by Opal Carew
“I know what you mean. I thought that at first, too.” Tempest placed her hand on Liv’s. They may be big and rough looking, but believe me, there’s nothing to be worried about.”
“Yeah, Liv.” Raven smiled. “They only bite if invited.”
“Rave, you’re just going to scare her,” Tempest admonished.
The two women really got along well together. Liv could see that, and wished that she could be a part of their circle. But she would be here for only a month, so it would be better if she kept her distance. No point making connections she would only lose in the end. That would just make it harder when she left.
She glanced toward the pool and noticed Magic walking toward them. His gaze dipped to her breasts. The attention made her feel desirable, but also left her nervous, as it always did when men eyed her.
He smiled at her and poured himself a drink from the frosty pitcher. She noticed the tattoo on his wrist as he lifted his glass. It was a band of thorns that were inked to look as though they pierced his skin, with blood dripping from the punctures. A thorny vine spiraled up his arm, leaving droplets of blood along the way, and words were written in script inside the vine. Her gaze followed it over his shoulder, then down his chest and … oh, my … she realized that the tattoo on his chest depicted the thorns pulling back his skin, exposing his heart beneath. Although it was just an artistic design on his skin, it looked disturbingly real.
Magic turned toward the pool at the sound of someone diving in, and she read the words on his arm. My secrets are my own.
Wow, there had to be a lot of meaning there.
She glanced around at the other men and the tattoos on their naked chests and arms, but she couldn’t make them out from here.
Shock had gotten out of the pool and walked toward her, then downed his margarita.
“Babe, I’ve got some stuff to do. Stay out here and socialize. I’ll be back soon.” Then he disappeared through the French doors into the house.
She stared after him, every part of her wanting to slip inside as well. The contract had only stated that she had to follow his commands in the bedroom, but he wanted her to stay here, so she would.
It turned out to be a pleasant afternoon. The others joked and chatted, and they made an effort to draw her into their small talk, and she made an effort to be sociable but was a little inept. After working long hours and taking care of her sister and grandma, she found that she had lost the knack for socializing.
Liv watched as the men casually touched or stroked Tempest and Raven. Mostly it was their own partners—Steele with Tempest and Rip with Raven—but sometimes the other men would pat an arm or brush against a long, feminine leg.
Not with Liv, though. They didn’t approach her or do anything to intimidate her in any way. In fact, she almost felt as if Steele, whom she knew was the leader, was keeping a watchful eye over her.
Finally, Shock returned and sat down beside her. She was relieved. As nice as everyone was, she was finding the effort to interact with them all tiring. Maybe now she could make her escape.
“Having a good time?” he asked.
She nodded. “But I’ve been out in the sun for quite a while, so I should probably go inside.”
* * *
Shock sipped the beer he’d carried out with him. He was pleased that Liv was still outside. He had fully expected that telling her to stay outside would cause her to defiantly go into the house as soon as he left. Ordinarily, she’d defy him to his face, but with all these people she didn’t know, she would have waited. But instead she’d stayed outside and when he’d glanced out periodically while he’d been on the phone, he’d gotten the impression that she’d made a real effort to be sociable.
“That’s probably a good idea.” He smiled. “I wouldn’t want you to get a sunburn.”
Her gaze locked on his, then jerked away. He was sure she was thinking, just as he was, about what would happen tonight between them. He was disappointed that she seemed to be back to her skittish self, though. Had her desire to be with him been a short-lived thing, only based on the brief sexual excitement that had blossomed between them this morning?
Hopefully, what he had planned tonight would reignite their passion.
She stood up and said goodbye to the others, then walked to the house. He followed quickly, before his arousal at the thought of tonight became too physically obvious.
“You don’t have to come in with me,” she said at the door.
“I want to.”
She glanced up at him as if she expected he would follow her to the room, then ravage her as soon as the door closed. Which was exactly what he would like to do. But wouldn’t.
He followed her up the stairs, his cock swelling more at the sight of her sexy, swaying ass. Once he followed her into the room and closed the door, he couldn’t help but pull her into his arms and kiss her. She didn’t push him away, and her breathing accelerated, but she was stiff in his arms.
He glided his tongue into her as he pulled her tighter to him, and she relaxed into his embrace, melting against him.
She gazed at him with wide blue eyes. He could tell she expected that it was going to happen right now. That he was about to take her in her first real sexual encounter with a man. One in which she had a say, that is. Not that she seemed to think she did.
He grasped her shoulders. “Liv, we’re not doing anything now. This evening I’m going to take you out for a nice dinner, and—”
“You don’t have to buy me dinner. I’m a sure thing, remember?”
He laughed, then gave her a peck on the cheek. “Okay, well, let’s just say that I want to make sure you have a good dinner so you can keep up your strength.”
* * *
Liv watched as Shock lay down on the bed and started to read a book.
Finally, she grabbed her tablet from her purse and sat in the chair by the window, pulled up a book of her own, and started to read. After about an hour the doorbell rang. Shock got up from the bed and headed to the door, but as soon as he opened it, Wild Card, still in his bathing suit, appeared with a large, flat box in his hand.
“This just came for you,” he said, handing the box to Shock.
“Thanks.”
Shock closed the door and put the box on the bed. He pulled a pocketknife from his pocket and cut the string tied around the box, then lifted off the lid.
“These things are for you to wear tonight. Why don’t you go in the bathroom and get ready? I’ll meet you downstairs when you’re done.”
She walked to the bed and lifted a silky black dress from the box. “I take it we’re going out for a fancy dinner.”
He smiled. “I told you, I just want to make sure you’re well fed to keep up your strength.”
She picked up the box and carried it into the en suite bathroom, which had a dressing area with a bench and mirrors. She set the box on the marble counter in front of the mirrors and pulled out the items. There was the dress, which was long and slinky, and very low-cut. Then there were some black, lacy items with narrow red ribbon trim. She lifted the bra, which was strapless, and the cups were only half the normal size. The panties were tiny, the back just a narrow string topped with a triangle of lace. Her cheeks flushed at the thought of how much of her would be left exposed in that underwear.
There was also a matching garter belt and black stockings. Then she found a pair of multicolored sequined shoes with stiletto heels and red soles.
She put on some makeup and brushed her shoulder-length honey-blonde hair, wondering if she should put it up, but all she had with her were elastics, and a ponytail wasn’t really the look she’d choose for an elegant evening.
She stripped down and put on the underwear. Oh, God, the bra didn’t even cover her nipples. Unwilling to look at herself in the mirror yet, she sat down and drew on the silky stockings. She’d never worn a garter belt before, so she struggled a bit getting the stockings attached, but finally stood up and glanced at her reflection.
&n
bsp; Her cheeks flushed at the sight of the ultra-sexy woman in the mirror.
That could not be her.
She stepped into the shoes and her body transformed again, her ass and breasts appearing more pronounced. And even sexier.
Good heavens, Shock was going to see her like this.
She turned and grabbed the dress, needing to cover herself. She slipped it over her head and felt the silky fabric glide over her body and fall into place, then turned to the mirror again.
She could hardly believe it. She had covered her nakedness, but not changed the level of sexiness one whit. The long, slinky dress hugged every curve, making her feel essentially naked.
How could she walk out of this room and down the stairs in front of everyone? And then into a restaurant full of people?
But she had to. This was what Shock wanted her to do, so she would do it.
She opened the door of the bathroom, wondering if Shock was still in the bedroom, but he wasn’t. He’d said to meet him downstairs, so she drew back her shoulders and stepped out of the room, then walked down the stairs with her head held high.
She heard a whistle as she approached the bottom of the staircase and glanced around. Steele stood in the foyer watching her. But there was no sign of Shock.
“You look stunning,” he said.
“Thank you.” Despite her best efforts, her shoulders sagged.
A moment later there was a knock at the door. Steele opened it, then turned to her.
“It’s for you, Liv.”
“Me?”
She walked to the door, and her breath caught as she saw Shock standing there, excruciatingly handsome in an expensive-looking suit, his hair combed neatly into place.
“Good evening, Liv.” He held out his elbow. “I’m here to pick you up for our date.”
Dazed, she put her hand on his elbow, wondering how she would get onto the bike in this dress without hiking it up to her thighs.
But sitting in the driveway was a shiny black limousine.
She was going to protest at the lavish treatment, but she realized that was ridiculous. For the two of them to ride the motorcycle in these clothes would be crazy.
The chauffeur opened the door for them and Shock took her hand and helped her into the car, then slid in beside her. The supple leather seats were large and comfortable. As soon as the car started moving, Shock opened a compartment, revealing a bottle of champagne on ice inside, and popped the cork, then poured the bubbly liquid into two flutes. He handed her one and she sipped it.
Typically, she’d never cared for champagne—she’d drink it to be social when celebrating something—but this was not like any she’d ever had before. It was like ambrosia.
Suddenly she realized she’d finished the glass and Shock was filling it again.
“You know, I already told you. You don’t need to get me drunk.” She sipped the wine again and giggled as the bubbles tickled her nose. “I’m a sure thing.”
“I’m not intending to get you drunk, and if you think that’s going to happen, I’ll take it from you right now.”
But when he playfully reached for her glass, Liv held it away.
“No, no. I like it.”
He leaned in close to nuzzle her ear. “I haven’t told you yet how incredibly sexy you look in that dress.”
She took another sip of champagne and giggled again. “Yeah? You should see me out of it.”
He smiled. “I am looking forward to that.”
She tried to take another sip, but the glass was empty again. She grabbed the bottle and filled it herself, then leaned close to him. “Did you know that the bra is only half there?” She giggled. “My nipples are totally exposed.”
She glanced down at herself and realized her nipples were hard and poking out, the outlines clearly visible through the fabric.
“Oh, my.”
She took another sip from her flute.
“Here, Liv, why don’t you give me that?” Shock slipped the glass from her fingers and put it back in the wet bar.
“And the panties are less than useless in covering anything. I might as well be naked under this dress.”
“Liv, you’re painting a mental image I’m having trouble ignoring.”
She glanced at his pants and saw the huge bulge straining against the fine wool fabric.
“Oh, it’s so hard. Does it hurt when that happens?” She rested her hand on his erection and stroked it.
He grabbed her hand and held it, stopping her from touching him. “Only when you do that.”
She was confused. “I’m hurting you?”
“No, baby, I just mean you make it get bigger, and that makes it hurt when it’s confined.”
“We just need to let it out,” she said as she sank to the floor and unzipped his fly, then pushed her hand inside. The feel of his hot, hard flesh in her fingers sent heat searing through her. But as she leaned down to take him in her mouth, he lifted her back onto the seat.
“Liv, just slow down, sweetie. We’ve got all night. I don’t want to rush anything.”
He disengaged her hand and tucked himself away, zipping up his fly again.
“Oh, that’s so sweet.” She leaned close and nuzzled the base of his neck.
His arm came around her and he drew her close to his side. “We’re almost at the restaurant.”
A few minutes later the car stopped and the driver opened the door. Shock got out and helped Liv out of the car, then led her to the entrance. They took a glass elevator up the tall building, then were led by the maître d’ to a table with a stunning view of the several small lakes surrounded by trees below. On the other side of the restaurant, the view was of the skyline of the small city. She wasn’t sure the name of it, but remembered driving through it on the way to Shock’s country house.
Shock pulled out the chair for her and once she’d sat down in the comfy seat, he pushed it in for her. The restaurant was elegant, with white linen tablecloths and tall, tapered candles on each table. The waiter poured them glasses of ice water as Shock sat down across from her.
“It’s a very nice restaurant,” she said.
Her head was spinning a little, but the waiter brought bread and Shock cut a bun from the basket and buttered it, then set it on her side plate.
Shock ordered for both of them—she didn’t really pay attention to what, but when the waiter set a bowl of lobster bisque in front of her, she glanced at Shock.
“I love lobster bisque.” She’d only had it once, since it wasn’t the kind of thing she could usually afford, but she had never forgotten it.
He smiled. “I know.”
She didn’t ask him how he knew. Maybe she had told him when they’d known each other in college, but she couldn’t believe he’d remember.
“Shock, you were my friend in college, but I know you wanted to be more. I’m really sorry about that.”
He raised an eyebrow at her bluntness and she realized the champagne was still affecting her.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up.”
He put down his soup spoon. “No. Since you have brought it up, I’m sorry, too.” He leaned forward. “Liv, I never understood it. I was so attracted to you, and I was sure you felt it, too.”
She stared down at her soup and took another spoonful. Then she nodded. “I was …” She glanced up at him. “I am.”
“Then why?” His gaze bored through her. “Why did you turn me down when I asked you out? And why did you drift away from me right after. If I hadn’t insisted, you would have let our friendship die completely.”
She frowned. “I’m sorry. I really am. But …” She sucked in a deep breath, not sure she could continue this. Especially not here in this public place.
“But what, Liv? That really did a number on me. I want to know.”
* * *
Shock watched her. He hadn’t intended to push her on this tonight, but she’d brought it up. He knew he was taking advantage a little, but with the champa
gne making her more open, maybe he’d finally get the answer he’d needed for so many years.
“It was just …” She hesitated, then took a sip of water. She gazed at him and the pain in her eyes disturbed him. “It was around the time…”
Fuck, tears were welling in her eyes.
Goddamn it.
“Liv, did the thing that happened to you …” He clenched his fists. “ Is that when it happened?”
She nodded, wiping a tear from her eyes.
He felt totally helpless. He wanted to protect her, but there was nothing he could do about something that had happened to her in the past.
Except help her move forward.
“God, Liv, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get you upset.”
She shook her head, wiping another tear away.
He handed her his napkin. “Here, use this.”
She looked at it hesitantly. “I don’t want to ruin it.”
“It’s just a piece of cloth. It’ll wash.”
She dabbed at her eyes, clearly trying not to leave streaks of black mascara on the pristine white linen.
“Do you want to leave?” he asked.
“No,” she said quickly. “This is so lovely. I don’t want to ruin it. It’s so nice that…” She smiled tremulously. “That you wanted to make tonight special.”
He took her hand and cradled it between his own. It felt so soft and delicate, so fragile.
“Of course.” He kissed the back of her hand.
The waiter approached and poured them more water. She withdrew her hand and continued eating her soup.
They hardly talked for the rest of dinner, simply enjoyed the fine cuisine and the wine, which Shock ordered by the glass so it didn’t get ahead of her.
Finally, they finished their meal and enjoyed the live background music over coffee.
“Shall we go?” Shock asked.
Liv nodded and stood up, then rested her hand on the arm he offered and walked with him to the elevator. Every man in the room watched the sexy swaying of her body as they strolled through the room.
The dress really did look spectacular on her, and he’d been trying to ignore the outlines of her nipples through the cloth ever since she’d made him so pointedly aware of them in the limo. He’d had trouble succeeding, his cock rising and falling like a tide. When the conversation had turned serious, he’d forgotten for a while, focused on her pain, but sitting across from her, it didn’t take long into dinner for his gaze to wander to those little buds again.