by Lori King
“Want to get out of here? I promise to explain everything and make sure you are completely satisfied.” His breath was hot and his voice a low rumble when he said the word satisfied. Satisfied. Damn, even out of context, that word from his mouth could still make her horny.
Yes, yes she did want to get out of there, she wanted to reply, but she couldn’t, not until after the big announcement. Wordlessly she shook her head. Then she was saved by the bell. Literally. Sort of. Rick was hitting his water glass with a knife to get everyone’s attention with the musical sound. “Please, everyone, take your seats.”
There were several large tables set up. Rick sat at the head of the largest with Maggie at his right hand. Cat recognized many of the guests from previous Kinky Book Club meetings. Lexi was there with her guy Andrew and two friends of hers, who had recently joined Club Hades as submissive trainees. Rhonda and Nicole had both come to the last few book club meetings and Cat had liked both of them immensely, and they and Lexi had lunch plans for Monday.
And there were Amanda and Gabe. Gabe was one big scary dude with black hair and muscles on his muscles. He owned Club Hades and was Master of all. Although, and she had to suppress a giggle, outside the club, the fiery red-headed Amanda seemed to be pretty outgoing. Whatever their relationship in the club, she was definitely his equal outside. It gave her hope that Maggie and Rick could be happy in the lifestyle without Maggie losing her independence or becoming totally subservient to Rick.
She took a sip of water while trying to ignore the warmth radiating from Scott. Damn, why did he have to sit so close? She was about to say something, when Rick stood and called for everyone’s attention.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank so many of our friends in the lifestyle for joining us as well as Cat and Scott, two good friends who aren’t. I know some of you have wondered why Jane and Ben aren’t here. Well, they’ve asked me to pass on their apologies and make a brief announcement on their behalf. They decided to take an unplanned trip to Arizona so they could tell her mom that she’s going to be a grandmother in just over six months.”
There was a lot of toasting and cheering, and when the noise subsided, Rick rose again.
“As most of you know, Maggie has done me the great honor of agreeing to be my wife. We haven’t finalized the date for that event, which we hope you all will attend, but we have finalized another celebration. I’ve asked Maggie to wear my collar and she has accepted.”
He paused as the group erupted in cheers. Cat could see the smile of happiness on her sister’s face, a happiness she didn’t understand. She knew enough of kink to know that collaring was looked on as something as serious as, or even more serious than, marriage. Her sister was truly committing to the BDSM lifestyle.
She jumped in her seat as a big hand clasped her knee and Scott leaned sideways to whisper in her ear. “Don’t be worried. They love each other and this lifestyle makes them both happy. We don’t have to understand it. Just accept it and wish them well.”
Cat stared at Scott for a moment before nodding and turning her attention back to Rick. Scott gave her knee one more reassuring squeeze before moving his hand so he could lay his arm along the back of her chair. Without conscious thought, Cat found herself relaxing into his warm body as the cheers died down and Rick continued speaking.
“Normally Club Hades is closed on Mondays. Master Gabriel has graciously allowed us to use the main stage for the collaring ceremony, and we both hope you will attend. It will be a week from Monday. We know it is short notice, but once we made the decision, we didn’t see any reason to wait. Anyway, we wanted to tell you all in person and we hope you can be there with us. You all are so important to us, and we want you to celebrate with us.”
Cat desperately plastered a happy smile on her face, but she wasn’t sure how successful she was.
“Breathe, Cat. Just take a few deep breaths. Then go congratulate the happy couple and at least pretend to be happy for your sister. We’ll leave as soon as it’s polite to do so.”
He gripped her elbow and guided her up and out of her seat and around the end of the table to where Maggie stood receiving congratulations from everyone. Then it was her turn. She hugged her sister tight.
“Collaring ceremony? Maggie? Are you sure about this?”
“Please be happy for me, Cat. I love Rick so much and this is important to me. I want you to be there. Can you do that for me? Please. I know you don’t understand the lifestyle, but a collaring ceremony is almost more important than a wedding. I was at Gabriel and Amanda’s a couple of weeks ago, and it was so beautiful and meaningful and, in its own way, spiritual. It was a symbol of their love and commitment, and I want that with Rick. And I need my family there and I can’t ask Mom and Dad.”
Cat shuddered at the thought.
“I need you there. Please.”
Damn. How could she say no after a plea like that?
“Can’t you just get married like everyone else?” Her tone was teasing and she could see the relief on Maggie’s face. She forced herself to smile.
“Oh, we’ll do that too, and I expect you to be my Maid of Honor. But I want, I need, the collaring ceremony too. Please promise me you’ll be there, but only if you can be non-judgemental. I know you really don’t understand the lifestyle and what it means to me.”
“You’re right, but you are my sister and I love you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to support you. And if this makes you happy, then I’ll be there for you every step of the way, even going to a collaring ceremony at a sex club!” She had a sudden thought. “Is there anything I need to do? Is there a Maid of Honor role in a collaring ceremony? I don’t have to be responsible for the whips or anything, do I?”
Maggie laughed and hugged her, and everything was right between them again. Cat was relieved but still apprehensive about the ceremony. But that was her problem, not Maggie’s.
After that, things were a blur. Maggie was swallowed up by well-wishers and then they all sat down to a meal. Once everyone finished eating, there was more mingling. She was speaking to Maggie, starting to excuse herself to go downstairs to see how things were going, when she felt Scott’s big hand on her arm.
“Nonsense, Cat. Tomas can manage the restaurant for one evening. Relax. Enjoy yourself,” Maggie’s tone was suggestive as she glanced at Scott. “I can see you are in good hands.”
“We plan to, and she is. Congratulations again, Maggie.” Then he took her hand and led her down the stairs and out of the restaurant.
It was cooler than it had been earlier and Cat took a couple of deep breaths of the fresh air.
“Come with me.”
“I’m needed back at the restaurant.”
“Didn’t your sister say Tomas was looking after things? I’m sure he can manage without you a little while longer, and if there’s an emergency, Maggie’s just upstairs. We’ll let the kinky crew do whatever it is they do when they are alone while we vanillas have our own fun.” He smiled. “Come for a ride with me, Cat!”
“I can’t ride a motorcycle like this!” She waved her hands up and down her body to indicate the tight skirt and heels she was wearing.
* * *
Scott laughed. “Not to worry. I don’t ride in a suit. I’ve left the bike at home but maybe later we can take a different type of ride.”
He felt her stiffen. He expected some kind of indignant protest, but she just looked at him with longing in her gaze before she shuttered her expression. He grinned. She wanted him too. It wasn’t one-sided. That meant he had a chance.
He quickly hailed a cab and hustled Cat inside before she could form an objection. He leaned forward to give the cabbie directions and then sat back, one arm along the back of the seat, his hand lightly touching her shoulder. Or rather, his hand touched the shoulder pad of her suit jacket. Damn. He’d like to shift his hand lower but he had a feeling she wasn’t quite ready for him to be that bold. For now, he had to content himself with pulling her close to his side.
&
nbsp; Her fragrance drifted up to him during the short ride. It was fresh and citrusy, and he wondered if she always smelled that way. He wanted to bury his face in her hair, between her breasts. He wanted to wrap her legs around his head while he used his mouth and fingers to make her scream for mercy, and then he would bury his cock balls deep inside her.
He wasn’t a Dom. He had no desire to tie her up and beat her ass, but it might be kind of fun to do a little lawman and the desperado role playing in the jail cell theme room Rick had told him about. He wondered if he could rent it for an evening even if he wasn’t a club member.
* * *
Cat looked around in surprise when the cab stopped at the entrance to Navy Pier. She hadn’t been there in longer than she could remember.
She looked over at Scott, who just smiled as he paid the cabbie and opened the door. Then he helped her out. She had to look up at Scott. At five foot six, she was just over average height, but he was close to ten inches taller than she was. She had her four-inch equalizers on, but he still had half a foot advantage.
He frowned. “Can you walk in those? I should have asked first.”
“I can walk just fine, thank you. I am on my feet all night at the restaurant wearing these, and I do very well, thank you for asking.”
“Well then, let’s go have some fun.”
“Shouldn’t we be talking about some very important matters?”
“Yes, but not just yet. Please, can we just pretend for the next hour that we are on a date and forget all about the rest of the world? Afterward, I promise to tell you everything and answer all of your questions to the best of my ability.”
She looked at him and nodded. She realized that he was as tense as she was when he grinned with relief at her agreement.
He took her hand and for the next few minutes, they walked along the pier in silence. There was a bit of a crowd, so she let him take her hand while they walked. His was big and warm and a bit calloused. He moderated his stride to hers. It was like the four years hadn’t passed. They were still completely in sync.
Once they got to the end, he scored them a prime bench with a view of the Chicago skyline.
“Be right back. Do not move.”
Ten minutes later, he was back carrying a tray with two bottles of water and a bag from the Häagen-Dazs store.
“You remembered,” she exclaimed when he placed a large, decadent butterscotch sundae, topped with peanuts and whipped cream, into her hands. He had bought himself an equally sinful treat, but his was covered in chocolate sauce.
“I haven’t forgotten a thing about our time together, not one single, solitary thing. I dream of it, of you, at night. For the last four years.”
There was no way to answer that, and she didn’t want to try. Thank goodness he didn’t seem to expect a response. They ate in companionable silence for several minutes. Cat ate every single bite and even scraped the bottom of the container. Then she sat back and sighed. “I really do hate you.”
“I know.” He didn’t seem concerned. “You have whipped cream on your chin.”
“I do?”
“You do.” He leaned over. She thought he was going to kiss her. Cat’s respiration sped up and her eyes closed. Then, nothing. She opened her eyes to see the desire glittering in his, just before he lowered his head and licked the whipped cream off her chin.
“Delicious. Almost as delicious as this is going to be.”
Then he kissed her. They were sitting on a public bench surrounded by people, but for Cat, there was no one but Scott. It wasn’t a long kiss and, sadly, there was no tongue. But it was a kiss that held the promise of more to come.
“Well, well, well.”
“Is that all you have to say?” he teased.
“Well, it wasn’t bad, but a little too short for a more detailed critique.”
“I’d be happy to oblige in a more private setting. There are children around. However, if you have any concerns about my technique, I am sure I can…”
Laughing, Cat stood. “Let’s go look at the stained glass museum.”
Grumbling, but clearly not upset, Scott took her hand and walked around the museum with her, showing extreme patience as she paused in front of almost every piece. About halfway through the exhibits, Cat finally admitted to herself that she was deliberately stretching things out. When they were like this, she could pretend that they were on their first date and forget about the past and the future and just enjoy the present.
Afterward as they strolled toward the entrance to the pier, Scott steered her toward the Centennial Wheel, a large Ferris wheel known for the great views of the city.
“I just realized… I don’t know if you are afraid of heights.”
“I’m not.”
“Good.” Without asking whether or not she wanted to go on the Ferris wheel, he bought the tickets and minutes later they boarded. Usually, when there were just two of you, you had to share the pod, but she noticed Scott slipping something to the young attendant who smiled and made the older couple behind them wait for the next opening. The couple was annoyed. The attendant grinned happily.
The sun was going down and it was starting to get a little chilly. That’s why Cat snuggled up to Scott when he put his arm around her. Yup, the only reason, she told herself, not because she missed the feeling of his arms around her
She looked up at Scott. He was looking down at her, an enigmatic expression on his face. Then he leaned down and kissed her. It was soft at first, but by the time the ride came to an end, she was short of breath and wasn’t thinking about much of anything except for Scott.
When they got off, all of her worries came back.
* * *
Scott knew things were going far better than he had a right to expect. Next step, go back to her place and make love to her for the rest of the night. Then he’d tell her everything, throw himself on her mercy, and hope she could keep his secret until this case was over.
They walked in silence back to the entrance. She hadn’t shaken free when he’d taken her hand, but something was definitely bothering her. Her body language had changed. Before, she had been leaning into him, her face turned frequently toward his, her smile bright and teasing. Now her expression was neutral, guarded even, as though she were trying to hide her feelings from him. Her body was tense, the grip of her hand rigid.
But she didn’t try to pull free as they walked toward the line of waiting cabs. He could see the wheels turning behind her calm expression.
They were third in line when she turned to him. “Scott, I’m dying of thirst. Do you suppose one of those carts has some water?”
He looked around. There were several carts selling snacks. Two had water.
“Would you like me to get you a bottle?”
“If you don’t mind… but, no, don’t worry about it. We’ll… I mean I’ll be home soon. I can hydrate then.” Then she smiled. He found himself smiling back. Was she flirting with him again? Was there an unspoken offer in her words? We’ll be home soon? She’d corrected herself, but her expression was teasing. If she needed water, he’d get her water. When they got back to her place, he didn’t plan on wasting any time getting her naked and under him in bed. Maybe it would be a good idea for them both to be well hydrated. He had a long and busy night planned for them.
“Not a problem. In fact, now that you mention it, I am thirsty too. You save our place in line and I’ll grab some water.” He dropped a hard kiss on her lips, one that he hoped she’d take as a promise, then released her hand and strode quickly and confidently over to the nearest cart.
There were three people in front of him in line. He checked the other two carts. They were busier. He tapped his foot with impatience and checked his watch. It was only a couple of minutes, but it seemed to take forever. On the plus side, Cat was sure to be at the front of the cab line when he returned. He got the impression she didn’t live far from the restaurant. With any luck, they’d be at her place and naked in less than half an hour.
6
Catherine settled into the backseat of the cab as the driver pulled into traffic, headed toward the address she’d given him. She glanced backward. Scott was still in line. She sagged back in her seat as she felt a mix of relief and disappointment. She felt a sexual attraction to him that hadn’t changed in the four years they had been apart, but how could she get involved with him again?
She tried to tell herself she was doing the right thing. Scott had claimed he’d changed, gotten his life back on track, but if that was true, why was he carrying a gun?
It was possible that he was legally entitled to carry one. But why would he need one? Rick had introduced him as a fellow CPA. Maybe he really was one, but if that was true, why would a CPA need a gun? Especially going to a dinner for a colleague’s celebration. Did he think one of the members of the Kinky Book Club was going to turn violent?
She was an idiot to have gone out alone with him and pretended that the last four years hadn’t happened, even for just a few hours. She knew that. She had known that deep down when she’d left the dinner with him, but she had let her libido override her good sense. At least for a while. But she knew that if she let him take her home, she’d end up back in bed with him and it would be magical, and when he left her or betrayed her, it would hurt even more the second time around.
One part of her felt kind of bad for ditching him the way she did, but she knew she couldn’t even say goodbye. If she’d let him into the cab with her, she wouldn’t have been able to keep her hands off him. She would have let him come up to her apartment and make love to her. Hell, why was she lying to herself? He’d have fucked her and she’d have gloried in it. Their sexual chemistry was off the charts, and she would have ripped his clothes off and ridden him like a wild bronco if he gave her half a chance.
No, this was the sensible thing to do. Leave. Get away from temptation. She didn’t know what he’d been up to for the past four years, but it couldn’t be anything good.