Inside the Lines: Without a Trace series, a contemporary erotic romance novel (8 page)

He clucks. “Now, Lulu, don’t get all pissy. I know the walk of shame when I see it. And darlin’, you got the swagger.”

I head for the coffee, thankful he left a bit of tar behind. I make a face and dump cream in the sludge to make it palatable, then swallow it down. Noah joins me in the kitchen and gestures to the morning paper, but right now, it doesn’t appeal.

“I’m going to get a shower.”

His clever eyes miss nothing. “Damn, Lux…you got it bad for this one. It’s written all over you. And you won’t talk about it, which means he’s either a client, which is a no-no, or someone new you don’t want me to know.” He taps a finger against his lips. “Interesting.”

I heave a sigh. “I will deal with you after I feel human. And you stop annoying me.”

But even the heavy blast of the shower head doesn’t wash away the doubts and fears coursing through my mind. Or Fin’s scent.

“Are you going to see him again?”

Noah’s made a fresh pot of coffee, which went a long way to earning him my good graces. I gave him the short version of last night and this morning, though I omit the crying part. “God, like I have an answer for that.”

“Perhaps the better question is,
when
are you going to see him again? Because he’s clearly under your skin, Lulu, my pet, and you’ve got it bad. I don’t think even Evan had you this turned around.”

I stick my tongue out at him even though he’s right. I really liked Evan. Fin…he’s something different.

My phone rings, and I pull it out of my jeans pocket. “Hello?”

“You ready to get into business, baby?”

“Tice?” I’d know her voice anywhere. And what did she just say? “Are you serious?”

“Fuck yeah, I’m serious. They love it. In fact, they don’t just love it, they think it’s brilliant. They want in, and they don’t want you to look anywhere else. Look for a call from Divine Incorporated later this week.”

“Oh my God.”

“I sold you like you shit fourteen karat gold, baby. Breathe it in, and let it be. Gotta rock, but I had to call you as soon as I heard.”

I say goodbye, then stare at Noah.

“You either got really good news or the worst news ever, judging by the way your hands are shaking.” He reaches across the table, his fingers warm against my cold ones. “You okay?”

“Divine Incorporated wants to back Kinked. Like, completely. They’re in.”

“That’s fantastic!” He pulls me out of my chair and hugs me, lifting me up off my feet.

Still in disbelief, I hug him back. “This is really happening, right?”

He grabs my face, kisses my forehead, and looks into my eyes with his intense baby blues. “Of course it is. I told you this idea was brilliant. Now you get to do the really hard work—make it happen.”

I force myself to take a deep breath. “I can’t believe it. That was too easy.”

“Yeah, well, the rest of it won’t be so easy, so enjoy the one part of it that was.”

“Right. Yes. Shit.” I don’t even know what to say or think.

My phone vibrates on the table.

Had an amazing night…and morning. When can I see you again?

If my insides weren’t already jelly, they would be now. I hand it to Noah. “Answer for me.”

He looks down at the phone, then at me. “It’s the boy toy. You sure?”

I don’t answer, just look at him, and he obliges. Then he stands and stretches, kisses me on top of my head, and tucks my phone back in my hand. “I have to get going—big dinner party tonight, and I think Ella mentioned elephants and trick ponies being involved.”

“Sounds like my kind of evening.”

He chuckles. “Could be. And congrats, Lux. This is going to work—I have a good feeling about all of it. And I’m never wrong.” I wave as he heads for the door. Then I glance at my phone to see what Noah typed in.

How about tonight?

Gee, Noah, thanks.

This time, we decide on pizza. And we order in. After all, I spent the night with the guy. It seems a bit prudish not to invite him to my house at this point. Not to mention, I want to enjoy his body again, and I can’t keep calling in favors.

Fin insists on having a drink to toast my good news.

“I’m very happy for ye.” He watches me as we each take a sip, and when I put my glass down, he pulls me to him, his lips tasting of wine and cinnamon. “So, does this mean I’ll have to create an online persona to get a date with ye? I’m not much for social media.”

“A curmudgeon?”

He makes a face, causing me to giggle. “Aye, the whole ‘smart phone’ bit and Facetube and YouBook—my mates are all crazy over it. I dinna care for any of it.”

“Wow. You are really are a die-hard for the olden days, eh?” I kiss him so he can’t respond. “And that’s
Facebook
and
YouTube
. And you aren’t seeing anyone or doing anything unless it’s ‘Facebook official,’ so…” I enjoy the feel of his five o’clock shadow against my fingertip as I trace his jaw.

He snorts. “Aye, well, I’m just as happy being ‘unofficial.’” His lips find mine. “Much more clandestine that way.”

I slip my arms around his waist, relishing the feel of him against me. “Terrified of social media, hm? Any other fears I should be aware of? Spiders? Corporate greed?”

“Spiders, no. Corporate greed…isn’t everyone? How about ye, Lux Trace? What’s yer deepest fear?”

While several things come to mind, I go with the safest answer. “Flying.” I shudder. “I absolutely hate being airborne.”

“Really? Why?”

I consider his question. “I’m not sure. Something about being up there, knowing that if something happens, you have no control over any of it. Yeah, I do
not
fly. I’ll drive just about anywhere. Love trains. But I will do quite a bit to avoid flying.”

“A Dominatrix who doesn’t like being out of control on a plane.” He grins. “Somehow, I’m not surprised.”

I laugh, lead him to the living room, and push him down onto the couch.

“So, when do I get full Mistress Hathaway treatment?” he asks as I straddle him, enjoying the play of his muscles under my hands as he shifts to accommodate me. We’re both in jeans and t-shirts, but that won’t last for long.

We kiss, and for a long while, the focus of his mouth on mine distracts me completely. Eventually, I pull back and look at him. “You don’t know anything about BDSM, do you?”

“I’ve heard of it, of course, and I have a general idea—particularly after being in Paddled—but no, not other than that. Is that a problem? I dinna mind that you like it.”

I roll my eyes. “Famous last words.”

“Why?”

He seems genuinely curious about my reaction, so I try to boil it down for him. “It’s hard to maintain a relationship when you don’t have common interests. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoyed last night. And I’m sure I’ll enjoy tonight,” I outline his bottom lip lightly with my finger. “But BDSM is a preference. A taste, if you will. It’s like trying to eat frozen yogurt to satisfy you, when all you really want is gelato.”

His hands slide up my arms, giving me a pleasant chill as he mulls over my words. “I much prefer gelato,” he says with a grin. “So, would I know if I like it? I mean, are ye born that way? Or is it more of an…”

“Acquired taste? That’s a good question. Sometimes it’s a bit of both.” I pause, giving his comment some thought. “I’ve had clients who’ve always known what they like. Some know, but they haven’t felt free to express it. Others…they struggle finding what they enjoy. Like Ari. She knew she wanted to submit, but she was scared to do it again, because it’s been used against her by previous partners.”

He shakes his head. “That’s too bad. She seemed verra sweet and gentle.”

“She is. And a very good person. I’m glad I could help her find that safe place to be herself again.”

After a few more moments of consideration, he nods, as though coming to a decision. “Should we try it then? Will ye show me what I’ve been missing out on?”

I silence him with my mouth, unsure how to answer him. I’ve never been in this position before, as someone’s
first
foray in BDSM. I’ve always been drawn to—or sought out by—people already in the community. They might not have been active or clear on their preferences, but they already had a solid handle on whether they liked it or not. “You really want to try it out?”

He grins, making him even more delicious. “Weel, I think I do. Maybe I only want to see a wee bit of what ye do. Get my feet wet, ye ken?”

I sit back, grinning in return. “Did a little bit of research, did you?”

“Aye, and there’s some scary shite out there. Do ye really abuse a man with a bullwhip? Beat him with bare fists? And use clothespins on his balls?” His quirked eyebrow tells me exactly how he feels about that.

“Mmm.” I lean down and press my lips against the blade of his jaw, nudging his head over so I have access to his neck. “
Aye
, I have.”

“And they wanted ye to do that, then?”

I trace the vulnerable curve of his neck, catching his skin between my teeth in light nips. “They paid me to do it.”

He snorts derisively. “I dinna think I could take such things on my balls. Of course, I dinna think I would like being beaten on, either, with whips or fists, ye ken.”

His accent makes his insistence even more entertaining. I lose track of my sensual plan and end up with my head against his shoulder, hiccupping with laughter. “Oh my God,” I breathe, trying to recapture my composure. “You make it awfully hard to give you the ‘full treatment’ when you don’t like any of my specialties.” When his eyes widen, I fall back into giggles. “I’m kidding! God, I can’t breathe.” I wave my hands in front of my face, in an effort to…well, hell, I’m not sure why I do it, but it seems to help. I flop beside him, then glance up at him. “Oy. I haven’t laughed like that in a long time.”

“I’m glad to amuse you,” he says wryly. Then he smiles and kisses me, nearly taking my breath away again.

I push him back. “I don’t get involved in anything involving beatings or bullwhips, but I have used a clothespin or two in my time.” I wink. “How about this: we’ll play with a little bondage—no pain—and see how you like it? That will give you an opportunity to tell me what you think.” I place a hand on his chest, holding him back from kissing me again. “And listen—don’t say you like something if you don’t, just to make me happy. This is supposed to be fun and sexy for both parties.”

He lifts my hand from his chest, then kisses my fingertips before pressing his lips against my palm. “I promise.”

Chapter 11

Kinked

I don’t invite a lot of people into my bedroom. As a result, I tend to have clothing all over the place and various personal care products spread out over my dresser. So I barely recognize my own room. I’d picked up and put away everything, vacuumed and dusted and organized every corner, and generally recreated the entire space in the hours before Fin arrived.

I’d also set it up
just in case
he wanted to play. Hey, a girl can hope, can’t she? Our earlier conversation was wildly convenient for my hopes for tonight. I light the candles I’ve strategically placed around the room. True to my ink, I’m a fan of peacocks, so my room’s theme reflects as much in small accents.