by Lily Freeman
At seven o’clock on the dot, Luke pulled up in front of PJ’s warehouse. His day had been beyond painful. The emails alone, forty-seven of them, had taken him hours to address because for the first time in his career, he wasn’t dealing with ‘he said, she said’ or contractual discrepancies. He was dealing with government agencies, international watchdogs, and scientists that just didn’t speak in a language he understood. But there was no way out. Luke’s client, through his own reckless actions had dragged them all into a political nightmare. The whole world would be watching as their case unfolded, and taking note, not necessarily of the small, tedious details Luke was dealing with now, but the bigger ones caused by the fallout, the ones that would have repercussions for years to come. That was an issue for tomorrow however, tonight was about him and PJ.
He sent her a text informing her he was there, keeping it brief like all the other texts he’d sent her over the day, when really there was so much more he wanted to say. The thought of leaving her, even if it was only for a couple of nights made him nervous. Exactly why, he wasn’t sure. He felt closer to her than he did to anyone, even his sisters. She was the only person who knew both sides of him, other than Gabriel, yet she hadn’t judged him like he’d feared. She’d given him the most precious gift and now he couldn’t wait to give her one back. It concerned him that her fear still lingered as much as she insisted it didn’t. He wanted her trust and ultimately her submission, which was only going to happen when she felt safe around him, in private and at the club. Perhaps then he could relax.
In front of him, the security door opened, PJ stepping out into the light. She honestly took his breath away. Shiny black stiletto boots disappeared under the hemline of an olive green dress. It was soft and full, beautifully feminine as it hugged her hips before falling in a swish around her knees. When she stepped closer, into the courtyard, her plunging neckline was revealed; her skin pale and smooth like satin, as it disappeared under her dress. Luke couldn’t fight the urge to pull her into his arms so he didn’t. Her scent struck him first, exotic and fresh, then her taste as she reached up and kissed him. No woman had ever affected him the way she did, giving him so much with so little, just the sweep of her tongue.
“God I’ve missed you, Darling, have you missed me?”
She took too long to answer, her lips barely parting before he plunged his tongue between them, but it wasn’t enough. With a fist full of her silky hair, he tilted her back until she was helpless, then he really kissed her, curling his tongue around hers, lapping and licking, driving them both crazy.
“Well?” Easing away, Luke looked down. Her eyes were already dilated and hazy with arousal, her cheeks flushed that gorgeous shade of pink he’d been dreaming about.
“Yes, God, yes, I’ve missed you.”
Slowly sucking in a breath he leaned over her, caging her in. “Good. Where’s your coat. We need to go.” He’d paid a great deal of cash to have one of the private rooms set up for him and he wasn’t willing to miss a second of it. As soon as PJ retrieved her coat from her apartment, they headed back to the car.
The tiny burn that had started low in PJ’s tummy was growing steadily. Every word Luke said, every look he gave her; filled her with longing and desire, only adding to the warmth that was filling her body. Peeking sideways at him, she took in his broad cheekbones highlighted by the dashboard lights, his jaw; stubbled to perfection with the same soft brown hair that she’d give anything to run her fingers through. He smiled at her and the burn turned into a flame, wild and devastatingly dangerous.
“What are you thinking, Baby? You look miles away.”
She was, her mind wandering two hours forward, twenty-four hours back, but as always around Luke, she was drawn to him.
“I was thinking that you’re a very beautiful man.” She could feel the flush in her cheeks, the slight tremble in her hands, as he pulled the car over and reached for her.
“Thank you, I happen to think you’re the most exquisite thing I’ve ever laid my eyes on, so we’re even.” Dipping his head, he kissed her. “Are you excited about going to the club?”
His smile was adorable, boyish even, but there was something about the way he watched her that had her pulse racing. “I’m excited about being with you, but—” With that one word, his smile faded. “What do I do, Luke? I don’t want to disappoint you.”
He reached for her, capturing her face, and when they kissed he was laughing, or at least she thought he was between the hushed words and the teasing tongue.
“You, little Darling, are the sweetest thing, but you don’t need to do anything tonight except relax and let me take care of you. Can you do that for me?”
She could because when he was like this, so confident and charming, she believed in him and the illusion he was trying so hard to create for her. Whether she would still feel that way in a few hours after another night at the club, she’d just have to wait and see.
“The blonde, India?” Adam smiled even though it was the last thing he felt like doing. Actually, being at the club was the last thing he felt like doing, but he’d given Gabriel his word, and part of him still wanted to know if PJ would come back. Her absence had been noticed last week, though to be fair, once he’d heard whom she’d spent her first evening with, he hadn’t been surprised. How the fuck Luke Monroe had gotten his hands on her, Adam would never know, but he had. The rumours had been flying when he’d returned from the dungeons, even more so by the end of the night when it had become common knowledge that she’d left Luke standing in the middle of the club without a word.
Although Adam had only spent an hour with PJ, two at the most, he’d thought about her continually over the last couple of weeks, tormenting himself with images of her bruised and battered, utterly terrified after what the bastard might have done to her. And that was the problem, no one knew what happened. Monroe hadn’t been back and neither had she. Adam had checked the clubs database several times and her information was still listed. He’d even thought about taking her number and calling which would break pretty much every one of the clubs rules. He hadn’t because the last thing he could afford to do was get fixated on a woman he was never going to see again. Shoving that depressing thought aside, Adam turned back to his friend.
“She’s a nice girl, could be a bit bratty, then again, you like that.” James shot him a look. Adam had only known the other Dom for six months, but he liked him. He wasn’t pretentious, had a dry sense of humour and a very similar outlook to his own, especially on how he interacted with his subs. India would be well looked after with James. Beside them, Trey grunted before he pushed off the wall and stalked away.
“What’s up with Trey?”
“Don’t know, I think he—” The main door opened, India and Ash entered, followed by the other two new subs Adam hadn’t met yet.
“Are you going to ask her tonight or do you want me to when I get her alone?”
Adam knew exactly what James was talking about. He’d been seconds away from grabbing India last week and questioning her about PJ, but something had stopped him. Yes, he wanted to finish what he’d started, there was no point denying it, but more importantly, he just wanted to know if she was alright. She’d been adorable that night when he’d taken her through the basics, shy and naive yet so naturally submissive. It pained Adam to think all that potential had been extinguished by the brutal actions of one evil bastard.
“I’ll talk to her soon.” He had no idea if India would actually confide in him. They’d talked, but only about superficial things, and he’d seen her close ranks when PJ was mentioned. Still he owed it to himself to try. When India had shifted away from her friends, Adam saw his chance, moving towards her just as the door opened. Luke walked in with the most arrogant, conceited smile on his face; a second later Adam discovered why. PJ entered the club with her eyes down and her hand firmly shackled in his.
If he didn’t know better, Adam would have said they looked like the perfect couple, him exuding do
minance and control, her completely subservient under the weight of it, but surely that wasn’t the case, it just couldn’t be.
“Fuck.” A sharp dig in his ribs had Adam spinning around to find James looking just as stunned as he was.
“What the hell?”
Before either of them could comment further, Gabriel appeared, walking straight across the room towards the happy couple. Quiet words passed between them, then to everyone’s surprise, including PJ, he pulled her into his arms for a very brief hug. If Adam hadn’t been watching so closely he would have missed the subtle shift in Luke’s expression; the narrowing of his eyes, the flick of his hands, those possessive gestures followed by another—him pulling PJ back into his arms as soon as Gabriel released her. It was the first time Adam had ever seen the man make such a blatant claim over a woman and the kicker was, it was the only woman Adam had wanted in a long, long time.
“Where are you taking me, Master?”
Luke didn’t even have to ask. Not only had PJ lowered her eyes upon entering the club, she’d also addressed him correctly, and if he wasn’t mistaken, she was delighted to do so. Even the slight tremble he could feel in her touch was different, excitement and not fear, which pleased him immensely, considering what he was about to do to her.
“Somewhere very special.” He escorted her through the main bar and out a door that very few members ever got to use because it led to the two private rooms above the club reserved for senior Masters only.
His own excitement simmered just under his skin, getting hotter and more potent with every step they took along the hallway. When she drew to a halt, obviously confused as to which door to go to, he turned, pressing her hard up against the wall.
“I have another rule for you.” PJ’s expression was all wide-eyed and innocent, but he didn’t buy it for a minute.
“Yes, Master.”
Grasping her chin, Luke held her still. He didn’t need to be rough with her, actually felt no desire to be, but he could see what it did to her when he sharpened his tone and tightened his grip. Gold became black as her eyes dilated and her cheeks flushed. Her body knew exactly what it wanted even if her mind didn’t.
“When we enter the room that we’re going to be playing in, I want you to stand beside the door and strip.”
“Yes, Master.”
He kissed her, hard and fast because she was so perfect and he couldn’t resist. When her lips were swollen and her breaths were short and erratic, he continued to speak. “Then I’d like you to kneel and wait until I’m ready for you.” Before she could answer, he opened the door and nudged her through it.
The heat hit PJ first, hot, moist and incredibly inviting, then the smell; the rich scent was so enticing that she could taste it as she sucked in a breath.
When the door shut with a small click behind her, she risked a quick look around the room. It was completely bare except for an armoire in the far corner and some sort of small padded object in the center of the room. The cushion, pillow, whatever it was, appeared almost ominous, sitting there alone on the highly polished wooden floor, that was before she spotted the black iron rings bolted in at four very strategic points. Luke had moved away and was leaning against the wall, watching as she started to undress.
“Good girl. You may fold your clothes neatly and sit them on the floor beside you.”
“Yes, Master.” Oh how easily that response fell from her lips. There was no hesitation, not anymore. She wanted to obey him, just to hear his praise and to feel his touch, which was so different when he was pleased with her.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him move, walking across the room to the armoire where he opened a drawer.
Her fingers fumbled with her bra hooks, but before she could try again, he was back, running his hands down her arms in soothing strokes.
“Just relax and enjoy. Tonight is about us spending some time together and exploring.”
With a small nod, she finally managed to wrestle the hook open, lace falling away to reveal her breasts. Luke left her, and this time she didn’t look up, not even when a chain rattled across the room. Her breathing came in short needy gasps as she peeled her stockings, knickers and suspender belt off. Folding them neatly was a tedious task, but she managed to achieve it before she dropped to her knees.
For a second she was in a different room at a different time with Adam. The memory of his touch, his kiss, his words, it all came rushing back, which was grossly inappropriate considering she was kneeling in front of another man. She hadn’t missed the look on his face though, down in the foyer. Was he hurt, offended that she’d met someone else? It had certainly never been her intention to upset him in any way. He’d been a dream that night and there was still a little part of her that wondered—what if? That chance had passed now and she needed to move on.
With a slight shuffle, she parted her knees just like Adam had taught her then rested her hands on her thighs. Would Luke want that or did he have his own preference? He’d never said. Up until ten minutes ago, he’d only ever given her two rules to follow.
“You look beautiful, Darling, just like I imagined you would.”
He was right in front of her now, kneeling. The proximity of his position made her feel like they were equals in this game, but only until he pulled out a strip of black silk.
“Trust me?”
“Yes, Master.”
Warm, smooth darkness that smelled like him covered her eyes; his fingers worked the knot then he took her hands and she was lifted gently to her feet. He led her three steps before he stopped her with a kiss.
“Sit down.” She did, feeling some sort of sheeting beneath her on the ground before Luke very carefully pushed her back over the leather cushion. It wasn’t until he spread her thighs that she realised how exposed she was with her hips raised up, her whole body laid out before him. The cold shackles that encircled her ankles merely added another element to it. When he shifted to her arms, she wiggled her legs, testing the range of movement, which wasn’t much. He chuckled softly while he cuffed her wrists, high and wide above her head.
“You’re all chained down, completely at my mercy.”
“I am, Master.”
“Does it scare you to know I can do whatever I want to you?”
It did, but only because his tone had changed, no longer soft and coaxing, but rough and gritty as he drew out the question. But PJ could be scared and trust him at the same time. “Yes, Master.”
He was beside her in a heartbeat, his breath ghosting over her lips before he kissed her.
“I,” his tongue swept inside, lapping at hers, “will never hurt you, but,” he nipped her lip, holding tight before releasing her, “I do want to give you something very special tonight and to do that, I need you to be brave.”
Okay, now she was nervous as well as scared. Up until this point, she’d never realised the two were different emotions. Still, she needed to let him do this, for her own sake as much as his. “You can do whatever,” oh fuck, “you want to, Master.”
“Good girl, you just wait right there.”
Oh he was funny, now that she was chained to the floor.
With her eyes covered and no other noises in the room to distract her, PJ tried to relax, focusing on every little sound as Luke moved around the room; a door opening, closing, then footsteps, heading back towards her.
“Are you ready?”
Just as PJ was about to answer him, something tickled her thighs then moved higher, tiny strokes brushing back and forth over her tummy, teasing until she had to wiggle away. When she twisted he flicked her, the soft strands sending a warm heat dancing up her ribcage. The next strike fell over her breasts then randomly back down the inside of her thighs, the heat building, slow and steady, but it felt incredible as she lay on the cool wooden floor. Luke was moving faster now, a little breeze following in the wake of each strike and a small noise. PJ moaned, unable to predict the ever-changing pattern. He caught one hip and then the other, ag
ain and again until she was undulating continually, moving away, shifting closer, all of it becoming a blur.
“You’re fucking beautiful, all flushed and wet. I want to give you more before your surprise.”
Was she wet? God, how embarrassing, but now that he’d pointed it out, PJ could feel the warm trickle running down the crease of her ass. She’d never have believed a week ago that being struck by something repeatedly would turn her on, yet it did, disturbingly so.
“Yes, yes please, more.” She heard his chuckle right before he struck her again. It was harder, her pleasant heat turned into a blazing fire, then fading just as fast. He moved quickly up her body and back down, one deliberate strike landing directly over her pussy.
“Ahhh, God.” Pain, pleasure, she wasn’t quite sure what, but something had her bowing off the floor, seeking more and he gave it to her straight away. A thousand tiny lashes danced across her breasts, blazing hot. PJ froze, completely overwhelmed by the intensity of the sensation.
“Stay with me, I need you with me.”
He struck her again—up and down, left and right, whatever it was he used, flying over her body.
“Did you think of me today, like I did you? Did you dream about this, about what I was going to do to you?”
She had, all afternoon, even when she’d been with Mika, thoroughly enjoying his company yet Luke had been there too, behind her smiles, in her heart. “Yes Master, yes—ahhh.”
A sharp blast of pain shot down her thighs as he struck her. Her arms jerked tight, her legs pulling up about three inches, which was all the slack he’d allowed her.