Taking Over (2 page)

Warmth
pooled in her core. She came to the benches for punishment, not expecting to
get off. Marcus was the last person she expected to pleasure her. Warning bells
rang through her thoughts.
What was he
after?

He
circled her clit and pushed inside. “There we go.” He pumped into her
repeatedly and then circled her clit again.
“Nice and wet.”

She
wanted to rock against him. Taking the pleasure would be easy, but she needed
the punishment. It silenced the reminders of the mess her life had become and forced
her to accept her part in the wreckage. In the end, she was to blame. She
deserved the punishment. Pleasure coursed through her and the need to give in
rose. It took all of her control to remain still. Punishment was what she
needed. It was what she wanted.

He
smacked the paddle across each buttock repeatedly. The strength of each hit
fell harder and harder. She gasped. No Dom had ever hit her quite so hard. She
was certain she'd feel the sting tomorrow. All day long she could relive the
spanking.

Once
again he swiped through her folds, around her clit, and then inside her pussy.
He pumped two, then three fingers, curling them before pulling out.

The
titillation was too much. “No, I don't need this, please.” A cold sweat
dampened her skin when she realized her first thought tomorrow would be of the
pleasure Marcus forced to her feel.

“I'll
decide what you need.” He smacked her ass, caressed her pussy and then flicked
her clit repeatedly. “Come for me, Gina.”

“No.”
Her fight was useless. She slipped further into the luxury of pleasure.

He
hit her ass twice on each cheek. “Let it go, Gina.”

She
screamed as waves of bliss spread through her system, forcing out all reason.

“That's
it. Let it go.” He pumped into her pussy and she squeezed him. Pulses of pleasure
continued as he steadily moved his fingers within her. “Beautiful.”

He
rubbed her ass, awakening the sting. She melted onto the bench as a quiet
burning contrasted splendidly with the pleasure. At that moment, she needed
nothing. Her needs were met, except it would all be ruined if he insisted on
giving her aftercare. He gave her no choice in the pleasure. She could handle
Marcus spanking her but there was no way she'd accept his gentle touch. It
would certainly spoil the night.

“I'll
give you another minute and then you'll sit with me.” He rubbed a salve all
over her backside and flipped down her skirt.

“You
don't need to. I'll be okay.”

“This
is not a discussion.” He took hold of her elbow and helped her off the bench. “Can
you walk?”

“Yes, Sir.”
She'd crawl to
the couch before she let Marcus carry her through the club.

“Good.
Follow me.” He handed the paddle to the sub working clean up and headed to the
nearest set of couches. “You can sit next to me or at my feet.”

Neither
option appealed to her. Sitting at his feet seemed the least appealing, but
would negate conversation. She slid to the floor and accepted the bottle of
water he held out.

“Thank
you.” She sipped the water.

Marcus
rested his hand next to her shoulder. Many of the Doms there liked to play with
her hair. The long locks were worth all the trouble. His hand didn't move
though. It was just enough to assure her he remained with her. It wasn't
intrusive.
Simply reassuring.
Throughout the whole
damn scene, he'd delivered what she'd needed, not what she wanted.

She
closed her eyes and tipped her head back. Tension fled from her body and for
the first time in weeks she felt lighter despite the burden she carried.

****

At any moment he knew she could break from the spell
and go back to being a pain in the ass. Her silky hair blanketed his fingers.
He cursed himself for wanting to explore her further.
She had no need
for him. It was just one scene and nothing more. He reminded himself he didn't
know the alluring woman at his feet. At one time, he thought he knew
everything. Those were the days he envied his best friend. For years, he
believed Rob was a lucky bastard. That was until this vixen had cheated on her
husband and broken Rob's heart. She relaxed against him, leaning her head back
and allowing him the space to caress her cheek. He always imagined her skin to
be soft, but nothing compared to its actual silken texture.

“How
are you doing tonight, Marcus?”

He
looked up and found Keller, the owner of the BDSM club and his new boss at
Voyage Industries.
“Pretty good.”

“Mind
if I sit?”

“Not at all.
I think she's
going to be out for a bit.”

“I
think you're right. I haven't seen her orgasm in the club in a long time. It's
good to see her finally let go.”

“Sure.”
But he'd prefer to see his buddy moving on with his life than this bundle of
trouble.

“She's
taken on a lot over the last couple of months.”

“I
guess.” He figured the divorce couldn't have been easy for either of them. “The
divorce is final now.”

“Yes,
I think they both did well in keeping it simple and clean. I hope Gina can
relax a little, now that she has one less demand on her time. I'm certain it's
all been too much for her.”

Keller
was one of the smartest men Marcus knew, but he couldn't help looking at him
like the man had two heads. Clearly, Keller knew something about Gina that he
didn't. Marcus caressed her face and wondered what she wasn't sharing and what,
if anything, it had to do with her not wanting pleasure with her punishment
tonight. One thing was for certain, Keller wasn't going to spill. The man was
known for dropping just enough information to pique your interest and nothing
more. He and Rob must have been drinking the same Kool-Aid. Rob had been
dropping hints that he thought that Marcus was the right man for Gina, but he
wasn’t listening. Whatever Gina wasn't sharing, he doubted it would change his
opinion of her.

Chapter Two

Over the next couple of months, Marcus
found zero clues to the mystery that was Gina. After their night at the
spanking bench, she'd rarely come to the club and Keller hadn’t let any more
tidbits slip. The only time he saw Gina was at work at Voyage Industries and
since they rarely had projects together he'd only seen her in passing. From his
desk, he had a direct view of her empty cubicle on the opposite side of the
room. In fact, the last time he saw her was when Keller sent her to help him
with a test at Club Blind. Those few minutes in the dark with her had been more
of a test of his control than ensuring patrons of the club would really be
blind.

He'd
hoped she'd been staying out of trouble, but his latest conversation with Rob
sank the thought fast. Apparently, Gina had tried at least twice to dissuade
Rob's new girl from seeing him. It was a new low, even for Gina. Thankfully, her
warning hadn't prevented Jane from pursuing Rob. It actually had the opposite
effect. He thought above anyone else, Gina would want Rob to find happiness,
especially after she’d ruined their marriage and trashed all the promises she'd
made. Marcus’s first mistake was thinking she thought about anyone else besides
herself. Now, he knew better.

From
the day he met her in high school, long before he knew anything about her
disregard for others, he'd wanted her. Her infectious smile had lit up his
life. Marcus, Rob and Gina shared a lot of laughs together back in those days. The
three of them had fun in the simplest of places. They only had to be together.

Many
of his favorite memories were in the Fontaine family room, giggling over
something her father had said. It was also in that room when he saw the way Rob
looked at Gina. She had the power to rip their friendship to shreds. Rob even
challenged him to a duel of sorts for a chance to ask her out. They'd played a game
of H.O.R.S.E. and Marcus simply missed a few times to let Rob win. He was the
one falling in love with her anyway. Gina accepted Rob's date proposal and that
was that. She'd been an addiction that Marcus had forced himself to let go of.

She
grew up a rich daddy's girl, privileged, and devoted which made her short-lived
sadness over her father’s death all the more distasteful. The old man had
adored his little girl, but Marcus had barely seen Gina mourn. It was in
complete contrast to her mother. The loss of her husband had left the woman broken
and it wasn't until several years later when she remarried that Gina's mom
seemed to come back to life.

He
knew then to guard himself against Gina. His buddy hadn't been so lucky, but Rob
sure was now. Jane was perfect for him.
Being around the new
couple even made Marcus happy.
They were infectious. Thankfully, Gina
hadn't spoiled their relationship. Jane and Gina were polar opposites.

When
he thought about it, Gina was the opposite of many of the people he knew, even
Keller's latest hire. When Keller threw Janna into the deep end on her first
day, just a couple of days ago, he figured Simon’s project would be toast. But
she was smart as a whip and completely saved the day. Simon, a fellow Master at
Club Voyage, was one lucky son of a gun. Not only was Janna an amazing project manager,
but she was a submissive as well and the pair’s new working relationship seemed
to be developing into something more. She was a brave one, for sure, to step
into their environment. Marcus respected her and was determined to help her
navigate the sometimes, treacherous waters.

He
got up from his desk and went upstairs in search of Janna, figuring he'd check
for last minute project issues and see how she was doing. When he entered the
hallway to her office, she stood just outside Simon's office, her arms pressed
firmly to her side and her gaze fixed on whatever was happening inside. He
stepped in behind her and found Gina perched on Simon's desk, positioned in one
of her seductive poses. Her long legs crossed to raise her little skirt,
showing off way too much thigh.

“Gina,”
he said it sharper than he intended, but it got her attention.

She
turned and her gaze bore into him, cold and flat. She slipped from the desk and
sauntered past him. He figured she would have spit at him if they hadn't been
in the office. Even still, her enticing scent tried to shake him from his fury.

He
clenched his fists and stormed down the hall in the opposite direction. Quickly
gathering his things from his desk, Marcus figured it was best to call it a
night before he called Gina out in front of the whole office. What could she
have possibly been thinking? Everyone knew Simon had already taken Janna on as
a trainee.

He
got halfway across the parking lot when the door to the building opened behind
him. He turned to find Gina strutting towards him. Fury bubbled over and he
stopped, needing to say his peace. Enough was enough.

“What
is wrong with you? Can't you let anyone be happy?”

“I
have no idea what you're babbling about.” She traipsed past him.

“Stop
it, Gina. I've seen you do it enough times to know it's your pattern. No one
gets to be happy on your watch, huh?”

“You're
an asshole.” She took a step towards him and pointed at him. “You don't know a
thing about me.” She pursed her red lips and turned back around, moving away from
him.

“Nice.”
He should have let her go. Fighting with Gina would get him nowhere.

“What's
your deal anyways, always the hero, never wrong. Is that it? Keller should
commission a statue.” She turned again, hand on her hip. “Wouldn't it make
things easier for you if I distracted Simon? You could move in on the new
little blonde of his you're always talking to.”

“What,
are you jealous?”

“Not
on your life. I just figured with Rob all settled and happy, maybe now you'll
finally settle down.”

“I'd
love to settle down, but it wouldn't be with Janna. We're just friends.”

“Whatever.”

“I'm
not into breaking up happy couples. That's your thing.”

“Save
it. I'm not interested in a lecture from the ignorant.”

“Oh,
do I have it wrong? Please, enlighten me. Did you not cheat on your husband?
Have you not tried to break up Lydia and Jake and now Janna and Simon too? Good
grief, Gina. Isn't anything sacred to you?” Heat flared up his cheeks. Tension
straightened his spine. It felt damn good to finally call her out.

“That's
what you see.” She raised her purse strap higher on her shoulder and for a
second he thought a confession was coming, instead she lifted her chin. “I'll
tell you one more time. You don't know me. You never did, never bothered to see
anything but your own observations. That's fine because it's what everyone else
does, but don't think it makes you better than anyone. It only makes you
shallow.”

He
let her go.
Stunned by her statement.
What in the
world was she going on about? He couldn't possibly have missed anything in her
plastic display of a life.

****

Gina walked into work at Voyage
Industries the next day against her better judgment. She could have finished
her latest technical writing assignment from home. But since Keller liked
having the staff in the office for possible emergencies, she thought to come
in. She'd do just about anything for Keller. He was one of only a few who'd
ever cared enough to know the real her. Most folks didn't bother to look past
her curvy figure, high cheekbones, and full lips. She knew she was attractive.
It had come in handy plenty of times, but not many people cared to see the
woman beneath it all.

Other
than her parents and Keller, Rob had been the only real friend she'd ever had. She’d
had a few short-lived friendships, like her stepsister and even Marcus, but
neither of those relationships lasted. On the contrary with Rob, it didn’t
matter what had happened between them with the divorce. She’d always watch out
for him. She owed him at least that much. He'd gotten to know her and had held
her hand through some of the toughest days of her life.

She
swiped at her eyes. Even now, simply thinking about the loss of her father
stopped her whole world. Before reaching her desk, she stepped into the
bathroom. While wiping her tears away, she pretended to be fixing her makeup.
Her dad had been gone for so long that sometimes she couldn't recall his face
right away, breaking her heart all over again.

She
stepped out of the bathroom and ran right into Marcus.

“There
you are.” He clutched her elbow, steadying her. “Keller needs to see us.”

“Us?”
Keller knew she
couldn't work with Marcus. He'd promised, when he hired Marcus, to never put
them on the same team. She hoped he wasn't breaking his promise.

“That's
what Anne said.” He took a step back. “Are you okay?”

“I'm
fine.” She brushed at her bottom lashes and headed for Keller's office, trying
not to worry.

Anne,
Keller's assistant, ushered them right into his office. Gina set her purse on
the floor and settled her coat over her lap. Keller was standing at the window,
hands on his hips. He turned when Anne closed his door.

“Gina,
I need to break a couple of the promises I made you.” He settled into his seat,
elbows on his desk.

“Shit.”
She hung her head and reminded herself to stay in bed next time. “Wait, a
couple? Keller, come on.” She gripped the side of his desk.

“You
know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't absolutely necessary. He's coming after my
company, sweetheart.” Keller reached out to her.

“What
are you two talking about?” Marcus asked.

“Gina's
stepfather is one of my biggest investors. He also appears to be a fraternity
brother of Janna's father and the two have come up with a plan to sink my
company in hopes of scaring Janna back home.”

“Can
he do that?” Marcus’s eyes widened.

“Wish
I could say it doesn't sound like something he'd do. I'm sorry, Keller.” She
took his hand this time when he reached for her. “You know he's never liked
that I work for you. I'm sure he's enjoying this.”

“If
you're not up to facing him, I'll work another angle. I've already put a hold
on Janna's project.” Keller squeezed her hand. “It will buy us a little time. I
can find another way.”

“No,
I won't let him do this to you.”
She scooched forward, not caring
when her coat fell to the floor.
“Please, Keller, let me try.”

“I
was hoping you'd feel that way. I'm going to need to stop other projects come
Monday, if this isn't straightened out.” Keller stroked her hand. “You need to
agree to my conditions first though, okay?” He looked at Marcus.

“I
don't need a babysitter, no way.” The last thing in the world she needed was
for Marcus to get a peek at what was going on with her family.

“Marcus,
I can't in good conscience send her up there by herself.”

“I've
been dealing with my family for years. I'm up there every weekend. I can handle
them by myself.” She let go of Keller and sat up straight.

“Gina,
you haven't been dealing with money issues. Besides, you know I don't like you
going up there by yourself.” Keller sat back in his chair. “I've asked you to
take someone with you repeatedly. We've talked about this.”

“No
one wants to go with me, especially Marcus.”

“He'll
go. Won't you?” Keller said.

They
both turned to him.

Marcus’s
eyes were squinted and he kept looking back and forth between them. “Of course
I'll go.”

“Marcus,
think about it. Don't you have things to do?” She rubbed her hands on her
thighs. “I know you have no desire to help me.”

A
little smile tipped up the corners of his lips. “You don't know me.” He turned
to Keller. “When do we leave?”

“I
was hoping you could wrap up whatever you're in the middle of this morning and
be on the road before lunch. My driver will be ready for you.” Keller picked up
his phone. “He can take you both home to pack, but don't dawdle. I need this
taken care of as soon as possible.”

“Pack?”
Marcus said.

“You
have no idea what you've gotten yourself into.” She got up and turned around
when she reached the door. “No need to pack though, really. My guest house has
plenty of extras and I don't plan to be gone long.”

“Okay.
Where are we going?”

Keller
walked around his desk and grasped her shoulders. “Thank you.” He kissed her
forehead and turned to Marcus.
“Lake Geneva.
Please
stick close to her while you're in the house. I don't trust her stepfather.”