by Sara Brooks
“So? Let’s hear the story and don’t try to deny it. You haven’t worn a grin that wide in a long time.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” Despite his light mood, Ryan didn’t want to discuss what happened the previous night. Mostly because there was too much mixed company around. Had it just been him, Dade and Elena, he would have approached the situation differently. He had no problem sharing with his friends because they all had similar interests. Sharing information sometimes helped get through a particularly difficult situation with a submissive.
Something told him Beth was going to be more than a handful.
“Bullshit.” The blonde turned away from the counter, sending Dade a look that screamed fuck me here and now. Ryan rolled his eyes as Dade silently struggled to either cross the coffeehouse and approach her or finish the conversation he’d started. Much to Ryan’s amusement, Dade dismissed the blonde. “That look is more than just satisfaction. More than utilizing the warehouse to fuck away your ghosts.”
“Which is exactly why it’s none of your business.”
“Why the hell not? You’ve never had a problem sharing before.”
“Sure, as long as the day wasn’t yesterday.” He glared at Dade, watching his friend’s expression fall as he realized the significance of the date.
“Oh fuck, man. I completely forgot. That’s rough, but you’re allowed to heal. There’s not a requirement you—”
“I know, all right? I know.” Ryan forced out a breath, closing his eyes as he relaxed into the chair. He’d gone back to work on the boat after Beth had left, but the normally relaxing work hadn’t helped. The noise kept buzzing around in his head, convincing him there was no on-off switch.
“But you’re beating yourself up now anyway, aren’t you?”
“I have to,” he said, even though it was hard to admit. Weakness wasn’t something he liked to confess to, even though he knew he wasn’t perfect. Far from it, in fact. He wore enough scars on his heart to remind him almost daily.
“Why?” Elena interrupted.
Ryan noticed she was impeccably put together—as always—and decided it was time to put a crack in her perfection. “This would be a good time to let you know you had a hand in my evening.”
Her expression immediately changed to one of alarm, her bright-green eyes widening with concern. “What happened? Are you all right?”
“Beth Lawson showed up and asked me to help her.” He lowered his voice least anyone else hear and fire up the small-town gossip grapevine.
“Crap.” Elena winced as she set down her herbal tea, brushing at a piece of lint on her wool skirt. “I meant to tell you last month when I got back from Nashville I’d recommended you. I am glad she came though. It sounded as if she had a real issue you seemed perfectly suited to help her deal with. I assume she told you what happened to her?”
“Some, yes. He—and his friends—were sadist assholes who play right into the stereotype we fight so hard against. There’s more though, more she hasn’t told me.”
“Yes. I—”
Ryan held up a hand. “She needs to be the one to tell me. Not you.”
“Are you going to help her?”
“I don’t know yet.” He’d asked himself the same question all night when he’d finally climbed into bed around three. The questions had swirled in his mind as he’d stared at the ceiling unable to sleep. “She’s stubborn. That much was very clear in just a few minutes. But she yielded when I pushed a bit. So she has potential.
“Shit, Elena. You could have at least warned me she was on the way. It’s not as if you don’t have your fucking BlackBerry attached to your hip already. You and your damn electronic-gadget obsession. Or you could have at least headed her off and suggested she come out to the house another time.”
“What? Oh hell, you said she showed up last night, didn’t you? I just put it all together in my head.”
“Yes.” He leaned forward, tapping his fingers against the low table in front of him. “A little advance warning would have been nice. Then I could have at least been prepared for what she needed.”
She smoothed a hand over her hair. “Sorry. I’ll touch base with her—”
“I already set things in motion yesterday.” He’d been on the fence about the issue, but he couldn’t ignore the way his body had reacted. Couldn’t ignore the fact he hadn’t stopped thinking about her. He wanted to re-introduce Beth to the lifestyle and help her overcome any damage her former Dom had inflicted on her mind. “I’m not about to stop now. Not unless she asks for an out.”
An elegant hand waved through the air in dismissal. “Still, I’ll have dinner or something and just give her a gentle nudge about what she did wrong.”
This wasn’t something he wanted pushed easily to the side. He expected nothing easy when it came to Beth. Based on what he’d learned last night, he figured her association with her former Dom hadn’t started off badly. She didn’t seem the type to actively seek out a destructive relationship. Otherwise she would have jumped right into to the arms of another Dom with similar intentions. She’d probably been so deep in the situation she’d described she’d been too scared of what would happen if she asked to leave. The constant threat had to have certainly turned her off to thoroughly enjoying any kind of pleasure.
He couldn’t explain why, but he wanted to be the one to show her.
“No. You won’t.” Shifting closer, he dropped his voice an octave. “I’m taking her so you will not circumvent me, is that clear?” Elena’s lips pursed as she lifted her tea to her mouth. “You’re one of the best Dommes I know, Elena. You trusted me enough to do what I saw fit when it came to you. Or have you forgotten?”
The reminder was deliberate, garnering the reaction he wanted when her eyes flashed hot.
“No.” Her gaze fell from his, a signal the conversation was over. He normally didn’t like overruling another Dom, but he wasn’t about to allow Elena to sever the delicate threads he’d put in place with Beth last night. She would be difficult to work with already. No need to add insult to injury.
He adored Elena, even to this day, because of the connection they shared since she’d spent some time as his submissive. Well before he’d agreed to train her to be the Domme she was today. Which was exactly why he didn’t want her to step in. Beth obviously knew of Elena’s talents since they were friends, so he didn’t want to confuse matters by having a different message come from someone in a position of authority.
“Hey, lay off,” Dade quietly interjected. “Both of you. People are starting to stare.”
“I’m only—never mind. Let them stare. I stopped caring about people’s stares in this town years ago. Catch you two later.” He launched himself out of the chair, plunking down a few dollars for the coffee Allison would eventually bring. He hated running out, especially on Dade since he’d always been able to talk to his closest friend about anything.
In the days following the horrific accident that had changed everything in his life, Dade had been the glue that had allowed Ryan to keep his shit together. He’d put his own life—and problems—on hold in order to be there for him as Ryan had tried to deal with everything at once. Everyone had wanted all he had to give in the days following the crash, but by then, he’d had nothing left.
He lowered himself onto a bench a few blocks from the coffeehouse, closing his eyes as he sought a place of solace. The noise in his head roared to life with a new vengeance, eager to snag its claws into his soul once more. Dealing with the pain of loss had never been this hard before. He’d always been able to smother the horrific sensation long enough so he could at least think clearly and function with some semblance of normalcy.
Why did it seem so difficult now?
He knew the answer, but facing the reality was just as painful as the residual impact the reason left him with. Facing the five-year anniversary of his family’s death with the new submissive on his doorstep hadn’t been the ideal way to spend the night. He ble
w out a breath and slowly opened his eyes, determined to get past this complication as quickly as possible.
He saw her then.
Just as she had watched him walk into the lake, he watched her cross the street a block away. Her light-brown hair had been pulled back into a high ponytail. She wasn’t dressed as last night in a slender miniskirt and button-down shirt. This time, she’d chosen a snug neon-pink tee with a picture of some busty blonde cartoon character holding a sword and wearing a crown with wings. She’d paired it with dark fitted jeans. And oh he liked how those jeans fit. They cupped her ass like a glove.
This was the Beth he’d speculated about last night. Even with the distance between them he could tell she was more comfortable in her skin now. More confident and self-assured.
His mouth really started to water at the thought of training her now.
He suddenly felt the overwhelming need to have his hands on her. Kiss her. Have her naked and sweaty underneath him as his cock disappeared deep inside her pussy. Wake up next to her—where the everlivingfuck did that thought just come from?
He shook his head to clear his mind.
He was restless, with too much time on his hands his mind was free to wander.
Wandering could be dangerous.
She stopped at an outdoor vendor who had set up for the apple festival tomorrow, gesturing to his offerings. Her cheerful smile as she sniffed the brightly colored flowers caused the noise in his head to silence.
A hot, hard dose of reality punched him in the gut.
There was nothing but her.
Oh hell.
The vendor motioned, insisting she take the bouquet she held. He refused the bills she offered, turning away to help another customer. She tucked the money under the cash register when the man wasn’t looking and walked away as quickly as possible.
The leather he’d caught flashes of the previous evening was on full display now as she strolled down the sidewalk. The cuffs were about two inches in width and lightweight in appearance, the dark-brown texture accenting her tan as they circled each of her wrists. They weren’t the type of cuffs typically worn to mark a Dom’s ownership, but they didn’t appear to be items she ever removed.
But why?
As she dipped under a tourist’s arm to enter Perfect Shot, Ryan pushed off the bench and followed her into the coffeehouse.
The scent of coffee wrapped around Beth as she stepped through the door. While she didn’t care for coffee as a beverage, she adored the rich aroma. The female barista appeared to be deep in conversation with someone at the counter, so she wandered over to the display racks to see their selection of tea bags.
The smell of freshly cut hay surrounded her as she buried her nose in the fragrant autumn crocuses the vendor had sold her. She’d always loved the dangerous beauty of the flower, with the vibrant purple coloring hiding the toxic nature of the plant.
Thanks, Gran, for that useless bit of knowledge.
A fast-paced rock song blasted from the earbuds dangling around her neck, causing her to tap her fingers against the bundle in time to the music. She was so engrossed in the heavily drum-laden song, and looking at the choices in front of her, she jumped when a firm body pressed against hers.
“Can I buy you a drink?
The deep bass notes in his voice washed over her. God, his voice really might cause me to spontaneously come. She allowed herself to experience a few seconds of rapture before she turned to face Ryan. Something intimate and raw passed between their bodies as she stared up into the eyes of one very breathtaking alpha male.
Fighting off the twinge between her legs, she gave him a bright smile. “I don’t drink coffee.”
“Yet you’re in a coffeehouse?” Light danced in his eyes, softening his smile. The slight upturn of his lips immediately drew her eyes down. How it would feel to have him using those lips to tease and torment her as she lay open for him? Get a grip on yourself. He’s asking about the coffee, for Pete’s sake. Not asking you to offer yourself up like some kind of sacrifice.
“The taste is horrendous. The smell, though, is divine.”
“I can see how that could be problematic. How are the knees?”
His concern rocked her off kilter. She wasn’t used to someone checking on her after the fact. Ethan couldn’t have cared less about how she felt the next morning. He’d only cared she was ready for him at a moment’s notice regardless if she’d recovered from their previous play. Ryan’s concern warmed her bones. A nice sensation after feeling so cold for so long.
“Fine. Thank you. They ached a little this morning, but the walk over here loosened up my muscles. Nothing I can’t handle. Which, if I’m right, was your intent.” In the short time she’d dealt with him, she already knew he was someone she desperately wanted to work with. She wanted to get on with her life and her gut told her Ryan was the one to help her do just that.
“Hey, Ryan, you left before I could give you your coffee.” A tiny woman with blonde hair tipped in blazing-red color handed Ryan a large paper cup. He bent to brush a kiss against her forehead as she wrapped her arm around his waist and pulled him close.
Beth recognized her as the barista behind the counter. Their ease with one other was enough to signal to Beth these two held a special connection that seemed to be well above the level of friendship. Well crap, she hadn’t even thought about the fact he may have a girlfriend. He certainly dominated her like he didn’t have one.
Not as if that would stop some Doms.
“Sorry I ran out. Had something on my mind.” The woman gave Ryan a puzzled look, but he pushed on. “Allison Stuart, this is Beth Lawson. Gatlin Falls’ newest radio personality. Evidently, she’s also in the market for a boat.”
Nice to hear someone paid attention given her previous relationship.
“And has excellent taste in tee-shirts.”
Beth glanced down, unsure of what shirt she’d grabbed from the pile in her suitcase this morning. She-Ra. “Ah yeah, my affinity for eighties cartoons rears its ugly head apparently.”
“Hey, Masters of the Universe was one of my favorites on Saturday mornings. I even own the series on DVD. By the way, don’t let him overcharge you.” The warm and friendly smile aimed Beth’s way made her decide she instantly liked this woman, whatever place she held in Ryan’s life. And who the hell wouldn’t like someone who owned one of her favorite cartoons? “Though I’d dare say his impeccable work is worth every penny.”
“Flattery may just get you a new piece for your room if you keep this up. How are the lovebirds?”
“Fantastic.” She thrust out a hip and set her hand on it as she pulled Ryan closer. Her voice dropped a little as she spoke. “Listen, I need to talk to you about the set-up. Patrick’s birthday—”
He held up a hand to stop her. “Say no more, what do you need me to do?”
Allison glanced over her shoulder. “Maybe just clear everything out by next weekend?” Ryan nodded. “Can I get you something to drink, Beth? Patrick looks bored now that he’s taken care of the line of customers.”
Beth looked over Allison’s shoulder to the handsome man now standing behind the counter, wearing an apron with the café’s logo splashed across the chest. He lifted a hand for a casual wave as he bussed the counter.
“A tea would be nice.”
“Do you like milk in it? He makes a mean chai.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
Allison slid behind the counter, pressing a tender kiss to the man’s cheek. His hand settled on her waist as she assembled Beth’s tea and they spoke in low tones with each other as she worked. She amended her earlier conclusion. These two were obviously very much in love.
“Long way to come just for a cup of coffee.”
Ryan gestured with the cup in his hand. “Perfect Shot’s house coffee is worth every penny. The guys blend it up themselves, and what can I say? I’m hooked. But I also had a few friends to meet.” She looked over his shoulder where he pointed to
a small cluster of chairs and a narrow couch to find Elena deep in conversation with another man. Whatever they were talking about, she didn’t look happy. She made a mental note to call her friend later to see if she needed to talk. “What about you?”
She replaced the logo coffee mug on the shelf. “I have to talk to a man about a boat, find out if I actually have the job I got all dressed up for and see if I have a new Dom in my life.”
A sexy grin curved up the edges of lips framed by his mustache and beard. “Well then. That man, and Dom, has a few errands to accomplish before he can talk any kind of business about boats. Want to meet for lunch at The Southern Ridge Grille later?”
Embarrassment for interrupting his day caused her cheeks to heat. She had unexpectedly dumped herself on his doorstep and with her interview over, her enthusiasm to take on this new chapter of her life had apparently gotten the better of her. Plowing headfirst into a situation had already gotten her into trouble more than once and she was out to change the course of her life, not repeat her mistakes.
“I can wait.”
His arm slipped around her shoulders. “You could. But you know what, why don’t you just join me instead? I could use some company.”
She blew out a breath, glad she hadn’t botched this up entirely. “Actually, that would be great. You could give me the local’s view of the town. Give me a scoop on who to avoid in order to stay out of the way of the town gossips. I can already imagine I’m going to make some waves if I get the job.”
“Perfect. I’ll get your tea and we’ll head out.”
Chapter Four
A few hours later, armed with what was billed as the best hot fudge sundae in town, Beth sat at a petite café table outside Licks with Ryan. The tiny ice cream parlor with green striped awning was just the kind of small-town touch she’d missed while living in Nashville.
Conversation with Ryan was easy and flowed freely. He had a personality, which made her want to tell him anything because he gave the sense she could completely trust him.