Chains (The Club #8) (8 page)

“Well, since we are all apparently on a first name basis and we are behind closed doors, I’ll do the explaining.” Ashley perks up. “Jesika and I have worked together for quite some time now at the magazine, she’s a dear friend and was in need of a little relaxation so I thought…”

“You thought, Jesus Christ, Ashley, take her for a day at the fucking spa, not a night here at
The Club
. Obviously you know nothing about her, she’s not one of us, and she’s not meant to be here. She’s not a fucking submissive,” he barks, his tone echoing through the small room.

“And how do you know all of this, Connor? Are you suddenly psychic and know everything about everyone?” she asks in a harsh tone.

Thoroughly exhausted from this conversation, I pull away from her ready to speak for myself.

“No, Ashley, he’s not psychic. He’s…this is him, the man I told you about last year.”

Her hand flies to her mouth a loud gasp escaping her lungs.

“Oh my God,” she whispers. “You’re the man she fell in love with, the man that destroyed her and broke her heart?” she asks pointing the finger at Connor. “And you’re the one he pined over for weeks, the woman who he couldn’t get over. Thank fuck I’m sitting down right now because I think I’m going to pass out.”

Her words hit me hard. I knew the feelings I had felt for him all those months ago, but she’s saying he felt them too? He couldn’t get over me?

As I look in his direction, my eyes glance from his feet, up his body and into his eyes. I don’t know what it is, but something is looking back at me that I’ve never noticed before. Perhaps it’s because I didn’t look hard enough. Maybe I was too afraid to see it, but hearing it from her and seeing him like this now…I’m completely shredded

As I sit staring out the large windows in my office, I try to think back to where I went wrong. I have everything a man could want. I’m successful, wealthy and in the best shape of my life. Professionally speaking, the firm is expanding, our clients are well taken care of and I enjoy the work I do. Yet here I sit, feeling miserable and insignificant.

Four weeks have gone by and not a word from Jesika. That night at
The Club
, seeing her again, it killed me. The moment our eyes locked, everything fell back into place. I was swept away into a world where only the two of us existed. Seeing that man hovering over her, pinning her against the wall sent fury through my veins. She was trapped and had he not looked up to see me, could have taken advantage of her. Escorting him out of the building may have been harsh on my part, but there was no way I was going to risk her safety.

Leaning forward, I rest my elbows onto my knees and run my fingers through my hair. She has flipped a switch in me, turned my life on its side and there’s nothing I can do to make the emptiness she left go away. There’s something about her that makes me want to protect her, open my heart and allow myself to love, yet a part of me is terrified. I need to see her, feel her and be with her more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. Leaving me once was heartbreaking, this time she’s gutted every emotion I’ve ever felt. My life has always been about authority, power and showing dominance. Once I break down those walls, the control I’ve harnessed will be lost and I’m not sure I’m prepared to lose such a drastic piece of my worth.

The sound of the intercom buzzing brings my focus back to the present. Turning in my chair, I face my desk looking over the calendar. No one is scheduled to arrive for the day, what could she possibly need from me now?

“What is it, CJ? I’m in the middle of something,” I respond into the device, annoyance stemming from my tone.

“I do apologize, Mr. Samson, but Mr. Jacobs needs to speak with you. He said it was urgent. Shall I tell him you’re preoccupied?”

Son of a bitch, I completely forgot Peter was meeting with Spencer Enterprises today. I need to gather my thoughts; I can’t let something this big slip through my fingers. 

“No, CJ, tell him I’m available and send him in,” I reply flicking off the intercom.

The door opens and in walks Peter with a smug look on his face.

“I’m not in the mood, cut to the chase,” I state standing from my chair and moving around the desk.

“Yeah, what else is new, Connor, as of late, you’re never in a good mood,” he says taking a seat on the leather couch. “And let me add that I’m not the only one who’s noticed.

Leaning myself onto the top of the oak surface, I cross my arms over my chest while glaring in his direction.

“Get to it, Peter, I know you didn’t come here to sit back and relax on my furniture. What the hell happened with Spencer Enterprises today?”

My lack of patience dwindles while he makes himself comfortable lifting his feet onto the glass table and propping his hands behind his head.

“You’ll be pleased to know that everything went just as I expected. Cliff and the board reviewed the contracts and have agreed to sign with the firm. We should have the signed contract delivered by courier before the end of the day.”

With an obnoxious grin, he stands from the couch, moving toward the built in bar.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask.

“Come on, Connor, I did it. The issue at hand has been taken care of and I scored us the deal. Spencer Enterprises is officially ours. I do believe this is a reason to celebrate,” he responds clasping his hands together. “Want your usual?” he questions before turning back to pour himself a drink.

I can’t argue the fact that I’m ecstatic about the news he’s just brought to me; however, it was his error and lack of professional judgment that initially could have cost us the deal.

Walking toward me, he extends his arm out with a glass of amber liquor.

“To fixing my mistakes and learning a valuable lesson,” he remarks and lifts his glass.

I accept the scotch and raise a brow before taking a long sip, allowing the burning sensation to linger and coat the back of my throat.

Placing the glass onto my desk, I give him a firm pat on the back before moving back behind my desk.

“Aren’t you going to say something?” he asks setting his glass next to mine.

Looking up, I meet his gaze and release a heavy sigh. I know damn well my frustrations should not be taken out on him. He doesn’t deserve my hostility; after all, he did restore my faith in him by signing Spencer Enterprises.

“You’re right, Peter. You really came through for me and the firm. But I have to know, how did you rectify the situation?” I ask.

“Yeah, about that,” he says shifting from his left to right foot and running his hands through his hair. “I think you should come with me, it’ll be easier to explain in person.”

A deep laugh pulls from my stomach. I’ve known this man for far too long; I think he’s finally lost his mind.

“Peter, we are in person. What the hell are you talking about?”

Meeting my gaze, he gestures for me to follow him.

“It’s time you meet her, the secret is out and I’m tired of hiding her from the world. We’re meeting for a drink in a half hour downtown. Grab your shit and let’s get out of here before I lose my nerve and change my mind.”

Refusing to argue, I shut down my Mac, grab my briefcase and follow Peter out of my office.

Walking through the doors, the delicious smells of food drift past my nose as my stomach starts to growl. My eyes scan the patrons in search of who the mystery woman may be. Apparently, the one who has captured Peter’s interest is a member of
The Club
; if she’s here I would recognize her in a heartbeat. I can only hope that the sub who has stolen his heart is not someone I’ve fucked.

As we near a table, I notice a blonde, her back turned to us. Peter steps forward catching her attention as she stands and faces me. Her intense blue eyes stare back to me, those cherry red lips recognizable anywhere.

“Connor,” she states leaning forward to place a gentle kiss to my cheek.

I look to Peter who now has the biggest grin spread across his face. No words come to mind, I’m left speechless. Never in my wildest imagination would I bring these two together as a pair. My mind is blown…Ashley is Peter’s Domme?

“Are you going to sit?” Peter’s voice calls to me, breaking me from my thoughts.

Looking between the two of them, I nod and take a seat across from Ashley.

“You look as if you’ve seen a ghost, Connor, please say something,” she remarks reaching out to rest her hand onto mine.

“I don’t know what to say,” I laugh. “I spend so much time with the two of you and never put the two of you together.”

She squeezes my hand, reassuring me that everything is okay. I’m not sure if I’ve been so caught up in my world or what, but this arrangement…relationship has me feeling numb. Two of the dearest people in my life found one another, kept their lives such a secret I didn’t even notice it coming.

“We’ve both wanted to tell you for a long time. With everything that happened with her father and the firm, we agreed it was best to wait ‘til now.”

“I’m happy for you, for you both,” I respond looking between the two of them. “Unexpected, but nonetheless you both deserve to be happy.”

Ashley smiles brightly back to me while Peter claps me on the shoulder.

“Good,” he states. “Now that this is all out in the open, it’s time we both talk to you about something that has been weighing on our minds. As your closest friends, it’s only fair that we remain honest and blunt with you from here on out.”

Unsure of where this conversation is going, I look to Ashley with a scowl on my face.

“Is this an intervention, because if that’s the case I can pay a well educated psychologist to evaluate my mental health?”

“No, Connor, this is not a staged meeting of the minds, but we are two people that care a lot about you. Ever since that night at
The Club
with Jesika, you’ve been distant and off in your own little world. For heaven’s sake, you haven’t even come to
The Club
since that night. When it comes to sexual needs, I know you just as well as you know yourself. How the hell have you not gone off the deep end is beyond me.”

“I appreciate you both for coming out to me, really I do, but there’s no need to intervene in my life. I’ve been just fine on my own up ‘til now, I sure as hell don’t need the two of you meddling in business that is none of yours,” I retort, pushing away from the table and moving to stand. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have better things to do with my evening.”

Peter and Ashley stand before I gesture for them to sit. Knowing me as well as they do, they realize that there’s no use pushing the conversation any further. Once I set my mind on something I stick to it…I always have the final word.

Reaching the door, I step outside and release a deep breath. The anxiety building within my chest was not something I was willing to expose in front of them. There’s no way I can share the pain raging inside of me and the loss I feel for Jesika.

I need some air, some time to rationalize just what I need to do, and something that will help me see the light within the darkness of my soul.