Need

by Becca Jameson

  “Yes.”

  “Nervous.”

  “As much as I would be no matter what man I brought home to Mom and Dad.”

  “Okay.” He set his forehead against hers. “As long as it’s not more than that.”

  “Nope. I’m good.”

  “They aren’t boyfriend-eating vultures are they?”

  She giggled. “Nope. Just regular parents.”

  “Then we’ll be fine.” He released her. “At least I won’t have to spank you in your childhood bedroom for wearing panties to dinner.”

  Her mouth dropped open.

  “Kidding, baby. Geez. A little faith.” They’d agreed to be as honest as possible with her family, omitting only their fetish tendencies. They would have to face that truth eventually, but not tonight.

  He stepped from the car and rounded the hood to help her out her side.

  She held his arm as they approached the front door. When they got there, she reached to turn the knob as the door opened from the inside.

  An older version of Emily with thick blonde curls to match smiled warmly at them. “You’re here. Come in.” She stepped back as a man reached her side and squeezed her shoulders.

  “Mom. Dad. This is Rider.” She released his hand as she stepped farther in to close the door.

  “Greg,” her father said as he reached out to take Rider’s offered hand.

  “Nice to meet you. Emily has told me so much about you.” He turned to her mother next as she too reached to shake his hand.

  “Sara.” She stepped back. “Come on into the living room. Your brother should be here shortly. He’s running late,” Sara said over her shoulder toward Emily.

  They hadn’t mentioned to Mike yet that Rider was actually the cop who’d pulled him over a month ago. Rider knew Emily was nervous about explaining that one. She’d decided not to lie. She would admit she’d already been dating Rider, but hadn’t wanted Mike to know it yet. Hopefully Mike would find their strange interaction that day humorous.

  Emily led Rider to a loveseat and pulled him down beside her. She wrapped her arm around his bicep. She squeezed him a bit hard.

  “So, Emily tells us you’re a cop,” Greg began.

  “Yes.”

  “And you were the one who figured out who Claire’s dealer was.”

  “I was, sir. So sorry for your loss. I hope getting that man off the streets gives you both at least a small amount of peace.”

  “It does. Thank you.” Sara sat on the couch at her husband’s side. “We really appreciate your help.”

  “And you’re an MMA fighter too?” Greg asked.

  “Yes, Amateur. I love the sport and it’s a good work out.”

  “I used to box a little myself when I was young.” He turned toward Sara. “Before I met Sara. My knees couldn’t take it.”

  “That can happen to a lot of people. I’ve been fortunate so far.” Rider was pleasantly surprised by how perfectly at home Emily’s parents made him feel.

  Sara grinned so big, he knew she was pleased. “I’m so happy for you,” she said to Emily. “I haven’t seen you smile like that in months.”

  Emily leaned into Rider closer, holding him tight. “Thanks, Mom. I’m very happy.” She lifted her gaze to meet Rider’s. Her eyes were filled with love. “He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Even if I was in third grade when he was born.”

  Both her parents laughed, and then her father shrugged. “Eh, age is just a number. If you love someone, who really cares?”

  Love.

  Rider hadn’t said that little word to her yet.

  Emily hadn’t said it either.

  He’d come close several times. But it had never seemed like quite the right moment.

  Soon, he told himself. Tonight. As soon as he had her alone, he would tell her how he felt. He knew he’d shown her without words for weeks, but it was time to put syllables behind his actions. Life was too short to hold back what he felt.

  And Lord knew he loved this woman.

  Her eyes twinkled with what he knew was a reflection of his own feelings. She loves me too.

  He smiled at her and lowered his lips to kiss her sweetly. They were at her parents’ house after all, but somehow he didn’t think she’d mind.

  And clearly she didn’t. Far from it. She lifted one hand to cup his cheek and returned the kiss wholeheartedly. When she finally pulled away, he was stunned and speechless.

  His woman, however, had bested him again. She winked and turned back to say something else to her parents he couldn’t hear over the ringing in his ears from her public affection.

  Yep. Things were going to work out splendidly for them. All they’d needed was a little faith.

  About the Author

  Becca Jameson lives in Atlanta, GA, with her husband and two kids. After years of editing, she is now a full-time author. With over 25 best-selling books written, she has dabbled in a variety of genres, ranging from paranormal to contemporary to BDSM. She loves chatting with fans, so feel free to contact her through email, Facebook, or her website.

  …where Alphas dominate…

  www.beccajameson.com

  Hartwood Publishing delights in introducing authors and stories that open eyes, encourage thought, and resonate in the hearts of our readers.

  If you enjoyed this book, please spread the word.

  Hers

  Chapter One

  Thwack.

  Kayla flinched. She couldn’t help it. No matter how many times she watched someone get flogged, she jerked with every crack of the whip.

  Her skin tingled as she leaned against the corner of the wall and gripped it with both hands. She felt the flush that rose quickly up her cheeks as Gage expertly swatted the naked submissive two more times and then soothed the pink lines running along the woman’s butt with his fingers.

  Kayla squeezed her legs together, well aware of the reaction toward Gage that left her wet, needy, and panting. She ignored those results, as always, and concentrated on the intense feeling of relief she would be able to obtain if she let Gage flog her.

  She craved the submission. The release. It was imbedded deep inside her. She’d known it for several years, at least as long as she’d been aware of the fetish world. Hell, she craved the sex too, but that was an entirely different topic. And Kayla intended to keep the two desires separate, mutually exclusive. She had to for self-preservation.

  She’d done two spanking scenes with him recently, and she knew he was interested in doing more with her, but she was hesitant. He’d pursued her on several occasions. She feared his interest lay a bit deeper than what she was willing or able to give him.

  Right now, Kayla wanted release. It had been a few weeks since she’d done a scene with Gage. The first time, she’d approached him. He’d readily agreed to spank her and set her up on a bench to do so. It had been the best domination of her life. She’d been shocked by the contrast with her former Dom.

  The second time, he’d come to her. The twinkle in his eye told her he was interested in more than just a scene. That scared her to death. Almost as much as the flogging she watched intently now.

  Gage swatted the sub several more times, reaching lower to cross her thighs with pink lines. The woman moaned. She held firmly to the rope loops at the top of the St. Andrew’s cross and leaned into the cross with each swish of the flogger.

  Kayla watched every reaction, her attention flitting from Gage to the sub and back, over and over. The submissive let her mouth fall open and her head dip back. Her shoulder-length, brown hair hung loose across her back. She dipped one knee forward with each swat. Her legs had started at shoulder width apart, but they’d inched closer.

  Gage lowered the flogger and leaned toward the submissive, whispering in her ear. The woman nodded, her mouth closing, a small smile tipping up the corners.

  Kayla’s pussy leaked. There was no denying she wished she could be at the receiving end of this flogging. Was it Gage? Or did she simply want to be f
logged? It had been years since she’d allowed herself to do anything so intense. Not since Simon.

  Just thinking his name made her stiffen. Asshole.

  Gage proceeded, and the woman on the cross hummed as lines of submission multiplied across her pale skin. Every few strikes, Gage paused to stroke the woman’s skin. He had the perfect combination of caring and domination.

  As he finished and wrapped the submissive in a blanket, Kayla took a deep breath. She needed this. She needed the release a flogging would bring her, something more intense than a simple spanking. All her pent-up anxiety would ooze from her body if she could only bring herself to ask someone to flog her.

  Not that there were choices to be made. The only man she trusted right now was Gage, and that trust was dubious. Hell, Gage had no idea she paid such close attention to him. At least she didn’t think so.

  What she knew for certain was Gage was kind and gentle while yielding his flogger, something she needed and craved. The fact her pussy clenched every time she watched him was inconsequential. He didn’t need to know he had that effect on her. She had no intention of pursuing that side of things. She could fuck anyone. But this, this domination, was a different story. She would never permit a random Dom to flog her.

  Of course, the fucking part was ludicrous also. She hadn’t had sex since Simon either, and she had no intention of giving that piece of herself away to anyone. It was one thing to let someone ease her stress with a spanking; it was an entirely different thing to open herself up to someone emotionally through sex. No thank you.

  There was nothing random about Gage. He worked at the police department where she was a secretary. And the reality was, Kayla trusted cops. Her dad had been a cop. He’d been killed in the line of duty right after she’d graduated from high school, but she’d spent her life hanging around the station. The chief of police was like a second father to her. She adored him, and she was blessed that he not only took her under his wing, but took her back into the fold without a question when she’d returned to Vegas two years ago.

  Even though Gage was a K-9 trainer, not a police officer, he still had the aura of being an upstanding citizen by default. The fact Gage worked for the department made her feel safer with him than any other Dom.

  “Kayla?”

  She jerked her head up when she heard the deep voice that reached inside her and made her body vibrate. Apparently she hadn’t been paying attention because the woman he’d flogged was gone and Gage now stood inches from her, his brow raised in question. “Oh, hey. That was lovely. I enjoy your work.” She said the first thing that popped into her mind, wanting to kick herself afterward.

  Gage smiled. “Lovely?”

  She winced. “You know, nice.” Yes, because that’s so much better.

  “Did you want to do a scene with me?” he asked, stepping even closer. He reached out with one hand and set it on hers, obviously more aware of her rigid stance than she was.

  She lowered her gaze. Do it. “That would be nice.” There’s that word again. She lifted her face and met his gaze. “I mean if you don’t have anyone else scheduled, I’d appreciate a slot of your time tonight.”

  Gage lifted one side of his mouth higher. “A slot of my time?” He chuckled. “Kayla, all you have to do is ask. I’m all yours.” He squeezed her hand and pried it from the wall. “What did you have in mind?”

  She glanced around him toward the vacated cross. Where did the woman go?

  “You want me to flog you? Like I just did for Kristen?” He still held her hand, and he lifted his other hand to nudge her chin up with one finger.

  She met his gaze and swallowed back her fear, hoping to replace it with courage. “Yes, Sir.”

  Gage set his thumb on her chin and held her. His gaze narrowed. “Have you been flogged before? I’ve never seen you do that.”

  “Yes, Sir. It’s been a while.” Years.

  “And you’re sure you’re up for it?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Gage glanced at the clipboard on the wall behind him. “Well, it looks like no one else has scheduled this area right now.”

  She nodded, stepping back a pace to dislodge his fingers. She needed to lower her gaze and regroup. It was happening fast. That was a good thing. The more she thought about it, the more likely she would be to chicken out. “Please, Sir.” Her voice was weak. It matched her resolve. But she pulled her shoulders back and stood taller to make up for her voice with her stance.

  •●•

  Gage stared at the woman before him. He’d pursued her for weeks. He’d been drawn to her at first by her smile. It lit up the room when she did it, and that wasn’t often. Her long blonde curls bounced when she walked, and he would swear she was a true blonde. He hadn’t had the opportunity yet to be certain, but his heart pounded at the possibility he might get his wish tonight.

  Kayla didn’t talk much. They worked for the same police station, so he saw her nearly every day, but only in passing. She came to the club often, but she was quiet there also, at least quieter than most women. She had friends he often saw her hanging out with, but none seemed to be super close to her.

  Kayla Temple was a mystery, one Gage had been dying to solve. She dropped onto the scene from out of thin air two years ago and taken up residency at both the police station and later the club, Extreme. He knew because he too had returned to Vegas two years ago. They’d started work in the police academy division within the same month.

  He reached for both her hands and walked backward into the cove where the St. Andrew’s cross had been vacated. The room had three sides, intentionally leaving the fourth open to viewers.

  When Gage reached the cross, he leaned against it and lifted Kayla’s chin again. This woman had a story. “You sure about this? You seem awfully reluctant.”

  “I’m sure, Sir. It’s just been a while.”

  “Okay. Safe word?”

  “Red, Sir.”

  “Good. Use it. Yellow if you need me to slow down.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Gage released her hands and trailed his fingers up her arms, noticing the goose bumps that rose in his wake. “Can I remove your dress, Kayla? I don’t like to flog through clothes. I need to see my results as I go along to ensure I’m not hitting too hard or too soft.”

  “Um, yes.” She flinched, a tiny jerk another Dom might not have noticed.

  So, nudity is an issue for her. Noted. Besides not having seen her pussy, he also hadn’t seen her nipples. She dressed to fit in at the club, but she never removed all her clothes. At least not that Gage had been present for.

  Gage circled behind her, keeping both hands on her skin at all times. He’d never seen her this nervous. He’d spanked her twice, and she hadn’t been so unsettled. Gage lifted the bottom hem of her loose skirt and pushed it up her body, intentionally keeping his palms on her skin to graze over the contours of her hips, the dip in her stomach, and then the swell of the sides of her breasts.

  She lifted her arms when he nudged her biceps.

  He whisked the thin silky black material over her head and gripped it with one hand while he stared at her back. Smooth pale unblemished skin. With his free hand he stroked one finger down her spine. This was the most of her he’d ever seen. And she still wore a matching black lace thong and bra. He wouldn’t push his luck with those last items of clothing, assuming she would balk at removing them.

  Gage set the dress over the back of a nearby chair and set his palms on Kayla’s hips to guide her to the padded area at the base of the cross. “Reach up and grab the ropes, baby.” He couldn’t seem to release her, and he smoothed his palms up her body again as she followed his instructions.

  She shivered, making him smile. Her hesitation was palpable.

  “You okay, Kayla?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Something about the way she fell into the role and called him Sir didn’t ring quite right. He’d dominated many women over the last two years since he’d joined Extreme. M
ost referred to him as Sir. But coming from Kayla, it sounded forced. Awkward. Untrue. Not that she wasn’t submissive. It just sounded strange for her to call him Sir.

  He shook the idea away and caressed his hands up her arms, barely stroking the sides of her breasts. When he reached her hands he wrapped his around them. “Hold on to the loops. Don’t let go.”

  “Okay, Sir.”

  Finally, he released her, though reluctantly. He’d dreamed of doing this with her for months. How had he gotten so lucky? He stepped back and picked up the softest flogger he owned from his bag. Her skin was so pale, and he had no intention of doing anything to change that. He wanted his marks to last hours, not days. Any time he flogged someone for the first time, he took extra care. But with Kayla he was even more cautious, in part due to her obvious nervousness and in part due to his desire to make this the first of many experiences with her.

  She may think she was asking for a one-night scene. But Gage had other ideas. His cock had other ideas. The shaft was stiff and tight inside his jeans. If he didn’t think she would run, he would undo the button and give himself some breathing room. But Kayla hadn’t asked him for anything sexual. She’d asked for a flogging.

  If Gage wanted things to go farther, he was going to have to give the performance of a lifetime.

  And Kayla seemed as though she might be receptive to the idea. After all, she’d come to him—again. And her nerves were obvious. Though it may have had more to do with the requested flogging than any actual desire to have something more with Gage.

  He stepped closer, trailing the ends of the flogger up her spine and across her shoulders, watching as she shivered again. He leaned close to her face. “Spread your legs farther, baby.”

  She complied, separating her thighs slightly. Not as much as he’d like, but it was something.

  He leaned over her shoulder to watch her chest rise and fall, his cheek next to hers, his gaze landing on her breasts. The nipples were hidden under the edge of the lace, but the creamy white skin swelling from the top made him lick his lips. For someone as petite as Kayla, she had full breasts. “Relax. How many times have you seen me flog someone?”