Power Play [Pleasure Playground 2] (6 page)

"Long day,” Chase said.

"Was it? I know it's been pretty hectic on the construction front. On the upside though, your penthouse condo is going to be finished by next month."

Chase perked up. “Yeah? That's great. As much as we love Eve's apartment, we need more space. But I didn't come by to talk about the building."

Daegan's stomach sank. He wanted to hear his friend out on whatever bothered him, but the clock was ticking on Jennifer. If she got out of the building before he got to her, she'd disappear for the night. Although right now he had no clue how to extricate himself from a long conversation with the man, who, for all intents and purposes, was his boss.

"What's up?” He really didn't like the look on Chase's face. They'd known each other too long for him not to recognize when his friend had something unpleasant to say. “Whatever it is, just spit it out. I can already tell I'm not going to like it."

"What happened last night with you and Jennifer? She's a pro at her job, but the camera picks up on the slightest nuance, and she was off her game today. That shoot took twice as long as it should have."

Immediately Daegan thought of her. If she'd been bound for this job when she'd already been physically taxed the night before...

"Is she all right?"

Chase narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, she's fine. But she's exhausted and needs some rest. But you didn't answer my question."

"And I don't intend to. I think whatever happens between Jennifer and I in our personal lives is private business."

"Look we've been friends a long time—"

"Exactly. So you know I won't hurt her."

Chase heaved a sigh and leaned back in his chair. “You don't know her very well, and I'm afraid she isn't ready for a man like you."

Daegan drew his brows together. “A man like me? I'm like you, so what the hell is that supposed to mean?” Daegan swore under his breath. If Chase had been any other man butting in to his business, he'd be showing him the door. But a decades-long friendship wasn't easy to ignore.

"I don't want her hurt. She looks and acts tough as nails, but she's fragile. Not that you'll ever get her to admit that."

Daegan nodded. “What happened to make her like that?"

Chase shook his head. “Not my story to tell, and you know it. There are some facts that have to be given willingly, and what hurt she carries inside is only for the right man to discover."

"I never knew you to be so romantic."

"Don't fuck with this, Daegan, if you aren't serious. She'll play, don't get me wrong. She's too deep into this world not to need a certain amount of attention. But if you push her for more, you'd better be prepared for the consequences."

Daegan fought to hold his tongue. Yes, Chase was his friend, but he and Murphy were also all the protection Jennifer had, and he suspected she needed it.

"You're a good man, Daegan, but you came here to escape your grief. Eventually, you'll be pulled back to your real life, and I don't think she should get attached. There are a lot of subs at the club that would kill to be your temporary submissive. In fact, I can refer you to many I guarantee you'll enjoy. Don't make Jennifer your rebound woman."

Chase's last words irked the hell out of him. “You make her sound like a sad woman not strong enough to make her own decisions. I like Jennifer, and I have faith in her strength."

His friend nodded. “She is strong, and she'd make an exceptional submissive.” Chase pushed his fingers through his hair. “But I'm afraid of what it's going to take to get to that point."

His odd choice of words drove home much of what Daegan already suspected. There were massive walls that had to be broken through. The man who succeeded would be rewarded with a great gift. If he failed...

"I understand,” Daegan said calmly.

Chase's expression softened. “You really want this, don't you?"

"Aye, that I do.” He answered without a second thought. Along the way he'd find a way to give them both what they needed.

His friend stared long and hard at him. Searching for something when he finally relented. “Then she's waiting for you down in my office."

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Jennifer tapped her foot on the floor and screwed her hands tighter together. This waiting here with nothing to do was going to kill her. Fatigue weighed on her almost as much as worry. She'd not been at her best today, and Chase knew it. She suspected that was the reason she sat waiting for him in his office. He was going to want an explanation, and she wasn't about to get into her feelings or lack thereof in regard to his friend Daegan.

Daegan...

He really was the devil. He'd led her into temptation, and now she thought of little else. In one night he'd opened a door she had no idea how to close. Last night in the dark, he'd proven his point with total clarity. Not only did she want him, she also wanted to submit to him. Jennifer trembled from a tingle that traveled the length of her spine at the memory. When she closed her eyes and returned to the scene of her disaster, she felt the burning need across her flesh burning hotter than the night before.

The sound of Daegan's voice at her ear melted her insides, making it so easy to let her guard down. God, she loved his accent. And when he called her love...

"Ready to go, are you?"

"Mmhmm,” she murmured. In her head, she'd go anywhere he asked her to. He made her breasts tingle and her pussy moisten with so much anticipation. All day long she'd remembered the delicious pain he'd delivered across her backside when he spanked her. When she'd examined her ass in the mirror this morning, she'd been almost disappointed to see no telltale sign of their night together.

Jennifer blew out a hard breath. What the hell was wrong with her? Why did she crave him of all people to mark her?

"Jennifer. Are you listening to me?"

The shock of his raised voice made Jennifer jump in her seat. Her eyes popped open, and she found Daegan standing over her.

"Wha—” She sat up straight. “What did you say?” Her pulse pounded, blood roared in her ears. She gripped the arm of the chair, and for a split second she considered running from the room.

No more running, rabbit
. She heard his words from last night in her head. There was no escape.

"I asked you if you're ready to go."

"Go where? Chase asked me to meet him here."

Daegan brushed her cheek and practically stared right through her. “Chase sent me down here. I guess I'm not the only one who thought you might run tonight."

Jennifer bristled at his answer. It was one thing for her to realize that he'd known more about her than he should and a whole other ball game for him and Chase to start assuming what she needed to do. She'd learned a hell of a long time ago to stand up for herself.

"Where and how I go is my business. It has been since I was sixteen."

"Not tonight, love.” Daegan swept her into his arms and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Tonight you need to relax and recharge. I've made it me personal mission."

She eyed him warily. What did he have up his sleeve? She couldn't exactly think straight this close to him. His masculine scent filled her senses and flooded her mind with images from the night before. Somehow being in the Dark Room had made her feel less—on display. It had given her a sense of anonymity that made everything so much easier. That feeling was gone.

Her stomach growled. Mortified, Jennifer hid her face in Daegan's shirt.

"You need to eat, and I know the perfect place."

Too tired to argue anymore, Jennifer allowed Daegan to pull her from Chase's office and out the front door of the building. Sunset had long passed, and Jennifer lifted her gaze to the sky, hoping for a glimpse of a star-filled night. A cool breeze floated across her warmed skin, providing little relief from the war that raged inside her.

"I'm not dressed for dinner,” she protested.

"You're fine for what I have in mind.” He ushered her to his car and helped her in on the passenger side before returning to the driver's side and sliding behind the wheel. After a few seconds, Jennifer sank into the pale leather seats of Daegan's vintage Mercedes. She'd admired his car from afar, but this was the first time she'd seen it firsthand.

"Nice car."

"From one connoisseur to another. Your Mustang purrs like a kitten."

She couldn't help but smile. She'd had no idea he noticed. “My mom's second husband owned one, and I loved it. When I was a kid I swore I'd drive one too. I saved for years for that car, but it was worth every penny."

Daegan curled his hand around hers and rubbed his fingers across her knuckles. Her stomach tumbled at the gesture. With a newly formed lump in her throat, she didn't know what else to say. Fortunately, Daegan must have sensed her discomfort, and they drove the rest of the way in silence. Jennifer took a deep breath and relaxed. She enjoyed the quiet. It was a relief to realize he didn't expect her to entertain him every second they were together. Instead she reveled in the intimacy of her hand in his and the simple way he'd managed to put her at ease.

For a few minutes she could pretend this was a date. Her first real date. Not that she'd ever admit that little nugget of humiliating information.

The car slowed, and Jennifer studied their surroundings. He'd driven them to the east side of town not far from the arts district. He pulled into a partially empty lot and eased them into a parking spot. She immediately recognized the Black Finn. An Irish American restaurant she'd passed by often.

"Don't worry. Everything's going to be fine,” he assured her. She met his gaze and smiled, thankful for his words.

Before she could respond, he leaned across the seat and kissed her. Warm lips nibbled her mouth with a gentle touch until he coaxed her to open. His tongue touched against hers briefly before he drew away and stepped out of the car.

He led her inside with a flutter of butterflies in her stomach. She'd never experienced this no-nonsense, follow-my-lead side of Daegan. Most of their encounters were either sarcastic and flirty or him aggressively working to get a response out of her. Tonight he seemed almost reverent.

Daegan spoke briefly to the hostess before she led them to the back of the restaurant to an alcove tucked behind a wood-burning fireplace. Jennifer was relieved to discover no other diners at the surrounding tables. Here, amid the candle glow and soft music playing in the background, they could enjoy a nice dinner nearly alone.

A waiter appeared, and Daegan gave their drink and dinner orders. Slightly annoyed by his assumptions, she cleared her throat to catch his attention.

He smiled. “Trust me. I've ordered a sampler of their best selections. All the food is fantastic here.” The waiter slipped away quietly, leaving them alone.

"I can't eat stuff like that,” she whispered. “I have a shoot tomorrow."

"You can and you will,” he replied in that tone that said you will listen and follow.

She wanted to insist. Hell, she felt like standing up and stomping her feet, he made her so mad. Instead, she picked up her glass and took a swallow to keep from blurting out the vicious words about where he could stick his heavy-handed attitude.

"So what happened today?"

Jennifer choked on the water she'd been sipping. “You don't mince words, do you?"

He shrugged. “Life is too short not to get to the point.” Daegan intertwined their fingers. She didn't know what to think of his habit of touching her every chance he got. She wasn't accustomed to it.

"I was a little off my game today at work is all. It's not a big deal. Lack of sleep will do that, you know.” She hated the defensive tone of her voice, but she couldn't help it. Daegan had a way of getting under her skin no matter what he said or did.

"Then we'll have to take care of that tonight, won't we?” He lifted her hand to his lips and placed a kiss across her knuckles.

She tried to jerk her hand free, and Daegan only tightened his grip. “Don't,” he warned.

"I don't know how to do this.” she whispered. “I know I agreed, but this is way...” She didn't want to admit the rest.

"Outside your comfort zone,” he finished.

Jennifer nodded. “I think this is a mistake. There are other women, eager women, who'd be more than happy to fill this role for you."

"That's where you're wrong. This isn't just some role that needs to be filled. It's not a game. In fact, when I came here, I had no intention of getting involved with anyone. But if there's one lesson in life I have learned more clearly than I like, it's that life rarely goes exactly as you planned. Real life is messy."

Didn't she know it? She'd been living that messy life for as long as she could remember. Not that she wanted to wallow there. Those days were behind her. “I know. It's just..."

"You're afraid."

Jennifer reared back as if she'd been slapped. Every time he managed to say something that hit a nerve, she wanted to flee.

"Wait. Hear me out.” He rubbed his thumb across her knuckles and soothed her ruffled feathers just like that. “You want something you don't understand, so you push it away. It's a natural reaction. You head is in one place, and your body is in another."

God, he was right. She was acting like a child. An all-too-familiar bitterness from her past reared its ugly head. She didn't belong here any more than she'd belonged there. Sadness ached inside her. How would she ever overcome the past completely if she didn't learn to at least trust one person? Chase and Murphy were both honest with her, and she'd shared a little, but even Eve, who'd tried so hard to befriend her the last six months hadn't gotten very far.

"I'm not sure what I want anymore. I'm confused,” she blurted before she could bite back the words.

The surprise on Daegan's face melted into a slow smile. “Why do I get the feeling that's the most honest thing you've said so far?"

Jennifer didn't respond. Once again she found herself at a loss for words.

"Sometimes what a submissive wants is different from what she needs. It's my job as a Dom to figure out the difference in each situation.” He placed a quick kiss on the tips of her fingers. “Sometimes she needs a comforting touch, or pleasure beyond her wildest dreams.” His tongue flicked across her flesh. “But sometimes she needs her Dom to make the hard decisions such as deciding when her limits should be pushed or doling out any punishment she has earned. All of those details will be up to me to decide."