by Avery Gale
“Anyway, the bacon might have gotten a little crispy before we noticed the smoke.” Smoke? Oh boy. “But that’s no reason for Parker to call you.”
“You are a danger to society, Tobi. As the Chief of Police, I have a sworn duty to protect the citizens in my jurisdiction.” Colbie recognized Parker Andrews, but she didn’t know the man or woman standing to his side. Turning to her, Parker introduced Brinn Peters, a pretty brunette he said was also relatively new to the club. The man on Brinn’s other side, stepped forward and held out his hand to her.
“It’s nice to meet you, Colbie. I’m Dan Deal. I’m the club’s resident psychologist. If you ever need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to give me a call.” She wasn’t sure why it surprised her that men who’d built such a successful kink club would keep a mental health professional on staff, but it did. When he laughed softly, Colbie realized the man was still holding her hand, and Bode was shooting daggers at the doctor with his eyes.
“Chill, Bode. The Wests pay me a substantial amount of money to make sure safe, sane, and consensual remain the guiding tenets of the Prairie Winds Club. I’m just doing my job.” Tobi shifted from one foot to the other, and Dan shot her an indulgent smile.
“Tobi, I hear you had an exciting afternoon.”
“Don’t law enforcement and fire departments have some sort of confidentiality covenants or something?”
“You make them sound like monks or nuns, Tobi.”
“That’s convents, Gracie.” Colbie looked at the other woman who’d stepped into their circle. Laughing when she realized Gracie also had two men standing directly behind her, Colbie felt at ease, despite the fact they were standing in a sex club.
“Well, we’d be better off with priests and nuns. They don’t phone everyone they know every time you set off a little fire alarm.” She shot a dark look at Parker which earned her a swat from Kyle, making her squeak.
Colbie watched the interplay between the club members gathered around them and before she could call the words back, she’d blurted out the question that kept dancing around in her mind.
“I notice a pattern here. Do all the women at this club have two Doms? Was there a buy one, get one free special or something?” When everyone around her froze, she silently prayed the floor would open up and swallow her whole. I have got to get a damned filter installed between my brain and my mouth.
Chapter Fifteen
LIAM THREW HIS HEAD back and laughed at Colbie’s question. He’d been a member of the Prairie Winds Club for a year and had never questioned the number of polyamorous relationships. Hell, no wonder he loved this club so much. The members lived their lives unapologetically, and the local community didn’t appear to care how many husbands a woman had as long as she was being treated well.
“No darlin’,” Kent smiled at her and shook his head, “there are several traditional couples in the club, but my brother and I try to not make them feel like they’re different.”
“Oh yes, indeed,” Micah Drake shook his head. “We all know Kyle is all about protecting everyone’s feelings.” Everyone laughed, and Liam watched as Colbie shook her head at the man’s droll sarcasm.
“I think I’ll pass on responding. It seems self-defeating to argue with the man who has information on everybody. The damn CIA calls him for information so often, I’m going to start billing them by the hour.” Reaching in front of Tobi, he gave her nipple a quick pinch and grinned when she gasped. “Come on, Pet. I’m ready to play.”
Watching his friends and their submissives drift in different directions, Liam looked down at Colbie and felt nothing but longing. He’d hoped she wouldn’t be frightened or disgusted by what they wanted from her. Her easy acceptance of those involved in similar relationships had been a huge relief.
“Come on, Spitfire. Let’s look around. We want to see what interests you.” They’d already read her limit list, but it was obvious she hadn’t planned to play at the club since she’d only filled in the bare minimum. He bet if they tried to negotiate some of the things she’d left on her list, she’d become much more interested in reviewing it.
Liam and Bode kept her between them as they moved to the side of the crowded room. They were standing in the shadows, but they weren’t hidden from view. He and Bode positioned themselves between Colbie and the room, but she was still visible to anyone walking by closely. “I thought we were going to tour the club?”
“We are. But you aren’t a complete newbie to the lifestyle, so we’re going to up the stakes a bit.”
This time it was Bode who pulled a black velvet bag from his pocket. Pulling open the drawstring top, he up-ended the contents into his palm and flashed a smile which made him look positively predatory. “Spread those lovely thighs, baby. These have been in my pocket so they’re nice and warm. I’m going to make sure you’re nice and wet before I slide them in. We’ll tour the club until you’re ready to go upstairs.”
She spread her legs and her pupils dilated until there was nothing but a slim ring of blue circling them.
“What if I’m ready to go upstairs now?” The breathless quality of her voice went straight to his cock, and Liam had to fight the urge to shift himself away from the biting teeth of his zipper.
Liam couldn’t see Bode’s fingers, but he didn’t need to—Colbie’s body was telling him everything he needed to know. Her breathing quickened, and her barely audible mews were going to make him lose his mind. The glazed look moving over her face was the hottest thing he’d ever seen. When she began to sway on her feet, Liam moved behind her and wrapped an arm around her torso, lifting her breasts until they were practically spilling over the top of her dress.
“There’s an incentive program, baby. Every ten minutes equal an orgasm you don’t have to ask for. They’ll be yours to take.” Liam wanted to laugh at Bode’s spur-of-the-moment deal. Colbie was competitive by nature; she would want to prove them wrong by winning, but she was already trembling in his arms. He could practically feel her resolve crumbling.
“As long as you don’t try to indulge without one of us in the room.” Liam wanted to make sure that was understood up front.
“Can’t. Don’t. My toys are gone.” Liam wanted to laugh at her complaint about her pathetic sex toy collection. They’d tossed them all in the trash because there were so many better things available in the forum shops. “Oh. Oh, my heavenly stars and garters.”
When her knees buckled, Liam had only let her fall a few inches, but feeling her small hands grasping his forearms—knowing she’d sought his support, was the best feeling in the world.
“I’ve got you, Spitfire. We’ll always catch you.”
“Let’s go.” Bode took her hand and tugged her along behind him like an errant child. Liam bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing out loud at his friend. The man whose reputation was heralded by Doms far and wide as a hard ass with submissives, was dangerously close to losing control, and Liam couldn’t have been happier.
*
COLBIE TOOK SEVERAL quick steps before the vibrations from the balls Bode had slipped into her vagina registered in her brain. Feathers! The damned things were pressing against her G-spot. Her feet stopped so suddenly, you’d have thought they’d been bolted to the floor. Sucking in several deep breaths, she tried to focus on anything, but the sensation of heat igniting deep inside her core.
“Spitfire? Are you all right?” Liam’s warm breath wafted over the shell of her ear, setting off another wave of heat which pushed her dangerously close to edge. Don’t come. Don’t come. Don’t come. You have to make it through at least one scene. Fucking hell, Colbie, get it together.
“Yes. I’m okay. Mostly. It was just a surprise. Shock. Give me a second to…” She had to stop talking because her brain was rioting from the bombardment of sensations.
“Storeen, you haven’t earned the right to come without permission, yet.” Bode’s words were enough to pull her back just enough for her temper to kick in. It didn’t matter th
at it was probably exactly what he’d had in mind; she sucked in a couple of deep breaths, then nodded.
“I’m good. Let’s go.” The words had sounded much more convincing in her head, but it was too late for a do-over. His smug smile infused her with resolve. When she narrowed her eyes in defiance, he gave her ass a sharp swat that set the balls in motion again. Blast him.
“Glaring at your Dom is never a good idea, baby. Challenges will always be met.” His tone was resolute, but she appreciated that he hadn’t scolded her. Humiliation was never going to be an effective way to deal with her.
The first scene they watched was obviously meant to be an introduction. Colbie struggled to hold back a yawn, it was so boring. The excitement building in her drained away before the Dom teasing his sub with an unimaginative assortment of toys managed to get the poor woman off. Colbie felt sorry for the young sub who looked disappointed, despite the smile she gave her Dom. Colbie noticed the frowns on Liam’s and Bode’s faces and looked at them in question.
“I hope the Dungeon Monitor standing over there takes that kid under his wing.” Liam nodded to a guy whose black knit shirt was pulled so tight over his massive chest, she could see it rise and fall as he huffed out an exasperated breath.
“Somebody better or he’s going to lose that sweet subbie who’s trying so hard to smile, I’m afraid her teeth are going to crack.” Colbie was grateful for the reprieve, but she felt sorry for the submissive. Bode turned to her and shook his head. “I’m sorry that scene was a bust. We knew the Dom was a new member, but he’s not new to the lifestyle. I hope the little sub gives him another chance after the Dungeon Monitor coaches him a bit.” She nodded, but was thinking the guy needed more than a little coaching.
Walking to the next scene wasn’t nearly as torturous after their slow start. Colbie could feel the tension radiating from both men. She didn’t want them to feel as if they’d let her down, but she also knew better than to pretend the incident hadn’t happened. If they suspected she was faking arousal, there would likely be hell to pay. She’d seen that play out at Castle Masters and it hadn’t been pretty.
“You’re thinking too hard, Spitfire. What’s going through that sharp mind of yours?” The opening Liam gave her was the perfect opportunity to turn the evening around… for herself and for them.
“I was just thinking how much I appreciated seeing how different it is here. Knowing the Dom will get some much-needed coaching, says a lot about the kind of club this is. And even though I know you think it was a bust, I still gained something from the experience.” She took a deep breath to fortify her courage and then pulled them each down for a sweet kiss. “Thank you for not taking the easy way out and moving on right away. At least now, I might be able to get through at least one scene without melting into a puddle on the floor.”
Liam and Bode both chuckled. “I do believe you missed your calling, Spitfire. You’d make one hell of a diplomat.”
“Fucking hell. We’re not letting those assholes in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office send her to the other side of nowhere. We’re keeping her. Any woman who doesn’t throw that disaster in our face is worth fighting for.” Bode’s vehemence surprised her, and the blistering kiss he gave her made her knees weak. Big news, guys. You don’t need hot scenes to wind me up.
Chapter Sixteen
WALKING OFF THE ELEVATOR an hour later, Liam wondered how long he’d have the imprint of his zipper tattooed along the length of his cock. The last sixty minutes had been the longest of his life. Waiting for Colbie to tap out had turned out to be more of a test for him and Bode than it had been for her. He alternated between wanting to pin her against the wall and fuck her until she couldn’t remember her own name and bending her over the nearest spanking bench to remind her she belonged to them. Even now, seeing the red imprint of his hand on her pretty ass appealed to him far more than it should.
Two steps into their living room, Bode turned and held up his hand to halt her progress.
“Where are the balls, Colbie?”
Liam leaned back against the wall as understanding dawned. She’d gone to the bathroom during the Wests’ scene, and while he thought she acted odd when she returned, it hadn’t occurred to him she would remove the balls.
Colbie’s face turned crimson between one breath and the next, but to her credit she didn’t look away. She looked Bode in the eye without blinking. “They’re hidden in a vent in the locker room.” For a split second, Liam was furious. Why would she be so underhanded? But something about the challenge in her eyes made him bite back the accusation.
“Explain.” Liam knew that tone. Bode was angry, but he was keeping it carefully leashed—at least for now. When the flush on her face darkened, Liam realized it wasn’t anger, but embarrassment coming off her in waves.
“They came out. I didn’t take them out, I swear.” She sucked in a deep breath as he and Bode stood silently waiting for her to continue. “For a couple of balls that wreaked so much havoc with my control, they were really small. And without being really graphic, I’ll just say I lost them in the loo. Jen startled me when she pounded on the door in greeting… and well, never mind.”
Liam glanced at Bode and saw the corners of his friend’s mouth quiver as he tried valiantly to hold back his smile.
“It took the last bits of my self-control to fish them out. I was afraid they’d mess up the plumbing. I always forget American fixtures are more accommodating than those in Europe. Anyway, it turns out the sanitizer in the bathroom not only takes off germs. It eats plastic, too. Well, actually it doesn’t actually eat it… more like chews it up and spits it back out. Jen tried to help me… after she stopped laughing. But we didn’t have much time and for a locker room that puts most spas to shame, the place was totally lacking in useful tools.”
Liam was a close as he’d ever been to losing control with a woman. The pictures flashing through his head reminded him of Lucy and Ethel in the old shows he’d seen on late night television. This story had better end quickly, or I’m never going to be able to keep from laughing.
*
SAM MCCALL HAD pulled Bode aside a few minutes ago and given him a heads up. The elder McCall had been laughing so hard, they’d had to step outside because they’d been drawing unwanted attention. Jen had confessed to Sam because she’d been worried Colbie would be in trouble. She’d begged her husband to intervene on her new friend’s behalf, knowing there wasn’t a chance in hell any Dom would fail to notice a couple of missing Ben Wa balls. Bode’s temper had been close to boiling over when Sam had shaken his head.
“Listen, I understand why you’re frustrated. She didn’t tell you and probably should have, but take a minute and put yourself in her shoes. This is her first time at the club, and unless I’m misreading things, it’s also the first time the three of you have played together in public. She’s surrounded by people she only knows casually and obviously, wants to feel accepted. You haven’t earned her trust as Doms, and we haven’t earned her trust as friends.”
As much as it galled him to admit it, Sam was right. When he finally blew out a breath, Sam smiled.
“It says a lot that she trusted Jen enough to enlist her help. If you go off half-cocked, you’re going to throw Jen under the bus and that’s not going to make anybody happy.”
Bode wasn’t a fool. He didn’t want to piss off Sam or Sage, and he damned well didn’t want to hurt Jen. She might look like a garden fairy, but it was a clever disguise. As near as he could tell, she was checking off all the boxes to become the first real-life, female superhero.
“Would you want to confess that fucking comedy in front of a bunch of near-strangers? Hell, even Jen pulled Sage and me aside to tell us. Think back… have you ever known her to be shy?”
Bode had finally laughed at the absurdity of the entire evening. The first scene they’d watched had been as bad as any he’d ever seen in a club. And now that he thought about it, Colbie had seemed skittish since returning from the locker ro
om, but he’d assumed it was arousal. Nothing arrogant about that, dumb ass.
“Please tell Jen thanks. If we’d discovered the balls missing, we might not have been smart enough to listen to the explanation before saying a lot of shit we couldn’t ever take back.”
“I’ll tell her,” Sage nodded and slapped him on the back. “She’s earned a reward, and I’m anxious to give it to her, so I’ll leave you to sort this out with your woman. Remember, there’s almost always more than one way to get where you want to be.”
“I’m sorry.” Colbie’s whispered words brought him back to the moment, and he felt like an ass for becoming lost in the memory of his conversation with Sam. She’d obviously taken his silence as anger, and he couldn’t blame her. Tears streamed down her face, and she looked close to imploding. Jesus, she’d had one hell of a night, and he was being a first-class ass. Liam was glaring at him. He had no defense.
“Come here.” He didn’t wait for her to take the steps to close the distance between them—pulling her into his arms and lifting her off her feet. “I wish you had told us, but I understand why you didn’t. And I’m glad you enlisted Jen’s help. She was worried about you, by the way. Liam and I will be sending her something special for her help.” She sagged against him, and he finally chuckled. “Baby, you couldn’t have picked a better partner in crime.” And this is a story that will probably become club lore by the end of the week.
“Unless you’d partnered with Tobi. God knows this sounds like the stories we’ve heard about her.” Liam laughed and pulled her from Bode’s arms into his own. “Did you ask to come up here because you were ready or because you were scared we were going to be angry?”
“I’d forgotten about it until we got on the elevator. The last scene pushed everything from my mind.” Her admission sent a new surge of blood to his cock, and his waning erection was suddenly ready for action again. It must have had the same effect on Liam because he lifted Colbie into his arms and stalked down the hall, leaving Bode to follow him, chuckling at his friend’s impatience.