Ravish

by Marie Tuhart

  “No, they’re fine. The trouble makers were my brother and my ex.”

  “Ex?” His eyebrows rose.

  “Ex-husband. Four years now, thank goodness.”

  “Sounds like there’s a story there.”

  “A long and boring one.”

  “You could never tell a boring story.” He leaned against the counter. “I’m glad the guys aren’t causing you any issues. They really enjoy your food.”

  “They do?” Lara stared at Colby. The bikers came in and ordered the same things most days.

  “Do you know how many places carry gluten-free or wheat-free food?”

  Lara paused. “Doesn’t everyone?”

  Colby laughed and a tingle of awareness invaded her veins. “No. Plus you have sugar free desserts and fruit thingies.”

  “Fruit thingies?” A giggle escaped her lips.

  “You know those little cup things that look like miniature waffle cones.”

  “Oh, the tart shells.”

  “Not to mention, you also have vegetarian options.”

  “I never realized.” She’d added those items to the menu when people started asking for them.

  “So, if you ever have any problems with them, come get me, or better yet, call me.” He turned her order pad around and wrote his number. “I mean it. If you ever need me, give me a call. That’s my cell.”

  Her belly clenched. Oh, did he do midnight booty calls? Lara closed her eyes. How would it feel to have his hands skim over her belly as she buried her fingers in his black hair? Okay, she’d been reading way too many erotic romance novels lately. Her mind was running away with her body’s needs.

  “I will. If I need you.” Was that her breathless voice?

  “Good. Be safe. See you Saturday night.” He sauntered out of the café.

  Lara locked the door, flipped the neon sign off, and paused. Did he say he’d see her Saturday night? He did. Her heart fluttered. Now she really had a reason to look forward to Saturday night.

  Chapter 2

  Saturday night, Lara stared at the back of her small SUV. It was stacked full. She had two hot boxes there, and the back seat held napkins, plates, tongs, and two coolers keeping the spiral wraps cold.

  She’d had both Eve and Megan in the café today while she prepared everything for tonight. Excitement filled her body. Not only to see Wicked Sanctuary, but also because she’d see Colby again.

  He’d stayed away from the café all week. One of the regular bikers, Monty, let it slip he was ordering stuff for Colby and taking it back to his shop.

  Lara wondered about that but figured maybe Colby was busy. He did have a shop to run, and she had no reason to feel hurt at not seeing him until tonight. Now her nerves tingled with the idea of seeing him at the club. Max had commented it was a party for members only, so Colby had to be a member.

  Pulling up the directions Max had given her, Lara pulled out of her parking spot and began the drive. The club was on the outskirts of Pleasant Valley. She’d given herself plenty of time to get there and set up. Max told her he’d make sure the tables were all ready for her.

  Her favorite song came on the radio, and she moved her head and shoulders to the beat as she drove, thinking about her week. At least her brother and ex hadn’t been back to the café. That was a good thing.

  But her mother had called her several times, asking her why she called the police on them. Lara told her she hadn’t called, but they needed to learn to listen when she told them to leave. She had a business to run.

  Her aunt Tammy had rolled her eyes and muttered about how her nephews were too much like their father. At times, Lara agreed with her. Her brothers both worked at the bank her father owned. Hell, even her ex worked there.

  Lara’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel. Her father had wanted her to get a degree in finance. So dry and boring. There was no way she was going to go for that. He finally compromised when she was accepted to Berkeley. He called Berkeley a hippy-dippy school, but as long as she went to the Haas Business School, he’d allow it.

  Best decision she ever made. She might be a bit lousy with numbers, but she’d learned a lot about being an entrepreneur by visiting the cafés around the university. Small ones, large ones, chains, mom and pop places. She’d go to different ones every day, scope out what they were serving, how they treated their customers, especially students. It gave her ideas, and her final paper had been on the service industry.

  Lara spied her turnoff and slowed down. She stopped at the big metal gate. Rolling down her window, she rang the button on the call box.

  “How can I help you?” a deep male voice asked.

  “Hi, I’m Lara, the caterer for tonight.”

  “Yes. The gate will open in a moment, please drive through. Park close to the door.”

  “Thank you.” The ornate gates began to open, and Lara drove through. She loved how the trees lined the driveway, then the view widened. Lara almost stopped her vehicle.

  “It’s beautiful.” The club was bigger than she thought. She hadn’t expected it to look like a well-maintained mansion, but dingier, like an underground club or something. Any last nervousness she had around the club disappeared. She pulled up and parked near the front door as instructed, then hopped out. Before she could make it to the back of her vehicle, Colby and Max walked out.

  Her heart sped up. Colby was wearing black pants and a black t-shirt with heavy boots. Damn, that man filled out his clothing. What would he look like out of them? Shaking her lusty thoughts away, she opened the back.

  “How the heck did you get those into your SUV?” Colby asked, looking at the hot boxes.

  “I had some help.” Eve’s boyfriend and his friend had come over and helped her load them into her SUV.

  Colby stared at her. “You could have called me.”

  Lara opened her mouth, but Max spoke up.

  “Why don’t we get these out,” Max said, giving her a wink.

  “Please. Let me get the rolling cart to put them on.” Lara opened the passenger door, pulled out the cart, and unfolded it. Colby watched her with a frown.

  “Perfect,” Max said.

  Lara stood back and watched the muscles bunch in Colby’s arms and shoulders as he unloaded the food. Did he work out? Get your mind back on business. Once the two hot boxes were on the cart, she followed Max and Colby inside.

  “Ralph, this is Lara.”

  “Miss Lara.”

  “Hi, Ralph.” He sat behind a desk, which she assumed was to check people into the club. She followed the men through the first doorway and then through the second one. Inside the second door, she stopped. So, this was a BDSM club. She looked around as she followed the two men.

  She saw various areas set up with equipment. Spanking benches, massage tables, and some other equipment she didn’t recognize. There was a bar—she’d have to ask Max about that. Sofas and overstuffed chairs sat around the room, and one area was painted green. The lighting was subtle, but there was enough illumination to move around safely. Against the back wall, where they were headed, four long tables were set up with white tablecloths.

  “Where do you want these?” Max asked.

  “On the floor is fine, but close to the outlet. I’m trusting I won’t have an issue if I plug both in?”

  “Not unless you pull a hell of a lot of voltage, which I don’t think will happen.”

  “Nope.” As they placed them on the floor, Lara knelt down and plugged them in. “Thank you for setting up the tables. I’ll go get the rest of my stuff and get everything set up.”

  “We’ll help,” Colby said.

  “I don’t want to hold you up if you have other things to do.”

  She felt the intensity of Colby’s stare, and her skin prickled. “Okay, let’s do it.”

  With three of them, it only took two more trips to her car to empty it.

  “What else can we do to help?” Max asked.

  “Not much really, I’ll get the stands up.�
�� She pulled out the metal stands and set them on the tables, then pulled out the cans of gel to keep the food warm in the pans. Lara pulled out the lighter.

  “Let me do that,” Colby said, covering her hand with his.

  Lara shrugged and gave Colby the lighter. “Only light the ones for the first rack.” She’d light the others ones as time got closer, but she wanted to have some items out for early birds. She saw Max staring at the gel chafing fuel cans. “Is there going to be a problem?” she asked Max. They’d talked about it.

  “No. I’ve got two fire extinguishers here by the tables.” He pointed them out to her. “Plus others behind the bar and in other places.”

  “Good.” She noted where the extinguishers were. “I do have a question.” She looked at Max.

  “Yes.”

  “You have a bar, so I take it you serve alcohol?”

  Max grinned. “We do not.”

  Lara blinked. “You don’t?” Interesting.

  “No, we provide water, juice, and soda. The only time we have alcohol is when I do a special party, and there is no play that night.”

  Lara liked that. “Good. I was wondering if I’d have to watch for drunk patrons.”

  “You shouldn’t unless they’re drunk before the get here, and we watch carefully.” Max lifted his hand. “If you have any issues, let me know or Colby. It will be taken care of.”

  “Yes, it will be dealt with.” Colby held the lighter out to her. She took it and put it away. Napkins, plates, and utensils made it to the table, along with tongs. Satisfied, Lara knelt and pulled two trays out. She placed them in the holder and lifted the lids.

  “Oh my God,” Sierra said, rushing across the room. “Mac and cheese bites.” Grabbing a napkin, she took one out of the pan.

  Max glared at Sierra, and Lara laughed. “I put these out for all of you. Please, have some.”

  “From Sierra, I know one is mac and cheese bites, but what is the other?” Colby asked.

  “Spinach, artichoke, and rice.”

  Using the tongs she’d set out, Colby lifted one out and put it on a napkin before picking it up and raising it to his mouth.

  Lara watched those sensuous lips open and white teeth bite into the food. How would those lips feel against her skin? Would he nip with his teeth or just kiss and lick her skin. Heat filled her body.

  “Nice and crunchy. Really good flavor,” Colby said.

  “I’ll have to try those next,” Sierra announced, reaching for the one Max had on his napkin.

  “Get your own.” Max gently slapped the back of her hand.

  Sierra stuck her lower lip out and picked up one for herself.

  Lara grinned at the way Max and Sierra teased each other. The love flowed from them. She turned away. Had she ever been in love like that? Maybe at first with Walter, but she couldn’t be sure.

  She’d met her ex at Berkeley and fallen in love – at least it felt that way. And when he followed her back to Pleasant Valley, she thought it was destiny. More like a horror story with and ending that still plagued her.

  Colby’s voice snapped her out of her momentary flashback.

  “What else did you bring?” Colby asked.

  “I made some pinwheel sandwiches, deep dish pizza bites, bagel dogs, and roasted veggie tart. And of course, desserts.”

  “You’re going to spoil everyone,” Colby said.

  “I hope so.” This might be something she could incorporate into her business. Catering small events for appetizers and desserts.

  “Sounds like you thought of everything.”

  “I tried. Sierra wasn’t sure, so I wanted to make sure I had some vegetarian stuff, gluten-free, and regular menu items.”

  “What is that smell?” Tessa walked into the club along with Damon.

  “Hey, Tessa,” Lara said.

  “Sierra got you to cater. Oh goodness, what did you bring?” Tessa all but ran to the table and grabbed a napkin.

  Lara couldn’t help but laugh. While the three women had been in her café often, they tended to eat the same things. Actually, most of her customers did. She needed to expand their horizons.

  “Hi, Lara,” Damon said, coming up behind Tessa.

  “Damon.”

  “Are you ready for tonight?” Damon asked Colby.

  “Yes. Oh, that reminds me. I have the wristbands for you to try out. Be right back.”

  Lara watched Colby stride across the room. Oh that man had one hell of a tight backside in those pants. That’s when she noticed that the men all seemed to be dressed alike, but where Colby had boots on, the others had on loafers.

  Sierra and Tessa had on corsets and short skirts with ballet type shoes. Lara looked down at her pants and shirt. She was going to stick out like a sore thumb.

  “You’re fine,” Sierra whispered.

  “But...”

  “Sierra’s right,” Max spoke. “As the caterer, what you’re wearing is fine. Tonight, you’re here as a guest. So feel free to walk around the club.” When Colby came back, he was holding a bunch of silicone bracelets. Max plucked a white one out of Colby’s hand. “Your wrist please.”

  Lara held out her left wrist. Max fastened the bracelet. “What is this for?”

  “We have a color coded system for Doms and subs,” Colby said. “The one you’re wearing signifies that you’re new and not ready to play yet.”

  “Oh.” Lara’s cheeks grew warm. She watched as Max put a purple and white one on Sierra. Damon put a pink and white one on Tessa. Max and Damon took black, where Colby took blue.

  She glanced up at Colby. “What do the colors purple and white, pink and white, black and blue mean?” She was curious about the other colors.

  “Mine is a taken sub,” Sierra said. “Tessa’s is taken sub with medium experience.”

  “Max and Damon are black for being Masters in the club. And Colby blue for being a Dom,” Tessa said.

  “These turned out really nice, Colby.” Max raised his wrist, looking at the silicone.

  “I’ll let you decide who you want to give them to. Once we get some feedback, I’ll make as many as you need. I’m assuming, like the others, members will keep their wristbands,” Colby said.

  “Yes. That means, Lara, you can keep yours even if you don’t join us after tonight,” Max said.

  “Oh. I’d love to join, but I don’t think I can afford it.”

  Five jaws dropped open.

  “What did I say?”

  “You’re into the lifestyle?” Tessa recovered first.

  “Kind of blurted that out, didn’t I?” Lara ducked her head. How could she have done that? Maybe because she felt comfortable around them. More so than her own family, except her aunt.

  Warm fingers cupped her chin. “Nothing to be ashamed of.” Colby’s soft voice caressed her cheek.

  Lara raised her gaze to meet his and found his green eyes alight with promise. She inhaled, trying to control the urge to fall into his arms.

  As if Colby knew what she was thinking, his lips turned up. “I’m glad you’re interested.” He took her left hand in his.

  A flutter of excitement flowed through her body.

  “Why don’t we make sure the equipment is ready?” Max said.

  “Yes, we should,” Damon commented.

  Colby’s grin widened. “Until later.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles before lowering it and moving away with the men.

  “Oh my goodness,” Tessa said, fanning herself.

  “Lara, I think you just found yourself a partner,” Sierra said.

  The flutter became a flock of butterflies in her belly. Maybe she had. The two women wandered off, and Lara glanced at her watch. Seven forty-five. Max told her the club opened at eight, so she’d better get the rest of the food out.

  * * * *

  For the next two hours, Lara stayed by the food tables, not only making sure there was enough food, but to answer any questions. Several people were happy she had some gluten-free pinwheel
sandwiches and other vegetarian options.

  The food was going over well. That made her happy. A man walked up to her, and she automatically looked at his wrist. She’d been doing that all night. Blue. Dom. He stood, looking over the food.

  “Do you have a question?”

  His blond hair curled at the ends, and his blue eyes twinkled. “The food is all very good.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I see that you’re new. Would you like to walk around with me?” He smiled. “I’m Bennett, by the way.”

  “Max gave me this bracelet because I’m here as his guest to do the food.” Bennett’s smile started to fade. “But I’d love to walk around with you. I’m curious. Let me just make sure everything is good here.” Lara checked the pans. “I’m ready.”

  “All right. How much do you know about the lifestyle?”

  * * * *

  Colby kept an eye on Lara. Everyone who’d come up to the food table would speak with her for a minute or so, then pick out their food and wander away. Having the food was a big hit for the club tonight.

  When Bennett approached, Colby frowned. His conversation with Lara was animated, then Bennett took Lara by the elbow and led her away from the food.

  Colby almost intervened, but stopped himself. Max had told Lara she could wander around the club, and she had the right to tour the club with whomever she wanted, but he wanted it to be him. Colby made his way to the scene Bennett and Lara had stopped to observe.

  A simple spanking scene. Colby stayed off to the side. Lara’s face was flushed as she watched the scene. Aroused maybe? She didn’t look scared or uncomfortable in any way. When Bennett tried to put his arm around her shoulder, Lara shrugged it off and said something.

  Bennett laughed and replied. Lara laughed too. Interesting exchange. When the spanking scene ended, they moved to a bondage scene. This time, Bennett didn’t try to touch Lara. Good.

  Colby’s Dom instincts were running on high. Lara was his. But she hadn’t told him that yet. He couldn’t go all Neanderthal on her or Bennett—even if he wanted to.

  “Keeping an eye on her?” Max asked, coming up beside Colby.

  “Yeah.” He wouldn’t lie.