They weren't gay! But she'd thought, she'd assumed, and had never thought to ask, thinking it was rude. Her defenses rose to Defcon 1 as she crossed her arms over her chest. The anger that came spewing forth did surprise her. "So you're not gay, and you want me to have sex with both of you. Gee, let me see, no. How's that for an answer?"
Chase's face fell at her caustic response and he leaned back against his seat. He seemed disheartened and deflated by her response. It made her want to hug him and bring his cheery disposition back. Which only served to irritate her further and she clenched her fingers into fists. Then there was Zeke. The bastard had the audacity to have a wicked grin on his face. She wanted to deck him, wipe the smugness from his face.
"Your lips say no, but your body is saying yes. I can see your pert nipples from here. Think about it, is all we are asking," Zeke murmured with a husky tenor to his voice that she'd never heard from him before.
The rampant desire in his gaze made her tremble. She wasn't prepared to deal with this in any way. "I cannot believe the two of you would want to throw our partnership away like this." Kara felt all of her dreams for her company, now their combined company, go up in puffs of smoke. A relationship would kill it. There was a reason why you kept your job and personal lives separate. Most relationships were hard enough, even before you threw in working together. She could imagine them getting into a spat and it totally disrupting a client meeting. It didn't matter how professional you were, when you mixed the two, you were asking for it, in her book.
"No one is throwing anything away. No matter what you decide, we will still be your partners. Just think about it and give us your answer when we arrive in Scotland," Zeke replied, his voice firm. It almost sounded like he was giving her an order.
Feeling cornered with her back against the wall, she had a retort on the tip of her tongue, one with a spate of four letter expletives coloring her vocabulary which would give her asshole partners a response they would never forget, when the driver opened the side door and the noise of JFK International Airport streamed inside the small compartment. Both men seemed to relax as the din made any vehement response on her part ill-advised. She wouldn't want to alarm security before an international flight just because her partners were jack-asses.
"Let's get this trip over with," Kara muttered, cursing her own damn luck. Gathering her purse, she waited for them to exit the vehicle before she did. She didn't want them touching her. In part, because she was afraid of what she might do.
"Not until you answer me, Kara." Zeke stared her down. The bastard would do it, too. Was it any wonder she'd been so attracted to him, he was a freaking Dom, and right now he was acting like it. She'd always had a thing for Doms. It was why she had flirted with the lifestyle in college—but his attitude was also one of the reasons she'd stopped her little foray.
"Fine, I will think about it. Happy now?" She was shaking she was so furious. Rather than get into a physical altercation and wind up with a court date instead of a wedding to catapult her company into the stratosphere, she crossed her arms in front of her, if only to keep from launching herself across the limo and doing him bodily harm.
"It'll do for now." Zeke nodded and exited the limo, confident in his movements.
"Kara," Chase began, looking more dejected than she'd ever seen him. Her heart squeezed. Why the hell had he gone and changed the game on her like that? It didn't help that her stupid hormones had loved his kisses.
"Later, I'm not discussing this right now. We have a plane to catch."
He bowed his head, acknowledging her wishes, and climbed from the limo. She scooted back over to the exit. Ignoring Zeke's outstretched hand; she left the limo feeling betrayed.
Kara spent the next two hours avoiding them and the situation in the limo entirely, pretending she was an ostrich. She was too infuriated to respond with anything more than yes or no answers anyway. Lucky for them, her partners seemed to understand that she needed the space, and cut her a wide berth. It gave her room she needed to breathe and mull over her options. So she sat with her laptop, responding to emails from some of her clients. She already had a spate of spring weddings lined up for next year, but the real busy season didn't begin until after all the holidays.
By the time they boarded the Aer Lingus 757 and found their seats in business class, she'd wrapped up her emails and had a firm idea of how she would approach Miss Zoey Mills. Thankfully, she was seated apart from Zeke and Chase, which would give her a chance to contemplate the events in the limo. The business class seats were spacious. She had a whole row to herself, with Zeke and Chase in the row across from her.
The most startling revelation from everything this afternoon was that they weren't gay. She could have sworn on any number of bibles that they were. That little nugget of a belief had given her an excuse to calm her own sensibilities when she'd found herself daydreaming about either of them in rather erotic situations. But in all her fantasies, the one she'd had on more than one occasion had been her imaging what it would be like joining in their bedroom antics. It had been purely fantasy on her part, the idea of being with two men at once, but never something in a million years she thought could actually occur.
She'd dabbled in BDSM in college in Florida. Kara enjoyed the bondage, enjoyed the freedom it gave her, but she'd never in all her years experienced two men at once. Oh, she'd fantasized about it. She had even witnessed a ménage scene a time or two at the club she'd attended in college and had thought it was one of the most erotic things she'd ever seen. So she understood exactly what they had meant by tops. The fact that they liked to top a sub together made her blood simmer and her sex pulse in ardent anticipation. The memory of Chase's lips firm over hers, and Zeke's mouth over her breast, made her sex throb in need.
They wanted her to be that sub, their sub. She wasn't going to lie, she was tempted. Tempted to discover how blissfully thrilling it could be to have two men love her at once. And to have it be Chase and Zeke, sweet merciful heaven, her pulse spiked just considering it.
Which was crazy! The fact that she was actually contemplating throwing caution to the wind and taking them up on their offer was asinine. What about their company? Inter-office relations were one of the worst ideas they could possibly come up with. It was paramount that they keep the relationships platonic.
She squirmed in her seat when dinner was served, and tried to put the thoughts of what could have happened if she'd hadn't thrown on the emergency brake in the limo out of her mind. She tried to immerse herself in the onboard movie playing. It was one of those superhero films that had become all the rage lately. As much as she loved action flicks, it couldn't sidetrack her brain from veering back to her partners' scandalous, yet thoroughly tantalizing, offer.
Kara didn't know what she should do about it, about them. Did she desire them? She blew out a breath. That was a no-brainer. Zeke and Chase were two of the sexiest men she'd ever had the good grace to know. So did she want them? Holy moly, did she ever! Would it be a good idea to start any type of physical relationship with her partners? Absolutely not, probably one of—if not the worst—idea to pop into her head in a decade. It could only spell disaster for Bridal Dreams. She'd worked too hard to accomplish the foothold she had in the wedding planning industry, and indiscretions like that could tank her career faster than bridesmaids hooked up with groomsmen at a reception.
What were they thinking? Making her a proposition like that.
And then she remembered the delicious feel of Chase's lips on hers. The grazing of his goatee against her lips, how seductive he tasted, and how it had made her want to crawl inside him. The need had been so stark, and vivid; she'd felt that kiss all the way to the center of her being. The feel of Zeke's mouth on her breast had made her eyes roll back with pleasure. Need had slammed her system when he rolled her nipple between his teeth. If the pleasure hadn't been so intense and startling, she may not have stopped them.
It had felt natural to kiss Chase back. And secretly, she'd
yearned for him and for Zeke. Most of her anger wasn't even directed at them, but at herself for being so weak and needy. How could she have misread their signals so poorly? The air had always seemed charged whenever the three of them were together, but Kara had ruled it out as the sexual tension the two men had toward each other and figured she'd just happened to be an innocent bystander caught in the crux of their passionate electricity. Granted, each one had sent her smoldering glances, but like a moron she had just written it off as misdirected or misread on her part. Then felt ashamed for her naughty thoughts about her partners.
When the movie didn't work to sidetrack her obsessive mental energy, Kara reclined in her seat, opting for the oblivion of sleep instead of superheroes saving the world. At least in sleep, she could ignore the decision she faced once they landed on Scottish soil. She'd never known Zeke to back down from anyone or anything. He was like a dog with a bone, that one, and would pester her until she gave them an answer.
What if she said yes? Then what? How would it affect their partnership? If she said no, how could they go back to the way things were? She felt like a rat in a maze; that no matter what option she chose, the relationship she had with her partners would never go back to the way it had been. She felt the loss of it keenly. Kara had begun counting on them. She'd known them for years as they had maneuvered in the same business circles and had forged a pseudo partnership over time. When she planned a wedding, she automatically had suggested Zeke as the head chef caterer and Chase for any design and architectural additions when needed. So their forming a conglomerate enterprise had made sense over a month ago. And now? She just didn't know what to make of their relationship.
Between one breath and the next, she slid into a restless sleep. Shadowed images of bodies entwined in ecstasy invaded her dreams.
Chapter Three
They arrived at Mullardoch Manor just as the sun was cresting the eastern horizon. The home, the land surrounding it, was breathtaking as far as Kara was concerned. Rolling green hills spliced with rough-hewn mountains that speared the sky with their starkness. Mullardoch Manor blended with the land it was upon. And it wasn't just a manor, but a freaking castle. If she weren't so tired, she'd dance a jig. A million ideas swirled in her exhausted brain as they entered the front door. The possibilities for creating an once-in-a-lifetime wedding were endless with this place, from the grand staircase to the crystal chandeliers and beyond, she was certain. More tired than she could ever remember, she hid her yawn as the introductions were made in the grand foyer.
Zeke and Declan did one of those bro-man hugs, clapping each other on the back. Then Chase and Declan did the same.
"Zeke, Chase, it's good to see you. Thanks for coming on such short notice. This," Declan towed a petite brunette forward, "is my Zoey."
"It's so nice to meet you. You guys are lifesavers!" Zoey Mills extended her palm to shake hands with Kara's guys, and Chase clasped her hand, bringing it to his lips and placing a light kiss on the back. Kara wanted to shove her beautiful client away from Chase. Unexpected jealousy surged inside her. Even though she had yet to give them an answer, the thought of either Zeke or Chase with another woman shook her to her core. They were hers, dammit, at least until she made a choice.
"And this must be Kara. It's a pleasure to meet you, welcome to my home." Declan McDougal's hand enveloped her smaller one and his rakish smile made her insides go all gooey.
Kara had seen pictures of Declan McDougal in the society pages and gracing the covers of business magazines. They didn't do the man justice, in her opinion. Up close and personal, he was beefcake personified, and he clearly doted on his fiancée, which made him all the more attractive.
"It's nice to meet you," Kara murmured, finally finding her voice. There was an overabundance of testosterone in their little party.
"Follow us." Declan nodded toward the staircase and linked hands with his fiancée as they ascended to the second level. Their party entered a library and the smell of coffee hit Kara. She almost groaned at the delicious scent. Watching her partners and Declan McDougal, and the easy camaraderie amongst them, made her wonder why the three alphas seemed so familiar with one another. What the hell had Zeke and Chase gotten her into this time?
If she weren't so jet-lagged she would be able to appreciate the beauty of the historical home. As it was, she was having a singularly difficult time paying attention to the discussion happening around her.
"Why don't you all have a seat? Mrs. Stewart made a wonderful breakfast for us all. Kara, why don't you sit here?" Zoey gestured to a seat next to her.
The seating arrangement around the table put Kara opposite her two partners, with Zoey beside her and Declan at the head of the table. She still wasn't speaking to them, had avoided them on the second chartered flight in Declan's jet from Edinburgh to Inverness, and then again on the drive from the airport to the manor. They were giving her a wide berth, but she knew it would end eventually and she would have to confront them. If she could push it off until this job was in the record books that would be ideal, but she doubted either Zeke or Chase had the patience to wait that long.
"How was your flight?" Declan asked as they sat, while Mrs. Stewart rolled a cart in bulging with aromatic delicacies.
The scent of eggs and pastries reached Kara's nose and her mouth watered. She might be tired but she was famished. She took a few bites of the eggs benedict and breakfast potatoes and moaned a bit. Zeke and Chase shot her a look but she couldn't give a damn. She was too pleased over the excellent meal. It was almost as good as Zeke's culinary skills, not that she would ever tell him that. The conversation flowed around her but she felt like she was in a haze. The food in her belly made her feel warm and she felt herself nodding off.
"Kara, what are your thoughts?" Zoey asked her, attempting to pull her into the conversation.
Kara jerked upright and noticed all eyes at the table were on her. What the hell had the topic been? She'd completely spaced out, which was unlike her, but she was so damn tired she couldn't seem to focus. A nap of any kind in something that wasn't moving would do her a world of good. She turned to Zoey. "I'm sorry, but I can barely keep my eyes open. Is there someplace I can rest a bit and then we can reconvene once I'm not so jet-lagged?"
"Oh my gosh, certainly. I'm so sorry; you must be wiped from the journey. I forgot how tired the long flight made me." Zoey scooted her chair out. "Just follow me."
"Get some rest, pet," Chase murmured with the endearment attached. It did funny things to her insides hearing it now after everything that had happened as Kara trailed Zoey out the hall and into the elevator. She didn't look back at her partners. Exhaustion was dominating her movements and she shoved the million issues she had with them to the back of her mind.
As the doors closed, Zoey said, "Your room is the Queen Anne up on the third floor. Just FYI, the DL level here on the bottom is off-limits."
Zoey pointed to the lowest button on the elevator floor panel. Kara's foggy brain was still trying to wrap itself around the fact that there was an elevator in a home, let alone a level that was off-limits. DL; what the heck did that stand for? Down low, drain level. DL huh?
"What's the DL level?" It would bug her no end until she knew the answer, and she wanted sleep more than she wanted to be circumspect.
Zoey blushed rather prettily at her blunt query. "It's the Dungeon Level. It's where members of the Dungeon Fantasy Club meet. One of them, anyway. I'm still new to it. I—"
Kara quirked a brow at the bride to be. "You're a sub."
She never would have guessed that Zoey was a sub. She seemed too fresh faced, in her simple sweater dress and black boots with her hair styled in a messy top knot.
"Yes, it's all very new to me. I've only been in the lifestyle since I met my fiancé. Declan told me your partners are members of the club. Are you a member, as well?"
They were, huh? Well, well, well, Kara was learning new things about her partners every minute, it seemed. She'd never heard
of the Dungeon Fantasy Club, but then again, she hadn't been to a BDSM Club in close to five years.
"No, I'm not part of the club. Although I did dabble in the lifestyle in college, so I understand what it is." Kara was really more of a bedroom sub, or so she thought. She loved being dominated during sex but had never felt she fit the lifestyle all the way. Kara was likely too independent to ever want to fully hand control over, and she'd discovered that the hard way in college. She'd walked away from the lifestyle when things had gone south with a Dom she had been seeing and hadn't re-opened that part of herself. It had just been easier to lock it away.
"Okay, good. Glad I don't have to go into lengthy details and that it won't be an issue for you to work on my wedding." Zoey seemed so relieved by her admission.
Kara always thought honesty was the best policy—most of the time. "Even if I did have an issue with your being a sub and partaking in the BDSM lifestyle, which I don't, your sexual preferences wouldn't stop me from helping you plan your dream wedding."
"Thank you." They stopped in front of a wooden door. Zoey pushed the door open and walked right in, flipping on lights as she went. Kara followed her in. Holy cow! What a room. She'd have to take a peek at all the ins and outs after her nap. The entire room had been decorated in burgundy and dark wood, which should have made it look like a bordello. Instead of being a gaudy monstrosity, the color flowed very tastefully and wasn't overdone.
She spied her luggage off in the corner beyond the sitting area. This room was as large as the entirety of her walk-up in Brooklyn, imagine that.
"Boy, you look beat. Get some rest. If you wake up and need something, press zero on the phone on the nightstand and it will putt you through to the kitchens," Zoey instructed. "Your partners' bedrooms are on either side of yours. We were planning on having dinner in the dining room at seven. If you are awake by then."
Two Doms for Kara (The Dungeon Fantasy Club Book 3) Page 3