He could read between the lines. He’d been distracted since he’d first started thinking about finding a new sub. When he’d begun courting Kitten, he hadn’t merely thought about work. “I’ve done my job, damn it.”
He had to find a way to save that land.
“Has Mason been in the office lately?” Lea asked, her eyes narrowing.
“No. This is the first time he’s been here. Why?”
“Because I’m wondering how The Holmes Corporation knows so much about us. I just find it odd that Mason comes back and suddenly we’re having all these problems. In the last few weeks they’ve been buying up our stock and coming after us.”
“It’s not Mason.” He wasn’t going to believe it. He would put that shit right out of his mind.
“Mason has always been jealous of your success.”
“Stay out of this, Lea.”
“It’s hard to because I see that you’re making the same mistakes again. You need to surround yourself with people who understand you but you bring Mason back and that odd girl who dances around half the time. I’m saying this as a friend. I’m worried about you. Have you considered the fact that Mason came into your life to get revenge on you for dumping him?”
He considered it all the time. He just wasn’t sure he cared. “He was in a car accident. I scarcely think he set that up himself.”
“Why not? He’s done it before.”
Cole stared at her and seriously thought about firing her then and there, but if he was going into a fight, he was going to need her. She knew more about the bylaws of the corporation than he did. She knew the ins and outs. She knew the power players.
If not for that piece of land, he would say screw it all, but the valley was important and he was the one who had put it in danger. He was the one who had scooped it up from right under Stef Talbot’s nose, and he couldn’t be the one who ruined that place. He couldn’t.
A sick feeling started in the pit of his stomach. He ignored what Lea had said because now was neither the time nor the place to deal with her. “Let’s get this party started.”
If they wanted a fight, he would give them one. And they would find out he didn’t play fair.
* * * *
Mason stared out the office window and wished he had a better way to while away the time. They’d been sitting in this damn office for an hour and a half. Kitten seemed perfectly happy. She was curled on the couch with her tablet crushing candy or something.
But Mason knew there was definitely something going on. Cole wouldn’t simply leave them alone unless there was something big.
He hated being out of the loop.
He stared at Cole’s computer and wondered if his passwords were the same. He wouldn’t do anything. Just a quick look at his e-mail to see what was going on.
And that would get him shoved out of his home again.
Damn it. He was already thinking of it as his home and he couldn’t afford to do that. It was a temporary way station where he could milk Cole for cash and make inroads with Kitten because he was getting the girl this time.
She giggled a little and he wondered if she would leave with him or she would be smart enough to know he could never give her what Cole could. Not really. There would always be this perverse part of him that needed to submit. Why he couldn’t just be one thing was the bane of his existence. He wasn’t straight, wasn’t really gay. He wasn’t all Dom and he couldn’t be happy only submitting. He’d always wanted it all and it always fell apart.
“Do you want to take a walk, Sir? I think I saw a snack machine downstairs if you’re hungry.” Kitten sat up, putting her tablet away. “If you prefer to wait, I could get you something.”
Such a sweet little thing. He crossed the space between them and sat next to her, swinging his arm over the back of the couch. Just being close to her soothed him in a way. “At this point it’s almost dinnertime. I’m going to give the Master another ten minutes and then I need to feed my girl.” He couldn’t do a damn thing with Kitten in the room. He wasn’t going to bring her into this any more than he had to. Besides, Cole often brought his laptop home and he liked to sleep in on Saturdays. Or there were always the nightly sessions with Kitten. He could sneak away and figure out what was going on.
The door opened and Cole strode in.
“Do you know how long…” Mason began and stopped immediately at the look on his face. Or rather the complete lack thereof.
Cole’s face was utterly shut down. There wasn’t a hint of emotion in his eyes. They were stony as he turned and stared.
Mason was on his knees before he could even think about it. He found his position on the floor and lowered his head submissively. Pure instinct took over. When the Master was that upset, there was only one thing to do. Anger, sorrow…it didn’t matter. What Cole needed was to be in control because only being out of control could put him in this state.
“Join me, gorgeous girl.”
He could only see Cole’s shoes. He certainly hadn’t changed those. Prada loafers. Mason used to buy them for Cole. One pair a year because that was how long it took before Cole broke down and let him buy another. Mason had bought all his clothes because Cole didn’t care about them. He’d literally gone from his mother buying his clothes to Mason buying them. Who was buying them now? Or did he just hire a shopper?
He felt someone move beside him and suddenly he wasn’t alone on the floor. Kitten dropped to her knees and he felt the warmth of her hand brush his before she placed her palms on her thighs. They were still touching though. Their knees rubbed together.
He wasn’t alone. It felt so good to not be alone.
There was a long sigh from above. “I’m sorry I left you here for so long. Something came up that required my attention. I should have sent Haven to warn you, but I got in the middle of the meeting and I forgot. There’s no excuse. Unfortunately, the problem isn’t over. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to take Kitten home.”
“I would rather stay and wait for you, Sir,” Kitten said. “I can be very quiet.”
There was a stony tone to Cole’s voice. “I’m going to be late. Please get your things and go. Mason will take care of you.”
Something was definitely up. If he took Kitten home, he would likely lose valuable ground. He’d spent a week getting Cole into the mood to share.
And he didn’t like the hollow look in his Master’s eyes. In Cole’s eyes. Damn, but he was walking a thin line, but he couldn’t go back now.
He looked up. “We’ll leave, but not until we’ve served you.”
“Mason,” Cole began.
“Or you can talk to us.” He brought his eyes up. “It’s obvious to me that something’s happened. We’re supposed to be here for you.”
“You’re here for Kitten,” Cole said harshly.
That was a kick to the gut. He lowered his head again.
A long moment passed and Cole’s hand found his chin, bringing his gaze back up. “I’m sorry. I’m very anxious about something, Mason, and you know how I get when I’m anxious. I think I can be honest enough to say asking you to stay was an excuse. I’ve missed you.”
He’d missed Cole every day and twice as much in his dreams. His revenge could wait awhile. If he really thought about it, having sex with Cole was a part of his revenge. He could remind his Master of everything he missed, everything he would miss.
God, he wanted Cole. His cock was already hard. His heart was pounding and his clothes seemed far too tight. “And I’ve missed you.”
“I miss everyone,” Kitten said.
Just like that the horrible tension was eased.
Cole barked out a laugh. “I wouldn’t want you to miss me, pet.” He sobered a bit. “But I also have more work to do tonight. I might have a lot to do for a few weeks. I think it might be good for Mason to take you home.”
“I could stay and sit at your feet,” Kitten offered.
That wasn’t Cole’s style. Not when he was worried. When he was w
orried, he needed comfort and he got that from sex.
“Cole, we’ll leave. I’ll take Kitten home and make sure she’s fed and comfortable, but let us relax you before we go. We have to be something more to you than companions, Cole. You brought me here to help teach Kitten how to be your submissive. Let me show her how your sub takes care of the Master.”
Longing swept over his features before Cole stepped back. His shoulders squared and it was easy to see the worry slide from his body. “My submissives certainly don’t greet me like that. Undress.”
He was on his feet in an instant. He reached down to help Kitten up and suddenly it wasn’t enough to just be with Cole. He wanted to belong. Even if it only lasted for a little while. He stared at her, taking in the graceful lines of her form and the way her hair framed her face. “Cole, you told me I topped Kitten.”
“You do.”
“I need to know what that really means.”
He stared for a moment as though assessing them both. “Can we put the past behind us?”
Mason wasn’t sure he could ever let it go, but he would say anything to not end this moment. “Yes, I would like that. You have my solemn word that I will protect her. I’ll cherish and keep her comfortable. I’ll be your partner in taking care of her and I will give you what you need, Sir.”
“Call me Master, Mason. I need to hear it. And Kitten, you as well. Undress Mason and then yourself and then you will find your position in front of me. I want you to watch. I want you to learn.”
Kitten’s eyes were wide as she turned to Cole. “What do you want me to learn, Master?”
It was time to get down and dirty, and Mason’s whole being tightened. This was what he’d been waiting for. This was why he was here.
God, how long had it been since his blood heated and thrummed through his system like an out of control river? How long since his dick pulsed and thrummed and knew it was going to get well fed?
“He wants you to learn how to suck his cock,” Mason explained, his voice hard with arousal. “And I’m going to show you.”
Chapter Eleven
Cole watched as Kitten undressed Mason and worried that he was fucking up again, but he couldn’t help himself. The afternoon had gone…poorly.
If he didn’t do something and fast, he would lose the company and he would lose his damn honor all over again because people he loved would suffer for his mistake.
He viewed it as his mistake. He should have been more careful, should have had more control, should have seen what could happen. It was exactly like what had happened with Emily. Now that Mason was back, Cole could see he’d been wrong to blame him. It had been Cole’s fault. He knew Mason’s nature. He was reckless and wild and needed a firm hand. He should have been more in control.
Kitten took her time, unbuttoning each button on Mason’s brand new dress shirt after pulling his tie off. It was new because Cole had taken one look at the shithole Mason had been living in and decided nothing would come with him. He’d turned Mason and Kitten loose at NorthPark with his AmEx and Ben Dawson as a bodyguard and now Mason looked like Mason again. Mason and Kitten had taken to each other so quickly. Mason had scheduled spa days and lunches and had them in a cooking class. He was getting Kitten out in the world and it was doing wonders for her.
Hell, it was doing wonders for him. Cole hadn’t felt so settled in years. Until this.
So why hadn’t he moved them toward sex? Why had he made a big show of teaching Mason how to flog Kitten when he already knew what the hell he was doing? He’d sent them all to lonely beds at night when it was so obvious what his subs wanted.
Because he was scared. He was fucking scared that Mason wasn’t being truthful.
It was time to move past that. He needed this more than he’d imagined.
He stood and crossed the space to the door, locking it with a decisive click. His decision was made. It was likely one that would haunt him, but there were things he couldn’t help and loving Mason was one of them. He’d been stupid to try. He’d been wrong and he needed to start making it up to Mason. Maybe then he could get the nasty look out of Mason’s eyes he thought Cole had missed. Mason was planning something. He wasn’t stupid. Mason could hold a grudge. Cole just had to hope that he had a few weeks to remind him of how good everything could be.
Kitten slowly pushed the dress shirt off Mason’s shoulders. Even just a couple of days of regular meals had put some meat on his bones. Mason’s shoulders were perfectly sculpted, his chest lean and muscular.
“Do you like what you see, pet?” It had been forever since he’d indulged this particular kink.
Kitten bit her bottom lip as though wondering which way to answer.
“Mason, help her,” Cole encouraged.
A slow, infinitely sexy smile crossed Mason’s face. “The Master likes to watch people fuck, gorgeous girl. It’s a kink of his.”
Cole stood a few feet away because he wanted to see them together. “He’s wrong. I don’t just like to watch anyone. I like to watch Mason fuck. He fucks like a god. I like having my subs put on a show for me. It’s been a spectacularly shitty day. I want you to undress and then you’ll suck me off and then I’m going to sit back and watch Mason fuck you on top of my desk. I’m going to watch and then every time I have to sit there, I’ll see him on top of you, fucking you for my pleasure.”
Just the thought got him hot.
Mason turned, his eyes going wide. Yeah, it felt good to be able to surprise him. “Cole? You haven’t slept with Kitten yet.”
“But you have.” Cole pulled his own tie off and realized how much he hated it. It was a boring brown, nothing like what Mason would have selected for him. He was due a new wardrobe, too. He would send his subs out next week and let them select his clothes. He would wear them knowing it was how they thought he looked best. “Don’t think I don’t know Kitten sneaks out to the pool house.”
Mason’s hands came up. “She has bad dreams. We’ve done absolutely nothing.”
Did Mason think he was accusing him of something? God, their trust had been shattered and he needed to find a way to put it back together because he needed Mason and so did Kitten. He needed them both. Now he realized his life just didn’t work without Mason. “I know that. I think we should all move into the big bedroom. I’m tired of sleeping alone.”
He was the one being reckless but he was done playing it safe. Playing it safe had gotten him nothing in the last few years. Nothing but loneliness. He would have them in his bed for as long as he could and he would deal with the ramifications.
Mason’s face had softened. “But Cole, she’s yours.”
“I don’t mind.” Kitten looked between them like she was afraid one of them would disappear.
Now he could see that his distance hadn’t helped her. He’d thought he was giving her time, but she would rather have a Master who made a few mistakes than one who was too afraid to touch her. Although he was definitely afraid to touch her tonight. “Kitten, it’s not that I don’t want you.”
Her shoulders swept back and there was a pride in her bearing he hadn’t seen before. “I am ready, Master. I want a lover. I want to know what it means to make love. I’m not a virgin.”
This was what she didn’t understand. He moved toward her, taking her face in his hands. “Yes, you are.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “I’m not, Cole.”
“Love, you hadn’t been kissed before a few nights ago.”
“But I have had sex.”
“You’ve been raped.”
Mason moved on the other side of her, his hands on her waist. “The Master’s right. You’re a virgin and the reason he wants me to take you is that he’s worried he’ll be too rough. He’s on the edge tonight for reasons he won’t talk about, but he wants to make sure you get what you need. And he wants it to happen here. He wants to sit at his desk and remember your every cry of pleasure, the way I’m going to make you moan. It will give him comfort. It will also give him a memor
y to masturbate to.”
Kitten smiled. “The Master doesn’t need to do that.”
She had some misconceptions about him. “Yes, he does. The Master has done nothing but masturbate for six damn months, and to be honest my sex life was nothing to write home about for the year before that. I had a few very casual hookups with women at The Club and nothing more.” He stared at Mason. “Nothing more.”
No men. Not for him. The women had just been there to scratch an itch that he’d finally decided he could live with.
“I haven’t been celibate, Cole. There were two women. Like you, they were casual. No men.”
“Is it different then?” Kitten raised her hands, putting one on both their shoulders as if she needed to touch them both, to be the connection between them. “Is it different with someone you love?”
Emotion welled inside him. He could teach her because he was fairly certain he was going to love her forever. Like he did Mason. “Sex, when it’s consensual, can be amazing. And it has absolutely nothing on making love with your soul mate.”
Mates. He’d always known he deeply wanted two. He and Mason weren’t happy without a woman. They’d tried so hard to complete their trio, but Cole could see now that they hadn’t found anyone who fit them both. Emily had been a mistake. He could see that now, but the others had served one of their needs but not both.
Kitten was their perfect mate. Sweet. Vulnerable. Open to the world. Deeply lovable.
Could he have this? Or had he ruined it when he’d chosen his honor over Mason’s needs?
“I want to share her with you, Mason. Will you be my partner in her pleasure?”
“Just hers?” Mason asked.
Cole put a hand on the back of Mason’s neck. It was something he often did to show his possessiveness, to make Mason feel surrounded. “I’ll take anything you’ll give me, Mason. We both made mistakes. I’m willing to look past them. Can you?”