by Dakota Trace
He groaned, already seeing the writing on the wall. “Dammit. Let me guess, Vayarti?”
Davis nodded. “I don’t know what he told you but I’m sure it wasn’t the truth. Lauren told me he took her out of her comfort zone to New York, where she had no friends or family. Then he proceeded to systematically cut her off until she had to rely on him for everything, all the while promising he’d take care of her. That he’d be her protector, her lover, her Master, her everything.” Davis gave a bitter laugh. “Then he kicked her out with nothing more than the clothing on her back when her Dad was hospitalized, and she needed but also wanted to come home.”
“That son of a bitch.” If he hadn’t detested the man before, he did now. It took a lot of meanness – not balls to kick out a submissive who had put her faith in you, not to mention it showed what a sorry excuse of a human being Louis was.
“And now she’s lumping you with him. Just another Dom she shouldn’t have trusted.” Davis pushed his chair back and stood. “I hate to say it, Ethan, I don’t think Lauren and I are going to be able to convince her again to give you another shot. It was all we could do to convince her this morning.”
Cradling his head between his hands, Ethan wished the floor would open up and swallow him. Here he was a forty-two year old man, who had acted like a teenager who’d caught his girl running around on him. He’d jumped to conclusions when he’d found her missing. Let his past color his reaction to what he’d perceived to be another abandonment. He’d lumped her with Tamiko, never once thinking she might have overheard part of his conversation with Louis. “I’m a dumb fuck.”
When he got no comment from Davis, he looked up to see his friend had left the room while he’d been mentally beating himself up. Standing, he slowly moved to the sink, trying to think what he could do to fix things. Rinsing the cup in the sink, he went over his options. He could go to her father’s apartment, but the elder Johnston would probably kick his ass before he’d let him talk to Sabella. And if he tried to talk to Mrs. D., he didn’t know what would happen. She might brain him with the nearest frying pan, considering she thought of Sabella as her little girl. And forget Sabella’s friends, not only did he not know any of them other than Lauren, the little matchmaker of Napa, would probably take a baseball bat to his knees. And with her not working, he couldn’t even call in a favor from Kaleb. So where did that leave him? Her dad’s place was out. So was Lauren’s and Mrs. D.’s. She wasn’t working, and the only place she was probably going to show up where he might be able to corner her was at Davis’s office.
“That’s it.” He could ask Davis to give him a few minutes at his office after her appointment. Now he just had to convince to his best friend to help make this right.
Walking down the hall towards Davis’s office and knocking on the door, he stuck his head in, seeing his friend on the phone.
“You drove her? Great, I was worried about her driving. She tore out of here like a scalded cat before I could go after her, and by the time I dealt with Ethan, she was gone.” Davis waved him in. “Yeah, I tore a strip off him, and now that he’s had some time to process it, I imagine he’ll come begging me to set up a meeting with her.” A chuckle rumbled free of Davis. “You little tease. You kiss your mother with that mouth?”
Plopping down on the couch adjacent to the desk, Ethan waited for him to finish his call, wanting nothing more than to rip the phone away from his grip and demand Lauren let him talk to Sabella. He had to remind himself patience was a virtue he possessed, even when every fiber of his being wanted to take the opposite action.
“All right. Let her know our appointment for next week is still on, and I don’t blame her for this situation with Ethan.” A moment later, after saying good-bye, Davis hung up. “So what do you want?”
Ethan focused on him. “I want Sabella, and you’re going to help me, Davis Clayton, or I’m going to make your life a living hell.” Ethan arched his eyebrow at him. “Remember the year our dads sent us off to that camp outside of Kochi? The pranks I played on you will be nothing compared to the hell I’ll bring down on your head. Like my dad says, I know where you sleep, buddy.”
Davis stared at him for a few moments. “Did you ever think to simply ask?”
Ethan cocked his head before finally muttering a “Well, will you?”
“Of course.” Davis gave an evil smile. “Because when it comes time to claim my lady you’re going to owe me.”
Ethan felt the blood rush from his face, but he nodded his agreement. Because even though his friend’s help came with the steep price, his Sabella was more than worth the headache of dealing with Lauren Haskell.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Pushing open the door to Davis’s office, Sabella entered after thanking his secretary, Eileen. She wasn’t surprised to see him hard at work. In front of him was her open folder. He looked up from its contents. “Have a seat, Bella. I’m just going over the investigators’ reports.”
“Investigators’ reports?” She sank into the chair across from him.
“Yes, after what you told me last time, I hired a detective to look into your former Dom’s background, and had a cyber-hacker look into his financials. I think you’ll find these interesting.” He turned the file around so she could read it.
Taking the file, she skimmed over it, then swore softly as she saw transactions listed to the same man who she remembered doing background checks for Louis’s company in New York. The same man who’d come over to their apartment in New York a number of times, and claimed to be a whiz at the computer. More than once he’d joked with Louis about planting evidence in the police database on those people who’d pissed him off, as they discussed business. Of course the man probably would’ve never said a word to Louis, if he’d been aware of Bella kneeling on the floor behind Louis’s desk. She swallowed hard. “I know him. He’s some high priced computer geek who can dig up dirt on anyone.”
Davis steepled his fingers. “Or manufacture it if need be?”
She nodded. “Or so he claimed. Do you think Louis paid him to plant that crap in the Sex Offender Registry? I mean it’s possible he was paying the man for other services. He did do most of the background checks for Louis, while I was in New York.”
Slowly shaking his head, Davis sighed. “According to the dates of payment, this was during the time he was here in Napa. I’ll have to double check with Ethan, but it’s looking like a real possibility this happened after he arrived here.”
Confusion surrounded her. “But why would he do that? He kicked me out. Told me he didn’t want a submissive who couldn’t commit herself wholly to him.”
“Well, I’m no psychiatrist, but I have a feeling he’s burned every bridge in New York. He moved across the country because of something that happened. While I don’t know the particulars because of doctor/patient confidentiality, there must be some legal issues because Ethan was appointed by the courts to be his doctor. Ethan couldn’t tell me what happened, but I’m thinking it had to do something with the BDSM scene because he asked me to keep an eye on the ass while he was at the club. Not to mention he didn’t want Louis going to another club.”
Her heart gave a twist at the mention of Sir and tears burned the back of her eyes. Taking shallow breaths, she had to remind herself she couldn’t have a breakdown in front of Davis. The man wasn’t being deliberately cruel by mentioning his partner. Nor was it his fault her wounds were still too close to the surface. Instead she concentrated on what Davis was saying.
“That doesn’t surprise me. Louis could be a dick at the best of times, and a total bastard at others.” She sighed. “It wasn’t long after I moved in when I found out how ruthless he could be, especially after his father died.”
“Death has a funny way of affecting people. Just remember that.” Davis sighed and stood. “Okay, I’m going to contact this gentleman, and see if he’ll give me some insight into what Louis might have paid him for. Not that I expect him to admit to breaking several state laws to
hack into the state computers to add you to the registry. Meanwhile, I’m also going to have my computer nerd look into the feasibility of any hacker being able to plant evidence. All we need is reasonable doubt here, considering the case number is bogus on the file, and they have no record of you ever being in the penal system in New York. I couldn’t even find a jaywalking ticket for you.” He gave her a grin. “You’re truly a good girl.”
She couldn’t help but laugh at him. “So I’ve been told.”
“Okay, I have one other issue to go over with you. I want to have Lauren be a character witness for you if we need those in the courtroom. Unless you have any other life-long friends who can vouch for you?”
“I’ve got a couple, but Lauren has been my best friend since first grade. Are you sure you can be in the same room with her long enough to get an affidavit signed?”
He chuckled. “Oh, I think I can resist the urge to toss her over my desk…barely.” He stood. “I need to get a consent form for you to sign, showing you’re aware I’m going to be contacting Lauren, in regards to your case. Confidentiality laws and everything. It’ll allow me to share certain legal facts with her without violating your rights. Wait right here.”
“Okay.” She watched as he exited the room, shutting the door behind him.
* * * *
“All right, you better not fuck this up, because this is the last time I’m gonna pull your fat out of the fire with Bella.”
Ethan turned away from the window in the conference room to stare at Davis, as he came in with a sheaf of papers. Tossing them at him, Ethan caught them out of reflex. Looking down he saw nothing but legalese and mumbo jumbo.
“After you get done convincing her to take your sorry ass back, have her sign the bottom of page three and date it. I’m going to lunch and I expect you to have fully convinced her back to your side, by the time I return at two.” He glanced pointedly at his watch. “That gives you approximately an hour and half to get your act straight. Think you can handle that, Ethan?”
Nerves had his palms sweating, but Ethan nodded. “Yes. Signature and back together by two. It’s doable.”
“Good.” Davis grabbed his jacket off the coat rack in the corner of the room. “I’m out of here, and don’t fuck up my office. No make-up sex over my desk or I’ll be kicking your ass, tenth degree black belt or not. I’m not gonna spend the rest of the afternoon smelling pussy while I work.” Then he was gone.
Pulling himself up straight, Ethan ignored the knot in the pit of his stomach. Now he had to convince the most beautifully submissive woman he’d ever had the pleasure of dominating into taking his dumb ass back. Not that she won’t be answering to me about her lack of pride in herself as a submissive. She should’ve come in and read me the riot act instead of running.
Following his friend out of the room, he nodded to Eileen who was gathering up her things. Obviously Davis had told her to take a long lunch. “I’m going to lock up behind me, Dr. Tremaine. So you and Ms. Johnston have the office to yourself until approximately one forty-five.”
He nodded. “Thank you.”
She just smiled. “Ms. Johnston is a delightful young woman. It was obvious she was a perfect match for you during your demonstration last weekend. I’ve never been as turned on as when I watched you together. So it’s the least I could do, after Davis told me how you wanted to win her back.” She leaned forward in a conspiratorial fashion. “But if you can, do me a favor…if you’re going to have make up sex, do it on Davis’s desk. It’ll drive him wild all afternoon. And after he canceled on me last weekend, I need a good hard spanking.”
Ethan chuckled. “And you think me having sex on his desk will earn you a punishment?”
She slowly nodded. “Especially if you let it slip I urged you to do it.”
“You definitely need a good hard spanking, Eileen. Plotting against Davis is a sure way to ensure it.”
“I’m counting on it.” She slipped into her coat. “Good luck!” She waved as she twisted the lock on the handle of the outer office door.
Squaring his shoulders, Ethan entered Davis’s office as if he were Daniel entering the lion’s den.
* * * *
Reading a naughty, erotic romance featuring a hunky Dom and his feisty sub on her smart phone while she waited, Sabella barely noticed when the door opened behind her. It had been several minutes since Davis had left, but it wouldn’t be the first time he got sidetracked by Eileen during their legal sessions. Considering he won’t accept any money from me, nothing more than a pittance so we’re covered legally, I can’t complain.
A moment later a packet of papers entered her vision followed by a soft chuckle. “Must be reading the newest Tymber Dalton book, because the last time I saw the expression on your face, you had your nose deep in one of her books. But if you think you can pull away long enough to sign these, Davis would be grateful.”
Sabella nearly dropped her phone. Her eyes widened and her heart raced as she took in Ethan’s presence. “YOU!” She moved to stand, but was pushed back in the chair, as he leaned over her, his sheer masculinity pinning her in place.
“Yes, me.” His eyes deepened to a familiar forest green. She was soooo screwed. She knew that look, even if she’d only seen it a few times. He wanted her. “And you’re not going anywhere until we straighten out this misunderstanding we have going on. I won’t let you run again. Now sign the papers so we can get started. I have only a little over an hour to convince you we belong together.”
She bit her inner lip, everything in her responding instinctively to his dominance. Between his tone and his take-no-excuses attitude, she was drawn to him just like a moth to the flame. But she couldn’t, no wouldn’t, let herself forget what happened. She’d just have to fake her way out of the situation. She couldn’t let him realize how his closeness was affecting her. “T-there’s nothing to talk about, Dr. Tremaine.”
He arched a brow at her, obviously not impressed by her show of bravado. “Sign the papers, Sabella.”
She looked around nervously. Maybe if she did, he’d back off and leave her personal space. “I don’t have a pen…” With her purse on the floor, where she couldn’t reach without touching him, it was the truth.
“But I do. Breast pocket. Get it.” His soft words and tense expression sent a shiver of awareness through her. He was ordering her to touch him, to feel his heat, even as his scent enveloped her. It weakened her resolve. “Do it, little one. I promise I won’t bite.”
Lifting her fingers slowly, she tugged the end of the pen free of the pocket, with the least amount of contact as possible, trying to ignore his sudden intake of breath. Not that she was successful. Not only did the back of her fingers tingle from where they brushed over his chest, she wanted to touch, to explore the fit expanse of his shoulders and torso. To see if he’s still as fit as I remember. “I need you to move back…”
“Not happening. Sign.” He continued to hover over her, his chest expanding and contracting, as he breathed in deeply. “Damn, you smell good.”
She gripped the pen tightly. “I…it’s just my shower gel….”
He slowly shook his head. “No, it’s Sabella. A light touch of floral with the hint of the vanilla coffee you like.” He leaned further in, his nose nudging her hair. Her skin prickled with awareness at the caress of his moist breath, as he breathed directly on her neck. He gave a soft groan before moving back. “But I’m getting ahead of myself here. Sign the papers before I’m tempted to eat you whole.”
Hanging onto her anger and hurt was darn near impossible, as his words seduced her. “I don’t think so…” Pressing the papers and pen against his chest, she tried to push him away from her. With surprise on her side, he stumbled a bit. “Stop it. I’ll sign Davis’s papers, but it has nothing to do with…you. So there’s no need for this act. I won’t let you seduce me into forgetting what you did.” With trembling fingers, she found where she was supposed to sign and scrawled her signature. Again shoving the pape
rs and pen at Ethan, she grabbed her purse and was prepared to leave, when his plea stopped her.
“Please Sabella. I know I fucked up, but give me a chance to explain.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. Lord knew she was tempted but what if it was just another ploy? “Explain what? That you lumped me in with that bitch of a wife? Or that you honestly didn’t mean to give me false hope, Ethan?” Her hand tightened. “You know, Louis may have hurt the submissive in me with his stupidity, but he never touched the vulnerable heart under it. You, on the other hand, with your lack of trust…” She gave a bitter laugh. “…not only hurt both, but also taught me a rather valuable lesson. One which I won’t forget.” She slowly turned to face him, gathering her hurt around her. Tears pricked the back of her eyes as she looked at him. He was everything she’d wanted, and her heart mourned for what could’ve been, if he’d been different or if she could have been a different type of woman.
He walked over and stopped less than a foot from her. Cupping her arms with his palms, he brushed his thumbs over the soft inner flesh of them. “I don’t expect you to forget, Sabella, but I’m hoping you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
The connection between them sparked. She had to fight the urge to lean into him, the familiar warmth and security a beacon to her, tempting her unbearably. “It’s not a matter of forgiving. Davis told me what I heard was only part of the story, that you told Louis in a rather graphic way that the only way you’d allow him to share me, is if he became a submissive woman. I can forgive you for what I thought I heard, and I have. I should’ve stayed and confronted you both. Then part of this misunderstanding would’ve been avoided.”
He nodded, his thumbs continuing to stroke over her. “We both made mistakes, Sabella. You should’ve stayed. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions when I found you gone.”