the glass back down. “And it would help if we taught you some of the tricks of the trade, so you fit in and aren’t shocked and overwhelmed. Have you ever been to a BDSM club or a fetish party?” He swallowed. She watched his throat as his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.
“No,” she mumbled. She didn’t even breathe.
Dane took the glass from Aiden and fortified himself also. At least that’s how she saw it. Drink. Speak. Drink. Speak. “We’ve only been involved in this lifestyle about six months. Got introduced by a friend. But we love it. The sex is awesome.”
Stephanie felt her face flush. Was she ready to talk to these men about sex? Watching these two men interact with each other fascinated her. It was so erotic. Subtle, but sexy. Hell, they weren’t really doing anything but sharing a glass. Something about the way they leaned into one another…brushed their arms against each other… She wanted that closeness.
She licked her lips and then shook her head to clear her mind. Stop it. You don’t want any such thing.
Aiden spoke next. “What he means is, role playing can be very arousing. We’ve been taking turns being the top or the bottom, more or less. But we haven’t had the opportunity to engage in the lifestyle with a female partner yet.”
“Why?” Shut up.
Aiden continued, “We haven’t found the right woman. Someone we’re both attracted to who’s strong on the outside, but submissive in the bedroom.” He stared directly into her eyes. Me?
Her face seemed to be on fire now. Were they attracted to her? No, you dimwit. This is a business deal. Nothing else. And thank God, because there was no way she could keep her head on straight if she were faced with this much testosterone on a regular basis.
“Right, of course. It would be tough to find someone to fit those…parameters.”
Both men just smiled at her, as though there were an inside joke she wasn’t privy to.
“So what do you need me to do?” And why do I suddenly feel like I would do anything for both of you?
“How about we take you shopping? We’ll need a few things. Can you get off work early by any chance either tomorrow or Thursday?” Aiden topped off her glass again.
Shit. How much have I had to drink? “Um, that’s gonna be hard. I’m so overwhelmed.”
“With work or us?” Aiden asked.
Yep, she could grow a deeper red. “Work,” she blurted. “The pile on my desk is high.”
“I see.” Aiden sat back. “How about a long lunch? Maybe a break in the afternoon? We only need a few hours probably. Could you swing that? Afternoons are easiest for us because it’s slow around here, but we can get others to fill in for us in a pinch.”
“I can probably do that. How about Thursday? Maybe two? I’ll say I have a doctor’s appointment.”
“Perfect,” Dane said. “You want us to pick you up there?”
“No,” she exclaimed. “I mean, can I just meet you in the apartment lobby?”
“Of course.” Dane reached forward and wrapped his hand around hers over the stem of her glass. She hadn’t ever let go of the wine. It grounded her somehow. Gave her something to do with her fingers.
His touch was electric. She gasped. Yesterday he’d had those warm palms on her legs, today he was stroking th
e back of her hand. “Relax. We’ll fill you in on all the details before Friday. You can trust us.”
Yeah? Can I trust myself? She wanted those fingers on her neck, her chest. She needed her head examined. This was so unlike her.
“Tell us about this promotion. We don’t even know what you do.” Dane’s words matched the rhythm of his fingers, like a choreographed dance between his hand and his mouth. He gazed into her eyes with genuine interest.
Deep breath. “I work for Seabring Inc. They’re a computer consultant company. I’ve been behind the scenes in the IT department for three years, busting my ass to do the backseat work on the accounts. I’m trying to get a promotion to work with clients outside the office.”
“Wow, you must be quite the computer geek. We could use one of those around here.” Aiden grabbed her other hand, the free one lying on the table.
Her last brain cell fled the room. She gripped her legs together under the table. Her bare legs. They still stung a bit. She hadn’t even gone home yet and wouldn’t have wanted to put a new pair of stockings on in any case.
“Well, I might be available for hire if I don’t pull off this promotion.” She smiled. She was kidding, but neither man seemed to catch that. Hell, she had to be kidding. Too bad it didn’t feel like a joke.
“Statements like that aren’t going to help your case on Saturday.” Dane narrowed his gaze, just the hint of a smile on his lips. “We might decide to sabotage your party so you won’t get the promotion.”
Stephanie gasped.
“He’s kidding.” Aiden squeezed her hand. “Mostly.”
The flush that had covered her face spread down her chest. Her blouse felt tight, the starched material abrading her cleavage above her bra. Thank God it was buttoned up high enough to cover the tell-tale pink splotches of embarrassment she knew would be there.
“So what do we have to wear to this gig on Friday?”
“Fetishwear.” Dane’s eyebrows rose and fell a few times.
“And that would be…?”
“We can pick something out together Thursday. Any range of things are possible. They just don’t allow street clothes.”
“What will you be wearing?” Visions of leather and whips and naked chests came to mind, making Stephanie’s knee start bouncing under the table.
“All black. Nothing super crazy. The Doms don’t have to be in quite as much costume as the subs.” Dane released her hand.
Now her knee went crazy. “I’m going to dress up and you aren’t?”
“Well, yeah. Typically the sub wears whatever the Doms request.” When she flinched, Dane held up one hand. “Don’t worry. We aren’t going to toss you to the wolves.”
“After all, we are just pretending.” She narrowed her gaze. Why did it seem as if these guys wanted more than a make-believe evening? The idea made her heart pound. She pondered Dane’s last words—whatever the Doms request.
“Right.” Aiden looked around behind him. “I think everyone’s gone but us. You want to go over some of the typical stuff you’re going to see?”
“Uh, I guess.”
Dane stood and circled the table to her side. He held out a hand. “Do a little research in the next few days. You’ll learn everything you ever wanted to know on Wikipedia.”
Stephanie released the wine glass and stood, taking Dane’s hand. “Where’re we going?”
“Just to the back office. Maybe if we do a little role playing, you’ll get a feel for the lifestyle.”
“Role playing?”
“Good idea.” Aiden grabbed her other hand and they led her toward the kitchen, past the massive refrigerators and ovens, and through a door in the rear.
The room was small, but nicer than she’d expected for a back office space that no one would normally see. Thick dark carpet covered the floor. The desk was made of the same mahogany as the furniture in front. There was enough space for two chairs and a small maroon leather loveseat.
Aiden plopped down on the sofa, not releasing her hand. “Kneel on the floor in front of me.” His words were suddenly deeper, gentler, softer, but held a command that seemed incongruent.
Stephanie’s breath stuttered. She shouldn’t be reacting to his demand so forcefully. She knew it deep down inside her, but she couldn’t stop her body’s compulsion to obey.
Dane pressed on her shoulders from behind. He brushed her hair to one side and leaned into her ear. “It’s just role playing. A sample. Give it a try. You might even like it.” He kissed her neck. She tipped her head to one side to give him better access without even pausing to stop herself.
His lips were so soft, and his breath wafted over her shoulder and ear all at once, melting her insides.
Stephanie knelt on the floor, facing Aiden. She couldn’t not. But she shook. Every muscle in her body went rigid and twitched under the strain. His gravelly voice penetrated the room again. “Good. Dip your face toward the floor a bit. Typically subs don’t make eye contact with their Doms. Keep your gaze below my knees most of the time unless I specifically tell you to look at me.”
She did as told. It felt awkward being led like this, but oh so hot. A tight ball formed in her abdomen, and she bit her lip to hold back a moan. They didn’t need to know the effect they were having on her. This is a role play. Get it together. It’s a game. You just met these guys yesterday.
Dane’s hands still caressed her shoulders, so lightly she could barely feel them. That was almost worse. “Spread your legs, Steph. Your knees should always be about shoulder width apart when you’re in this position.”
Stephanie walked her knees apart one inch at a time. Her skirt wasn’t pencil tight, but it did stretch to its capacity when she spread herself open. She clenched her pussy.
She moaned. She couldn’t help it. And she closed her eyes. The vulnerability was overwhelming her senses. Two fucking hot men were making her near orgasm with all her clothes on. No one was even touching her skin.
“Good,” Aiden continued, not mentioning the noises she’d made. Bless him. “Now, straighten your spine… That’s it. And grip your hands behind your back.”
Dane helped her with her hands, placing one on top of the other so that she actually held one wrist with the other. “That’s the first position of D/s. It’s called kneel. A typical sub often holds this position for as long as her Master commands, waiting for his next instructions. Often Doms insist on this stance whenever they are in the room.”
Holy Mother of God. Her heart was racing. The room heated. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought she would find this arousing. In books yes, but not in real life.
She licked her lips. “Got it. What else should I know?” She glanced at her chest, her breasts high and firm beneath her blouse. With her back straight and her hands behind her, her boobs felt as if they were on display. Her nipples tightened.
Aiden tipped her face up toward his. She let her gaze travel up his body, pausing momentarily to glimpse his crotch. His cock was hard. And his package looked so fucking sexy in his suit. His legs were spread, and she was so close to the sofa, she practically knelt between them. Grasping her chin harder than necessary, with just the right amount of pressure to be a commanding force without being so hard she wanted to pull away, he spoke. “When you are in this position, never speak to your Master. Not unless he asks you to directly. And always address him as Sir.”
Stephanie swallowed. The lines were blurring. She had trouble concentrating on the fact that this was all for show. Aiden’s eyes sucked her in and held her gaze with an air of authority she found more arousing than anything in her life ever had been.
“You look so sexy when you swallow, doesn’t she, Dane?” He glanced at the man who now circled her and sat next to Aiden. They were tall enough that they both still towered over her, even seated—Dane only a few inches shorter than Aiden.
Her gaze traveled to Dane’s. The look in his eye, penetrating, determined, narrowed as if assessing her for purchase…stopped her hea
rt. She swallowed again, for him. Because he commanded it of her without speaking. Because she couldn’t not. She was sucked into a vortex of submission and wasn’t sure she ever wanted to leave this place. It was so warm. Her skin tingled. She felt more alive than she’d ever felt in her life. And more aroused.
“Good girl.” Dane reached out with one hand and stroked her cheek alongside Aiden’s grip on her chin. With his other hand, he adjusted his cock. Fuck. That’s so hot.
Stephanie had never given a blowjob in her life, but suddenly she had the urge to handle that undoubtedly fine piece of manhood…with her mouth.
She could scent both men. They had subtle differences. After all, they lived together, so that wasn’t surprising. And they sleep together… No wonder their smells meshed. They complemented each other. Each having his own personal scent mixed with the soap and shampoo they shared. And the aftershave… She could picture them standing in the bathroom sharing the sink, the same shaving cream, the same brand of…whatever.
“We need to get you some new clothes. You’re a smokin’ hot woman. Why do you hide under all this material?” Dane reached for her blouse and plucked the shoulder.
Was she allowed to speak? I’m pretty sure that was rhetorical.
If they only knew. Because I don’t trust men. Because they leave… Years of therapy had gotten her where she was today. A college-educated adult with her head held high. She did not need a man.
At least that was what she’d thought before this morning. Now she had two. But they were just pretending, right? Putting her in the position they needed her to play on Friday.
“Are your knees okay?” Aiden asked. “We aren’t being very sensitive. Forgot about spilling coffee on you earlier.” He released her chin and grabbed her hand to pull her to standing.
She hadn’t noticed her knees at all.
She was still stuck on the words “smokin’ hot woman”.
Bound to be Taken (Emergence) Page 5