Silken Desires

by Laci Paige

  “I can meet you at Slipknot in thirty minutes. I’ll explain when I get there.” He hung up without listening to what Jake had to say.

  “Is everything okay?” Linda asked.

  “I think so. Go back to bed. I’ll be back a little later.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

  “Can I come with you?” she asked.

  Should she? Linda might just get in the way, or Roxi might react badly toward her if there’s a confrontation, but he needed her by his side. “Yeah, sure, but hurry and get dressed. Jake is flipping out, and I need to calm him before he breaks someone’s neck.”

  Linda and Jonathan made it to the club before Kristy and Jake. Inside, Jonathan spotted Roy and approached him. The men shook hands and Linda was introduced.

  “How’s it going?” He nodded in the direction of Roxi. “Is she doing all right?”

  Roy shrugged. “Seems to be, but I can’t be too sure. I didn’t think you two were together anymore so I called Jake. Sorry.” Everyone’s attention went to Roxi.

  “You’re right, we’re not together, but Jake flipped out. He doesn’t know what his sister does in her spare time. It’s not something you discuss over turkey at Thanksgiving or anything.” He shook his head and laughed a humorless laugh. “Imagine? Hey Jake, pass the potatoes, oh and by the way, I’m a pain slut.”

  “What’s this shit?” Jake’s voice boomed behind him and Jonathan turned to see his gaze go over his shoulder. “Watch what you say about my…” His voice trailed off as he spotted Roxi in her barely-there outfit, restrained to a wooden St. Andrews cross with Liam whipping her back. “Jonathan? What’s going on?” His voice waivered.

  “She’s doing what she wants. She likes this shit, Jake. This.” He swept his hand toward her. “This is what came between us. She wants it, and I can’t give it to her. This is why she ran away, and that’s who she was with all that time.” Jonathan gave a nod in Liam’s direction.

  Jonathan watched her previous Master whip Roxi with ease. The man proved to be a master with the whip and as graceful as he’d ever seen. Liam’s face remained relaxed with a slight smile. He appeared to be enjoying the raised red welts he left behind on her back and ass, and there were a lot. She would need some minor first aid when the session was over, and it tore him up inside. He’d seen other subs and bottoms receive horrible welts due to the whip, but this was different, this was his sweet Roxi. Visions of her in the sixth grade popped into his head, but the crack of the whip brought him back to the current time.

  The five of them stood and watched for a few moments until Kristy walked closer. The men followed behind her as she stopped just near the staging area, kneeling to watch. “I think she likes it, I mean really, really likes it. Look at her face, so full of passion. I—I think she’s about to climax.” Kristy’s voice sounded with the shock they were all experiencing, except for Jonathan.

  He watched his buddy look toward the floor, rubbing a hand over his head and shifting uncomfortably. He patted Jake on the back. “She’s okay man, this is what she likes. Just think of her as any other client in a session, or a sub with her Dom.”

  “I can’t. She’s my sister.” He shook his head and walked toward the bar. Jonathan turned to follow after him, but a hand rested on his shoulder.

  That hand belonged to Liam. Jonathan looked at him for a long moment before speaking. “When do you two leave for New York?”

  “That’s up to you.” He offered Jonathan the whip. “Finish her off. She needs you. I can’t give her what you can. She needs more than just this, she needs you.”

  “It’s the other way around. I can’t give her this.” He pointed to the whip.

  “This is not what it’s all about. I thought you showing up here meant you understood and had it figured out, but I see you don’t. You’re the bad boy with a heart of gold, but you’ll only ever share that heart with one person.” Liam’s expression was blank. “Go. You know what to do.” Jonathan took the whip as Liam nudged him in her direction. “Make our girl happy.”

  Jonathan looked down at the whip and then to the swollen marks on Roxi’s back. “I can’t do this.” He dropped the whip, shoved desperately through a small crowd of people talking, and walked out.

  The warm air felt hot on his skin, but at least he felt unrestricted outside. He breathed in, filling his lungs as full as he could get them and blew it out. “Fuck!” He leaned over on his knees.

  “Jonathan?” Linda was at his side.

  He didn’t look at her. “Just give me a minute. I’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll be inside.” She spoke softly. Her steps retreated slowly, but he didn’t look up. Still hunched over, leaning on his knees, he heard someone else approach. The steps were louder and made longer strides than Linda’s.

  “You’re one lucky son of a bitch and you don’t have the slightest clue, do you?” Liam’s voice had an edge of anger.

  Standing straight, all Jonathan could do was look at the man. Plain faced yet attractive, not at all muscular in any way, yet he had a presence about him that said he was in charge. He blinked. “Shouldn’t you be inside with Roxi?” Jonathan asked.

  “Your friend Kristy is with her. I wanted to talk to you. Alone.”

  “Talk fast.” Jonathan stood clenching his fists. Liam wasn’t with Roxi after the kind of session they had and he damn well should’ve been.

  “She asked for it tonight, she didn’t need it, but she wanted it. I’ve been making her go without. I’m trying to wean her. For you.” He lifted his hand to Jonathan’s shoulder and gripped it softly.

  “What? That makes no sense. The two of you are perfect for one another. I don’t understand.” Jonathan shook his head.

  “You’ve been with her since childhood, except for her time in New York. Correct?” He gave a nod.

  “Yes, and?” He shot Liam a look that he knew didn’t come off friendly at all. He just wanted to get the hell out of there and go back to Linda’s place to sleep. A temporary means to forgetting and escaping his pain.

  “When was the first time she told you she loved you?” Liam raised an eyebrow to him, and waited for his reply.

  Jonathan huffed out a breath in annoyance. “I don’t know. We used to say it all the time when no one was around. It was our special thing because she never said it to anyone else. She didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, so that’s why it had to be in private.” Jonathan forced himself to calm down and relax, thinking of the past.

  “When was the first time she said it, and really meant it, to the point you could see it in her eyes?” Liam’s face showed nothing but concern.

  It was in high school. They were sitting on the hood of his car after homecoming her senior year. She looked over at him, took his hand, and said, “I love you Jonathan.” Then she kissed him, and it was a kiss he felt resonate throughout his whole body, heart and soul. “When we were in high school.”

  “Has she ever stopped loving you?” Liam slipped his hands into the pockets of his dress pants. Did the man always dress in business attire?

  “I don’t know.” Jonathan shrugged.

  “Yes, yes you do. Think about that look in her eyes when she finally figured out that she loved you on a deeper level. Did that look ever go away? When she looked at you across the room earlier this evening, did you see the love in her eyes?”

  He hadn’t even noticed Liam in the building earlier, but yes, he did notice the way she looked at him. His heart lurched and his stomach knotted. “Yes, I saw it.”

  “Good.” It was all Liam said before he walked away, leaving Jonathan by himself.

  Jake came out next, and before he could say anything, Jonathan spoke, “I’m coming inside now.”

  “Wait a minute. Before you do, I want to tell you something. I know I’ve been busy with Kristy.” A small grin teased at his lips and then he pressed them together tightly. “But I’m still your best friend; you can call me and talk to me if you need to. I’m not even sure what’s going on, but
I want to help in any way I can. You look fucking miserable. You were there for me and Kristy. Mostly Kristy, and I have you to thank for us being together.”

  “True story.” Jonathan smiled. “I miss you both. When the honeymoon is over, let’s get together and hang out.”

  “Deal. But I’d like Roxi to be a part of that, too. It would be even better if the two of you could get your shit together and just admit you have problems and need to work them out.” Jake stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets and rocked back and forth on his feet.

  “I don’t know, Jake. For the past few years, whenever we’ve been together all we did was fight. We wanted different things. It was hell. I don’t want to go through that again and have her leave me. I couldn’t survive it twice.” Jonathan looked away with a tightness in his chest and a hint of tears at the back of his eyes.

  “Everyone has growing pains. Just know I’m here for you.” He gave his friend’s shoulder a pat.

  “Thanks, Jake.”

  “No prob, now let’s go in and get our girls and go home.”

  Of course, the girl that came to mind was Roxi. Linda fell second to Roxi. Would that ever change?

  Inside, Jonathan saw Kristy and Roxi wrapped together in a blanket talking on a leather couch off in the corner. Linda spoke with Roy. Liam was nowhere in sight, and that pissed Jonathan off. Walking over to Linda, he put his arm around her waist, and she leaned into him.

  “I’m tired. I’d like to go if that’s all right.” Jonathan kissed her temple.

  “Sure, if that’s what you want.” She smiled and pressed her lips to his cheek.

  They didn’t leave quickly enough, and everyone except Liam joined them, including Roxi. She addressed the group as a whole. “Liam wants to stay longer and he’s in a theme room with some other people. Can anyone give me a ride home?”

  “Kristy and I have decided to stay and play.” Jake motioned to the back.

  Roy cleared his throat. “I, uh, I’m meeting someone.” He looked up and a cowboy at the bar tipped his hat toward them, and Roy smiled in return. A smile so big his dimples deepened in his cheeks.

  Jake cupped Roy’s back. “You sly dog. I never knew.”

  Roy smirked. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, boss.”

  “Boss?” Jonathan asked.

  “Yeah, we haven’t announced it yet, but Roy sold most of his share of the gym to me. He wanted to cut back his hours and wanted less responsibility so he could enjoy life a little more.” Jakes gaze went back to Roy. “I see you’ve got a start on that already. So you gonna introduce us?” Jake nodded toward the bar.

  “Nope. First date. I don’t want to scare him away.” Roy waved a hand in front of him.

  “Maybe next time then. Have a good one, Roy. See you at the gym tomorrow.” They shook hands, and Jake said, “Ride ‘em cowboy.”

  Everyone laughed, except Jonathan and Roxi. There were in a dead stare with one another until Kristy spoke. “Jonathan? Can you give Rox a ride home?”

  Linda, as if coming out of a daze, stepped back suddenly, pulling away from the arm Jonathan had around her waist. “I can get a taxi.”

  Roxi shook her head. “No, that’s not necessary, I can get a taxi.”

  “But you live much farther away than I do. It’ll cost you. Besides, it’s late. How about you stay with us?” Linda asked, as she looked at Jonathan. “I have a spare room you can stay in, and when we all wake up tomorrow, Jonathan can give you a ride home.”

  Jonathan turned to Linda and stared at her like he didn’t know her. How the hell could she invite Roxi to her home? He wanted to yell, “No!” but all he could do was go along with it. He didn’t want to look like an ass in front of everyone. “Sure thing. Get your things and let’s get out of here. I’m beat.”

  “I don’t have anything. Just me.”

  “You don’t have your bag?” Jonathan felt his forehead crease in surprise. She had a huge purse that she’d bring everywhere. He used to argue with her all the time that she never used anything in it, and that she should leave it at home instead of lugging it around.

  “No.” She averted her gaze. “Liam won’t allow it.” Jonathan laughed out loud. He knew how much she liked to be in control. That’s all it was, a control issue with them. They both knew she didn’t need that stupid bag, and he had put her over his knee a time or two about it.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The three of them walked out of the club and headed to the parking lot. Jonathan pulled a key fob out of his pocket and chirped the alarm of his Corvette Stingray.

  “Oh. My. God. Jonathan.” Roxi practically screamed. “You got it! You actually convinced them?”

  “It’s all about who you know.” He sounded cocky.

  “And how much money you have!” Roxi added.

  “Well, yeah, that too.” He shrugged.

  Jonathan and Roxi stared at the silver car under the streetlights, and Linda stared at them. Judging by the wrinkle in her brow, she was a little confused, so he explained. “This car hasn’t actually been released to the public yet.”

  “Oh, Jonathan, she’s gorgeous.” Roxi ran her fingertips along the side of the car walking around to the front. She leaned forward to take a look at the front of the vehicle. “What did you name her?”

  “I—I didn’t name her.” He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose.

  Roxi stood immediately. “What? Why not?”

  “You named all of my cars. I never did. Remember? I always thought it was stupid.” He didn’t really. He loved that she cared as much about his cars as he did. He’d almost named his new car, but without Roxi, it seemed wrong, so he didn’t.

  “Maybe so, but you went along with it, and you referred to them by name as I recall.” She laughed. It was a magical sound. One he missed hearing and it made his heart ache. Fuck! Would his heart ever stop hurting when it came to her?

  “Roxi.” Linda chimed in. “If you were to name this car, what would you call her?”

  Jonathan chuckled and pulled Linda to him. “Don’t encourage her.”

  “Hmmm.” Roxi thought about it with a finger to her chin. “I think something like Silvey, or Silvia for the silver color.”

  “See? You had to get her going. This could take all night.”

  Linda just laughed. They watched as Roxi continued her walk to the back, feeling her way around the car with a palm. “Argentina! That’s the land of silver. We could call her Tina for short.” After spending time looking at the rear of the car she joined them by the driver’s side.

  “How does she know that?” Linda asked, amused.

  “She just does.” Jonathan answered softly. “She’s always learning new things; she worked in some sort of creative research department once, and learned a ton of odd things there.”

  “God she’s gorgeous, Jonathan.” Roxi couldn’t keep her eyes off the car. “Just one problem though.”

  “What’s that?” he asked.

  “Only two seats, there’s three of us.”

  He looked back and forth between the two women. “Shit,” he chuckled. “My first two-seater, I’m not used to that yet.”

  Linda pulled her phone out and held it up. Jonathan tilted his head and watched her curiously as she grinned at the touch screen.

  “I thought ahead, the boys are coming to get me. Go ahead take Roxi home. I’ll see you soon. I have to work the next few days and I’ll call when I finish my schedule of flights for the week.”

  “You sure?” He stepped close to her and ran his hands down the length of her arms.

  “Yes, it’s a done deal.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him in for a sweet kiss, and whispered, “Why don’t you try to make things work with Roxi. Everyone deserves a second chance.”

  He stepped back in shock and looked her in the eyes. “She’s had a couple of second chances already.” He sighed, and pulled her toward Roxi. “Let’s all go inside and wait for Billy and Damien. I don’t want to le
ave until I know you’re safe with the guys.”

  Inside the three of them sat at the table closest to the door in an uncomfortable silence. Linda excused herself after a moment and went to the bar. Jonathan watched as Spike handed her a paper and what looked like a pen. She scribbled something, looked up thoughtfully and wrote some more. After giving Spike back his pen, they exchanged a few words, both smiled, and then she headed back to her seat.

  “What was that all about?” Jonathan stuck his chin out toward the bar.

  “Nothing. I just needed to write something down.” She smiled at him and leaned forward stuffing the folded paper in her back pocket.

  Five minutes later the guys texted Linda that they were out front, and everyone said their goodbyes for the night. Linda’s goodbye lasted longer than he would’ve expected. She held on to him tightly and her kiss lingered.

  Jonathan and Roxi headed to his car. He stopped before he opened her door and shook his head, laughing. “Two seats,” he mused out loud.

  Once settled in, neither of them spoke. He thought about putting the radio on but opted for silence. His mind was too full. How could Linda think Roxi needed another chance? He couldn’t give her another one, could he? Hell no, he liked Linda, and Roxi had her day, but there was always that tug on his heart when he thought of them being back together.

  Debating again whether or not to put on some music, he decided against it, any other noises would put him over the edge of angst. He just wanted to be home with his feet up, or maybe a soak in the hot tub.

  On the highway, his exit was next, and the exit to Roxi’s place was still another few down the road. So close but so far away, he thought. It would be another hour or so before he would be home to relax.

  “Jonathan, why don’t we go to your house? I can take a cab from there. You look tired.” He could sense her gaze on him.

  “No it’s all right. I’m fine.” He gripped the steering wheel tightly.

  “You sure?” She patted his thigh. “There’s another option—I could stay in the guest room and head home in the morning.”