by T. L. Reeve
“Well, you are in for a treat tonight. Master Yuri is one of the best in the world. In fact, I bet if you wanted to feel his ropes, he’d allow it.”
Quin stiffened beside him. “I don’t think that’ll happen, Joaquin. I…well…you see, everything is complicated right now. I don’t think I can do it. It makes me sick to my stomach.”
What the hell had happened to make her so skittish? “What part of it makes you sick, Quin? The actual act of submission or the idea of being tied up and restrained?” If he could figure out what her triggers were, perhaps he could help her find her spot in the lifestyle once again. And if it means she ends up in your bed? It wouldn’t be so bad, would it? He should have called himself an asshole for the thought. Something about her called to him—brought out the dominant side of his personality in an instant. He wanted to be her protector, as well. Shield her from the pain of her past. Make her forget about Tony and think only of him.
“No, it’s not the restraints. I like that.” Her attention fixed on a spot six inches in front of her.
“So it’s the submitting?”
She shrugged.
“Quin, look at me.” A hard edge entered his voice, demanding she pay attention.
“Let’s just say I figured out after three years, I didn’t have what it took to be a sub. It’s no big deal. I’m sure it’s for the best. I wouldn’t want to waste a Dom’s time.” Her gaze cut in his direction before her shoulders slumped.
“Hmm, interesting.” He tipped her chin up. “Did Tony abuse you, Quin? Put you down every chance he got then run off when you were broken?”
She shrugged again.
“I’m not going to coddle you, Quin. Now answer the question,” he demanded.
Her nostrils flared. “It’s none of your business. As you said, Mr. Fuente, you’re my boss and this is inappropriate behavior.” Quin crossed her arms, which pushed her breasts higher and made his mouth water more. “I believe I am tired and would like to go home now.”
“I think you’re running away, Miss Abraham. I believe I hit the nail right on the head and, as much as you say you don’t want to be here, you crave it. A small part of you wants back in, but you’re in denial and afraid.” Joaquin loomed over her. His hands were folded behind his back as he stared down at her, assessing her every move. The pulse at her neck throbbed and her breathing quickened. “Let’s make a deal, Miss Abraham.”
“What kind of deal?”
Perfect. “We’ll discuss it later. For now, we’ll watch Master Yuri.” Joaquin led her over to the smaller station to the right and sat down in one of the leather chairs. The first step to figuring her out, take her out of her comfort zone. He patted his knee and smirked. “Sit, Miss Abraham.”
“I think—”
“Seems to be a reoccurring theme tonight. You’re over thinking everything. Come, sit on my lap. I promise I won’t bite.” His breath feathered across her ear. “Hard.”
She gasped. “Somehow, I believe you enjoy biting. In fact, I bet you get off on it, hard or otherwise.” For all her bluster, she gave over to him. She molded him perfectly, her ass fitting into the crook of his hip while the outside of her thigh brushed across his erection.
“When you’ve earned it,” he whispered, lowering his hand so he could hold her to him. “Tell me, Quin. Will you try to earn it?”
A shiver worked through her body and she relaxed against him a smidge. “This isn’t a good idea, Joaquin.”
“I think it’s a great idea, Quin. Watch the scene, and we’ll talk afterward.”
How the hell did he expect her to sit on his lap through the demonstration? Quin took a deep breath and tried to steady her riotous emotions. This wouldn’t end well. She knew it. However, trying to convince him of such wouldn’t happen either. Joaquin seemed determined to push her out of the comfortable cocoon she’d woven for herself.
Besides the mental game he played with her, he also played the physical game. Quin didn’t like her reaction to him. From the moment she’d met him, her nipples had been hard peaks, her sex ached, becoming slick with her cream, and her clit throbbed for attention. Sitting on his lap made her blood boil and every nerve ending in her body zing to life with unspent energy. What in the world is wrong with me? She adjusted herself, growing impatient to see this Master Yuri. Joaquin grunted, and her cheeks grew warm once more. Shit, she needed to sit still. But, how could she? Hard muscles pressed against her side, making it impossible to concentrate on anything but him.
“Settle.” His hand tightened on her hip, and she bit her lip, holding back a moan of pleasure.
“Sorry,” she whispered. And therein lies the problem with you, Quin, you’re always sorry. You’re a sorry, worthless piece-of-shit sub. I’ve had more offers from better subs since I took you on than I ever did. Unless you want to lose your collar and your place by my side, I suggest you suck it up and get with the program. The program consisted of her shutting her mouth and going along with whatever Tony said.
“It’s okay,” Joaquin replied. His warm breath brushed her neck. “Comfortable?”
“Yes. No. Sorry,” she whispered again.
His lips touched the shell of her ear. “There is no reason to be sorry, Quin. Relax,” he murmured.
Sure, relax. She could relax. Taking a deep breath, Quin let it out, grateful when Master Yuri stepped into the area with his submissive on his arm. The woman gracefully lowered herself to her knees beside him. The love and adoration in the sub’s gaze squeezed Quin’s heart. A part of her yearned to let go of her tightly reined control, but she banished the idea from her mind. After tonight, she wouldn’t see the place again.
“Stand, girl,” Master Yuri said to the woman at his feet. “Disrobe and present yourself.”
The woman rose as though floating on air and pulled the sash holding the red silk robe together. With a roll of her shoulders, the garment fell from her body and pooled at her feet. In an instant, Master Yuri stood at her side, a bundle of jute in his hand. He unfurled it with an elegant motion before wrapping it around his hand. Behind them, a seven foot wooden I-beam lowered. Attached to it were three O-rings, two at opposite ends of the beam while one hung from the middle. Master Yuri took the wrap off his hand and placed it on his submissive’s wrist then made a slipknot to secure it in place. He connected the end to the ring and moved on to her other wrist.
Quin sat forward, watching the Master and his sub work in tandem. He whispered to her and she answered. The love and affection in her amber eyes made Quin’s breath hitch. How many nights had she stayed awake craving the same thing? How many times did she tell herself she could have it, if she were a better submissive?
“Hey, are you okay?”
Wetness splashed against the back of her hand. When had she started crying? “Yeah, um….” She wiped away her tears and pointed to the harness Master Yuri fashioned over the sub’s chest. “What is it called?”
Joaquin stared at her for a moment and cupped her cheek. What she wouldn’t give to be able to nuzzle his palm and feel his lips on hers. His thumb rubbed across her bottom lip, and his soft sigh filled the space between them. “It’s called a diamond chest harness.”
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
He never took his eyes off her. “Yes, it is.”
Her heart lodged in her throat. Did he mean her, or the woman Master Yuri wrapped in another bundle of rope around her hips and pelvic area? She licked her lips. “Shouldn’t we be paying attention?”
“Yes, we should.” He grinned. “So, what do you think so far?”
“It’s interesting. I like the byplay between them. He’s enthralled by her reactions, and she is completely and utterly in love with him.”
“How can you tell?” The sensual rumble of his voice worked down her spine and desire pooled low in her belly. Her pussy clenched, and she let out a shaky exhale.
“From the way she looks at him. Everything he does, she’s focused on him. There is such complete trust, e
ven if she didn’t look at him all the time, their connection would remain. It’s amazing. Master Yuri is the same way. He’s always checking on her. Bending close to her to ask questions. I know he’s supposed to check to make sure everything isn’t too tight, but it’s the way he does it. His thumb rubs the pulse point at her wrist. Plus, watch him for a minute. He’s an open book to her. She knows what he wants before he says a word, or makes a move.”
“Very observant, Quin,” he replied, turning her head toward him. “Are you ready to hear my proposal now?”
“Can we finish watching the scene, then discuss it?” Quin fell back into her role as a submissive, negotiating with her Dom.
He laughed. “Sure.” He settled her back against him, snuggled into his large frame. “I’m glad you decided to stay this evening.”
“Me, too.” She watched Master Yuri tie each of the ropes to the beam and then, after a gentle kiss, step back and lift his submissive into the air. Quin gasped.
Tranquility filled the sub’s eyes as her body went lax against the bindings holding her in place. Perfection. With her ankles crossed and her head bowed, the woman looked peaceful, willing to stay as she was. The low lights of the area glinted off the silver rings, casting an angelic halo around her. What would it feel like to fully let go? To trust. One day, perhaps, you’ll find the person you’re supposed to trust. Yeah, sure, and monkeys would fly along with pigs. Her “one day,” had passed her up a long time ago. But, what if?
“I’m ready to discuss your offer now, Joaquin,” she said, not taking her attention off the suspended sub.
“Quite right,” he answered. “Would you like to stay here, or go somewhere more private?”
“Right here is fine,” she replied. “Unless you’d rather….” Her words trailed off as she returned her attention to him.
“Right here is fine, Quin.”
“Okay, let’s hear it.”
“I’d like to enter into contract with you for six weeks. I believe there is a submissive inside you waiting for the perfect Master to come along and release her.”
The air in Quin’s lungs left her in a whoosh. What in the hell did he mean a contract? “A contract? Why?”
“Let me help you find your inner submissive. If, in six weeks you prove me wrong, then we’ll go our separate ways. No harm. No foul.”
“What about work? You can’t believe we could still work together after I fail you in six weeks. I’ll be an embarrassment to you. Why would you even think to do this?” She needed to put some distance between them. She needed to leave. Go home and…what? Go back to the States where she had nothing?
“What I do in my private life is private. I don’t comingle the two.”
“But isn’t asking me to sign a contract to be your submissive comingling?” Why did she continue to sit there? She should be telling him no. Yet, she couldn’t force herself out of his lap.
“Semantics. Look, how about you think it over the weekend, and, on Monday morning when we get your office set up, you let me know?”
How easy it would be to get lost in those gray eyes—to take her place at his side, on her knees, to know she earned his praise? Way too easy, when he stared at her as though she was the one woman who could make him happy. A small part of her told her to do it. To forget the past and allow the good in. “Okay, Monday morning it is,” Quinn blurted.
“Excellent.” Before she could say another word, he leaned forward then tipped her chin down and pressed his lips to hers.
Quin’s froze. What in the world is he…oh man. She moaned when he traced the seam of her mouth with his tongue, coaxing her to open for him. When she did, he pressed forward, tangling his tongue with hers. The taste of expensive bourbon and spice exploded on her taste buds. Without a second thought, she wrapped her arms around his neck, encouraging him to deepen the kiss.
Never in her life had she experienced anything so decadent and raw. His fingers threaded through her hair, holding her to him while he continued to feast on her mouth. He gave her no quarter, just commanded her to give over and submit. And, like a wanton hussy desperate for an ounce of affection, she did. Her body softened against his and opened to his touch. But, instead of taking what he wanted, he pulled back and pressed his forehead to hers. “Monday morning, Miss Abraham.”
Chapter Four
Saturday evening, several boxes of materials showed up at her apartment along with a note. Joaquin and Charlie couldn’t wait. They wanted her to hit the ground running and see if she could come up with a more efficient strategy. So, for a few hours, she forgot about everything. Forgot about the contract and how it felt to sit in his lap. She forgot about the idea of entering a lifestyle she’d promised herself she would stay away from.
Quin forced herself to work and not think about the man who filled her with hope. She read report after report and schedules for the last six months, trying to find the anomalies. Yet, every time she took a break to grab a drink or a bite of food, his velvet words caught her off guard. There is a submissive inside you waiting for the perfect Master to come along and release her. By late Sunday night, she had revamped and streamlined their business plan, then fell face-first into bed.
The next morning came way too soon for Quin. The man she’d promised herself not to think of had invaded her dreams and taken up residence inside her subconscious. Images of him naked and waiting for her repeated on a constant loop, leaving her aching for the man she shouldn’t desire. When her alarm went off, it only served to remind her of her loneliness. Her lips still tingled from the kiss she shared with Joaquin at the club, and she wondered what would have happened if he’d found someone else to play with, instead of watching Master Yuri with her? Why did it matter so much? A man like him had his choice of submissives. Of course, after signing the contract, she would have to get used to the other women. They’d be a regular part of her life with him. She couldn’t expect him to remain celibate the whole time, since sex hadn’t been part of their contract per se.
Could she handle seeing him with another woman while he helped her get over her fear? Did she have a choice? Everyone has a choice. You just have to make the right one. “I don’t even know what the right choice is anymore,” she muttered, staring at her reflection in the mirror while applying her makeup.
After arriving early at work, Quin hid in the lush bathroom, unable to face the man who held the key to her freedom—if she dared to take it. She knew hiding wouldn’t help, yet when she tried to take those final steps out the door and to Joaquin’s office, she stood locked in place, afraid of what the outcome might be.
“Girl, what in the world are you doing in here?” Harley’s voice cut through Quin’s thoughts and she sagged. “Charlie and Joaquin are worried.”
Shit, she glanced down at her watched and cursed. Great first impression, dumbass. Maybe you should go home and never come back. “Sorry. I don’t think I can do this.”
“Do what? Your job?” Harley stepped closer to her and laid her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Talk to me, Quin. What happened Friday night?”
“Nothing.” Everything. She shrugged. “Joaquin was the perfect gentlemen, and we watched a wonderful scene.”
“But?”
“But, nothing,” Quin answered.
“Oh, there is something, however, you’re not going to tell me. So, we need to get you to the meeting now. Charlie and Joaquin need you.” Harley turned her from the mirror and frog walked her out of the bathroom and down the hall to the conference room. “If you’re nervous, picture them naked…no, wait. Don’t picture Charlie naked. He might get a little uncomfortable about it. Joaquin, on the other hand….” Her best friend gave a little laugh.
“I’m not nervous either.” Bullshit. “I’m just not sure if they’ll like my proposals.”
“Now I have to call bullshit, Quin.” Harley pulled her to a stop. “You know whatever you’ve come up with, they’ll love, right? I can tell you for an hour Saturday afternoon Charlie and Joaquin co
uldn’t stop talking about how brilliant you are.”
How could she explain the proposal Joaquin laid at her feet to Harley? The idea of stepping back into a lifestyle she’d sworn to never attempt again made her stomach twist. But the idea of letting Joaquin down? Nope, not going to happen. I can’t let him down. How could she fix this? How could she change the way her body responded to the situation? “We’ll see.”
“Yes, we will.” Harley opened the door and pushed her in, sealing her fate. The conference room sat empty except for her two new bosses.
“Miss Abraham.” Joaquin smiled. “It’s good of you to join us.” A glint of something flashed in his gray gaze, and she grew more nervous. “We were beginning to worry.” The innuendo behind his words weren’t lost to her either.
“Sorry. I…I lost track of time. It won’t happen again.” Quin hurried to the table and sat down. After opening her tablet, she sent each of them her proposals. “Um, whenever you’re ready we can begin.” She rubbed her sweaty palms along her floral skirt, trying to gather herself for a second before they started.
For the next two hours, they went over figures and percentages. Their cost savings verses spending. In her estimate, if they took her proposals and used them, they would save at least a million to a million and a half dollars. “And you’re sure these changes will work?” Charlie asked, scrolling through the pages of her report.
It hadn’t taken her long to write up once she’d sat down and done it Sunday afternoon. It took longer to find the correct information she needed. “Yes, I do. But, you need to know I found something else.” Both men sat forward, and their demeanor shifted just a bit.
“What is it, Quin?” Joaquin questioned.
“I think your brother is responsible for more missing money than you know of. I found six unusual expenditures while I worked this project up. I highlighted them in my notes at the back of the report.” She waited while they got to the end of her figures. “I don’t know how this got overlooked. Each amount is the same and nominal in the practical sense of the word. Fifty thousand doesn’t sound like much, however it should raise a red flag in the system—especially when it turns up on the same day every month at the same time. I tried to find tracking numbers or payroll discrepancies—”