Honey and Decadence (3 page)

“Happy birthday, Sean.” Roxy dropped to her elbows, sagging onto the table.

Sean sighed and pulled out of her. She’d made his birthday one to remember. Hell, he wanted to continue their tryst for the rest of the night. He tossed the used rubber into the trash can then discarded the mangled filo dough. They’d made a mess, but he didn’t care. He rather liked using the spare office for his personal play area.

Sean patted her hip. “Turn over, babe.” When she did, he unbuckled the belt and released her from her bonds.

Roxy rubbed her wrists. “Thank you, Sir.”

“You’re very welcome.” He zipped his jeans then picked his shirt up off the floor. “This is for you.” He draped the shirt across her shoulders. “Come here.” He settled in the chair, then tugged her onto his lap. “That was the best birthday present ever. Thank you.”

Roxy tucked a loose lock of her hair behind her ear and smiled. “Any time.”

Chapter Three

Roxy rested her head on his shoulder. Holy fuck in a basket, she’d screwed around with Sean. Not only screwed around, but indulged in her favourite fetish—food play. Not many men liked food mixed with sex. Sean sure did. She sagged against his chest and fought to catch her breath. The night wasn’t over, but for all she knew, their time together ended the moment she walked out of the room.

Did she want their night to end?

Not really.

“What happens now?” she asked. “I was only hired to be the table.” She braced herself for his answer. Sean was known for playing hard and what they’d done was only a shred of what he could do. She’d seen him at work.

“My birthday isn’t over.” Sean squeezed her. “I’d like you to come home with me and continue what we’ve started.”

“Sean?” She had to have heard him wrong. Sean Malkin could have any play partner he wanted. She’d witnessed the lines of women who came to the restaurant to see him.

“I never imagined I’d end up having so much fun tonight. I’m not sure I want this to end.” He patted her bottom. “I want to take you home and pamper you.”

Her mind spun. “I— Elias paid me to come.” Her stomach soured and she scooted off his lap. Damn it to hell. She sounded like a freaking hooker. Her heart dropped to her toes and she turned away from him. She refused to look into his eyes. “I can drive myself home.” Where’d she leave her clothes? In the upstairs restroom. She blinked back tears and headed across the room to the door.

“Hey.”

She froze, but didn’t turn around.

Sean wrapped his arms about her midsection and rested his chin on her shoulder. “Roxy, he told me he brought you in tonight. Us having sex wasn’t part of the deal.”

“True.” She glanced down at his entwined hands. He’d taken off the watch. Three calligraphic letters were tattooed onto his inner wrist. Huh. She’d never figured him for a tattoo kind of guy, but then he never removed the watch either.

“I remember the chemistry we had at Push. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t forget you.” He kissed her neck below her ear, then dragged his teeth over her earlobe. “I’m very picky about who I play with. We have a connection I can’t ignore. I want you and I’m pretty sure you want me, too. Let’s see where this can go.”

“I do want you.” She clutched his folded hands, stroking her thumb over the letters on his skin. “I want more.” But fear crept into her brain. She’d been honest with him. She knew how much more he could give her. Would he want her in the morning? And what about her job? They’d broken Sean’s cardinal rule not to screw around with staff.

“Live for right now and put yourself in my hands again. Please, babe?” Sean kissed the side of her head. “Can’t get enough of you.”

Roxy threw caution to the wind. She’d worry about the repercussions of her actions later. “Then let’s go.”

Sean grinned. “Why don’t you drive?”

She snorted. “Are you too good to drive? Or is this so you can kick me out in the morning?”

Sean followed hot on her heels as she strolled to the restroom for her clothes. “I didn’t drive. Elias told me to take a cab. He’s got a wicked sixth sense about stuff—like me and you.”

“Wait here.” She ducked into the bathroom and weighed her options. End things or give him a chance. Ending things meant she’d still have her job. Continuing meant an inevitable change in her life. Who needed status quo? Might as well give him the chance. She dressed and checked her look in the mirror, then opened the door. Sean stood in the hallway waiting for her.

“Hi, beautiful.” He trailed his fingers down her arm, then held her hand. “Ready?”

Second thoughts crept in. She rubbed her temple. She wanted to be alone with him, but something felt off. “Why don’t we go to Push?”

Sean nodded once then escorted her to the first floor. She hated putting a wall between them, but things had moved too fast.

“Nah, I’m not in the mood for a club.” He walked her to her car then threaded his fingers into her hair and massaged her scalp. “Let’s give us some time.” He rested his forehead on hers. “We can go out… Tomorrow night?”

“I’ve got to work,” she replied and her voice cracked. “I should be in bed right now so I’m not a wreck tomorrow for the lunch rush.”

“Makes sense.” He rubbed her nose with his and kissed her. “I’ll meet you wherever you want, however you want.”

“I’d like that.” She placed her hand over his heart. The touch seared her to her core. Did love happen in a few hours? Could they turn white-hot lust and a shared fetish for food play into something more? She wasn’t sure.

“See you tomorrow.” Sean stood in the next parking spot and watched her leave.

Roxy slid onto the car seat then shut the door. The drive across town to her apartment went by in a blur. A mix of regret and relief washed over her—relief for putting the brakes on the burgeoning relationship, but regret for walking away from Sean. She knew damn well she wasn’t a freak for enjoying their play, but she wondered how she’d let things happen so fast. The whole night seemed like a strange and sexy dream. The more she thought about Sean, the more she knew why she’d stopped short of going home with him. The last time she’d moved at warp speed, she’d been burned. Was Sean going to end up being another dead end or a sexy new beginning? She pulled into her driveway and stopped, then held her head in her hands and closed her eyes.

“Why do I want what I shouldn’t have?” she murmured. “Why?”

Sean stuffed his hands into his pockets and watched her leave. Sex with Roxy had blown his mind. He wanted her again and again. But he understood her hesitation. Too much, too fast and she needed to control something. He dragged a long breath into his lungs then headed back into the restaurant. He needed her in his bed. Like now. If waiting meant he’d have another chance to spend time with her, then he’d do it.

Glasses clinked at the bar and light spilled from the main room. Sean crept to the banquet room and peered around the corner. Elias leaned on the bar top, glass in hand, and shook the ice. A basketball game played on the television.

“Elias.” Sean rolled his shoulders then sat down on the first stool. He placed his watch on the bar top, then smoothed the wrinkles in his T-shirt. “What are you doing here? We’re closed on Sunday nights.”

Elias turned around and grinned. “Keeping an eye on you.” He frowned. “Is Roxy in the bathroom? You’re heading out?”

“She went home.”

“Home? You’re going after her, right?” Elias dumped the ice from his glass in the sink, then wiped the condensation ring off the wooden surface of the bar. “You two are good together. I see you showed her your tat. You never show people that tattoo.”

Sean pulled his watch from his pocket then affixed the timepiece around his wrist to cover the tattoo of his initials. Damn it. He hated when Elias was right. “Just because we’re good in bed doesn’t mean we’ll have a future together. It was one night.” He leaned over the bar and grabbed a bottle of beer from the open ice chest. “It’s nuts. After Rebekah, I didn’t think I’d find someone. Going to Push was an outlet. No commitments, just fun. Then I saw Roxy there. We danced and flirted. She made me think about trying again, but then I didn’t see her there after the first time.”

“Which is why I put you two together.” Elias grinned. “So what’s the hold-up? She’s not into your kink?”

“That’s not it at all.” Sean scrubbed his hand over his mouth. “I think I’m in love with her. That’s nuts.”

“It’s not. It’s called moving on.” Elias tossed the towel onto the bar. “You’re going to give her time, because you’re a good guy, and see where things go.” He tipped his head. “I know you. Then things will turn out. Why? Because you’re secretive except around her and she’s crazy about you.”

“And you know this how?”

“Any of my girls would’ve jumped at the chance to make a grand serving a birthday party. Half of them would’ve played the role of nude serving platter, if I’d asked. Only one of them isn’t afraid of the big, bad, scary Sean who never smiles and never comes into the restaurant. Roxy. Either she’s really into you or she’s got balls of steel.” He leaned on his elbows. “Besides, she left the money in my desk. I guess she didn’t feel right taking it and wanted to see you instead.”

“No shit,” Sean replied, not realising he’d spoken out loud. So the feelings were there. He could work with that information. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“Showing me what I already knew but didn’t see.” Sean slid the open but untouched bottle of beer across the bar top to Elias. “Drink that so it doesn’t go to waste, then get yourself a girl.”

Sean climbed the stairs to the second storey and the office he and Elias shared. He collapsed on the couch and closed his eyes. He’d pamper Roxy and show her just how much he cared about her—after some sleep.

* * * *

Sean stretched out on his couch and stared at the ceiling. Sleeping on the couch in the office hadn’t worked, not when he’d still been able to smell the sweet scent of Roxy in the room. He drove himself home and collapsed on the couch in the living room. Slumber came and went, but he didn’t bother to move until mid-afternoon.

Twenty-four hours earlier, he’d found the love of his life. Granted she’d been right under his nose the whole time, but at least he knew. He glanced at the clock. The restaurant closed in an hour. He’d picked up flowers for her and arranged the living room for a midnight picnic. Not the greatest idea for a date, but whatever worked. His heart raced and he palmed his cock. In less than an hour he’d see her and get to hold her again. He couldn’t wait.

He imagined her on his lap again and relived the night before. The next time they played, he wanted to go all out. Chocolate, honey, whipped cream…and handcuffs. He’d been out of practice for too long, despite his jaunts to Push. He craved her submission and the smile she wore when she slipped into subspace.

Yeah, he loved her.

Sean sat up and raked his fingers through his hair. Time to tell her how he felt. He drove across town then parked at the back door of the restaurant. Flowers in hand, he strolled into the kitchen. One of the other servers, Alice, a skinny brunette with a full chest and a bright smile, wandered past him. Her shoulders bobbed and she didn’t bother to look at him, but kept singing a song he didn’t know.

He shrugged and made his way through the kitchen to the downstairs office. The door swung open and yet another server bounded out of the room. “That’s it, Elias. I’m done.” She whipped her apron at him. “Done.”

Sean stepped back out of the line of fire, then poked his head into the office. “Rough day?”

Elias pinched the bridge of his nose. “Two servers quit and one threw up an hour ago. Yeah, it’s great. Can you help bus tables?” He stood and grabbed a smock from the coat hook. “I can use all the help I can get.”

“Sure.” Sean placed the flowers on the desk. When he left the kitchen, he snagged a bus tub. “Who quit?”

“Couple of the newer girls.” Elias stopped at the first table and hefted filthy dishes into the tub. “Roxy’s had a rough night, too. Been a champ and hasn’t complained.”

Sean passed her in the main banquet room and grinned. Her hair had escaped the clip and stuck out at odd angles. Her makeup was smeared under her eyes and her smile dimmed when she saw him.

“Hey.” He followed her back to the kitchen. “Rox.”

She stopped and sighed. “You picked a great night to ask me out, didn’t you?” She smoothed a flyaway lock of hair behind her ear. “Not the sexiest hook-up, is it?”

Hell, she looked sexy in every way. He twined their fingers, then led her to the office.

“It’s a bit early for a quickie. Won’t Elias get upset if we screw around on his paperwork?” She giggled, then rested her head on his shoulder. “Or is it yours?”

“My paperwork, babe.” He handed her the flowers. “For you. I thought I’d be able to whisk you out of here early. Guess I was wrong.” He wrapped an arm around her. “I had a hot night planned, but I’ve got a better idea.”

“Yeah?” She sniffed the roses. “These are beautiful.”

“Anything for you.” He kissed her temple. “Even a nap later.”

“I might take you up on that.” She stood on her tiptoes then kissed him on the lips. “Then I’ll have you smack my ass and drench me in chocolate.” She wriggled her brows before leaving him alone in the office.

Sean watched her leave and gawked at her ass. Well, hot damn.

Chapter Four

Two hours after he’d arrived at Delight Tonight, Sean led Roxy back to his house. She dropped her bag inside the door and sagged in his arms. “This is your house?”

He shrugged and kissed the back of her head. “It’s where I live.”

“This is a mansion.” She pulled away from him and waved her hand. “Well, a mini one, but wow.” She wandered through his living room and trailed her fingers over the leather sofa and stained glass lamp, then stopped in front of the painting of dogs. “The only art I have is a concert poster from a band I saw in college. This is so cool.”

He liked seeing her in his home. She offered the feminine touch he longed for, and a hot one to boot.

“Are they your dogs?” Her shoulders sagged and she sighed. She could hide her fatigue at the restaurant, but he knew better. He stood beside her and touched the painting.