Passion's Claim

by Devyn Douglas

  Her hazel gaze met his and his heart lurched, seeing the naked emotions flicking in their depths. Tentative hands ran down his chest as she chewed her lower lip. “How much longer before Lance breaks the door down?”

  Kade cursed rotten timing when she grasped his semi-hard cock and began pumping it. “No way in hell do we have time for another round, sweetheart.”

  “That’s a shame. Guess I’ll have to make it up to you afterward.”

  Kade grinned and spun her around. “Hands on the wall, sub.”

  * * * * *

  “You owe us.” Chase’s voice cracked the erotic bliss Kade had spun.

  Autumn’s steps faltered. A hand squeezed her waist. Kade. His scent filled her nostrils. She wasn’t sure how long they’d been in the other room, but she knew what awaited her in this one. Submission. Pleasure.

  “Thought he’d started a coup,” Lance whispered. “If I were him, there’s no way in hell this would continue. I’d drag you back to my suite and fuck you a hundred different ways until my cock was the only one you remembered. And wanted.” He chuckled, his voice low in her ear. “But I’ve never played well with others.”

  Fingers ran down her hair and pulled at the blindfold. “Since you went out of scene, I thought we needed to shake things up some.”

  “What I do with Autumn is none of your damn business.” Kade’s voice sliced the growing tension in the room.

  “Really?” Lance ran his hands down her shoulders and to her wrists. He lifted them upward and locked them above her head. “That’s interesting because I remember this scene being one the four of us planned for Autumn. You didn’t stake a claim. Some bullshit about The Brigade always sharing.”

  Unease prickled her neck as the statement thundered through her thoughts. Always? Could she handle these scenes on a regular basis? While a part of her craved the dark fantasies, she knew she wanted Kade. Only Kade. A relationship. She’d hoped there was a chance they could find common ground—a foundation built in trust and passion, mutual desires. Fantasy and…love. She wasn’t stupid. She knew she wasn’t in love with Kade. Not yet. It was way too soon for such deep confessions.

  Yet she knew she was drawn to him. He was the one she wanted. She enjoyed the other men and the scenes they brought to life for her. They’d shown her passion and a part of herself she’d never expected to discover.

  But they weren’t Kade.

  Her muscles tensed at the realization.

  Lance chuckled in her ear. “Relax, sub. Trust me.”

  “What exactly are you planning?” Kade’s voice was deep, filled with an emotion she hadn’t heard. If she didn’t know any better she’d think it was… anger.

  “I figured you’d need to rest after all that…washing.” Lance ran his hand down Autumn’s side and she shivered. “But it’d be a shame for Jane to not experience this the way we’d intended. Fortunately, Stryker volunteered to help me finish the scene.”

  Stryker. A shiver ran through her. Anticipation or uncertainty, Autumn wasn’t sure which. Footsteps sounded from the back of the room. Kade’s curse echoed in the room. She tugged on her restraints.

  “Trust me, sub. I know what I’m doing,” Lance whispered.

  The hushed command was unheard by Kade, who’d begun speaking with someone else in the room. Their voices drifted in and out.

  “No fucking way is this happening,” Kade stated.

  “Rules are rules. You left the scene. The submissive’s pleasure and education in these scenes is the primary concern. You should know. It’s your rule.” Lance ran his hands down her back. “Come join us, Stryker. Jane needs some attention.”

  Autumn’s heartbeat accelerated as footsteps fell hard on the flooring. Her breath hitched in the ensuing silence. Warm breath grazed her cheek.

  “I never imagined us…getting to know each other this soon, Jane.” Warm hands ran down her arms to pause near her breasts, leaving no doubt where his gaze was. “Gorgeous. I knew you would be.”

  “Jane’s learning sensory play.” Lance nibbled her shoulder. “You should’ve seen her oiled up. Slick for pleasure. Our pleasure.” Fingers tweaked her nipples. “These will look gorgeous slathered with hot wax.”

  “Stop hovering like a helicopter Dom, Kade,” Chase commented.

  “Seems someone doesn’t appreciate being cast out of this scene,” Lance whispered. “Tell us, Jane. Do you wish to continue without him?”

  Dear heavens she couldn’t imagine Kade not being part of this. Yet her pussy moistened as her mind whirled possibilities. Knowing what they intended to do would help. They’d mentioned wax, and she vaguely remembered check-marking that as something she was curious about. But what exactly would they do? Not knowing left her mind on overactive mode and she’d whipped up a hedonistic batch of endless possibilities.

  But they all included Kade.

  Fingers ran across her slit then entered her pussy. “You’re wet, sub.” Stryker. Her insides clenched at the new touch, gentle but certain. “I can’t wait to taste you on my lips.”

  “Only Kade does that,” she whispered, uncertain.

  “Really?” Stryker’s fingers delved deeper and she groaned. “You’re telling me what I can’t do, sub?”

  “Kade said no one else would…” She hesitated, not wanting to divulge the intimate moments they’d shared.

  “She’s mine.” Kade’s voice resonated possessiveness. “That’s what you two fuckers want to hear, isn’t it? She’s mine.”

  Autumn gasped at the animosity. Lance and Stryker chuckled. Cool air whipped across her skin as they stepped away from her. What the hell was going on?

  She tugged on her restraints.

  “Easy, Autumn.” Kade’s voice fell across her forehead like a warm caress.

  Autumn. He’d used her real name. The scene was over? “What happened? I don’t understand.”

  “You meddling fuckers have done enough.” Kade ran his hand down her back. “Leave. Now. All of you.”

  Kade’s mouth claimed hers, a kiss meant to seize any indecision and rip it from her. She crumbled in his embrace when his arms swept around her.

  “You’ve crawled into me and settled down, like you have every right to be inside my soul.” Kade’s fingers thrust into her. “You’re mine.”

  She sighed and accepted his commanding kiss. He suckled her bottom lip and claimed her tongue, demanding her surrender as he lifted her hips and wrapped her legs around him.

  “I can’t be gentle, Autumn. Not now. Seeing them touch you drove me mad. God help me, I need to fuck you.” He thrust into her. A shocked gasp escaped her. “Say it. Say you’re mine.”

  “I’m yours,” she whispered into his neck as he thrust into her pussy again, deeper. “Only yours.”

  He growled. His hands grasped her hips. He thrust, harder and deeper. Pleasure rippled through her. “Come for me, Autumn. Clench my cock and come hard.”

  Spasms erupted within her. She squeezed her legs around his waist and held him within her. He groaned and rubbed her clit.

  His labored breathing filled her ears as her senses returned. “I lose myself with you, Autumn.”

  “Funny, I was going to say the same thing.”

  He undid her restraints and wrapped his arms around her, supporting her weight until her balance returned. The blindfold fell away. She met his gaze. “What’s wrong? You look sad.”

  Kade slid the robe over her and cinched it at her waist. “I have things I have to tell you, Autumn.” He kissed her cheek and stepped away. “Things I’m afraid may upset you, but I owe you the whole truth before you decide whether you want to be with me.”

  Autumn thudded into the chair behind her and willed her clamoring pulse to still. The tempo kept time with Kade’s restless pace before her. “It sounds serious.”

  “I hope not,” he stated. His hands ran through his hair. “I’m what you could define as…well off.”

  “I sort of figured that out already, Kade. I don’t care about money�
�one way or the other.” She’d learned long ago that happiness couldn’t be measured by a fat bank account or luxury vehicles. Her parents had shown her that.

  She’d been comfortable growing up. Even though times got tough a few times, Autumn had learned the value of hard work. Her mom had confided in her a few years ago that they could have had more, but it would’ve meant more stress and business travel for Autumn’s father—a situation he’d refused.

  He’d chosen his family over success.

  “You were afraid I’d be after your money.”

  Kade nodded. “I’ve had problems with women in the past. That’s the only reasoning I can offer for what I did.”

  Knots formed in her stomach. She stood and walked to him, resting her hand on his chest as she forced his gaze to meet hers. “Whatever it is, it couldn’t be that bad.”

  “The first night we spent together affected me. I knew I wanted more, needed more from you. With you.” His fingers cupped her face. “But I couldn’t risk you being like the others.”

  “The others?”

  “I had you investigated.”

  “Investigated?” Shock banged around in her.

  “I didn’t want…”

  Autumn stood, unable to listen to the reasoning. Not now. Fury raged within her. He’d had her investigated like a common criminal. “I don’t want to hear it, Kade. You should have trusted me. Asked me what you wanted to know.”

  “Autumn…”

  “Don’t.” She held up her hand. “I’m not liking you much right now, Kade Berges. I’m sure you have your reasons and I’ll hear them. But not now. Not tonight.” She turned and left before she said or did something she’d regret.

  She’d learned from the few times she’d seen her parents argue that saying things when angered brought nothing but more disagreement, and that wasn’t something she wanted with Kade.

  How dare he have her investigated? Guilt assuaged a chunk of the anger. She should’ve heard his reasons before flying out of the room. Her steps faltered slightly. No. She needed to be calmer. More rational.

  He’d expected her full trust, and she’d leaped into his world of restraints and safety words like a kitten pounces on a ball of string. She’d never once thought to have him investigated. What the hell?

  She punched the elevator button and realized she had no freaking clue how to get back into her room. Son of a biscuit. Being half naked left few options on where she could go.

  She crossed her arms and glowered at the red button on the bracelet around her wrist. She pressed it before she could talk herself out of it. She sensed the tension between Stryker and Kade. Paging him wasn’t the wisest thing to do, yet a small part of her called it retribution for having her investigated.

  Her steps fell on the carpeted floor, dragging slowly to create enough static to zing Kade if he was crazy enough to come after her. Moments ticked by and she speculated if Stryker would even show up.

  She’d trusted Kade to mean what he said. She hadn’t had him investigated to prove he was a man of his word.

  Okay, that wasn’t fair.

  She’d inherited her grandma’s temper, apparently, and it was showing itself in full measure.

  Autumn took a deep breath and glared at the elevator as it dinged. Of course it’d show up when she had no clue where to go. She turned and jumped, startled to see Stryker leaning against the wall, his long legs crossed. Curiosity lit his eyes as his gaze moved from her to the closed door where Kade still was.

  “Problems?”

  She glared, not trusting herself to be civil. It wasn’t his fault. She needed time alone to wallow. To think. To contemplate what the hell she was even doing in this place with these men who turned her insides to mush.

  “Want me to kick his ass for you?”

  She chortled. “Would I get to watch?”

  “It could be arranged.” He pushed off the wall and prowled toward her, a gleam in his eyes. His fingers ran across her cheek. “Why did you page me?”

  “I’m not sure how to get back in the room and I’m not exactly dressed for much place else.”

  He chuckled, his gaze sliding down her. “You’re overdressed for most everywhere on The Brigade grounds.”

  She shivered. “You can get me back in my room?”

  He nodded. “I wouldn’t recommend that be where you retreat. It’ll be the first place he looks, unless that’s what you want. Do you want him to find you and spank you for running off like a bad little sub?”

  Her pussy moistened. Damn her body for reacting. “Where would you suggest?”

  He held his hand out. “Follow me.”

  Chapter Eight

  Autumn shuffled her feet on the soft cork flooring and willed her stomach to ignore the wafting cacophony assailing her. Copper pots simmered on a massive stove. The kitchen was larger than her entire apartment. Stryker’s hand went around her waist and he dragged her toward a stool next to Lance.

  Lance looked up from his dicing and smiled. “I see you found our runner.”

  “Yep.” Stryker moved to the backside of the counter and began dicing peppers. He paused and moved the pile to a bowl. Wiping his hands on a towel, he looked up. “You going to tell us what happened?”

  “No.”

  “Fair enough,” Lance commented. “I’m sure you have your reasons.”

  “You sure you don’t need to investigate me and make sure?” Autumn bit her tongue when the two men exchanged glances.

  Stryker whistled. “You know it takes guts to admit to something that stupid.”

  “The man’s got balls bigger than his brains sometimes.” Lance stood and shoved a bowl of cut onions toward Stryker. “If it makes it any easier, we have everyone who comes onto these grounds background checked. It’s SOP.”

  “Is that why he did it?” Autumn asked, already sensing the answer.

  “He didn’t explain?” Stryker countered.

  Heat rose in her cheeks.

  “Ah. You didn’t give him a chance to.” Lance shook his head. “He must be feeling guiltier than I expected if he didn’t drag you back and spank that sexy ass of yours for running off.”

  “He had no right to investigate me like a common criminal.”

  “We all do stupid things at times, but that isn’t one of them. He has his reasons, more than most of us would have, actually.” Stryker adjusted the heat on a burner and turned around. “You don’t know people who do background checks on potential dates? It’s pretty common.”

  Okay, that was true. Hell, she’d considered doing it after two different friends had tried to set her up with two convicted felons. But that was different. Wasn’t it? “That still doesn’t excuse it.”

  “Maybe not. But look at it from his perspective for a minute. He’s rich. Very rich.” Lance sat beside her. “And women have bitten, scratched and crawled their way to his bed because of it, not giving a shit about him as a person. Only his bank account mattered.”

  “Clarisse was the worst.” Stryker shoved a knife into the butcher block. “Marissa needed a firm spanking daily, in my humble opinion.”

  “So because I’m female I can’t be trusted? But I’m supposed to trust him and you all to tie me up, slather me with whatever you want and fuck me every way imaginable.”

  The two men sucked in a breath. Okay, maybe not a wise idea to make them remember the scene they hadn’t gotten to finish. “Sorry.”

  “This has very little to do with submission scenes, Autumn, and everything to do with the fact he’s feeling more for you than he has anyone in a long time. He sees potential that scares the shit out of him.”

  “When the fuck did you become Dr. Phil?” Stryker countered.

  “Shut it.”

  Autumn’s insides somersaulted, hurdling over the arguments forming in her clouded thoughts. She’d been pissed. She still was, to a certain extent. But she hadn’t heard him out. Guilt pressed within her. “My background wouldn’t prove I’m trustworthy.”

  “
No. Which is why he’s feeling like sludge right now. At least, that’s what I figure.” Lance shook his head. “Too bad you ran instead of manning up and talking it out. I expected more from someone as brave as you, Autumn. He probably did too or he wouldn’t have bothered to confess.”

  Son of a biscuit.

  Okay, she’d officially overreacted. Deep down she accepted that she trusted Kade. She cared for him and wanted to have a real relationship with him. He obviously had trust issues thanks to former lovers. Hell, everyone did in one way or another.

  And now she’d just added to it.

  Autumn sighed and stood. “Guess I need to go back.”

  “Guess so,” Lance commented.

  “Or you could stay and play with us.” Stryker laughed. “That’d really set his ass off.”

  “Why is he so…territorial around you?”

  “Noticed that?” Lance asked.

  Stryker stirred veggies into a frying pan. “One of his exes used me to make him jealous. Of course, I didn’t know she was his. Now we make sure to know.”

  Autumn had always had good instincts. It was time she started trusting her gut. And her heart. She should’ve realized that sooner, but all she could do now was show him she still trusted him. Still cared. Still wanted more from him. With him.

  * * * * *

  “You going to sulk in here all day?”

  Kade sighed and ignored Lance. With any luck he’d go away.

  “Stryker ran into your little sub scurrying in the halls.”

  Tension knotted in Kade’s shoulders. His gut clenched at the imagery. How many times had he wanted to chase after her the past hour? Shit, he didn’t even know how long he’d been in here doing exactly what Lance accused him of—sulking.

  He’d known she’d be pissed. Telling her while she was restrained would’ve kept her from running, but he respected her too much for that. Honesty and trust were the two key foundations he wanted to form a relationship with Autumn on. And he’d fucked both of them up straight out of the gate.