by Marie Tuhart
On his way into Lobster Cove, his stomach began gnawing at him, reminding him he hadn’t eaten breakfast. He detoured from the Grocery Mart to Main Street to Maggie’s Diner. He was amazed at what had changed, such as the piers being rebuilt and the hospital modernization. What hadn’t changed—the Sea Crest inn sitting up on the craggy rocks and Maggie’s Diner.
The last few early mornings he’d run around Lobster Cove, early enough not to meet a lot of people, yet he’d seen the fishermen getting ready to go out each and every day.
They waved to him as he passed, a few called out hello. He still didn’t like small towns and the feeling that everyone knew your business, but he was determined to make peace with his home town.
It wasn’t the town’s fault that his father had been a mean bastard and he’d kept it hidden from everyone except his wife and son. His father had ruled with an iron fist, and Caleb promised himself he would never be like that. Of course, he hadn’t tempted fate by trying to find the right woman.
After parking the car, he stepped into Maggie’s, smiling at the smell of fresh coffee and apple pie.
He found a booth and sat down before pulling out a menu. He’d forgotten how much he loved places like Maggie’s. The waitresses wore smart-looking, contemporary polo shirts with classic half aprons.
A waitress with a springy light brown ponytail introduced herself as Sally. She was older than Caleb, and had a great tan, plenty of jewelry, and a big smile.
“Coffee?” she asked, holding a pot.
“Yes, please.” She poured it with a flourish. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, sugar.” She gave him a wink and then sauntered off to fill more coffee cups.
Caleb sipped his coffee as he decided what to eat. Once that was done, he gave his order to Sally, settled back onto the blue vinyl booth, and closed his eyes. Snippets of conversation floated over to him but nothing about the club. And he found that lack of talk most interesting.
Even in Chicago, in the right places you could hear someone talking about the club. He expected it here at Maggie’s. After all, it was a place where all the locals gathered.
“Morning, Jessie.”
His eyes opened. Jessie stood just inside the diner, looking delicious in a blue shirt and jeans that molded to her every curve.
For days he’d been trying to find out what made her club special. Nothing on the club.
Jessie. She was a different matter. He studied her during working hours, and he was still figuring out what made her tick. He stood up as Jessie neared his table. Time to find out if Jessie would allow him to play with her.
“Morning, Jessie.”
“Morning, Caleb.” She smiled at him.
“Join me?” He gestured to the booth he was occupying.
“Thanks.” She slid into the booth.
He waited until she was seated before sliding in beside her, trapping her between the window and his body.
Her thigh against his. If he put his hand on her leg would she push it away? Later, he told himself. He turned and grinned at her.
Jessie stared at him and then smiled before shifting her hips away from him.
Sally set a steaming mug of coffee in front of Jessie. “The usual?” she asked.
“Yes, please with an extra side of bacon.”
“You got it.”
“And what is the usual?” Caleb asked as Jessie added cream and sugar to her coffee.
“Two egg whites scrambled, bacon, whole wheat toast, and fruit.”
“Are you a health nut?”
Jessie’s head tilted to the side, baring her neck, and he wanted to kiss the exposed skin. “Not really, I just try to eat healthy. In my business it pays to be healthy.”
Yes, it did. The corsets she wore at the club showed off her well toned waist and her lush breasts. His cock twitched.
She took a sip of her coffee and then glanced at him. “Do I dare ask what you ordered?”
He grinned. “Chicken fried steak, hash browns, eggs over easy, extra sausage and bacon, white toast, and a side of pancakes.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Where do you put all that?”
“I’m a big man.” He slid his fingers against the back of her hand where it rested on the table. Soft, silky skin caressed his.
“Yes, you are.” Her voice was soft, and she didn’t pull her hand away.
“So tell me, Jessie, what do you do for fun?”
“Fun? There is no such thing when you’re running a business.”
She had that right, but between him and Matt, they usually had a little time for leisure activities. “Outside the club, what do you like to do on your time off?”
“Read and sail, but it doesn’t happen as often as I’d like.”
“A girl needs to play now and then.”
“Depends on your definition of play.” Her lashes dropped, and she looked down at their hands.
Hell. Her words were said in a husky tone, and his cock jumped. But he had to be sure she meant play in the same terms he did.
“Jessie, do you want to play with me?”
She captured her lower lip between her teeth.
His heart pounded in his chest.
A coffee pot was set on the table. Caleb barely prevented a groan as Sally put their breakfast on the table.
“Anything else?” Sally asked after refilling their mugs.
“No.”
Jessie smiled at Sally. “I’m good, thanks, Sally.”
Caleb waited until Sally left. “Eat and we’ll discuss exactly what playing with me means.” After a couple of days of trying to figure her out, he was going to find out just what made Jessie tick.
“Yes, Sir.”
Damn, had those words just come out of her mouth? Jessie let out a breath. Every since her conversation with Rusty, all she could think about was Caleb as her play partner. Her stomach quivered. Having Caleb as her Sir made her nerves tingle.
Caleb shifted in his seat before picking up his fork and began eating. He ate like there was no tomorrow. Then he glanced at her. Heat from his gaze penetrated to her soul, and she sucked in a breath. With a grin, he turned back to his food.
Almost every night she dreamed about Caleb, how he took control and brought her to orgasm time after time. She was tired of dreaming. She was very aware Caleb worked for her, so she would make it more than clear this was separate from their jobs.
She wouldn’t act any differently on the job and neither would he. They were adults; they could do this. Glancing up at him, their gazes connected.
Her breathing all but stopped. Already her breasts were swelling with need, and heat filled her veins. A delicious shiver of anticipation went through her nerves at the thought of submitting to him. She forced her gaze back to her plate and began to eat.
They ate in silence, and when they finished, Caleb pulled money out of his wallet.
“I’ll buy my own breakfast,” she said, digging in her purse.
“Not today.” His voice was soft, but a thread of steel ran through it. He dropped the money on the table, pulled her out of the booth, cupped her elbow, and guided her to the door.
“Have a great day,” Sally called out.
“You, too.” Jessie barely got the words out as Caleb pulled her out the door. She would have laughed, but she couldn’t.
“Where’s your car?” he asked.
“At home.”
“It has to be at least a mile walk from your place to here.”
“That’s about right. I like to walk.”
“It shows.” He patted her on the ass. “But we need to talk about this habit of yours.”
They did? Since when did Caleb get to say anything about her walking habits? Jessie shrugged.
Clouds obscured the sun, and a cool breeze lifted her hair, raising goosebumps on her bare flesh until Caleb’s warm arms surrounded her shoulders. She drank in his spicy scent as he led her to his rental jeep. He opened the passenger door.
“Inside.”
Jessie slid onto the seat. Caleb closed the door, rounded the vehicle, and then got in the driver’s side. “I can’t believe you walked into town.”
“Why?”
“A woman walking alone, that’s asking for trouble.” He started the engine and pulled out onto the street.
“First off, this is Lobster Cove. It’s safe. Second, it’s daylight and safe. Third, I’m a big girl, and fourth, it’s great exercise.” He was going to learn fast she was only submissive in the bedroom.
His fingers tightened around the steering wheel. “Regardless, bad things can happen.”
“Oh, Caleb.” She blew out a breath, remembering an incident from high school where one of the senior girls was attacked one night. Luckily she wasn’t raped, but she’d been roughed up a bit. “There is very little crime here.”
“You will not walk alone again.”
“Where are we going?” She wasn’t going to argue with him while he was driving. That was dangerous.
“To my place.” He turned in the opposite direction of her club. “I’ve rented one of the cabins at the edge of town.”
Jessie crossed her arms over her chest and stared out the windshield. He rented one of the cabins? They were pretty private, but darn it, she had stuff to do. And she didn’t like his domineering crap outside of the bedroom. Well, maybe that wasn’t quite true. Her mind rejected it, but her pussy was moist, and her stomach tumbled with excitement.
Caleb pulled to a halt at one of the picture perfect cabins just off the road that led up to the mountain top. Jessie undid her seatbelt and reached for the door handle.
“Wait.” Caleb hopped out of the vehicle and jogged around to her side. He opened the door, holding out his hand.
She placed her hand in his and allowed him to help her from the jeep. She took a deep breath as they walked up to the door. She’d give him some leeway for right now. After all, they hadn’t talked limits yet. Caleb pushed the door open before releasing her hand, and she walked inside.
The inside of the cabin was cozy with a small kitchen and living room. The place smelled of fresh paint. Her feet sank into the plush carpet which had a new look to it. She could see inside the bedroom and the big king bed covered in a plain brown comforter.
“Why the cabin? Why not one of the houses?”
“I don’t need much space.” He shrugged his shoulders and shut the door. “Sit down.” He gestured to the sofa.
Jessie put her hands on her hips. “Do not tell me what to do.”
“But you want me to tell you what to do.”
She puffed out a breath a little annoyed with the tingles of excitement dancing over her skin. “I’m submissive only in the bedroom.”
“I will see to your safety.”
“I’m perfectly safe.”
“Oh, really.”
She barely had time to blink, and he was charging toward her. Without thinking she reacted, stepping out of his way and at the same time maneuvering her body so she tripped him as he flew by her.
Caleb went flying onto the floor, sliding into the wall.
“I’m not a defenseless female.” She put her hands on her hips, staring down at him with satisfaction.
“Glad to see it.” He smiled and then rubbed his shoulder where it had connected with the wall.
“Quit the macho act.” She held out her hand and helped him to his feet.
“Not an act.” Yanking her hand, he pulled her into his arms. Warmth and strength surrounded her. “Now what will you do?”
“Don’t tempt me, Caleb. I’ve grown up a lot in twelve years, just as you have.” She slid her leg slightly, letting her knee press against his groin in warning.
“Minx.” He flashed a grin, kissed her on the nose, and let her go. “Let’s sit down and discuss how this will go.”
Jessie tapped him on the chin before taking a seat on the sofa. She concentrated on her breathing as she waited for him to join her. Her heart rate was faster than she liked, and dang if her nipples weren’t hard. What this man did to her.
A minute later, Caleb ran his hands through his hair and joined her.
“Limits?” he asked.
She pressed her lips together, gathering her thoughts. “Hard limits are no blood, knife, or breath play. What happens between us has nothing to do with the club or our jobs.” The words rushed out of her. It had been a long time since she talked about her limits.
“Agreed. What about pain?”
“I’m not into a lot of pain, but I do enjoy a good spanking and flogging now and then.” Lightning danced through her nerves.
“What about whips and canes?” He leaned toward her, his gaze focused on her.
“I haven’t tried them.” Her eyes narrowed. How did she feel about them? A soft limit maybe, she wasn’t sure.
“We’ll work up to them.” He drew his finger down her cheek, leaving a path of fire in its place. “You will obey me.”
“In the bedroom or in the club if we use it to play in. Hard limit, Caleb. I’m submissive but no one’s slave.”
“Acceptable. And we will use the club to play.”
She swallowed. She’d never played in the club, so this would be new for her. But that was why she’d set up the signup sheets for staff. She’d make it very clear from the beginning with the staff that what they did in the club was their business and no one else’s. She expected the same courtesy.
He tapped her lips with his nail to get her attention. “Birth control?”
She nodded. “If we do anal, I’ll want you to use a condom.”
“Oh, we will do anal.”
Jessie closed her eyes. This man knew what he wanted. And deep down, she wanted this man to dominate her. Her heart raced.
“Any other restrictions?”
“No same sex, no humiliation, or piercing.” She paused. “That’s all I can think of right now. Most everything else are soft limits or limits you can push.”
“Good.” His fingers trailed over her neck, making her shiver. “When was the last time you played, Jessie?”
“A while.” Her gaze slipped from his and to her lap.
“We’re not playing now, so I want your eyes on me, not the floor.”
Her gaze returned to his. His eyes held concern and a hint of worry.
“How long?”
Her face grew warm. “Three years, two months, and seventeen days.”
“Why so long?”
The astonishment in his voice almost made her smile. “My mother passed away and the man in my life didn’t have a dominant bone in his body. I had a business to run, and no one was going to mess with the owner of a BDSM club.”
“If they only knew.” He shook his head. “But I could see how they might make the mistake. My hard limits are the same as yours. I want to start off slow. How much time do you have today?”
Jessie glanced at her watch. “It’s eleven now. I have to be back at the club by four.”
“Good.” He ran his fingers down her cheek. “I’m a little different than lots of Doms. I don’t require you to kneel or keep your eyes down.”
“Why is that?”
“I’d rather see into my sub’s face.” He smiled. “Let’s start. Stand up and strip.”
She didn’t move. Surprise coursed through her body. He wanted to start already?
“Defying me already?” There was a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Ummm, no, Sir.” She rose to her feet and began undoing her blouse.
Caleb leaned back and waited.
Jessie’s fingers shook as she removed her clothing, adrenaline pumping through her veins. She folded her blouse and set it on the small coffee table before removing her bra and doing the same. Next came her shoes and socks, and then her jeans and underwear. Her skin tingled, and she was glad the cabin was warm.
Forcing her hands to her sides, she stood there, waiting, staring at his feet. What would he think of her body?
“Very good.” Caleb didn’t move. “Sin
ce there’s no kneeling, the position I want you to be in is standing with your legs apart, hands behind your back.”
Putting her hands behind her back caused her breasts to thrust out. She took a deep breath to settle her nerves.
“Legs wider, sweetheart. I want to see my pussy.”
Her pussy moistened at his words. She widened her stance.
“Eyes up, Jessie. Remember, I like to see into my submissive’s eyes.” He stood, and she kept her gaze glued to his. “This is how you will greet me during our time together. Naked, legs spread, arms behind your back, and eyes on me.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Good. How many Doms have you had?”
“One.” A shudder swept through her frame.
“And how were you treated?”
Jessie tilted her head to one side. “I don’t understand the question, Sir.”
“Was he good to you, or did he break your trust?”
Another shudder swept through her frame. She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come out. She hadn’t spoken to anyone, except her mother, about what had happened.
Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “Jessie?”
“His name was Paul,” she whispered.
“What did he do?”
A tremor went through her as she remembered the humiliation Paul put her through.
Caleb took her by the shoulders and guided her to the sofa. But instead of letting her sit down, he sat and pulled her onto his lap and held her close.
“I was too young, too trusting.” She hated the vulnerability in her voice.
Caleb ran his palm up and down her back, helping her get her shallow breathing under control. Jessie began to relax against him, her breaths coming in a normal manner now. Caleb stayed silent, waiting for her to continue. His hands kept stroking her back. He wasn’t going to like what she said next.
“At first, everything was fine. We played in the bedroom, but after several months it began spilling out into everyday life. It was subtle, because it took me months to realize I was becoming his slave, and that wasn’t what I wanted.”
“And did you tell him that?”
“Yes.” She hugged herself.
“What happened, Jessie?”
His tone was low and coaxing. He wasn’t trying to rush her, and Jessie appreciated it. She didn’t want to tell him about her past; she wanted to forget it, but he deserved to know before they started to play. She wanted to trust Caleb, and in some ways, she already did, because she had never told anyone but her mother about Paul.