Strictly Yours: Hooded Pleasures, Book 3 (9 page)

“I can tell him I’m a friend of one of the women working at the clinic. It’s not a lie.”

“And then you get in trouble when he reports you for harassment.”

Nathan blinked.

Didn’t think of that, did you?
Jen mentally yelled.

You should have.

Your desire to help me distracted you from the obvious.

Jen reached over and touched his hand. “It was dangerous for you to get this information. What reason did you give?”

“Told them I was curious about an old case. Nothing more.”

“And that’s where it’s got to stay.” She squeezed his hand. “Imagine if you go to see him and he squawks to his parole officer a cop’s bullying him, a policeman’s going beyond his authority to harass him. Maybe the parole officer decides to go up the chain of command and tell your superiors, who want to know, rightly, what your stake is in this case.”

She saw the realization come home.

“They might find out about us,” he answered.

“They would find out about you,” she corrected him. “Exposure wouldn’t affect me much. I’m not doing anything illegal.”

“Neither am I,” Nathan said.

“Except, as you know damned well, exposure could cost you your job. At the least, it’ll make it difficult, if not impossible, for us to keep seeing each other, and it would put pressure on you at work.” She cocked her head to one side. “I can’t let you risk it to bully a punk who might well have forgotten about me and wants to change his life for the better. Please leave it alone for now.”

“But—” He shook his head. “You can’t let this asshole define you or your relationships with your friends, your family, your—” He caught himself before finishing the sentence.

Boyfriend? Lover? Clients?

Jen wondered which word he’d bitten back.

“I’m not going to let him. And neither should you.” She dotted her mouth with the paper napkin left on the table. “I’ve got to get going. You’ll need to rest before you go in to work tonight.” She looked at him directly. “Thank you. For everything.”

Jen leaned across the table and kissed his cheek before she could talk herself out of it.

Walking on fire.

He beamed. “Don’t worry about me. I napped a bit on the couch while dinner was cooking. But I do need to get ready.” He tapped his temple. “Up here is what’s important. Get your mind in the game, and your body will follow.”

Jen smiled. “You’re good at your job.”

“As you are at yours.” Nathan smiled. “Let me go get your backpack.” He walked out of the kitchen before she could reply.

Sunday dinner with a man.

It’d been a long, long time since that had happened. All she needed now was a nice cup of coffee, and she’d be fi—

She yawned and caught herself.

Home, girl. No more lounging around here.

You’re already on shaky ground as it is.

Jen wandered into the hallway and saw her high-heeled shoes neatly lined up with his runners and heavy-duty winter boots. She slipped them on and spotted her coat hanging on a hook. She put it on and found her car keys in the pockets.

“Next week, then?” Nathan bounded down the stairs with her phone and bag. He skittered to a stop in front of him. “You can bring my clothes back then. No use getting changed just to get in your car.”

“True.” She pulled at the soft gray fabric. “You didn’t have to do that. I usually sleep naked. It’s how I’m most comfortable.”

The words were out of her mouth before she caught them.

You did not just say—

“I can guess.” Nathan nodded. “I know I can’t wait to get out of my uniform when my shift is over.”

The awkward silence drifted around them.

She felt strange leaving like this.

It wasn’t a date.

It sure as hell wasn’t the usual visit.

It was some unknown creature she wasn’t ready to identify.

He tilted his head to one side, smiling, and for one amazing, terrifying second, she thought he was going to kiss her again.

Or at least try to.

Her mind spun as she shuffled through the mental index cards, trying to figure out how to react to that.

Do I let him?

Do I stop him?

Do I—

Nathan leaned forward and kissed her gently on the cheek, his chin stubble rubbing against her skin.

Jen closed her eyes and sighed, the electricity sparking between them.

If only—

He handed her the items and stood back, stuffing his hands in his pockets. He cocked his head to one side and smiled, obviously as confused as she was.

She wavered, unsure what to say.

He took the initiative.

“Thanks for the extra company,” Nathan said. He reached behind her to open the front door. “See you next week.”

“Thanks for dinner and the conversation. And yes, I’ll see you next Sunday.” Jen turned to go. “Have a good shift. Stay safe.”

She forced herself over the step, her high heels jutting out from under the gray sweat pants.

You have to go.

Now.

She didn’t turn to wave, afraid it’d give the wrong impression.

Even though she wasn’t sure what the hell the right one would be. This was nothing she’d ever considered happening and nothing she had ever prepared for.

“Good night, Jennifer.” The words followed her down the stone path to her car.

Nathan closed the door and watched her through the curtains as he usually did. The black car pulled onto the street and out of sight. The streetlights were coming on, illuminating the light snow fallen while they’d rested and chatted.

Just like any old couple finishing off a Sunday afternoon date.

Except she was his Domme.

Domme-for-hire
, his subconscious bleated.
You pay her along with other men to get what you won’t dare go to the club for. She’s only yours for two hours every week.

She’s not really yours.

Nathan sighed, drowning out the critical voice with a soft, simple statement.

But I’m hers.

His thoughts wandered back a few minutes, the scenario taking a dramatically different turn.

He kissed her cheek and moved in on her lips, the bruising kiss pushing her back against the wall.

Jen let out a weak sigh as he devoured her mouth, his arms wrapped around her and tangling up in his own sweatshirt.

Nathan gripped her waist hard before slipping his hand under the soft material and cupping her ass.

She wasn’t wearing any underwear.

Jen’s hands pulled at his hair, sending jagged streaks of pain over his scalp as he pulled her hard against him, his body instinctively reacting to the stimulation he’d endured for hours.

He wanted her.

Here.

Now.

Jen gave a long-drawn-out moan as he pulled the sweats down and fumbled with his own pants, her hands scrabbling for purchase on his shirt as he—

Nathan pulled himself out of the dream with a shout and a jerk of his head.

Not for you, buddy.

The harsh reality killed off any residual feelings as he maintained his watch through the curtains.

Not for you.

Mentally, he turned the clock back a few hours as he watched the street for any other sign of activity.

He’d given her a half hour to wake up, and she hadn’t moved, hadn’t done anything but snuggle farther into his lap, driving his senses wild.

I can’t send her home like this.

She hadn’t flinched when he picked her up in his arms, hadn’t fought to break free as he maneuvered up the stairs to the ground floor and then higher to the next floor and his bedroom.

She was obviously mentally and physically exhausted. She could have begged off their appointment, but Jen had come to him and felt comfortable enough not only to relax but to fall into a deep sleep.

Except, after he’d tucked her into his bed, there was a raging need to be dealt with.

No matter what he might try to tell himself, she was his Domme, and she’d pushed him to the brink numerous times during their session. There was no way that was going away with a hug and a chaste kiss on the cheek.

He had his post-visit routine, and it didn’t include having her so close, the scent of her clogging his mind and sending his libido into overdrive.

It’d taken the last of his self-control to place her in his bedroom with her phone and backpack before quickly going to the bathroom and taking care of business. It wasn’t hard to get to the edge and over with her lying on his bed only a room away.

Jamming his knuckles into his mouth made it even better. It was easy to imagine Jen standing behind him and giving an order for total silence, riding crop at the ready to punish him if he made too much noise.

Grunting and biting down on his hand helped push him over the edge in record time. He came with a ragged growl, his knees weak and threatening to
give out as he bucked and spurted into the toilet.

Exhausted, Nathan had retreated to the couch. His mind had been filled with erotic thoughts and dreams about the two of them together in his bed, pushing him back to the edge for a second time with surprising speed.

As he groaned and shot into his hand, he wondered if women knew the depth of their sexual powers over men.

She’s upstairs sound asleep, and I’m coming like a horny teenager with his first porn magazine.

He’d forced himself up from the couch to clean up and prepare dinner.

Idle hands—

The courier had arrived a half hour later, handing Nathan the thick packet.

All erotic thoughts vanished as he opened the envelope and started digging through the past.

I’ve got to do what I can to protect her.

Nathan brought himself back to the present with a shake of his head. He looked out on the empty street, straining to hear the car’s engine.

Nothing.

He glanced up and down the street.

Nothing.

After closing the door Nathan went back to the kitchen. He retrieved the microwavable containers from the cupboards and set out to divide the remaining lasagna into smaller meals. The mundane task tamped down the worry he had about Jen.

He’d held back a truth learned on the job.

A man could change.

But only if he wanted to.

Nathan had seen it happen. Gang members getting out after a short stretch in juvenile detention and turning their lives around to become good, smart adults. Drug addicts cleaning up and going straight, recovering their lives to get back with family and friends. Drunk drivers headed into rehab after a close call sending them to jail for a few months.

It could happen.

But he wasn’t sure if Tanner had reformed or was waiting for the right time to attack the woman who had broken his nose. Nathan knew it would have been a constant sore spot for the criminal while incarcerated, the others around him mocking his manhood because he’d been taken down by a woman.

That might be a bit harder to get over than the actual arrest and trial.

And an incentive to take revenge.

He resisted the urge to look outside again.

Chapter Nine

She drove slowly and carefully, her heightened senses crashing into the simple reality of going home.

Her mind kept snapping out statements that smashed into each other like bumper cars.

You spent time off the clock with a client.

She shifted in the car seat, uncomfortable with her own phrasing.

We didn’t do anything wrong.

I do what I want, when I want.

The Rules are there to protect us both.

I didn’t do anything wrong.

As she turned onto her home street, something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, something—

She slowed the car and looked back to see a crowd waiting at the bus stop. The bus pulled up behind her and began loading the passengers.

Jen stepped on the gas lightly, enough to pull into her apartment building parking lot.

Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean he’s not after you.

She parked the car and got out, returning the attendant’s wave as she walked around the front and headed for the elevator.

Jen stopped.

Something’s wrong.

She spun around and stared at her car.

Angry scratch marks ran along the passenger side of the car, scarring the black paint.

She hadn’t seen it when she’d gotten in at Nathan’s.

Jen forced down the nausea and walked around her car, studying the scratches.

They were childish scrawls, likely from a key or some sort of metal object.

Like a crowbar.

The logical part of her mind kicked in, trying to drown out the panic.

Kids. Pranksters. Damned juveniles. They’re everywhere.

It could have been there for days. Who the hell walks around their car before getting in?

It could have happened at the grocery store, the clinic—

At Nathan’s.

Her throat burned, her stomach twisting into knots.

No.

I will not give in to this.

I’m stronger than that.

She forced herself to look around casually, aware her tormentor could be watching.

Jen put her hands on her hips and let out a low whistle. She shook her head and chuckled, as if discovering a wad of gum under her shoe.

Whoever you are—you don’t scare me.

I won’t let you.

She forced herself to stroll slowly to the elevator and made her way to the lobby where she checked her mailbox and nodded to the doorman before heading up to her floor.

Let it go
, she told herself.

Let. It. Go.

I’m home.

I’m safe.

She yanked on the front door hard after entering and shooting the dead bolt home.

Secure.

She headed for the bedroom, her usual routine shattered.

Jen tugged at the sweatshirt and caught Nathan’s smell on it, his scent helping calm her racing heart.

You should call Nathan,
her inner voice bleated.
Tell him about the car scratches.

And tell him what?
She countered.
That you know it was Tanner? You can’t prove it. All it’ll do is send him off on a rant and possibly into trouble.

It’s nothing. Let it lie.

She flashed back to the nap and the meal, the wonderfully domestic routine helping banish the last vestiges of fear from her mind.

Jen undressed and carefully folded the sweat shirt and pants and placed them on a waiting chair in her bedroom. She wanted to keep them in sight so she’d remember to take them back to Nathan on the next visit.

The nagging little voice in the back of her head laughed.

Of course. That’s all there is to it.

Nothing about trying to keep him close, keep the memory of a quiet time.

She took a shower and put on her favorite white terrycloth robe, the hot water helping her to settle down from a day filled with surprises.

She felt…invigorated. Refreshed.

Pretty darned good.

Usually her sessions left her drained, the physical and mental games taking a toll on her. But the deep sleep at Nathan’s along with a hearty meal had her whistling a jaunty tune as she headed for the kitchen with the knapsack.

Whatever her mood she needed to wash out her clothing.

More so now that she’d slept in the corset and nylons.

The routine helped settle her and not too long afterward she sat down on the couch with a fresh cup of coffee; her mind tried to comprehend the events of the past few hours.

What have you done?
The demon on her shoulder started up again.

Nothing against the rules
, she argued with herself. There was nothing in there about taking a nap at a client’s house or staying for a meal although she was damned sure Wendy would have a few words to say about it if she found out.

Extenuating circumstances or not.

She rolled her shoulders, feeling relaxed and calm.

The only thing better would be—

Her imagination supplied an alternate scenario.

She grabbed the back of Nathan’s neck, her grip tight.

He grinned, relinquishing control to her for a bit longer.

Jen kissed him hard, keeping a firm hold on his neck.

It wasn’t necessary.

He moaned and shifted to move in closer, his hands moving to her waist and tangling in the lace.

“Yes,” she murmured as he pulled her onto his lap, settling her against his full arousal. His hips rocked from side to side with a primeval rhythm.

“Stay still,” she ordered as she reached down between them and took hold of him, feeling the silken steel she’d created and nurtured leap at her touch. A few brief strokes had him whimpering into her mouth, unintelligible pleas for release.

Jen stood up. Nathan licked his lips, the hunger in his eyes demanding action. It took seconds to strip off her panties and straddle him, her nylons pressing against his torso as she centered herself over him.

“Slow,” she ordered. “Go too fast and I’ll leave.”

“At your command.” Nathan grinned, his hands digging into her hips to guide her as she sank down on him. The strangled cry told her he was close, the sweat on his forehead signaling he was quickly approaching his limits.

She finished her descent and stayed still, relishing the feeling.

He wriggled under her and let out a grumbled curse.

Jen drew her fingernails down his bare chest. “Don’t. Move.”

His neck muscles were so taut Jen thought he’d snap in two.

“Yes, Mistress.” He forced the words out through clenched teeth.

She began to move, drawing him in deep until he filled her in a way she’d never felt before. His fingers tightened on her skin as she moved, and she knew he was close to the edge and waiting for her command.

“Nathan.” The low whisper had him forcing his eyes open to see her.

Jen leaned down and brushed her lips against his. “Now.”

She pressed the palm of her hand against her forehead, trying to push out the ideas crashing together in her mind.

The club.

Nathan.

Dating.

No.

She wasn’t looking for a man right now, wasn’t looking for a relationship. She enjoyed playing the field when she went to Boots ’n’ Chains. It’d been a few weeks since she last went but there was nothing holding her back, nothing stopping her from doing more than sitting at the bar and watching the scene around her.

She was getting what she needed being a Domme-for-hire for Hooded Pleasures and keeping herself free of emotional entanglements.

Jen sipped the coffee and found it still too bitter.

Wasn’t she?

* * * * *

“You look pretty good for someone who got slammed on the floor a few days ago.” Henry looked over at Nathan. He’d hesitated a minute when Nathan had told him to drive but had recovered enough to eagerly grab the keys. “You sure you’re not a robot?”

Nathan chuckled. “For that crack, you’re buying the coffee. And none of the cheap dime-store crap; we’re going to the fancy all-night drive through for the good stuff.” He rolled his shoulders, feeling a slight twinge. “I got a good sleep in. Fixed me right up.”

Nothing like a good flogging to take your mind off work.

His partner nodded. “Physical therapy’s good for that. My cousin’s an expert who deals with sports injuries.” He lifted his left arm and showed Nathan his elbow. “Got it all messed up playing football. Went to him a few times, and he worked it back, although it hurt like hell before, after and during the treatment.” Henry swung his forearm. “Fine now. Amazing what a little pain now can get you in the long run.”

Nathan flashed back to standing in his basement, the tension on his cock and balls flexing every time he swallowed.

“Yep.” He looked out his window, grateful for the night shadows. “No pain, no gain.”

An image of Jen asleep on his bed shot into his mind’s eye, occupying his thoughts.

I’ll keep you safe.

“So what’s on the schedule tonight?” Henry asked.

Nathan laughed. “Saving the world again. Like we do every night.”

He settled down for what he hoped would be a quiet night shift with the memories of a few hours ago keeping him warm against the cold winter air battering the squad car’s windows.

It’d been an uneventful few days since Nathan’s impromptu dinner with Jen and he’d gone through the entire tray of lasagna, pushing himself with intense workouts on the gym equipment in the spare bedroom upstairs to work it off.

It wasn’t hard to find inspiration. Every time he began to falter, he’d think about Jen sitting on the couch downstairs.

Waiting for him.

Usually the vision would press him into doing more reps, pushing himself to the limit.

He wanted to be ready if she needed him.

For anything.

* * * * *

Wednesday night started off in darkness and silence, much like the others.

“Letting me drive again, boss?” Henry laughed as he took the keys from Nathan.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” Nathan warned. “You’ll have to share with your partner when you leave me.”

Henry shook his head. “Don’t think I’m anywhere near ready yet.”

“My call,” Nathan said. “Not yours. Stay focused and stay frosty.”

Henry didn’t say anything but stared at the road.

Good kid
, Nathan said silently.
You’ll make someone a good partner.

This was the one part of the job he disliked. He’d had his share of rookies rolling through his life, kids at the beginning of their law enforcement career who needed the polish taken off their fresh, new badges. It seemed as soon as he got comfortable with the man or woman, it’d be time for them to transfer out.

It wasn’t a bad thing. Nathan knew he’d be sending a well-trained cop to a grateful new partner and he’d done what he was supposed to be doing.

Still didn’t make it any easier when he had to let go.

They’d barely started the alley patrol when the call came in.

The radio beeped to life with the calm female voice droning out the information. Nathan nodded with approval as Henry turned the lights and sirens on even as he turned the car toward the address given. The rookie was learning fast and didn’t bat an eyelash as the details sank in.

A bar fight on Queen Street.

That’d keep them busy for a few hours.

And keep his mind off of Jennifer.

* * * * *

It was Sunday and he knelt by the coffee table in his living room, waiting for her with a sense of glee he’d never had before, not with any woman.

He wanted to see her.

He needed to see her.

The door opened, and he let out his breath in a single long sigh. The cool winter breeze rushed over his body, raising goose bumps as his knees pressed against the varnished hardwood floor.

He couldn’t see anything but her feet as she strode toward him. The long slender toes encased in high black pumps, the tiny stiletto heels carrying her to him.

His cock bobbed to attention, his hips shifting in spite of her long-standing order to stay still when she approached.

“Happy to see me?” The low growl had him grinning like a kid on Christmas Day.

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Good. Me too. Let’s take this downstairs.”

He heard the laughter in her words and relaxed.

* * * * *

An hour later Jen sat on the couch with Nathan in her arms. His bare chest heaved as he came down from his endorphin high, the sweat cooling on his skin as he nuzzled her neck and let out a contented grunt.

She stroked his back gently, careful not to press on the raised stripes she’d placed there. The skin wasn’t broken, and the marks would disappear in a few days, but he’d carry them on the inside forever.

Jen hummed contentedly to herself, allowing herself to go limp in his embrace. She usually didn’t allow herself to relax, to wallow in the emotional waves she’d created but this was different.

This was Nathan.

It’d been a good session, a lovely session, something she’d needed as much as he did.

Nothing had changed between them.

And yet everything had.

Nathan stayed silent as usual, answering only when she asked him to, his obvious enthusiasm pushing him to the point where she’d backed off more than once out of fear he’d come and terminate their session.

He’d responded beautifully to her demands today. She’d run the gauntlet—starting off with a spanking and then moving him to the flogging post with a dash of obedience training to finish off. She was careful, pushing the healing shoulder as far as she dared. It’d only been a week since his injury and while he’d claimed to be fully recovered, she wasn’t a sadist.