by BJ Wane
“Huh?” Tamara’s face warmed. “I can’t even bring myself to choose one man other than Con and you want me to consider two at the same time? No way, no how.”
The three of them burst into hysterics at Tamara’s stunned utterance as they gathered around the pizza strewn kitchen table. “Hey, don’t knock it until you try it.” Sydney flicked Avery a sly grin. “I loved the scene Caden set up with Grayson.”
Avery scowled and gave her a mock growl. “I told you to never bring that up.”
“Sorry, couldn’t resist.” Sydney’s green eyes filled with amusement as she passed a bite of pizza to each of the collies who had followed them inside. “Don’t tell Caden,” she warned them.
“I will if you bring up that scene again,” Avery threatened even though she had slipped the dogs some herself.
Tamara’s mood lightened considerably listening to her friends’ banter. It wasn’t long before she was laughing with them, stuffing her face and on her fourth glass of wine. They moved into the den after finishing off the food, each carrying a bottle and a glass. Settling on the floor, they sprawled out, giggled like schoolgirls and talked trash on men.
“So, how did Master Connor get you away from Master Devin the other night?” Nan wanted to know.
Tamara was tipsy enough to tell her the truth. “He walked up to us and looked at me with those gorgeous eyes.”
“The rat bastard.”
Nan’s feigned disgust drew another round of hysterical laughter before she turned thoughtful and tapped her lips with one finger, humming, “Mmmm.”
“Uh, oh. She has that gleam in her eyes,” Sydney said.
“I’m thinking Tamara needs to do something that will get Master Connor to see her in a different light. And I have just the thing. You need to ditch the black skirt for something I would wear to the club.”
“Oh, that’s good.” Avery nodded her head in agreement as Tamara’s throat went dry thinking about some of the outfits she’d seen in Nan’s closet.
“Shopping trip!” the three of them cried in unison.
Ever skeptical, Tamara shook her head. “And if he doesn’t fall for the bait?”
“Then someone else will, no question about it.”
Nan’s positivity rubbed off on her enough to get her agreement, but she refused to hope for success. That would only add to her heartbreak if she failed again. By the time ten o’clock rolled around, they decided it wouldn’t be smart to let Nan drive Tamara home on her way back to Willow Springs since she was as drunk as the rest of them. Sydney texted Caden for assistance and much to Tamara’s dismay, Connor arrived with his brother and her entire body grew hot at the way he zeroed in on her with that enigmatic blue gaze.
Connor took one look at Tam’s glassy eyes and his heart rolled over. “You are so not supposed to be here, crashing my fun,” she muttered.
“Well, I am. If not me, who?” She looked as young, as innocent and as drunk as when he’d picked her up from her first bonfire teen party after she’d called for a ride. That was back then, when she listened to him and hadn’t hesitated to obey when he instructed her to contact him if she’d been drinking after he had learned where she planned to go.
“I’ll drive Tam home.” Ignoring Tam’s emphatic, negative head shake that made her lose her balance, his brother’s derisive snort and Grayson’s taunting grin, Connor strode into the den and hauled her to her feet, his eyes sweeping the floor strewn with empty wine bottles and candy bar wrappers. “You girls went through a stash, didn’t you?”
“Yeah.” Avery sighed and leaned on Grayson as she yawned. “It was fun.”
“Just wait until morning.” The sheriff tugged on her hair as he steered her toward the front door. “Goodnight everyone.”
Connor grabbed Tam’s hand, noticing she didn’t argue or fight his hold, and followed them. “I’ll be out after therapy tomorrow, Caden. Dan, do you have Nan?”
“Yeah, I’ll either get her home or she can crash at my place if I don’t feel like driving into town by the time we reach my turnoff. Come on, Legs. Up you go.”
“Have I ever told you I like your nicknames?” Nan murmured as she batted her eyes up at the lawyer. “You are so frickin’ hot.”
“Good to know,” he returned with a fond look.
They were quite the group, Connor mused as he lifted Tam into his truck and pulled the seatbelt around her, grateful for her silence. She’d been on his mind all day, the same as she had ever since he’d heard she had returned to stay, and he still didn’t know what to do about the tightrope they were both walking regarding their relationship. He wanted to stay on the end where it was safe, but she kept insisting on pushing the boundaries into uncharted, dangerous to his peace of mind and libido territory.
Shutting the door, he strolled around to the driver’s side and settled behind the wheel, glancing over to see she’d already fallen asleep. She was so much easier to deal with inebriated, he mused. Shaking his head, he followed Grayson and Dan down the drive toward the highway, resisting the temptation to draw Tam against his side. It was bad enough he hadn’t been able to drum up any interest in playing with a willing sub again last night and couldn’t forget how her nipple puckered under his stroking tongue, how soft her breast was or how her breathy moans and arching body stirred him. He refused to compound his dilemma by feeling her soft body pressed against him and her warm breath fanning his neck in the dark, quiet of his truck.
Connor pulled in front of Tam’s house ten minutes later, her soft snoring sounding loud in the compact space, his mouth twitching to break into a smile as he came around to lift her out. She stirred as he set her on her feet at the door.
Leaning into him, she whispered in an achingly young voice, “Connor, I missed you.”
He sighed and rested his brow on hers, replying as Amy swung the door open. “I missed you too, Tam. That’s why I’m trying so hard not to make another mistake.”
“Well, this looks familiar,” Amy drawled. “I’ll take her from here, Connor. Thank you.”
“No problem. That’s what I’m here for. Goodnight.”
Well, heck. Tamara watched with bleary eyes as Con strode back to his truck, his words ringing in her head. That’s why I’m trying so hard not to make another mistake. How could she fault him for that?
Chapter 8
“Jeremy, I’ve asked you to stop calling.” Tamara wished she hadn’t answered his call but ignoring them the last few days hadn’t worked. She didn’t need the added aggravation of her ex’s refusal to accept the end of their relationship on top of everything else she’d had to deal with this week. Between Neil’s continued tardiness and half-assed efforts on his chores and a close call with losing more cattle to the rustlers, she had her hands full. At least the diligence of the rest of her hands and those of the neighboring ranches in keeping watch for the thieves had paid off. The last she heard, the authorities were tracking down license plates and descriptions and everyone was hoping for good news.
“There’s no reason we can’t stay friends,” Jeremy insisted. “In fact, I was thinking about making a trip to see you, give you a chance to show me what’s so appealing about running a ranch.”
“No, that would not be a good idea. I’m way too busy and there’s a lot going on.” His presence was the last thing she needed right now.
“Like what? Wouldn’t it help to share your burden?”
She snorted. “What can you do about rustlers and a difficult employee?” Not to mention a stubborn cowboy she couldn’t quit thinking about getting naked with.
“Take you away from all that?” he returned with a hopeful note in his voice.
The door to her therapy room opened and Tamara looked up from behind the desk, her heart jumping as Connor walked in. She thought of the leather corset dress she’d let Nan talk her into buying yesterday, pictured his face when he saw her in it and went hot all over, her pussy going uncomfortably damp. “I’m working and have to go,” she told Jeremy before cl
icking the phone shut and smiling. “Hi. Any luck?” He’d canceled his Monday appointment to help follow the lead on the rustlers.
“Some, not enough.” Tossing his hat on a hook, he ran a frustrated hand through his shoulder-length, brown hair. “The authorities in the next county found the truck our guys spotted and they’re pulling prints, so we’ll see if anything comes from them. At least this time they got away empty-handed.”
“There’s that. Sit down and I’ll check your shoulder.”
Sinking onto the mat, Connor gave her an assessing look. “How was your head Monday morning?”
Other than his text to cancel his appointment, they hadn’t spoken since he’d dropped her off Sunday night. “As you might expect. You’ve been overdoing, you’re tight.”
“I’m fine,” he insisted.
“And you call me stubborn. I would suggest giving it a rest, maybe applying heat to loosen you up, but you won’t listen, so I won’t bother. Let’s skip the pulleys and I’ll go over some new stretches you can work on.” Tamara turned and took two steps toward the file cabinet when he stopped her with his next question.
“Are you returning to the club Friday night?”
“Honestly, Con,” she replied without looking back at him, “I haven’t decided.” Which was true. Every time she imagined herself wearing the dress she’d bought, at her friend’s insistence yesterday, to the club in front of all those people, she wanted to call Nan and back out.
“Here.” She handed him the papers showing the stretches. “Try these along with some heat. I’d planned for this to be your last appointment, but maybe you should let me check your progress one more time next Monday.”
Pushing to his feet, he pinned her with those blue eyes. She couldn’t read his expression or figure what he was thinking, but his look alone made her uneasy. “I’ll behave if you will, Tam.” Stepping around her, he grabbed his hat and opened the door. “Later, little one.”
Two days later, Friday morning started with Jason telling her on her way out he’d fired Neil. “I’m sorry, but I caught him smoking, this time inside the barn, and that’s a risk I refuse to take no matter how much he swore it wouldn’t happen again after you reprimanded him the first time,” he said, opening the car door for her.
“I agree. It’s difficult putting someone out of work, but we gave him several chances to straighten up. But, now we’re shorthanded.” Tamara slid behind the wheel and Jason shut the door then leaned in the window.
“Yes, but I’ll get someone hired this weekend. At least the rustling is likely to stop now that two of them have been caught.”
The two men in custody were identified by their fingerprints taken from previous arrests. Deputies picked them up yesterday and everyone was hoping they would roll on the others. At least five men were involved in the ring that they knew of for sure.
“That was the best news of the week. Have a good day, Jason.”
Tamara’s mood stayed upbeat until she returned home that evening, dressed and rode out to The Barn with Nan. She started second-guessing herself before they pulled into the parking lot and her nerves kicked into high gear as soon as they entered the foyer and the faint strains of music and BDSM play filtered through the door to the clubroom.
“I still can’t believe I let you talk me into this.” Tamara hung up her long sweater in the foyer closet and tugged on the indecently short hem of the body molding bustier corset dress. The tight, elastic fit cupped under her breasts while just inching over far enough from the sides to cover her nipples. The stretchy leather hugged her hips, upper thighs and butt, leaving her back bare except for the narrow halter tie, the crisscrossed red laces down the front and cutout sides exposing just as much skin.
“You look fantastic, and you won’t be alone,” Nan told her for about the fifth time since picking her up. “The guys love fetish dress night. I still think you should have given Amy a peek at you.”
“She’s wonderful, open-minded and supportive, but still my stepmother. It would have been way too embarrassing. Are you sure I can leave my shoes on?” The three-inch black heels not only gave her height, but made her bare legs appear much longer.
“Fuck me shoes fall inside the dress code. Trust me on that one. Connor is going to take one look at you and swallow his tongue.” Nan smiled at the prospect.
“Or he’ll give me that spanking he’s threatened me with,” Tamara returned dryly. “This thong is driving me nuts.”
Nan’s quick glance was both sympathetic and devious. “I’ve kept myself waxed for years and I still struggle with the distracting sensations of soft silk brushing over that exposed, sensitive area. Don’t you just love it?”
“Let’s say if what I’m feeling doesn’t keep my mind off Con, nothing will.” As soon as she’d slipped the silk thong on after shaving and felt the soft brush against her bare labia, Tamara had almost come undone. Tiny prickles of pleasure kept spiraling up her pussy every time she moved, warming and distracting her in a delicious, naughty way that made her wonder what other sensations a man’s touch might magnify.
“Oh ye of little faith. I say he’ll snatch you up tonight before someone else does. And if he doesn’t, I’m sure Master Devin will be more than happy to pick up where you two left off last week.” Wearing nothing but a leather corset that provided a shelf for her full breasts and a thong, Nan appeared at ease in her skimpy attire.
Tamara’s clammy palms almost slid off the slick dress as she ran them down her sides, praying she wouldn’t have to settle for someone else tonight. Taking a deep breath, she nodded for Nan to open the door before she could change her mind. Entering the club, her gaze swept the room and found Con lounging in a small seating area off to the right. Her pulse skyrocketed as she took in his relaxed pose. With one booted foot crossed over his opposite knee emphasizing the snugness of his jeans, his Stetson pulled low on his brow and an open leather vest exposing his bare chest and arms stretched along the back of the sofa, he exuded sex and a confidence she’d give anything to possess a fraction of.
The married couple she’d met once sat across from him, Sue Ellen lying in a boneless heap across Master Brett’s lap, her husband running a casual hand across her puffy, bright crimson buttocks as he conversed with Connor. Tamara knew how much trouble she was in when she found herself envying the woman, more so when Con looked up and nailed her in place with one searing glance.
“Whoa, I don’t think you have to worry about him rebuffing you tonight, girlfriend. Have fun.” Nan took off as Connor came to his feet, Caden having just joined the trio.
“Here we go again,” Caden muttered, stepping in front of Connor.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Connor wasn’t in the mood for his brother’s interference. He couldn’t believe Tamara showed up here dressed like that. She may as well hang a sign around her neck that said, ‘Fuck Me’. The hypocrisy of his disgruntlement wasn’t lost on him, but he chose to ignore that.
“It means stop and think, again. I swear, you two will drive everyone nuts if you keep this shit up. Take my advice. Give her what she wants tonight, both of you get it out of your system because you want her as much as she wants you, even though you refuse to admit it. Then let it go, just like you’ve done a hundred times before.” Caden lectured him with exasperation underscoring each word.
“She’s not just another sub.” And wasn’t that the problem? he admitted. Because Tam wasn’t just another in a long line of women. Taking the chance she could either threaten his desired bachelorhood or end up so hurt their relationship wouldn’t survive scared the hell out of him.
“Tonight, allow her to be one. Either that or leave her alone.” Caden stomped off, having made his point.
With slow measured steps, Connor crossed to where Tam still stood by the doors, never taking his eyes off her flushed face. The more he looked at her in that dress, with her breasts all but spilling out and her toned legs going on forever, the more he knew she wouldn’t be with anyone but
him tonight. He couldn’t think about tomorrow, or cave to the fear that sliced through him whenever he thought of losing their special connection. She was responsible for the untenable position she had put him in, but he vowed he wouldn’t let her run away again come tomorrow when she realized he’d been right, that this lifestyle wasn’t for her.
He stood before her, still towering over her even though she wore heels. Nudging his hat back with one thumb, he gazed down into gray eyes that revealed a longing he was hard pressed to continue ignoring. Placing his fists on his hips, he cocked his head and asked, “You’re not going to give up on this idea, are you?”
“Why should I?” she returned, her soft, breathy voice stirring his cock and sealing his doom for the night. Connor prayed what he was about to introduce her to wouldn’t spell catastrophe for what remained of their friendship.
“Just remember, this is what you’ve insisted you want.” Holding out his hand, he knew she wouldn’t turn him down, not after braving coming here dressed like that. That alone drilled into Connor just how serious she was about continuing to explore this lifestyle.
He tugged her toward the sofa he vacated, noticing Brett now cuddling Sue Ellen on his lap as he conversed with Greg and Devin who stood by their sofa. Perfect.
“What are you planning, Con?”
The uncertainty in Tam’s voice would have been a good sign he might not have to take this too far if he hadn’t also caught the thread of excitement she couldn’t hide. “That’s Master Con, first and last warning, and whatever I want, little one. That’s part of what it means to submit to me.” Taking a seat across from the other couple, he saw her give the four of them a quick glance before looking back at him.
“What’s the other part?”
“Me giving you not only what you want but discovering what you need and seeing to that as well.” He patted his thighs and bit back a smile when she tried to take a step back. Too bad he still held her hand and stopped her with a quick yank that caught her off balance and tumbled her over his lap.