“Me.” Steph walked up behind Zeb and rested her hands on his shoulders. Davis didn’t even arch a brow at her action, but did shake his head at Allison’s nerve or stupidity.
“Was she insane? You could’ve killed her for that stunt and the law would’ve been on your side.”
“Don’t need her death on my conscience.” She leaned into hug him. “Besides I hadn’t had my morning tea, and I have a strict rule about killing before breakfast. Now, can I steal Zeb or do you need him still?” She addressed the question to Reggie.
“Yep. Just need him to sign the report.” Reggie shoved the document across the desk at Zeb. Picking up a pen from the cup on Reggie’s desk, he quickly scribbled his name on the form.
“Done, Sexy?” She nipped at his ear. “Nicky wants to take us out to dinner…and maybe go back to our place afterwards.”
He tipped his head towards her, his breath catching in his throat at the promise in her tone. As usual, his body responded. “He did? I figured you two might want some alone time after dealing with this mess.”
“Nonsense.” She kissed the top of his head. “After this morning, I don’t think Nicky’s in any more of a hurry than I am to allow you to escape.” She tapped his nose with her finger. “Ma’am wants to spend a lot more time with you.”
A flush crept up his neck as Reggie chuckled, and Davis cleared his throat. “Yeah, okay. I can do dinner.” He refrained from looking at the men. Not that either men would probably say anything about it. Not only was Davis aware of his unique situation, Reggie had also visited the club more than a few times.
“Good.” She stepped back from him. “Get your sexy ass moving, Zeb. Nicky doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” The words slipped out of his mouth automatically as he stood. Before he passed Davis, his friend pulled him aside.
“Before you kidnap my client again, Stephanie. I need to talk to him for a few minutes.” Davis flashed a smile at her. “No worries - just some legal stuff I need to take care of. Give me ten?”
“Okay. We’ll be waiting outside for you.” She playfully slapped him on the ass. “Ten minutes.” Her warning sent a shiver of longing through him. His bottom was still tender from the spanking Sir had given him several hours ago, and more than anything he wanted to experience another, but perhaps this time his Ma’am could be the one who gave it to him. The idea of fucking Nicky while Stephanie used a flogger on his ass was tempting. Not that he expected the man he hoped would become his Dom would ever let him do such a thing.
“Yes. Ma’am. Ten minutes.” His voice a little hoarse, even to his own ears.
* * * *
Nicky drummed his fingers on the wheel of the SUV as Steph climbed in beside him. Not seeing Zebadiah, he arched an eyebrow in her direction. Today had been a roller coaster of emotions for him. Not only had their submissive blown his mind with their early morning loving, but the upheaval of Allison on his doorstep had him wanting to gather up both of his lovers and hide them away where no harm could come to either of them. He knew Steph was more than capable of taking care of herself, but it still didn’t eliminate his need to protect her. Especially when the threat had come against Stephanie the woman as opposed to Steph - the bodyguard.
“Relax, he’s coming.” Steph caught one of his hands in hers before pressing a kiss to his palm. “Davis wanted to talk to him about a few legal things before we kidnap him again- his words, not mine.”
A chuckle escaped him. “You know kidnapping him sounds like a good idea. Do you think he’d mind if we locked him away in our bedroom? I mean we could always let him out to cook once in a while.”
Steph gave a wistful smile. “That would be nice for a weekend or two, but I want him for more than just sex. I want to take him to the club so others can see how lucky we are to have him. Hell, I’ll even settle for helping him get his bakery off the ground.”
“Yeah, me too.” He brought their joined hands to his mouth, rubbing their joined fingers over his lips. “As long as we’re with him, it’ll all work out.”
Turning in her seat, she stared at him. “You know you said those exact words to me when we got together, Nicky.” She crawled over to him, and he adjusted the seat so she’d fit on his lap. As she straddled his lap, she draped her arms over his shoulders. “You love him, don’t you?”
She said it in such a matter of fact way, his heart began pounding against his chest. He should’ve realized she’d figure it out. Not surprising considering how long they’d been together. But still he wasn’t ready to blurt it out. So he did what most guys do when confronted with a suspicious woman. He evaded the question. “I happen to be in love with you, Steph.”
She arched her eyebrow at him. “”I know you love me, Nicholaus, but if you try this pansy ass shit again, I’m going to give you a titty twister you won’t ever forget.” Her fingers hovered over his chest, her intent obvious.
He sighed and rested his forehead against hers. “And if I were to say said yes?”
“Then I’d be thankful I’m not the only one who’s losing their heart to him.” She licked her lips. “It scares me, but…knowing you’re feeling the same way…”
Understanding welled up inside of him. For such a brave, kick-ass woman, she hid a tender heart. It was going to take constant reassurances on his and Zeb’s parts, to assure her that her heart was safe with them. Even though he hadn’t spoken to the other man about Zeb’s feelings for Steph or himself, he could see the growing affection the man felt for them every time Zeb’s eyes met his. “Shhh…I know it’s scary. But I promise you it’ll work out.” He brushed a knuckle over her lower lip. “Ethan was right, you know. He’s going to be a perfect fit for us in every way. We just have to have patience. Let him catch up with us.”
She squirmed closer until her lips were a mere hair’s-breadth from his and their breaths co-mingled. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Hold you to what?” Zeb asked, opening the door to the vehicle before sliding in to join them.
Thinking on his feet, Nicky distracted Zeb. “A surprise for later.”
“A surprise?” Zeb’s eyes darkened, his breath catching in his throat. Under Steph, Nicky’s cock hardened at the not so subtle hints Zeb was sending. But they had to feed Zeb first before he and Steph made a meal out of their subbie.
“Yes, but we’re eating first.” He shifted her off his lap and gave her a stern look when she pouted. “Enough of that, cara mia. Buckle up, so we can get this show on the road. I hear a Reuben calling my name.” He slid the seat forward as Zeb helped Steph with her seat belt. Within moments he had the Chevy Tahoe in gear and pulling away from the police station. “Antonio’s Subs sound good?” He kept his voice light, even as his mind raced ahead of him to focus on the delectable things he and Steph could do to a willing Zeb.
* * * *
Looking around the playroom, Zeb licked his lips. Being brought down to a well-stocked room in the basement of Nicky and Steph’s house hadn’t been what he’d expected when they’d brought him back to their place. In fact, his dick had been hoping for a repeat of their earlier fun, or perhaps even the promised watching of Serenity since he’d fallen asleep the last time it’d been on television.
“Wow, I hadn’t expected to see this so soon.” He tried to keep everything nonchalant, but knew he failed miserably when a concerned look crossed Nicky’s face.
“We’re not expecting anything tonight. It’s just…” Nicky rubbed the back of his neck. “We’re going to have to talk about this sooner or later.” He moved closer as Steph entered the room carrying a tray of iced tea and the absolutely divine divinity Nicky had bought at Antonio's for their dessert.
“All right, guys, you need to relax or I’m gonna whip you both.” She set down the tray on the counter which ran along one side of the room. Then she turned to face them. “If the tension in here was any thicker, I could cut it with a knife.”
She poured two glasses of tea and handed o
ne to Nicky and then one to Zeb. “Thanks.” He smiled at her then took a quick gulp of the refreshing tea.
“Not a problem.” She tugged Zeb over to the play swing hanging in one corner before shoving him into it. Sitting down with a thud, he cursed softly as he tried to keep from spilling his drink while the swing moved wildly from his sudden weight. “Now stay put.” She then turned to face Sir, her hands going to her hips. She gave Nicky a once over. “Am I gonna have to get rough with you?”
Nicky arched a brow at her before crossing his arms over his massive chest. “You’re coming precariously close to overstepping your boundaries, Steph.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You can warm my ass later for my audacity.” She sighed, then turned her attention back to Zeb. “Look, Sexy, Sir and I discussed this earlier, about seeing you in here. You know you can tell quite a bit about a Dom from his playroom.” She moved over to the tall armoire standing in the corner. Opening the doors, she exposed the toys and other BDSM items hanging from their specialized pegs. “For instance…” She pulled out a leather flogger. “…I’ll probably be feeling this on my ass before the night is over.” She trailed the leather thongs up her arm.
Zeb’s mouth dried as she lightly smacked her own arm, especially when the strands wrapped around the tanned flesh. A soft sound seemed to escape her. It wasn’t a full moan, more like a heavy exhale, but it settled in his groin, stroking up the embers of his need, which had been banked during the course of their meal and the drive to the house. “Son of a…” Grasping one of the chains on the swing, he steadied himself as Sir joined her, taking the flogger from her hand with ease.
“Only if you’re lucky, slave.” The roughness in Sir’s tone only inflamed Zeb more. He had a voyeuristic streak a mile wide. Coupled with his need to serve, he found himself swinging between the need to watch, and the desire to drop to his knees and offer himself up to the pair as Steph wrestled the flogger back away from Nicky. Once she had it in her hand again, a triumphant look on her face, she approached him with it.
“From what I’ve heard through the grapevine, you do enjoy some impact play. Is that correct?”
Looking from the flogger in her hand to her expressive face, he nodded. “Yes, Ma’am. Just not…”
“The torture the bitch put you through.” She trailed the leather ends of the flogger over his shoulder. “You enjoyed feeling Nicky’s hand against your bottom last night. So does that mean if I wanted to warm your tight little ass with this, would you protest or would you beg for more?”
Her words were dark with a promise that had him squirming in the swing. The rattle of the chains barely registered as she lightly tapped the flogger over his shoulder. “Ah…beg for more, Ma’am.” His eyes drifted shut as she rhythmically snapped the flogger against his shirt-covered torso. There was a light touch of the strands over his abs, followed by a heavy caress of it against his left pectoral before it moved to his right. The dull thuds were muffled by the fabric, but each landing of the leather against him was a prelude to what it would feel like against his skin. He was losing himself to the sensation when it abruptly stopped.
Forcing his eyes open, he was consumed by the fire in Steph’s gaze, and the heat radiating from Nicky. Standing just a few feet behind her, Sir watched with approval and was that…affection in his gaze? Zeb didn’t have time to muse on it however. Steph moved closer, her finger under his chin, lifting his face. “I bet I could send you to subspace very easily with this.” She dragged the flogger across his thigh, mere centimeters from his aching cock.
“Yes, Ma’am.” He forced the words past his suddenly dry lips. “I’ve been known to slip into subspace during a scene with the flogger.”
She nodded before stepping back. “That’s good to know. Because it’s one of my quirks. The idea of sending you outside of yourself with this flogger is…arousing.” She returned to the toy cabinet and pulled out several other items. “You know about Master’s fetish with clamps.” She delved into a small drawer, taking out something small he couldn’t see before straightening. “Well, it’s only preceded by his desire for anal play.”
The idea that Nicky loved anal sex wasn’t surprising. By the man’s own admission, he loved sex with both men and women. As Steph rejoined them, she handed Nicky the clamps and an anal plug. His ass clenched as Nicky took the items from her. While Nicky squatted down in front of him, the splay of Sir’s legs accented the prominent bulge resting there. Zeb’s unease at being in their playroom disappeared as he recalled how Sir’s cock had felt against his tongue, thrusting in and out of his mouth. Even as he’d had fucked Steph this morning, Zeb had been unable to not wonder just how it would’ve felt to have Sir fill his ass with his thick length.
“This is part of me, Zeb. I’m not into heavy impact play. I can paddle your ass red if it’s what you need to come. I’m even proficient with the flogger.” A smile tugged at his lips. “Who do you think taught Steph? But in the end I need to see jewelry hanging from your little nubs, to tease your ass with dildos, plugs and any other variety of toy to get you ready for me, and know I can do anything within reason to your body, and you’ll beg for more.” His eyes met Zeb’s. “Even more than bondage, or toys - it’s your submission I crave.” Nicky gave a rough sigh before opening his hand.
Nested on his broad palm were two shiny little clamps, the inside of them covered with leather padding and a small screw to tighten them, along with a thin leather collar. Symbols of ownership. Zeb’s heart began to pound. Did he dare take what Nicholaus was offering him? To give the couple in front of them what they needed?
He looked back and forth between them. They had included him in their relationship, had taken an interest in him outside the bedroom - something Allison had never done, and given him a taste over the past month of what being their submissive would be like. He was tired of taking it slow. He wanted them. Slowly releasing the chain, he lightly touched the offerings before meeting his Sir’s eyes.
“Then I offer it to both of you, if you’ll have me.” He swallowed hard, wanting to go to his knees to offer his submission in the most basic of forms. As he slipped down to his knees though, he was only there for a moment before Nicky hauled him upright with an uttered oath and kissed the breath right out of him.
Chapter Nineteen
Zebadiah rapped on Ethan's office door. After spending the rest of the evening with Sir and Ma'am, he'd only come home late last night to find a note hanging from a magnet on the fridge. Ethan wanted to talk to him. It wasn't surprising, but he really didn't want to hear once more how Ethan didn't think he was ready for another relationship. It'd been nearly nine months since the attack and for the first time in a long time he felt almost like his old self. For that he had Nicky and Steph to thank. Their acceptance of his limitations and their support of not just his re-emerging submissiveness, but also him as a person, had slowly begun to heal the wound Allison had caused with her abuse.
"Come in, Zeb." Ethan's voice filtered through the door.
Pushing it open, he slipped in and wasn't surprised to find Davis sprawled out on the loveseat. Great, just what I need. To be ganged up on by two Doms. Mentally girding himself for what he was sure was going to end up being an epic confrontation, he was surprised at the first words out Ethan's mouth.
"You look good. Being with Nicky and Steph has put a bounce back into your step." Ethan nodded as if to himself.
Relief washed over him. "So you're not going to tell me how I'm moving too fast and I need to slow down?"
Ethan shook his head. "No. You're a grown man, Zebadiah, and the broken submissive you were when you first came to us is mending."
Davis chuckled from the loveseat. "I still say it's because he finally got laid, but if you want to lay the improvement in Zeb's attitude on your mythical Japanese theories, go for it.” He looked over at Zeb. “Either way, I was impressed on how you handled yourself at the police station yesterday, Zeb. You've grown."
Zeb chuckled. "You mea
n I've finally grown a pair and won't let Allison ruin my life anymore?"
A huge smile crossed Davis's face. "Yeah, that'd be another way to put it. I talked to Steph this morning, and she said you stood up to Allison at their place."
Sinking into the chair, Zeb sighed. "I wouldn't stay I stood up to her, but more like held my ground. I didn't confront her or anything, but I didn't try to run this time. It probably helped that she wasn't trying to lunge at me. I think she was more stunned than anything to see me. I honestly don't know if she realized I was on the premises or not. I mean my car was there, but she probably figured if anything, I’d stay hidden inside. But I couldn't let her try to put another wedge between us. I just got through Steph's head that the subpoena didn't matter to me. I wasn't about to let her presence undo what progress I'd made."
"Which is very reminiscent of the old Zebadiah." Ethan sipped on his tea. "And that leads me to why we wanted you to talk to you today. You're no longer the sub who needs our constant supervision or protection."
Unease settled in the pit of Zeb's stomach. "So is this your way of telling me I need to find a new place to live?" His mind whirled. He could probably move into his grandfather's home. It would mean a bit longer drive when he wanted to see Steph and Nicky, but they were worth it.
"Nothing like that. You have a place here until you no longer want or need it," Davis was quick to reassure him.
Ethan nodded his agreement. "What we really wanted to talk to you about is this upcoming weekend. We're hoping you'd be amenable to returning to your position as a D.M. We're short staffed and wouldn't normally ask, but Toby and Davis have a family reunion on Saturday, and they’re planning on leaving Friday afternoon."
"Of course. You should've mentioned earlier you needed an extra hand." He leaned forward. "You know I'm always willing to help out. Do you need help on both Friday and Saturday?"
Davis chuckled. "See! I told you he'd jump at the chance to help us."
Ethan glared at his partner. "You know no one likes an ‘I told you so,’ Davis." Ethan steepled his fingers. "We could always use an extra body on Friday, but Saturday is going to be the issue. Which is why I need a favor.” Ethan set his cup down.
Essential Master (Doms of Napa Valley) Page 17