She went outside and jogged down the stairs to join Trevor, who was doing his best to restrain the mutt while Andrew parked the SUV.
“He’s harmless,” Trevor promised as Fiona tentatively cracked open her door. “Big. Enthusiastic, but harmless.”
Fiona crouched a little and crooned to Bruno, who tipped his head to the side, as if considering her, then Andrew. After wagging his tail, seemingly satisfied, the dog raced away, no doubt to greet someone else.
“Yours?” Andrew asked.
“No. Too much of a free spirit to belong to anyone.” Trevor shook his head. “He’s the self-appointed neighborhood watchdog.”
While the men shook hands, Shelby and Fiona hugged.
“So…” Fiona glanced around. “This place is freaking spectacular.”
“Would you like to see it?”
“Totally.”
She touched Trevor’s arm lightly. “I’m going to show Fiona around before we leave. Is that okay?”
He placed his hand over hers and smiled, making her heart slide to her toes. No matter what he did, whether it was sexy or something more innocuous, she had a physical reaction.
While she led Fiona toward the steps, Andrew grabbed their bags from the back of the vehicle.
“Okay, okay,” Fiona said once the front door was closed behind them. “Tell me everything. Everything. And I mean it.”
Shelby laughed. “What?”
“You’re wearing a collar, for shit’s sake. And it’s gorgeous. I need details.”
“It’s…” Unconsciously Shelby traced one of the decorative lines on it. “Temporary.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“No. Really. It is.”
“Because Doms do that all the time.”
She shrugged. “This one did.”
“So, did he happen to have it, or what?”
“We went shopping. In the French Quarter. A little shop on Royal Street.”
“Wait. Are you talking about Madame Giselle’s place?”
“You know it?”
“Are you kidding me?” Fiona waved one hand wide. “She’s a living legend. I’ve only been behind the curtain once, and the prices were staggering. But…” She lifted a hand as if to touch the collar but instantly pulled back. “It’s beautiful.”
And she would only be wearing it another couple of days.
Shoving that unwelcome thought aside, she forced a smile. “You’ve got to see the views.”
They passed the couch, with the cushions in disarray. Why the hell hadn’t she fixed them? Convinced that Fiona would know exactly what had been happening just minutes prior to her arrival, Shelby quickly walked toward the kitchen then to the window at the back of the house.
“This is amazing.”
“Isn’t it? Sunrises. Sunsets. The soothing play of light on the water. I can stare for hours.”
“I’d never want to leave.”
Shelby propped her hips against the window ledge so she could face her friend.
“You needed a break from the real world. This couldn’t be more different from your place.”
“Very true.” Lake living was nothing like her suburban neighborhood. “I’ve never had a Bruno before.”
“I’m not sure anyone has a Bruno.” Fiona regarded her. “How has it been?”
“I don’t know.” She sought for words. “Amazing. Overwhelming at times.”
“And?”
“Freeing. As if I can be myself.” She pulled back her hair and twisted it into a knot. “Or the person I’ve imagined I might want to be.”
“That’s pretty awesome. So he’s a good Dom?”
“Fiona! I don’t kiss and tell.” She lifted slid a hand against her nape.
“Oh my God, you just turned about thirty different shades of pink! That’s all the answer I needed.”
Shelby blew out a breath. “Okay. So back to you. How are things with Andrew?”
“I’m sure the guys are waiting on us.” She turned to leave, and Shelby scowled.
“Is there something wrong?”
“Everything’s fine. I mean…” She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m restless. Bored?” She said the word as if it were a guess, rather than something she was sure of.
“Scared?”
“I’m not sure that’s the right word. It could be. We moved fast, and I thought it was what I wanted. I was content for quite some time.”
“And he wants things to be even more serious.”
“Once he sees that collar on you… Don’t misunderstand. I’m happy for you, and whatever works for you and Trevor is perfectly fine. But I know Andrew will want to talk about our relationship again on the way home. I’m just…”
Shelby waited. Fiona had secrets, ones she hadn’t shared. She gave the impression of being a free spirit, and maybe she was. Perhaps Andrew weighed her down too much.
“I need time to think things through, decide what I really want.”
“Ladies!” Trevor’s voice boomed through the air.
“Time’s up.” Fiona’s words were rushed together, and she smiled.
“Glad that conversation’s over?”
“Yeah. It was getting deep there!”
They headed toward the door. “So, Madame Giselle reads tea leaves.”
“Really?” Fiona glanced toward her. “Are you thinking about it?”
“Definitely. I’m not sure why. But yes. I’m thinking about making an appointment.”
“Shall we do it for ladies’ night?”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
“Second warning!” Trevor shouted.
“Coming,” she called back.
“Sounds very serious.” Fiona giggled. “All Dom-like.”
“He’s got that down to a science. Or an art. Whichever it is.”
“Anyway, shall we invite Hannah and Nicole?”
“Absolutely. If they don’t want to come, we can meet them later, for drinks.”
“I’ll call her and then let you know.”
As they hurried down the stairs to the dock, they agreed that Shelby would schedule the appointments toward the end of the month. Which was a good thing. It would give her something to look forward to after she went back to her regular life.
“Consider yourself lucky that you didn’t get to the third warning,” Trevor said, his husky, sexy voice sliding over her in a way that made her wish that maybe she should have dawdled.
He leaned over to kiss her cheek. “How long do we need to entertain?” he whispered in her ear.
She made a pretense of batting her eyelids.
“I can push them overboard.”
That he wanted to be alone as much as she did made her already achy clit throb even harder. “We need to be good hosts.”
“Counting the minutes until sunset.”
“Me too.”
After making sure neither Fiona nor Andrew were watching, Trevor swatted her behind, and she had to swallow her instinctive yelp.
He whistled as he led the way to the pontoon.
After helping her aboard, Andrew assisted Fiona, then threw off the ropes at Trevor’s direction.
Within seconds, the breeze ruffled around her, the coolness a welcome relief to the stifling heat and humidity.
She leaned back with her eyes half closed, savoring the moment.
When they were somewhere near the middle of the lake, Trevor stopped the boat. “Wine? Beer? Water?”
“IPA, if you have it,” Andrew said.
“White wine?” Fiona asked.
“And for you, Shelby?”
“I’ll stick with wine.” Better than mixing alcohol, for sure.
Trevor pulled out two beers from a cooler and twisted off the metal caps. “Mind putting them in koozies?”
He offered her a couple emblazoned with the words LAKE LIFE FLOATS MY BOAT and decorated with anchors.
While she slid the bottles into the protective sleeves, he uncorked a bottle of her favorite chardonnay
and filled wineglasses etched with a picture of his pontoon.
“That’s classy.”
“Nothing but the best for you, Shelby.”
“Which beer is for Andrew?”
“The one on the left.”
She took the beverages to their guests before returning to Trevor. “Anything I can do to help?”
“There are snacks in the refrigerator. If you want to grab the charcuterie board, I’ll get plates and napkins.”
The refrigerator looked more like an ice chest, but it opened at the front and had several shelves. She pulled out a beautiful display of meats, cheeses, olives, and nuts. “Did you put this together?” She set the wooden board on a table. “Or was it your housekeeper?”
“I’m offended. Haven’t I proven myself adept in the kitchen?”
“A man after my heart.” She froze. The moment the words were out, she wished she could shove them back in her brain and lock them up.
He looked at her. He wasn’t smiling. And his eyes were dark, brooding almost. “Yeah. I am.”
He couldn’t possibly mean that in anything other than a teasing way. Desperate to break through the sudden tension caused by her unwitting words, she readjusted the board.
“Among other things.”
Fortunately Andrew was pointing at something in the distance, and engaged in a conversation. They’d missed the entire exchange.
“I meant it when I said we could shove them overboard. Whose idea was it to invite people over during our week together?”
She couldn’t help but grin at the frustration in his voice. “Yours, I’m sure. Had to be. I’d never do something like that.”
“Couldn’t have been.”
The lighthearted banter was something new for her. It was intimate in a way she’d never experienced with another man. She liked it, even though it was a little unnerving.
“What is that over there?” Fiona asked, turning toward them.
“It’s a marina with an excellent restaurant. We can try it sometime. Boat over, have dinner. Then cruise back.”
“See?” Shelby teased. “I’m vindicated. You’re the one extending invitations.”
“Anything to get you back out here.”
She wouldn’t be difficult to convince. On the heels of that realization came another—that it might be too difficult to see him again after she walked away.
“There’s a pair of binoculars beneath the aft bench.”
“Aft?” Andrew asked.
“The back of the boat. You’re welcome to grab them if you want a better look at the shoreline.”
While Andrew did, Trevor uncovered the food and laid out the silverware and plates.
Even though she was full, Shelby couldn’t resist popping an olive in her mouth before taking a sip of wine.
Food and drink in hand, she took a seat next to Trevor, across from their friends.
“How often do you do this?” Andrew asked, leaning back.
“Not often enough.” Trevor propped one ankle on his knee. “Too much effort for one person.”
“I’d have to do it all the time in summer if I had this place.”
“Monday night, he took me out in a kayak. Completely different experience. Equally wonderful in its own way. Bonus points, Trevor did all the paddling while I took in the scenery and relaxation.”
“That’s my kind of workout.” Fiona grinned as she toasted him. Then, more seriously, she went on. “I’ve always loved living in the city—the energy, the proximity to restaurants and entertainment—but all of a sudden, I understand the appeal of the water.”
“It’s not for everyone.” Trevor shrugged. “I’ve had neighbors who’ve moved back. The isolation can be too much for some people. There are plenty of owners out here who we call Weekenders. They come down occasionally, and most often on holidays and vacations.”
“So that means there are a lot of empty houses?”
“It does, yes.”
Shelby traced a circle on the rim of her glass. “It’s as if you have the world to yourself at times.”
“Privacy can be good for certain things,” Andrew mused.
“Indeed it can.” Trevor stroked the length of Shelby’s spine, from top to bottom.
Awareness of him as a man, as a Dominant, flooded her. His tone, his touch. He was a master of her body as well as her mind.
She exhaled when Fiona leaned forward to fill her plate with three different cheeses. If Trevor didn’t take his hands off her soon—really soon—Shelby was going to end up joining him in pushing their guests off the back of the boat.
For the sake of her sanity, she inched away from him.
“I’ve heard that Mistress Aviana may be planning another theme night,” Fiona said.
“Oh?” Since those were Shelby’s favorite evenings at the Quarter, her interest was piqued. “Do tell.”
“I don’t know if it’s true, or not, but some of the ideas sound totally fun.”
“Such as?” Did she have to drag the words out of her friend?
“Jungle for one.”
Trevor placed a hand on her knee. “Meaning short skirts, right? Maybe with a little knot near your hip bone? And a skimpy bra. Leather, maybe? Barely covering your—”
“You’re liking your fantasy a little too much, Sir.” Shelby side-eyed him.
“I can’t wait to see who wears loincloths!” Fiona giggled. “But it sounds more fun than a speakeasy.”
“Wait a second.” Shelby lifted a hand. “I’m not sure about that. Maybe a flapper-era gown with lots of sparkles. Long gloves. And men in tuxedos and top hats.”
“And a cane?” Trevor added.
A naughty little shiver chased through her.
“Gotta say I’m with Trevor,” Andrew said. “Let’s go jungle all the way.”
Shelby shook her head at both men. “Why am I not surprised?”
Trevor eased his fingertips inside the waistband of her shorts.
Fiona continued. “The other thing she might be tossing around is fire and ice. That could be interesting.”
The fire part was already happening inside Shelby.
“Red skimpy outfits, “Andrew supplied helpfully.
From there, easy conversation resumed, about work, mixed with some current events.
Despite her jokes with Trevor about wanting to be alone, it had been a long time since she’d relaxed and enjoyed herself this much. There was no pressure, just… For a second she explored her thoughts. Belonging, maybe. Until now, she hadn’t really realized that she’d been searching for that. Because she’d been bounced between her parents, more pawn than anything, she’d always been a misfit.
“Anyone want a swim before it gets too dark?” Trevor’s voice broke into her thoughts, making her realize she’d mentally drifted away from the conversation.
“Oh hell yes.” Fiona was the first to stand and pull off her shirt. She dropped it on the carpeted floor.
“Let me just open up the aft gate. There’s a swimming platform. Anyone need a life jacket or pool noodle?”
Fiona shook her head and looked at Andrew. “Are you coming in?”
“Only if I get one of those floatie things.”
Trevor stood and lifted one of the seats to pull out several long, round, colorful strands that appeared to be made from some sort of foam.
“Thanks.” Andrew bypassed the pink and yellow in favor of bright blue. “Is it okay if I put my beer on the deck?”
“Not a problem.” Trevor pulled out a pile of towels and placed them on a seat where they had some hope of staying dry.
Seconds after he opened the back gate, Fiona pinched her nose and jumped in. Andrew was a bit more tentative. He sat first and then took his time inching toward the water.
“Here’s our chance.” Trevor sat so close to her that their thighs touched. “Our guests are in the water and paying zero attention to us.”
“I’m beginning to think you arranged it that way.”
“Yeah
.” He placed a finger beneath her chin. “Maybe I did.”
His eyes were dark and purposeful, and she hungered for him.
“You know I never stop thinking of you.”
Or the wicked things he wanted to do to her body? The same things that consumed her mind.
He kissed her, gently at first. Then, after she heard her friends laughing, which meant they weren’t paying attention to her, Shelby relaxed, and he thrust his tongue deeper into her mouth, demanding and impatient. And more, a promise of what still lay ahead for them.
Then water splashed over her, making her yelp and pull away.
Fiona giggled. “Get in here, Shel!”
Trevor growled in Shelby’s ear. “I’m going to make damn sure Andrew makes her pay for interrupting that kiss.”
Maybe it was a good thing she had. Trevor made her forget the world around them existed.
“Might as well since I’m already wet.” She stood and tugged off her shirt.
“Whose idea was that damn swimsuit?”
“Yours, Sir.” She smiled as she dropped the garment in his lap. “Definitely not mine.”
Aware of his gaze riveted on her, she took her time lowering the zipper on her shorts, then overexaggerated a shimmy as she worked the denim down her legs.
“Shelby. You’re fucking killing me.”
“Just dressing in the clothes my Dominant selected for me.” Who was she? She’d never been the type of submissive who misbehaved to cause a reaction, but the threatening glint in his eyes delighted her. Even her husband hadn’t been this protective of her. Of course, she now knew it was probably because he had another woman on the side. But still, not only was this new, it was a tiny bit exciting.
Once her shorts were around her ankles, she stepped out of them. “Do you like the suit, Sir?”
“Jesus. You’re even sexier than I imagined.”
Over the past few days, his appreciation had allowed her to become less self-conscious of her body, and she appreciated the newfound freedom.
“Never again letting you wear this when there are other people around.”
“Are you growling, Sir?”
“Yeah. Maybe I am.”
When Fiona splashed them again, Shelby laughed. “I’m looking forward to being alone with you later.”
“Not half as much as I am, little sub. Not half as much as I am.”
His to Love (Titans Quarter Book 2) Page 13