by Jenna Jacob
My body responded instantly. I was grateful for the barrier of clothing, so James couldn’t see how easily he destroyed me.
“Thank you. So do you,” I managed to deliver past the choking lust lodged in my throat. “Please. Come in. I just need to grab my phone and my purse.”
With a nod, he followed me inside. Glancing over my shoulder, I noticed him checking out my family room.
“So, you’re a neat freak, huh?”
I arched a brow, unsure if I he meant it as a compliment or an insult. James had a tendency to be brutally direct. Still, I felt as if he were finding fault that I liked keeping a tidy home.
“No. I just don’t like clutter.”
“Easy. It wasn’t a dig,” he chuckled. “I’m a bit anal that way, myself.”
Anal? Oh, lord. Of all the words he could have chosen, he just had to pick that one, didn’t he? The air stilled in my lungs and for a brief moment all I could envision was James balls deep in my ass.
“Would you like a tour?” I asked, forcing a nonchalant tone.
“Maybe later.” A devilish smirk curled one side of his mouth. “If you show me your bedroom, we won’t make it out of house.”
And that would be a bad thing how?
Biting my tongue, I gathered up my phone, dropped it into my purse then slung the strap over my shoulder. “I’m ready if you are.”
I was ready all right. Ready to drag him to my bed. Nixing the idea of attacking him like a sex-starved nympho, we walked out the front door.
James held the door while I settled into the soft, leather seat of his enormous, black truck. The air inside the cab smelled like new leather and there wasn’t a spec of dust or dirt to be found. ‘I’m a bit anal that way, myself.’
“God I hope so,” I muttered under my breath as he rounded the front of the vehicle and climbed in behind the wheel. “Your truck is beautiful. Is it new?”
“Picked it up two days ago.” He preened. Turning the key, the engine roared to life.
“It’s very nice.”
“Thanks. My friend Ian—well, actually he’s my boss now—has a cabin in the woods about an hour from the city. I bought it to haul all our fishing stuff when we go up there to relax and discuss clients. Hey, do you like to fish?”
“I used to. I haven’t been in years. Dayne and I took a trip to the Ozarks, down in Missouri. We rented this big houseboat and spent a week cruising up and down the lake, fishing and swimming. The lake is beautiful. It’s a great vacation spot.”
“It sounds like it. Ian and I will have to check it out sometime if we want a change of scenery.”
“So your boss, Ian has a cabin? It sounds rustic.”
“It’s more like a house. A big house. In fact, a few months back, eight of us stayed there quite comfortably. We used it as a safe house for a couple friends of ours.”
“A safe house? Who were you hiding them from?” I gaped.
“A mentally deranged submissive and the hit man she hired.”
“You’re kidding, right? I didn’t read anything about mentally unstable subs on line, just predators.”
As the confession that I’d been researching the lifestyle rolled off my tongue, I quickly snapped my lips shut and reached for the dial of the radio—hoping to mask or distract my comment. Lightning fast, James snatched my wrist and pulled my hand to his lips before brushing a sweet kiss over my knuckles. A tingle of need twisted in my belly, and his lips curled in a knowing smile.
“So you’ve been researching BDSM online, huh? You know, there are a lot of unreliable sites out there.” His voice was low and inveigling. “If you have questions, I’ll be more than happy to tell you anything you want to know.”
How kinky are you? The question sat on the tip of my tongue, but I was too unsure to ask. Besides, delving into sexual fantasies on a first date seemed far too forward.
“I appreciate the offer, but I was only curious about the kind of things that go on at Mika’s club. That’s all,” I lied.
“My offer to show you still stands.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m not into those kinds of things.”
Liar.
Untangling my hand from his, I clasped my fingers together and laid them in my lap, while I nervously worried my thumbs together. James didn’t respond, simply focused on the road, letting me stew in my own anxiety. I desperately wanted to broach the topic of fishing again, or baseball, or the weather…anything. But my thoughts were absorbed with images of ropes, knots, and bondage.
Stopping at a red light, James turned and held me with a quizzical gaze. “Did you read about safe, sane and consensual?”
“Yes.”
Cocking his head at my timid reply, his stare grew more intense. “Does the thought of giving your power to someone offend you?”
“No, I’m not offended. I—I just don’t think BDSM is my cup of tea.”
It wasn’t sensible or proper either. Of course, hoping to get laid on a first date wasn’t sensible or proper either, but—at least in my mind—it was far more acceptable than waltzing into a BDSM club. What if I ran into someone I knew? I’d die of embarrassment if rumors filtered through the hospital that I was a ‘head nurse’ in every kinky sense of the word. I’d probably lose my job. I needed to steer clear of Club Genesis at all costs.
“I see.”
A slight scowl wrinkled his forehead as the light turned green. James eased into the flow of traffic, openly wearing his disappointment. I felt bad that I’d lied to him, but also worried I’d just screwed up my chance of getting laid to boot. He drove several blocks as a long, uncomfortable silence enveloped the cab.
Finally, James cleared his throat. “Answer me honestly, Liz. There’s nothing about the lifestyle that intrigues you? Not even the slightest bit?”
Be honest? Shit. Some of the things don’t intrigue me… They turn me on like a damn light bulb. But they’re too damn embarrassing to tell you.
“If you’re frightened, don’t be. It’s not like I’d drag you into the club then walk away. I’d be right by your side and explain everything that’s going on.”
I didn’t think for a second that he’d abandon me…at least not there. “I’m not frightened,” I lied.
“You are, but I think you might be too proud to admit it.”
“I am not,” I challenged, lifting my chin.
You are. And you’re lying to the man…every time you open your mouth—or so it seems. At this rate the date will be long over before you have the chance to eat.
“Good. Then we’ll stop by after dinner, and I’ll show you around.”
Hadn’t he heard a single word that I’d said? Of course he did. He knows you’re full of shit and he’s calling your bluff.
A punch of anxiety made my heart accelerate. My thoughts blurred, like the cars parked along the curb that we flew past. My little white lies had come full circle and sunk their wicked fangs into my ass. How the hell was I going to finagle myself out of this mess?
As James drew closer to the hospital, I continued pondering schemes to bypass Genesis. I thought about stalling at dinner with meaningless conversation, but sooner or later his Dominant side would take over…unless I tied him to the chair. But he probably wouldn’t allow that to happen. Tossing the idea away, I decided that drinking a little too much wine with dinner might make him take me home. Then I could seduce him and not have to worry about stepping foot into a kink club. Out of the two plans, the latter had the most potential. Of course I could always fake a headache. I’d end in bed all right—alone and horny as hell.
James wound the truck to the top level of the parking garage, far from other vehicles. I didn’t blame him for not wanting door dings on his new ride. Turning off the engine with a solemn expression, he swiveled in his seat.
“I can’t change who I am, Liz. What you see is what you get. I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not.” The sincerity written over his face and suffused in his tone was impossible to miss. “I promise I’
ll be open and honest with you, whether we’re just friends or evolve into lovers. The only thing I ask is that you reciprocate, and are honest with me, too. Will you do that?”
He knew I’d been lying through my teeth, and I felt guilty as hell. Every article I’d read earlier stressed the importance of trust, honesty, and communication: the cornerstones of a healthy BDSM relationship. But we weren’t even in a relationship, BDSM or vanilla. Surely he didn’t expect me to split myself open and show him every vulnerable piece of me from the start…did he? And why did James act as if this thing between us was more than simple lust? Did he want to connect on something besides a purely physical level? It certainly felt like it, but maybe it was all in my imagination. I didn’t want to do something stupid, like set myself up for another fall. But hope spread its wings and took flight inside me, regardless, fluttering its wings deep within my heart and making it hard to breathe. Staring at his hopeful expression, I nodded.
“Say it out loud, Liz.”
“I promise,” I whispered.
“Good.” He grinned. Prying my fingers apart, he threaded his hand with mine and gave a light squeeze. “Let’s go see Trevor.”
After opening my door like a quintessential gentleman, we made our way toward ICU as James’ broad hand settled at the small of my back. Tiny pulses ignited within me and I hoped my body would never grow accustomed to his touch in that regard. Once inside the ICU waiting room, James sauntered to a cluster of people gathered in the far corner. A petite woman with huge boobs and long blonde hair spied us first, and rushed toward us on a pair of stilettos that made my feet cringe.
Her face softened, and she gave James a loving smile. I immediately wondered if she were a special sub in his life and if my being with him would upset her. The woman stared up at him and a frown tugged her small mouth. “You look tired, honey. Did you sleep at all?” Her tone held an unexpected motherly tone, far different from that of a concerned or slighted girlfriend.
“Yes, I did,” James sheepishly replied. “Liz, this is Sammie. Sammie this is Liz.”
“Oh, so this is Liz?” the blonde replied with a knowing inflection. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, honey. Drake’s done nothing but sing your praises since I got here. Thank you for taking such good care of our Trevor. That poor baby. It just breaks my heart what he’s been through.”
Tears swelled in her pale, blue eyes and her chin slightly quivered. Sliding his hand from my waist, James pulled Sammie into his chest and gave her a compassionate hug.
“No tears. Trevor is going to bounce back from this and you know it,” James soothed.
Pulling away, Sammie nodded as she drew a slender finger under each eye, catching her tears. “I know, but he’s such a sweetheart.”
“Yes. He is,” James agreed with a sympathetic smile.
Relaxing a bit, I spied Mika as he jerked a nod in greeting, and Julianna, who smiled and gave a little wave. Several others began to notice our arrival and seemed to swarm around both James and me, extending introductions and smiles. James didn’t stray; he stood right by my side—hand molded at the slope of my spine—as he introduced me to his friends. A proud sexy smile seemed frozen on his lips, making me weak in the knees, and decidedly harder for me to focus on anyone but him.
I tried not to stare at his friends, all whom I assumed were members of the club by their strange and unusual names: Ivory, Dark Desire, Ebony, Silver Sin, Tiffany, Master Brax, Destiny, Twisted Top, Jade, Strict Master, and several others. So many, in fact, that I had a hard time keeping their names straight.
On a barely perceptible exhale; James seemed to relax when he first introduced me to a tall blonde man named Joshua, and Mellie, a beautiful brunette standing by his side. Next I met Tony and Leagh—who had recently gotten married—James informed me. I could tell. The dark complected body-builder and his tiny, blonde wife seemed to glow in newlywed bliss. I got the distinct impression that this smaller group of friends held a special place in James’ heart.
A handsome man approached our little group, but his leering gaze caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end. My woman’s intuition kicked into high alert as James’ body tensed. I knew the man standing before me was no friend.
“And who is this lovely little beauty?” The man asked, brazenly undressing me with his eyes. “My, my. Where did you find her?”
The man’s smile resembled a smarmy sneer and I inched closer to James’ side.
“Kerr,” James replied tightly. “This is a friend of mine, Liz.”
I could feel a hostile undercurrent from everyone around me. No doubt James omitted extending me an introduction to Kerr on purpose. Not only did the man give me the heebie-jeebies, he didn’t mention a word about Trevor…unlike the rest of James’ friends. I plastered on a false smile and made a mental note to ask James about the creepy dude later.
“I must mingle,” Kerr announced. I got the impression he held himself far above the others. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you, girl. I look forward to seeing a lot more of you in the near future.” His words slithered out on an insidious purr, and his intimation was clear: Kerr wanted to see me naked. Suddenly, I had the urge to take another shower and wash off the film his vile innuendo left behind.
Flashing a nervous glace at James, I noticed the same ‘I want to rip your head off and shit down your throat’ expression he’d worn when the security guard had held him at gunpoint. The hand he had splayed at the base of my spine curled into a fist. I was just about to lean up and give him a kiss when Mika stepped between James and Kerr. Leaving no question to the hierarchy of command, Mika darted a dismissive glance at Kerr before he wrapped me in a welcome hug.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Don’t let Trevor’s extended family overwhelm you,” Mika whispered in my ear. “Even the ostracized ones.
I was grateful that the club owner pre-empted what I feared might turn into a knock-down drag-out between James and Kerr. Mumbling a few curses under his breath, Kerr walked away. Like a raptor stalking its prey, James kept a keen eye on the man as he ambled over and stopped to talk to a pretty young blonde named Destiny, if I remembered correctly. Her brittle expression all but screamed she was less than thrilled to have garnered Kerr’s attentions.
“Have you been back to see Trevor today?” I asked Mika as Julianna glided in beside him.
I softly strummed my fingers up his back in an attempt to soothe him and coax James into the conversation with Mika and Julianna. James snapped his gaze off Kerr and turned toward me. A twinkle of pride darted across his dark eyes as he pulled me closer against his side.
“He was in a lot of pain earlier,” Julianna began to explain. I bit back a smile as Mika arched an incredulous brow at her. “But they increased the intervals on his morphine pump. He seems to be getting on top of the pain, and sleeping more comfortably now.”
“I believe Liz asked me, precious,” Mika chastised in something close to a growl.
“Oops,” Julianna giggled. “Sorry, Sir.”
“Are you a nurse, too?” I asked, trying not to laugh at her flimsy attempt to appease Mika.
“No,” she replied, sobering. Her mournful, green eyes came to rest on her Dom. He slung his arm around her shoulder and placed a heartfelt, kiss on the top of her head. “Mika was shot last year. I learned all about morphine pumps and pain management the hard way.”
“Shot?” I blanched as I gaped at Mika. “You mentioned you’d been in ICU, but I didn’t know you’d been shot.” Turning my attention to Julianna, my heart went out to her for the terror she must have gone through. “Oh my god, you must have been out of your mind with worry. Did they catch the guy that shot him?”
With a nod, Julianna huddled in close to Mika.
“I killed him,” he announced coldly. “It was self defense. But yes, we both had a hell of a scare.”
“Scared shitless is more like it,” Julianna whispered.
“Precious.” Mika scowled as he pinned her with a look of
warning. “Do I need to find something to shove in your mouth to keep you from swearing?”
“No, Sir.” Shaking her head, Julianna’s red ringlets bounced wildly. “Because we both know a ball gag isn’t what I want you shoving in my mouth.” She flashed him a seductive smile and winked.
“Sassy wench,” he chastised with a grin then kissed her hard on the lips.
Releasing his girl, Mika and James shook hands before sharing a manly hug and slapping one another on the back. James whispered something in Mika’s ear, and as they pulled away, the amber-eyed man flashed me a wolfish grin.
“We’ll look forward to seeing you at the club tonight, girl.”
No. No. No. Dammit! James was making it nearly impossible for me to weasel out of that part of our date.
“Is anyone back with Trevor beside Drake?” I blurted out, redirecting the conversation.
“Dylan, Nick, and Savannah are with him and Drake now,” Mika replied as he glanced at his watch. “They should be coming out soon.”
“Thank you.” I smiled.
“Hey, have you seen Ian today?” James asked.
“Yes.” Mika nodded. “He was here earlier but said he was heading back to the office.”
Ian? Oh yes, James’ boss and fishing partner.
“I’ll check in with him later.” James nodded, then scanned the waiting room. “I guess we’ll find a seat and wait our turn to go back.”
Remembering how easily James had obtained my address, I smirked. “I can sneak us back now if you’d like. I know people, too,” I teased.
“It’s nice having friends in high places, isn’t it?” James quipped with a grin. “Let’s go.”
Walking toward Trevor’s room, James’ palm still singed the small of my back. I garnered several raised brows from my fellow nurses, but expected as much. I’d always kept my personal life separate from my professional one. Let them gossip. Hell, let them drool. A sly smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.
Pausing at the entrance to Trevor’s room, Drake sat on the bed, brushing his thick fingers through his lover’s golden hair. A tall, handsome Native American man had his arm slung around the waist of a curvy, dark-haired woman. Flanking her other side was an equally attractive blonde with Caribbean-blue eyes. He too had his arm around the girl. Trevor said something, and they all started to laugh before, one by one, each man pressed a steamy kiss over the woman’s mouth. It was obvious the two handsome men shared the pretty young woman. More than a little shocked, I tried not to stare.