Wicked (26 page)

flopped back against the cushions. "See! None of those really apply! Karl

doesn't dominate me, or tell me what to do, or even try to control me. Not

really."

Peter laid a warm hand on her shoulder. "He guides you. He leads and you

follow, but it's where you want to go, right?"

"Yeah, that makes sense. He leads. Sometimes with a bit more arrogance

than others—but he leads. He'd never force me to do anything."

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"A good Dom won't." Peter smiled at her. "You realize it's probably killing him to let you stay here alone tonight?"

She nodded. "I know. But I have to. I have to prove to myself that I'm still me, and not just his girl."

The boys stood. "Okay then, we're going to leave you alone, but we'll be

upstairs, the door's open, as always."

Peter hugged her, then Graham, and she thanked them. "I'll be fine, but it's

nice to know you're there for me."

"Always, honey!" Graham blew her a kiss from the stairs up to their place.

Her stomach rumbled and she made herself a peanut butter sandwich,

thinking about how nice it was to have friends. And they were friends. She'd

never though of the boys as anything more than housemates until recently,

but they'd proven they were so much more than that.

When she stepped inside her bedroom and saw that the clothes that could

be salvaged were hanging in her closet, the curtains were rehung, and the

bed made up with a new coverlet, she couldn't fight the tears anymore.

How did she get so lucky to have found such good friends?

* * *

T
he following Monday morning Karl had just settled in at his desk with

a steaming mug of coffee when his email program pinged. Monday morning

hell was starting early. He opened the window and saw that the email was

from Lara, and warmth spread through him.

Sure it had only been one week since they'd really committed to each other,

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but he knew it was going to last—they were going to last.

He'd stressed a bit when she'd insisted on leaving his place last Monday, to

go back to her own bed, but it had been good for them. They'd had dinner

together on Wednesday and a movie on Thursday, and then on Friday, she'd

automatically come back home to him for the weekend. He hadn't even

needed to ask, or try to bribe her.

He still worried about her at home alone, but Graham had told him they'd had

the windows barred and they were all being vigilant. The fact that he and

Lara had been on two more dates and nothing had happened either night

had taken the steam out of the argument that he was the cause for the

attacks.

The phone in the outer office rang but Karl ignored it. Graham wasn't there

yet, and his office hours didn't start for at least thirty more minutes. If it were

a friend, they'd call his cell. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and clicked

on the icon for Lara's email.

I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you, of your cock. Of the way my

knees were still tender after I left your house because I spent so much time

on them. Enjoyable time, I loved every minute that you were in my mouth.

The sloppiness, your hardness, your hands in my hair, and my tongue on

you. I do want more. More of that, and everything else you have to give.

Desire infused his blood and he let his head fall back, closing his eyes.

His girl definitely knew how to hit him where it counted. He remembered their

play the night before and his cock filled. His hand went to the cell phone on

his hip, then stilled. If he called her now, he'd have to take cock in hand and

deal with things there and then, and that didn't have much appeal when he

really wanted her.

Instead, a new scene started playing out in his mind. Five minutes later he

sat up, hit reply, and started typing.

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Such a nice girl to start my day off like that, thank you. Tomorrow night, you

and I are going out. I have plans. The Dungeon. Wear your boots and the

PVC lingerie.

It was short and to the point. And it would drive her imagination wild.

Karl chuckled and hit send just as the phone rang again. This time Graham

answered and buzzed him. "Lisa Pollack is on line one, Mr. Dawson. Are you

in?"

"I'll take it," he responded, and then picked up the phone. "Lisa, how are you this morning?"

"Wonderful, Karl. Just wonderful." Her voice grated on his nerves, but he

knew what was coming and he wanted that information.

"Glad to hear it. What can I do for you today?"

"It's not what you can do for me, but what I have for you. My first check

showed up with all six months of back alimony, so I'm doing as I promised.

You wanted my investigator's name?"

"Yes, That would be helpful."

"Marie Agnew. A lovely police officer who moonlights as an investigator. She

works by referral only, so if you have a problem with her, just tell her I gave

you her name."

Karl thanked her automatically and hung up the phone.

Marie.

His hands clenched into fists as puzzle pieces started to fall into place.

Without thinking twice he picked up the phone and dialed Mason Hardin's

private number.

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When Karl had called Val to see if he could help him get ahold of the man

through the club owners' network, Val had told him Mason Hardin was not a

man to be fucked with. And coming from Val, that was a serious warning. But

Karl felt no compunction whatsoever turning Marie over to him. Not just for

taking those photos, but because there was a damn good chance she was

the one harassing Lara. If he'd had any solid proof of that, he'd deal with her

himself.

When a deep male voice came on the line, Karl spoke firmly. "Mason, it's

Karl Dawson. I have a name for you."

"Good. I've already gone over my staff thoroughly and come up empty. I do

not like the idea of someone getting away with breaking my rules and

harassing my club members."

"Marie Agnew. She's not one of your staff, she's a member—and a city cop

who's sidelining as a P.I."

"Well, that makes things a little more difficult. Not impossible, but difficult."

"I'll leave it to you then." Karl said his good-byes and hung up with a clear conscience. With Marie being a cop, Hardin would be an idiot to do harm to

her. The man was smart enough to find another way to make his point. And

Karl knew that being banned from the club and any other BDSM one in the

city would be a small part of it.

Which meant he and Lara could have a very good time there the next night,

with no worries.

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36

L
ara heard him coming before she saw him. Peeking through the new

bars that protected the basement suite's windows, she saw the big black hog

head up the road and roll to a stop in front of her house.

Karl turned the bike off and then stood, removing his helmet so that the last

rays of sun glinted of his blond waves. The smooth movement of his body as

he hung his helmet on the handlebar and twisted to take something out of the

saddlebag, had her remembering just how well that body moved. Heat

climbed from the knot of arousal in her belly to her chest and up her neck

until her cheeks were on fire. He was so yummy she could barely stand it.

And he was all hers.

Pleasure so deep and profound that it was almost magical filled her. Her life

might have started off rough, but somewhere along the way she'd done

something to please the Karma gods.

When Karl's heavy footsteps went past her window she dashed through the

small suite to the door. She was eager to go, and she didn't feel the need to

hide it.

She was waiting in the open doorway when he came around the corner. "Hey

there, sexy."

"Hello, sugar. You're looking more sweet than sassy tonight." Stepping into the suite he crowded her until she had her back against the wall. Head tilted,

his gaze drifted up her body. His hand followed, skimming up from her hip

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over her belly. The palm of his hand brushed her already rigid nipple then

laid flat against the top of her chest.

His eyes met hers as his hand crept up, then circled her neck, pinning her to

the wall. His grip wasn't tight enough to hurt, just enough to heighten her

awareness and bring her complete focus onto him.

The rough pad of his thumb scraped against her sensitized skin, tilting her

chin up as he lowered his head. His mouth came down on hers with such

masterly intent that Lara could do nothing but luxuriate in the moment. When

he stepped back, his hand dropping back to his side, she was completely

boneless. Only the wall behind her kept her on her feet.

The small smile Karl wore when he held up a leather jacket said he knew

exactly what his kiss had done to her. "Stand up, sugar, so I can put this on

you."

With effort, she locked her knees and pushed away from the wall. One step

forward and he slid the sleeves up her arms and settled it on her shoulders. It

was then that she realized it was a perfect fit.

Her fingertips pinched the pliable leather and she looked down as he zipped

it up for her. Over the left breast a word was embroidered. The black on black

made it subtle, but Lara could clearly see her name. "For me? You bought

this just for me?"

"Of course," he said. "You're going to need something strong and warm to wear when you ride with me. Plus, you in leather was something I couldn't

resist."

She just stared. Emotions she couldn't name swirled around inside her and

her mouth went dry. As if he knew exactly what was happening to her, Karl

grabbed her hand, kissed her cheek, and led her out the door. "Time to go,

sugar. We have one stop to make before we get to The Dungeon."

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Swallowing hard, Lara gave her head a shake and followed where Karl led.

She stood still for him while he put a helmet over her head and secured it

beneath her chin. She swung a leg over the bike and flashed Karl her thong

when she noticed him staring at her bare thighs.

"Sassy girl," he growled then climbed on in front of her. He reached back,

grabbed her thighs, and tugged her forward until she was flush against him.

"Between the boots, the jacket, and me, you should be warm enough. Just

stay close and I'll be a wind barrier for you."

He slid his helmet and sunglasses on and then started the bike. Vibrations

rumbled straight through her and Lara moaned.

She shifted forward a bit, arching her back and pressing down on the seat.

Oh lord, the ride was going to be deliciously naughty.

"Lara." Karl turned his head and spoke clearly. "You are
not
allowed to come."

He revved the engine and the bike shook beneath her as he eased from the

curb.
Oh shit!
It was going to be a long ride.

Lara didn't bother watching the scenery pass her by, she just snuggled up

against Karl, and held on to him. She rested her head against his back,

closed her eyes, and concentrated on her breathing. The vibrations from the

big bike between her thighs revved and receded with irregularity, keeping

her body on edge the whole time, while her mind hazed over.

By the time the bike rolled to a stop in a small back alley parking lot, Lara was

almost mindless with lust.

Karl climbed off the bike and removed his helmet and glasses before going

to work on hers. The second his warm fingers touched her skin, her lips

parted and a soft moan came out. She stared up at him, unable to stop from

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rocking against the seat of the bike in tiny motions.

"Oh, sugar," he murmured, stroking his thumb over her lip. "Was that too much for you?"

She opened her mouth and sucked on his thumb. So salty and rough against

her tongue. She closed her eyes and leaned into him, her hands reaching for

his hips. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him

while his other hand slid under her skirt.

She moaned at the feel of skin against skin and rocked against his hand.

"Shhhh," he murmured, pressing his chin against the top of her head. He

moved her thong aside and slid two fingers inside of her.

Another moan escaped and his hand cupped the back of her head, turning it

so her face was buried against his chest, hidden behind the lapel of his

leather jacket. He thrust his hand against her once, twice, three times then

pulled his fingers out and pinched her clit—hard. Her mouth opened and a

scream of pleasure erupted, cut off when he tightened his grip on her head

and she bit into his chest.

When she came back to earth, his chest was shaking. She looked up at him,

worried he was mad, only to see him trying hard not to laugh.

Before she could think she balled up a fist and punched him in the gut. "Don't

laugh at me!"

He took a couple of steps back and held his hands up in surrender. "I'm

sorry, sugar. That was just too beautiful."

She quickly adjusted her underwear and climbed off the bike. "That was