Claiming Mia

by Wane, BJ

  With a tilt of his head, he asked, “Is everything okay?”

  For once, Mia was grateful for the way he kept a close eye on her, but she didn’t want to start anything between him and Clifton’s employee. “Yes. It’s just… some of these people give me the willies, if you know what I mean.” The shiver he noticed wasn’t feigned or exaggerated, but thankfully he didn’t press her on it.

  “Yeah, I know what you mean. Always trust your instincts, sweetheart. I’m ready, if you are.”

  “I am. And, Chief? If I had trusted my instincts with you, we wouldn’t be having an affair.”

  * * *

  Nolan turned into Greenleaf Nursery Saturday morning and saw Mia already boasted a booming Saturday business. He’d seen one of the men on his list of those to watch again last night, the same man who had his hands all over Mia at the Raging Bull a few weeks ago, but still nothing he could bring him in for. He didn’t show up on his searches through mug shots, but that meant nothing.

  Shoving aside the bitter taste of what he was here to do, he slid out of his cruiser and glanced in the window of the floral shop, spotting Mia behind the counter wearing a frown as she worked on the computer. As tempted as he was to find out the reason for her irritation and dispel her of it, he walked into the yard instead. Under the guise of shopping for outdoor plants, he took his time strolling up and down the rows of native foliage, visiting with townsfolk he knew while eyeing every corner of the yard for a possible nook to hide and transfer anything illegal coming in with the rest of the plants. Only Drew and Donny were around to help customers, which might account for the displeasure he’d seen on Mia’s face.

  The greenhouse doors were open, and he stepped inside the humid heat of the condensed greenery, seeing how easy it would be for someone to slip cannabis plants among the rest of the smaller shrubbery, but no obvious route for the tainted cocaine powder to come through. From his years with the DEA, he’d learned how creative drug smugglers could get, and putting false bottoms on shipping containers such as wood crates or decorative items such as ceramic vases wasn’t unheard of. But without upending those items scattered around the lot, he couldn’t do anything without a warrant and drawing a lot of questions and suspicions.

  And if it came down to getting a warrant, that meant he had proof that could send Mia to prison. Fuck. No way would he believe her capable of being involved in the drug trade, or anything else illegal. Other than her penchant for getting tickets, she was the most strait-laced, law-abiding person he knew.

  As much as it went against everything he felt for Mia, Nolan took the time to peruse the row of large ceramic planters lined up along the outside of the shop, tipping a few sideways as if inspecting them for purchase. She had yet to venture out—he didn’t even know if she knew he was here—but one of the college kids approached him with a smile.

  “Hey, Chief. Can I help you find something?”

  “Drew, right?” With his red hair and freckles, he still looked more like a high schooler than a second-year college student.

  “Right.” With a wave of his arm, Drew offered, “These will hold just about any of our perennials and make it easy to switch them out every year.”

  “That’s just what I was thinking,” Nolan lied. “I’m headed in to talk to your boss. I’ll let her help me choose one, but thanks for your help.”

  “Anytime, Chief.”

  Feeling the kid’s eyes on him, Nolan opened the shop’s side door, hating his job for the first time since accepting this new position. Mia and Trish both glanced up as the bell tolled over the door and he stepped inside. Trish ceased spraying the row of small indoor plants in front of her to wave and greet him.

  “Hey, Chief MacGregor. How are you?”

  “Good, Trish. Thanks.” One other woman was shopping along the shelves holding small garden ceramics in the form of whimsical creations as he crossed over to the counter.

  “Good morning, Mia. What has you frowning on such a pleasant day?” He cocked his head, tipping his hat back to gaze upon her disgruntled features.

  “A delay in a shipment, Barry calling in sick again and an outbreak of aphids.” She nodded toward Trish. “Easy enough to get under control with spraying, but an added chore I don’t need today. What brings you in?”

  “I wanted to see you, let you know I’ll pick you up at seven.” It took effort, but he managed to keep from smiling when she flushed and cast a quick glance toward Trish and her customer before replying in a hushed undertone.

  “Yes, I told you last night I’ll be ready.”

  “Just making sure. Relax. Everyone already knows we’re seeing each other,” he drawled. But, just to rile her further and see that flash of irritation cross her face that always stirred his cock, he leaned across the counter, reached behind her head, cupped her nape and drew her forward. Before she could protest, he kissed her hard and fast and then slid his mouth to her ear and whispered, “I want you bare of pubic hair tonight. Don’t disappoint me or you won’t sit for a week.” He brushed his knuckles under her chin as he pulled back, not surprised to see her eyes widen with both shock and arousal. “Later, sweetheart.”

  * * *

  “Damn man is always crowding me,” Mia mumbled as Nolan strode out, her mind whirling around his latest dictate, and the embarrassing but erotic possibilities it posed. Exposing that sensitive flesh to his gaze would mortify her, but she shuddered imagining how the calloused pads of his fingers would feel, or his lips or tongue…

  “Honey, that man can crowd me anywhere, anytime,” Mrs. Anders commented with a smile as she set two garden gnomes on the counter for her to ring up.

  “Me too,” Trish tossed out. “If you’re ever dumb enough to let him go, I get dibs!”

  Flustered, sure her face had turned as red as the carnations she stocked for Valentines’ Day, Mia shook her head and rang up the purchases, keeping her mouth shut. Would she ever stop reacting so strongly to Nolan and the things he wanted from her? Not only was she still struggling to accept the way he could turn her into a limp noodle with just a look or kiss no matter where they were, and with her recent change of heart from dislike to like for the arrogant, bossy police chief, but she couldn’t keep from worrying about his distracted mood last night and even this morning. She’d seen him pull up and watched through the windows as he’d looked around while conversing with some of her other customers, but she’d noticed his preoccupation with something else, just like last night. Of that she was sure. Unlike the way he’d insisted and pushed for her to reveal her every thought, she couldn’t get up the nerve to ask him what was wrong, and she cared more than she should—or was wise—about his feelings.

  “What do you and our chief have planned tonight? And, can I watch?” Trish teased when Mrs. Anders left, and they were alone in the shop.

  A grin tugged at Mia’s lips. Thinking about returning to the mansion, she found amusement in how close Trish was to what went on there. “We’re going to Albuquerque, and no, you can’t watch.”

  “Party pooper. I guess I must grab someone else to hang with at the Raging Bull.”

  “Don’t go alone,” she cautioned the younger girl. “And be careful. You’ve heard the gossip about drugs as well as I.”

  “Yes, Mom,” Trish teased.

  Giving her a mock frown, Mia said, “Mind the store. I’ll be outside, lecturing Drew and Donny next.”

  As it turned out, the guys were working hard and making sales, so she never got the chance to hint they should stay clear of places like the County Line, at least until the authorities put a stop to the tainted drugs going around. By the time 5:00 rolled around, she was eager to get ready to go out with Nolan and only took time to praise them for their hard work.

  “Hey, you two,” she said, strolling over to where Drew was sweeping the walk while Donny stacked empty crates. “You did a great job today, and I appreciate you picking up the pace due to Barry’s slack. If he keeps this up, he may leave me with no choice but to let him
go. I can’t expect you to continue to carry the load for three.”

  Donny brushed his hands off, replying, “Don’t worry, Ms. Reynolds. After we lay into him tonight, he’ll think twice before continuing to party on a work night after we return to the dorm from clubbing, like he did last night.” His eyes reflected the same aggravation Mia felt with Barry.

  “We’re both planning on giving him a piece of our minds,” Drew put in. “You and the chief sure are getting tight. That’s cool.”

  Recognizing the ploy to change the subject, she drawled, “Glad you approve. Take off, you two. I can finish this up.” They didn’t argue and by the time she closed down and trotted upstairs to her apartment, she had less than an hour before Nolan returned.

  * * *

  Mia hoped Nolan couldn’t sense her nervous excitement as he escorted her inside the club mansion a few hours later. She’d barely made it through the process of shaving an area she’d never imagined baring before hooking up with him and then sitting through dinner without revealing her reaction every time the soft silk of her panties brushed over that sensitive, newly exposed skin. Each innocent move set off sparks of heat tingling over her labia and spreading up her core. She’d debated over whether to go for the spanking and ignore his instruction to shave. With the punishment, she’d known what her response to his hand on her butt would be, so she’d chosen the new and unknown. Who knew how much longer she would have to explore these things? She certainly couldn’t picture herself doing what she’d done with Nolan with anyone else.

  Now, as she stepped inside the dim foyer, her panties so damp they stuck to her flesh, the need throbbing between her legs begged to be assuaged.

  “Are you sure everything is okay?” Nolan asked her for the fourth time since picking her up.

  “Yes,” she returned, sending him a disgruntled look. “But had I known the results of obeying your order to… shave for tonight, I think I would have risked the punishment.”

  “That wouldn’t have gotten you out of it, just delayed it. Only, after I enjoyed the fun of walloping on your delectable ass, I would have enjoyed the pleasure of seeing to the chore myself.”

  Mia halted and gaped at him, his serious tone and look telling her he meant it. It had been embarrassing enough when she’d attended to the matter herself, she couldn’t imagine getting through it with him doing the deed. “Sometimes, I don’t know how to react to you, or what to say.”

  “I know. That’s what makes you so much fun. You look good wearing shorter dresses. Do it more often.”

  She bristled at that succinct command but the warm glow his approving, heated gaze conjured up overrode her irritation. He’d surprised her by showing up with the body molding sheath that fell just shy of exposing her butt with each step, and insisted she wear it tonight. The summer green complemented her tanned arms and legs, but she wasn’t comfortable with the snug fit. She hadn’t been a skinny teen and carried even more weight now. Although, she had to admit Nolan didn’t seem to mind her softer, fuller figure.

  “You’re the only one who seems to appreciate my… extra curves.”

  “I’m the only one who matters, at least right now. There’s Master Blake, one of my partners in this place. Remember to be respectful, to me and others,” he cautioned as he placed a hand on her lower back and urged her into the large gathering room where several people already mingled.

  In this environment, Nolan was right, his opinion was the only one Mia cared about. The other people were nice, but Master Blake’s appreciative gaze and friendly greeting didn’t make her insides do funny things the way Nolan’s did. Nor did anyone else’s.

  “It’s nice to meet you… Sir.” The title came easier than she’d thought, and she put it down to the ego boost his look gave her even though she didn’t respond to the favorable approval in his blue eyes the way she did to Nolan’s cobalt gaze.

  “It’s nice to see Master Nolan bring a guest, Mia. Welcome to the club.”

  “Master Nolan!”

  Mia released Master Blake’s hand and turned toward the young and very slender girl clutching Nolan’s arm and staring up at him with an excited, animated expression. Her heart rolled over and her abdomen tightened as she sidled closer to his side, the urge to pry the girl’s hand off his arm and then claw her eyes out one she’d never experience toward another person in her life. She couldn’t recall one time when she’d felt as possessive over Peter as she did now, over Nolan… Master Nolan.

  “Angie.” Nolan kissed the fawning girl’s cheek then gently shifted his arm out from under her grip.

  “Do you have someone for your cupping demonstration yet? If not, I’d love to volunteer.” Angie bounced on bare toes, setting her perky breasts covered only by a sheer, baby doll nightie to swaying.

  “Cupping?” Mia asked. She had heard of the ancient Chinese form of alternative medicine but knew nothing else about the practice. She did know she didn’t care for the gleam in Angie’s eyes as she looked at Nolan.

  Nolan blew out a frustrated breath and ran a hand through his hair, two sure signs he was uncomfortable about something. “I promised to demonstrate the practice and how someone can apply it to enhance a scene. You can watch it from the viewing window into the demonstration room upstairs.” He squeezed the hand he hadn’t released since ushering her inside.

  Before Mia could think it through, she blurted, “I’ll do it.” Regardless of the public exposure she wasn’t comfortable with, there was no way she wanted to watch his hands all over Angie, bringing the young girl to orgasm.

  Frowning, Nolan spoke to Angie and Master Blake when he stated, “Excuse me a minute, please,” before ushering her over to a quiet corner. “You don’t know what you’re getting into, Mia. This scene will be very intense, not to mention it being conducted with public viewing. Why don’t—”

  “No, I want to do it.” She injected a lightness to her tone as she asked, “How hard can it be?” He swore under his breath and she winced but stood her ground by turning stubborn. “I want to do this. You keep telling me I have a lot to learn. I can’t do that by standing on the sidelines.”

  * * *

  Nolan would turn Mia down flat if he could swear that wasn’t envy turning her eyes a shade greener, an emotion he wouldn’t have appreciated coming from any other sub. From her, it was a step in the direction he wanted her to go in this relationship. If he turned her down, as he knew he should, she might consider him doing a scene with Angie a betrayal. Considering what her ex had put her through and his own deceit in checking out her nursery for drug deliveries, he couldn’t do that to her.

  “Fine, but once we’re in the demonstration room, no balking at the last minute, or I swear I’ll take a strap to you.” He almost laughed when her nipples hardened under the thin, stretchy material of her dress.

  “I won’t,” she insisted.

  Nolan shook his head. “God help us both. Let me have a word with Master Blake and then we’ll go upstairs.” He left her with a small group before taking a minute to enlist Blake’s assistance, letting him know he intended to move fast and keep it simple in deference to Mia’s innocence. Fire cupping was most common in BDSM but could freak out an untried newbie. He knew what he was doing and had enough practice in the art to ensure her safety, which aided in his decision to let her participate.

  The second floor room used to give presentations of different BDSM practices was set up with a padded bench, and items for cupping were stored in the wall cabinet along with an array of fun implements. Nolan could feel Mia’s arm tremble as he ushered her inside and she spotted the way the bench faced the viewing pane. “Change your mind?” he asked, crossing his arms and tightening his jaw against the urge to order her to do just that. This had to be her decision.

  Her shoulders squared, and her jaw locked in determination. “No.” Cocking her head, she prodded, “You did say I could trust you, right?”

  “Yes, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think you’re still too new for th
is scene.” Waving a hand toward her, he ordered, “Strip and hop on the bench.”

  Mia bit her lower lip, her eyes shifting from him to the window where several people already gathered in the adjoining room. Pink stained her cheeks, but she lowered the thin dress straps and shimmied out of it, keeping her face down once she stood before him clad in nothing but a pair of panties. Damp silk clung to the denuded shape of her labia and his fingers itched to touch that soft, plump flesh.

  “Panties too.” She flashed him a look of mild irritation and major consternation but kept quiet as she stepped out of the green underwear and laid them on top of her dress on the corner chair. Clasping her waist, he lifted her onto the bench, enjoying the way she gripped his forearms to steady herself. “You are a beautiful,” he cupped one breast and strummed the nipple, “sexy woman, Mia.” With a pinch to the rigid tip, he left her sitting there to rummage in the cabinet. Holding up a blindfold, he said, “Like at my house, you’ll fare better if you concentrate on feeling instead of fretting over who is watching.”

  “I’m not fretting,” she returned as he secured the black satin over her eyes. “I don’t like people seeing me naked.”

  “I enjoy showing you off, and you like being naked in front of me.” Nolan skimmed his fingers over the smooth skin of her glistening folds. “Your body doesn’t lie.” Turning her shoulders, he guided her to lie down on her stomach. “No talking during a demonstration unless you need to use one of the safewords. If you’re unsure about continuing, say yellow. Save red for when you know you don’t want me to keep going.”