Reformat_of_Art_of_Submission_5-16-14-3

by Michelle

  The door buzzed and popped open, and then Cathy bustled in with her cart. “What happened?”

  The RN didn’t wait for an answer, went straight to the bed and started examining Dena. “Get a dry towel and a wet washcloth.

  Mark motioned for him to stay with Dena and went into the bathroom, coming back quickly with the towels. The nurse covered Dena with the dry towel, blotting the sweat from her body before wrapping her in a sheet.

  Steve used the wet washcloth to wipe her face, then helped her sit up enough to sip some water from a bottle Mark retrieved from the small fridge.

  “Heart rate is elevated and so is her blood pressure. What were y’all doing when this started?” Cathy asked.

  “She was restrained on the St. Andrews. I didn’t think it was too tight, and she knows to let me know if something feels wrong.”

  Cathy nodded once and turned back to her patient. “Dena, do you have any medical issues that might have caused this reaction?”

  Steve cringed when she tried to speak. It took Dena two tries and more water before any real words came out, and those were simple ‘no’ answers to Cathy’s questions. He’d pushed too hard, let his anger get the better of him, and he’d hurt the only woman in the world he cared about. “Dena, baby, we’re going to get you dressed and take a little ride. I want a doctor to check you out completely.”

  He put a hand on Cathy’s shoulder. “No offense, Cath, I trust you with my life, but I’d like to take her to the ER.”

  “Not a problem, shug. I was just about to recommend it.” She leaned over and wiped Dena’s face with another cloth. “You okay with Steve taking you to the ER, Dena?”

  “No.”

  Cathy looked from Steve to Mark, then back to Dena. “Master Harrison, I don’t believe the lady wants to leave with him.”

  Dena shook her head and reached for Steve’s hand. “Just no doctors,” she whispered.

  “What about Steve?”

  “I want him with me,” Dena replied.

  Cathy shared a sharp glance with both men. “Just doing my job, Masters.”

  “Understood,” Mark said. “And doing it quite well. That’s why we keep you here.”

  She gathered up her materials and left the room, encouraging Steve to get Dena checked out as soon as possible.

  Mark leaned over the bed and gave Dena a soft kiss on the forehead. “Get better, honey.”

  “Wait. We need to talk.”

  “No, we don’t.” A single tear ran down her face.

  “What‘s going on?” Mark asked.

  “Please, Master,” Dena whispered.

  “Right before you went to Corpus, Dena had lunch with Kellie.” Steve walked to the bed, half hiding Dena from their friend. “Kellie finally told her the real topic of her thesis.”

  Mark acknowledged the words, his brow up while he waited for more.

  Steve glared at Dena. “Tell him.”

  “BDSM: Sensual enlightenment or a training ground for abusive men.”

  Chapter 23

  Mark stared at Dena, her face red, tears rolling down her cheeks, and wasn’t sure if he heard her right.

  BDSM as a training ground for abusive men?

  For a minute he thought Steve had punched him in the back of the head, since that was the only thing that could make his head throb like it suddenly did.

  And then his chest compressed and wouldn’t release, trapping air inside his body.

  Kellie lied.

  She lied..

  “Son of a bitch.”

  His fist connected with the wall near the door. He punched out of the room, chest heaving and eyes fuzzy. He needed to go to the gym, find a punching bag or a sparring partner for an hour or a day or maybe a year. He needed something to rid him of the desire to kill someone.

  Kellie fucking Windsor.

  He made it as far as his office.

  Nothing to hit and nowhere to go, he fought with himself.

  Shiny black leather shoes stomped across the rug to the far wall and back to the desk. Curses flew.

  Turn. Stomp. Curse. Repeat.

  The door opened and Derek entered without a word and stood in his path.

  “Get the fuck out of my way.”

  “Yeah, fuck you, too. Let’s go.”

  “Can’t, he growled. “Waiting for Kellie.”

  “No, you’re not.” Derek got into his face, too brave for his own good, and Mark shoved him.

  “Who told you?”

  Derek tipped his head but didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.

  “You wait for her like this, and you’ll kill her. That what you want?”

  Mark pushed back. “Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe this time I’ll hold the whip.”

  “No, and you’d regret hurting her. Come down to the gym and let me help you blow off some steam.”

  Derek grabbed his arm and made a show of dragging him to the door, but Mark shook him off. “All right, I’ll go. But I’m going to talk to her when she gets here.”

  “Talk is good. Yelling and hitting aren’t.”

  Mark stopped moving. “I won’t hit her.”

  Derek took a deep breath and tried to relax. “Good. Now let’s make sure we’ve got this energy level down before she gets here.”

  “Goddamn it, Derek, I’ve never thought of myself as a fool over a woman.”

  “You’re not, my friend. Talk to Kellie. There may be more to the story than you’re aware of.”

  “She lied.”

  Mark sagged onto the sofa and Derek grabbed a wooden chair from the table, flipping it around to straddle it. “She’s not that bitch you knew in college.”

  “I know.”

  “Do you?” Derek rubbed his hands over his face while Mark waited for the lecture.

  “Go ahead, old man. Give me the truth according to Pop Lyons.”

  “I don’t claim to be that wise, but I can tell you what I see. When you’re with her, you’re alive. When she’s not around, you mope, and I don’t mean you miss the sex, because you’ve got women everywhere.”

  “That all?” He needed to move. Every inch of his skin itched like he’d been covered with mosquitos, his skin hypersensitive.

  “No. Until you get it straight from her, don’t make any decisions. Words thrown out in the heat of the moment burn hotter than hell and can’t be taken back.”

  Words he’d already heard in his head, harsh words he’d rehearsed and a few he was afraid to say out loud. He’d walked away from Steve and Dena for that very reason, but he still had to face Kellie. He dropped into a chair and stared across the room, a thousand different sensations bombarding him.

  Derek leaned down and invaded his space. “Let’s go punch the heavy bag for an hour. You’ll feel better.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  The office door opened and Kellie walked in fresh from her class, George right behind her.

  “We got out early. How was your day?”

  Mark leapt to his feet with a growl. “We need to talk.”

  Kellie’s face went white and he knew he’d confused the hell out of her. Served her right.

  “What happened?” She stepped closer but Derek stopped her with his body.

  “You need to give him a few minutes. An hour. Come back later.”

  “What happened?”

  “You lied.”

  ***

  Mark’s accusation struck home and Kellie couldn’t deny it. She didn’t have to ask. The pain in his eyes and the tightness of his shoulders told her enough.

  George gave her a strange look and disappeared into the hall mumbling about privacy. New friends weren’t always solid friends. Sometimes long-time friends had weaknesses.

  Dena had given up her secret. Kellie didn’t blame her. The intensity of her friend’s relationship with Steve explained it away like dry leaves on a metal roof. Kellie could only hope she hadn’t destroyed Dena’s life, too.

  “I was wrong. I’m sorry.”

  Derek stepped b
etween them and held up a hand to Kellie. “Go home. Give him a chance to cool off before you talk about this.”

  Mark stepped around his friend, his expression the same blank face he’d shown while this man whipped her. “How much was a lie, Kellie?”

  Listening to him was like lying naked in the snow and her heart ached with his pain. He would never forgive her, never believed she loved him. And she would love him for a long time.

  Numb, she said, “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, Mark. I swear. I gave it all up when we got back from the beach.”

  “How can I be sure? How will I ever know if you’re telling the truth or not?”

  Derek interrupted. “You should both take some time to cool off. Come on, Kellie. I’ll ask George to take you home.”

  “I agree.” Mark pulled out his phone and sent a text. “It’s taken care of. After all, it’s what I’m good for—taking care of transportation.”

  All three were silent on the elevator and Kellie was very aware of Derek standing between them. Not sure who he was protecting, she flinched every time he moved.

  Mark escorted her out the back door of the club and almost shoved her into the backseat of the car, gruffly instructing George to take her home before slamming the door. Kellie watched his back, shoulders tight as a drum, disappear into Private Delights. With no words to explain her deception, she’d lost him completely.

  The car pulled around the building and headed north into town. “We’ll be at your destination in about fifteen minutes, Miss Kellie.”

  “Not to his home. Take me to my townhouse. That’s what he meant, George. He’s through with me.”

  She rattled off the address even as he disagreed. “Take me to my address or let me out right here, George. I’d rather hitchhike than go back to his house.”

  The driver complained but did as she asked, and she was thankful Mark had changed her locks. Now she just needed to figure out how to change the code to keep Mark out, too. George walked her to the door, still arguing about taking her to Mark’s place, but she tapped in the code and pushed her front door open.

  “Good bye, George. It’s been nice knowing you.”

  “Miss Kellie, don’t talk like that. Mr. Harrison cares about you. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you soon.” He looked past her into the darkened room. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come in and check the house? You haven’t been here for a couple days.”

  “Thank you, but I’ll be fine.” She flipped the light switch near the door and several lights came on, revealing a neat living and dining area. See? No problems, just dust.”

  “For the record, I don’t like leaving you here.”

  “You’ve made that clear. Now go back to the club. I’ll be fine.”

  She shut and locked the door. George was an absolute dear despite being a Dom, but she was about to fall apart and she didn’t need a witness. The bed was too far away, the sofa closer, but not close enough. She settled for the wall, slumping into a ball with a dry sob.

  The look in Mark’s eyes when he confronted her kept blazing into her brain.

  She should have told him herself this morning, but he was so sweet after their shower. Telling Mark how stupid she’d been before they met didn’t feel right. And really, was there ever a good time to admit to someone you love that you were a raving lunatic before you met them?

  Now it was over.

  Screwed up before it ever really started. That insane idea about a tell-all article on the horrors of BDSM clubs had fallen flat and for good reason.

  Kellie got to her feet, a thoroughly nasty curse for her stupidity propelling her into the musty living room. She paced across the carpet, heading for the sofa but detouring to keep moving. The idea of sitting and crying was all too tempting, but she wasn’t ready to turn into a puddle.

  She was an idiot.

  A complete and utter fool.

  Abusive men came from all walks of life and most of them didn’t go near sex clubs. They took their rage out on innocent women and children. If she’d expanded her research before jumping in half-cocked, she wouldn’t be in this situation.

  Now Mark was out of her life for good. The betrayal in his eyes, in the unbending lines of his body when he threw her out of Private Delights, left no doubt about his feelings. He didn’t tolerate liars, making her the number one woman on his shit list.

  Her hand clutched at the pendant, wondering how she’d return it. Would he send someone to repossess the piece? Maybe have someone cut it off with a saw, just to make a point?

  His words rang through her head. “This is a symbol of my affection and possession, and it will stay in place until I remove it.”

  The gold chain felt cold against her skin for the first time since he’d locked it around her throat. Fitting, since her heart felt just as cold. Kellie returned to the sofa and wrapped the throw blanket around her body. With her knees pulled up to her chest, she tucked the blanket’s edge under her feet.

  Still, heat eluded her.

  Her phone tweeted and she looked down at the message, hoping it was Dena. She was the only person who knew the whole story and she’d been missing for two days. Kellie couldn’t help wondering what Steve would do to Dena for keeping the secret for as long as she had.

  She didn’t recognize the number, but the message was eerie.

  Dena is at Lakeshore Hospital ER

  Kellie grabbed her purse and ran out the back door, hoping her car was still in the garage and would start. It turned over on the first try and she hit the garage door button wondering what in the hell Steve had done to her friend.

  The hospital was a good twenty minutes away. Kellie got there in fifteen.

  The emergency room was a madhouse of little kids crying and grownups grumbling. When she finally got to the front of the line, Kellie was told her friend had been moved to a room. She searched for the right elevator, her stomach in knots, her own issues forgotten for the time being. She could mourn her love life when she knew Dena was safe and healthy.

  When she finally stood outside Dena’s door, she hesitated. Would Steve let her visit? He was one hulk of a Dom and she didn’t have any information about what happened at the club. Straightening her back, Kellie knocked softly and heard a faint acknowledgement.

  Easing the door open, she peeked in. Dena was half sitting in the bed, her face a little flushed but smiling.

  “Hey. Come on in and sit. How did you know I was here?”

  The chair next to the bed was still warm when Kellie sat. “Someone from Private Delights sent me a text. What did he do to you, Dena?”

  “Who—? Oh, no, it wasn’t because he did anything. We were in a scene, but it was my fault.”

  “How was it your fault, if he was dominating you? He hurt you somehow, or you wouldn’t be in that hospital bed.”

  Dena reached out and Kellie immediately put her hand in Dena’s. “I was being disciplined.”

  Kellie cried out and her friend shushed her. “I told Steve about your thesis and he was upset—not about your plan, but about me keeping it a secret from him.”

  “I’m so sorry, Dena. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  “No, it was my choice to keep the secret, and I shouldn’t have. Don’t worry about me.”

  She squeezed their fingers together and Kellie wanted to cry. “How did you get hurt?”

  “I was bound to the St. Andrew’s cross and I didn’t tell Steve I was having trouble breathing.”

  “He didn’t notice?”

  “He checked on me several times, but then Mark came in and they were talking. I didn’t want him to tell Mark—I thought it was your place to tell him about the thesis.”

  “Damn it.” Kellie stood up and hugged her. “I looked for you at work, but you were out for two days. I tore up all my notes. I...I changed my mind about the paper, the article, everything changed while I was in Corpus with Mark.”

  “Thank God.”

  Kellie backed away, unable to keep eye contact with Dena. �
�It doesn’t matter. We’re through. He kicked me out.”

  “You didn’t explain? Does he know about your past, that incident with your last boyfriend?”

  “No. He didn’t give me a chance to say anything. Just told me to get out of his sight and had George take me home.”

  Dena frowned. “I’ve never seen Mark angry, but Steve said when it happens he burns hot and fast, then it’s over. Maybe he needed time to calm down before talking about it.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I lied to him, got involved with him under false pretenses. It’s over.”

  “You care about him.”

  The softness in Dena’s voice cut into her already decimated heart. Still facing the blank television screen above her head, she nodded. “I’ll figure something out. I’ll survive.”

  “I’ll talk to him.”

  Kellie spun around to face Steve. “I’m leaving.”

  “No point in running off. I’ve heard enough.”

  Kellie headed for the door but Steve blocked her. “Stay. You’re Dena’s friend, and I’m thinking I should get to know you a little better. Mark should, too.”

  “He doesn’t want me. And I’m the reason Dena got hurt, so you shouldn’t want me around, either.”

  She tried again to step around him and he grabbed her, this time with deference and with care.

  His callused fingers encircled her wrist yet barely made contact with her skin, a surprise after all she’d dealt with in the last few hours. Dena’s Dom was such a large and intimidating man but for the first time, Kellie realized dominance and tenderness coexisted in these men she’d met at Private Delights.

  Too late, the revelation left her empty, the loss of Mark in her life something she’d deal with for a long time. A man like Mark wasn’t easy to forget.

  “It wasn’t your fault, it was mine,” Steve said, interrupting her thoughts. “I should’ve taken better care of her. She’d left a few details out, though, and it made my job harder.”

  His radiant smile was another surprise. When she turned to the bed, Dena’s expression matched his.

  “We’re pregnant.”

  “Oh, my God. That’s wonderful,” Kellie said, moving freely to her friend’s side. She hugged her close. “Is that why you had trouble?”