Sheltering Reagan

by Avery Gale

  “I’d prefer to stay at Master Rafe’s. I promise to keep my phone close. I’ve imposed so much on everyone. I really want to spend what’s left of the evening vegging out in front of his massive television watching something that doesn’t require any thinking on my part and eating popcorn. I have every confidence in the security system, and you all will probably know before I do if there’s a problem.”

  Twenty minutes later, Taz was back on the road, scrambling to defend his decision to Rafe, Nate, and everyone else with a fucking cell phone. “Listen, Nate, the bottom line is I can’t force Reagan to come home with me. She is old enough to make her own decisions, and my role as her employer doesn’t cover living arrangements. Did I want to leave her alone? Hell, no. The only other option was to stay with her. She vetoed that idea before I’d even finished offering—something about impropriety.”

  Taz hadn’t agreed with her assessment, but he’d respected the reasoning. She didn’t want to do anything that might jeopardize her budding friendship with Kodi or what she hoped might develop with Rafe. Her concern about how Rafe would feel had been the only reason his friend had stopped complaining about the fact she was now alone in his home. “Rafe, your house has better security than most military installations—she’ll be fine until you get here tomorrow evening. I talked to Phoenix a few minutes ago, and she is doing exactly what she said she wanted to do—watching mindless television and eating popcorn. She has her laptop sitting beside her waiting for you to call.”

  “Where is the fucker now?”

  “I don’t know, and Phoenix was too busy tracking him to talk more than a few seconds when I called to check on Reagan.” Rafe was off the phone by the time Taz parked behind the club. He was anxious to get upstairs to Kodi, but he was going to make sure everything was running smoothly before heading up to check on her. It was still early. Most of the action at the club took place after ten o’clock. Since it was Friday night, Taz wanted to make sure the staff was ready for the influx of members anxious to shake off the tension of a long work week. With a little bit of luck, he’d be upstairs in an hour.

  Chapter Twenty

  Rafe was pleased when Reagan answered his computer call on the second ring. He’d seen the iPad lying on the table in front of her on the security feed, but he hadn’t expected her to practically fall off the sofa trying to pull it on to her lap before it could ring a second time. “Hello, beautiful. How was your spa day?” He’d heard the thread of anxiety when she’d answered, and he hated that she was dealing with everything alone.

  “Oh, it was amazing…well, most of it was.” Rafe laughed out loud at her unintentional confession. Since he already spoken to Taz, he’d been updated on the ladies’ day and Reagan’s reaction to the full Brazilian wax he’d scheduled for her. Damn, he could hardly wait to feel her smooth pussy lips. He planned to bury his face between her legs and not surface for hours.

  “What part was the most challenging, Peach?” She squirmed in her seat, and he saw the pink blush bloom over her chest and spread upward. “Reagan, I asked you a question, and I expect an answer. When a Dom asks a question, he doesn’t want you to edit your response. I don’t want you to give me the answer you think I want, nor do I want you to give me an answer you believe makes you look better.” She blinked her eyes several times, and he assumed the alcohol was still creating enough brain fog she wasn’t processing his words as quickly as usual.

  “It has always amazed me how this very simple rule creates such a challenge for submissives—particularly the really bright ones. Their minds are always working, so information rarely slides free without moving through a plethora of filters.” Her eyes were glazed over, but he could have sworn the corners of her lips turned up ever so slightly. Damn, he hated doing this remotely. It would be so much easier to read her if they were sitting side by side or, better yet, she was sitting naked on his lap with his dick shoved balls deep in her heat. It was damned hard for a sub to hide anything in that position.

  “What was the most challenging part, Reagan?” This time his words were tight, and he’d almost ground them out from behind his clenched jaw.

  The change of tone seemed to jar her from whatever mental road trip her brain had taken, and she answered immediately. “The waxing, Sir.”

  “Much better. Was the pain too much for you to endure?” He was certain that wasn’t the case—God knew she’d endured far worse in the past.

  She shook her head vehemently as she spoke. “No. The pain was manageable; the margaritas helped a lot.”

  “Then what made the experience so difficult?”

  The pink staining her cheeks turned scarlet, but this time she didn’t hesitate. “It was weird and embarrassing having a stranger touch me…there.”

  “There? Come on, Reagan. You’re a medical professional. You can do better than that.” Yes, he understood exactly what she was saying, but damned if he wasn’t enjoying watching her squirm. Too bad she wasn’t impaled on his cock. He’d be enjoying that squirm infinitely more.

  She raised her eyes to meet his, and he saw a flash of fire in them that made his cock instantly ramrod stiff. At times over the past couple of weeks, Rafe had wondered if there was any fire left in Reagan—she’d seemed completely defeated these past few days. But his hope soared when he saw there was indeed an iron will deep inside her.

  “A woman I didn’t know smeared hot wax all over my pubis, the outer regions of my nether lips, and around my anus. Then this virtual stranger applied cloth strips, patting them down with a touch far too personal for someone I’d only been introduced to minutes earlier. After a few minutes spent rubbing the strips ensuring good adhesion, she ripped the strips off, yanking all the hair out by the roots. Keep in mind this woman wasn’t a medical professional, and hell, that would have been humiliating enough. No, this was a woman you’d paid to touch me intimately, and I’m still trying to sort through how I feel about the money element.”

  Her words had spilled out so quickly Rafe doubted she’d have been able to hold back the torrent even if she’d wanted to. But now, he could see the uncertainty in her eyes. She always expected rejection—and damned if that didn’t royally piss him off. Oddly, he wasn’t angry that she’d turned his own words around on him mockingly. No, it was her expectation of being set out on the curb like yesterday’s garbage that annoyed him.

  “Wipe that worried look off your face, Peach. I asked you for an honest answer, and that is exactly what you gave me. The humor I found in it was a bonus.” Her shoulders relaxed, but he intended to enjoy the remnants of her unease before it all faded away. “Now that I know the experience made you uncomfortable, I’d like to see if it was worth it. Strip and show me every inch of your bare sex.”

  She looked around, and he growled. “There is no one there but you, baby, and you just earned ten. You’re going to rack up an impressive number of stokes if you’re not careful, baby. I’m not sure your ass is going to be able to endure them all in one session.” She didn’t know he’d asked Phoenix to cut the feed from the living room for the next hour. He intended to use this as a lesson in trust—the first in what he suspected would be many more to come.

  “Do you trust me, Reagan?” It was a simple question, but he could see the meaning wasn’t lost on her.

  “Yes, Sir. I don’t really know why or how exactly when that happened…but I do trust you.”

  He didn’t respond, just nodded his acceptance of her answer and watched as she propped the iPad against the back of the sofa and stepped in front of the screen. Pulling her faded Scooby Doo® t-shirt over her head, she tossed it aside, and he groaned aloud. “You are so beautiful, and I can hardly wait to get my mouth on those lovely nipples. Before you lose the pants, turn for me…very slowly.” From what he could see during her slow-motion pirouette, she’d healed even faster than he’d hoped. The instructions he’d give her masseuse had detailed exactly how much pressure could be used on her healing scars, and he was pleased to see none of them appeared t
o be enflamed or swollen.

  “Now the pants, baby. I’m hard as a rock thinking about how sweet you’re going to taste. You’ll be so much more sensitive. Every slide of my tongue against the petals of your sex will light you up like the Fourth of July.” Her fingers were trembling as she reached for the waistband of her sweats. Almost every piece of clothing he’d seen her wear was in tatters, but he bit back the observation. He wanted nothing more than to lavish her with gifts, but they weren’t there yet. She’d interpret any negative comment about her wardrobe as a potential excuse to send her on her way, and he wasn’t giving her anything to stew about.

  He smiled when he realized she wasn’t wearing any panties. “I’m happy to see you followed the esthetician’s advice and skipped panties this evening, baby. You might as well get used to the breeze wafting over you. I will keep you naked at every opportunity. And even when you are dressed, you’ll have little need for undergarments when we’re together.” She paused as a shiver seemed to race up her spine.

  When the fabric disappeared from his sight, he let her settle before pushing her. “Sit on the coffee table and spread your legs. I want to be able to see everything.” While she moved into position, he added, “I’ll call you from the airport tomorrow. That will give you time to light the fireplace behind you. I want you naked and kneeling with your hands resting on your wide-spread thighs so that your bare sex is directly in my line of sight when I step through the door.”

  He didn’t want to overwhelm her with information, but Rafe bit back a grin thinking about how familiar she was going to become with the position. There would be evenings when he posed her on a table and did nothing but look at her. Nate and Taz had used Kodi as a table decoration during a play party a few months ago. It had been a punishment for some minor infraction, but he wasn’t sure who’d suffered the most. The little sub who’d been fondled by every one of the party’s guests or her Masters who hadn’t considered how difficult it would be to see their naked woman being aroused by their friends.

  Reagan wasn’t tall, and at six foot three, Rafe dwarfed her. But he loved her lean, athletic build. Her legs were long and nicely toned, and he was anxious to see them spread wide on a St. Andrew’s cross. The one he’d installed in his personal play room used hydraulics to tilt a bound submissive in a variety of positions. He looked forward to having her spread wide for his pleasure as he introduced a whole new level of discipline into her life. Reagan wouldn’t believe him now, but she’d find a level of confidence she’d never known before when she learned to truly surrender.

  “Thank you for sharing your beautiful body with me tonight, even if it has left me with a raging hard on.” He loved hearing her sweet giggle. He wanted to end their conversation on a more casual note. “You can put your clothes on as soon as we end this call. The living room cameras will be turning back on in five minutes. Get some sleep, Peach. You’re going to need it tomorrow.” The last thing he saw before he closed the window was her blowing him a kiss. He doubted she’d intended for him to see her, but he was glad he’d looked up in time to catch a fleeting glimpse of her spontaneous, sweet gesture.

  Making his way to the shower, Rafe wondered if taking himself in hand would provide any relief. He suspected the image of Reagan’s bare sex playing on continuous loop in his head was going to fuel his libido longer than the hot water would last.

  Reagan’s entire body felt like it was tremoring at the very center of her being. The pulses deep in her core vibrated their way to the surface. Rafe hadn’t even been able to touch her, and she was more aroused than she’d ever been…it didn’t make any sense. She’d dressed and was already moving down the hall when the living room lights flashed behind her. Chuckling to herself, she didn’t bother looking for one of the well-concealed cameras. She just grinned and thanked Master Phoenix for the heads-up. Over the past couple of days, she’d accepted the fact she was being watched. But it was Kodi’s comment earlier today that sealed the deal.

  “Sister, you need to look at this differently. Think of it as having a roomie. You share all the common areas of the house, but still have your private space. It should be comforting to know that while Master Rafe is in San Francisco you aren’t alone up here in the foothills.” Kodi’s simple observation changed everything. Viewing their observation as friendly rather than intrusive, would make her life much easier. They’d even worked out a communication system of sorts. Rather than having them speak to her directly, she’d respectfully asked them to simply make the lights flicker off and back on once for yes or twice for no. Just before Rafe called, she’d waved and the lights had flickered several times, letting her know whoever was watching was acknowledging her gesture.

  As strange as it seemed, it was comforting knowing she had a guardian angel. Someday, she’d asked to meet the people who were watching over her. By the time she slipped between the sheets, her eyelids were already sliding closed. The alcohol had faded, but the fatigue of the adrenaline crash still lingered. She’d forced herself to stay awake until after Rafe’s call, and now that it was over, she was sliding rapidly toward the bliss of sleep when she heard her phone vibrate on the side table.

  The message from Rafe was short and to the point…it also launched her from sleepy to hot in the time it took her to read it.

  Remove your pajamas, Peach. You will always be bare when sleeping in my bed, whether I’m with you or not. Let every brush of the sheets against your sweet pink nipples be a prelude. And remember how cool the cotton is against your luscious ass, because tomorrow night, those lovely round globes will wear my marks.

  Her body lit up from the inside, and after slipping the shirt over her head, Reagan’s mind registered each brush of the Egyptian cotton against her bare skin. The nerve endings awakened, making her crave the touch she wouldn’t have until he returned tomorrow. Maybe she’d use her fingers to find a bit of relief. No one would know. The room was shrouded in darkness, and she was under the covers. No one would be the wiser.

  The temptation had barely finished floating through mind when her phone rattled on the table again.

  Remember, your pussy belongs to me. It’s mine to pleasure, mine to touch. You do not have permission to play with what belongs to me. You’ll be punished for stealing pleasure. And trust me, baby, I will know.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Kelsey kicked the rolling stool across the open area in the freight company’s back room, cursing a blue streak when her toe connected with the metal. She was frustrated, tired, and pissed. And fuck it all if she didn’t have to add careless to the list now. Her boss had almost fired her for leaving early last night, but she’d gotten spooked when the security system started acting up and bailed. And since she’d been in his office getting the mother of all ass-chewings, she hadn’t been able to get her package on the last flight out today and had been forced to volunteer to work late so she could slip it on to the first flight out tomorrow morning. The drugs would be hours late arriving, but at least they would be delivered. Her contact loved reminding her that failure was not an option.

  “That’s the reason I don’t let my staff wear open-toed shoes.” The words came from behind her, and Kelsey turned so quickly she almost fell into a heap of tangled arms and legs. Holy shit, how had he gotten in without setting off the alarms? Dammit, was the fucking system messing up again tonight? She recognized him immediately, and a white-hot bolt of fear raced up her spine. “I don’t know why you look so surprised, Kelsey. You had to know I’d find you.”

  “I didn’t tell you where I was.” She hated the catch she heard in her voice. The man standing in front of her didn’t look like anyone she’d want to tangle with. As she edged closer to the door, her eyes moved to the camera and for the first time since she’d worked there, Kelsey hoped the security company was paying attention. His laughter boomed around her, and she felt her blood run cold. “You don’t think I left the security feeds operational, do you? Kelsey, dear, you are not dealing with the local mountain bump
kin sheriff.”

  “You know Brandt Morgan?” Dammit, she probably shouldn’t have given the man that information.

  “Yes and no. I know he started poking his nose into my business within hours of our conversation. I didn’t know who he was at first, but once I’d tracked you down, it didn’t take long to figure out who was asking questions.” The smile he gave her was more of a sneer, and it sent chills racing up her arms.

  “What kind of questions? I don’t know why he’d be asking about you.”

  “You’re a lousy liar, Ms. Jones. I think you know exactly why he started asking questions. Or should I say, he had his friends grilling anyone who’d take their calls.” It wasn’t until her back connected with the cold steel door that Kelsey realized he’d been matching her step for step. For each step she’d taken back, he’d taken one forward, always keeping the distance between them the same…until now. He continued forward until he was close enough for her to see the fury simmering in his eyes.

  Her first instinct was to run, but before she’d taken the second step, Merrett’s hands were wrapped around her neck. She fought to pull in oxygen, terrified each breath she took would be her last as she felt her feet leave the ground. “Where is Reagan? I saw her leaving the local kink club with her Native American boyfriend, but I couldn’t get to the car fast enough to follow them.” Native American boyfriend? “I’m tired of seeing that phony confused look, bitch. Tell me where she is—right fucking now.” Darkness began creeping in from the periphery of her vision, and its progression accelerated as his grip tightened.

  She could barely breathe, and she wasn’t going to waste any air speaking. Her mind skittered to his comment about Reagan having a Native American boyfriend making her wonder what had happened with Rafe? Had he figured out how boring Reagan was? Kelsey felt like she was floating, and the last thing she heard was his vicious profanity-laced threats and the faint sound of a siren in the distance.