A Shot in the Dark

by Christine d'Abo

  “What’s wrong with Sade?” Ian’s eyes grew impossibly wide. “Paul hasn’t fucked up already, has he?”

  “That would be me holding the honor.”

  “Oh.” Ian set his towel down and moved beside her. “Dare I ask?”

  Paige knew things were bad when Ian was playing the peacemaker. “I might have implied that she was trying to meddle in my personal life.”

  “Christ, Paige.”

  “I know! I’m a bitch.”

  “What brought that on?”

  Without saying anything else, she hauled the business card out of her pocket and handed it over.

  “Who’s Carter West?”

  “Someone who came into the store last night.”

  “Firefighter. Sexy.”

  “He came back this morning and gave me his card. He wants to go for coffee.”

  “What’s wrong with—?”

  “At Mavericks.”

  “Oh.” Ian said it in such a way that it sounded like he fully understood Paige’s reservations and general bitchiness.

  “She was only teasing me and I overreacted.”

  “Because you’ve never done that before.”

  Paige punched his shoulder. “Not helping.”

  “Sorry.” He held the card up again, examining the text as if it held the mysteries of life. “Are you going?”

  The mental image of Carter fully dressed in his leather, shirt off and a leather paddle in his hand made her stomach flip. “I don’t know.”

  “It’s only Mavericks. If you’re worried about the guy being a creep, talk to Josh. He’ll keep an eye open for you.”

  “Actually, Carter said he knew Josh.”

  “There you go.” He held out the card and Paige took it back, not wanting to put it back in her pocket. “You know how strict he is about members. If the guy was a douche he wouldn’t be allowed within ten miles of the place.”

  Arguments and roadblocks popped into her mind, none of which had anything to do with Carter himself. He’d given her no reason to doubt his intentions that the offer would be anything beyond coffee…at a sex club.

  Ian stood in front of her and held her shoulders. “You’re always running around worrying about me and Sade, but I think you need to start with yourself. You haven’t been out with anyone since Rick, right?”

  Paige shuddered at the sound of Rick’s name, but thankfully Ian didn’t notice. “No, I haven’t.”

  “Then do this. Go for drinks. See where it leads. You never know, it might turn out to be awesome.”

  It was as though Paige saw Ian for the first time. He’d long lost his baby face, fine lines starting to appear around his eyes and mouth. In a few years they would be more prominent, and he’d start to look like their dad even more than he did now. Not that she’d ever make the comparison within earshot of Ian.

  “When did you grow up to be so smart?” She leaned in and kissed his cheek.

  “About ten minutes ago.” Ian pulled her in for a hug, squeezing her tight before pushing her away. “Now go call him. I can cover the front.”

  “Should I suck up to Sade now or later?”

  Another loud bang from the kitchen gave her all the answer she needed. Ian rolled his eyes and jerked his head in the direction of the back. “I’ll talk to her in a few minutes. Why don’t you use my cell for now?”

  The nerves Paige had expected to feel didn’t show up as she finally made up her mind to act on her desires. “Thanks. I’ll sneak around to the alley and suck up after.”

  Outside it was warm despite the strong breeze. The air was refreshing after the heat of the shop and the saturated coffee-scented air. Paige slipped into the alley between the buildings and pressed her back to the wall. She was close enough to the street to still feel the buzz of energy around her, but far enough away that anyone coming by wouldn’t be able to hear her.

  With Ian’s phone in one hand and Carter’s card in the other, Paige found herself at the moment when she knew her life would change one way or the other. Even if Carter turned out to be a jerk and she never went near him again, it would start her back on the path to a social life.

  That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

  Paige flipped the phone side-over-side, trying to will her body to cooperate with what her head knew she wanted. She would be fine. History wouldn’t necessarily repeat itself because she was putting herself out there once more.

  Right?

  Taking a deep breath, she punched in the phone number and waited for an answer. The sound of Carter’s recorded bass over his voice mail relaxed her enough so she could speak.

  “Ten p.m. Friday at Mavericks.”

  She ended the call and prayed she hadn’t made a mistake.

  Chapter Three

  The music was as loud as Paige remembered and no less annoying. She sat at the table closest to the bar and did her best not to watch the Domme going to work on the male sub strapped to the St. Andrew’s Cross. The moans that undercut the music practically screamed out to Paige, making her skin tingle with every crack of the riding crop against his ass.

  It had been far too long for her.

  The damp glass in her hand was slowly growing warm. The rye and ginger burned down her throat, her current buzz more the result of her nerves than the alcohol. Carter’s return message had been nearly as brief as her own. He had to do something special at the station, needed at least an hour to go home and change before he would meet her at Mavericks.

  “Make sure you wear something nice. And don’t put any panties on,” he’d said off-handedly before hanging up.

  It would have been easy to dismiss his comment as a smart-assed remark, something he threw out there to try and ease the tension. Paige knew better. Because if there was one thing she’d learned early on, it was that Doms didn’t say anything they didn’t mean.

  It was a test, one Paige had to think long and hard about while she was getting dressed.

  The table, while giving her an excellent view of the cross, was also in a direct eye-line with the main entry. Refusing to check her watch, she kept her gaze down and did her best to ignore the men and women who approached her. Only when Josh slid into the seat next to her did Paige acknowledge him.

  Josh pushed her unbound hair off her shoulder, the strands kissing the middle of her bare back. “I didn’t think I’d see you in here again.”

  She snorted, ignoring the way he cocked his eyebrow. “It hasn’t been that long.”

  “Three years.”

  “I’ve been…” She couldn’t find the right word. Shrugging, she took a sip of her drink. “Preoccupied.”

  “I’m glad you made the time.” Josh trailed his fingers down her shoulder and along the line of her biceps. “Who are you meeting?”

  “What makes you think I’m meeting anyone? Maybe I decided I wanted to have a night out on the town.”

  Josh chuckled. “I’ve known you too long to believe that. Plus Paul might have mentioned that Sadie said something about you meeting someone here tonight and hoping you’d get laid so you wouldn’t implode.”

  Paige did her best to relax her clenched jaw. “I’m going to kill her.”

  “She didn’t mean anything by it. I think it was her way of asking if I’d come check up to make sure everything is okay.” He stood and righted his black silk dress shirt. “But I can see you’re fine.”

  The music quieted as the DJ switched beats, letting the unrestrained cries of the sub on the cross fill the space between. Paige’s gaze was drawn to where he was spread out and helpless, exposed for the entire club to see. The Domme twisted the nipple clamps, wrenching another cry from him.

  Josh started to walk away when Paige grabbed his hand. “Do you know Carter West?”

  A sly smile crossed his face. “Yes, been coming here for a couple of years now.”

  “Is he…” She licked her lips. “Do you trust him?”

  “Yes.” Josh didn’t miss a beat. “He’s one of the best Doms I’ve see
n in here. Doesn’t mind-trip on anyone, and the women he does play with always leave satisfied.”

  That was something at least. “Thanks.”

  Josh squatted in front of her and placed a hand on each of her knees. “If I had any suspicions of a potential problem, I would say something. If you’ve caught Carter’s eye, then I know you’ll be fine. He’ll treat you right.”

  “If he ever shows up.” Paige hated feeling like an insecure twelve-year-old. Hell, she hadn’t felt like this even when she was twelve. “He’s twenty minutes late.”

  All Paige could picture was Carter sitting at the coffee shop having a drink with his friends while she sat here alone like a dumbass. It would be a shitty way to start her return to social circles.

  “He could have had a late call. I assume he was working today.”

  “Yeah, he said they asked him to come in for a special event. I didn’t think about there being a fire.”

  “I can check if you want?” Josh took Paige’s hand and pressed a kiss to her wrist.

  Heat spiraled its way through her body. She had to be hard up if a chaste kiss from a friend could get her worked up. “I’ll give him a bit longer.”

  “Okay. Come find me if there’s a problem.”

  Paige didn’t watch Josh disappear back into the crowd. Her eyes might have been fixed on the table, but she was aware of every person who walked inside. It was hard to relax her body, her mind refusing to go to that place she desperately wanted it to be. There had been a time before Rick when she’d needed more than a break. Wanted someplace where she could melt into the background and let every compounding concern dissipate.

  Closing her eyes, Paige took a shallow breath through her nose and let it out through her mouth. The music rose louder, surrounding her as she breathed in and out. She ignored the sounds, the moans and laughter—the only thing that was a concern was how big a breath she could manage. In and out.

  Time began to melt away as she waited, breathing. The knots in her shoulders and neck screamed out. Paige acknowledged the pain, relaxed into it, and let it go.

  In and out.

  “Now isn’t that an attractive image.”

  Paige opened her eyes slowly to see Carter standing over her, his hands clasped behind his back.

  “Attractive?” She squeezed her hands together.

  It was odd how everything slotted into place, Paige sitting here waiting for Carter and the way his gaze took in everything about her the moment he arrived. There was none of the agitation she’d experienced with Rick, the shame and embarrassment at being turned on for wanting a spanking. She knew what she needed now, what she craved from a man.

  Carter lacked the edge that was apparent in Rick. She had no misgivings that he would be easy on her, but she didn’t think he’d be cruel. Paige didn’t have an urge to be abused, simply controlled.

  Her tongue darted out and wet her lips. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to come.”

  “We had a school visit that ran a bit long. We were late starting because of a call. Hard to show them the truck when it’s not there.” He pulled out the chair Josh had vacated earlier, spun it around and straddled the seat. The sleeves pulled up, revealing his firm forearms, and Paige wanted to push the material up higher. “Can I get you anything?”

  She held up her still mostly full glass. “I’m fine. Thanks.”

  One of the waitresses came by and tried to flirt with Carter. He smiled but barely acknowledged her beyond a simple, “Water, please.”

  Paige waited until the woman was gone before meeting his gaze. “It’s been a while since I’ve done this.”

  “Had a drink? You need to get out more.”

  She didn’t want to smile but couldn’t help it. “No, do a scene.”

  “I got that impression. I also suspect you haven’t taken a lot of time for yourself recently.”

  It wasn’t much of a stretch as far as assumptions went, but Paige found herself stiffening. “I don’t have time for luxuries these days. Our business is in a critical stage and I need to make sure I’m there doing what I can.”

  Carter shifted forward until his hands hung in the space over the table. They were large hands, with long thick fingers that would cover half her face if he cupped her cheek. “Taking time for yourself isn’t a luxury. What will your business do if you’ve burned out and refuse to get out of bed one morning?”

  “I would never—”

  He held up his hand and Paige snapped her mouth shut without thinking. “You’re wound so tight, I’m surprised you haven’t exploded yet. Relax.”

  The muscles in the small of her back protested as Paige tensed. Her stomach churned, and the tightness in her chest returned once more. She knew he was right, knew if she didn’t do something soon everything she’d worked to rebuild would fall apart. “I can’t.” Somehow her whisper reached him over the noise in the room.

  “Yes, you can.”

  “I can’t.” The tightness in her chest crept upward to strangle her throat. “I’ve tried hard to be what everyone needs. It’s like my head spins and spins and I can’t figure out a way to slow things down so I can breathe.”

  There were tears in her eyes, yet she couldn’t make herself care enough about what Carter would think of her to stop. He was right—the world had been pressing down on her for ages and she needed it to stop.

  Carter continued to stare at her for a few minutes. The silence between them should have been awkward, seeing as she hardly knew him. But it wasn’t. Rising to his feet in a single, fluid motion, he held out his hand for her to take.

  “I think you know exactly what it will take to make things better. I’m not sure what happened to stop you from getting what you need, but I’m offering to help.”

  Paige bit the inside of her cheek and stared hard at his hand. Josh trusted this man. She was attracted to him, which was a bonus. Things didn’t have to be about sex and if she said no, she got the impression Carter wouldn’t push things.

  Safe, sane and consensual.

  A relief.

  Paige put her hand in his. “I have rules.”

  “I would imagine you do. Let’s go somewhere to discuss them.”

  She gave his hand a squeeze and tried not to think too much about what the hell she was about to do. The contact of skin on skin brought a rush of noise. She hadn’t even realized the absence until the sounds descended on her awareness again.

  People around them laughed, the sound punctuated by the continued slaps of leather on skin. Paige shivered, her body craving the thing that terrified her the most, needing to give in to it. Carter didn’t release her, keeping her hand close to his side as they threaded through the crowds to the metal staircase that led to the upstairs rooms. It had been years since she’d walked this path, each step one farther away from the woman she no longer wanted to be.

  When they’d reached the top, Paige caught sight of Josh waiting by the hall. He’d obviously been watching their ascent, waiting for their arrival. He nodded their way. “Carter, I assume you’d like one of the equipped rooms tonight?”

  “If that’s what Paige would like.”

  It was odd having a Dom ask her opinion, but since they hadn’t worked out any of the basics, she appreciated that he was taking things slow. Nodding, she stepped closer to Carter. “Thanks, Josh.”

  “I’m happy to help.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a black key and tossed it to Carter. “Third on the left. No two-way.”

  Thank God for that. The last thing she wanted tonight was to be the main attraction for a bunch of voyeurs. Her feet took a bit of convincing to move once Josh walked past them. She was going to do this? Voluntarily going into a room with a Dom, one she barely knew?

  Carter glanced her way and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Any time you change your mind, you say the word and we’re back to coffee.”

  This time the nod she gave him was a bit shakier. “Let’s go where it’s quiet.”

  Walking was mu
ch like breathing. Once step at a time. In and out. Her boots pinched her feet, and her ankles ached as she moved quickly to keep pace with Carter. People moved out of their way, but several cast curious looks in their direction. There was no one she recognized, even though many of the people she’d hung out and played with still came to Mavericks. As long as she kept her head down, she should be able to avoid drawing attention to herself.

  The key slid easily into the lock, giving way with a soft click. Carter held the door open for her and stayed where he was, giving Paige the freedom to explore. Things weren’t too different from how she remembered.

  On a table along the side wall was a long, low chest. Paige walked the length of it, touching the various instruments laid out for inspection. A paddle, riding crop, soft leather cuffs and lengths of nylon rope, all there waiting to be used. The polished silver knobs on a series of drawers shone out from the black wood. Paige let her hand drop to the closest one, circling the cool metal with her fingertip.

  She cast a quick glance over to Carter, who remained still by the door. Taking a breath, she pulled the drawer open. The dull shine of the red butt plug seemed ethereal against the black cloth. It wasn’t too intimidating in size, though it had been a while since she’d used one. Closing the drawer, she went to the next and found a glass dildo. The blue and green cascading swirls could have belonged in an art show, not trapped in something that would hide them from sight.

  “See something you like?”

  Paige jumped when she realized Carter had shut the door and finally joined her in the room. “Yes.”

  “Show me.”

  She held it up without hesitation, her body relaxing as she let the power of his command wash over her. Carter walked over, reached out and held her wrist. It would have been easy enough to pull away from his grip, but surprisingly she didn’t even have the urge. Instead, she found herself watching as he pulled her hand in to better examine the dildo.

  “This could be fun.” He fingered the smooth surface. “I approve.”

  The air in her lungs grew heavy and it was suddenly hard to swallow. “Rules.”