“I’m so sorry.” Her heart seized. Both her parents were still living. Of course she was also significantly younger than Colton. Twenty-four. He was probably in his late thirties. Now she understood better why he seemed sad.
He ran a hand over his face and then seemed to shake away the melancholy. “I was an ugly drunk. An asshole.”
She nodded. What else could she do?
Suddenly, he sat up straighter and changed the subject. “Do you have a husband or a boyfriend, Devin?”
“No.”
That brow.
“No, Sir,” she murmured.
He leaned forward on his elbows. “How much experience do you have submitting? I know you’re not a complete novice.”
“Not much. I’ve dabbled. I’ve done a few scenes.”
He held her gaze again. Damn, he was intense when he did that. When he leaned forward, getting closer to her again, his face inches from hers, he spoke in a low deep voice. “I’m going to rock your world.”
She shivered. Her soaking panties clung to her pussy.
“I haven’t seen you drinking tonight. Have you been and I missed it?”
She shook her head. “I don’t drink, Sir. Besides, the owner, Mike, doesn’t permit his employees to drink while working.”
He flinched and then smiled. “A bartender who doesn’t drink?”
She shrugged. “Never developed a taste for it. Not even the girly drinks. But I love concocting things for other people.”
His smile grew. “It’s my lucky day, then.”
“Why is that, Sir?”
“Because I don’t dominate women who are under the influence, and frankly it’s difficult for me to get very close to someone with alcohol on their breath.”
She licked her lips. Did he intend to dominate her tonight?
“What time do you get off?”
Holy shit. He did. And where would that happen? She didn’t know him well enough to go home with him. Nor was she about to take him back to her apartment. Neither option was safe.
But damn, she wanted to submit to this man. More than she’d ever wanted to in her life. “I have to close the bar.”
He nodded. “I can wait.”
Her mouth fell open. She had about a dozen questions, but she didn’t know where to start.
He reached out and stroked her bottom lip. “Relax.” His thumb slid into her mouth.
She glanced at the closest patrons, but no one was paying attention. Colton’s seat was at the end of the bar, and the man next to him had his back turned so he could fully face the woman to his other side.
Devin jerked her attention back to Colton, ignoring the world around her. Holding his gaze, she sucked his thumb gently before he pulled it out.
He released her lip and then leaned to the side on one hip and pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. After extracting his driver’s license, he handed it to her. “Make a copy. It’ll give you peace of mind.”
She took it. “Okay, Sir.” He was right. A copy would go a long way toward calming her. She glanced around again. No one currently needed a drink. She caught the waitress’s eye. “Julie, can you watch the bar for a second?”
“Sure thing.” Julie lifted the counter and slid past Devin as Devin stepped out from behind.
Colton casually reached out and wrapped his fingers around her arm, pulling her against his side. It was the first time she’d stood this close to him. Her entire body lined up with his, her breasts rubbing his chest. His lips landed on her ear again. “Take off your panties while you’re gone. Bring them to me.”
She sucked in a breath. “Sir…” She’d never obeyed a command like that. Could she do it? She was wearing tight jeans. Her pussy would rub against the denim. Her arousal would shoot through the roof.
That brow lifted again.
She moaned, half from arousal, half from defiance.
His grip tightened on her arm and his lips grew closer. “Are you whining, baby girl?”
She shook her head.
“Did you even know you’re a brat?”
“I’m not, Sir. I swear.” Right?
“Mmm. Go make your copy. And Devin?”
She met his gaze as he released her arm. “Sir?” she whispered.
“Panties.”
“Yes, Sir.” She lowered her gaze and turned to flee the room, heading for the back office where the copier was located. She had no idea what possessed her, but at the last second, she turned around and stuck her tongue out at him without meeting his gaze. She skipped the rest of the way down the hall, completely uncertain if he’d seen her.
She made the copy with shaky fingers and then rushed to the bathroom. Luckily only two people were waiting for a stall. Nevertheless, when it was her turn, she felt self-conscious removing her jeans entirely so she could get her panties off.
When she was finally put back together—tennis shoes retied, pussy soaking her jeans, panties stuffed in her tight pocket—she took a deep breath and exited the stall. She stared at herself in the mirror for several seconds and then splashed cool water on her face. What exactly was going to happen between her and Colton after the bar closed? Giving him her panties was a big step, an unspoken agreement to submit to him. Where? Here?
Chapter 4
Devin glanced at Julie as she returned. The waitress was at the other end of the bar, serving a beer.
Colton spread his knees and pulled Devin between his thighs. His hands landed on her lower back, and he stared down at her.
“Front pocket,” she murmured.
He slid one hand around and tucked two fingers into her pocket, slowly extracting the red lace. “Sexy,” he stated as he tucked the garment in his own pocket. “And wet.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s your fault, Sir.” She let her gaze slide down to his lap. His jeans were well-worn and fit him perfectly, hugging his impressive cock.
“I don’t mind taking the blame.”
She jerked her face back to meet his gaze. “I should get back to work.”
“I’m going to pop next door while you work. Will you leave my drink on the counter, please?”
She ignored his request as she stiffened. “Next door?”
He smirked. “Yep.”
“To…uh…Girls’ Night In?”
“Yep.” He released her and slid off the stool. “I assume you’ve been there?”
“It’s new. I haven’t yet. But I’ve heard about it.” Girls’ Night In was a sex toy store owned by a woman. She’d been meaning to check it out, but it was always closed by the time she finished working.
“I bet I can find something to entertain you with later.”
She gulped back the lump in her throat born of both trepidation and excitement. I’m sure you can… She watched as he sauntered from Corked and Tapped as casually as if he were simply going to grab a burger instead of some sort of sex toy he would likely torture her with later.
Devin jumped in her spot when Julie hip bumped her. “Girl, you are gaga for that man. Where did he go?” Julie nodded toward the door as she held the counter up for Devin to pass through to the bar.
“He’ll be back. He had to run an errand.”
Julie giggled. “Good. He’s hot, and he’s obviously into you. Has he asked you out yet?”
“Sort of.” If you consider dominating me after I close the bar a date. Devin had no illusions his intentions were more than that. He was lonely and sad tonight. She was a distraction to get him through the evening.
She took a deep breath and headed back to make sure everyone sitting at the bar had a drink in hand. Without a doubt, Colton Frayser was going to be a distraction for her. She needed it too. She wasn’t about to deny herself this luxury. It had been ages since she’d had sex. Between school and working to make ends meet, she hadn’t had time for much of anything else lately.
Besides, it had been forever since any man had made her nipples tingle and her pussy clench like he did. Perhaps never.
Devin glanc
ed at the door several times, wondering what was taking him so long. She left his whiskey on the bar, coaster in place. No one took his seat. For one thing, it appeared someone had been sitting there and must have left to use the restroom. For another, it was getting late. Few new customers were straggling in.
When Colton finally returned, he was carrying a discreet black bag. Discreet was a bit of an oxymoron in this case since anyone with any sense would know where a black bag like that would have come from, especially considering the location of a sex shop next door.
“Girl…” Julie’s voice rang out a bit too loud, and then she whistled. “Did that man of yours just go next door and purchase something from Girls’ Night In? Oh. My. God. I think I’m going to swoon.”
Colton set the damn package on the counter. It wasn’t very big, but it did have more than one item in it, as defined by the two boxes, one larger and one smaller. He winked at Julie, mortifying Devin to the bone.
“I guess he heard me,” Julie declared without giving a single shit.
“Apparently.” Devin turned around and headed all the way to the far end of the bar, putting as much distance between her and Colton as possible so she could gather her brain cells.
After making sure every patron had what they needed and ringing out several customers, she finally headed back toward the magnetic gaze. “More seltzer?” she asked, reaching for his empty glass.
“No. I’m fine. You can take the scotch too. I’ve tortured myself long enough.” He slapped a ten on the counter.
She dumped the scotch down the drain and set the glass in the dishwasher under the counter, noticing his mood lifted now that the ritual was over. A glance at the clock told her it was midnight, no longer the same day as his sobriety anniversary.
“What do you do when you’re not dominating bartenders?” she asked, trying to keep from grinning.
“Sassy bartenders with a bit of a bratty attitude, you mean?”
She shrugged as her face heated. Pushing his buttons was too tempting. If he intended to do something about it later, bring it on. She was attracted to him in every possible way, and as the hours passed, she grew bolder and more certain she wanted him to rock her world as he’d suggested.
“I own a construction company based in Savannah. Mostly building strip malls. But I always come back to this bar on my anniversary.”
He doesn’t live in Atlanta. “Why Corked and Tapped?”
“It was the place I had my last drink five years ago.”
“Ah, well, the construction job explains why you look like you only leave the gym for about an hour a day.”
He flexed his muscles exaggeratedly. “You think so?”
She rolled her eyes.
He tipped his chin down and lifted his damn brows again. “Baby girl, I cannot wait to get my palm on your naked bottom.” His voice was low, but she still glanced around to ensure no one could hear. Luckily, the only person paying any attention to her antics this evening was Julie, and she was clear across the room.
She squirmed.
“You like the idea.”
“Maybe…”
He leaned closer, his voice deepening. “Has anyone ever spanked you before?”
She squeezed her legs together, acutely aware of her bare pussy rubbing against her jeans. “No, Sir.”
His smile grew. “Good. I’ll be the first.”
All this teasing was driving her mad with arousal, but were they taking things too far? Could she really go through with anything with a virtual stranger after she closed the bar?
The regular staff from the party had slowly been trickling out of the back room and leaving. She was pretty sure the owner and his girlfriend were the only two people left, and as if on cue, the two of them emerged. Aria followed Mike to the bar and leaned against the wall while he ducked under the counter.
Mike glanced around. “Do you need me, or can you close up by yourself?”
“I’ve got it. No problem.” Devin wanted Mike to know he could count on her. She’d worked for him for busy weekends, holidays, and summers for two years. She was perfectly capable of closing the bar. Besides, he looked like he’d rather be at home with his girlfriend.
Aria was looking at Colton when Mike headed back to her side. She grinned. “Warning,” she began, catching Colton’s attention. “That seat has magic powers. Most people who sit there end up having their lives change course in just a few hours.” She was teasing. Her eyes danced with laughter as she wrapped an arm around Mike and then rose onto her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
“Is that so?” Colton asked. “Interesting. Then hopefully the stool will grace me with good luck tonight.”
“You can count on it,” Mike agreed. “Have a good night.” He slid a hand into Aria’s and the two of them headed down the back hallway to leave through the rear entrance.
“You failed to mention the magical powers of my stool, brat,” he stated.
Devin shook her head at him. “I’ve never heard that story.” She smirked at him. “And if I had, there’s no way I would have said anything. It would have gone to your head.” The hole she was digging with this Dom just kept getting deeper, which made her both nervous and excited.
Chapter 5
An hour later, Devin finally managed to secure an Uber for the last customer, lock the front door, and turn to face Colton. Most of the patrons had trickled out earlier, making it possible for Julie and the other waitress to clean the bar and have everything back in order for the next day before the official closing.
Both waitresses had left after the last drunk customer.
The only man in the room was now Colton.
Devin’s belly was doing flip-flops as she turned off the main lights, leaving nothing but the back lighting behind the bar. The faint glow, combined with the light coming from the streetlamps outside, was enough to illuminate the room, though no one would be able to see inside.
Colton spun around on the stool, his elbows tucked up behind him at his sides, resting on the bar. “Come here, brat.”
She sauntered toward him. “I think you have me pegged all wrong,” she pointed out.
“Do you now…?”
“Yes, Sir.” She stepped in front of him, her heart racing. She was totally going to do this. Throw caution to the wind and submit to this powerful Dom. Here. Inside the bar. It seemed like the safest place. “I gave the waitress the copy of your driver’s license,” she informed him.
He nodded. “Good. I’d be concerned if you hadn’t.” He set his hands on his thighs. “How much experience do you have with submission?”
She swallowed. “Some. Enough to know what I want and don’t want.”
He gave her a slight smile. “And?”
She took a deep breath. “And I’ve never felt this kind of connection before. I’ve also never let someone I’ve just met who isn’t even vetted by a reputable club dominate me.”
“Glad to hear that too. It’s not safe.” He reached out a hand. “You feel the connection too, then.”
She stepped closer. “Yes, Sir.”
“I would never take advantage of a submissive’s trust.” He threaded his fingers with hers and pulled her between his legs. He didn’t waste a single second, shocking her when he went from staring at her to reaching for the hem of her tank top and hauling it up. “Arms up, baby girl.”
She lifted her arms obediently, shuddering as he exposed her black lace bra to his gaze. He dropped her shirt on the bar and then traced a finger along the upper swell of her breasts. “I’ve wanted to touch these all night.”
She shivered as his finger dipped under the lace edge to flick over her nipple. A moan escaped her lips. Two seconds alone and already he had her writhing. She shifted from one foot to the other, her hands fisted at her sides. Her nipples were stiff and aching.
“Stand still, baby girl.” His command was firm.
Devin’s lips parted. “I’m not sure I can. I’m like a tightrope about to snap. You’ve had me
in knots all night.”
He stroked that finger up her chest and neck and tapped her chin. “That was the idea, but you can stand still, and you will. Understood?”
“Or what, Sir?” She had no idea where this side of her was coming from. It was shocking even to her.
He smirked. “You’re dying to have my palm on your bottom, aren’t you? The idea has had you squirming all night.”
She pursed her lips.
He leaned back again. “Take off the rest of your clothes. Slowly.”
She didn’t have much left. Her jeans, bra, and shoes. He already had her panties in his pocket. There was no reason to hesitate. Colton had cast a spell on her hours ago. She would do anything he asked. Visions of getting fucked better than any previous encounter in her life had her in knots.
She kicked off her shoes and then watched his face while she unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans. She teased him by rocking her hips back and forth as she shimmied out of the denim. His gaze was pinned to her torso.
As she stepped out of the pant legs and righted herself, the cool air of the room hit the heated, wet, naked flesh between her legs.
“The bra too, baby girl,” he commanded.
She reached awkwardly behind her back and unclasped the lace. As it fell down her arms, she shivered. Her breasts felt heavy and full. Her nipples stiffened to tight points.
Devin had never been this exposed before. It was heady and exciting, while at the same time scary and unnerving.
An opportunity she would not pass up. She wouldn’t permit herself to dwell on the fact that this was a one-night stand. A scene. An educational experience. She would have no regrets. Though she did worry that after tonight she would go through a very long dry spell again since Colton was undoubtedly going to ruin her for other Doms. The man lived in Savannah for God’s sake. Ugh.
“You’re stunning, Devin.” His gaze roamed up and down her body. “Do you have a safeword you prefer?”
“Alcohol, Sir.”
He smiled. “Perfect. Turn around, baby girl.” His voice was deeper, the command just as pronounced.
Devin (Corked and Tapped Book 10) Page 2