The tip of her tongue came out to lick the tears from Ash’s cheeks, absorbing their salty taste. “I don’t know how, but it’s true,” she whispered. “I do love you—all of you—so much. I can’t explain it, I mean, it happened so fast…”she felt the bed dip as Simon crawled around her feet and up her front, aligning his body behind Ash’s.
Ash’s cock finally wilted and slipped out of her vagina, releasing a small flood of cum. He rolled back slightly and Simon handed him a wet washcloth. “Roll over onto your back, baby, let Simon clean you.”
“Here, darlin’, spread your legs.” Simon crawled in between her legs and began wiping the insides of her thighs and her pussy with a gentle, but thorough, cleaning.
“I must say,” she said on a blissful sigh, “the service in this hotel is first-rate.”
Simon’s lips quirked. “We’re all about customer satisfaction here at the Hot, Hunky Bad-Ass Commando Spa.
Caleb rolled back up against her and pulled her backward into his arms, fitting her ass into the cradle of his groin and draping his arm over her abdomen. Ash aligned himself in front of her, pillowing her head on his bicep, holding her and kissing her as if she were a priceless treasure. Simon laid down behind Ash, close enough that he could reach over his brother and place his hand on Kylie’s hip so that all three of them were touching her as if they couldn’t get enough of her. “We love you, Kylie,” Simon said.
“I love you, too.” She lay there for a long time, soaking up their heat, their touches, their kisses, and their softly murmured words of love and approval, until both the words and the movements slowed and finally stopped as their deep, even breathing told her they’d fallen asleep.
She continued to lie there long after that, trying to think. But she couldn’t seem to grab hold of her brain. It kept slipping away, leaving her floundering somewhere in the darkness.
These were her men. Simon. Ash. Caleb. The first three men who had ever seen so far inside her. Who had recognized who and what she really was in all her secret, hidden places. Had recognized the inchoate yearning that had filled her for so long and had known how to give her what she needed in order to ease her heart. Even more importantly, they had wanted to give her that ease and had cared enough to see to it that she got it. They had instinctively recognized parts of her she’d always suspected were there, but that no other man had ever even noticed. For the first time in her life she was treasured. Cherished. Loved.
And she liked it.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“That was Dwyer,” Caleb said, ending the call as he re-entered the kitchen. Ash and Simon were just putting the last of the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher. Kylie was still sitting at the table. “They got to Moretti’s office just in time. Just as the movin’ crew was clearin’ the place out.” He grinned at Kylie. “They found three ledgers, right where you said they’d be, with all of the Righetti crime family’s illegal transactions going back more than twenty-five years.”
“Oh, thank God.” Kylie’s shoulders slumped. She was nearly giddy with relief. “That means this nightmare is over.” Her hand flew to her chest. “Now I can contact my insurance company about my house, close out my bank account, buy some clothes—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Not so fast, sugar. They just now turned the books over to the U. S. Attorney General. Nobody’s been arrested yet. They need to determine the charges and draw up indictments before that can happen, so you’re still not safe. I’m afraid you’ll have to lie low a bit longer.” He stopped at the stricken look that crossed her face.
Ash saw it too and scooped her up, carrying her into the living room and sitting on the sofa with her in his lap, making air whoosh from the leather cushions. Putting his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her against him. Her hand reached up and he laced their fingers together. . “It’s okay, baby. You’re safe as long as you’re here with us. It’s just going to take a little longer, that’s all.”
Simon sat on the ottoman facing them, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his legs. “It’ll all get sorted out, darlin’. We just need to be patient.”
She looked at Simon, looking spiffy in his black trousers with the stripe down the outsides of the legs, and his white shirt with the black-and-yellow striped captain’s bars on the shoulders. His cap was on the catch-all table just inside the front door. “Are you going somewhere this morning?”
“Just flyin’ Raven into Richmond for his final fittin’ and to pick up his tux. We’ll be back this afternoon.”
Ah. “And you?” She swung her glance over to Caleb in his sheriff’s uniform. “You’re going to work?”
He grinned. “Well, I’m gonna at least make it look like I’m workin’,” he said.
“And what about you?” she turned her head to look up at Ash. “Isn’t babysitting me keeping you from work you need to be doing?”
“I just finished my brochures. My fetish photos just had a showing in a D.C. gallery—”
“Fetish photos?”
“My specialty. Black and white photos of men and women in a variety of bondage gear. You remember the photo on that BDSM website that got you so hot?”
“How do you know it got me hot?” she asked, shocked that they had noticed her reaction to that gorgeous photo of the man looking down at the naked sub kneeling at his feet.
He just laughed. “Your cheeks turned red, your lips parted. You kept licking your lower one, you couldn’t look away from the screen, your skin flushed, your eyes darkened, your eyelids fell to half-mast—“
“Okay, okay,” she laughed. “I get it, you can read me like a book. That was the most beautiful photograph I’d ever seen. Those two people…they were so hot! I mean, I could feel the connection they shared.”
“They are friends of ours who’ve been together for over eleven years. They have a 24/7 Master/slave relationship. Besides which, they’re gorgeous and the sexual energy between them just leaps off the page. You’ll meet them when I start my next series. Caleb and Simon have modeled for me, too, as well as Raven Nighthorse. With his Native American features, he’s my most in-demand model.” He paused. “I would love to photograph you, too, baby. Both alone and with either Caleb, Simon, or both. I think those photos would turn out awesome. You don’t have to say anything right now,” he added hastily, when she drew in her breath to speak. “Just think about it for a while and let me know. So, the upshot of all this is, I’m at loose ends until my next gig, which is the weddin’ on Sunday. And, of course, playin’ at the Icebox on Friday and Saturday nights. But that’s too much fun to be called work.”
“So what are your plans for today?”
He gave her a smug look. “I have the best job of all. I’m takin’ you shoppin’.”
“Shopping?”
“You need everything, so that’s what we’re gonna get. Everything. Ah-ah-ah,” he added when she drew in a breath, about to protest. “Don’t even think it. We don’t want any nonsense about how you have to buy your own clothes in order to feel independent. You’re ours now. Our responsibility and our pleasure. We will buy you whatever you need. And be warned, I’m fully prepared to kiss you senseless if you object. And if that doesn’t work, I’m perfectly willin’ to resort to bribery.”
That got her attention. “Oh, yeah? What kind of bribe?”
“How about lunch at Katie’s barbecue?”
“You’re on.”
He laughed. ‘You’re so easy,” he teased.
“Food’s involved. It’s my general policy never to turn down free food. Especially if it’s Katie’s barbecue.”
“How about I meet you there?” Caleb offered. “Just call me when you’re on your way.”
“Sounds good, bro.” Ash reached up and gave him a high five. “See you for lunch.” He got up and bent to pick Kylie up.
“Do you plan to tote me around all day like a parcel?” she asked.
“I’m perfectly happy totin’ you around, baby.” Straightening, he grinned and puffed out his chest.
Raising his arms, he flexed his muscles, posing like a body builder, lowering his voice an octave. “That’s what we hot, hunky, bad-ass commando types do. Makes us feel all manly and macho and shit.”
She laughed, but Caleb sensed her hesitation.
‘What is it, sugar? Talk to us.”
“Okay. Is there—I mean, would it be possible to rent a wheel chair for me? Don’t get me wrong, I love being carried by you guys. I love that you not only can carry me, but that you actually seem to want to carry me.”
“But?” Caleb prompted.
“It just sort of…reinforces how vulnerable I am.” Unexpected and unwanted tears thickened her throat. Again? Really? “I mean, I can’t even go to the bathroom by myself! I hate feeling so helpless.” She drew in a shaky breath. “It’s really, really scary. I don’t want to hurt your feelings or anything, but—”
“But nothin’, sugar.” Caleb was already dialing his phone. “If you want—Luc? Have you got a wheel chair you can spare until you give Kylie the go-ahead to walk? Excellent. Thanks. Ash and Kylie will be by shortly to pick it up.”
The lump dissolved into tears of gratitude, which she swiped from her cheeks with the heels of her hands. “I—thank you.”
Caleb approached her, speared his fingers through the hair at the side of her head and lifted her face for a kiss so filled with love and passion, everything below her waist melted in a conflagration of heat and desire. When he lifted his head at last, he looked deep into her eyes, wiping a stray tear from her cheek with a swipe of his thumb. “We love you, sugar. We want you to be happy, but we’re not mind readers. That’s why you need to talk to us, tell us what you want. We’re Doms, not dictators. Unless it’s about whose money pays for shit around the /house. Ours. No argument. Everything else is negotiable.”
She threw her arms around Caleb’s neck, nearly strangling him in her enthusiasm. “You guys are so wonderful. I know you keep telling me I’m not a burden, and maybe I’m not, but I’m definitely a nuisance. And having to depend on you for everything…I-I’m perfectly capable of getting around by myself in a wheel chair.” She paused before adding softly, “And I think I need to do it. I need to know that something is under my control.”
Caleb took hold of her arms and gently eased them from around his neck. He pulled back to look into her eyes. “We love you, baby, and if this is something you need, then, of course we’ll do it.” He smiled and she fell into it, drowning in the sexy wonder of it.
Her hand lifted to touch his lower lip, identical to Simon’s and Ash’s, full, soft, sensual. God, she loved their lower lips, especially what they did with them. Just the thought of them suckling at her breasts or worshipping her clit knotted her belly and sent hot cream flowing between her legs.
Caleb kissed her fingers. “Go shoppin’ with Ash, sugar. Let him buy you lots of pretty things. We can’t wait to see you wearin’ them.” He looked up at Ash. “You goin’ to the Toy Emporium?”
“Yeah, I figured we’d start there, after we stop by Luc’s to get the wheelchair. We’ll call you when we’re ready for lunch.”
Simon and Caleb kissed her good-bye and Ash carried her out to his silver Humvee. Their first stop was the clinic, where Kylie remained in the car while Ash ran in to get the wheelchair, which he stowed in the back.
“Okay, where are we going?” Kylie asked curiously as he headed up Main Street.
“We’re goin’ to Granny Grace’s Toy Emporium. In addition to all the high-end BDSM paraphernalia, she also has a large selection of street wear, mostly dresses or skirts and blouses. Most Doms, ourselves included, prefer their subs to wear dresses, ’cause they provide us easy access to your body. I’ll get you some panties and bras, but you will seldom be allowed to wear them, even when you go out. It just pleases us to know that if we put our hands under your skirt, we’ll touch bare, wet flesh. And, you’ll find, that will make us want to touch you. A lot. We want to keep you constantly aware of your body and ready for the pleasure we can give you, no matter where you are.”
Holy shit! No matter where I am? She gulped, her heart ricocheting around her chest cavity. She couldn’t believe how excited the very thought of being accosted unexpectedly and brought to orgasm, quite possibly, even in public, made her gasp. Damn! She could hardly wait to experience these forbidden pleasures.
They pulled into the parking lot beside the Queen Anne house. In spite of its less ornate style than the graceful Victorian next door, and its more playful color scheme of green, yellow, and red, Granny Grace’s Toy Emporium was every bit as elegant as the Tea Shoppe had been. The double mahogany entrance doors had large Victorian leaded glass windows and leaded glass sidelights. Kylie gasped when Ash wheeled her through the entrance into a world of bondage and kinkery beyond her imagining. The elegantly-papered walls were hung with a wide variety of floggers, whips, crops, and restraints for both men and women from spreader bars to handcuffs, arm binders, hanks of rope, and chastity devices laid out in geometrical patterns, like weapons on the walls of a medieval castle. Antique mannequins consisting of velvet-covered torsos on wooden stands, modeled exquisite, hand-made corsets made of leather, satin, and lace. One particular corset, black and red leather trimmed with lace was so exquisite that Kylie couldn’t resist reaching up her hand to touch it. The leather was as smooth as butter. The mannequin’s breasts appeared to rest on a bra that was little more than a leather shelf, leaving her nipples exposed.
Granny Grace herself was standing behind an antique wood and glass case that contained dildos, nipple clamps, butt plugs, blindfolds, and several different kinds of gags, all tastefully displayed against a black velvet drape. Watching Kylie caressing the corset, her glance met Ash’s over Kylie’s head. She flicked it back to the corset, then back to Ash, one gray eyebrow raised. He nodded. Her gaze moved to Kylie. “Kylie, my dear, how lovely to see you again. How are your feet feeling today?”
“Much better, thank you, ma’am. My guys assure me that they’re getting better every day. They’re taking very good care of me.”
“I can see that. You look positively radiant.”
Yeah, tt’s all that smokin’ hot sex I’ve been having! Just in time she stopped herself from actually saying the words out loud. But she couldn’t stop her face from turning beet red. Omigod, I can’t believe I just thought that!
Granny Grace just gave her a wink and a smile before turning back to Ash. “What can I do for you today, Ash?”
“Kylie needs some clothes. All of hers burned up when her house caught fire. She only has a few knit tops and a few pairs of shorts like the ones she’s wearin’ right now. She got them at Walmart.”
The elderly woman eyed Kylie’s outfit, barely repressing a delicate shudder. “Well, we must remedy that right now.” She lifted an embossed silver dinner bell with a wooden handle and rang it. Immediately a young woman approached from another part of the store. “Sharon, dear, this is Miss Ferrell. And you know Mr. Rafferty of course.”
“Of course. Hi, Ash, nice to see you.” She smiled down at Kylie. “It’s lovely to meet you, Ms. Ferrell.”
“Please, call me Kylie.”
“Sharon, would you please select some dresses for this lovely lady to try on? She lost everything in a fire, so she’ll need everything. And take a full set of measurements so we can keep them on file for any future orders,” Granny Grace continued.
Ash hid a smile. Those measurements were not for any future orders. They were for the leather corset he’d just ordered. He couldn’t wait to see Kylie wearing it.
“Kylie. I’m so sorry to hear about the fire. Is that how you got injured?” Sharon indicated Kylie’s sock-covered feet.
“Yes, I walked on some broken glass. Hopefully Dr. McKay will tell me on Thursday that they’re all healed, ’cause I’ve got big plans.” She grinned up at the man standing behind her chair. “I’m going to learn how to two-step at the Icebox Saturday night.”
Sharon laughed. “Is Ash going to teach you?”
“Oh, Simon’s a great dancer, Kylie. You’ll have the best time! But let’s get you outfitted.” She gestured toward her right. “If you’ll just follow me…” She led the way over to a large ante-room that contained several racks of dresses. “You have a flawless complexion, Kylie,” Sharon said as they approached the first rack. “And with that wonderful, dark hair, you can wear anything, but I think bright colors would suit you best.”
Kylie cast a doubtful look at the array of colorful dresses. “Are you sure you have my size.”
Sharon laughed. “Oh, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Ash, why don’t you wheel Kylie into the dressing room and I’ll bring in a nice selection for your approval.” Five minutes later, she walked in with an armload of dresses to see Kylie sitting on Ash’s lap. His hand was caressing her abdomen beneath her T-shirt, his mouth was busy exploring the territory around her ear, making her squirm and shiver with delight. Sharon smiled, hanging the dresses on a high hook. A tape measure was draped around her neck. “Sorry to interrupt, guys, but it’s time for me to take Kylie’s measurements and time for her to try on dresses. Ash, are you going to stay in here while we do that?”
“Does a bear sleep in the woods?” He slid Kylie off his lap to sit on the padded bench by herself. He sat in her wheel chair, his left foot on the foot rest, his right ankle crossed over his knee. Sharon had Kylie strip so she could take her measurements, jotting down the numbers in a spiral notebook.
Then she helped Kylie try on dozens of dresses that displayed her voluptuous figure to perfection. She also tried on lingerie in luscious colors, trimmed with lace and ribbons, feathers and flowers. Very frilly and feminine and more glamorous than anything Kylie had ever owned. They made her feel as beautiful as her men kept insisting she was.
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