Theirs to Master: Miami Masters Book Six

by Wane, BJ

  Glancing from Penny’s tense face to Damien’s smug look then over to the Carlsons’ knowing gazes, Paige knew when she was beat and did the only thing she could.

  Muttering, “Bunch of dimwitted doodledrawers,” she stomped out with a backward toss, “I’ll call you later, Penny.”

  * * *

  Trevor nodded to Troy and Damien before joining Paige at the door. He enjoyed the way she frowned at him when he clasped her hand and said, “Come on, potty mouth. I’ll walk you out.”

  She followed him with a huff that widened his grin. “I don’t know why you and your brother think I can’t walk to my car by myself. Believe it or not, I’ve been managing that feat for a long time.”

  “If I didn’t know better, sugar, I’d think you had something against us. You don’t, do you?” His smile turned sardonic as the elevator doors whooshed closed.

  “Only that you’re overbearing pains in my ass all of a sudden. What happened to you barely knowing I exist?” The taunting look she tossed him mimicked his and drew a chuckle.

  Bending down, he whispered in her ear so the other two people in the lift didn’t hear. “Speaking of your lovely ass, how is it today? Any problems?” She stiffened against him, but not until after she leaned into his side with a soft sigh.

  “None of your business,” she hissed, but he caught the glimmer of amusement in her eyes.

  Trevor tugged her out of the elevator when it opened on the ground floor and kept quiet until they exited the hospital. “I’m making everything about you my business for now, so get used to it. Are you free next Sunday?” he asked when they reached her Jeep.

  “Yes. That’s my only day off.” Paige tried, but couldn’t suppress the leap of excitement pumping her pulse up.

  “Good, we’ll let you shave off the remaining seven and a half hours of your contract then.” Just to see those gray eyes glaze with passion again, he pinned her against the vehicle with his lower body pressed against hers and drew her hand behind her back. Her eyes widened and her body softened as he bent his head and took her mouth in a tongue exploring kiss meant to arouse and leave her with something to think about.

  Those soft lips clung to his, her small tongue giving back stroke for stroke as she arched against him. He noticed she didn’t shy away from the public place, but he doubted if she caught the significance of that. His body went hard from the feel of her soft curves against him, her low moan of surrender and the way she nipped at his jaw when he released her.

  “Until Sunday, Paige.” He flicked her nose and walked back inside.

  Bemused, Paige stared after Trevor, wondering how she’d make it until Saturday since her vibrator no longer held any appeal for her.

  Chapter 8

  Penny tensed when Paige left her alone with the detective and Master Damien. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around her sister’s ploy to draw out her attacker, or Paige’s involvement with the Carlson brothers. Not that the two men weren’t eye-catching, but she could have warned her about their BDSM involvement had she come to her first. She’d known the second she saw Paige in physical therapy something was on her mind, but she never would’ve guessed she’d spent time last evening receiving her first spanking, at Sanctuary, no less.

  Then Master Damien had to go and derail her a second time by tossing out that tidbit about going home with him tomorrow. What was he thinking? With every visit, he’d left her increasingly flustered. She didn’t understand his sudden interest in her. Since someone had assaulted her leaving his club, she understood his sense of responsibility and even his overprotectiveness, a trait most Doms shared. But to push her into spending time recuperating in his private home went above and beyond the scope of their limited relationship and sent jitters jumping around in her abdomen.

  With a wary eye, Penny watched Detective Carlson move toward her, his face calm and understanding where a few minutes ago, when he’d looked at her sister, he’d shown the countenance of a hard-edged Dom. “Any news?” she asked him when he stopped in front of her. She could see why Paige’s face had reflected such interest, even though she tried to hide it. Tall and imposing, Troy’s soft tone always belied the stern set to his rugged features.

  “I got hold of your ex, Jim Bates. He claims he was home, alone, the night of your attack, and he displayed genuine concern for you. He’ll remain on my suspect list because he doesn’t have an alibi, but I’m not looking at him for these assaults, not unless something turns up that points toward him. He’s a member of a club in Savannah and never causes problems there.”

  “He never did in my club either,” Damien bit out before switching his cobalt blue gaze to Penny. “That turned out not to mean much.” She wanted to shrink under his scrutiny but held her head up. She knew she wasn’t at fault for Jim’s temper, and subsequent abuse, any more than she had been her assailant’s.

  “True,” Troy sighed with a shake of his head. “But like I said, he’s in Savannah, and the new branch he opened for the investigative firm he works for appears successful, and to keep him busy.”

  “He was always superb at his job, especially with cyber investigations like scams and computer fraud.” Penny had always been in awe of Jim’s computer skills.

  “Yes, he mentioned that’s his main expertise. I want you to know I’ve got volunteers in every club in Florida lined up for the upcoming weeks, good, trained people who will be diligent about watching for this guy. Let’s hope he resurfaces soon and someone can nab him.”

  “I’d welcome him to try again at my place.”

  Penny shivered from the impact of the ice-cold rage swirling in Damien’s eyes. She really needed to get herself under control when he came around. Blowing hot from sexual awareness and need one minute and then turning frigid when he revealed his ruthless side the next was getting tiresome.

  “Be careful what you wish for, Damien.” Troy noticed Trevor’s return. Squeezing her shoulder, he said, “If I get anything concrete, I’ll be in touch. In the meantime, take care of yourself.”

  “She will.”

  Penny did a mental head shake at Damien’s arrogant insertion, waiting until the Carlsons left before turning to him and saying, “Aren’t you carrying your sense of responsibility too far? I understand you feel guilty since my assault happened at your club, but no one’s to blame except the perpetrator.”

  He cocked his head and eyed her with a brooding look that made her itch to run her fingers through his long black hair and over his furrowed brow. She squirmed under that intense, silent gaze, but refused to back down. They weren’t at the club, nor was she his submissive.

  “Your sister works a lot. It would be an imposition on her time, and finances, to take off for you. Spring break starts tomorrow, and I’ve instructed my assistant manager to take over at the club for the next two weekends,” he stated with blunt reasoning.

  She knew only too well the state of Paige’s finances, and that her sister would neglect her jobs to cater to Penny’s needs. “You act like I’m a complete invalid,” she returned, frustrated because she wanted him, and couldn’t figure out why his sudden interest in her after all but ignoring her for the past few years. “I’m getting around much better, I don’t need a caretaker.”

  “You may not need one twenty-four/seven, but you’re getting my help anyway, either at my place or yours, you decide.”

  Penny pushed to her feet in agitation, unable to get a read on him, her mind replaying the scene on the Sybian and the way she’d responded to his dominant takeover of her senses. Her weak leg gave out on her, forcing her to grab his arm as he rushed forward. She shuddered from the sudden impact of falling against his large body then feeling his arm wrap around her waist. His low chuckle, the first time she’d heard one from him, vibrated down her spine and echoed in her ear as he bent his head.

  “See, you do need me. Quit fighting it, little one.”

  “I don’t understand you,” she whispered, her voice tremulous.

  He sighed. “I know.�
�

  * * *

  An afternoon cruise. On a private yacht. With not one, but both men I’ve been lusting after. Paige scanned the busy Friday night crowd with a mental head shake. As if she didn’t have enough to fret over with Penny ensconced at Damien’s house, her sister’s decision to take up with a man she met under the same circumstances as her abusive ex weighed heavily on Paige’s mind. Now, Penny’s misfortune in getting assaulted may have inadvertently gifted Paige with a fantasy come true opportunity, but that didn’t negate the fact she might have gotten herself in over her head with the Carlson brothers. Every time the memory of having their hands and mouths all over her butt and inside her popped up, she craved a repeat of being the sole focus of their attention. Then reality would stick its rude nose in her business and remind her nothing could ever come of messing around with the pair, except maybe one more erotic, off-the-charts sexual encounter to remember when they returned to being polite customers.

  A female cop sitting at the end of the bar lifted her glass for a refill, reminding Paige she had a job to do. Drawing another brew, she tried not to think about Trevor’s call yesterday, and the plans for Sunday he and Troy had come up with. March wasn’t a bad time to spend an afternoon on the ocean, and who wouldn’t enjoy sailing on a fancy mega yacht with two hot guys? Oh, and another couple, friends of theirs. It was the fun accoutrements Trevor mentioned that turned her palms damp, and hearing about the other couple that sent a wave of heat through her. Always before, she’d known what she was getting into when she succumbed to the urge to have sex with someone, but not this time.

  Best-case scenario: She got both Troy and Trevor out of her system on Sunday. Worst case: She walked away yearning for more, maybe nursing a tender heart.

  “Hey, quit daydreaming and get me another.” Detective Evans snapped his glass down on the counter.

  Paige sent the refill down the bar top with a slight push before acknowledging her nemesis’ belligerent demand. She returned Evans’ glower, surprised at his red-rimmed eyes considering the watered-down drinks she’d been serving him the past two hours.

  “One more, Detective.” Picking up his empty, she turned away to get a clean glass, but he stopped her by latching on to her wrist with a bruising grip.

  Leaning forward, Evans snarled so no one else could hear, “You’re not my keeper, bitch. Quit cutting back on the booze.”

  “It doesn’t seem to have mattered since you’re still a drunken ass. Let. Go. Of. Me,” she enunciated slowly.

  He tightened his grip until she winced then released her and sat back with a taunting sneer. Resisting the urge to rub her throbbing wrist, she turned her back on the jerk and mixed the weakest drink yet. Take this, you mother fucking titworm.

  “Is there a problem, Paige?” Mel asked, sidling up to the bar and flicking the surly cop a warning look.

  “Not at all,” she replied in her sweetest voice that earned her another glower from Evans. “I was just telling our good detective he’s met his limit with this refill.”

  Mel said something to Evans, but Trevor snagged Paige’s attention when he entered The Precinct and maneuvered his way through the crowd toward the bar. It was the first time she’d seen him without his brother, but the lustful impact of his potent gaze struck her the same. The detective stalked off with a disgruntled huff, Mel winked and gave her a smile before turning to make the rounds again, and Trevor slid onto the bar stool in front of her.

  “Hey, sugar. Can I get a beer?”

  “Of course.” Damn it, Paige didn’t get flustered around men, but from the way Trevor’s eyes skimmed down to her chest then back up to her face, she knew he was picturing her shirt rucked up to her shoulders and thinking about the way he’d enjoyed her bare breasts last weekend. She remembered too, every, single, vivid detail. “Where’s your sidekick? I’ve never seen you in here without Troy.” Sticking a frosted glass under the spigot, she pulled the lever, willing her body to calm down with a warning they weren’t getting together again for another day and a half.

  “We do manage to have our own separate interests and down time.” His slow drawl curled her toes, and made her wonder if she was a separate interest, or just a thorn in both their sides because of her determination to avenge Penny.

  “Here you go, then. Enjoy your evening.”

  Paige swiveled but Trevor halted her with one, low-voiced word. “Stop.” She wasn’t sure if the goosebumps racing over her skin were due to irritation from her immediate compliance or the warmth his tone always produced. Sucking in a deep breath, she pasted on her friendly bartender face and swung back around to face him. “Did you need something else?”

  He cocked his head with an amused grin. “Really? So formal after I had my mouth all over your ass and your cream gushing over my fingers?”

  Frantic, she leaned forward and hissed, “Shh! What if someone hears you?”

  “Please,” he whispered back. “Give me a little credit. No one is near enough to hear what we’re saying over the noise in here. I stopped by to see for myself if you were being honest and you’re on board with Sunday’s plans.”

  She hadn’t expected such solicitous concern as she heard in his voice and noted on his face when he kept those probing eyes leveled on hers. If she hadn’t already figured it out, that look would have confirmed she lacked the ability to pull much over on him, or his brother.

  “I still don’t get what’s in it for you,” she returned, hoping he would answer the one question plaguing her most.

  Trevor sipped his beer before answering, his gaze remaining focused on her over the glass. “Troy and I will have an attractive redhead all to ourselves, miles from shore, on a yacht filled with endless possibilities to torment you with. What’s not to look forward to?”

  “Neither of you showed an interest in me before Penny’s assault,” she reminded him, attempting to ignore her tight nipples and the sudden way her bra felt too confining under his piercing gaze.

  He hesitated before replying, “Lucky for all of us you decided to tread where we warned you not to then, isn’t it?”

  She couldn’t win with verbal sparring, so her only hope would be to shock the heck out of both men by submitting to their every demand on Sunday. With any luck, she would leave them aching for more, as they’d done to her last weekend. She should’ve come up with that plan days ago; it would’ve saved her a lot of grief.

  “Yes, it just might be.” Paige grinned at the way he startled before masking his reaction to her quick agreement. “Two, or in this case, three can play your game, Trevor. I’ll see you and Troy Sunday.” This time he didn’t stop her when she moved away from him, but she felt his eyes on her until he left fifteen minutes later.

  The following afternoon, Paige slowed her steps to the Jeep when she noticed another note fluttering on the windshield. With a hand that shook, she jerked it off and opened it. Last warning, back off before you end up worse than your sister. A slither of unease rippled down her spine and she cast a quick look up and down the street before hopping behind the wheel. She’d be a fool not to heed the warning, but since she couldn’t return to the club now they’d found her out, she labored to swallow down the lump lodged in her throat and calm her racing heart as she pulled out of the drive. What was done was done, and even though she regretted not being able to lure this son-of-a-bitch out of hiding and take part in taking him down, she’d be only too happy to drop off his radar with her absence from Sanctuary.

  She pulled up to Damien’s house to find Penny waiting for her on the front porch swing. As she started to get out to help her sister, Penny surprised her by walking over to the Jeep with a much stronger, surer gait than the last time she’d seen her only a few days ago. After waiting until she shut the passenger side door, Paige got right to the main reason for their lunch appointment.

  “Okay, give. What’s going on between you two?” Backing out of Damien’s drive, she didn’t miss the discomposure crossing her sister’s face before Penny smoot
hed out her features. “Don’t you even think of lying to me, sis.”

  “I’m not, Paige, but there’s nothing to tell. Damien feels responsible for what happened, is all.”

  “Then why do you look so despondent? Are you feeling bad? You seem much stronger.” The two had made plans to go out for lunch before Paige reported for her shift at the bar. The timing worked well since Damien had been called into the club because of a problem and wasn’t around when Paige picked Penny up. She held nothing against the man except his high-handedness in dictating to her sister.

  “I’m feeling good, and yes, I’m doing much better. You noticed how much easier I’m walking? Damien has me working out on his weight machine, and it’s been helping.”

  “I did and am so proud of you. I know these last two weeks couldn’t have been easy. Any nightmares?” The bistro they’d selected wasn’t far, and Paige pulled over to park in front of the popular cafe. A short, wrought-iron fence surrounded the front outdoor patio with its round, checker-clothed tables under colorful umbrellas. Sitting outside in the pleasant, mid-seventies temperature and mild breeze would be enjoyable after being cooped up all week.

  Penny hedged before admitting, “Just one, but… I was fine.”

  Paige put the Jeep in park with a sigh. “Come on Penny,” she said, swiveling in the seat to face her. “Talk to me. I can tell when something’s bothering you. Are you ready to come home?” She hoped so, but wouldn’t push.

  “No, yes… damn it, that man has me twisted into so many knots, I’ll never get them untied,” Penny burst out in a rare show of frustration. Of the two of them, she was usually the most easygoing.

  “I thought you liked being tied up,” Paige teased before turning serious again. “What’s he doing?”

  “I do like being bound, and that’s the problem. He’s not doing anything! I’m sleeping in the guest room and he waits on me hand and foot in between turning all Dom when it’s time to exercise, eat, or rest, which means he’s in Dom mode most of the time.” Penny rolled her eyes. “When he’s not dictating to me, he’s being too… nice.”