Bound to be Tamed: Emergence, Book 2 (31 page)

“That’s what this is about? You want us to make love to you more often?” Dane asked.

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

Dane leaned in closer and kissed her lightly. “I’m so glad you want us inside you. I like that you crave our cocks.”

“If you want to spend most of your time wearing that bar between your legs, we won’t argue. It’s fucking hot. No wonder my eyes glaze,” Aiden teased. He stood and walked around the desk. “Get out of here, Dane. You have stuff to chop and I have to teach this cute little misguided sub a few things.”

“I feel dismissed.” Dane put his hand over his heart in mock pain. “How about I watch her pussy while you teach her stuff, ya know, just in case…”

Aiden pushed him toward the door. “Go. If you stay in here, I’m liable to fuck you across the desk and let Stephanie watch. That’ll do wonders for her libido.”

Stephanie jerked at the suggestion. She loved watching these two love each other. The devotion on their faces was unmatched. But the show held mixed blessings. They were hers, dammit. Her Doms. And she wanted their hands on her worse than ever when they fucked in front of her. She felt left out. It brought out her insecurity at the same time it made her horny.

Dane laughed as he left the room.

Aiden leaned over her shoulder. He moved the mouse to bring up the sleeping screen. “Let’s get this going. I’ve got a lot to do out there tonight.” He kissed her shoulder. “Have I mentioned how much we appreciate all your work? You’ve saved our asses this week. Without you here working your tail off, we couldn’t have played on the off hours nearly as much as we have. I’ll be sure to tell the boss to give you a bonus on your next paycheck.”

Stephanie smiled at him. No, he hadn’t mentioned how much he appreciated her. She was glad he did. And she hoped she was sincerely contributing to the business. If she stayed with them, she intended to be a working member of the trio. If that meant here, that might be cool. If not, she would find a job somewhere else.

At least she was no longer quite as stressed about quitting her job at Seabring last Monday. Not that there had been another option really. But still, the idea of walking away with no hope of a referral and no notice made her very stressed.

Working here with Aiden and Dane did wonders for her self-esteem, not because she couldn’t stand the idea of being dependent on them, but she’d quickly realized she was perfectly capable of many types of work. She would survive in the big bad world. She would find a job even if this entire relationship collapsed and left her destitute.

She had an idea.

She leaned back to look into Aiden’s eyes. “Maybe Lori could come over tomorrow? I could use a girlfriend.”

He grinned big. “Of course. I’ll text her and see if she’s free in the morning.”

Chapter Eighteen

“So what did you think of Aiden and Dane?”

Jason whipped his head up from the computer screen and found Lori leaning into his office. Aiden and Dane. Had she spoken to them?
Please tell me they revealed nothing to her…
The last thing he needed to muddy things right now was for Lori to find out Stephanie was her sister before he had a chance to talk to the two women himself.

He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t get any words out.

“What’s the matter with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. Aiden and Dane. The two guys I recommended on Monday. Didn’t they come by for a tour?” She furrowed her eyebrows and stepped farther into the office. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, of course.” He cleared his throat. She knew nothing. The quizzical expression on her face spoke volumes. “Right. Aiden and Dane. They came by for a tour on Wednesday. They were nice.”

She laughed. “Nice? You act like you barely remember them.” She gripped the back of the chair across from him and leaned in. She chomped a wad of gum and blew a bubble toward him as she tipped her head.

“Do you have to chew that shit? It’s disgusting.” He cringed. He hated speaking with someone who was chewing gum. Even Lori.

“I only put it in my mouth a few minutes ago, and just to get a rise out of you, big guy.” She chomped it harder.

“Gross.” He lifted his gaze to hers. If he turned the conversation in another direction, maybe she’d scram. “How’s Margaret?”

Lori narrowed her gaze at him. “Margaret’s fine. You didn’t answer my question.”

I didn’t intend to.

“Aiden and Dane. I sent them here, remember? I hope you were polite. Geez.”

He pasted a fake smile on and turned his head toward her, keeping his body facing the computer. Maybe she’d get the hint. “I was an angel and they were perfectly friendly. I’m sure they’ll be fine here.”

“I wish you were going to be here tonight. They’re relatively new to the scene and I want them to feel welcome.”

“I’m sure Carlton will make sure they get settled.”

“You are awfully distracted this week. Hot new sub?” Lori giggled. “How did I not know this?”

“’Cause it isn’t true. You make this shit up as you go along. Now scram. I’ve got a lot to do and a plane to catch.”

“All right, but for the record, you’re behaving strangely today. Is everything okay with you? You’re kinda scary.” She worried her lip with her top teeth as she waited for him to respond.

“Stop biting your lip. You and your oral habits. And, for the
record
, I’m fine.”

She narrowed her gaze further. “Nope. Definitely not fine. No giant smile when I show up. No hug. No ‘Sit, Lori. What’s been happening?’ Just, ‘Scram. I’m too busy to talk to you.’ I’m watching you, stud. Whatever it is, I hope it’s not terminal, ’cause I’d hate to take over this place and run it. I’m still sowing my wild oats.” She pointed her finger at him, a half smile playing at her lips.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not sick. I’m in a hurry.”

“Is the club okay?”

“The club is perfect.”

She stepped back, angling for the door. “Okay, I’m going to leave you alone, but only because I’m meeting Stephanie in half an hour. Have fun on your little vacation.”

“Stephanie? Parkins?”

She paused and tipped her head again. “You know Aiden and Dane’s submissive by first and last name and yet you barely remember I sent the two Doms here for a tour this week?” She shook her head at him. “Did you meet her? Did she come with them? Oh God.” Her eyes grew huge. “Don’t tell me you have the hots for her! She’s way too young for you, and she belongs to two other men.”

He jumped up from his seat. “I do not have the hots for anyone, and no I haven’t met her. I think you’re the one acting strange.”
There. Turn the tables.
He was both nervous and relieved about Lori spending so much time with Stephanie this week. What if she figured things out before he had a chance to meet with them together? Fuck, and fuck again. “Take your wild imagination and get going. Be nice to Aiden and Dane’s sub. She’s…new to the scene.” Of course Lori already knew that, but he needed to say something to help ensure she treated Stephanie with the best kid gloves.

She bent over in a fit of giggles.

“What?”

“You. You’re priceless this morning. Whatever drugs you forgot to take, make sure you get them in your system quick. I gotta run. I’ll talk to you next week.” With that, she nearly skipped out of the room.

Jason slumped back down in his chair and stared at the ceiling. He plucked a pen from the desk and wove it around and around between his fingers in the air.

The damn hole he’d dug for himself was growing deeper by the minute. He might as well jump in and bury himself at this rate.

Was he even doing the right thing? A brand new sub with Doms she met only a week ago didn’t need any added crazy shit on her plate. He just wanted to protect her and do the best he could to make her life easier from here on out.

Plus there was no way he could have given Stephanie a reasonable chunk of his time in the last day. Nope. Next week. He needed to stop second-guessing himself.

He glanced at his calendar and considered his options. He got back Tuesday. Maybe everyone was free on Wednesday. Should he go ahead and set something up without raising suspicions?

He slumped back in his chair and groaned toward the ceiling. Lori was going to kill him, and Stephanie had every right to also.

He pushed from the desk and began to stuff his briefcase. He glanced at his watch. Shit. He needed to beeline for the airport.

Stephanie stepped from the shower and found herself alone in the bathroom once again. She was getting used to the routine. She reached for a washcloth and dried herself from head to toe. Who knew one small square of towel could soak up that much water? She almost giggled.

Think of all the waste in the world from all the dirty towels that get washed every day of the week.
The environment would improve drastically if everyone would switch to washcloths.

“What’s so funny?”

Stephanie turned around to find Dane leaning against the doorjamb. “Shit. You scared me.” She put her hand over her heart, her naked heart. Well, really it was her chest that was bare, but she felt as if her heart were hanging out too lately.

He raised an eyebrow and didn’t move another muscle.

“Sir,” she added, dipping her head. “Sorry, Sir.”

He came into the room and pulled her toward the vanity where he sat her down and combed her hair, like most days. It felt awesome and she secretly hated when one of them didn’t extend this luxury to her. She loved the pampered part of the D/s scene. They adored her, and when they took the time to care for her she warmed inside, even naked.

When he stood back, she followed. “You need to eat breakfast before Lori gets here. You don’t eat enough.”

I don’t eat enough? I eat all the time.
She followed him obediently to the kitchen, sat on the stool at the island with her legs spread farther than ever, and ate the breakfast Aiden set before her without speaking a word.

She needed to improve her skills as a submissive a bit or suffer unimaginable consequences. After sitting in the office last night for hours with that spreader bar between her legs, she’d been stiff and sore. Today she didn’t intend to get into any kind of trouble that would buy her another evening of that experience.

When she finished cleaning her plate, she stood.

Dane took the dish from her hand. “Go brush your teeth and come back to the living room.”

She did his bidding, carefully keeping her gaze lowered and demure, hoping to impress him with her desire to please. She hustled from the room, brushed, used the restroom and hurried back to the main room.

Dane and Aiden sat together on the couch in the living room. Dane held a newspaper in front of him. He was so casual, with his legs crossed, his sexy worn jeans and his bare feet.

Aiden looked up when she came in and nodded. “Come, little sub, and kneel in front of us. Assume the first position while we wait for Lori.”

She halted in her steps.
Kneel before them until Lori gets here?
“But, Sir?” She bit her lip. What were they playing at this morning?

“What?” Aiden asked. His brow was creased. He wasn’t happy. “I don’t see how anything I said had room for discussion.”

Spit it out, Steph.
“Clothes, Sir. You haven’t given me anything to wear.” Maybe they’d forgotten. She held her breath.

Dane smashed the paper down in his lap with a rustle that filled the silence like a car wreck. She jerked back a step. His frustration was completely taken out on the poor creased paper. So far… “Steph. This is ridiculous. You’re forgetting your role here. First of all, don’t question us. Second of all, this is Lori we’re talking about. She’s in the lifestyle and she’s even a woman. I don’t see why you need clothing to meet with her. Thirdly, why haven’t we worked past this incessant need for clothes every second? And fourth…” at this he stood and turned toward her, “…the mere fact that I’ve had my paper interrupted to explain this obvious series of bullet points to you has made me a little on the aggravated side.”

A little?
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t you think that’s going a bit overboard?”

When she saw the looks on their faces, she stepped back, her bare feet dragging across the hardwood floor, a tremble in her step. She’d never seen them quite like this. Dane was fit to be tied and Aiden’s face told her he agreed with his partner. “I’m sorry, Sir,” she mumbled. She lowered her gaze.

Except I’m not sorry and I can’t imagine sitting around with Lori naked.

“Did you just roll your eyes at us? And then you added backtalk? You’re a bit bratty this morning, Steph,” Aiden said. “If that’s how you want to behave, we’ll be happy to go along. But when you act like a toddler brat, you can expect to get treated like one too.” Now Aiden stood.

Geez. This is not good.

Both men stepped around the couch toward her. Aiden nodded at Dane who took several long strides to the wall between her and the front door. He pointed at the corner. “Come stand in the corner.”

On the shakiest legs ever, she obeyed, shuffling forward until she stood in the spot he’d indicated. They’d punished her like this once before, last week at the fetish party…before the big disaster with her bosses had ruined the evening and changed the course of her life.