by BJ Wane
“Supplies and an adoption drop-off. One down, about a hundred to go.”
“Gotta learn to say no,” Miles told the vet then jabbed at Dax with a swift right hook he barely managed to sidestep.
The ex-martial arts champion provided a steady workout, getting in several painful punches that worked to keep Dax’s mind off a pair of drenched blue eyes that could tear him up and leave him in shreds if he wasn’t careful. By the time Dax said enough, his body already ached and throbbed and he agreed with Jackson that something was eating at their friend.
“Shit,” he gasped, frowning at Miles as he held out his gloved hands for Jackson to untie. “You just in a pissy mood or what?”
“Make that two wimps. I gotta check on some others.”
They both watched him stomp off before Dax asked Jackson, “Do you know what’s eating him?”
“Who, not what, would be my guess. He’s been moody ever since he met that woman who runs the shelter Sandie stayed at. You know how he gets when he’s seen abuse on a woman or child.” Jackson and Miles were as close as Dax and Sean, and since he didn’t appear concerned, Dax wouldn’t worry about it. He had enough on his mind as it was.
“Yeah, a woman can turn you inside out, and I’m learning there’s not a fucking thing you can do about it.”
Jackson’s grin was unsympathetic. “What’s with all of you? Cause whatever it is, I want no part of it.”
Slinging a towel around his shoulders, he and Jackson headed toward the showers as Dax replied, “Neither do I.” But, for another session or two, he would keep his promise to Kurt, and now Krista, and see her safely and comfortably back into the benefits of BDSM. However, next weekend, he’d have to find a way to do so without causing her beautiful eyes to cloud over with hurt and worry. He carried enough on his conscience to deal with.
Disappointment swamped Krista as she checked the schedule Tuesday morning and saw she’d been assigned to assist Dr. Ward with a knee replacement. This was the second week in a row she’d been put on minor surgeries, despite being the senior scrub with the most experience with more complicated cases. Before Kurt died, she’d passed her training to be a first scrub on orthopedics cases, which had helped in scheduling since the hospital had a strict rule about spouses working side by side. When she’d returned to work after Kurt’s death, she had requested being put back on the rotation as the challenge and variety kept the work from becoming tedious and boring. But she hadn’t assisted Dr. Dax since that first case.
Master Dax had dropped her off back home Sunday night with plans to pick her up Saturday for another late afternoon excursion with more of his friends. She hadn’t expected him to call before then, which was why the disappointment his silence wrought caught her off guard. She’d needed to work with him this week in order to keep their relationship in the proper perspective. Although not her direct boss, she worked under him, way under, and it wouldn’t do to long for more when Dr. Dax switched to Master during the short time he’d agreed to tutor her back into the lifestyle. She had to remember he was only helping her over the hump she’d been struggling with, and mustn’t read more into his offer or crave anything she wasn’t ready for or he wasn’t willing to give.
“Good morning, Krista.”
Pivoting from the schedule board posted in the break room, she worked up a polite greeting for Marybeth, her least favorite co-worker. “Good morning. Looks like we’ve got a busy one ahead of us.”
The nurse strolled over and glanced at the chart. “Definitely for me. You haven’t experienced busy until you’ve been the head OR nurse. Oh good, I’ll be working with Dr. Hayes.” She turned a calculating look toward Krista, who ignored her jab about her inferior job. It wasn’t anything the other woman hadn’t said before about scrub positions. “Between you and me, I’m determined to get that man into my bed. He has got to be as hot in the sack as he looks. Oh, speaking of Dax, we’re planning a welcome back cook-out for him a week from Saturday. Watch the board for details. Later.”
Between the two of us, my ass. Krista watched her sail out of the room with an airy finger wave, wondering who Marybeth thought she was trying to fool. Everyone knew her reputation for seducing the doctors, and she hadn’t done a thing to hide where her next interest lay since Dax had returned. An uncomfortable tightness gripped Krista’s chest as she thought of the nurse’s success as the OR slut and Dax falling in line to be her next conquest. None of my business. Funny, telling herself that didn’t help.
Shelly, Krista’s supervisor for another few weeks until she moved, looked behind her as she stepped into the room. “What’s with her?”
“She has her sights set on Dr. Hayes,” Krista returned dryly, hoping the touch of jealousy cramping her stomach didn’t show on her face or in her tone.
“God, please tell me he has higher standards than the others she’s slept with.”
Turning away, Krista said, “I wouldn’t know, I don’t know him that well, and haven’t been assigned to his cases since his first day back.”
“I know. I was told you were feeling stressed and wanted a lighter schedule, and his cases are always long and intense.”
Krista whipped around and stared at Shelly in surprise. “Who the hell told you that?” She knew who Shelly was about to name by the frown on her face.
“Marybeth, after his first surgery. That bitch is clearing a path for herself, isn’t she? She also told me not to schedule her to work with Mandy again as she didn’t care for her sloppy work.”
“Mandy is a better scrub than Marybeth is a nurse. I don’t want to get involved in this shit. If Dr. Hayes wants her, let him have her. I gotta prep room three. Thanks, Shelly.”
If there was one thing Krista hated most about working in a hospital with so many catty women, it was the constant gossip and backstabbing. This was the first time it had been aimed at her in such a personal way, and she refused to bow down to Marybeth’s level. All she wanted from Dr. Dax Hayes was another session or two with his alter personality, Master Dax. So why did she spend the rest of the morning in a funk, with images of the tall, slender nurse wrapped around Dax’s naked, thrusting body refusing to leave her head?
Right before lunch, she caught sight of Dax coming out of his surgery and made a quick about face to avoid speaking to him. It wouldn’t do to face him when her emotions were so worked up, especially since she didn’t have a concrete reason to be in such a state. By the time her shift ended, she was more than ready to clock out and spend the evening with Sandie and Alessa.
Stopping at her favorite deli on the way home, she picked up fixings for sandwiches and a decadent turtle cheesecake. Since she didn’t have a Master at home willing to deliver an old-fashioned, over the knee spanking to straighten her out, she’d have to settle for a food binge to calm her frayed emotions. Sandie hadn’t been sure Hope could make it, so Krista grabbed enough for four just in case. She would have preferred a weekend get-together, or a week night when she had the next day off so they could stay up late and add a few bottles of wine into the mix, but 5:00 am would come around too early for that. Knowing Alessa, Krista wouldn’t put it past her to show up with a few bottles anyway, since she had today off and second shift didn’t start until mid-afternoon so she could sleep in in the morning.
Krista had just gotten in the door when Alessa arrived carrying three large bottles of wine. Grinning, she said, “I was just thinking you’d probably ignore my early schedule.”
“Hey, what’s a girls’ night without vino? When is Sandie—is that her name? —going to come?” Setting the bottles on the small island counter, Alessa padded over to the drawer that held utensils and pulled out the opener.
“Not until about six. She just called and Hope, a friend of hers, can’t get here until then. She runs the shelter downtown.”
“Then let’s take a glass out on your deck and you can give me all the salacious details about your Sunday cruise.”
Shoving aside work responsibilities, Krista took the
glass Alessa handed her and stepped outside. The late afternoon temperature was halfway decent for a change, and as she settled on a deck chair, she vowed not to let jealous nurses or confusing Doms ruin her evening.
“Why is it you don’t shy away from hearing about my sexual exploits, but refuse to go after what you want?” she asked Lessa point blank.
“I’ve told you, when I’m sure of what I want, I’ll look into it. Being different isn’t easy. And then there’s my love/hate relationship with Weight Watchers. You should know that.” Alessa averted her dark eyes, a sure sign of her unease, and Krista let it go. She’d keep prodding, but only in small doses.
“I do, which is why I don’t nag you more. And I’ve told you a dozen times, you’re not fat.”
“Pleasantly plump is the politically correct term. Don’t make me turn you into the PC police.”
“Whatever. I’d kill for your boobs and hips. Mine are barely bumps under my clothes.” Okay, maybe Krista had a little more than that. Kurt had never complained, and Dax proved he had no trouble getting aroused with her. If only he hadn’t limited the sex to oral, she would believe he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
“Uh oh. I know that look. All didn’t go well over the weekend?”
“No, it did. Awesome, in fact. I had no trouble coming when he ordered me to, and my climax was off the charts.” Shrugging, Krista sipped her wine, gazing at the small sailboat gliding by.
“Hell, who wouldn’t fly off the handle with that man? I work in a different area than you, different shift, and still hear the gossip and fantasies about Dr. Dax Hayes. I don’t think there’s a female employee who wouldn’t jump him given the chance.”
“Including you?” Krista drilled her with a mock glare.
“I can’t get my shit together enough to get laid by a boring, vanilla nurse who’s been after me for a few months. Your Master Dax is way outta my league.”
Relief spread across Alessa’s face at the slam of car doors resounding from the front. “Saved by my other guests. Come on, you’ll like Sandie.”
“You’re greeting me with wine. I knew there was a reason I liked you right away. Krista, this is Hope Wallace,” Sandie said as soon as Krista opened the front door.
“Come in. Hope, it’s nice to meet you.” After introducing them to Alessa, who poured them each a glass of wine, Hope ran her bright blue eyes over the food laden counter and released an appreciative sigh.
“Cheesecake and French rolls. I can feel my hips widening already and I don’t care.”
“Oh, we’re going to get along great,” Alessa replied, lifting her glass in a toast and reaching behind her to pat her own butt.
“Sandie told me you run a homeless shelter, Hope. Is that the one downtown that has such a good rep?” Krista passed around paper plates as they gathered around the small island. With white-blonde hair that brushed her shoulders and a shy smile, Hope appeared too fragile to deal with the emotional and physical stress of working daily with people in such dire straits. But she knew looks could be deceiving.
“That’s me. I’m glad the shelter has a good rep. People hear that and they’re less apprehensive about stopping in.”
“I was directed there when I stopped for gas my first day in Miami. Have you taken Miles up on his invitation to come by the gym yet?” Sandie asked with a twinkle in her green eyes.
“Who’s Miles?” Alessa wanted to know as she fixed a sandwich.
“He’s just one of Zach’s hot friends who has an overprotective streak, from what I’ve heard, that outdoes all the other guys together. Has something to do with his childhood, but Zach won’t tell me what. Says it’s his story to tell.” Sandie flipped Krista a wicked grin. “Dr. Dax is another who’s panty-melting hot. Lucky you.”
“I was just telling her there isn’t a female employee at the hospital who isn’t lusting after him,” Alessa said.
“Well, I’m just using him for sex. When I’m done with him, I’ll toss him back into the sea and they can all go fishing. Let’s go out back. Bring the wine, Lessa.”
Laughter followed Krista outside and it felt good to joke around with a bunch of girls who weren’t out to gossip about others or back stab them over petty jealousies. The afternoon she’d spent with Sandie and Zach, Sandie had eyes only for her guy, and it had been refreshing to spend time with another couple who were so happy together.
“I’ve met Zach, Miles, and Detective Carlson, but just briefly. If your doctor is anything like them, I say don’t let him go too soon.” Hope took a seat, fanning herself in a mock display of heating up over the men she’d met.
“That’s what I keep telling her.” Alessa raised one delicate, light brown brow in challenge.
“So, want to play cards or watch a chick flick after we eat?” Krista’s attempt to change the subject was met with another burst of laughter and the conversation turned to movies as she shoved questions about her involvement with Dax aside for the evening.
Chapter 10
Anticipation propelled Krista onto the deck of the yacht, her hand held tight in Dax’s as he tugged and she landed against him with a body slam. The ocean breeze ruffled his black hair around his sun-bronzed face and the look blazing in his green eyes promised things she’d been aching for all week. Laughing up at him, she said, “Gotta watch that first step. It’s a doozy.”
Reaching behind her, he yanked on her pony tail. “Do I have to tie you up already to keep you from toppling overboard?”
She thrilled at the teasing lilt in his voice and the small smile curling the corners of his mouth. She didn’t mind admitting she wanted to feel those lips on hers again, his large body pinning her in place instead of restraints, and his cock pummeling her depths until she thought she’d go blind with the pleasure. Physical attraction didn’t have to mean anything more than she was a healthy woman in her prime, right? Whether she would get that this evening or not remained to be seen, but the way he’d taken the time to come find her in the OR on Thursday just to talk to her had given her hope. Recalling that conversation, Marybeth’s reaction when she’d seen them together, and Dax’s defense of her still made Krista giddy.
“There you are,” Dax said as he stepped into OR four, where Krista was cleaning up following an amputation. His voice startled her and she dropped the instruments she’d been collecting. As she stooped to pick them up, he surprised her by bending down and helping. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to catch you unawares.”
“My fault, Doctor. Thank you.” Standing, she held out her hand for the clamps he picked up.
“Doctor? We’re the only ones in here. Why so formal?”
“You’re the one who was aloof last week.” She hesitated, then blurted out, “I’m sorry if I displeased you last time.” That regret had been in the back of her mind all week. She’d fretted in silence about whether his withdrawal at the end of that evening had been because he was displeased with her. The genuine surprise on his face soothed her hurt feelings.
“Is that why you took pains to ignore me when I was here Tuesday?” he bit out, and she didn’t know whom his sudden anger was directed at, her or him.
“Partly. If—”
“Get that idea out of your head, Krista.” He paused, as if weighing his words, then said, “You’ve never disappointed me; I don’t think you can. I came in here to make sure you’re still on for Saturday. With me,” he emphasized.
Heat rushed to her happy places, his simple words lifting the weight pressing her down all week. “Oh, yes, I still want to,” she breathed with a smile he returned.
“Good. I’ll—”
“Why isn’t this room cleared?” Marybeth snapped. Standing in the doorway, she glared daggers at Krista from across the room, her hands fisted on her hips.
“My fault,” Dax returned in an even, cool voice. “I needed a few words with Mrs. Matthews. Why don’t you help her in here, since I’ve put her behind?”
“Thanks a lot,” Krista grumbled from behind him.
“I’ll stay away from the rails,” she told him now, even though she wouldn’t have minded if he’d bound her for his pleasure right away. “Did I tell you last week how much I like this boat? It’s so different from playing in the club, even though the equipment and play is the same. Well, except for the fountain, that was different.”
“We never made it to the playroom, either. I’ll have to rectify that later. Right now, we’ll go topside and I’ll introduce you to whoever has arrived.”
Urging her ahead of him up the spiral staircase, Krista shuddered when Master Dax cupped the bare undercurve of her right cheek under her white skirt, palming her flesh all the way up the stairs. It wasn’t embarrassment flooding her face as she stepped onto the upper deck and several pairs of eyes noticed his hand slipping out from under her, but a heightened sense of awareness that increased her heartbeat. One of the greatest pleasures of submission for her was the liberties it allowed her Master, every free roaming touch a reminder she belonged to that person, body and soul.
“It looks like we’re the last to arrive,” Dax commented, holding out his hand.
The silent order to put herself under his command stole her breath and tightened her nipples. Holding out her arms, the approval in his eyes as he unclipped the cuffs at his waist and secured them around her wrists melted Krista’s insides and warmed her sheath. The physical and emotional ache of emptiness had been with her for so long, she’d all but given up on being fulfilled again. Until Dax had returned. She had to be careful not to read too much into his looks and willingness to dominate her. She was slowly coming to realize she wanted more, was ready for more, but had to remember his past reluctance toward getting involved with her.