A Little Harmless Obsession

by Melissa Schroeder

  The threat behind the words was clear—not to mention real. Evan vibrated with unleashed violence, something Micah hadn’t seen in a good long while. At least not since they were both living on the streets of Atlanta. He knew from experience that fucking with Evan Chambers could really be painful.

  “Take it easy. She wants this.”

  With a snort of disgust, Evan whirled away and started pacing again. “What the hell does she know? She’s barely older than a high school senior.”

  Micah wanted to laugh, but he was pretty sure Evan would likely punch him. The bastard had a mean right hook. “I read her application, did the background check on her. She’s twenty-five, and amazingly, not a virgin.”

  The look Evan shot him told Micah he would gladly strangle him for that last bit of info.

  “I think you have some kind of notion of who she is and it’s not even close to the mark.”

  Evan opened his mouth, but Micah held up his hand to forestall his argument.

  “She’s done her research. Shit, from what Chris says she has a photographic mind and can recite some passages word for word. I get the impression that she’s been searching for this for awhile. It might not be what she wants in the end, but she doesn’t strike me as an impulsive woman.”

  With an irritated sigh, Evan dropped into the chair in front of his desk, running his hands down the front of his jeans. Instead of looking at Micah, his attention was glued to the monitor in the room where they prepared May.

  “No, she’s not. That’s why this makes no sense. I’d peg her as a control freak. She’s run her family since she was twelve. Hell, Chris made her manager when she was barely old enough to drink. And now, the place would fall apart without her if she were gone.”

  Micah studied him and realized that this was deeper than attraction. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but in the twenty years they’d known each other, Micah hadn’t seen Evan pay attention to a woman longer than a month, tops. And none of them had seemed to twist him inside out.

  “Evan.” He waited for his friend to look at him before speaking again. “You know the person we show the world is not always who we need to be in the bedroom.”

  He nodded once. “I know. But, she’s—”

  “She’s a woman, just like the hundreds of women who are out there tonight. An adult who has decided she might want to try something new and exciting. If you’re having second thoughts, just let me know. Teaching her a little submissiveness will be a pleasure, I assure you. I do love a sub with spunk.”

  Evan snarled at him and popped out of the chair. Before Micah could react, Evan had him by the collar of his shirt. He brought his face close to Micah’s. Murder darkened his eyes. The last time Micah had seen that particular look, they’d both ended up with broken bones. “Don’t fuck with me, Micah. I know where all your skeletons are buried.”

  Evan tossed him back in the chair and left without another word, slamming the door on his way out. Micah smiled, even if it did hurt. He hadn’t been lying about his interest in the woman. The moment he saw her through the dim light of the club, he’d been half-aroused. He hated subs who relinquished to a Dom easily.

  Turning his attention to May, he watched as the blindfold was slipped over her eyes. He recognized the mulish expression that passed over her face and chuckled. She wasn’t going to say no, but she didn’t like it.

  Evan was right about her personality. She was a dominant on the outside, but from her application he knew she’d had problems in the bedroom. Men who were attracted to her would want her to take the lead, and she didn’t want that.

  Micah switched his focus to Evan as he made his way through the club. His determined trek through the throng of patrons reminded Micah of a soldier off to do battle.

  His door opened almost silently. Without looking, he knew it was Chris.

  “You were right.”

  “I know,” Chris said, with a fair amount of smugness.

  Micah slanted him a look. “I’m not sure it was the right thing to do. He’s very pissed right now.”

  “Evan will control it. He always does.”

  “Which is not a good thing. But this could break him.”

  Chris settled in the chair that Evan had just vacated. “It won’t, believe me. He can’t ever move on from his need to control every little thing in his life until he confronts all his problems. His mother’s memory taints every woman he looks at. Man needs to learn to trust.”

  “You’ve been spending too much time with your woman. You’re starting to sound like Dr. Phil.”

  Chris laughed. “You’re just jealous.”

  He nodded. “Of you because you have Cynthia, you’re damn right.” He looked at the monitor where May was shown again. “And who wouldn’t be jealous of having her.”

  Chris froze. “Don’t tell me you want her?”

  Micah shrugged. “You know I like the subs with a little spark.”

  “Micah.”

  Micah said nothing for a good long while. “Don’t worry, Mommy, I’d never step in unless asked. Just remember, if you’re wrong, if she’s not the one for him, he’s going to be even more fucked up.”

  “Is that possible?”

  He looked Chris in the eye feeling older than his thirty-five years, the weight of his own memories smothering him. “Believe me, it can be much worse.” He stood, shaking away his memories, his pain.

  Chris shook his head. “You’ve become a worrier. Let it go. I’m going to find something else to do while this goes on. I’m sure you don’t want to miss the show, but I definitely don’t want to even imagine it.”

  May released a sigh of pleasure as the sub’s hands worked the scented oil over her skin. She’d been tense since Bianca had slipped the blindfold over her eyes. The silence had unnerved her but not as much as not knowing who was removing her clothes. She was pretty sure they were women. Their hands were small and she smelled perfume, not cologne.

  Once she was naked, her arms had been pulled over her head. Cuffs made of soft, padded material were slipped over her hands and attached to what she assumed was the hook she had seen up on the ceiling. That done, at least two people were left, one in front and the other in back. They were slowly torturing her.

  She bit her lower lip to keep from moaning as someone’s hands slipped up and over the fullest part of her buttocks and traced a finger between her cheeks. She curled her toes against the cold platform of the dais.

  It was bad enough she still couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that Evan was going to be her Dom. She’d been prepared for Micah, for someone she didn’t know to handle her as if she were just another woman. Fear and anticipation beat in her heart as she thought about what was to come.

  The person in front of her paused before pouring more heated oil over her chest. Hands glided over the tops of her breasts, working the oil into her flesh. Fingers slipped between her breasts, then circled her nipples that were already unbearably sensitive.

  She had never thought to have a woman’s hands on her this way. May knew she wasn’t attracted to them, but they did know just how to touch her. Soft hands glided over her skin and without the being able to see, she allowed herself to just feel.

  She couldn’t stop the moan as the woman in front skimmed her hand down May’s stomach. Every nerve throbbed, her pussy clenching in reaction. Her whole body urged the unknown woman’s hand down to her sex to offer relief. Knowing the rules, she said nothing, but she wanted to yell at them. She needed just a little stroke, one little touch and she would come.

  As soon as the woman’s hand reached her abdomen, the door slid open. Turning her head toward the sound, she sensed a difference in the room’s atmosphere. Both subs dropped their hands from her, making her want to scream in frustration.

  “Very good work, ladies. I do like it when my sub is wet and waiting.” Evan’s deep, southern voice caused her heart to slip down to her stomach. “Continue on.”

  It had been weeks that she’d been planni
ng this, or something like it. Having Evan act as Dom added another level of fear and excitement to the whole process. Both women continued to stroke, massage, entice as Evan moved about the room. She heard a drawer open and shuffling followed. Soon, silence filled the room. Without sight she couldn’t even sense what was going on now.

  “Ladies, I think I can handle this by myself.” When he spoke, she realized he hadn’t moved far from the door.

  She could sense they weren’t happy with their dismissal, but they went as ordered. He murmured something to them she couldn’t hear, but the door soon closed behind them with an audible click.

  Evan approached her almost silently. He said nothing, but as he drew closer, she scented his musky cologne. Stepping up on the dais, he circled then stopped behind her. She could feel the heat of his body warming her back. His breath feathered across her shoulder and she couldn’t fight the shiver. She started when he ran his finger across her stomach. A rush of tingles followed the path his fingers took. The teasing touch was just enough to drive her insane.

  “Are you ready to submit?”

  Chapter Eight

  Evan drew in a deep breath and mentally counted backwards from ten. Just feeling her smooth bronze skin beneath his fingers was enough to make him come. The scent of coconut rose from her flesh. He licked his lips. He knew he had an audience, knew he had to keep it simple, but not since his first public session had he been this nervous. His palms were damp and his mouth was dry. His heart pumped, pushing blood so fast through his system he was amazed he could still stand up straight.

  From the moment he’d walked into the room he’d been in tune with her. It happened sometimes with subs. Some basic primal connection where he knew what she needed. It had never been this strong, and definitely not before the first submission. It usually took several sessions. The instant bond he’d felt for May shocked him, aroused him.

  It disturbed him enough just seeing her naked. He’d imagined her naked, what man wouldn’t. She had one of those curvy bodies that made most men itch to touch, to explore, but he’d never imagined he would get to see her in the flesh. Granted, she’d starred in some extremely arousing dreams over the past couple of years. But nothing, not even his most vivid fantasies had gotten close to the reality.

  The oil added a layer of sheen to her flesh, making it almost glow. Every loving inch of her was golden brown. Pretty, delectable dark brown nipples crowned her full, high breasts. When he saw her bare sex, he almost lost it. From the top of her head to the pretty pink toenails, she was his wet dream come to life.

  Evan shifted closer and smiled when he heard her hitched breathing. Good, she wasn’t so immune to him. He’d hoped she wasn’t because it might make this easier. At least for her. For him…well, it would be painful. The joy that came from touching her would be equal to the torture from never being able to quench his thirst for her. This was about her submission, her satisfaction, there would be no completion for him.

  He skimmed his hand up her torso and cupped the underside of her breast. His fingers itched to tease, pinch, but he knew it was too early. Stretching out the pleasure, building the anticipation—that made the submission so much more enjoyable for both of them.

  “Micah tells me you’ve been researching.” Even to his own ears his voice sounded like gravel. Lust and want had him by the balls. Thank God, she didn’t know. He hoped.

  “Yes.”

  He removed his hand in retribution. “I didn’t ask. You don’t talk unless given permission.”

  She said nothing, telling him that she understood. Oh, Evan was sure she longed to tear into him, but her willingness to go through with this was more important. It was that tenacity in her nature that had always drawn him to her.

  Wanting to reward her, he moved her hair aside and skimmed his hand down her delicate spine. A tattoo of a hibiscus decorated the small of her back, just above her full, rounded ass. He’d caught glimpses of it when she’d worn shorter shirts, but seeing it completely unobstructed was different. Evan yearned to linger, to trace his finger over the intricate design. The audience above made that impossible. He resented them, resented that the one time his dream would be within reach, he had to perform in front of them.

  He rested his hand on her hip before speaking again. “I know you’ve read the rules, but I want to go over them just in case. You do not speak unless I ask. You are under my control. All your thoughts, your actions, your pleasure, are for me to give. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  Her immediate compliance twisted his gut and sent a fresh jolt of electric lust careening through his blood. Reminding himself this was just one act, without the possibility of a follow-up, didn’t matter. His body reacted anyway. He’d probably have the imprint of his zipper on his cock for a week. “And do you have a safe word, something that will tell me I might have gone too far?”

  “Aloha.”

  He couldn’t fight the curving of his lips. May was thoroughly modern, but she loved her Hawaiian roots.

  With an extra squeeze to her hip, Evan moved toward the toy selection he’d laid out on the table. He picked up the paddle, running the soft padded leather over his free hand. It was one of his favorite toys because he knew from experience it heightened a sub’s pleasure with the minimum of pain. While he did participate in D/s, he didn’t get off on pain. He liked the mental complexities of it, and he liked to tease his sub. Sensations, not pain, were more important to him. Although it varied from sub to sub.

  As he approached her, Evan’s heart skipped. He didn’t think he would ever get the image of her out of his head. It would be stamped so deep in his psyche, he would probably dream about it for the rest of his life.

  With a deep breath, he continued until he stood in front of the platform. He placed the items on the edge then walked up the steps slowly.

  Evan stood in front of her, breathing in her scent. Sweet coconut. Rich, musky aroused woman. He looked down at her oiled nipples glistening under the lights. He didn’t resist the impulse to brush the backs of his fingers over the tight buds. She sucked in a breath and shuddered, her breasts swaying slightly with the motion. God Almighty, he was going to die from lack of blood to his brain. He slipped his fingers up and over and traced the outer edge of her areolas. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as she visibly drew her reaction in.

  “There are no rules against showing your pleasure. It will help me understand what you want…need from me.”

  He rolled one nipple between his fingers. A low moan escaped. “That’s good.”

  With one last soft pinch to each nipple, he released her and unhooked the restraints from the ceiling. Rubbing his hands down her arms, he led her toward the middle of the platform. A crinkle formed above her eyes telling him she was confused. While some Doms got off on keeping a sub completely in the dark, and it did have its place in some training, a new sub needed to know the basics to ease their nerves. Anticipation was one thing, being skittish was another thing all together.

  “I don’t like leaving anyone in that position for too long. It’s not good for the circulation, and it really isn’t the ideal position for what I had in mind.”

  Evan couldn’t keep the excitement or need out of his voice. He wasn’t sure she could recognize it. His body screamed to conquer, to take her as his, but he knew it wouldn’t happen. It was his job to initiate her, nothing else. The idea that he would never touch her after tonight ate at him He led her down the stairs to one of his favorite pieces of equipment. Shaped like a gymnasium horse, it could be lowered in height and provided hooks on the side for her restraints. He still said nothing, knowing that the silence added a level of tension that would bring her a more glorious release in the end.

  Without a word, he pressed on her lower back, urging her forward. Soon he had her bent over, her cuffs hooked on, and her ass in the perfect position for the ultimate viewing experience for the audience. He’d made sure the audio had been turned off for them, although he
knew that had not been Micah’s intention. But he wanted music for the two of them, just for them. After he picked out his favorite playlist, one that always reminded him of May, the smooth, sensual voice of Lauryn Hill filled the room. He moved the paddle into grabbing distance.

  Not being able to resist, he placed both hands on the fullest part of her ass and squeezed. She rarely wore jeans or pants to work, so seeing the actual shape of her rear didn’t happen that often. Still, it wouldn’t matter after tonight. Every time he closed his eyes he would probably see it. Lord knows he’d dream of taking her from behind. He slid his hands up and over to the small of her back. His fingers trembled and he had to grit his teeth to fight the desire to slip them between her cheeks, into the small puckered hole. She tensed slightly. With one last lingering caress, he moved to pick up the paddle.

  “I glanced at your questionnaire.” He rubbed the padded toy over her rear end. “You seem to have a…shall we call it…interest in spankings.”

  May sucked in a quick breath as she tried to calm her racing heart. When she’d filled out the application she had been completely honest. In this, she wanted to be true to herself, or she would never find out just what was wrong with her in the bedroom. But everything had spiraled out of control when Evan had stepped in as her Dom. She knew he thought he was protecting her in some way, but it had added another layer of excitement to it all. She hadn’t expected the stakes to rise to this level so fast. At least, that was what she was thinking. What she was feeling…well, it overrode any objections her mind might have.

  Every nerve in her body was attuned to Evan. This went beyond infatuation—that she had dealt with for the past few years and had been positive she’d shaken the affliction. No, this was scarier, more uncontrollable. This encompassed her entire being.