Todd shook his head. “Aside from the fact that being at a sex club alone when one's boyfriend is out of town isn't a good idea, I promised your uncle that I'd make sure you got home safe.”
“I don't think he meant for you to literally take me home.”
Todd shrugged. “It's the least I could do for getting into one of the most exclusive clubs in the city for free.”
“You really don't have to,” I argued.
“I'm doing it,” he said firmly. “Let's go.”
After the heat of the club, the winter air was extra frosty, but it felt good against my cheeks. I should've been exhausted after my long day, but I wasn't. If anything, the dancing had woken me up, and now the cold air energized me. Todd might've been taking me home, but I knew I wouldn’t be getting to sleep anytime soon.
“So,” I asked as we started down the sidewalk, “was the club everything you thought it would be?”
“More,” Todd said as we passed the line of taxis parked out front. “I mean, I'm not really into the whole BDSM scene, but I'd have been crazy not to take advantage of getting to see the inside of Club Privé.”
“That's my ride right there.” I pointed at the car a few feet farther down the sidewalk. “He's one of Gavin's drivers, so we can drop you off first, and then he can take me home.”
“We can argue semantics once we get out of the cold,” Todd said as he reached for the back door.
“That didn't take very long.”
I froze mid-step as a far too familiar voice cut into the conversation. I glanced up at Todd and saw him looking over my head. Shit, I hadn't imagined the voice. I forced a tight smile onto my face and turned.
Dax pushed himself off the wall and sauntered toward us, his hands stuffed into his pockets. The expression on his face was frostier than the ice that had suddenly surrounded my heart.
I folded my arms and tried not to let him see how much I really didn't want to be doing this. “Dax, this is Todd. Todd, Dax.”
Dax gave him a once over, then clearly dismissed him. “You going to get him fired too? Or does he not work for your uncle?”
“Bryne?” Todd put his hand on my elbow.
“Let's go, Todd.” I started to turn, but a tight grip on my upper arm stopped me. I glared up at the owner. “Hands off, Dax.”
Todd stiffened next to me, but Dax let me go before I had to worry about any macho displays of testosterone.
“It's okay,” I said, keeping my eyes on my new friend.
“Who's he?” Todd's expression was full of concern.
“The guy who got to her before you.”
I rolled my eyes. “You're an ass, Dax.”
Todd looked from me to Dax and back again. “I think the two of you have some...issues to work out.”
“We really don't,” I said. “It's all been worked out.”
Todd looked at Dax, then gave me a knowing smile. “Honey, trust me. You two need to talk. I'll get a taxi.”
“Take the car,” I insisted. “I'll call another one.”
He shook his head. “Not a chance. I promised I'd make sure you were safe. If you're taking one of your uncle's cars after your talk, the driver will make sure you get in safely. I'll take a taxi.” He glared over at Dax. “And if anything happens to her, I'll make sure Gavin knows exactly who she was with.”
Todd leaned down and kissed my cheek before walking away.
I sighed and turned toward Dax. If he thought I was taking a single step away from this car, he was nuts. We'd have it out here, then I’d get in the car and go home. Well, Gavin and Carrie’s home. Not DC home.
“Say whatever it is you need to say, Dax. It's cold out here.”
His eyes narrowed, and he took a step toward me. I'd almost forgotten how tall he was. How broad his shoulders were. The long, lean length of...shit. I seriously needed to stop.
“I originally came here to apologize.” He glowered down at me. “But now I see I was just interrupting your latest hook-up. Don't let me stop you if you want to go after him.”
“Do whatever you want, Dax. I don't care.”
“Like hell you don't.” He took another step toward me, closing the distance between us until hardly any remained. “You want me.”
“I don't.” I spoke through gritted teeth, determined not to be the first to back down.
His gaze held mine for several long beats, and I could feel the tension between us building. Before I could decide what I wanted to do about it, his hands closed around my arms, and he yanked me toward him. His mouth came down on mine in a fierce, bruising kiss.
I knew I should shove him away. I didn't want to be kissing him. At least, my brain didn't want to be. My body, however, was yearning to be even closer. Electricity hummed along my nerves, the interior heat chasing away the exterior cold. No matter how stupid I knew it was to be kissing him back, I couldn't bring myself to pull away.
One arm slid around my waist, pulling me tight against his body. He buried his free hand in my hair, his tongue stroking across my lips until they parted. I clutched the front of his coat, hating myself even as I clung to him. When he finally broke the kiss, my breath came in pants, and it was all I could do to stay standing.
Then I looked up at him and saw the smug expression on his face.
“I think that counts as wanting me.”
I shoved at his chest, catching him off guard enough to make him take a couple steps back. “If you kiss me again without my permission, I’ll knee you in the balls.”
The smirk hardened. “Don't worry, sweetheart. I won't be doing that again. Just wanted to show you what you'll be missing with pretty-boy.”
“First off, Dax, who I spend my time with is none of your business. You made it perfectly clear that what happened between us was only a one-time thing. In fact, I believe we agreed that neither one of us were looking for a relationship. Jealousy isn't a pretty color on you.”
“I'm not jealous.”
I raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. “Second, Todd has a boyfriend, asshole.”
I turned and reached for the door handle. Suddenly, Dax's arms were around me, pinning me against the car. The front door opened, and the driver stepped out.
“I suggest you unhand Mr. Manning's niece.” The tone was hard and demanding.
“It's all right,” I said. “Dax won’t do anything stupid. Will you?”
“Naw. I always think things through.”
I waited until the driver got back into the car before I eased myself back around to look up at him. “Don't make me regret not asking him to kick your ass, because I'm pretty sure he could take you.”
His eyes dropped to my mouth. “Why didn't you?”
“Because I'm an idiot.”
He leaned into me. “Somehow, I don't think that's the reason.”
“Well, since you apparently know everything, why don't you tell me? And don't say that I want you. I want chocolate cake for breakfast. It doesn't mean I'm dumb enough to eat it.”
Something very much like triumph flared in his eyes. “So you do want me.”
I blew out an angry breath. “It's cold and I'm tired, Dax. Say whatever it is you want to say so we can go our separate ways.”
“What if I don't want to go separate ways?”
I rubbed my forehead. “First, you say you don't want a relationship. Then you act like a complete ass when I just wanted to talk about being friends. Then, to top it all off, you accuse me of getting you fired. What the hell are you going on about?”
Dax's hands came up to cup my face, his palms hot against my cold skin. “I did say and do all of that.” His eyes drifted down to my lips again. “Fuck, Bryne. You have no idea how badly I want to kiss you.”
He bent his head, but I put a finger on his lips. “Talk only. You haven't earned permission to kiss me again.” I shifted my weight so that I was able to bring my knee up to brush against his thigh, reminding him of my previous threat.
“That night, the minute we finish
ed, I wanted to be inside you again.” His voice was rough. “So I left. But I couldn't stop thinking about you. When you walked into the shop, I knew it'd be easier to push you away than admit how much I wanted you.”
I swallowed hard. This couldn't be real. He couldn't be telling me all of this because this was what I so badly wanted to hear. What the dull ache inside me had been waiting for. I wanted him to tell me that I meant something to him, even if only physically, and even that seemed like too much to hope for.
“And now?” The question came out in a whisper. “How do you feel now?”
“Like all I want to do is bury my face between your legs and lick you until you scream my name. Fuck you until you can't think. Take you for hours, until all you can breathe and feel is me.”
His gaze burned into me, telling me the truth of everything he said.
The smart thing would be to tell him that we needed to take things slow. That he had to earn my trust, make up for the things he'd said.
But I didn't want any of that.
I wanted him in all the ways he said he wanted me.
This wasn't a proposal or even him asking for a date. This wasn't the way a relationship started, wasn't the way to make something lasting.
But it was what I wanted.
I grabbed onto the front of his shirt, made my decision, and then said, “Kiss me.”
Chapter Twelve
Despite the way Dax's kisses made my head spin, I still had enough sense to ask the driver to take us to a hotel. While I fully intended to let Gavin and Carrie know where I was, I wasn't about to bring Dax into their home without talking to them about it first. And right now, I wanted as few delays as possible.
Dax's hand slid higher up the inside of my thigh, pushing my legs apart, causing me to type out a jumble of letters that weren't even a word.
“Dax,” I practically moaned his name as his lips traced along my jaw. “I need to finish this text.”
“Go right ahead,” he murmured, his breath hot against my skin. “You're not bothering me.”
I put my hand on his chest, fully intending to be firm and push him away, but then his fingers skimmed the crotch of my panties, and I shivered, my fingers curling into his shirt.
He made a sound of approval as his mouth touched the rapidly fluttering pulse in my throat. “If just a few kisses got you that wet, then I plan to have you soaked by the time we get to the hotel.”
“I...”
His teeth grazed my skin, and I forgot what I needed to say. Then his fingers pressed against me through black lace, and I forgot to care about what I was supposed to be doing. Forgot that we were in the back of a car. My hips moved against his hand, wanting more.
“What do you want, Bryne?”
I hadn't realized I'd closed my eyes until I had to force them open to look at him. “I...I want to finish my text so that we're not interrupted at the hotel.”
The smile that curved his lips couldn't be called anything other than dangerous. “Are you sure that's really what you want?”
A finger stroked my skin just under the elastic of my panties.
Damn him and the way my body responded to his touch.
“You have a choice here,” he continued. “I can take my hands off you, and not touch you again until we're in a room so you can finish what you're doing, or you can see how much you can get done while I get you off.”
I gulped in a hitching breath. “Are you sure you aren't a member of Club Privé? You seem to like being bossy.”
He chuckled, then leaned forward to bite at my bottom lip. Not enough to cause real pain, but enough to make me gasp. “I never said I wasn't into all that.” He moved his mouth to my ear. “Do you want me to show you?”
I nodded before I'd even fully processed the question.
“Then pick up your phone.”
My hand was shaking as I reached for my phone, but it wasn't fear or even anxiety. It was desire, pure and simple. If anything about desire could be simple.
“Finish telling your uncle and aunt that you're safe.”
His fingers moved under the damp fabric, over the thin layer of curls.
How the hell was I supposed to think with his hand up my skirt?
“Finish that text, Bryne, or I stop.”
His tone was firm, confident. If he said it, he'd do it.
I tapped out the remaining few words, struggling to process a coherent thought as a finger slid inside me. My head fell back, a moan escaping before I could stop it.
“Finish.”
I hit send. “Done.”
“Good girl.” He began to move his finger in short, shallow strokes, just enough to keep me wet, but not enough to give me what I needed.
My phone alerted me to a text. I glanced down and saw that Carrie had responded for the both of them. I was sure she'd ask more questions tomorrow, but she wasn't asking them now. Another text came through even as Dax pushed a second finger inside me.
“Todd.” Dax practically growled the name. “Tell him you're fine.”
I gasped as he twisted his fingers, his easy motions turning rough. His free hand went to my hair, pulling it free of the messy up-do it'd been in. He wrapped my hair around his hand and held me tight as his fingers moved inside me. My eyes locked with his, and I saw no anger, no malice in their depths. A hint of jealousy mingled with lust, but I knew I was safe with him.
I picked up my phone and tapped the microphone. “I'm fine, Todd.” I bit my lip to keep from crying out as Dax's thumb pressed down on my clit. My voice shook as I continued, “Gavin and Carrie know where I am. I'll talk to you later.”
I sent the message just as Dax curled his fingers to rub against my g-spot. My back arched, muscles tensing with the strain of staying quiet. I didn't want to test just how soundproof the back of this car was. His thumb rubbed over and around my clit until the pressure inside me exploded. I came with a muffled cry, my nails digging into Dax's arm until I knew I'd left marks.
I whimpered as he removed his hand from between my legs. What the hell had I gotten myself into?
My legs were still shaky when we pulled up in front of the hotel. Dax put his arm around my waist, holding me up as we checked in. The desk clerk didn't seem to know what to make of us. This wasn't the sort of place that rented by the hour, and I was pretty sure that it was clear why the two of us were here...without any luggage. There was also the fact of how out of place Dax looked in this fancy lobby. Even with his tattoos covered by his coat, there was something intimidating and maybe even a little scary about him.
Neither one of us said a word as we rode the elevator to the fourth floor, though we did both remove our coats. One less layer to take off once we got in the room. His hand was hot on my hip as we stepped out of the elevator, and every step we took down the hall made my body clench in anticipation. I hadn't let myself admit how much I wanted him until now, when it was impossible to deny.
The moment the door closed behind me, Dax pushed me back against it and dropped to his knees. Before I could ask him what he was doing, he was tugging off my boots. Once those were free, he pushed my dress up around my waist and pulled off my panties. I stepped out of them, first using his shoulders for balance, then to hold myself up when his mouth pressed against me.
The strangled sound that came out as his tongue explored was a cross between his name and a moan. He'd used his fingers on me the first time, but not his mouth. I had friends who talked about having to convince their boyfriends to go down on them, and even then, they claimed it hadn't been very good.
Dax was good. Beyond good.
I ran a hand up his neck to grip his hair in my fist. His hands were on my hips, holding them in place as he found my clit. I cried out, a jolt of pleasure going through me. There was no teasing, no gentle easing into things. His tongue and lips were relentless, driving me towards another orgasm. His fingers dug into me with bruising force, but it wasn't too much. It was like he knew exactly where the line was between what I could
handle and what I couldn't.
I remembered how Carrie and her friends had said that what most people didn't get about the whole BDSM lifestyle was how much trust was an essential part. Now, as I gave myself over to Dax, I understood what they meant. Only when I completely let go, when I trusted him not to take things too far, did I have the freedom to fully enjoy what he was doing.
I could only imagine what it would be like to trust him enough to venture into any other areas of S&M.
I called out his name as I came again, wave after wave of white-hot pleasure washing over me, his mouth coaxing out every last bit until my knees buckled and he caught me in his arms.
By the time I came down from my high, I was on the bed, and he was standing next to it, naked. I took a moment to admire him. He'd kept his jeans on last time, but now I was able to follow the deep v-grooves at his hips, see the corded muscles in his thighs. Every tattoo and piercing, every inch of that gorgeous body.
I'd taken an art course my first semester in college, and we'd spent two weeks on the human form, complete with having to draw a nude based on the model posing for us. The teacher had dedicated an entire discussion to what was considered artistic perfection, and the point she'd made at the end was that people rarely agreed on what the ideal truly was.
I had a feeling that if Dax had been our model, pretty much all of the straight women and gay men would've agreed on him being a near-perfect male specimen.
“Strip, Bryne.”
The hunger in his gaze made me shiver. I pulled my dress off, grateful that I'd picked something comfortable and easy to remove. The bra went next, and both ended up on the floor somewhere.
“I want you on your hands and knees.” His voice was rough, as if the words themselves were scraping his throat raw.
I rolled onto my stomach, then pushed myself up. A flush spread across my skin, first from embarrassment, then arousal as his hand ran over my ass and then up my back. My eyelids fluttered when his hand moved under me, covering one breast. His fingers teased me, pinching and rolling my nipple until I forgot all about being embarrassed and only thought about how perfect his touch was.