MakeMeShiver

by Aline Hunter

  “You already have her tied up in knots. That’s not nice at all.” She felt fingers surround her chin and she lifted her gaze and peered into the most exquisite pair of gray eyes she had ever seen. He wasn’t as tall as Michael but he was broader, and his coloring and notable brogue told her that she’d been correct in her first guess of his ancestry.

  “What a pretty little thing you are.” Brian smiled, his full lips parting to reveal a perfect smile. He ran his finger along her jaw and brushed his thumb across her lower lip, eliciting a startled intake of air. He grinned and glanced at Michael. “You’re a lucky bastard. Do you know that?”

  “Yes, I do.” Lacey found herself out of Brian’s hold and in Michael’s arms in the same second. “Keep your hands to yourself.”

  “Still not sharing?”

  “Hell no.”

  “It’s a shame, greedy sod.” Brian sighed and moved aside. “Come in. The night’s not getting any younger.”

  Even though her gaze was lowered, Lacey was still able to see the submissive men and women seated at the feet of their masters and mistresses in the living room. Most were entirely naked with the exception of collars and cuffs, although a couple of the women did have sheer outfits that resembled something that would be suited for a harem. A few of the subs sent sidelong glances in her direction, but it was only obvious because she was studying them as well.

  “We’ve sectioned off the entertainment room on the second floor for open play, which I’m sure you’ll want to avoid this evening. Vaughn is in the kitchen doing a lesson on temperature and fire cupping, if you want to step in to take a look.” Brian walked ahead, as if giving a tour. “The basement is set up with several play areas, if you’d like to watch and observe or play yourself. There are stations, including a few booths.”

  It was impossible to block out the moans from above as they exited the living room and passed under the archway of a double staircase. As they walked past an ornate dining room, Lacey glanced to the right and saw several people crowding the door to the kitchen. Muted whimpers came from the area. She blushed and kept moving. A woman or a man could be tethered to the kitchen table, naked as the day they were born, while all kinds of wicked things were performed on them in there.

  After what seemed like an eternity Brian stopped and stepped aside, leaving them beside an enormous staircase that led down. “Before you leave tonight,” Brian said, becoming serious, “you need to speak to Trevor. He’s downstairs.”

  “It can’t wait?” The hand at her back became firm and Michael’s tone shifted from relaxed to guarded.

  Despite Michael’s earlier instructions, Lacey looked up to witness the exchange. Brian’s friendly smile was gone, and when she looked at Michael he appeared angry. Brian peered over at her and shook his head before he took off in the opposite direction. Turning until they were facing each other, she placed a hand on Michael’s chest. He glanced at her, and she could tell he was torn about something.

  “Tell me what’s wrong.” She moved closer, until they were pressed against each other.

  He didn’t meet her gaze, focusing on their interlocked hands. “The day Aly showed up at my place, I told her that I was going to speak to Trevor about taking her on as a full-time submissive. She wasn’t very receptive to the idea but she didn’t argue. I assumed that meant she was going to do as I asked but now I’m not so sure. If Trevor wants to speak with me then something had to have gone wrong. Doms don’t usually meddle in the affairs of submissives and their former partners. If they want answers they go directly to the source.”

  The mention of Aly’s name revived anger and jealousy she’d almost forgotten. When she saw just how conflicted Michael was, she bit back the evil green monster.

  “Should you talk to him now?”

  “Probably.” He lifted his head. “Trevor wouldn’t have asked otherwise.”

  She felt her cheeks heat as she pictured Brian and Trevor intimately. She’d met plenty of gay couples in California but none of them had been so masculine. Usually she could tell when men were into other men.

  “What is the deal with them? Are they a couple? Like a real couple?” Although she’d yet to meet Trevor, Brian had made it clear at the door that the other man was in charge.

  “Are you asking who’s the top and who’s the bottom?”

  “Brian doesn’t seem like much of a submissive.” She pictured the heat in Brian’s stare when he’d touched her earlier. There was definitely a Dom vibe.

  “That’s because he isn’t—not technically. He’s a submissive, but only when it comes to Trevor, and they never play that way in public.”

  “How would something like that work?”

  Michael’s sexy grin made the warm champagne fizzle in her abdomen return. “They invite thirds into the mix when they’re at the club, with both of them dominating.”

  “Oh.” The flush that had started in her belly crept all over her skin, covering every single inch of her body.

  “That’s why I thought Aly would work for them. They don’t have a permanent third but they’ve been searching for one for a long time.”

  “Two men at the same time?” She tried to wrap her head around two men telling her what to do and how to do it. As exciting as it was, it was also terrifying. With Michael it felt right. With someone else?

  She shuddered.

  “I’m glad to see that thought doesn’t turn you on. As much as I want to fulfill all your fantasies, I don’t share.” His eyes slitted, going ice blue. “Ever.”

  He drew her into his arms as his mouth covered hers. His hand moved to her dress, delved beneath and raised the thin material until she felt the tepid air on her ass just before his palm covered it. He squeezed the bare skin as his tongue slid past her lips and stroked, the forceful plunges strong and deep. When he pulled away she dimly noticed her fists were clenching his jacket and her legs were almost as liquid as water. He smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead before he playfully slapped her ass, removed his hand, readjusted her dress and took her hand.

  “Come on.”

  He guided her down the stairs, keeping his grip snug around her fingers. There were actually two sets of stairs, but these were three times as wide as the ones at Michael’s home. As they came down the final set, Lacey heard a soft moan followed by a sharp gasp. There was also the distinctive crack of a whip. It wasn’t until they came into full view of the enormous room that she grasped the magnitude of what she was witnessing.

  If Michael’s basement was a playroom, this was a full-fledged dungeon.

  The room was at least one hundred feet wide and possibly just as long. There were several areas being used, ranging from a spanking bench to a St. Andrew’s Cross to a table where two men were engaged with one woman. One had his cock buried in her pussy. The other was driving his entire length deep into her mouth. Their leather pants were pulled down to their thighs and they were moving in tandem with each other, clearly demonstrating this was nothing new to them. Just as one withdrew from her lips the other rammed into her sex. The woman didn’t seem to mind, bent over and utterly willing, eyes closed and tied hands forming limp fists at her back.

  Michael’s chuckle brought her out of her trance. “I knew you liked to watch.”

  He guided her past a girl bound in rope. Her eyes were closed and she was panting against the red ball gag in her mouth. Her Dom stood over her as he spoke to another man, their tones hushed. Lacey couldn’t help but gape at the sight.

  “Does the thought of being in her place excite you?”

  She ripped her gaze away from the couple. “Uh…” She glanced at the woman and tried to imagine herself in her place. Naked, bound, gagged. No, it definitely didn’t excite her.

  “I see that it doesn’t.”

  “I just… I don’t know if…”

  “Cat got your tongue?” He laughed and guided her forward. “Some people like to watch. Some people like to be watched. It doesn’t always go hand in hand.”

&nbs
p; “It doesn’t make you angry?”

  “Not at all.” He slid his hand to her ass and squeezed, using enough force she hissed. “I don’t like to share, remember?”

  Each scene was sectioned off so that every area was exclusive for the couple inhabiting the space. When they came to the far end of the room there was a man standing with his back to them. His long, shoulder-length auburn hair was beautiful against his black dress shirt, his shoulders sinewy but defined.

  “Trevor,” Michael said and the man turned.

  Whereas Brian was in his late twenties or early thirties and was stout and sturdy, Trevor was tall, lean and nearing his forties. He had a thin beard, neatly trimmed, and his irises were a beautiful aquatic shade of blue. Those eyes seemed tumultuous until they landed on Michael and the lines around the edges smoothed, making the man appear several years younger. After a moment Trevor gazed at her, and his smile was equally as mesmerizing as his counterpart’s.

  “It’s wonderful to see you here. Welcome to my home.” He reached for Lacey’s hand and brought it to his mouth. His lips were warm and gentle against her knuckles, his touch deliberate.

  “You’re as bad as Brian,” Michael grumbled.

  “We both admire and appreciate the same things.” Trevor released her hand and stepped back. The fatigue returned his face, aging him once more. “I was hoping you’d come. We need to talk.” He motioned to a plush leather couch against the wall, away from the scenes taking place.

  Michael led her over and removed her coat. She waited, uncertain if he’d instruct her to sit at his feet as he shrugged out of his jacket. She barely contained a yelp when he pivoted around, swung her into his arms and sat on the couch with her in his lap. Trevor took a seat at the opposite end, leaving plenty of room, and reclined with one arm draped across the back.

  Lacey melted at the brush of Michael’s mouth against her ear just before he whispered in a low, alluring timbre, “While we talk, I want you to watch. I want you to learn what excites you and store it away for later. I’m going to give you a quiz and the lecture starts now. What do you say?”

  “Yes Sir.” Her body buzzed at the implication hidden within the words, the promise of something more to come. She gazed around the room as he ordered, trying to ignore the increasing dampness and pulsating thrum between her legs. It was a smorgasbord of sexual enticement, so much more than she’d ever seen through a grainy video online.

  While she tried to tune out the conversation taking place between Michael and Trevor, it was impossible not to catch pieces here and there. Aly had apparently refused to cooperate. She and Trevor met to discuss a potential test arrangement. After a casual encounter at an agreed-upon coffeehouse, he’d given her some kind of questionnaire to gauge her needs and share his own. A few seconds of glancing over the questions was all she’d needed. She’d handed the folder back to Trevor, told him she wasn’t interested and refused to talk to him when he asked for a reason.

  “You knew that was a possibility,” Michael said.

  “I did,” Trevor agreed. “Unfortunately I didn’t know she’d feel so threatened by my proposal that she’d accept a public playdate with another Dom to solidify her decision.”

  Lacey’s eyes drifted to a sub who was bound by what appeared to be pink plastic wrap as they continued speaking. Her arms were captured behind her back, forcing her full breasts forward. The nipples were pierced and a thin silver chain ran between the hoops adorning the pointed buds. Her Master was tracing a feather over her skin, causing her to writhe and squirm as a machine with an enormous plastic dildo fucked her from underneath.

  She felt her cheeks grow hot. As sexy as it was, she could never do something like that in front of people. It was too intimate, too embarrassing. Watching it, however, made her excited in a way she’d never been before.

  “Really?” Michael asked. “Who?”

  “Conner.” The menace in Trevor’s voice ripped her eyes from the sex all around them. When in control, Trevor appeared refined and decisive. When angry, he was absolutely frightening. His upper lip was pulled into a sneer and his brows were furrowed.

  Michael tensed beneath her, the hand that had been creating soothing circles along her thigh going still. “Aly isn’t a pain slut. She wouldn’t agree to sub for Conner.”

  “I got a call an hour ago that says otherwise. She entered the club with him and he took her to a private room. I told Anthony to contact me when they leave to make sure she made it out all right.”

  “What the fuck is she thinking?” Michael snapped, fury radiating from him. “Conner is a sadist. She knows that.”

  The anger in Trevor’s expression receded, becoming a reluctant acceptance. “I don’t know. I just felt I should tell you. Everyone is aware that you tried to do right by her, so you don’t have to worry about that. It’s just…” Trevor seemed to stare into a place far away, one they couldn’t see. “I just wanted to tell you myself, before you heard it from someone else.”

  The air felt as though it thickened. The tension between the two men remained invisible but ever present. Lacey rested her fingers over Michael’s and reclined against his chest, trying to extend comfort in the only manner she could. He flipped his hand over, grasped hers and placed their entwined fingers on her stomach. In that moment there was no sex taking place all around them. There were no Dominants, submissives or conflicts to resolve. There was only her and Michael, cuddling each other like any normal couple.

  In that moment, she accepted what her mind refused to believe. The feeling that was overwhelming her was unfamiliar and new but she recognized it. Deep down, in the instinctive way all men and women grasped the emotion, she realized this was it. It was too soon to love Michael but the time frame no longer mattered.

  Because she’d already fallen.

  “When I’ve finished talking with Trevor we’ll do a walk around the room,” Michael whispered in a manner that indicated the words were intended for her alone. “Would you enjoy that?”

  She blushed at the question, envisioning Michael doing just that.

  “Answer me.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  “I love that color on you.” He brought his free hand up and caressed her cheek.

  A commotion from the back of the room gained Michael’s and Trevor’s attention. Brian rushed past the scenes taking place as he made his way to them. He stopped in front of Trevor and dropped to his knees, staring the other man in the eye.

  “Anthony called. You need to get to Fantasia—now.”

  “What happened?”

  The men stood at the same time, revealing Trevor was a couple inches taller.

  “It’s Aly.”

  “What about Aly?” Michael released Lacey’s hand and leaned forward.

  Brian glanced at Michael and quickly turned back to Trevor. “Conner used the cane. She didn’t safe word.”

  “For fuck’s sake!” Michael stood, lifting her easily and placed her on her feet. “What the hell is wrong with her?”

  “We need to go.” Brian ignored Michael’s outburst, his gaze pinned on Trevor. “When the scene was over Aly went into the bathroom, locked the door and refused to let anyone inside.”

  “She won’t talk to me.” Trevor’s livid gaze fixed on Michael, his implication clear.

  “I can’t be sure she’d talk to me either.” Michael rubbed the back of his neck. “The last time we spoke we weren’t on the best of terms.”

  A shrill ring came from Brian’s pocket and he quickly removed a phone from his black leather pants. Opening it swiftly, he brought it to his ear. “What news do you have?” He closed his eyes and it was easy to sense his rage. After taking a long, deep breath he said, “We’ll be there as soon as we can.”

  He closed the phone, placed it in his pants and sent a nervous glance to Trevor. “Shiloh managed to get into the bathroom. It’s not good.”

  “Clear out the house. The party’s over,” Trevor snarled and strode past them without looking back. />
  Chapter Eleven

  “So you’ll have the final proofs to us by the end of the week? We can’t afford another delay. I’m already feeling the heat and I can’t hold off the publisher much longer.”

  Lacey’s agent’s hidden warning set her teeth on edge. She was well aware that she was a week past deadline. The last twenty-four hours had made it virtually impossible to achieve anything that required something as draining as creativity.

  “I’ll have it in the mail no later than Friday.”

  “Is everything all right? You seem…”

  Angry, frustrated, lonely, confused? “I’m fine. I’ve just had a lot going on.”

  “Listen, about Scott… He’s not worth it.”

  Lacey would have laughed at the irony of crying over Scott if she wasn’t so miserable over someone else. “Scott isn’t an issue. It’s over and done.”

  “Okay, well, call me if you need anything. I’ll be in the office most of the week.”

  “Will do. Take care.”

  Lacey ended the call without waiting for a response and felt even worse at her short and callous treatment of someone who’d gotten her into the business. Helen didn’t deserve it. It was just too damn hard to pretend that everything was fine when Michael had dropped her off at her home and had called only once to say he was sorry and that he’d make it up to her. She’d waited half the morning for another call, a visit—something. Instead she found herself coming in second place.

  Again.

  That persistent ache in her chest returned when she realized that a relationship with Michael—no matter how much she wanted it, no matter how much she wanted him—might not be possible. For all his talk, he had thus far proven himself to be a bag of hot air and empty promises. It hurt, being cast aside for a woman he claimed he didn’t want. Even though Trevor and Brian had asked him to come, she felt betrayed, set aside.

  Forgotten.

  A knock at the door had her leaping from her couch. Only one person would be knocking on her door on a Saturday. She tried to count to ten, determined to keep her temper in check. Before she jumped to conclusions she was determined to listen to whatever excuse Michael planned to give her. Every suspect had the right to defend themselves before the fires of hell came rushing to greet them. She grasped the knob, opened the door and unexpectedly came face-to-face with a very unkempt Candice.