“Lila,” Savannah scolded. At least someone had some manners.
“What?” Lila said. “I didn’t ask if he was good, did I? He is though, right?”
“The best,” Laken sighed before slamming her hand over her mouth. She should have stopped after one margarita. “At least he was three years ago. I haven’t slept with him since.”
Lila and Savannah’s jaws dropped.
“You’re not sleeping with him now?” Lila asked.
Laken shook her head. “He…I…we got together years ago when I was in New York and he was with the Giants. Then we broke it off. Now I’m finding it hard to–to let him close.”
A weight started lifting from her shoulders as she spoke. Trace was right—talking things out did help.
“Because he hurt you?” Savannah asked.
“Yes… no. See, we both made mistakes back then. I wasn’t really expecting to get involved with him again. So I asked him to take things slow.”
“Only now that’s not what you want,” Savi said with sympathy. “And you don’t know how to ask for more.”
She nodded.
Lila frowned. “That doesn’t sound like the Laken I know. The Laken I know would go after what she wants, despite how much it scared her.”
Damn, she was right.
“What’s going on?” Lila asked. “Is this because of what Ricky did?”
“Partly,” Laken said truthfully. “He cheated on me, but more than that, he cost me a job I loved. Or thought I loved. I’m starting to realize now that he did me a favor. I missed Haven. I missed my family, my friends.”
“If you want something from Duncan,” Lila told her, “then you need to talk to him. Ask him for what you need.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
She was scared to try, and yet…she didn’t think she’d ever be happy unless she took back control from her fears. Maybe there was a way of doing that without Duncan, though. Maybe there was a way of testing her fears without having to bare her soul to Duncan.
She glanced down at her clasped hands. “Have you ever been to Saxon’s?”
Lila frowned. “It’s members only; they won’t let anyone else in unless someone sponsors them.”
“You want to go to a BDSM club?” Savannah asked.
“Yes,” she said with more conviction than she felt. Truthfully, she was terrified. But she was tired of letting her fears win. Besides, she didn’t intend to play with anyone. Just watch.
“I have a membership.”
Lila’s jaw dropped, then she scooted forward. “Really? You can get into Saxon’s?”
“You have a membership?” Savi asked. “How did you afford it?” Her fair skin flooded with color as she realized what she had said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
Laken waved her hand in the air. “Don’t worry, we all know I’m broke. Saxon gave me a membership.” Both women sucked in their breath, but she waved them away. “It’s okay. We have an understanding.” At least she thought they did. “The thing is…” she paused. Could she really tell them? She glanced over and saw nothing but concern on their faces. Yes, this was what she missed: friendship. “I want to go in, but I’m scared.”
“Well,” Lila sung. “I think we can help with that. We’ll come with you. Nothing to be scared of if we’re there with you.”
Laken raised her brows while Savi stared on in worry.
“Let’s all go. It will be fun.”
***
It will be fun.
Yeah right. Those words had gotten her and Lila into trouble many a time when they were young. When would she learn? Most people thought Laken was the troublemaker of the two, but while she might have a temper and a loud mouth, Lila definitely had a more devious mind.
“I’m not going to be able to sit for a week after this,” Savannah groaned beside her as they stood in the foyer of the club, waiting for the bouncer to get Saxon.
Laken looked over at her, expecting to see some trepidation on her friend’s face. Instead, a small grin hovered on her lips.
“Listen, we don’t have to do this,” Laken began.
Lila took one hand, and then Savi grabbed the other.
“Yes, we do,” Lila told her.
“Good evening, ladies.” Laken looked up to see Saxon standing there, looking gorgeous as always. He was dressed all in black tonight, but there was no leather in sight. Black slacks, a black shirt and a killer smile.
Yep, it would take a strong woman to tame Joel Saxon. He was extremely sexy, mysterious and slightly insane.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Laken took a deep breath. “We were hoping to enter the club tonight.”
Saxon raised a brow. “Finally going to use your membership, sweetheart?”
“Yes,” she said firmly.
“You know what that means?”
Laken nodded. Yeah, she would owe him something.
His dark gaze moved to Savannah and Lila. “And them?”
“We’re coming with her,” Lila said, her voice quiet. Nice to know Laken wasn’t the only one intimidated by Saxon.
“Is that so?” Saxon drawled, raising an eyebrow. “But you don’t have memberships, ladies.”
“Can we buy one?” Lila asked.
Saxon grinned. “Not without a sponsor and going through a rigorous screening process.”
Laken hadn’t needed any of that. She stared at Saxon sternly and his grin grew.
“But I suppose I could let you in as my guests tonight,” he said smoothly. “Do your men know you’re here?”
Both Lila and Savannah shook their heads.
“Even better,” he said darkly. Oh shit.
He looked them over. “You’re a bit overdressed.”
They’d raided Lila’s wardrobe. But where Lila was tiny, Savannah had curves and the dress she wore was plastered against her like a second skin.
Laken glanced down at herself. Lila’s dress actually hung off her slightly. She really needed to gain some weight. But because Lila was a few inches taller than Laken, it ended just below her butt cheeks.
Lila’s dress fitted her to perfection; it sparkled as she moved, swaying gently around her thighs. It was low cut, showing off her cleavage and shoulders.
“But I guess it will do for tonight,” Saxon continued. “If anyone approaches you tell them you’re not playing tonight, just watching. My orders. If anyone gets insistent, then you call out ‘Red’ and a monitor will come running. Understand?”
They all nodded, shaking with anticipation.
“When we go through those doors I am in charge. You will obey me. You will not interfere in any scenes, nor will you try to make trouble. Understand?”
They all nodded again. Damn, why did Laken feel like a naughty child caught in front of the headmaster?
“Misbehave and I won’t hesitate to punish any of you.”
Oh hell. Oh hell.
He smiled. “Welcome to Saxon’s.”
***
Dirty Delights was just starting to fill as Duncan sat at a scarred table, sipping his beer and watching the dance floor. Damn. He wished Laken were here. She’d shimmy against him, her tight ass brushing his cock until he was thick and hard. They’d tease each other until they were close to bursting. Then he’d take her home…and what? Make sweet, slow love to her?
Yeah, he could do that. Except she was calling the shots. And how long would he be satisfied with that? He wanted Laken. Wanted to give her everything she needed and if she didn’t figure out that part of what she needed was his dominance then he was going to explode.
Laken was wound up so tight he worried she would make herself sick. He knew how to help her, but she needed to ask for it.
“Man, you just look like your best friend ran over your dog.” He glanced up as Gavin Richards sat beside him.
Duncan snorted. “Not quite.”
Max Ferguson sat on his other side. “Nah, that’s the look of a man having women troubles. Laken giving you hell?”
He shook his head.
“There is something going on with that girl. Something she’s hiding and it’s eating her from the inside out.” Gavin sat back in his chair, a challenge in his gaze. “You going to figure out what that is before it destroys her?”
Duncan glared at him. “Not that it’s any of your business but we’re working things out in our own time.”
Gavin snorted. “So, in other words, you’re letting her hide from her problems because you’re too scared she’ll run if you push her. Stop being a wimp and do what’s right for her.”
Duncan sat back. Had he really been going along with what she wanted because he was scared of losing her? Yes, he had. But that wasn’t what was best for Laken. She needed to work through whatever was hurting her. But what if that meant losing her?
Well, he’d just have to make sure that didn’t happen.
Logan Ferguson pushed his way over to them, his face a thundercloud. Duncan stood, as did Gavin.
“I just got a call from Jake. The girls are at Saxon’s.”
Chapter Six
Duncan glared at Joel Saxon’s smug face. Damn it, one day someone was going to rearrange his perfect features. Unfortunately, Duncan didn’t have the time to be the one to do it. He had a naughty sub to collect.
“Get out of our way,” Logan growled, scowling at the men standing in front of them. The four of them had stormed over to the club, only to have two of Saxon’s bouncers block their entrance.
They could have taken them, but Duncan was still a deputy. He couldn’t condone bashing a couple of guys for doing their job.
Saxon folded his arms over his chest. “You know this is a private club. You’re trespassing.”
“I have a membership,” Duncan snarled.
“But they don’t.”
“Fine, let me in and I will get the girls.” He’d carry all three out if he had to.
“My wife is not a member of your club,” Max said coldly. Logan’s communication skills had disintegrated to a low growl.
Surprisingly, it was Gavin who remained calm.
“But she’s much prettier than the two of you,” Saxon said with a grin. “She’s here as a guest.”
“Guests aren’t allowed in the playroom,” Duncan interjected.
“They are if I say they are,” Saxon replied.
Logan stepped forward, his intent clear. The two bouncers tensed, but Gavin moved in front of his friend. “Why would you let three unaccompanied females into your club?” Gavin asked.
Saxon looked at Gavin before raising his gaze to Duncan. “Because it’s what Laken needs. She’s floundering. Lost. She needs someone to take control.”
“Laken. Is. Mine.”
Gavin sighed. “Maybe we could have this talk somewhere more private.”
Saxon nodded to a closed door. “In here.” He moved over and opened the door. The others filed inside, Logan snarling as he walked passed Saxon. The club owner didn’t even flinch. Damn, he was an icy bastard.
As soon as the door closed, Duncan rounded on Saxon. “Let’s make one thing clear. Laken is not your business. She is my woman. My submissive. And the only way she will be back here is by my side, with my collar.”
“You had no business letting any of them in,” Max stated. “You should have called us as soon as they arrived here.”
Saxon raised a brow. “I’m not their keeper. And really, it’s not my fault if you can’t keep track of them.”
Logan stepped forward, hands clenched into tight fists.
“Relax, big boy,” Saxon told him with a smirk. “They’re fine. Everyone knows they are under my protection. I have someone watching over them.”
The door opened behind them and Jake stepped through.
“Or at least I did,” Saxon added.
“Left them with Tiny,” Jake said gruffly, leaning back against the door.
“I’m guessing I have you to thank for this.” Saxon nodded his head at Duncan and the others.
Jake nodded. “You know the way Haven works, Joel. We look out for the women. Wasn’t your right to do this.”
For Jake that was quite a speech.
Saxon nodded. “Fine, go in; rescue your damsels in distress. But Duncan, Laken came here for a reason. You might want to work it out before you go in there.”
Laken stood between Savannah and Lila, watching the sub who was tied to a St Andrew’s cross. The curvy, redheaded sub was completely naked, her pale skin glistening with a light shine of sweat as her Dom paddled her ass.
Every so often, he would stop and brush his hand over her glowing butt cheeks and then down to her naked pussy, running his fingers over an obviously sensitive clit. The submissive would groan and plead then he’d stand back and start over.
“Wow, oh, wow,” Lila whispered as the Dom tugged on the chain connecting the clamps on each of the sub’s nipples. He spanked her pussy. Two fingers from his other hand plunged deep inside her. The submissive writhed, pleading, begging.
“Come for me, pet.”
Thrashing, her scream filled the room as she came hard.
Laken’s breath came in short pants, her insides trembling with a mix of trepidation and arousal. She wanted to be in the sub’s place, she realized. She wanted her butt to be glowing, her clit throbbing with each stroke.
She wanted Duncan to be on the end of that paddle.
“I think I just came a little,” Savi said.
Laken gaped at her friend.
“I hear you, girl,” Lila agreed. “That was hot.”
Laken burst into laughter.
“I always thought these places would be kind of scary and cold,” Savannah admitted. “But that was beautiful.”
Lila nodded, looking around. “Although I got to admit some of these Dom’s terrify me. And the Domme’s are even scarier. Can we go over to one of the spanking benches next?” Lila asked eagerly.
“I thought you guys would be horrified,” Laken said. “And how do you know so much about the equipment?”
Lila and Savannah grinned at each other. “We read,” Lila said, taking her arm and leading her away.
“It’s much hotter in real life, though.” Savannah fanned herself. “I swear if Logan and Max stepped through that door right now I’d jump them.”
Laken froze. “Umm, Savannah.”
“Yeah?” the other woman said absentmindedly, her attention caught by a wax scene.
“You just might get your wish.”
“What do you mean?” Savannah turned and froze.
Lila had fallen silent and Laken looked over to find her friend staring in the same direction.
“Oh shit,” Lila said. “Think it’s too late to run?”
“Yep,” Laken replied, staring at Duncan. He didn’t seem angry, more thoughtful than anything else.
Logan stormed his way forward, not even looking around him, his whole attention focused on Savannah. Max and Gavin walked in his wake while Duncan followed more slowly.
Logan stopped in front of them, growled once, and then grabbed Savannah around the waist. Bending, he threw her over his shoulder and stood.
“Logan, let me down!” she screeched.
Smack! His hand landed on her butt.
“Stop that!” she ordered.
Instead of answering, Max drew her dress up over her rear end, exposing her white ass, bad day to wear a G-string. Logan smacked her a few more times, his hand leaving red marks on her round flesh.
“Max! Pull my dress back down.”
“I don’t think so. You have one hell of a spanking coming. Your only choice is whether we do it here or at home.”
“At home. At home.”
Max chuckled. “That’s what I thought. ‘Night all.”
Turning, they stalked off, Logan smacking Savi’s ass every so often.
“So, we didn’t expect to see you guys here tonight,” Lila said cheerfully.
Gavin raised his brow, staring around. “I bet you didn’t, baby. You know, if you wanted to play here you only had to say.”
Lila’s eyes widened.
“I wonder if Saxon would let me borrow some restraints.” He glanced around, his gaze settling on the wall where an array of whips and paddles were hanging. “And a paddle. I think I’m going to need them.”
“Gavin,” Lila squealed as he took her hand and led her over to the wall, selecting a medium-sized paddle. Lila looked back at him, her gaze showing her nervousness.
“Well, seems like those two are being well and truly taken care of,” Duncan said in a dark voice. “Now what to do with my naughty sub?”
Laken swallowed heavily. “I’m not your sub anymore.”
Duncan raised a brow. “You know, Saxon just asked me to think about why you came here tonight. Why would a woman who claimed she didn’t want to be involved in this scene anymore come to a BDSM club? Why would a woman who told me she didn’t want my dominance or discipline, do her best to rile my dominant side?”
He crowded close and suddenly it became harder to breathe.
Reaching out, he cupped her cheek. “I’ve been letting you call the shots because I was scared of losing you. I let my fear of losing you overcome my good sense. Because, baby, it’s my job to give you what you need, not necessarily what you want. You need this. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? This is your way of asking me to take charge.”
Duncan looked down at his nervous sub, glad to see there was no real fear in her eyes. Tonight, he was determined to get to the bottom of what was going on. She was screaming out for help, but it was obvious she couldn’t ask for what she needed.
“Present yourself.”
She took in a sharp breath but sank gracefully to the ground. Her hands rested palm up on her spread thighs as she kneeled before him, face down, spine straight.
“So beautiful.” He ran his hand over her head. “This is what you need, isn’t it, sugar?”
She moved into his touch and his heart clenched. God, he’d missed this. He glanced around and saw a free station. Holding out his hand, his skin sizzled as she clasped hold.
He helped her stand. “Look at me,” he demanded.
She gazed up, her eyes slightly clouded, her brain obviously working hard. Reaching around, he popped her once on the ass.
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