Chase crossed his arms and got ready for the show. For once she was going to go a couple of rounds with someone other than him, and he could enjoy seeing her eyes flash without thinking too hard about the next quip.
“Ms. Bryant,” the reporter corrected. “Who were your inspirations for this line?”
“My partner, Anya Litton, and I worked very closely together. We brought in aspects from anime and punk, as well as some whimsical effects.”
“Is Ms. Litton still seeing Cesare di Giovanni?”
“No.” An amused smile flickered over Colleen’s face.
“Are you seeing anyone?”
The smile faded, and she locked gazes with Chase. “No,” she said.
He resisted the urge to kiss her senseless in front of all these reporters. So she wasn’t seeing that clown Dante. That would make things less complicated.
“What qualifications do you have that made you think you could start your own fashion line?” That question was from a man who wore more hair product than most women. His tag said Vogue. Chase wondered if he could crop-dust the little creep without giving himself away. He moved toward him with intent.
Colleen raised that gorgeous eyebrow of hers and said, “I was encouraged by some friends. Donatella and Jean Paul were especially supportive.”
“It doesn’t hurt to have all that money from your husband’s holdings.”
“Money makes the world go round,” she tossed out with a fake, carefree laugh.
“You seem to like money.”
“Who doesn’t? I imagine that’s why you’re working for Vogue instead of trudging through the Middle East doing investigative reporting. Or is there another reason you chose fashion over more ‘hard-hitting’ stories?” She made finger quotes at him.
The reporter gritted his teeth.
“It’s such a bore when people belittle your passions, isn’t it?” she followed up. “It’s hard to gain respect when all they see is what’s on the outside. But in the case of Fierocity, what’s outside is fabulous. Tell me, what were your favorites?”
“How the hell did she wind up asking the questions?” the Vogue reporter muttered as Chase walked by him.
A few seconds later, the reporter coughed and moved from the spot.
Chase smiled smugly.
After a couple more interviews, Anya and her bodyguard, a man Max had introduced to him as Clint, entered the throng of reporters. Anya was still wearing the swirly dress and flashed those hot stockings at the crowd. Amid all the camera flashes and the catcalls for more, the big Russian, Istvahn, inserted himself between the paparazzi and Colleen as she left the runway area.
He had nearly caught up with them when an old guy in a cheap suit stopped them. “The wife and I truly enjoyed the show.”
Chase tried to move around Colleen’s bodyguard but couldn’t get close enough.
“Thank you, Senator,” Colleen replied. “I appreciate you being here.”
“I’d like to bring her into our session.”
Colleen spotted Chase bearing down on her, and put on a tight smile. “I’m sure that can be arranged. But let’s discuss that at another time, shall we?” Her inclined head made the senator follow the angle to where Chase was still trying to outmaneuver the Russian, who he was glad had never played pro ball with him.
“Of course. Aren’t you Chase Fairwood?” Clemmons came over and shook his hand enthusiastically. “I saw the game that took you out of the league. That was a helluva hit.”
Chase made small talk with the senator while Colleen escaped. At least Dante wasn’t with her. He sighed and let her go. He’d see her in a few days, and she wouldn’t be running away from him again.
Chapter 4
Colleen didn’t agonize over what to wear tonight. Aside from the fact she had a lending closet full of brand-new designer outfits, her own closet rivaled a department store. She had hand-selected her costume for the dungeon with great attention to detail. The trick was seeing if Chase took the bait and followed her down the rabbit hole into her dungeon, or if he ran scared. She wasn’t sure which option she was rooting for. On the one hand, she had been burning up her vibrator just thinking about getting him naked in her dungeon. On the other hand, it was better if he just left for good. Colleen was caught between scaring him off and fucking him silly.
She was leaning toward fucking him silly.
The first Friday of every month, the Hot Spot got its freak on. Instead of club music, the DJ was instructed to play a little bit of everything to gauge the participants’ reaction. She touched the earpiece to connect to Istvahn.
“How’s the door?”
“We’re going to be at capacity.” Istvahn’s voice was loud in her ear, so she turned down the sound. She wasn’t in the club yet.
“Did the VIPs arrive yet?” Colleen tried for nonchalance.
“Fairwood is here, if that’s what you’re asking.”
She made a face. She hated being so obvious. “Thanks.”
Her next call was to the bar, where she had them send over a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label with her compliments. She’d be sharing that with him in a few.
After a final check to make sure the dungeon was just as she wanted it, Colleen squared her shoulders.
“It’s show time.”
Walking into the elevator, she took it up to her special apartment behind the stage at the Hot Spot. She hadn’t rented it out tonight, hoping that if Chase spooked and wouldn’t go for the dungeon, he’d agree to come back there for a few drinks. She’d bring the dungeon to him. She had a bunch of toys ready to use. One way or another, she planned on getting laid tonight. And it was about damned time, too.
Colleen adjusted her halter dress. It had reminded her of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress, only instead of white, this one was a wicked shade of red. She’d had lipstick made to match the dress and wore her hair wavy and down around her shoulders, just the way Chase liked it. She didn’t bother with a bra or underwear. If luck went her way, she wouldn’t be in this dress for very long. Her plan was to go big or go home. Chase would be too wound up to even consider stopping. Once they hit the sheets, they could get all the pent-up sexual frustration out and see what shook loose.
Opening the door, Colleen stepped out into the club. In the dim light, no one would be able to see the door close, and it would be impossible to open it without knowing exactly how to trigger the mechanism. Two thrones sat on the stage. Someone tonight would be crowned the King and Queen of Sex.
Putting a sway into her hips to the tune the DJ was playing, “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” she walked toward Chase’s table. It was half-moon shaped, with wide booth seating. A purple tablecloth pleated in front hid the lower half of his body. He saw her striding toward him and paused with his drink halfway to his mouth.
“I’m glad you made it,” she purred.
“Are you wearing a bra?”
“No.” She slid into the booth next to him, preening a bit as he fucked her with his eyes. “Why don’t you pour us a drink?”
Chase grabbed the bottle and was tilting it when she unbuckled his pants and popped open the button. The scotch shook a little, but he managed to keep it in the glass. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to stroke your cock in front of all these people. Do you mind?” She didn’t give him a chance to answer, just reached in and pulled him out. Even half hard, he was thick. Colleen traced her fingernail over the veins and circled her thumb over the tip.
“Jesus,” he breathed, swiveling his head around to see if anyone was watching. A bead of sweat appeared on his forehead. He gasped when she tugged on him.
“Oh, calm down,” Colleen said, holding him tight while she pumped him slow. He filled her hand, and the anticipation nearly killed her. “They can’t see what I’m doing. The table is too high. In fact, the reason there’s a skirt around the table is if I decide to slip to my knees and blow you, no one will know.”
“God,” he ground out, grabbing the ba
ck of her head. “Kiss me.”
“No.” She pulled back but didn’t release him. He was fully erect now, and she reveled in the feel of him in her palm. She locked eyes with him, stroking him long and hard now. She knew her aggression was throwing him, but she got off on the control and vowed to come on stronger. He needed to respect her as a Domme—even if he didn’t realize that was what he was doing.
“A few days ago you threatened to turn me into a eunuch if I kissed you. Now you’re jerking me off in a dance club?”
“You wanted a second chance,” she reminded him, loosening her grip.
He put his hand over hers, encouraging her to continue. “Don’t get me wrong. I like it. I’m just wondering what changed. You dodged me at your fashion show. I figured I was on the shit list again.”
“Just building up the anticipation. I told you, if you could handle the Hot Spot, you could handle me.”
“I’m going to come all over that pretty dress.” Chase’s teeth were clenched. His hands wouldn’t stay still, like he didn’t know where to put them.
“No you’re not,” she said.
His breathing grew more ragged. “In your mouth, then?”
“Not just yet.” She stroked her thumb over the tip to capture the glistening drop at the top and licked it off her finger.
“Cock teasing?” he ground out.
“It’s only teasing if you don’t follow through. I’m testing your limits. Public displays are okay, then; just not too public.” Colleen pulled his shirt over his cock. “Don’t put that away. I’m going to need that.”
He took a hard swallow of his drink.
“I’m not wearing underwear either.” She pulled up the skirt of her dress so he could see the swatch of blond hair at the juncture of her thighs.
Tossing her leg over his, Colleen leaned back with her scotch. “You can finger me if you want.”
“Is this a trick?” His voice was hoarse, his eyes wild.
“Touch me, Chase.” She flicked her tongue over the rim of her glass.
“Let’s get out of here,” he whispered. “Before I fuck you in this booth in front of everyone.”
“We’re staying,” she said. “I’ve got things to show you.”
“I see them.” He rubbed his knuckles against the soft hair before moving them down between her legs. “God, you’re soaked.”
She was, too. It had been a while since she’d played like this. Chase wasted no time dipping his fingers inside her. Colleen took a deep breath and let out an urgent moan.
Chase stared deep into her eyes as he slowly pumped his fingers in and out of her.
“I’d like you to make me come,” she said, sipping her drink. It wasn’t quite phrased like an order. In fact, her voice shook a little. It surprised her how much she wanted this.
“Here? Now? Like this?”
“Just like this.” She sighed and spread her legs to give him better access. She remembered them back in Vegas, when any darkened corner was fair game. He’d once gotten her off as he was driving along the Strip, very similarly to how he was doing it now.
Clamping down on his fingers, she hid a gasp in her glass. Chase stopped the wonderful thrusting and was now flicking her swollen clit. It was heavenly to be stroked so intimately in public. She liked the disbelief and heat in his expression. It was about time Chase wasn’t so self-confident and assured in her presence.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this. What if someone comes over?” His whisper was harsh, but his fingers were so sweet inside her.
“We can let them watch.” Colleen grinned over her glass at him.
“Like hell,” he growled. “You’re mine.”
She shivered at his tone. “Mmmm.” She arched as he played around her folds and tickled her bud. “Hard limit. Only you and I play.”
“Damn right. Very hard.”
“I can imagine.”
Chase’s fingers were as intoxicating as the Scotch. She stared out at the Hot Spot, feeling like the queen of all she surveyed, letting his magic work through her.
“You still with me, baby?” He rubbed faster.
“Yes,” she whispered, her voice an octave higher than normal. Her nipples were tight against the silky material of her dress. She wanted very much to climb on top of him.
“You are dripping wet. I can’t wait to fuck you.”
“You’re going to have to. But…” She gasped as the pleasure crested. The rush of adrenaline at coming in public was almost as thrilling as the much-needed release. “I’ll make sure you enjoy the wait.”
She eased his fingers out and smoothed down her skirt, satisfaction humming through her. “Did you like that?”
“Fuck. Yes. No. It was remote.”
Colleen cocked her head at him. “What do you mean?”
“You held back. I held back. I want more.”
She smiled. “There’s more to be had. Now, should I put my lipstick all over your cock or do you want to wait?”
Chase looked around the bar again. “Please.”
“Please, Mistress?” she teased.
“Please, Mistress, let me fuck your mouth.”
“Very good,” she said seriously, and slowly slid to the floor.
See, he can be taught.
Having him give her the honorific made her pussy clench, and she wanted to reward him.
Chase guided his cock into her mouth, and immediately every muscle in his body locked. “Shit. This is going to be quick.”
Colleen moaned in approval and deep-throated him.
“Oh fuck. Son of a bitch. Feels incredible.”
She spared him no mercy, sucking him deep in her throat. One of his hands was tangled in her hair. The other was white-knuckled on the seat. The sounds coming out of him were barely coherent. Colleen thought he’d lost the ability to speak English. He came hard, coating her throat as his whole body shook. Colleen finished him off with a few licks and tucked him back in his pants before gracefully sliding back into the seat. She tossed the hair out of her face and stretched languidly. No one was watching them. No one seemed to have noticed or cared what had just happened. Pity.
Chase still trembled, and the hand that reached for his drink wasn’t steady. “I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t last. I…”
“Shhh, it’s okay, honey.” Colleen cuddled up into his side. Chase wrapped his arm around her and kept her close.
“I want you to watch the dance floor and tell me what you see,” she said. He smelled so familiar that when she closed her eyes, she was transported back in time to the Las Vegas Strip.
He had been driving a red convertible. The top was down. The night was cool and they had no place else to be. She loved him with all her heart. After they took advantage of the traffic to get each other off, just as they had a few moments ago, Colleen had wrapped her arms around him and it felt like heaven. Nothing had changed.
She loved him with all her heart.
It shook her. She wasn’t that girl anymore. She wasn’t.
Hell no. Not again.
Colleen wanted the emotional and physical distance, so she eased away from him.
Just hot sex. This can’t be permanent.
She was feeling raw and vulnerable, and that just wouldn’t do. This was sex. Not love. And she needed to remind herself not to get lost in her own fantasy scene. Chase was not into the lifestyle. They were a time bomb. When this thing between them exploded, Colleen had to keep her heart protected from the shrapnel. She couldn’t let him hurt her again. There were no Alfies to rescue her this time.
Needing to get them both back on track, Colleen gestured out into the club. “Look all around the room. If you see what I want you to, I’ll give you a surprise.”
“Baby, you’ve given me two already. I’m not sure my heart can take any more.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll give you time to recover in between.”
They finished their drinks and were on the second round when Chase asked, “What’s in the little ro
oms off the side? At first I thought they were restrooms, but there’s something off.”
He didn’t miss a trick. Colleen liked how this scene was coming together. “Are you ready for your next surprise?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Buckle up.”
Chase frowned in confusion, then realized his pants were still undone.
“Come with me.” She held out her hand.
“I already did.”
“Come again.”
“As you wish.” He grabbed her hand, and she led him to one of the rooms.
The room smelled of cedar, and the interior was all wood. A cushionless bench faced a window that was currently shuttered closed. When Colleen shut the door and slid the lock, the shutter opened up.
Chase’s jaw dropped.
“Like what you see?” Colleen shrugged her shoulders out of the halter top of the dress and pressed herself back against the wall.
Chase fixated on her naked chest. “What are you doing?” he asked.
She grabbed his hands and placed them on her breasts. “I don’t have any oil, so you’ll just have to pretend.”
Without looking, she knew that he was watching a couple making love while covered in oil. Chase’s hands were rough as he alternated watching the couple and staring at her. He hauled her away from the wall to sit on the bench. Pulling her onto his lap, he tugged so she sat astride him. Chase plucked at her nipples to the point of pain before soothing them, circling the pad of his thumb over the tight buds.
“I like it when you’re a little rough with my nipples,” Colleen said, clutching his shoulders for support. Her head was whirling with a passion she thought had been banked by her first orgasm.
“I remember.” He captured her nipple in his mouth, sucking hard enough that her head tipped back in bliss. He held her with one strong hand on her back. The other hand massaged her other breast.
“Oh, that’s so good,” she encouraged, feeling his cock strain against his jeans. Her pulse raced, and flares of need shot straight down to her pussy with each roll of his tongue. “I’m going to soak your pants.”
“Don’t care,” he said, lifting his head up. He attacked the other breast, his teeth grazing over the peak.
Fever Page 5