Hard Limits

by Anna Parsons

  “Oh yeah, Miss Evie, deal,” he said as he returned to standing, looking down at her with a crooked smile.

  “Good, now get your crew together,” Evie said as she straightened his thin tie. Before Evie could turn around, Caleb was issuing orders to the rest of the team. She smiled to herself, knowing that the captain of the local high school basketball team was a hero to most of the kids who were forced to volunteer for janitorial duties at the clinic, either by parents or by a judge. Whatever road they took, they looked up to Caleb and would follow his lead. Evie’s management of the situation was something she learned from her mother. “Evie, darling,” Shawna Hope would say. “It takes me about ten minutes in front of a new class to figure out which one of my students is a badass. You know what I do with that student? I put his or her ass in charge. Works like a charm keeping the others in line.”

  The service went well, with the elegant and important diners enjoying the food, drink, and laughter. Evie stood behind the seating area, watching her staff of volunteers skillfully serve the crowd, just the way she taught them. She looked at the converted basketball court and play area, pleased at how the night was going. When JJ, the ER doctor who decided to run the community clinic in his free time, asked her to volunteer, she jumped at the chance. When she found out her first assignment was to help coordinate a dinner and fundraiser with Houston’s elite, she immediately declined, not feeling comfortable in front of crowds since her hand at being a concert pianist failed in her younger days, after severe stage fright kept her from performing.

  After considerable prodding, and encouragement, from JJ and her parents, she reluctantly agreed to manage the dinner. Now, she was pleased with her accomplishments, including having the teens serve as waiters. All seemed to be having a good time and were learning about what they didn’t want to do for a living. Evie smiled as she overheard a few talking about staying in school and not ever waiting tables again. Good. You should stay in school.

  The night’s honoree was taking the podium. He was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. Evie let out a soft whistle as he began to speak. Damn, he is gorgeous. And that voice. I think I can feel his words working their way up my back. After a few moments, their eyes met. The intensity in his eyes took Evie’s breath away. It appeared that he was affected, too, as he gasped and chocked slightly, needing a drink of water. Evie felt the same but was unable to move from her spot, staring at the man across the room from her, drawing her to him. She lifted a foot to take a step when a small crash from the kitchen area caught her attention. Rushing into the building, she found a young woman, seated on a stool, holding a towel over her hand.

  “Miss Evie,” Caleb said as she entered the area. “I dropped a glass and Ashley was trying to pick up the pieces and cut her hand.”

  “Let me take a look,” she said, reaching for the towel. She opened it to see the piece of glass sticking out of the junction between her index finger and her palm. “Luckily, we’re in a clinic, so we can take care of this. Come on.” Evie wrapped the girl’s hand and walked her through the kitchen and into one of the exam rooms.

  “Thanks for doing this,” Ashley said. “We ain’t got insurance.”

  “No problem. It’s the least I can do. After all, you are helping me out tonight.” Evie numbed the area and paused for the anesthetic to take effect before proceeding with the stitches.

  “Don’t you need to put on a coat or something? You don’t wanna mess up your dress.” Ashley pointed to the coat hanging on the back of the door.

  “Are you planning on bleeding on me?” Evie asked with a smile.

  “No ma’am,” Ashley said seriously.

  “Don’t worry about it, Ashley,” Evie said as she gently started the second stitch. Wearing a simple black sheath and high heels, with her unruly curly hair pulled into a loose bun at the base of her head, Evie loved to get dressed up but preferred to blend into the background. Her red hair and bright green eyes made that difficult. Her thoughts drifted back to the honoree, Dylan Rankin. Forget it, girl. Talk about out of my league. But, goodness gracious, he is fine as hell. She finished the stitches, spraying the area with antiseptic before loosely covering it with a bandage. Evie provided Ashley with care instructions and made an appointment for her to return to have the stitches removed. She cleaned the area, returning it to the pre-crisis pristine condition before returning to the party, mostly to check on her team, but also to see if she could catch another glimpse of Mr. Dylan Rankin.

  Chapter 3:

  Peter–the “Asshole”

  Peter had a face that stopped traffic. Women threw themselves at him on a daily basis. Deputy District Attorney Peter Nash sauntered into the County Hospital emergency room as though he owned it, as though death and despair was not all around him, untouchable, unflappable. His sandy-blond hair was tousled in a carefree manner that had to be on purpose. His eyes were like a clear pool, the blue so light as to seem transparent. “Excuse me. I’m looking for the suspect police brought in with a bullet in his leg.” This handsome man was talking to Evie Hope. He towered over her at about six feet, compared to her just under five foot four frame. She just stared. He must have seen the effect he had on her because she could see his expression ease, almost mockingly. He looked at her chest. The nerve. “Evangeline,” he said and his ocean-blue eyes returned to hers. Oh, he was looking at my nametag. “Pretty.” He thinks I’m pretty? “Pretty name.”

  She exhaled, just having realized that she had been holding her breath and was unable to form a coherent thought, much less speak. Evie simply raised her hand and pointed toward a curtained area. He smiled down at her, turned on his heel and walked toward the curtain. Evie nearly stumbled at the loss of his presence. Shouts from the other side of the room drew her focus away from the stranger and she turned her attention to the latest trauma to enter the ER. “Evie, I need to start a central line. Grab me a kit and call the OR.” Dr. James Jordan, “JJ,” didn’t even need to look back when he reached his hand out, knowing that Evie would be there with what he needed. She picked up the phone and dialed the OR before reaching for her handheld computer to read off the patient history. She turned to see Peter watching her. She finished her instructions and hung up the phone just as the gurney was being wheeled from the room. He stood with his arms folded across his chest, his suit molded to his body. Nudity was not necessary for Evie to see that his lithe body was as beautiful as his face. She was mesmerized. Her tunnel vision concentrated only on him as she took the first step toward him.

  Peter extended his hand to her as she drew closer. Surrounded by chaos, she was a beacon. Her intensity and intelligence shown in her cat-like green eyes. When he first laid eyes on her he thought she was just the kind of woman he liked, unsure of herself, a bit awed by him. Then he saw her take charge when the bloody and battered patient came in, and his opinion changed. Domme, maybe? Now, as she walked toward him, he assessed her. Beautiful, naturally tan skin. I wonder if it’s the same color all over. Lusciously thick curly red hair that was pulled back in a high braided ponytail that he wanted to pull his fingers through. Red? Dear Lord, that body. Even in scrubs, he could see the curves that he wanted to meld to his body, full breasts that would fit perfectly into his hands, and an ass he planned to caress.

  She placed her hand into his. In one of the worst places in the city, he saw only her. He lifted her small hand to his mouth, placing a kiss onto her knuckles. He turned her hand over and placed his card into her palm. He reached out and stroked her cheek before turning to leave.

  Evie again was holding her breath as she watched him walk away. She looked down at the card in her hand. Peter Nash, Deputy District Attorney. Turning the card over, she gasped as she read the neatly printed words. “The right moment can last a lifetime.” She didn’t even consider not calling.

  Chapter 4:

  They Officially Meet…Finally!

  That’s her. Talking to a patient in Anne’s clinic. It’s her! Dylan stood in the reception area of
the Anne Rankin Community Health Clinic watching as she was walked toward him. He was rooted in his spot, barely able to breathe. “Dylan, meet Evangeline Hope. Evie, this is Dylan Rankin. He made this place possible and keeps it running.” JJ grabbed Dylan around the shoulders.

  “I am pleased to meet you, Mr. Rankin.” She extended her hand to him. Firm handshake for such a little thing. She stood no higher than his chest but had a presence.

  “Please, call me Dylan. ‘Mr. Rankin’ makes me feel as old as this old coot.” Dylan elbowed JJ in the ribs, laughing when JJ feigned injury.

  “I ain’t old, young man, just well seasoned.” Even Evie laughed at that. With just a slight smile, she was beautiful. With her hearty, intoxicating laugh, she was stunning, even gorgeous.

  “Believe me,” Evie said. “JJ is anything but old. It’s nearly impossible to keep up with him.”

  JJ accepted Evie under his other arm and he led the three of them further into the clinic. JJ was just beginning to point out some of the items that the clinic board had brought up in its discussion the evening before, when an older wheelchair-bound woman beckoned for Evie. Without hesitation, Evie kneeled close to the woman to hear her request. Evie’s laughter drew his complete attention, and he didn’t hear a word JJ was saying. “She is the one. Your hope. She is the one. Your hope.” Dylan heard Anne’s voice clearly. It became a mantra in his head.

  “She’s something, ain’t she?” JJ asked, bringing Dylan back to the present. Huh? “She is special. Close your mouth, son, she is taken. Some guy in the DA’s office.” Damn. “Don’t look so sad. They’ve only been dating for a short while. Hopefully it won’t work out.”

  “Why do you say that?” Dylan asked.

  “He’s just not right for her. I can’t really put my finger on it.”

  “How do you know her?” Dylan asked, not taking his eyes off Evie as she moved from patient to patient, assuring them that the wait would not be long and making them love her. He had seen green scrubs before, never really caring for them. They’re the color of her eyes.

  “That’s my goddaughter,” JJ said proudly. “I was in medical school with her father. She learned to walk in the halls of County Hospital, and now she’s a nurse in the ER. County recruited her right out of college. Smart little thing, she is. Just finished up her MSN.” JJ spoke in a slow southern drawl, Carolina not Texas. Standing eye to eye with Dylan, few would believe the large man, whose shaved head shined as if polished, was a doctor and not a police officer. “She is somethin’ special. Talked a gun out of a guy’s hand last night. Now she’s helping with sniffles today.”

  “What is she?” Dylan asked in a whisper.

  “Human,” JJ replied, nodding. Dylan met his eyes and immediately looked away, embarrassed. “Mom is black, dad is Irish. She gets the red hair and freckles from him and the body from her. Both are really good people. Same name, too. He’s Sean and she’s Shawna. He’s an orthopedic surgeon, she a college professor. English, I think. Or maybe psychology, can’t remember.”

  “What?” Dylan had tuned JJ out, focusing on the delightful result of the black-Irish connection.

  “Was trying to remember what her mother teaches. Maybe snips and snails and puppy dog tails.” No reaction from Dylan. “Damn, boy, snap out of it.” JJ chuckled.

  “Sorry, JJ. You say she works in the ER?”

  “Yeah, but not because she has to. Gal is richer than rich.” Dylan tore his gaze from Evie and looked at JJ, who took his cue to continue. “Inheritance from her grandfather. She met him a few times and he was taken with her.” He paused. Dylan raised an eyebrow. “Impatient cuss. Anyhow…he died and left her everything. She thought he was a simple sheep herder. Turns out he started the wool business in Ireland, or owned all the sheep, or something. Left her millions.”

  Dylan was enthralled, deeply. She was perfection with an easy manner that captivated everyone around her. She looked up to catch him staring and smiled. He quickly turned away. “Are you ready to go over the board requests, now?” he asked JJ, needing to get to work. JJ laughed and turned Dylan toward the clinic office. He couldn’t help but look back at Evie, seeking that connection again. She looked up at him and smiled. All right Anne, I think you’re right. She’s the one.

  Chapter 5:

  Rules Are Not Made to be Broken

  Peter stopped his sleek BMW in front of Club Exxcess where his door was opened by a well-dressed man with an ear bud, like those worn by the Secret Service. Peter walked to the passenger side and opened the door to hand Evie out. She stood looking up at the massive structure. “Are you afraid, Evie?” Peter asked.

  “A bit, I guess.” Evie turned to look into his eyes. “I am not sure what to expect.” She smoothed her basic black dress, wanting to make sure she looked her best for her first visit to the place Peter enjoyed so much.

  “I’ve told you the most important things,” he said, brushing a stray hair from her cheek, placed there by the warm summer breeze. “You’re my guest. Stay with me, pay attention, and learn.” Evie sighed as she again looked up at the imposing mansion. “I need you to be here with me, Evie. I need this from you. Shall we?” He motioned toward the stairs and they ascended.

  Evie sat on the white leather sofa, after being handed the rules of Club Exxcess. The initial rules, anyway. Guest entrants planning to simply observe agreed to abide by the rules before entering the secure area of the club. Anyone planning to participate had to be interviewed, undergo psychological evaluation, provide proof of medical fitness, including STD screening, and agree to another complete set of rules for behavior and actions. Evie carefully read the list.

  Below are the club rules relating to invited guests. These rules were compiled in order to maintain the integrity of the lifestyle and the health, safety, and enjoyment of the club’s members. Failure to comply with these rules, or deviation, may result in sanctions, suspension, or permanent revocation of guest privileges.

  All aspects of the club, including the nature of its existence are strictly confidential.

  At Club Exxcess, safe, sane, and consensual are our core values.

  The club’s safe word is “red.” If you feel unsafe or unsure, use the safe word and appropriate personnel will ensure that the scene/play is discontinued immediately. Dom(mes) may establish other safe words for use in private play.

  If you have any concerns or feel intimidated, talk to a Club Observer. Observers are usually in black suits. Club Observers can only intervene if they are aware or have been informed. You will address the Observers by their names, adding Miss or Mister.

  Experienced players, nominated by Club Exxcess leadership, serve as Dungeon Monitors (DMs). They are usually wearing black vests with the club insignia. The role of the DM is to make sure that your club experience is all you wish for it to be, that your scene is successful, and to offer instruction. The word of the DM is final! You will address the DMs as “Master” or “Mistress” along with their names.

  Respect each other’s privacy. No picture or video photography is allowed.

  Respect personal space and property. That means you will only enter others’ scenes when invited, and maintain a safe distance from and a respectful silence around scenes you’re watching.

  Don’t touch other people’s toys or bodies without permission. No means no. For Dom(mes) this means that you are not to touch another Dom(me)’s property (sub) without permission.

  Do try out different forms of play, but no blood or water play.

  Be aware of general physical and emotional issues around play.

  Read the safety notice attached to each piece of equipment.

  Evie looked up at Peter, who nodded, encouraging her to sign. She returned her gaze to the list before her, inhaling deeply, trying to clear her head. Holding the pen in her hand, she hesitated before signing. Peter’s polished wing tips were in her field of vision. She noticed one tap twice, an indication of his patience wearing thin. A pair of black b
oots joined the party. Evie looked up to see Dylan Rankin looking down at her, instantly causing her pulse to react.

  “Peter.” Dylan extended his hand, which Peter shook.

  “Dylan.” Peter acknowledged the club owner with a nod.

  “Miss Hope.” Dylan smiled at her. Oh, lord. What is he doing here?

  “Don’t be rude, Evie,” Peter said with annoyance. “This is Master Dylan. He owns the club. Though it appears that the two of you have already met.” Evie could hear the questioning tone in his voice.

  “Ah, yes.” Dylan tore his gaze from Evie after a few seconds too long to acknowledge Peter’s remark. “Miss Hope and I met at the clinic where she volunteers.” His attention returned to her. “How have you been?” Her green eyes widened when she looked up at him and were still focused on him in wonder.

  “Fine, thank you,” Evie said, looking into his dark eyes. Beautiful black eyes. He’s so big and powerful and beautiful. Beautiful? What am I saying? She was drawn to him for a reason she did not understand. She entered the club on Peter’s arm, but as she looked into Dylan’s eyes, she had difficulty remembering that. I bet he could toss me around the bedroom with ease. I would let him, too. Oh my god! What am I thinking? Not realizing it, Evie giggled aloud. Peter clearing his throat drew her attention. She looked at him, noting the flare in his nostrils. Uh-oh. She looked down and signed the rules, handing the paper to Dylan before standing.

  “Welcome to Club Exxcess, Miss Hope.” Dylan looked down at her signature. “I am glad you’re here. I hope you enjoy. No pun intended.” Dylan smiled before turning and walking away, Evie’s eyes fixed on his departing form. She resisted the urge to follow him. What is wrong with me?

  “You do realize that I am standing right here, don’t you?” Peter said a little too loudly.

  When Dylan reached the door, he turned to see Peter chastising Evie. She’s in my club? She looked small and innocent standing before Peter. Even in four-inch heels, she still barely met Peter’s shoulder. She would reach my chest in those heels. Perfect. He could see her lovely breasts rising and falling with each breath, dominating his attention. Dylan knew Peter as a sadistic, brutal master, having been forced to suspend his membership more than once for breaking the rules with respect to treatment of subs. Safe, sane, and consensual was a way of life for most that entered Exxcess, but Peter seemed to consider it optional. Abuse was beyond all boundaries and unacceptable in any area of the lifestyle. Peter had a tendency to lull his prey into a false sense of security before pouncing. Dylan did not believe that Peter had revealed his true self to Evie. Lovely girl. Do you know who he really is? Is masochism your kink? He considered returning to the couple but thought better of it. Interfering was against the rules. He looked at the list of basic rules that Evie had just signed, and he crumpled the paper in his large hand. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw an Observer approaching. “Not now, Ed,” Dylan said without looking. Ed took a hard left and walked quickly away from his boss. He couldn’t tear his eyes from her. What is happening here? He watched as Peter led her out of the room and up the stairs to the main club area. His eyes followed her, every movement, every curve, how the muscles in her calves flexed as she ascended the stairs, and how her ass swayed with each step. When she reached the top, she turned her head and their eyes met. It was as though his soul called to her, causing her to turn. She smiled and lowered her eyes, and he could see the blush move across her cheeks. That’s it. I’m hooked. Dylan walked up the stairs, reaching the top just as Peter and Evie walked through the double doors. He noticed Evie say something in Peter’s ear before Peter pointed to the door in the corner. By the time she made it to the lounge entrance, Dylan was there. “Miss Hope,” he said as he stepped forward.