I didn’t know if he was kidding or not. “Things are good. We made up, and everything has been smooth.”
“Wow. I’m surprised he didn’t dump you.”
“That makes two of us.” I’d slapped him three times—and deep down inside, I liked it. That made me a sick and twisted freak. I didn’t have any inclination toward violence, but that somehow got me fired up.
“Must really like you. I could tell the first time I met him. He doesn’t acknowledge anyone else in the room but you. Not sure why. I mean, it’s not like you’re a supermodel or anything.”
“Uh, thanks.”
“Whatever you have, he’s into it. Looks like you’re doing something right.”
The last conversation we had was about his lack of commitment. He wasn’t looking for marriage and kids. He’d never thought about it before, and even now, it wasn’t on his mind. I wasn’t sure if I should be worried about it. I didn’t need to get married right away, but I also didn’t want to waste my time. “I want to ask you something, and I need you to be serious.”
“Me?” He chuckled. “Like that’s possible.”
“Christopher.” I used my stern voice so he knew to straighten out.
“Alright.” He sipped his coffee. “Lay it on me.”
I adjusted my red scarf around my throat to keep the cold from touching my skin. My breath escaped as vapor, and I felt bad for all the homeless on the street. There were shelters, but they were overflowing and unsanitary. “We were talking last night, and he basically told me he’s never been in a serious relationship and isn’t looking for a serious relationship. He doesn’t think about marriage and kids. And the last relationship he had wasn’t really a relationship, but a fuck buddy situation.”
Christopher kept walking, his wide shoulders looking powerful in his coat. The hair on his face had come in because he hadn’t shaved for days, but it probably protected his skin from the kiss of winter. “And?”
“Do you think I should be concerned about that?”
He considered my question before he shook his head. “Not really.”
I raised an eyebrow because it wasn’t the response I was expecting.
“Let me give you the scoop on men, sis. You know, since you don’t have any friends, I have to teach you everything.”
I didn’t even bother rolling my eyes.
“No man is looking for a relationship at any given point in time. If you do meet a guy who says that, then there’s obviously something wrong with him.”
“Uh, how?”
“That means they’re eager to settle down because they’re afraid to be alone. Or they’re on the rebound because they were in a great relationship until the chick dumped them. Now they can’t function without a partner. Just trust me on this.”
He was a making a big generalization.
“For the average guy who says he’s not looking for a relationship, that’s perfectly normal. To them, they need to find the right woman first. If and when they do, they realize they want to keep their dick in their pants, and they don’t want any other guy going near their woman. And it’s that moment that makes them realize they don’t have any other option but to do the relationship thing. That make sense?”
Oddly, it did.
“The guy flat out told me he was your boyfriend. He told me he was going to be around for a long time. He staked a claim even to me—your brother. So don’t worry about all that bullshit he said about marriage. He’s hooked on you, and after enough time passes, he’ll realize he doesn’t want to be with another woman. And that’s when you have a stupid and ridiculous wedding.”
Calloway did say things were different with me, that he was my boyfriend and we were exclusive. We had strong chemistry and spent nearly all of our free time together. Christopher was probably right. I didn’t need to worry about anything. But even if he were wrong, it wouldn’t change my mind. I wanted to be with Calloway—even if it didn’t last forever.
“And you haven’t slept together, right?”
“That’s a personal question.”
“You want my help or not? Just answer.”
“No.”
“No, you won’t answer?”
“No, we haven’t slept together.” Christopher teased me about needing him, but he needed me too. He just wasn’t so obvious about it. He asked me to go apartment hunting with him, and I even acted as his wingman a few times when he picked up girls. We spent every holiday together even if it was just the two of us sitting in my tiny apartment with a bottle of wine and no dinner.
“You’ve been seeing him for weeks.”
I shrugged in response.
“Then you’re set, Rome. He’s not going anywhere.”
“Why do you say that?”
“If a girl made me wait longer than two dates, I’d lose interest. Sex isn’t everything, but if I was exclusive with her and buying all her dinners…I’d expect some action. So if he’s this patient with you, then he’s damn serious. A guy like him could get laid whenever he wanted. He’s keeping it in his pants for you without even getting laid. Basically, this guy deserves a medal awarded by the president of the United States.”
15
Calloway
I walked into Ruin after midnight and welcomed the loud music against my ears. The heavy metal was just noise to most people, but to me, it was just as comforting as classical music in an art gallery.
I passed by the bar and said hello to a few regulars. Anytime I was inside Ruin, I was surrounded by friends, like-minded people who understood my fetishes and dark desires. There were no questions here, just solutions.
Jackson was sitting at the bar talking to a woman dressed in leather. Skintight pants hugged her curvy hips, and her black jacket was snug around her waist. The zipper was down past her chest, and a noticeable line of cleavage was on display for anyone who glanced in that direction. “This is what I’m thinking. You’re the lion, and I’m the tamer. All we’re missing is the whip.”
We had very different approaches to picking up women. I just made eye contact with them and explored their body with my gaze. I searched for the flushed color of their cheeks and the way their mouths opened slightly in need of a kiss. Then I walked over and pressed my mouth to theirs. The rest was history. “I think you should reverse roles. That’s just my opinion.”
Jackson looked up at me, pure annoyance on his face. “Maybe you should get on your hands and knees. She’ll whip you a few times.”
“Nah. I don’t want to steal your girl.” I waggled my eyebrows at her and walked away.
Jackson left the bar and caught up to me. “You’re in a good mood. Vanilla finally put out?”
I didn’t answer the question because my cock between her lips was none of his business.
He watched the hardened expression form on my face. “Guess not.”
I wanted to change the subject—and change it quickly. “Don’t let me keep you from your friend.” I moved through the darkness of the club and headed toward my office.
“Whoa, hold on. I need to tell you something.”
“Text me.” As my little brother, he’d inherited a lifetime of bullshit from me. But he was used to it by now.
This time, he grabbed me by the shoulder. “Dude, I’m trying to tell you that Isabella came in tonight. Not sure if she’s still here.”
The mention of my ex piqued my interest. “Good for her. I knew she would get back into the swing of things.”
“She asked if you were here. So, no, I don’t think she’s back in the swing of things.”
My god, would this woman just move on already?
“I didn’t think you were coming in tonight, so I wanted to give you a heads-up.”
“Well, thanks.”
He patted my shoulder before he walked back to his date.
Now I felt like I was on display, the prey evading the predator. She was probably searching for me right now, knowing I would make an appearance at Ruin during the twilight hours. I wa
lked back to my office and felt eyes drill into my back. That eerie sensation of being watched burned me to the bone. I knew she was there, waiting for her chance.
I got to my office because I’d rather have this argument in private. Everyone knew she and I were no longer an item, and I wanted to keep it that way. I walked inside and left the door unlocked so I wouldn’t have to get up again.
Just as I reached my desk, she made her move. “There you are.” Isabella spoke with triumph, like she beat me at some kind of game.
I looked down at my desk and didn’t give her the respect of meeting her gaze. “And there you are.” I grabbed the stack of folders Jackson left for me and rifled through them. “Just taking care of business. How can I help you?”
Her heels echoed on the black hardwood floor as she approached me from behind. “Just wanted to say hi.”
I tossed the folders on the desk and finally turned around. I leaned against the wood and stared at her skintight outfit. She wore a black bra that pushed her tits together and a short skirt, looking like a woman in desperate need of a Dom. Her hair was in luscious curls, exactly the way I liked.
I knew exactly what she was doing.
But my cock didn’t even twitch. “Hi.” I suspected Isabella would be a nuisance for a while. Instead of telling her off, I tried to be patient. She devoted a year of her life to me, allowing me to possess and control her. While I didn’t feel the same way anymore, I still respected her for trusting me for so long. Our history held me back from insulting her like I would anyone else.
“How’s your plaything?”
She wasn’t my plaything—yet. “Good. Found the right Dom?”
“You’re the right Dom, Cal.”
Perhaps a year had been too long. I shouldn’t have trusted her not to get this attached to me, not to fall in love with me. It was my fault for letting this happen. “Not for you.”
Her eyes narrowed in humiliation. “What’s so special about this woman? There’s no way she’s a better sub than I am. I’ve given you everything, Cal. I’ve given you a whole year of my life. When you get her out of your system, I’ll still be here—waiting for you.”
That was the worst thing she could have possibly said. “Isabella, I’m never coming back. Even if I stop seeing this woman, I’ll never ask you to be my sub again. We’re no different than animals. We stick with one partner for a while, and then we move on. I’m sorry I hurt you. Truly, I am. But you need to let this go—let me go.”
Rome opened the door wearing a skintight black dress with red pumps. Her hair was volumized and curled, framing her beautiful face and showing off her high cheekbones. Her green eyes dazzled against the dark makeup around her eyes.
She was fuckable.
“You look beautiful.” I pressed her against the door just after she shut it, and I pressed both of my palms against the wood, keeping her back firmly placed against it. Like a caged animal, she was cornered with nowhere to run.
She took a deep breath, preparing for whatever would happen next.
Now I didn’t want to go out for drinks. I just wanted to stay here, climb on that small bed of hers, and fuck her all weekend. All the fooling around we did satisfied me temporarily, but it didn’t satiate my hunger. Only when I came inside her, filled her pussy with my domination, would I finally feel full.
I stared into her eyes so hard I didn’t blink. My hands practically shook in aggravation. My true self, the controlling man deep inside, wanted to burst out of my skin and come into his full form. I would always be a creature of the night. I would always be a Dom. It was nearly impossible for me to remain calm and focused. It was nearly impossible for me to grant her any rights. But I wanted her so bad. I battled that dark aspect of myself until he was tucked away, hidden deep inside a locked cage without a key.
I pressed my mouth against hers and kissed her softly, the exact opposite of what I wanted to do to her. I wanted to press my chest hard against her tits and feel her nipples pebble. I wanted to fuck her right against the door and listen to her whisper my name.
She melted under my touch, her bottom lip trembling slightly from the heat. Her tongue entered my mouth and reached mine, lightly playing with it. I wanted a soft embrace, but she immediately took it to the next level. Whenever she wanted something, she just took it.
I loved that about her.
“Let’s forget the drinks.” I lowered my hands to either side of her waist and pressed my chest against hers. I had one more week of this torture before my cock could finally claim what was mine. A part of me was afraid of the moment when I would finally have her. I wouldn’t be able to control my dominant side, to remain calm and gentle. I would grab her by the hair and tell her she was my possession forever, that she wouldn’t even make eye contact with another man unless I gave her permission.
And she wouldn’t take that lying down.
“We can’t.” Her hands slid up my arms and rested on my biceps. That was her favorite place to touch me. Her fingers dug into the power of their size and didn’t let go. “Christopher is waiting for us.”
“He’s a guy. He’ll understand.”
“And he’s my brother,” she reminded me. “I don’t stand up family.”
When it came to her, I honestly didn’t care about anything else.
“I’ll make it up to you later.” She brought her soft lips to the corner of my mouth and pressed a gentle kiss there. She let her mouth linger, sending warmth all the way down my spine and to my groin. “You can stick your big cock down my throat, and I’ll swallow every drop.”
My hands dug into the wood, and I almost knocked down the door.
She gave me a playful smile like she loved the little number she’d just pulled on me.
But she didn’t want to play this game—because she would lose.
We met at a small bar a few blocks over and sat in a booth in the corner. Christopher had a pretty girl with him, a blonde with straight hair and big boobs. She was eager for his affection, grabbing his arm and kissing him even though Rome was sitting right beside her brother.
I pressed my mouth to her ear. “Gross you out?”
“I’m used to it. He’s been doing this since I can remember.”
Good thing they weren’t actually related.
“Besides, he doesn’t ask me to talk to his ladies, so I don’t have to put in any effort.”
“How thoughtful.” My hand reached for her thigh under the table and moved up until her dress was almost to her waist. My fingers slid across the curve of her inner thigh until I could feel the fabric of her panties.
She didn’t push my hand away.
“Where did you two meet?” Bridget was her name. She was nice but talked with a high-pitched voice that irritated my ear canal. She continued to hang all over Christopher like they were newlyweds.
I had a difficult time keeping my hands to myself around Rome, but I kept myself in check in front of her brother—out of respect. I liked that guy a great deal. He was real and true, naturally charismatic and laid-back. He treated his sister like an adult rather than playing the part of overprotective brother.
“Well…” Rome glanced at me before she turned back to Bridget. “At a bar. I mistook him for someone else and…slapped him a few times.”
“Oh, wow.” Bridget placed her hand over her heart in shock. “That’s interesting…”
“I like a woman who knows how to throw a punch.” I grabbed my scotch and took a drink. “She turned my cheek red, and I couldn’t stop thinking about her. We ran into each other at a charity event, and the rest is history.”
“That’s so romantic,” she said. “Christopher and I met at a bar too.”
“She didn’t slap me,” Christopher said. “But she invited me into the ladies’ restroom, and we got rough.”
She leaned into his side and chuckled.
Rome took a long drink of her wine.
I squeezed her thigh gently, reminding her we could have ditched this whole evening
and dry-humped on her bed like teenagers. The idea used to repulse me, but now, I was so hot for her I’d settle for any kind of friction.
Bridget kissed his ear, moving her tongue over the shell, before she excused herself to the restroom. She blew him a kiss before she walked off, tall in her heels with a body that made every guy turn to look at her.
When she was out of earshot, Christopher nodded. “That woman is smokin’.”
Blondes weren’t my type, but I couldn’t deny she was pretty. Rome, on the other hand, was a goddamn goddess. She made every woman in the bar look like a troll. She was a natural beauty, soft skin with perfect curves. She had small but full lips and long legs that fit perfectly around my waist. When she did her hair and makeup, she was a bombshell, making every woman in her vicinity feel uneasy about her own appearance. To top it off, she didn’t even realize it. “She’s alright.”
“You’re just saying that because of Rome.”
“No, he’s not.” Rome swirled her glass then took a drink. “His eyes don’t stray.”
Inexplicably, a white-hot feeling shot through me. Pride, warmth, and strong affection swept through me like a tide. Hearing her say I only had eyes for her turned me on like nothing else ever did. There was nothing that happened in my playroom that gave me the same kind of satisfaction. It was so hot, so scorching, that my ears turned red from the heat. I didn’t want to wait another week to get inside her. I wanted to do that tonight.
Christopher didn’t argue with her comment. “You like her?”
Rome shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess. You’ve never asked me that before.”
“I was just curious.” He ordered an old-fashioned and sipped it quietly, his jaw stern and his eyes dark.
“Is she going to be around for a while?” Rome asked.
“Probably,” Christopher said. “At least a month.”
“That’s a new record.” Rome didn’t hide her sarcasm.
“She’s awesome in the sack.” Christopher shook his head like he couldn’t believe it. “It’ll be a while before I can bang her out of my system.”
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