Ragged Edge Sara Brookes Dalton is no stranger to hitting rock bottom. He’s worked hard to turn his life around. Now he has a quiet life, a successful business and a no-strings-attached arrangement for sex with Kincade. Everything is just as it should be. Then a late-night rendezvous is interrupted by a sexy newcomer, and Dalton realizes something is missing. Caught up in the intense passion the men share, Erin doesn’t know whether to run or get between their hard bodies. She’s convinced her attraction is wrong. However, a little persuasion from both Dalton and Cade convinces her she belongs with and between them. Erin’s surrender becomes Dalton’s reawakening. A BDSM master, Dalton is in his element commanding his lovers, and soon the threesome fills their nights with mindblowing pleasure. But when a piece of Dalton’s past resurfaces, it threatens the very foundation he’s built…and could put him back at the bottom.
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
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Ragged Edge ISBN 9781419934650 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Ragged Edge Copyright © 2011 Sara Brookes Edited by Briana St. James Cover art by Dar Albert Electronic book publication July 2011 The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. The publisher and author(s) acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book. The publisher does not have any control over, and does not assume any responsibility for, author or third-party Web sites or their content.
RAGGED EDGE Sara Brookes
Ragged Edge
Chapter One Dalton was damaged goods. He’d been broken down and built up again, only to have the world crumble around his feet. Defeated, those ruins of his life had been ignored because he had felt no desire to deal with them. In salvation mode, he’d shut himself away from everything. A loner and resident bad boy, Dalton Shaw sought solace in no one. The wind howled as his bike sped down the road to his shop, his carefree attitude evident in his driving. He pushed the bike well over the posted speed limit. This late at night, there weren’t many schoolchildren to watch out for. It had been an interesting evening. A local graphics designer he’d hired to redesign the logo for his bike shop missed the appointment. Things came up, he understood that. But he also appreciated the value of someone’s word. If someone said they’d be somewhere at a certain time, in Dalton’s eyes, they were there. He’d waited around for two hours, far longer than decorum dictated, and had given up around nine-thirty when his stomach started to protest. Luckily Sally, the sweet elderly waitress at the diner in town, saw herself as a mother figure. She never let him go hungry, no matter the hour. After a hard day of work finishing off the bike he’d spent the past month restoring, it had been a nice break to sit and chat with her. The late hour comforted him, as he always flourished in the dark, but now he was growing tired and the road blurred in front of his eyes. He shifted gears and noticed the flashing lights bouncing off the trees around him. A quick glimpse in the side mirror confirmed his suspicions. “Shit.” Annoyed, he pulled his motorcycle to the shoulder and pushed his foot down on the kickstand to balance the massive bike under him. Dalton’s fingers tapped out an uneven rhythm of impatience against the gas tank as he waited. He was no stranger to the law in this town, mostly because he spent enough time doing what he could to skirt it. His actions never bothered anyone and no one seemed to take issue if he chose to gamble with his life. Well, except one person. The brittle crunch of rocks underfoot caused Dalton to turn to the officer as he approached. Sheriff Kincade Roberts hooked his thumbs over a large metal belt buckle as he rested his weight on his back foot. Dalton nearly snorted at the posturing. “Is there a problem, Sheriff?” “You do know we have a helmet law, Mr. Shaw.”
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Dalton couldn’t hold back and did snort at the tone of the sheriff’s voice. “Yeah. Obviously you see how much I care. It’s the middle of the night. Not as if there’s a highway full of cars around that I have to worry about.” The tall man reached up, slid off his hat and brushed a hand over his short reddishbrown hair. “Laws don’t care about the time of day.” Dalton reached forward and clamped his hand over the handlebar despite the fact it earned him a stern look. “Christ, Roberts, give it a fucking rest. Give me the ticket, go home and take that stick out of your ass.” Cade shifted again, his posture reflective of the attitude change in his suspect. “Do we have a problem here, Mr. Shaw?” “Yeah, we do. I’m being stopped by some prick with a badge who thinks he can throw his weight around because he’s on the other side of the law. That new power of yours has gone to your head.” “If that’s how you feel about it, shall we take this downtown?” “There is no downtown in this God-forsaken place. Blow the attitude out of your ass.” The motorcycle came to life under Dalton as he pulled away in a spray of rocks. He sped through the gears without care for the damage incurred on the bike. It could be fixed later. Right now, he was too annoyed to care and wanted to put distance between him and the town law. He wasn’t surprised to see flashing lights behind him as he accelerated. If the new sheriff wanted a high-speed chase, he’d get one. The bike vibrated, the engine purring fast and smooth as it sped down the narrow country road. He shifted gears and the bike roared under him as it leapt forward. Without a helmet, the wind whipped around him and stung his eyes so they watered. This freedom was his element. The engine cut off completely when he thumbed the choke and let the speed he’d gathered carry the bike directly into the bay of his shop, Iron Cruisers. As the sheriff pulled into the dirt lot, Dalton smirked and tapped the control to slowly lower the heavy bay door. The last thing he saw was Cade’s narrowed green eyes. Dalton nearly flipped the sheriff off, but that would be pushing it a little too far and he was already walking a very fine line. While he enjoyed pushing the limits of the law, even he knew there was a line you just didn’t cross. As he swung his leg to dismount the bike, the side door burst open and the sheriff barreled through. The look on his face was priceless and Dalton grinned in satisfaction. “You have a real attitude problem, Shaw.” The soft, lazy drawl of the South did nothing to smooth out the rigid authority of the sheriff’s voice. Dalton shrugged and stood, easily towering several inches over the man in front of him. Cade was tall but lean and almost lanky in contrast to Dalton’s bulk. “Of course I
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do. Remember, I live just to piss people off. Think I’ve just raised the bar for next time though.” “Fine, you’re under arrest for reckless driving and willful endangerment.” The sheriff stepped forward, clamped his hand around Dalton’s biceps and pulled hard to throw him off balance. Dalton anticipated the move, however, and compensated to flip their positions. Cade stumbled, hitting the bike hard enough to give a grunt of protest. Dalton moved before the sheriff could stand upright and pushed his body firmly against the hunched man. “So, Sheriff, it seems as if you’re proficient in issuing orders. But I wonder how versed are you in taking them.” His hand worked between the man and the bike so he could flip the buttons open on the crisply pressed shirt. Cade’s breath hitched as Dalton stripped the fabric back. He let the material gather at the elbows and brought the two halves together to trap Cade’s arms behind him. The sight of all those straining muscles made Dalton want to lean forward and slide his tongue over the surface of that rock-hard skin. He refrained, but leaned in closer and savored the feel of the man’s firm back against his chest, drank in the sweet cedarwood scent of his aftershave. “I’ve never had a sheriff before.” “So you just want to add me to your count. Put another notch on that belt.” There was tension in those words and Dalton’s body sang in response. “You know very well I don’t use a belt. My hand works just fine.” That same hand glided over the fabric covering Cade’s ass. “When I open tomorrow, what do you think my customers will think when they walk in here and smell the scent of your come all over my workbench? “I personally like the idea. It would remind me how much the new sheriff couldn’t control himself with a suspect. It may even give me more ideas about finding out just how much that particular sheriff can take. I haven’t put my skills to use in quite some time. I think I’d like to see if I’m still as proficient as I once was.” Cade’s voice rumbled when Dalton pushed at the front of his pants, forcing his hand all the way down to the base of the man’s cock. Dalton squeezed tightly, perhaps more tightly than the situation called for. He gloated at the feel of the rock-hard state of the sheriff’s erection. Normally Dalton liked to work for it a little more, but tonight was special. “Fuck.” Cade let out a shaky breath indicative of something other than discomfort. “Later.” Dalton moved his hand and proceeded to cross the line to show Cade this was no longer just an amusing game. “Right now, you’re going to put that mouth of yours to better use. On your knees.” He flipped their positions and leaned against his bike as he waited for Cade to comply. When Cade continued to stand there, Dalton decided he needed some incentive and used his free hand to strip open his jeans. Cade’s eyes burned with need as Dalton lifted the hard length of himself free. 7
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That heat poured into Dalton, causing a slow burn at the base of his spine that reflected the need to come. But not yet, it was too soon. They were celebrating Cade’s recent election to sheriff and Dalton wasn’t about to blow it all in a few seconds like some hormonal teenager experimenting in his parents’ basement. “On your knees,” Dalton repeated again, using more force this time. Cade sank to the floor, leaning forward as he followed the command. The flat of his tongue slid across the crown of Dalton’s cock and the sheriff clearly crossed a few lines of his own.
***** Erin Corvus sighed as she worked through the gears on her aging sports car. She didn’t expect Dalton would still be at the shop right now, but she’d feel better if she dropped off the sketches she’d put together. That way they would be there waiting for him when he arrived the next morning. She shifted again to navigate a tight turn and thought about how Collington Creek was a virtual ghost town this late at night. The small town was situated an hour north of Atlanta, Georgia. With a population of less than seven thousand residents, it wasn’t the sort of place locals had to worry about traffic jams. Of course, most of the town’s population was tucked away in their beds watching late-night talk shows while she sped toward the Iron Cruisers shop. They were the smart ones. Long hours were part of the job. Blackbird Design, her graphic-design company, was her livelihood and she had to do everything in her power to ensure its success. Even if that achievement meant she had to work into the wee hours of the morning to finish a job. Her business was only as good as the hours she put in. She meant to be at the appointment hours ago. Her need for perfection with one of her designs caused her, yet again, to ensure everything was just as it should be. The motorcycle shop came into view faster than anticipated and she parked in the empty slot next to the sheriff’s vehicle in front of the bay door. Odd for a motorcycle shop to repair a car, but many residents of the town seemed to multitask when it came time to help each other out. She’d even done some web designs for a local business or two in order to make money on the side. Maybe Mr. Shaw worked out a deal with the town government and he did all the repairs on city vehicles. Of course, the new sheriff had already made a name for himself with his unconventional ways to save the town money, so it wasn’t completely out of the question. Now that would be a sweet contract to land, she thought as she shut the car door. She’d love to have a shot at redesigning the town seal in an effort to reflect the history of the area and draw in even more tourists. But if she continued to miss important client
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appointments, she’d be lucky to design a logo for the historic stockade that stood in the town square. The shop was simple, as were most things in town, and nondescript with its faded wood siding. Small with only one bay instead of the row of work areas like the shops she was used to back home in Texas, the building before her screamed rural living. An assortment of aging tin signs, which added to the antique air of the business, hung in various locations on the front of the property. In fact the owner, Dalton Shaw, specialized in restoring late-model motorcycles. It had been one of the things he’d insisted on when they’d spoken on the phone. Somewhere in her design there needed to be an antique bike. She’d done just as he requested, several times over, and hoped he liked the designs she’d come up with. As she started to set the large black leather case used to transport sketches in front of the shop’s door, she spotted a gap. That trusting nature of locals to unlock doors and even leave keys in ignitions had taken her a bit to get used to. Back in Austin, any property left sitting around unguarded asked to be stolen. Curious, she pushed open the heavy entrance door. “Hello? Is anyone here?” Her question was met with silence, not that she really expected anyone to answer her—not at this time of night. But this was the only address she had for him, and she wanted to be sure he had something to look at when she called tomorrow morning to apologize. However, that curiosity earned her more than she bargained for. Her eyes went wide in surprise as she stepped closer and saw someone leaning against the motorcycle in the center of the shop floor. The friendly greeting died in her throat as she realized that someone wasn’t alone. The light in the bay was low, but it was enough for her to make out two figures. A late-night lovers’ rendezvous. Now she understood why the sheriff’s car was parked outside. He was on his knees in front of the man. If that wasn’t enough indication of the man’s identity, she also recognized the tan uniform shirt stripped back to his elbows. He also still wore the matching dark brown pants and spit-shine chloroform shoes. Someone had been in a hurry. Her breath quickened as she watched the officer swallow the entire length of the man’s cock with ease. Even at this distance she recognized the standing man as the owner of the bike shop. The very same man she was supposed to have met with hours ago gave a deep groan of satisfaction as the sheriff used his mouth. Dalton’s jeans were bunched around his calves and his head was thrown back. That chiseled face of his reflected sheer ecstasy. His lips were slightly parted and quiet sighs escaped as his lover’s mouth moved against his hard flesh.
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The scent of their arousal hit her hard and made body parts come alive in response. Her breathing quickened and her pussy tightened with desire. Even as she reacted to the sight of the two men before her, the stillness of the late September air allowed her to hear every movement, every brush of skin. It heightened the tightness building low in her gut. Spying like this was wrong on so many levels because it was rude and intrusive. Not because two men partook in such an intimate act. No, that didn’t bother her in the least. She’d been reared by parents who ensured she understood love came in all forms. She certainly didn’t take issue at the image the men made as they engaged in oral sex. She should have turned around and left as soon as she sighted the men coupling, but she couldn’t help staring because it was so blistering hot. Both men were so lost in each other it was impossible not to be enthralled. It didn’t hurt that both men appeared to be in prime shape and took care of themselves. A low moan resonated through the room as Cade engulfed Dalton completely again. From this vantage point, she watched Cade’s body tighten and bunch so the muscles rippled under the surface of gorgeously tanned skin. They both moved so easily together and the sight was certainly something to be admired. Cade pulled back slowly, sucking in his cheeks, and Dalton hissed out in response as he threaded his fingers through Cade’s hair. His arms flexed a little as he tilted his hips up to push Cade’s mouth down. Her own mouth dropped open in surprise when Cade swallowed every luscious inch of that thick cock so easily. Right at this moment, it was obvious who controlled everything between these two men. She didn’t need to be well versed in the world of dominance and submission to know Cade had surrendered completely to Dalton’s possessive hold. The total command the man exuded was too powerful not to understand. Even she wanted to be on her knees before him, arms bound behind her as she followed orders. She had never had any hands-on experience with bondage, but the picture Cade made with his arms tightly bound behind him while he attended Dalton hit all the right places inside her. “Where did you learn that?” Dalton’s voice sounded strained and pulled her attention back to the two men. He held Cade’s face between his large hands, the kneeling man’s mouth inches away from the cock he’d just worshipped. “I had a good teacher.” Cade drew his tongue over the tip, gathering up the pearlescent drops of come that had started to gather. His mouth closed over just the head and he sucked a few times before letting go. “One who taught me that you like it rough.” Lips pulled back, exposing teeth, and Erin watched with rapt attention as Cade dragged his teeth over rock-hard skin when he engulfed Dalton completely once more. This caused Dalton to throw his head back again and buck his hips as he started thrusting into the man’s mouth. The sheriff took the movement as easily as before and even seemed fueled by the roughness.
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Riveted by their passion, she discovered their need for each other had seeped into her body. She drank it in, found herself wondering what it would be like to be in Cade’s place. To have Dalton’s cock in her mouth, his seed spilling on her tongue while Cade buried his face in her core. “Stop.” The command from Dalton cleared her focus again and she noticed the control he held over himself as his eyebrows drew together. Cade shook his head as he eased back, taking his time to remove his mouth from his lover. “I’ve waited all fucking week for a taste of you. Let me have this. Please.” At the utter desperation saturating the last word, Erin licked her lips and shifted her legs, pulling at the collar of her shirt when her rapidly rising body heat flushed her skin. “I’m going to be buried in your ass when I blow, not your mouth.” The atmosphere of the room snapped and pulsed as the air became saturated with aggression. Their earlier ease vanished. There was a blur of movement as Dalton pushed away from the motorcycle and made the sheriff stand with him. Lips met, and the harshness of the kiss made Erin reach out for the wall in order to steady herself. Her knees felt weak from the raw sexuality that rippled through the room before it slammed into her full force. Now that she had an unencumbered view, Erin saw Dalton was a beast of a man. Easily over six feet, he was built and stacked in all the right places. With his thick mane of shoulder-length black hair, he was probably the finest example of the male species she’d ever seen. He obviously had no issue with standing in the center of his shop stark naked. His rigid cock was standing hard and high, straining toward the man pressed against him. The sheriff was gorgeous to look at in his own right. Just as tall as Dalton, his muscles were long and lean. Considering the fact he was the law of the town, he probably kept himself in shape for the rare occasion he’d have to chase down a suspect on foot. Dalton tore his mouth away. “Present yourself for me and show me why I should reward you.” Cade turned and bent over the leather seat of the bike, arms still bound tightly behind him. Shoulder muscles flexed forcefully against the material, but she saw it wasn’t because he wanted to get away. He pushed his hips back in presentation to the man behind him. He’d offered himself without reservation. They were too familiar with one other and seemed to know each other’s bodies too intimately for this to be a first-time encounter. Erin watched as Dalton stepped away and pulled open a drawer on his work bench. He fumbled one-handed for something as his eyes never left Cade’s bent form. His
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expression changed as he found what he sought and pulled out a foil packet and a white tube. Dalton stepped back to Cade and in a few proficient movements he’d sheathed himself with the thin casing of the condom. Her mouth went dry as he worked some of the clear liquid over his own cock in preparation and then slid his other hand over the roundness of the other man’s ass. The sheriff gave a muttered groan when those fingers dipped between those perfectly formed muscles and Erin felt the raw sexuality of it arrow straight to her pussy. From this angle, she couldn’t see exactly what was going on, but she didn’t have to in order to know the basic mechanics. Fucking was fucking, and these two men seemed to excel at it. Never before had she had this fierce of a reaction to anyone. Of course it wasn’t as if she frequently walked in on two men engaged in a sexual encounter before either. She watched as Dalton worked in and out slowly, taking his time until he had buried himself completely inside the other man. She bit her lip in anticipation as the tall man took his time, his movements exact as he drew them out. Fabric still strained to near the breaking point and the sheriff’s knuckles had started to turn white from the tension. “Untie me, God damn it. I need my hands.” His voice was a low growl, each word bit off to show his frustration. She admired the man’s control even as she willed Dalton to give in simply so she could watch. The strained sound didn’t seem to sway Dalton. “Since when do you get to issue the orders?” There was a sharp snort of amusement. “Since I can throw your ass in jail for assaulting an officer.” “Just my ass? Then you’ll miss your favorite part.” “Your ass,” the man paused to release a long and quiet moan when Dalton thrust forward, “is certainly spectacular, but it’s not my favorite part.” “Then what is?” Dalton moved as he asked the question and Cade let out a string of obscenities that made her eyes go wide. A smug smile of satisfaction grew on Dalton’s lips. “I see. I have my favorite parts of you too.” Dalton thrust forward again, which caused the man beneath him to rear up. The binding on his arms still seemed to frustrate him because it wouldn’t let him push completely against the man who rode him. “Untie my fucking hands,” Cade said around clenched teeth. His erection strained away from his body as he sought relief by any means necessary. A deep laugh resonated through the shop and Dalton didn’t comply with the order. Erin guessed he actually enjoyed the cop’s struggles based on his lazy movements. Almost as if he used the motions to fuel his pleasure.
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Finally, after another few curse-laden minutes filled with drawn-out thrusts, Dalton slipped the knot loose on the shirt. His body language indicated it wasn’t because the other man had ordered it earlier. He’d done so on his terms and it clearly showed when he jerked the other man up against his chest before the fabric even hit the floor. Dalton moved again, driving over and over between the taut globes of Cade’s ass. The action allowed Cade’s hard-on to slide over the rich, supple leather of the bike seat, smearing a trail of pre-come against the fabric that shined despite the low lighting. She found herself leaning forward when Dalton closed his hand around the other man’s cock and used the moisture leaking from the tip to moisten his hand. Ragged breath skimmed over her dry lips as she watch Dalton move his hand with unhurried strokes to match the movements as his cock slid in and out of Cade. Cade’s hands slapped down on the seat of the bike, his fingers gripping for purchase as he gave a harsh moan and pushed back against Dalton. Erin heard the absolute satisfaction drip from the sound and felt scorching heat rip from her. She wanted them to pay such lavish attention to her. See to her every need and desire. While she wasn’t a novice when it came to sex, she’d never had anyone take care of her the way she watched unfold before her very eyes. It also reminded her just how long it had been since she’d engaged in any sort of sexual activity. Work had consumed her so thoroughly she barely remembered what it was like to have a man’s body over hers. The sound of the men moving together suddenly halted. Only Dalton’s hand continued to move over and around the sheriff’s straining erection with rough and hurried movements as he continued to fuck the hard length with his hand. Lips closed over the gentle curve of an earlobe, nipping at the flesh. Erin swore she felt those teeth against her own skin. She even yearned for it because the energy created between the two men was something she wanted to experience as well. “Now that you’re free, do you think I should keep fucking you while she watches or let her join in on the fun?” Two sets of eyes met hers and her heart leapt into her throat. She’d been caught. Panicked, she turned to run as fast as her legs would carry her to the car. Her heart thundered in her ears while she gunned the engine and sped out of the lot. Dear God, what did I just do? She raced through the gears, trying her best to put miles between herself and the garage as quickly as possible. Sweaty palms pressed against the kitschy fairy steering wheel cover while adrenaline raced through her veins. When the car settled into fourth gear and she shifted in the bucket seat, she noticed the heavy throb still between her legs. Her body sang for release and she had a sneaking suspicion it specifically wanted two very well-endowed—and completely unattainable—men. Growling in frustration, she prayed for the earth to open up and swallow her. 13
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Chapter Two The next afternoon, Dalton removed his sunglasses as he stepped into the office of Blackbird Design. His eyes took a moment to adjust to the fluorescent lighting, as it was a sharp change from the bright sunlight outside. The hustle and bustle of the workplace hit him full force and wasn’t what he expected. Most of the time life in town moved at a turtle’s pace. It was actually refreshing to find people scurrying around the small office with such speed and competence. He’d wanted to stop by sooner and smooth things over with Erin. But Cade had convinced him that it was better to wait. Probably because he knew Dalton wouldn’t leave well enough alone. They’d both noticed her eyes had been brightly lit with arousal and it caused a reaction they hadn’t expected. Within minutes of her hurried exit, they’d both come so hard it had taken a fair amount of time before either of them had moved again. Later, Cade had expressed concern she would bolt like a skittish rabbit again if either one of them confronted her too soon. Kincade Roberts, the voice of reason. But in light of the previous night’s events, the plan was to keep the conversation as light and painless as possible. Dalton didn’t do painless, but for this—for her—he’d make an exception. He and Cade both wanted to know more about the woman they’d caught spying on them. “Can I help you with something?” The receptionist’s eyes slowly raked him over as Dalton approached her desk. She was cute, but too skinny for his taste. High maintenance too if he remembered correctly from the time he’d seen her at the club. He seemed to recall she had a fondness for caning, a highly painful form of torture some people got off on. Not something that interested him, but to each their own. He shifted the portfolio case to his other hand and leaned over the desk to slide his hip up so the woman’s gaze settled around the crotch area. Some women were just too damn predictable. “I’m looking for Erin Corvus. She available?” “Maybe. If you’ll agree to have a drink with me when my shift ends.” Bold. That assertiveness didn’t appeal to Dalton. He liked to work a little. “It’s a tempting offer, but I need to return something to her and I’d hate to think I’d gotten sidetracked.” The blonde jutted her lip out and pouted. While he wasn’t too discriminate in what he liked when it came to sex, he knew this was not the type of woman who would want
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a quick bang. She’d sink her claws in deep and refuse to let go. Something else he wasn’t interested in. At another time in his life, he would have entertained the idea of fucking her. Right now, however, someone else held his interest and it wasn’t the pert blonde behind the desk. “What can I offer you instead?” She flashed a brilliant smile and continued to stare intently at his crotch. “I’m sure we can come up with something.” He coughed out a laugh and decided to let her down gently. “How about a break next time you need repairs on something?” That pout of hers appeared again, but she let out a frustrated breath as she rolled her eyes. “Fine. I have a clunker anyway and it could use a good tune-up. Third door on the right down that hallway.” “Thanks. Here’s a card in case you need—” “I know who you are, Dalton.” She shot his crotch area another deliberate glance and picked up the phone as it rang. Well, that certainly explained why she’d come on so strongly. For the handful of people who took offense to his lifestyle choices, there were fifty more who wanted a piece of it. She obviously knew him, knew about his past and, combined with her interests, thought to make use of that past. Right now, Dalton only had eyes for one woman. Dalton’s pace slowed as he approached that woman as she sat behind an elevated desk in the corner of the room. The enhanced lighting in here let him see the minute details he’d missed last night. Of course, he’d been otherwise engaged last time they’d been in each other’s presence. He couldn’t be expected to remember every last detail when he’d been buried up to his balls in Cade’s ass. That was asking a bit much. There were a few pencils pushed through the messy knot she’d tied her hair into and a pair of turquoise glasses had worked their way down to the end of her nose. Those sharp eyes stared intently at a flat-screen monitor that was nearly the size of his television. She was clearly a woman who appreciated her technology, something he didn’t have the least bit of interest in. Give him a layer of grease under his nails from a hard day of work and he could die a happy man. He tapped a finger against the corner of her desk and smoothed away an amused smile when she jumped. When their gazes met, her cheeks immediately flushed pink and there was no doubt in Dalton’s mind that she recognized him. Better not beat around the bush. “You left something.” She blinked a few times at him as she pulled the glasses away from her face. “What?” He tried to tell himself that he hadn’t noticed the swirled green and blue of the frames were the same color as her eyes. Or the fact the South dripped from the question 15
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like a glass of sweet tea on a hot summer day. “Your portfolio case. You left it.” The smooth leather-like material slid across the stark white desk with barely a whisper of sound. Those eyes blinked at him a few more times before she appeared to get a handle on herself again. “Oh. That was for you.” “I know.” He’d taken the liberty of looking at what was inside the zippered case and had been impressed with the sketches she’d taken the time to bring directly to the shop. “I’ve seen the sketches you made and I have to say, I like what I saw. Something tells me you did too.” “Pardon?” Her fingers fidgeted together. He gestured to the portfolio between them, slid it closer to her. “Your mockups. You must have liked them enough to drop them off in the middle of the night.” “Oh right.” Her eyes glazed over and he’d give anything to know what sort of images played in her mind right now. Though he had a good guess based on her state of agitation. “Did you like what you found?” It was too perfect an opportunity for him to simply let it pass without incident. “Did you?” That seemed to snap her out of her daze. Those bow-shaped lips formed a perfectly straight line. To Dalton, it only made her ten times sexier. “In the portfolio case, Mr. Shaw.” He’d known exactly what she meant. But the chance to tease her while she was lost to something in her mind had been too tempting. That glazed-over look was something he’d like to see on her in the future, but only if he was the reason for it. “Pity. I would have been interested in knowing. Why don’t we discuss the details of what you have here over dinner?” Skepticism passed through her eyes. “What’s wrong with right now?” He shrugged. “Nothing. But I was busy most of the day and haven’t eaten. Little low on protein.” And that is maybe laying it on a little too thick, Shaw. Her turquoise-colored eyes narrowed at the double meaning. She played absently with a pencil on her desk and that told Dalton she was interested despite the attitude she’d tossed up in defense. “I don’t mix business with pleasure so I have to decline the dinner invitation. But, as I still want your business, there’s a cart outside in the square where we could have an impromptu meeting.” “Perfect,” he stated as he flashed a brilliant smile. “We can do this pitch outside. Get some fresh air and blue sky. I hate office buildings.” Five minutes later, he was seated next to the large fountain that decorated the business center at the end of Main Street. The pastry was decent, the coffee palatable— certainly not a cup of the house blend from the coffeehouse he preferred on the other side of town. The company, however, absolutely fascinated him.
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Erin Corvus was the sort of woman he wanted to bend his large frame over and protect from the rest of the world. Petite and in possession of yards of vivid strawberry blonde hair, everything about her was compact and so utterly woman. She’d pulled the pencils out of her hair when she’d agreed to accompany him for a snack and he’d nearly embarrassed himself when that gorgeous hair had fallen down to her shoulders. The skirt she wore flowed around her thighs in a way that drew his eyes directly to them as she walked. He had a moment to wonder what those shapely legs would feel like wrapped around him before she sat down. “What can I do for you?” There was a bite to her words, enough for him to read her annoyance at the interruption he’d posed to her day. With the harshness, that Texas accent deepened and he liked the thought of how sweet her words would sound as she lost herself entirely when he swept his tongue over her clit. He could point out that she’d interrupted an enjoyable moment with Cade and had no right to feel put out. But he wasn’t interested in irritating her further. Time to soothe away the anxiety under the surface she didn’t want anyone to notice. “I did come to return your sketches, but mostly I just came by to see if you were all right.” “I don’t think I’m the one you should be asking.” That edge to her voice touched off a blaze inside him, but it wasn’t irritation. She had an attitude, and by God he wanted to tame it out of her. It had been some time since anyone stirred him so and he found it interesting this woman was the one to ignite that fire again. “That’s my business. Besides, I wasn’t the one who barged in somewhere uninvited.” Those perfectly arched eyebrows of hers winged up in surprise. “I wasn’t aware you were going to be engaging in sexual relations with the town sheriff when I came to deliver my sketches.” “It was nearly the middle of the night and again, my business,” he said with a smile and raised the cup to his mouth. The coffee was hot against his tongue and wet his dry mouth. Damn it, he couldn’t stop thinking about those legs of hers. You spent years training for strict discipline. Snap out of it. “Yes. You’re right, it is.” Those unique-colored eyes of hers narrowed again and the look shot straight to his groin. “I need to get back to mine. You may want to shut your doors from now on.” “Why? Are you planning on coming back? Because if that’s the case…” He trailed off, swamped with the thought of how very different he wanted things to go. Especially if she did indeed show up again unannounced. “I suggested that merely because some people aren’t as forgiving about things as I am.” Her voice was knife sharp and held an edge that made him sorry for saying something to upset her. This one definitely held some spunk in her and he made himself relent a little where he normally wouldn’t otherwise. “I didn’t mean to offend you,” he offered in apology as he relaxed his posture. 17
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“You didn’t.” Her expression softened and she leaned back against her wrought iron café chair. “It’s been a stressful couple of days. Last night, I was just…shocked. I didn’t expect…” “To find me with a man?” It wouldn’t be the first time he’d faced that sort of thing. Hell, fifteen years ago, he would’ve never thought it of himself. Surprising what happens in hindsight. She stunned him with her answer. “No. Not really. But had I known you were gay—” He shifted forward in his seat, folded his arms on the table and dropped his voice to a low whisper. That was one misconception he was going to clear up here and now. “Erin, I’m not gay.” Her expression shifted to one of bewilderment. “Oh God. You’re not one of those men who says it was only experimentation, are you?” Those thin fingers of hers flew to her mouth and her cheeks flushed pink with embarrassment. It did nothing to discourage the raging hard-on pressing against the seam of his jeans. In fact, it made it worse. Damn it. Dalton cleared his throat, coughing to cover his amusement at her reaction. He did his best to completely and totally ignore the fact his dick throbbed with need. “No. That’s not what I meant. I like women. Very much so,” he added with a wink. Her hands slowly lowered to the table and wrapped around her foam coffee cup. “So you like both?” What he liked was her. He hadn’t expected to have this aggressive of a reaction to someone, to want them under his expert guidance this quickly. Not since Cade came into his life had he been this knocked for a loop. He was pleasantly surprised to find it in this tiny woman. “I hate labels. I have sex with who I have sex with. Man, woman, it doesn’t matter as long as everyone agrees. Especially considering the rest.” “There’s more?” The idea that he’d thoroughly corrupted this woman simply with his confession of his lifestyle delighted him. He enjoyed making people feel uncomfortable about his choices, but he took particular pleasure in making her squirm. “Isn’t there always?” She was quiet for a moment as she appeared to contemplate his question. “Bottom line is that I’m sorry for missing our meeting last night. I also apologize for not having the decency to walk away. It was rude.” He nodded and brushed a hand over his hair as he finished off the last of his coffee. “It was, but Cade was also at fault for not shutting the door behind him. Of course, I don’t think either of us anticipated the interruption.” “I didn’t mean to ruin your night.”
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It would have taken a hell of a lot more than her interruption to ruin what had happened in his garage. “You didn’t. It was quite an interesting…distraction.” Meaning dripped from the word and she grew flustered again as comprehension bloomed in her eyes. “Oh.” Just what else would she be open to? “Cade’s over-enthusiasm worked out for everyone. He’ll pay for it later, of course, but evidently we both enjoyed being watched. That was something I hadn’t taken into consideration. Perhaps I should be thanking you instead.” As if things weren’t bad enough in his groin, the thought of how the atmosphere had become even more charged after this woman’s disruption made him swell again. Combined with that and his current reaction to her, he could very well keel over from blood loss right here. She shook her head and he witnessed a look of disbelief in her eyes. He’d found something that really set her off balance even more so than two men enjoying each other’s company. “I’m sorry, did you say pay?” “I’m not sure you really, truly want to know the answer to that question.” His brain already struggled enough without adding the need for explanation. His brain actually superimposed what Erin Corvus would be like added to the mix between him and Cade. That was something he was definitely going to explore at a later point. Besides, he liked the idea of making her wonder. “Now, let’s get to the business at hand and pitch me your ideas.”
***** Erin blew out a breath as she tossed the marked-up sheets onto her desk. They were covered with pencil and red marker where she’d made corrections. Collaborating with Dalton had given her some new ideas to sharpen up the designs. He’d paid the required deposit and she’d agreed to have the rough design to him by the end of the week for his approval. Delivery would be in some public location to avoid the other night’s gaff. It was a lucky thing he still wanted her business in the first place. She’d been extremely rude and even careless with her time management because of her need for perfection. The new design she’d worked up for him actually took the best of each of the sketches she’d provided for him and was better than anything she’d developed recently. It had been a pleasure to work with him and she did her best not to think about anything beyond a professional relationship. That task was remarkably difficult to do considering the fact she’d seen him naked only a short time ago. Not to mention her body seemed to still be strung tight despite
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the fact she’d attempted to find relief by her own hand. That little debacle had ended with her more frustrated than anything else. It wasn’t what her body wanted. Wasn’t what she wanted. “Erin, you have company.” Joanie’s voice snapped Erin out of her musing. “Again? Be nice to actually get some work done today.” She tossed her glasses down on the desk and pushed her long bangs to the side so she could see. Her gaze froze when she looked up to find another pair of eyes she was familiar with. “Pardon me, Sheriff Roberts.” Cade Roberts stood tall and proud in her doorway, looking exactly like a man should. He was six feet of glorious male with pale green eyes that seemed to glare right through her. “That’s all right.” He dipped his head in greeting and pulled off his hat as he moved into the office. His fingers moved through his hair to comb it into place and Erin found herself admiring the gorgeous color most people could only achieve from a box. Someone else’s hands had threaded through the thickness of it just hours ago. Her mind wanted to wander further and explore that little memory more, but she shook her head to clear it. Now was not the time to fawn all over a person of authority. Even if everything about this man did make her feel as if she’d just gone down the drop hill on a roller coaster. “What can I do for you, Sheriff?” The officer offered her a friendly smile. “Cade, please. I’m not here in an official capacity and it seems a bit odd to keep up the appearance of formality.” A few images from the late night encounter flashed in her mind and she quickly dismissed them. After Dalton’s visit it was hard to keep her mind on what needed to be handled. It was almost as if her brain now had a mind of its own and wanted to continue to tempt her with lurid thoughts of naked bodies drenched with the sweat of exertion as they moved together in search of relief. That little image poked at her and suddenly the roller coaster feel increased tenfold. Snap out of it! You’re acting like a hormone-riddled teenager who can’t control herself. She cleared her throat and hoped she didn’t sound as if her mind and her body were at war with each other. “Fair enough. What can I do for you then?” A loud chorus of laughter sounded from the next room and Cade grimaced. “Do you have somewhere private we can speak?” “Of course.” She gestured for him to follow her to the main conference room and then to one of the high-backed chairs lined up neatly around the long table once they arrived. He waved off her courtesy and stood just inside the door. Mirroring his decision to stand, she leaned against the table and folded her arms in front of her. “I’m not going to say anything, if that’s your concern. Besides, Dalton already came by to discuss things.” Cade smiled again and she nearly salivated. How in the hell do two different men cause the same reaction in me?
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“I know he did. I just…wanted to have my own say in the matter.” Needing something to do with her hands, she pushed away from the table and crossed to the water dispenser in the corner. She stalled for a long minute in order to settle herself. What was it about these two? They’d unknowingly punched through walls she’d spent so many years carefully erecting. They all barely knew each other and here she was ready to lie down and spread her legs for them. You’re an adult. You can handle this. Feeling more secure now, she returned to the table, water in hand. “I was rude to barge in like that. I deserved to feel uncomfortable.” His gaze fell away from hers. “That’s what I came by to apologize for. I never set out to make someone uncomfortable with my lifestyle choices.” She sought to reassure him. “I won’t say anything, like I said.” “I’m not here for damage control, Erin.” As if he knew what kind of thoughts spun in her head, he pushed on. “I don’t make a secret of my sex life. Those who have the right to know, do. Those who don’t, well, they’re just the town gossips and nothing is going to stop them.” She laughed with him and relaxed a little as she absently played with the cup. “Still, I don’t want to cause any problems. Not with your job or your boyfriend.” There was that smile again. The one that made her gooey and weak-kneed. “I don’t know if I’d call Dalton boyfriend material.” “But—” “It is possible to have sex with someone and not love them.” “Yes, I know.” But did she? What he’d just said and the emotions she’d seen and felt at the garage painted two very different pictures. “Dalton and I are exclusive right now because the mood suits us both. His mood changes like the weather. Sunny one minute, tornado sweeping through your house and dropping you on the Wicked Witch of the East the next. Right now, it works for us.” He pushed away from the door and retrieved a cup of water. “I just…” Erin trailed off, unsure of what to really say. Sex and love weren’t mutually exclusive, but she’d seen a few glimpses of something more than just need and desire between the two men last night. Brief, fleeting glimpses of utter devotion that neither obviously seemed to know were there. Or maybe they did and just refused to acknowledge it. Either way, it was none of her business. “Never mind. I apologize for jumping to conclusions. I’ll make sure I knock loudly and shout a bit before walking into a room next time.” Cade laughed and the sound of it warmed her, causing that roller coaster to go over another hill. “No problem. Listen, I think we didn’t get off on the greatest footing. Can we both make it up to you?”
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Her stomach leapt into her throat and she coughed in order to push it back. It was hard to determine if it was because of fear or excitement. “You don’t have to do that.” “I’d like to. I can’t speak for Dalton, but I’m sure he’d say the same. It’s the least we can do.” He swallowed the last of the water and dropped the cup into the small trashcan near the door as he replaced his hat. “Dinner, tomorrow night?” She tapped a pencil against her palm, still deep in thought. The two men were obviously in some kind of relationship, but she just wasn’t sure what kind it was. They were also deep in denial. He shifted against the door and she realized he was waiting for a response from her. The words were out of her mouth before she had time to register her answer. “All right. I already told Dalton that I wouldn’t as I don’t mix business and pleasure, but why the hell not. It’s not as if I have to worry about you putting the moves on me.” “Why’s that?” “Don’t have the right equipment,” she said flippantly as she rose and came around to stand next to him just as he lifted his hand to hide his smile. “You should really start dressing up that foot you keep putting in your mouth. It’ll taste better at least.” Her heart slammed against her ribs. Damn it, not again. How blind can one woman possibly be? “You like women too, don’t you?” “Very much so.” As he said the very same words Dalton had given her a short time ago, Cade’s hand lifted. The tips of those long fingers pushed her bangs from her eyes. At the contact, she jumped, surprised at the sudden flood of excitement that dampened her panties. Arousal reached out and slapped her at his look, catching her completely off guard. In this heightened state, she scented the undercurrent of patchouli in his aftershave and she drank in the woodsy aroma as he blurred before her eyes when they unfocused. Cade cleared his throat, startling her enough to make her sway as she realized she’d been staring at him. He simply smiled at her frazzled state, tipping his head as he replaced his hat. “See you tomorrow night, Ms. Corvus.”
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Chapter Three The next day, Cade looked up from the paperwork scattered on his desk as Dalton slid into a chair. The harried expression on Cade’s face bothered Dalton. That concern had been in place since Cade had been elected. It seemed to be even more prevalent tonight. “Sorry, I know I’m running a little behind. Should only be a few more minutes.” From a leftover habit in another time in his life, Dalton kept a scanner on his workbench at the shop. He’d heard the call that had the other man’s body strung tight. “Had some excitement today, didn’t you?” Cade pushed a hand over his head, mussing his hair. “Yeah. Colin Foster wrapped his father’s Corvette around a tree this morning. Waste of a damn fine ‘56 if you ask me.” Dalton knew enough to recognize the fact Cade didn’t give a shit about the car. “Kids racing out on 5 again? It’s a sweet stretch of road. Hard to resist that call.” He should know, he’d heard it himself and it was a damn seductive voice. “I’ll pass on your concern,” Cade said dryly as he gave Dalton a dirty look, but there was no anger behind it. Dalton shifted in his seat, angling it up on two legs as he made himself a little more comfortable. It seemed as if they weren’t going to leave anytime soon. Policing the accident put Cade in rare form and Dalton decided to pluck on those nerves a little and help release some of that pent-up frustration in the other man’s body. “You’re the one who keeps bitching about shutting that stretch of road down.” “Believe me, it hasn’t been from lack of trying. Damn small-town politics.” Cade shifted through a stack of paperwork and muttered something under his breath. Dalton didn’t need to hear it to know Cade’s aggravation. “Ah yes, thought you could change the town in the week you’ve been the sheriff, did you? You’ve lived around here long enough to know better. Lower those damn high expectations of yours a little and come down to Earth with the rest of us mere mortals.” Green eyes blazed hot and Dalton knew he’d expressed an unwanted opinion. By now, he would have thought Cade would be used to it and would know Dalton would push far enough to erase whatever guilt Cade felt about not being there to stop the teenager’s antics. Dalton changed the subject. “How is Colin?”
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A frustrated breath ruffled the papers on the desk. “Lucky to be alive. Not sure how, but he scraped by with a few cuts and bruises, a broken ankle and one very wounded pride.” Dalton’s snort echoed in the tiny jailhouse. “Trying to impress a girl, wasn’t he?” “Teenage hormones. To be young and stupid again.” Cade threw his hands up in frustration and pushed away from the desk. “You know, no one’s going to give a shit if I finish this paperwork right now or not.” “You will,” Dalton reminded him. Cade’s fingers massaged the bridge of his nose as he stood. “There is that.” Dalton lowered the legs of the chair and glanced over to the wall clock. They were about fifteen minutes late and if they didn’t get moving, they would miss their opportunity to get what they both wanted. “Sure you’re not just anxious to get to the restaurant?” “There is that,” Cade repeated with a slight nod as he tossed a pen down. He snagged his hat as they walked side by side out of the small office. The office was locked up tight a few moments later and they stopped in front of Cade’s truck. “Want a lift?” Dalton nodded and slid into the passenger seat. Both were quiet as they pulled onto the road and headed for the heart of town. The radio belted out some annoying pseudo-country song and Cade tapped the button to shut it off. “It’s good to see you smile again. Seemed to be sinking for a while. Like you were lost or something. Wasn’t sure if you were going to find whatever it was you were searching for.” Dalton knew what Cade meant. He’d been quiet of late, an unusual occurrence for him. Even the surge of happiness he’d felt for Cade and his promotion had been shortlived. Recently, it felt as if he was just going through the daily motions of life. He’d always done his best to keep his sour moods hidden from Cade, but he’d apparently slipped a little. “Sorry. It’s nothing that can’t be handled. But it’s been a while since I’ve had this kind of physical reaction to someone. Or at least been a while since it was a woman.” “Same here.” Cade nodded slowly. “I think she intrigues us both.” Something had been on Dalton’s mind most of the day and he figured there was no time like the present. “You know, this is slippery territory for you. If we continue to pursue this, are you sure you’re up for it?” Cade’s eyebrows lifted in surprise, but his gaze remained on the road straight ahead. “Think maybe I would have asked that before we started fucking a few years ago.” It wasn’t hard to forget the first night they’d been together as it had been a surprise to both men. They’d known each other for a number of years because of their parents’ friendship. Dalton had grown up not far from Collington Creek and they’d even gone to rival high schools. 24
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Graduation had brought about different career paths, and it wasn’t until Dalton moved to town after his mother retired to Florida that they’d struck up a friendship. They’d quickly discovered a mutual interest in out-of-the-ordinary sex and things had just taken on a life of their own from there. However, their long-term arrangement still didn’t overshadow the fact things could get a little dicey if they weren’t careful. And that was without adding someone else into the mix. Discretion was always something Dalton was insistent about simply because people could be downright bastards at times. He didn’t care so much about himself. He could take it. But it was unnecessary to push what happened behind closed doors on others. “You’re in a different position now. More authority. You’re the boss, the law of an entire town. It’s going to stir an already boiling pot.” Cade did look away from the road then. “It’s not like you to worry about something like that, Dalton. You going soft?” “Not anytime soon.” It had been impossible to ignore the hard-on he’d had since they’d found out they were being watched. Soft hadn’t entered his mind. What it had done was dig up a specter of his past that he’d thought he had left behind. Seems as if that wound wasn’t as healed over as he thought. Now wasn’t the time to think about such a dark moment in his life and he was grateful when Cade’s laughter shattered the moment. Cade laughed again as his hands worked the worn leather cover on the wheel. “I do have to say it’s a bit presumptuous of us to think she’ll agree.” “It could be, if I were anyone else. Hard not to take into account she was rooted to the spot at the garage. And was still thinking about it when I swung by her office.” Anyone could have seen how captivated she was about what she’d seen. Dalton wasn’t that out of the loop anymore. He knew pure, unadulterated want when he saw it. “She told you?” The blinker clicked quietly as Cade made a left. “Didn’t have to. I may be out of practice, but I still remember enough to recognize the signs. She got this glazed, faraway look. I may not Top professionally anymore, but I can still recognize someone who’s caught up. All the signs were there. We just have to decide whether or not it’s advantageous to us all.” Cade tapped his hand against the steering wheel as he waited at the town’s single stoplight. He accelerated when it changed and turned into a parking space a few doors down from the restaurant. “Speaking of Topping, how is Second Circle? You know, the place I know all about but have to pretend doesn’t exist?” “Same as always.” Dalton sent Cade a knowing smile as he shrugged. While this really wasn’t the time to bring up the club he used to run that catered to patrons with unusual tastes, Dalton did find amusement in the question. Cade knew all about the club because he was a former member.
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“Which means business is booming for Diane.” He bit off his next statement and waited for an older couple to pass on the sidewalk as he pulled himself out of the truck. As they walked away, he lowered his voice. “No shortage of perverts in this town who are more than willing to fork money to a fetish club in the city and not road repairs in their own backyard.” Dalton lowered his voice as well when Cade came to stand next to him on the sidewalk. “Says the man I lashed to a spanking bench last month. Or do you not remember that I turned that firm ass three different shades of red?” He immediately regretted the question as that night flashed in his mind and the tightness at the base of his cock grew. Christ, he was going to explode if he didn’t find some kind of relief soon. That discomfort was made even more evident when heat darkened the green of Cade’s eyes several shades. “Never said I wasn’t one of them.” Dalton grinned at the reaction. At least he wasn’t alone in his tastes. “A fact I’m thankful for every day.” Cade coughed, shattering the moment, and they stepped up to the oversized window that opened the restaurant to the street. Dalton spotted Erin at a table in the corner. Her hand shook a little as she played with the empty wineglass in front of her. They were now nearly a half hour late and it was a wonder she was still here in the first place. It meant she was interested enough to forgive their tardiness. How interested was the question. “She’s going to be reluctant.” “Think we can handle it.” “Question is—can she?” Cade turned, facing him directly, and Dalton noted the expression of concern had returned. “Putting on a different hat here, have to ask this. Can you handle Topping two subs? Been a while.” Three years to be exact, but who was counting? I am. “Let’s worry about one thing at a time for now.”
***** Erin’s mouth went dry the moment she spotted the two men. She reached for her water, anxious to have something to do with her hands. As she sipped, her mind flooded with the last time she’d seen them together. The way Cade had so easily engulfed Dalton’s cock. How Dalton had held so much control with so little effort. The overtly explicit images she conjured surprised her, causing her to choke. She was still sputtering like an idiot as they arrived at the table. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks and she hid her face behind her napkin as they sat. Dalton on her left, Cade on her right.
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The sheriff had called earlier to ask if they could pick her up on their way, but she’d politely declined. Never was she happier about that choice than right now. Things were confusing enough with her reaction to the two men together and then separately. She didn’t want to have to rely on them for a ride later, especially if things went south. She gathered her napkin, and her composure, and smiled at them in greeting. Their waiter appeared almost at once and each man ordered a beer while she requested another glass of water. As soon as the waiter walked away, Cade tapped the table in front of her. “Sorry we’re a little late. I had some paperwork that kept me tied up longer than I would have liked.” That was something she knew about all too well. She usually managed to shove off anything like that on her employees because she hated it. Evidently, Cade didn’t have anyone like that. “That’s all right. I was a little late myself. Did you at least get the paperwork done?” Cade frowned as he shook his head. “No. It’s been a while since I filled out an accident report. I’d forgotten how long it can take to make sure everything is in order. I’ll have to go back to the office tonight after we’re done here and finish.” Erin immediately grew worried as she looked to each of the men. She shifted forward in her seat as she studied their faces. “Accident report? Is everything okay?” Cade reached for his beer as soon as the waiter set the bottle down on the table. He took a long sip, closing his eyes as he swallowed. When he continued to drink, Dalton answered instead. “Yes. A few kids decided they were invincible. Cade is the one who got to clean up the mess. Hazard of the job.” “It’s a damn admirable job,” she stated emphatically. Cade’s empty bottle hit the table with a thud and he wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. “Thank you. Can we talk about something else, please? I’m already going to be up half the night because I won’t be able to sleep. I don’t need to keep reliving it. I forgot how hard is it to keep some distance when I know all the parties involved.” Erin purposefully kept their conversation light until their meals were served. Once everyone was settled and fully relaxed, she was curious to know more about the men who sat at the table with her. “Mind if I ask how you two met?” “We’ve actually known each other for a while through family. I moved away after high school, joined the military and thought I could conquer the world. Landed in Atlanta when my tour ended and moved back to the Creek when my parents passed. This though,” Cade gestured with his knife between him and Dalton. “Only a couple of years, I think. Right, Dalton?” Dalton nodded, adding in his two cents. “My route was less glamorous than Mr. No Guts No Glory over there, but yeah, just a few years.”
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It fascinated her to hear how long they had known each other. At least it confirmed her suspicion that what she’d seen at the shop wasn’t a onetime occurrence. There was some solidity there and not just a fluke. “So it wasn’t an instant attraction?” Dalton grinned as he reached for his beer. “No. Cade took awhile to come around. Figure out what he wanted for himself.” “He was a damn smug bastard when I did too.” Dalton gestured with his beer bottle to no one in particular. “Sometimes you just have to let people figure things out on their own. No point in rushing the situation.” Erin agreed. She’d learned that lesson herself just a few years ago. Her life had been on a collision course before events had caused her to veer off. She’d selected a new path and struck out on her own to prove she could take care of herself. “Did he always know about you and your preferences?” Dalton shrugged as the waiter left. “It’s not secret what I like. It’s their problem, not mine, if they take issue with it. But I do believe in a little discretion even though I’m quite happy with how that aspect of my life is run.” “Most of the time,” Cade added. Erin saw the glare Dalton gave Cade and felt the lively atmosphere at the table ice over. “What? What is it?” “Nothing.” Dalton dismissed her question with a jerk of his hand. “It’s irrelevant. Cade is just talking about things he’s not at liberty to discuss at the moment.” Cade cleared his throat and stabbed the fork into the thick cut of steak in front of him. “So you know about us. What brought you here, Erin?” The subject change was abrupt and did absolutely nothing to alleviate the tension that hung over the table. Whatever they’d alluded to was a sore subject between the men. While it was absolutely none of her business it certainly made her curious. But like the men, she let it drop. “I wanted to start somewhere new. Somewhere fresh. I’d lived in Texas all my life and it was time for a change of scenery.” “So Georgia is nearly a foreign county to you.” She laughed as the waiter brought them all fresh drinks and thanked him before she answered Cade. “Almost.” Dalton leaned forward and folded his arms as he leaned against the table. A mischievous glint danced in his eyes. “No boyfriends followed you here? Begged you to come back with them so they could lavish you with attention?” “I’ve sworn off all dating,” she said simply without offering further details. This was a topic she did not want to explore—at least at this point. Cade glanced her way and gave her a curious stare. “Why is that?” She struggled to maintain her own pleasant mood. Even though she’d dealt with this dark stain on her past, it still stuck in her craw that it had happened in the first place.
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She’d always considered herself a smart woman. On top of things in her life. But she’d missed that blip entirely. These two men at the table with her weren’t the cause however and didn’t deserve her vitriol about the subject. Wearing her best smile, she began to explain. “My fiancé left me. Found himself a new place to roost between the legs of his crew chief. An annoyingly perfect woman who has no business in the pit box if you want my honest opinion.” Dalton finished off the last of his food, dabbing his napkin at the corner of his mouth. “He was a racer?” “Is,” she corrected. “William Fitzgerald Connelly III. Known on the stock-car racing circuit as—” “Fitz the Glitz,” Dalton finished for her. “I’ve seen him race. Guy’s good. Natural behind the wheel from what I understand. But evidently damn stupid when it comes to matters of sex and love.” It didn’t surprise her to hear they knew of Billy. This was the South after all. Racing was nearly a religion in the southern half of the United States. No way to escape it. “Yes, well. Racing was Billy’s life until she came along. He left me to explain why he missed the start of the Daytona 500. Diddling her in the back of our trailer if you really want to know where he was.” She smiled sweetly with the Southern grace she’d been taught from years of proper etiquette training. “As you can see, it tends to tint your rose-colored glasses a few shades darker. So, because of that I don’t believe in love. Lust, yes. But not love. It’s just a reason invented to sell cards and flowers to people.” Both of their eyebrows lifted at her words, but Cade spoke first. “Cynical. And you’re letting someone else control what you do and say. Not what I would have expected from a strong woman such as yourself.” Funny, she hadn’t expected it of herself either and it was a shame she still wrestled with it to this day. Billy leaving had broken her. Gutted her so much she’d been nothing but a shell for a time. Work had been the only cure and now she had a flourishing business and no love life. “I moved away from Texas so he wouldn’t have control over me. Billy is part of Austin’s upper crust. His shit didn’t stink and I was at fault despite the fact he was the one who cheated. I was the reason he left. At least according to his bitch of a mother. I left to make my life easier. Not his.” Appetite gone, she folded her napkin and set it on her plate. The last bite of the chicken she’d taken had left an acidic taste in her mouth. Unfortunately, the strong taste was from the bitterness of the memories instead of the food. Dalton offered his own take on the moment. “But you say you don’t date. That’s because of him.” She disagreed. “I’m simply protecting myself from inflicting more damage to a heart that’s already broken. It’s in enough pieces and, honestly, I don’t have any more to spare. I let him break me because I surrendered everything to him, since that’s what 29
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the good wife is supposed to do. No one’s going to have that power again, Dalton. Ever.” She sent them both a stern look as a silent indication she was done with conversation. Manners kept her from demanding this line of questioning end, but she wouldn’t hesitate to force the issue if necessary. It wasn’t just about the fact she’d given Billy all she had to give. It had been her choice to do so. But he’d betrayed her and it stung enough she still had no interest in opening herself to that kind of pain and torment again. She was smart enough to know that wouldn’t always happen in every relationship she was in, but it was too much of a risk for her to take for the moment. She could only hope the two men before her could understand that. “Fair enough.” Dalton nodded. “But I have to say you’re very determined. That is certainly admirable.” Cade shook his head and tapped his finger on the table to gain Dalton’s attention. “That depends on how you look at it. She’s protecting herself, yes, but she’s also denying her base needs.” They may have not done it intentionally, but they debated her choice without her. That had to stop. She’d had enough people tell her how to live her life and she wasn’t about to take that route again. “I said I don’t love, not that I don’t have sex,” she interrupted before lifting her glass to her mouth. “Well then, would you consider having sex with us?” The question was offered from nowhere and Erin choked on the water she’d just sipped. She grabbed for her napkin to catch the fluid that dribbled down her chin. The casualness of the tone in which Dalton had asked startled her. Perhaps more than the actual question itself. Despite the fact she immediately had a thousand questions rush to mind at once, she had to ask the most obvious first. “At the same time?” Dalton’s head tilted as he smiled and his black hair brushed against the collar of his shirt. “Does the thought disturb you?” “No,” she answered immediately with far more strength than she anticipated. Where did that come from? She had no answer, but it astonished her that she hadn’t even considered it for a second before she’d answered. “Yes it does,” Dalton stated as he slowly spun the beer bottle in his hand. He wore a sly grin and Erin couldn’t tell if he was only teasing her. Wow, now she was more confused than ever. She’d thought she’d understood what these two men were about. “Then why did you ask me?” That grin of his spread. “Merely an observation.” She thought back, playing over things in her mind as she tried to determine what she’d said or done to give him that impression. When she couldn’t come up with an answer, she asked, “Based on?” 30
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His gray gaze met her squarely. “The fact you ran like a skittish cat from the garage.” Cade chuckled. She shot a glare in his direction before she answered Dalton. “I interrupted a very intimate moment. Anyone would have run.” Dalton slid his plate out of the way and leaned closer toward her. There was a glint in his eyes that made her insides liquefy. She scolded herself immediately for the reaction because she had no right to feel that way about either of these men despite their offer. One man complicated her life enough without an additional one in the mix. He leaned in so close his breath heated her face. “No, anyone else would have simply turned and walked away as soon as they realized what was going on. You stayed for longer than etiquette dictated. Now you’re ashamed. Don’t be. There’s no reason because it was a simple question.” “With no simple answer,” she offered. “Oh I disagree.” Dalton reached out and fit a finger under her chin. “The answer is simple. How you arrive at it is the complication.” She swallowed hard as he slowly sat upright to put distance between them. Her skin burned from where he’d made contact. Based on her reaction to the interlude she’d unknowingly walked in on, she was undeniably drawn to both men. But if she was to stay true to the way she lived her life after Billy, it didn’t matter if these men were the most gorgeous creatures she’d even seen. She couldn’t do it. “You’re both very attractive, but I’m not sure if it’s something for me.” “Fair enough.” Cade set his empty bottle on the table and signaled for the waiter to bring the check. “How about dessert? There’s an ice cream parlor right around the corner and I could go for a few scoops of Chocolate Fudge Supreme.” “Wait. That’s it?” She blinked in surprise. This conversation had actually happened, hadn’t it? This wasn’t some part of her imagination that decided to give her a swift kick in the ass, right? Cade signed the bill that was put before him and leaned back in his chair. “What did you expect, Erin? For us to tell you we feel differently? For us to force you into some kind of seduction so you can blame us later instead of assuming the responsibility on your own? You say you don’t think it’s for you. Simple. Dalton and I aren’t going to force the issue with you. That’s not something we’re into.” Dalton added, “If someone finds their way between us, then they’re going to get there on their own.” “Especially considering what that one over there likes,” Cade pointed directly at Dalton as if she wouldn’t know who he meant. “I’m sorry.” Erin shook her head as she tried to make sense of everything. She still reeled from their offer and now there was some veiled reference to things she didn’t understand to deal with. “What?”
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Cade coughed and she detected a hint of laughter mixed with the sound. “Just a little humor I’m sure I’ll pay for later.” Dalton agreed with a firm nod. “In spades.” Despite the superior tone of Dalton’s voice, Erin saw Cade’s hand flinch against the table. The charged atmosphere between the men overwhelmed her and she silently sighed at the sheer pleasure of it. These two had so many sparks it was a wonder they could even be in the same room with each other. She couldn’t help but wonder how that delicious tension would feel if it was focused on her. But, again, she reminded herself she’d said no. These men were too intense, too passionate for her to know how to handle. Dalton’s words finally sank in and suddenly, the offhand comment coupled with what she’d seen in the garage made sense. The control Dalton had exerted over Cade, the temperament between the two men and their fiery relationship snapped into focus with startling clarity. There was more involved here than she’d first thought that night at the shop. They just weren’t involved. They were seriously hung up on one another. And in complete denial about it. She kept that thought to herself however and decided to use her inexperience with some of what she’d seen as an excuse. “Based on that comment and the fact I noticed some of the heavier aspects of what you two like, I think you’re way out of my league when it comes to sex.” “So sex with two men intimidates you.” Cade gave her a knowing look. Erin tucked a stray strand of hair behind one ear and pressed her hands into the table. “I didn’t say that. I’m saying that I don’t think it’s something for me at this time as I don’t understand the aspects of what goes on between you two. There’s a difference.” Dalton’s eyes narrowed. “It’s a very fine line of difference.” She gave him a soft smile. “I’m just in a place in my life right now where I can’t handle anything. Love or sex, regardless of whom or what is involved.” “Again, fair enough,” Cade interrupted as he stood and set his hand against his flat stomach. “Pleasure before punishment I always say. So, let’s go get that ice cream.”
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Chapter Four The screen in front of Erin blurred. The past two weeks had passed in a haze, but she couldn’t remember another time in her life when she’d had this much fun. Since the night she’d dined with Dalton and Cade, the three of them had become inseparable, which surprised her. It wasn’t as if she’d never had friends that were men. Her best friend in high school had been male. No, the way the two men acted around each other blew her mind and she found it intoxicating to be in their presence. Even the way they acted toward her sometimes caught her off guard. They paid as much attention to her as they did each other. She’d caught lingering glances between the men. Saw the emotion behind a gesture they may have thought she didn’t witness. But it was hard to miss the fact it was directed toward her on occasion as well. With them, there was a completeness she hadn’t felt in years. Even with Billy she’d never felt this happy and replete. As hard as it was for her to grasp that concept, she experienced the first pangs of serious want. Coupled with the offer no one talked about but still hung in the air around them, she found herself daydreaming about things she had no right to imagine. Hard chiseled flesh pressed against her, pinning her down as another firm body slid between her legs. Tender lips skimmed over the valley between her thighs and awakened sensations that had been dormant for far too long. Arms and legs tangled. Three bodies became one. Mouths and tongues licked and sucked at flesh slicked from exertion. They all sought completion together and no one seemed to be of the mind to stop anytime soon. A knock on her front door shattered the illicit fantasy and crashed her back to reality. Her body still tingling from arousal, she opened the door to find Cade on her front stoop. He reached in for her hand and pulled her out onto the front porch as he brushed a casual kiss over her cheek. “We’re going to be late.” Erin detected a hint of whine in Cade’s voice. Not much, but enough to make her giggle and brush away the lingering excitement. He pushed against her back, rushing her across the front lawn and to his truck where Dalton stood in wait. She used the running board to lift herself into the truck and slid across the bench seat to the center. Dalton followed into the passenger seat and Cade gunned the engine before he could even get the door completely closed. “In a bit of a rush, isn’t he? You guys were the ones who were late.” “He’s anxious to see a friend,” Dalton offered with a hint of amusement. 33
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“No.” Cade scowled at Dalton as he checked the side mirror for traffic behind him. “I don’t get a night off very often. Let alone a few in a row. I’d like to take advantage of it before they call me to come in and rescue someone’s cat that is stuck in a tree.” “How is Ms. Hubert’s cat anyway?” Dalton interrupted. “You’ve been out every night this week,” Erin added after Cade snorted loudly in response to Dalton’s joke. “But I was still on duty. This time I handed the reins over to Tommy for the weekend. I needed a break,” he added softly as he merged onto the highway. Dalton gestured to the sheriff with his hand. “Better check him for fever. He never takes time off like this.” The rest of the ride was quiet with only the sound of the country station on the radio in the cabin. It didn’t make Erin uncomfortable for there to be silence like this. There was just something about simply being with them that brought her comfort. No need for mindless banter around these two. A few hours after they’d left Collington Creek, Cade slowed the truck and navigated the slow sweeping exit ramp. “Where are we?” “Renaissance festival,” Cade explained as he pulled into a gravel lot used for a parking area. “It’s their annual wine celebration. They bring in local entertainment acts while everyone toasts the first harvest. Wanderlust is the headliner and they’re who we’re here to see.” Erin eyed the assortment of costumes people wore as they made their way from the parking lot to the front entrance. Neither of the men allowed her to pay for her ticket, something she would rectify later by buying a few drinks for them at the bar. As they stepped through the tall wooden gates, the vivid colors surrounding her were nearly too much to take in at once. Her senses immediately went to war with one another as her lungs filled with the tempting aroma of cooked meat and the sweet scent of something she was unfamiliar with. People strolled casually in outfits that were reminiscent of the Old World and for once, in her jeans and flowy top, she was in the minority. “These costumes are gorgeous.” “For some people these aren’t costumes,” Dalton offered. A woman laced into a corset walked by, her breasts high and proud, covered by a thin scrap of material. Another passed wearing a bra that seemed to be made of small metal links painstakingly threaded together. The elaborateness of their outfits made her feel awkward and out of place. “Wow. I can see that. They’re braver than I am, that’s for certain.” Both men openly watched as another woman walked by, this one laced into a corset as well. Erin thought in some circles her outfit would be classified as obscene, but nothing seemed out of bounds here. 34
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As the woman walked up to another woman who was obviously her lover— judging by the heated kiss they gave one another—Cade’s gaze fell to Erin. “Have you ever worn a corset?” “No. Looks too confining. Uncomfortable even,” she added as she examined the lacing up the back of the garment from afar. “I’ve heard it’s actually the opposite.” Cade grinned as he threaded his arm around her waist and pushed her along. “Come on, let’s find out.” It was obvious he knew his way around the faire and soon found herself in front of a store filled to the brim with garments. He tugged on her hand, smiling when she looked to Dalton for help and he offered none. “Why do I have to wear a costume again? Aren’t we here to see a band?” Cade flipped through one of the racks filled with dresses of every color imaginable, obviously looking for something specific. “We are. You could stay in your street clothes, but you’re going to continue to feel out of place. Part of the charm of this whole faire is dressing up. As if you leave the modern world behind as you walk through those front gates.” A man walked by wearing a kilt, a cell phone pressed to his ear. “Well, most of it anyway.” She turned and found Cade offering her a dress and tiny corset. “Um, there’s no way that’s going to fit me.” A plump woman swept in, taking the items from Cade as she made a noise. “He’s got an excellent eye, as he should when he’s sleeping with the woman he’s picked this out for. These will fit you perfectly.” Erin opened her mouth to correct the woman, but she had already turned the corner and disappeared with Cade’s selections. Cade wore a mischievous grin. “You should let her fit you. Wear it for a little while and see if your position on corsets changes any.” She eyed their jeans and casual shirts. “And what about you two? I’ll be all dressed up and that doesn’t seem fair to me.” Dalton snorted out a laugh, pushing away from the entrance of the store. He set his hand over Cade’s shoulder. “What he’s not telling you is our stuff is out in the truck. Come on, slick. We’ll meet you back here in half an hour, Erin.” “It’s going to take that long for you to change?” she asked in surprise. “Ah, no. But it will take you that long.” Cade winked and they both disappeared before she could offer any more protests. There was a hoot of laughter behind her and Erin turned to find the proprietress with her hands on her hips. “Hard to say no to that boy, isn’t it?” “You know him?” Why it surprised her she wasn’t sure. Everyone they ran into, Cade and Dalton seemed to know in some manner. It was unsettling and odd, yet mildly amusing.
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“Know them both.” She crossed her plump arms in front of her and wore an expression of delight. “Been coming here for years. Nice to see them so caught up.” “Why does everyone else see what they don’t?” Erin murmured, confused how the shopkeeper even saw the intensity the two men shared for each other. “No, dear, I meant you.” Erin’s head snapped up. “I’m sorry, what?” The woman gave Erin a knowing smile. “Two boys like that deserve to have a woman who fills in the gap. Looks to me like they’re smitten and you’re the cure. Hard to fight that logic. Come on now, let’s get you fitted up before they get back. We’ll get you nice and pretty for them. Have a few tongues waggling.” Erin eyed the woman warily as she stepped through the small area cordoned off for changing. “Strip, please.” Erin automatically wrapped her arms around herself in protest to the idea of removing her clothes. She’d never considered herself modest by any means, but this was a little much. “Everything?” A wrinkled hand waved at her dismissively. “You can keep your knickers on if you like but the rest has to come off. Don’t worry, the girls won’t be flapping around. We’ll get them trussed up real nice. Make their mouths water.” She winked and, speechless, Erin let her work. True to Cade’s word, a half hour later, Erin emerged from the dressing area. The dark copper dress skimmed the ground as she walked and the contrasting sea foam green corset made her highly aware of her feminine shape. What she’d thought would be tight and constricting was actually comfortable and made her feel each and every movement. Her hips seemed to act on their own accord and swayed seductively with each step she made. The owner made a noise of approval. “Any man worth his salt will appreciate that figure. Those two don’t stand a chance.” Erin ignored the woman’s comment as she noticed movement at the entrance to the shop. Dalton turned, his eyes flaring hot when he spotted her. A flush crept over her skin and his intense stare made her dip her head in embarrassment. It had been a long time since she’d felt this way about herself, let alone have someone openly admire her. “It’s a…” Her fingers fluttered over her décolletage, her breasts molded and pushed up so high she nearly spilled over the soft cotton keeping her in. The corset narrowed her waist, exaggerating the effect. “It certainly is,” Dalton finished. Cade turned then, his lust-filled expression falling on her. Erin rejoiced in the fact she possessed the power to make a man—make that two men—lose their train of thought. The breakup with Billy had caused her to quell any part of her sexuality. These men seemed to have awakened it and this outfit seemed to exaggerate it. Force her to embrace her feminine shape. 36
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“So, think I’ll fit in?” “Think we’ll be beating them off with a stick.” Dalton snorted at Cade’s statement and one of his eyebrows lifted as he added his own opinion. “Or they’ll be beating off period.” Erin finally noticed the garb the two men had changed into. Dalton wore some kind of long coat made of a heavy material with a wide double collar that looked as if it could be pulled up to hide his face. It was buttoned and had three slits, two on the side and one up the back, that allowed movement and gave her a peek at the normal-looking pants and boots he wore underneath. In contrast, Cade wore a tightly fitted dark navy blue coat slightly open despite the fact there were toggle buttons down one side. He wore a vest that matched the design on the front of the coat as well as a shirt, pants and knee-high boots that buckled all the way up the side and were the same color as the coat. A warm burn flared to life inside her as she stared. They continued to stare right back, but she found herself completely at ease with it. She wasn’t above equal objectification. “You two obviously come here a lot.” “Probably more often now if you’re going to dress like that.” Giddy as a schoolboy, Cade grabbed her hand, kissing her knuckles with a gentle brush of his mouth. The shop owner clucked her tongue and waved a hand at them. “Go on with you now. I’ll hold your street clothes while you three enjoy the concert.” Dalton and nodded toward the door. “Come on, the show is about to start.” Oh it started long before now. Despite her thought, she said nothing as the two men flanked her on the way to the stage. Cade’s face brightened as they entered the main area where a large crowd had gathered to hear the band. Loud, raucous music fit to drink by filled the air and Erin was quickly swept away by the festive atmosphere. Two hours later, her throat hoarse from screaming, she stood off to the side with Dalton and waited for Cade as he talked to the lead singer of the band. “How long did they date?” Erin jutted her chin toward Cade as he chatted with Duncan. “Is it that obvious?” She looked over to find that Dalton didn’t seem uncomfortable with the fact Cade was deep in conversation with the other man. She admired that confidence in him. “Their familiarity with each other gives it away. Besides, Duncan’s lover is standing over there waiting for him.” Dalton shifted, turning to face her. His body blocked her view of the stage. “You’re very observant, aren’t you?” Erin rolled her eyes. “He kept eyeing him throughout the set. Not to mention when he dedicated the last song to that someone special, he wasn’t looking at the woman in the front row who flashed her tits as him. Not hard to figure out really.” 37
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His gaze grew intense and Erin coughed to break the tension that suddenly filled the space between their bodies. She didn’t know what ran through his mind, but it was something that sparked her interest further. “So you’re not jealous that he comes here to see Duncan?” Dalton nodded, shifted his body away from her a little. “It wasn’t a part of his life that I was around for. I can’t very well hold that against him. Besides, I don’t believe in jealousy much like you don’t believe in love.” “Most people would think that odd. You not believing in jealousy, I mean.” He snorted, gestured for her to follow him to one of the benches in front of the stage. “Jealousy is for people who are too self-centered with themselves. They start projecting it on their partners and create unnecessary problems. Cade had a life before this bloomed between us, just as I did.” She sat, her feet aching from the lack of support in the leather ghillies the dressmaker sold her in addition to the dress. “And what about your life?” “The usual.” Now it was Erin’s turn to snort. While Cade seemed to be an open book when it came to his past, Dalton was the opposite. “I highly doubt there’s anything usual about your past.” “You’d be surprised.” He joined her on the bench, his feet moving restlessly as they sat. “The basics are, I got tired of the big city life in Atlanta and moved to Collington Creek. I wanted to stay close to my mother, but still needed a little distance. Opened the shop so I’d have something to do and that’s about it.” “But you said your mom lived in Florida.” “That’s right, she does—now. She still lived in the house I grew up in until about three years ago. She met Phillip and he convinced her to retire to Florida with him. Swore up and down she’d never leave that little shack, but love makes you do crazy things sometimes.” He trailed off at the end and Erin got the impression he wanted to say something else. She wasn’t of the mind to push him. She was surprised to hear Dalton had chosen to live in the small town over the hustle and bustle in Atlanta. Given his overall attitude, that sort of atmosphere seemed to be more suited for him over the quiet life found only in the small towns of America. “You know, I have to say you don’t strike me as the corporate bully type.” “No, you’re right, I’m not. I ran a club in Atlanta.” Now that suited his personality perfectly. “Booze, loud music. I guess it could get tiring after a while.” “Ah, not that kind of club.” Dalton’s gaze darted away from hers and she wondered what he had to hide. Just then, Cade vaulted down off the stage and joined them. “Hey you two. Ready to get some gruel?” 38
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“I was just telling Erin what I did when I lived in Atlanta.” Cade gave Dalton an odd look that further added to her speculation that something was being kept from her. Considering the fact they were open about their sexual relationship, it was hard to imagine what they could possibly have to hide. She knew there was something there because they’d alluded to it enough. “Are you going to let me in on your little secret?” Cade’s gaze stayed on Dalton for a long while before he responded. “Dalton ran Second Circle.” Confused, she looked between the two men for clarification. “I’ve never heard of it.” “Then I did my job,” Dalton said with a faint smile. Cade coughed and Erin detected the hint of a laugh behind it. “Dalton opened Second Circle about six years ago, mainly as a safe harbor. A place where people with like interests could gather. Celebrate their differences instead of hiding them.” Dalton’s mouth brushed against her ear as he leaned closer. “What Cade is so delicately trying to say is that Second Circle is a fetish club.” “Oh.” “Well, that’s better than you were expecting,” Cade said to Dalton as he pushed up from the bench. He offered Erin his elbow and she hooked her hand through the crook of his arm. The three of them strolled out into the main thoroughfare and she pointed to the fountain that stood in the center of the square. Her feet still ached and she wondered how anyone would willingly wear these shoes weekend after weekend. The news Dalton used to run a sex club didn’t surprise her. What did surprise her was the blasé reaction she had to the information. Based on what she’d seen in the garage that first night, he knew exactly what he wanted. Maybe that’s why it didn’t bother her to know this slice of fascinating information. She looked up at the men and found their gazes focused on her. It was as if they waited to hear what she had to say. Her reaction had been calm. Maybe they’d expected something different. “Did you think I would react differently if I’d known sooner?” Dalton nodded as he shifted and knelt in front of her. “Most people don’t have as calm of a reaction. I’ve been called all sorts of names because of my former profession. But you should know it’s not a life that I’m a part of anymore.” “But at the garage…” Her voice trailed off as she looked to Cade. “Your arms were bound. You demanded he untie you. How is that not a part of that kind of thing?” “I didn’t keep him bound, did I?” Dalton asked in answer as he reached up and brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “A different time in my life I wouldn’t have untied him at all unless he said his safe word. In fact, I would have punished him for issuing demands in the first place.”
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Safe word. Punishment. This was real, wasn’t it? They were into things she’d only ever heard about in movies. Read in books. While she didn’t completely understand, she knew the repercussion of denial. It only made you crave something even more. “Isn’t that denying what you enjoy then?” “Not at all,” he answered with a tilt of his head. “I enjoy my time with Cade immensely. Stuff like that happens now as an exception, not a rule.” “And one of those times I witnessed.” Leave it to her to catch the more intense moments instead of the alternative. Of course, his answer just raised a completely different set of questions. “So Dalton was—is—your Dom. Shit, I don’t know what I mean. Sorry, I’m not trying to mess this up or sound like a fool, just understand. Though I suppose it’s not my place to, is it?” Cade’s hand settled over hers, warm and friendly, as he knelt beside Dalton to look at her. “That’s all right. We don’t mind you asking anything that will make you feel more comfortable. I was once a member of the club, but I was never with Dalton at the club. I was with someone else at the time and—” “I actually trained Cade’s former Dom,” Dalton stated frankly as he interrupted. Oh she got it now. “You left the business for him?” Dalton laughed and she knew immediately her assumption was incorrect. “No. Cade was still with his Dom when I sold the club to the current owner, Diane. Sometimes life throws you curveballs that you don’t expect. Mine hit me right between the eyes and was a wake-up call.” He stood, tapped his hand against Cade’s shoulder. “I hate to cut this party short, but it’s getting late. Unlike you two I have a shop to open tomorrow.”
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Chapter Five The ride from the faire back to town was torture for Dalton. He’d never been uncomfortable with those long-buried parts of himself. But talking about it again had sliced open old wounds and caused them to bleed again when he’d spent so much time ensuring they were carefully cauterized. The night was supposed to have been about Erin. But she’d turned it around and made him talk about things he hadn’t thought of in years. She deserved to know the whole truth about him, but he couldn’t give it to her—not yet. There was no doubt in his mind that he eventually would. The attraction was too strong between them all to deny her entirely. The way they’d both reacted to the way she looked in the garb Cade had picked out was a clear sign something was soon going to shift. When he’d first seen her, the blood in his body had filtered to one singular point and his throbbing cock still sat hard in his tight pants. Of course, it didn’t help that she sat right next to him smelling and looking as gorgeous as ever. The night air had added a healthy tint to her cheeks and he wanted to kiss her to see if that pink darkened when she was aroused. Then, of course, marry it to the image of how Cade looked tonight in his garb and that thread of energy humming at the base of his spine would cause him to short-circuit soon. He wasn’t worried what Erin thought of his former profession. He’d never been the type to concern himself with the judgments other people made. If she had a problem with it he knew she would have said so immediately. In his experience, most people made that opinion known right from the get-go because it was so off the beaten path. Her acceptance added another layer to his desire for her and made him wonder if she had any type of experience with the lifestyle. Immediately, the image of her bound and begging swamped his brain and his eyes closed as he fought against the reaction it caused in his dick. It’d been years since he fantasized about such things and he was actually thrilled that someone had come along to awaken that part of him again. Maybe it was time he opened himself again. He hadn’t shut it away entirely because Cade had made it clear on several occasions he didn’t want that. But after he’d walked away from the club it just wasn’t something he found himself anxious to be immersed in once more. He gave the concession to Cade because Dalton was versed enough to know Cade needed that level of control and dominance occasionally. Hell, he enjoyed it when it
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came to that between them. It wasn’t something he’d shunned entirely as it had always been a part of him. It just wasn’t something that lorded over his life anymore. The ride felt much longer than it should have and Dalton was relieved when Cade pulled the truck into his shop’s gravel lot. He shook off the maudlin state his brain had adopted and decided to do something to push a few boundaries. The heated glances Erin had given both men tonight couldn’t simply be ignored. He’d meant what he said to Cade that night at dinner. Erin would be reluctant. But her unconscious reaction gave him a glimmer of hope. Dalton would take it upon himself to see if they could eliminate that factor and, based on his mood, tonight was just the night for it. He tapped the dashboard. “See you two sometime over the weekend?” Erin nodded. Cade swung out of the driver’s seat to follow Dalton. “It was a nice night. Thanks for coming out again…” Cade’s words trailed off as his gaze met Dalton’s intense stare. His expression of surprise changed over to one of lust in a second and Dalton stepped as close as he could without touching the man. The heavy scent of malt and smoke filled his nose and it was everything he could do not to toss Cade against the steel door and fuck him blind. If they were alone, that’s just what he’d do. Right now he needed to find out just how deep Erin’s interest ran. “You sure you’re ready for this? You know I refuse to turn back once this gets set in motion and I won’t give up easily.” That amorous gaze of Cade’s met his. “Based on the looks I saw tonight I think things are already in motion. Just up to us to throw a little gasoline on the fire.” “That’s what I thought.” It was nice to know he hadn’t been the only one to notice. “She needs a push and you’re the one who’s going to give it to her.” A smile spread on Cade’s face and the sight of it caused Dalton’s cock to jump in response. Damn how these two people made him feel so wild and feral. “My pleasure. What did you have in mind?” Dalton moved Cade to that steel door a few feet away and pushed his body firmly against the other man. “Time for a little show and tell.” Erin watched as Dalton shoved Cade up against the bay door. A voice in her mind screamed for her to look away. She had no business watching the two lovers kiss good night. That same voice gave a quiet sigh seconds later when Dalton’s mouth angled against Cade’s lips. She managed to close her eyes to the sight, but it did nothing to erase the vivid, tender moment in front of her. In fact, it just made it worse. Her imagination was a wicked thing and carried her back to the night she’d first encountered them together here.
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Only this time she was between them. She sat on the motorcycle, Cade’s chest supporting her body as Dalton held her thighs open so he could slide the thick length of his cock inside her pussy. A deep groan made her eyes pop just in time to watch one of Cade’s hands slide around the other man’s narrow waist. His thumb hooked through one of the belt loops just above Dalton’s ass and his other hand slid up, threading through Dalton’s mane of inky black hair. Muscles moved under that fitted shirt and though Erin couldn’t see what Dalton was doing, Cade’s hand tightened against the back of his lover’s jeans. A soft groan split the early morning air and Cade’s head fell back against the aluminum door. Oh dear God. He’s giving Cade a handjob. Now aware of what took place just a few steps away, she turned and forced herself to keep her eyes forward. It didn’t help. In fact, it made it worse as it made her more acutely aware of the sounds they made. Dalton had cracked the window during the drive back to town and she clearly heard the satisfied groans the two men gave in response to each other. Those sounds gathered and pooled in her gut, swelling with each passing second until it was hard to think straight because the throbbing need between her thighs overwhelmed her. True to the dressmaker’s words, she’d let Erin keep her panties and now they grew damper by the second. No matter how many times she told herself they were all just friends, it was hard to ignore her body’s reaction. She’d wanted to protect herself from going through the pain of experiencing heartbreak similar to what happened with Billy but at her very base, she was a woman. One who had two very attractive and sexually charged men who wanted her between them. They’d kept their promise and everything had stayed strictly platonic between them, but she found herself yearning for more. Cade’s guttural sigh of utter surrender drifted on the night air and her hands clenched tightly together in her lap, wrinkling the expensive fabric of the skirt. She knew that sound. Had heard Cade make it the first time she’d seen them together. Ten minutes later she kept her eyes front and center as Cade slipped behind the wheel of the truck. The scent of sex hung heavy in the air around him and she had to cough to cover her gasp of surprise at the potency of it. The truck roared to life and he threw the vehicle into reverse. His arm swung over the back of the bench seat. “I’m going to swing by the station first if that’s all right with you?” If he was going to play it calm, cool and collected, two could play that game. “Fine. Actually since we’ll be right there, I can just grab a few hours of sleep at the office. Be easier on you than making you drive all the way out to my house.” “Thought you were going to take the weekend off? Are you sure?”
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“Positive.” She had planned to take the time off, but if she was around him any longer than absolutely necessary, she was going to explode. The cab of the truck filled with total silence as Cade made the ten-minute drive into the heart of town. Every time she went to open her mouth to speak, words failed her. She couldn’t form cohesive statements that wouldn’t make her sound like an utter fool. It didn’t help that she was still speechless about what had just happened between the men or the fact she’d let her imagination get the better of her. It was completely uncharacteristic of her and it seemed to happen more and more the longer she was around these two. They’d spent so much time together recently and she found herself in need of some time alone to process her thoughts. Too many times she’d let her body convince her she wanted more than just a friendship with the men. She needed space. When Cade pulled the truck up to her office she let out a long breath. He shifted the truck into park and smiled at her. “Here we are.” “Thanks. It was a lot of fun tonight,” she stated as he flipped off the truck’s engine and pocketed the keys. Panic hit her full force. He couldn’t follow her. Not now. “What are you doing?” He slid out of the driver’s seat without a word and walked around the front of the truck. The door opened beside her and she sat there dumbfounded. He gestured for her hand and she shook her head in refusal. The last thing she wanted right now was to have him touch her. “You really don’t expect me—an officer of the law—to let a woman walk into a dark building by herself at three in the morning, do you?” I didn’t expect you two to nearly strip off your pants and have sex right in front of me a few minutes ago. She swallowed back the response and sought to reassure him he didn’t need to take such drastic measures. “I’ll be fine. There’s a security system installed.” “Even today’s sophisticated security systems won’t stop a determined thief or rapist.” She frowned. “This is a small town, Cade. Things like that don’t happen here. I’m not a local and even I know that.” “And I’d like to guarantee it stays that way.” He gestured for her hand again and this time she took it, though she did so with reluctance. Her reaction to his touch was immediate and her eyes fluttered closed as she stepped out of the truck. She swayed a little as she thought about sitting perched atop the cycle again. Only this time her position was reversed. Dalton stood behind her, cradling her breasts as he tenderly held them up. Cade leaned forward to flick his tongue over one hardened nipple. “Erin, are you all right?” Damn it. 44
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She’d done it again and forced the images away as she opened her eyes and nodded. A smile brightened his features and his hand withdrew to settle companionably against her lower back as they strolled up the sidewalk. Even through the heavy fabric, his touch felt like fire on her skin. She scolded herself silently for the reaction. For the continual images that seemed to sprout in her mind from nowhere. She’s just overheard the man get a handjob from his lover. She had absolutely no right to think of how it would feel to be between them. “Are you sure you’re all right? You seem a little tense.” “Fine,” she bit off through clenched teeth as she brushed her bangs from her face in irritation. She wasn’t mad at Cade, more so at herself. She had no business garnering an interest in either man. Absolutely none. A quick step put her ahead of him as they made their way through the vestibule, but he somehow adjusted to her pace and kept his hand in place on her back. Erin stayed silent on the brief elevator ride to the second floor, as did Cade. The fluorescent overhead lights flared to life as they stepped through the glass door of the suite. “Thanks for walking me up.” “My pleasure. Now I can rest easier knowing you’re safe.” “There was a doubt?” That hand shifted on her back, slid higher to rest between her shoulder blades. “It soothes a man’s soul to know the woman he cares for is safe and secure.” She blinked in surprise at his statement. “You’ve known me for two weeks.” “We’ve all gotten to know each other quite a bit recently. Spent a lot of time together. I can care about what happens to you as a friend.” When she started to open her mouth to protest, Cade stepped closer and tightened his hold. “Fine. How about ‘the woman he’d like to bed’. Or with Dalton’s crude flair for language—I want to bury myself in your pussy so I can find out if you’re as hot and tight as I think you are. Is that better?” Despite the images that had plagued her for most of the day, she reminded Cade of her words at the restaurant. She needed that bit of sanity. “I already said I’m not sure if I could handle two men.” “What about one?” Erin sucked in a breath as Cade pushed his chiseled body against hers. She opened her mouth to voice her concern, but his thumb skimmed over her jaw. His fingers fit under her chin and he lifted her face to his. His eyes burned with genuine heat. Of course, you twit, Dalton just jerked him off. It was a vivid reminder she had no idea what she was getting herself into. “Cade, I’m sorry. Dalton just…I just watched—” The pad of his thumb caressed over her lips and caused her to stop mid-sentence. The touch made something deep inside her clutch and she swallowed hard. A silent chant started in her mind about how wrong this was because she’d sworn to protect herself and her heart. Getting involved with them was just bad form. 45
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“We haven’t made it a secret that we want you, Erin. Unlike you, we’re not afraid of what we feel. There’s something here and you damn well know it. Stop being afraid and just enjoy what’s before you.” “I’m not afraid,” she retorted. “You are,” he answered slowly, studying her face intently as he did. “You’re afraid to lose your heart again.” She cursed his ability to know that about her in such a short amount of time. “Don’t you realize how crazy this is? I just watched Dalton jerk you off. Now you’re trying to seduce me. In truth, I think we’re all a little insane here.” “I think you’re glossing over one important fact—you watched. You didn’t look away, you didn’t yell for us to stop. You watched every single moment and loved the hell out of it. Didn’t you?” His lips traced her face, pressing faint kisses to her eyelids, the apples of her cheeks, the tip of her nose. Light flutters of kisses against her skin that made her shiver and tugged at those defensive walls she’d erected. He brushed his lips against hers with the lightest of touches as they traveled down to her chin and traced the line of her jaw all the way to her ear. Her breath hitched. Her heart slammed painfully as his mouth came to rest over hers once again with the barest contact. A whisper of breath separating them. “And for the record, now I’m seducing you.” His tongue skimmed over the seam of her lips and as she gasped in surprise, his mouth angled over hers. That skillful tongue of his slid between her lips, making a careful, slow circuit in her mouth. His hands moved to cradle her jaw, his thumbs tracing over the very places his mouth had just mapped. Despite her earlier protests, she responded as her body convinced her she could do this. The only thing to stop this was her head. These men weren’t Billy. They’d never given her any sort of promise, but she knew they didn’t possess the types of personalities that would turn their backs simply because a better piece of ass came along. Cade kissed away those worries, replacing them with blinding need. It gave weight to the images that seemed imprinted on her brain and made arousal a painful throb in her veins. Her nipples tightened, pushing against the tight fabric of the corset that kept her breasts bound. He broke the kiss and stepped back just as her body was about to win the war. With several feet between them now, he grinned and tipped his hat toward her. “Now that we’ve settled that matter, you let me know when you want to watch again. I’m sure we’ll be more than happy to oblige.” She stared, stunned, as he shut the door and left.
*****
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The next morning, Dalton worked on the metal sheet roller in the bay of Iron Cruisers. As he pushed and pulled the metal through the rollers, the muscles in his shoulders, chest and arms worked with the force necessary to shape the material. He needed to form the specially shaped gas tank slowly for the custom bike he was in the process of building. It was labor-intensive, honest work that cleared his mind and helped him focus. Just a few hours ago a phone call from Cade had confirmed his suspicions about Erin. The kiss with her had been intentional. A well-timed instruction given to a sub from his Dom. There had been no doubt in Dalton’s mind that Cade would thoroughly follow the direction. He would have liked to have been there to see the look on Erin’s face when Cade had kissed her so meticulously and simply left her standing there aching for more. Amused, he laughed to himself and turned the piece of metal over to add to the curve. He let himself be caught up in the work again for another few minutes until movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. Looking up, he spotted Erin on the other side of the garage bay, her hand on the casing of the entrance. With the glazed look in her eyes, he surmised she was lost in some little world of hers where a lot of illicit thoughts ran rampant. These had become more frequent of late and he thought them absolutely delicious. They were also very telling. What may have simply started as a fascination with her had grown to more as they’d spent time together. There was more of her to discover. He slid the metal from the rollers, stood back and wiped away the perspiration gathered on his brow with his forearm. Her eyes snapped into focus when he cleared his throat and grinned at her like a cheshire cat. “Sorry.” Heat tinted her cheeks pink. The reaction fortified his thoughts they were headed in the right direction. Still, he couldn’t pass the opportunity to tease her. “Believe me, sweetness. Not complaining in the least. Been awhile since I was objectified so much by one person though. Twice in less than twelve hours has to be some kind of record.” The thought she did thrilled him because it meant she held an interest. He stripped off the heavy gloves that he’d worn in order to protect his skin from the sharp metal and dropped them on the counter. “What brings you out here?” “I came to apologize for making you uncomfortable yesterday at the faire. For asking about what you used to do,” she offered. “Nothing to apologize for. You were curious and started to put pieces together that you’d eventually figure out in time. My past profession isn’t a big secret. It’s just not something I openly talk about anymore.” Stepping over to the workbench a few feet away, he pulled a small hand towel from the stack and stripped off his sweat-soaked shirt. 47
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He wiped away the past few hours of work, dropping the towel into a hamper kept in the shop for rags. When he turned, he found her lost again. She physically jumped and stepped away when their gazes met. Testing, he advanced and she took another step only to meet the solid surface behind her. Her expression went pale white and under different circumstances Dalton would have been concerned. Pupils narrowed to small points. Pale skin. Ragged breath. Oh she was more than simply interested. She was completely enamored. The bike moved a little and she tensed as she used the seat for balance. That body she’d admired just moments ago pushed against hers to make it clear that he was fully and completely aroused. He fit his hips between her legs, pressing his hard erection against the cleft between her legs. Based on her reluctance he expected to have more time before he was put in this position. But this one opportunity he didn’t want to miss. Never let it be said he wasn’t above taking advantage of the situation. “Tell me, Erin, did you like how he tasted?” Surprise registered in her eyes and he leaned forward to curve his mouth against hers. “Yes, I told Cade to kiss you. Convince you that you’re wrong and we’re right.” “Don’t like doing your own dirty work?” He noticed it had taken her a few tries to ask the question. Hot breath skimmed over his lips. Arousal unfurled and expanded in his belly in reaction. “Oh I like it very much. But you’ll find that I like telling someone to carry out my instructions even more.” “Then it seems as if you aren’t out of the game as much as you say you are.” He wondered what she tasted like in comparison to his lover. Even took a moment to wonder how their tastes would feel together on his tongue. The look he gave must have clearly shown this as she pushed him away and turned to admire the bike she’d backed into instead of finding out the answer to her question. “You do all this work by yourself?” The bike was sleek and emitted a thrum of power just sitting in the middle of the shop floor. He’d initially wondered what it was capable of out on the open road once he got it under him. But more importantly right now, he wondered how Erin would purr once she got underneath him. The way she lovingly stroked the machine made his cock harden even further. He watched her fondle the strong lines and precise stitching of the seat. Those agile fingers moved over the handlebars, caressing the fresh layer of paint he’d laid down two days ago for the faint green ghost flames that decorated the gas tank. The bike’s sunburst orange color was a vibrant contrast to her skin and he couldn’t help but wonder what she’d look like draped over it without a stitch of clothing on. Dalton pushed against her and she tensed. He blatantly ignored the question she’d tossed at him to change the subject. “I said I don’t do it professionally anymore, not that I wasn’t still in.” 48
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“A fine line of distinction for you as well it seems. There appears to be a lot of those cropping up lately.” She turned to face him again, her hands sliding up as the pads of her fingers tickled the fine hairs on his forearms. Shifting against him, she brought herself a little closer as those solid muscles moved under velvet skin when he lifted his hands to slide under the weight of her hair. “You still haven’t answered my question,” he reminded her. “How Cade tasted.” “Yes, I did enjoy it,” she said after a moment’s pause. Good. His hand came firm around the nape of her neck, but she gave no resistance when he tugged her forward. Her legs naturally opened when he pressed his knee against her and she straddled him. The heat between her legs felt as if it scorched this skin through the layer of his pants. Her lips were soft, just as he thought they’d be. Nothing at all like the roughness of kissing a man. There was no brush of an unshaven cheek against his own. It had been a number of years since he’d kissed a woman with this much thought and feeling behind it. She gave a quiet sigh as his fingertips massaged the indentation at the back of her skull and he angled his mouth to kiss her more deeply. Her chest hitched against his arm as his tongue slipped between those luscious lips and his other arm wrapped around her waist to drag her closer. She gave a soft whimper in response that made his blood boil. He’d nearly pounced on her earlier when she’d trailed feminine fingers against all the wild power that rumbled through the motorcycle he built. To watch her openly admire something he’d constructed from scratch undid him and made him want to hear her musky moans as she orgasmed. His thumbs slid down her sides, easing up the hem of her shirt, and her body hitched in response to his touch. She broke the kiss and shifted her position a little to allow him better access. Her hands clutched around his neck as his mouth drew a damp line down her throat. The flavor of her was different here. Delicate mint mixed with vanilla. He wondered how she’d taste with her legs wrapped around his shoulders and his tongue buried inside her wet heat. He gave in to some of that need, taken by the desire to tell her exactly what she did to him. “You have no idea how much I want to bend you over this bike, fuck your cunt and show you what you do to me. I want your legs circling my hips, your voice a highpitched scream as you come around my cock.” He nipped at her skin, rejoicing when she inhaled sharply and arched encouragingly against him. Some people took offense to his choice of words, but there was something to be said for being so forthright.
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Pleased to learn she wasn’t one of those people, he continued, “Most of all, I want to know how wet that pussy of yours gets when you come.” His hand rode higher, contacting with the underside of her breast. Fingers automatically curled, holding the delicate weight in his palm. Her breath quickened as her heart rate increased under his thumb. At that sign he let his mouth travel lower, not stopping until he felt the hard nub of her nipple against his chin. He used the fabric to abrade it a little and was rewarded with a soft gasp of surprise. His teeth closed over the nipple, the cotton of her bra dampening under his tongue. “I need this. Need you. You need it as well, don’t you?” She arched against him again in answer, grinding herself down against his cock. A deep groan rumbled in his throat before he could stop it. “If I don’t have you soon I think I’m going to lose my fucking mind.” Needing more, he lifted her bra just enough for him to have access to her breast and was rewarded with a delightful cry when his mouth closed over the firm peak of her nipple. He suckled and teased, pushing her hips down harder as he sought some kind of relief for them both. There was noise deep in her chest and he was proficient enough to recognize that sound. He’d heard it countless times from countless partners, but the only one he wanted to hear it from right now was Erin. He also wasn’t so far gone that he didn’t recognize the fact they weren’t alone anymore. Cade’s hand slid up his hip, one of his fingers dipping under the waistband to touch hot skin. Dalton’s sex drive revved full throttle even as he pushed away a thread of hesitation that this might be too much for her. Too soon. To erase it completely, his mouth captured Erin’s lips again even as Cade’s searing touch brushed between his shoulder blades. Tongues tangled as teeth worked along his spine, hard ridges scraping over sensitized skin. His imaginative brain worked and made him wonder what it would be like to kiss her immediately after she’d kissed Cade. What their tastes would be like mingled together after this wonderful mouth of hers swallowed every drop of Cade’s come. The explicit images overwhelmed him and he was the one to break the kiss this time to fight for air. Erin’s breath came in soft pants against his face as he pressed their foreheads together and fought to maintain his control of the situation. “What is it?” Her voice was husky and full of longing. It shot straight to the base of his dick and touched off a new set of fires. Cade hadn’t stopped and it caused those fires to burn unchecked. Going on pure, unadulterated instinct and the need to have both of these people who got under his skin, he shifted his hips back without thinking. Cade’s low moan of approval echoed in the garage.
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Her body immediately tensed and the delicate balance of the moment shattered. Dalton released his hold on her, disappointment rich in the air. He found no satisfaction in the fact it was evident in all three of them. “That was my fault.” Cade put a few feet between himself and the couple. “I should have shouted or knocked or something. I just…” Cade trailed off and Dalton felt comforted. It was a rare thing to hear Cade at a loss for words. Dalton lifted his gaze to Erin and found her biting her bottom lip. A lip swollen and plump from the stubble of his unshaven cheek. His hand lifted, grazing the side of her face, and that soft skin of hers flushed a deeper shade of embarrassment. “We don’t have to stop here.” She swallowed and closed her eyes for a long moment before she opened them again. “No. I think it’s best. We—I need a clearer head about this.” Pushing away, she put the breadth of the garage between her and the two men. “I’ll see you later.” Both men were silent for a time. The tension in the air cooled rapidly enough that Dalton actually shivered. “I spooked her. Screwed it up.” Cade stepped toward Dalton again, banding his arms around Dalton’s chest. Caught up, Dalton let himself be pulled back against his lover’s body, relieved to discover he wasn’t the only one who still had an agonizing erection. The heat emitting from Cade’s body settled him and, oddly enough, gave him a clearer head. “No, I don’t think you did. She’s spooked. Not for the reason you’d think though.” Cade released Dalton, pressing a light kiss to his shoulder as he did. “Then you’ve read her hasty departure as something I don’t.” Dalton turned, saw the doubt in those green eyes. Surely Cade had to have more faith in him than that. “I used to get paid to know, remember? She’s a lot closer to that line than she wants to admit. Very nearly crossed it without batting an eyelash and it terrified her. Probably needs a bit of a push. That’s on us. Subtlety isn’t going to work, but give her a bit to cool down. Maybe a day at the most. Right now I need a shower. A cold one preferably.” He paused, letting his gaze skim down to the zipper of Cade’s uniform slacks. His erection tented the thin material. “Care to join me?”
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Chapter Six The next evening Cade pulled his truck to the curb of First Street and killed the engine. He blew out a heavy sigh as he shut the driver’s side door and came around to the sidewalk. “Have any idea how this is going to go?” Dalton shrugged and tossed his jacket onto the front seat before he closed his own door and joined Cade. “Not exactly. No.” He turned, hooking his thumbs into the front pockets of his jeans as he leaned against the truck. Erin’s house sat in front of them, tiny and compact—much like the woman inside. Some would even call it quaint. A wide front porch begged for a pair of rocking chairs or a bench swing. The paint was cracked and peeling. The shingles on the roof were faded and the windows needed to be washed. To him, it was just as it should be. They’d only been here a few times in the span of time they had known her, but to him it always felt comfortable. A place you’d want to come home to after a hard day of work. “She’ll have the advantage of being on her turf. That’ll help take the edge—the pressure—off. I’m not wrong on this, you know.” “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” Cade continued when Dalton didn’t answer, “You know I trust your gut. Probably more than you do most of the time. I see the same things you do, Dalton.” “Yeah, I know.” He just wished he’d stop questioning himself because she was so hesitant. He wasn’t wrong. He knew that without a second thought. But admitting he couldn’t stop wondering was a weakness he couldn’t handle right now. The screen door squeaked as he opened it and knocked on the front door. That door was the one thing that had a fresh coat of paint on it. She’d painted it a garish shade of pink that undoubtedly raised a few eyebrows from her neighbors. Footsteps sounded behind the door and as Erin opened it, the expression on her face reflected uncertainty. A small part of him had anticipated her not opening the front door in the first place with the way she’d taken off in a rush. But deep in his gut he’d known she would want to talk to them. Explore her infatuation. Discover things about herself she’d never even imagined. Her face brightened with a friendly smile. “Come on in.” She didn’t offer the usual excuses like most women did about the state of her house. Not that it was messy, just lived in. It was just one more thing he liked about her. There were no excuses. “You two want something to drink?” Cade nodded and stepped into the house in front of Dalton. “Sure. Beer if you’ve got it.” 52
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“Considering the fact you brought a six-pack over last time you were here you know damn well I do.” She jerked her head toward the glass doors that led to the small deck attached to the back of the house. “Go on, I just started a fire in the pit. Join you boys out there in a minute.” She wrapped her cardigan sweater around herself as she disappeared into the small kitchen. The fuzzy wool grazed her hips and caused Dalton’s thoughts to go haywire. He vividly remembered the texture of her skin under his hands, his mouth, and could still recall the sound of need on her panting breath as his mouth had closed over her nipple. He even remembered the desperate way she’d clung to him, encouraging him to drink as he wished until he had his fill. Waking earlier this morning beside Cade, Dalton had still smelled the clean scent of Erin’s shampoo. The powder-fresh scent of the soap she’d used to wash before showing up at the garage. She’d tasted like nothing he’d ever experienced and he’d not gotten enough. Not by half. The frantic way he’d taken Cade during the night hadn’t erased any of that. In fact, it just made it sharper. Cade shoved Dalton’s shoulder, breaking him out of his stupor. “Dare I ask what you’re thinking about right now? Or should I just assume it’s lurid and perverted like usual?” Dalton simply shot Cade a sinful grin as he moved toward the door. Cade rolled his eyes and shoved Dalton as he followed him out onto the deck. “You’re insatiable, you know that? One thing at a time, loverboy.” Erin joined them a few minutes later and slid an ice cold longneck into each of their hands before taking a sip from the one she’d grabbed for herself. The orange glow from the fire made her hair appear redder and created interesting shadows on her face as she curled into a chair across from them. Staring out at the creek that ran behind her house and gave the town its name, Dalton took a pull on his drink. He winced at Cade’s habit of purchasing the worst beer he’d ever tasted. “What is it with you and this beer anyway, Cade? It takes like horse piss.” Erin smiled as she held the bottle in front of her lips. “The brand of beer doesn’t matter to me. It just gives me something long and solid to wrap my mouth around.” Cade choked and hid a smile behind his hand. Dalton shot him a dirty look, but there wasn’t much feeling behind it. His cock was too busy reminding him that it still wanted to be inside of her. Damn thing seemed to have taken on a mind of its own lately. He hadn’t been this horny in years and it delighted him. “Double entendre aside, I’m glad you guys came by. Things got a little…heated yesterday.” “Think that was the general idea.” Dalton watched as she rose and came to stand in front of them. 53
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Carefully, she settled on the ledge of the firepit and wove her fingers together. He longed to reach forward, take her hands in his and ease away her worries. But she was skittish enough as it was. No need to make it worse. “I guess I was a little caught off guard yesterday. And the day before, and…think I’ve gotten drawn into something I said I wouldn’t.” “There’s nothing wrong with that.” He’d noticed the minute changes but kept them to himself. Her tongue peeked out between her lips. “No, there’s not. I know that. I just wish I handled the situation a little differently that’s all. I just wish—to be honest, I don’t know exactly what’s going on with me. I can’t seem to get a handle on things and I’m not used to that.” Dalton knew exactly how she felt. “Do you want to try to explain?” Cade asked, his ankle slung over his knee with the utmost air of confidence. Dalton knew it was bullshit. Under the surface Cade was just as anxious as he was. They’d both known this would be an issue and had been prepared for it. There was more here than simple sexual attraction. It was deeply layered and so complicated they both wanted to explore it further. But they would hold to her agreement in the end if that’s what it took to make her happy. Friends. No more, no less. Erin huffed out a breath and set the beer bottle next to her so she could push her hands through her hair. “Not sure that I can.” “May I then?” Dalton asked quietly as he gave her an out since she seemed so unsure. “Please.” Her expression filled with gratitude. He needed to take this explanation slow. Break it down meticulously so there were no unknowns. While he wanted to be completely forthright with her, the last thing he wanted was to have her bolt again. “You’re still trying to heal from a bad breakup but you’re attracted to us both. Namely, you can’t understand how that’s possible. According to what you’ve always known you’re not supposed to want more than one person at a time. Yet, you do. There’s nothing wrong with it.” “And it’s not as if we’re completely guilt free,” Cade added. “We did plant a seed in your mind in the first place.” Her eyes went wide as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Oh it was there well before anything was said at dinner that night.” “Does that bother you?” “No, it doesn’t.” She shook her head, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear when it came free of the ponytail. Her eyebrows drew together as she slowly licked her lips again. “Maybe that’s the issue. Shouldn’t I be unsettled by the thought of being with 54
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two men? Even when you asked that wasn’t the reason why I said no. What does that say about me?” Cade spoke up again, his foot bouncing with nervous energy. “You’re asking two men—one who used to own a fetish club and another who frequented said club—if wanting them at the same time is wrong? Think you’re barking up the wrong tree there.” Her sharp laughter echoed off the shrubs that edged the deck. “God, this all just sounds so ridiculous. Especially when you say it like that. I’m out of my mind for even considering this. I condemned a man I thought I loved because he did something unconventional and here I’m contemplating letting you two share me.” “No. Billy was a completely different situation and you know it.” Dalton sensed her growing frustration was more than just her painful breakup. He’d seen it countless times in the Doms and subs he’d trained throughout the years. Even watched helplessly as someone walked away from what they truly wanted because of constant questions to their state of mind. His philosophy was simple. Do it if it feels good. Fuck the ones who try to make you do otherwise. “You’re not out of your mind. We’re all normal, healthy adults here so let’s look at this for exactly what it is. Sex. A few adults who want to have a good time and enjoy themselves.” Cade set his beer to the side and sat forward in order to be closer to her. “Erin, I told you, we’ve spent enough time around you to know that you’re fiercely protective of your heart. We don’t want you to sacrifice your integrity. In fact I’d think we both want you to keep that as close to you as you can.” She growled in frustration and started to stand, but Dalton put his hand on her knee and gave her a level look. Iron scraped over concrete as she sat down in a huff. “I don’t even understand what it is that I want. It’s all just a big jumble in my head. How can I even compare to the experience—” “Is that the problem?” Dalton interrupted as he slid forward in the chair and pressed a hand over hers as his other hand fit over her knee. Maybe he had missed something in his haste. He and Cade were perfectly at ease with their past. But was she? “The idea of what I used to do. The thought things like that still come up between Cade and me? Are you afraid of something like that happening with you?” She blinked at him a few times. “With all honesty I have no idea.” Cade slid forward in his chair, reaching forward to cup his fingers around her elbow. “Do you have any experience with bondage? Dominance? Submission?” When she just stared at him, he added, “What you so lovingly referred to once as seriously heavy shit.” Her silence was all the answer Dalton needed. Her expression may have been blank, but his hand on her knee allowed him feel the subtle tightening of her thigh
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muscles, and the clench of her legs when Cade asked the question that now hung over them. “Maybe that’s the problem and I missed it. The thought of it turns you on, doesn’t it? All of it. Being tied up and dominated. Even told what to do so you don’t have to think. It’s not just about being with us both.” Her eyes closed as she nodded and bit her lip. “I shouldn’t want to be shared but I do. With everything that I am and I don’t understand how that’s possible. And I want to know about giving up control. Putting trust in someone else’s hands. I have absolutely no experience in any of this but I want to try. Though I haven’t determined why and I have to ask for patience on that front. I’m not sure I can go as far as to have a relationship with either of you. I don’t think I’m ready for that.” Everything inside him wanted to scoop her up, hold her close and give her comfort. Tell her that everything in her mind right at this very moment was perfectly all right. But she felt fragile under his hand, as if she was about to crack. It, of course, made him want to gather her into his arms even more. His dominant streak reared its head. A Dom’s natural inclination was to comfort his submissive even when they had been ordered to their knees. You can take the Dom out of the club… One step at a time. Dalton held back the grin that wanted to spread because he’d been right. Instead, he comforted her. “Of course. We don’t offer something like that only to withdraw it when you don’t accept. There’s a heat here that I don’t think any of us can ignore. I, personally, want to explore it and find out more. I think Cade would agree with me.” “Just sex then,” she stated firmly at Cade’s nod. “Yes. Just sex.” Dalton’s gaze slid over to Cade and saw his focus remained entirely on Erin. Concern tightened his brow and the corners of his mouth had turned down a little as his thumb rubbed against Erin’s elbow. Cade held a possessive streak not that dissimilar to Dalton’s despite the fact he favored the submissive side of the lifestyle. They clearly both recognized the fact Erin was confused and agitated. Dalton wanted to eradicate it. Good sex was always good medicine. “What if you were a little more educated? Would that help?” Erin opened her eyes and her gaze lifted. He saw the inner war in her brain. Her body said yes but her brain continued to tell her no. Playing on a hunch, he shifted, leaning forward to close the distance between them. He fit his lips against her collar bone, inhaling the clean scent of the fabric softener that infused her sweater. His lips trailed a line up to her mouth where he scented the malt from Cade’s horrible beer. Her shampoo smelled of bellflower, a minty scent that reminded him of his mother’s carefully tended garden. Mixed together, Dalton decided it was the most wonderful fusion of scents he’d ever smelled.
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He kept his eyes open as he brushed his lips over hers and saw the tiny line between her brows deepen. It was time to go for broke. “What if I ordered you to go to the club?” The tension disappeared from her expression as her pupils dilated. The temperature of her body spiked a little under his hand and her breath shifted immediately to shallow, short pants indicative of arousal. A natural submissive. His dominant nature nearly gloated. Thrilled gut instinct hadn’t failed him, he pushed away and rose to tower over her. As he looked down, surrender stared back at him and he fought the urge to test her boundaries right here and now. If there was one thing being in control taught him, it was to bide his time. Everyone would win in the end if he played by the rules. “Be ready tomorrow night at eight. Wear something comfortable. Preferably a dress. And Erin,” he paused to wait for her gaze to lift. “Only the dress, nothing more.” Her lips parted slightly and he noticed her sweater had fallen open to reveal the hard pebbling of her nipples under her thin shirt. Oh yeah. I’m going to enjoy her education. “Erin?” he repeated with a little more force behind her name. “Did I make myself clear?” “Yes.”
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Chapter Seven Second Circle was a freestanding building on the outskirts of Atlanta. Undoubtedly, the city government didn’t want this type of club within the limits of the revitalized downtown area. It wasn’t the type of establishment that would fit in right next to Centennial Olympic Park. The only sign on the building that gave away the fact it was occupied was the discreet black plaque with the number two circumscribed in a circle next to a pair of doors. The warehouse certainly didn’t look like any fetish club she’d ever imagined. Though it wasn’t as if she had the experience to know what a fetish club would look like in the first place. Dalton’s hand slid around her shoulders and pulled her into him. The rich smell of his leather jacket wrapped around her and she buried her nose in his chest without thinking. “Nervous?” She nodded and felt Cade step behind her. Comforted between them, she let her body relax. Her breath hitched in surprise at how easily she’d accommodated them and both men chuckled at her response. Lately there had been a lot of surprised reactions she didn’t understand. Back in Dalton’s garage, when he’d kissed her—tasted her—she’d wanted nothing more than for him to continue. Even when she realized Cade stood directly behind Dalton something inside of her had been utterly thrilled at the idea. But her brain thought it was wrong on so many levels. As soon as she’d stepped out of the garage she’d regretted the decision and very nearly turned around and gone back to apologize. Maybe even give in to those urges she had in regards to both men. To do so, however, would have made her an utter fool. Instead, they’d shown up at her door looking as gorgeous as ever. She’d at least had the presence of mind to be able to tell them her doubts and fears about the whole situation. If not it would have hung heavy in the air around them for days and weeks afterward. As soon as Dalton had mentioned his brand of sex however, her thoughts had gone chaotic. Her body answered to him and she’d been helpless to stop it. She’d never been this out of control and it completely fascinated her. Now she faced the prospect of walking through the doors of a fetish club with these two men who kept throwing her completely off kilter. It was a wonder her heart didn’t pulverize her ribs from the way it kept hitting against them. She let herself be guided through the doors by the men, waiting in wide-eyed wonderment while Dalton spoke with the doorman. They were obviously familiar with 58
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each other despite the fact he no longer owned the club. The tall, burly man nodded at Cade as they passed and Erin felt even more out of place than before. That feeling only solidified as they stepped into the main area. Even though they were still on the edge of everything, Erin considered herself an intruder. I don’t belong here. It reminded her of the faire and how out of place she’d seemed until she’d purchased the corset dress. “Coats.” Dalton held out a hand to both her and Cade. This was the part she dreaded more than anything else. She’d followed Dalton’s orders even though she’d changed twice before they’d shown up at her house. Was it too much or not enough? Dalton’s gaze met hers and the confidence in his eyes gave her strength. Flipping the row of buttons down the front, she parted the coat and watched those gray eyes glaze over. The change touched off a firestorm inside her and further fortified the potency of his gaze. Just right evidently. The dress left her back completely bare all the way to the swell of her butt. It covered her from throat to knee in the front but she may as well have been nude for the coverage it provided. The gauzy fabric was nearly transparent despite the deep emerald color. Turning over her coat, she waited with Cade while Dalton disappeared around a corner. “That’s some dress.” His voice had lowered a bit, a hint something stirred inside him. All she had done was take off her coat and both men had reacted. What the hell was it going to be like if she agreed to have sex with them? “I bought it on a shopping trip once with a few girlfriends. Never thought I’d actually wear it.” “And you wear it well. Very well.” Cade’s lips pressed against where her shoulder met her neck. “But I have to say, as gorgeous as you look in it I’d enjoy removing it so much more. Or better yet, I think I’d like to see Dalton remove it.” She swallowed around a shaky breath and lifted her gaze to find Dalton watching them. One of his eyebrows arched in interest. Cade smiled against her skin and trailed his finger down her spine. Excitement followed his touch and the gossamer fabric scraped over her hardened nipples. Dalton opened his mouth to say something but was distracted when someone stepped over to greet him. “Joey, nice to see you. Pardon me for one second.” He stepped over to Erin, lifting a finger to trace one hard nub. She wanted to arch, push against his touch more, but he denied her as he withdrew his finger. “Cade, why don’t you take her in? I’ll be along in a moment.” “No problem. Usual spot?” Dalton nodded and moved away but Erin didn’t miss that look of regret that crossed his face.
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Letting Cade guide her, she tried to take in everything around her at once. Deep, rich colors draped the walls and furniture. Muted undertones calmed and soothed the mind while soft lighting illuminated the walkway. Matching overhead pendant lights hung from the ceiling to provide low light in order to break up the harsh lines of the shadows. For the most part, it resembled any dance club she’d ever been in. The outfits of the other patrons were a little more edgy but not enough to make her uncomfortable. In fact, with her nearly transparent dress, she felt overdressed. They passed a row of half-moon-shaped booths and Cade stopped at one that wasn’t occupied. There was a small reserved sign in the center of the round table. As she sat, she noted the large room resembled a theater with an oversized stage at one end. A heavy black curtain hid most of the stage and she had a moment to wonder what she’d gotten herself into again before Cade slid into the booth beside her. “Doing all right?” She thought for a moment. This was nothing at all like her imagination had run away with. The expected sight of bodies writhing around on the floor like a bunch of animals in heat didn’t appear to be the truth and she nearly laughed at her own naiveté. “Fine.” Cade smiled at a woman who passed who was decked out in soft leather from throat to ankle. She smiled in return and moved over to the bar, ordering a drink as she chatted with the bartender. “That’s Angie. She’s worked here the longest. Puts on a show with her sub once a week that draws a big crowd. It’s a good moneymaker for the club on top of the memberships because it showcases the range of the staff. Anyone interested in a particular Dom or sub can come watch one of their shows—if they have one—and see if they’re a right fit.” Erin’s gaze scanned the area and noticed nearly every table was filled. “I take it tonight is her show?” “Yes. She’s been with her sub for nearly ten years. Watching them together is really quite incredible.” Dalton appeared then and slid into the booth next to her. His face was a contradiction of emotions and Erin grazed her fingers over his arm to get his attention. “You okay?” Whatever trouble had been on his mind vanished the moment the question passed her lips. He masked it with a bright smile. “Fine. Just some business. You?” “Overwhelmed,” she admitted. Useless to hide it now. “I expected as much. They cater to two kinds of people here. Those who merely wish to watch and not participate.” “And those who prefer both,” Cade finished.
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Another glance around the club confirmed their words. Everything seemed so normal. “I assume we’re here on the night of the first of those choices.” “Yes.” Dalton nodded. “Unless you prefer to go there…” His voice trailed off as he pointed to the frosted glass doors on the far side of the bar. Explicit images filled her mind, ones that she assumed were far worse than what was behind those mysterious doors. She was already so far away from her comfort zone it was a wonder her brain could function in the first place. No need to push it for the moment. “We’re fine here.” The lights in the seating area flickered and Dalton tapped his hand twice on the table. “Very well then, I’m going to get something to drink before the show starts. You two want anything?” She nodded. “Just ice water. I’d like to keep a clear head for this if you don’t mind.” He pushed away from the table to stand. “No problem. They don’t serve alcohol here anyway.” “Really?” She looked closer at the liquid in the glasses of those at the tables just a short distance away. “That’s interesting.” Cade offered an explanation. “Safer if you think about it. No one can dull their inhibitions with liquor. If someone is here, they’ve entered willingly. Also, no one can come in and force their hand on someone who may be teetering on the edge of indecision. Alcohol is a powerful tool and completely off limits.” It did make sense. Dalton nodded to someone as they passed. “If someone is here, they’ll damn well know it. Frankly, if a Dom is using alcohol to relax their sub he or she has no business being in charge. The Dom has the responsibility to soothe the sub in other ways than relying on alcohol. “So, it’s mostly energy drinks, protein shakes and soda. Plenty of bottled water too. Keeps everyone hydrated but without adding anything extra that could be perceived as a way to ply someone to do something out of the ordinary.” Erin watched Dalton wind his way to the bar. Men and women both openly stared at him, extending invitations with their heated glances. Though he returned their looks it was more out of courtesy than any real interest. Cade shifted in the booth and she froze as he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. His lips soothed her skin and his hushed words skated across her nerves. “I see how you look at him and I know what you’re feeling. You don’t understand it but there’s something that’s pulling at you. Drawing you into him. He is raw sex and I assure you, completely uninhibited. “He doesn’t even have to do anything and the power just pours from him. They can smell it. Taste it in the air when he comes near them. He is completely unaware of how much he controls a room just by standing in it.”
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Dalton leaned against the bar completely at ease. In fact, Erin thought he’d looked more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. This atmosphere was his element and it clearly showed. As he stood there so tranquil his tight jeans outlined every inch of those muscular legs, clinging to every sensuous curve she wanted to sink her teeth into. He shifted, giving her a clearer view of the hard line of his erection under the button fly of his jeans. Curious, her gaze lifted and met the fathomless gray eyes as he grinned at her. He’d positioned himself that way on purpose. She tamped down on the immediate hot flush that sprouted between her legs. “He knows.” Cade’s soft chuckle sounded in her ear. “You’re right. I was mistaken. He does.” The house lights dimmed completely as Dalton returned with their drinks. As he slid into his seat, she realized with a quiet chuckle that they’d adopted their usual positions when it came to the three of them together. It amazed her how quickly they’d fallen into a pattern. It comforted her, giving her a sense of peace she’d only experienced a few times in her life. The heavy curtain drew back to reveal the full stage. Robust iron pipes were bolted down to the wood planking and held a woman down in one position. A position that appeared to be awkward and uncomfortable to Erin. However, the woman looked completely at ease. Her arms were over her head, her wrists held in place by one of the pipe arches. There was another one that held her elbows and two separate ones that fit over her thighs. Her legs were spread and bent to the side so that her feet fit snugly under those same pipes. “Watch Linn—she’s the one bound on the floor—when Angie walks on the stage. You’ll learn the most from her.” Erin heard footsteps and focused her attention completely on Linn. The woman’s hands trembled and her breasts rose and fell in expectation as she waited for her Domme to acknowledge her existence. “What is she doing? It looks painful.” Cade slid a finger over the back of Erin’s hand. “Does it? Look at their faces. Is that really pain?” She studied their faces as Angie walked a slow circle around the bound woman. “I don’t know. I don’t have much of an idea of what’s going on up there.” “To the right person pain is pleasure.” He continued before she could ask what he meant. “Let me explain what’s going on up there. It’s known as device bondage. Fullout domination. I suspect there will be a machine involved at some point, knowing Angie.” Taken aback, Erin jerked in surprised. “I’m sorry, did you say a machine?” Dalton trailed his finger over the inside of her elbow, a move that comforted her despite her reaction to what would eventually happen on the stage. “Yes. A fucking machine. It is designed for only one purpose.”
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Based on the name it was evident what the purpose was. “This is really hardcore stuff,” she stated in surprise. “Is it too much? If it is, just say so and we’ll leave.” She thought for a moment as she watched the two women with fascination. They both seemed comfortable with one another and oblivious to the fact hundreds of paying customers watched them with intense fascination. “No. I’m fine. I’d like to know more.” “You were right, by the way, to an extent. This is hard core. These two in particular are more about the show. The seduction of control instead of overt humiliation. But there is pain because the submissive has obviously made it clear to her Domme that she is willing to accept pain. Hence holding her in one position.” He paused for a moment, almost as if he wanted to give her time to process what she heard. “It takes a lot of skill to remain like that and hurts after a time, so the Domme has to keep constant vigil of the sub. That all being said, there are some people who do enjoy the darker side of this sort of lifestyle and the club features them on other nights. Nothing is out of bounds here. I made sure of it.” Cade sipped his drink and glanced to the stage again as Angie moved a device onto the stage. “Dalton thought this would be a better night for you to come here. To see this kind of thing and take care of any misconceptions you have.” Offended, she clenched her hands into tight fists on the table in front of her. “You think I have misconceptions?” “Based on our conversation last night? Yes.” Cade’s expression dared her to protest otherwise. His fingers caressed her jaw as he gave her a friendly smile. “That’s all right, most people do. It’s only natural, especially if they’re uneducated about the lifestyle. That’s why you’re here. Remember?” He was right and she relaxed. She was uneducated and that was why she’d agreed to come. Dalton had hit the nail on the head when he’d surmised as much but she still sought the strength to admit it to herself. She’d seen firsthand what was possible and her imagination was a tricky thing. “I just don’t know.” Dalton’s hand shifted to press against hers and she relaxed the tight balls they’d become. “Which is why you’re here. You’ve expressed an interest in it.” She started to protest but was stopped short by his hard glare. “You watched at the garage, Erin. Twice. Your interest may be contained to simpler things than what you see up there but you’ve shown an aptitude for things that are out of the ordinary.” Dalton shifted closer, pressing against her just as tightly as Cade. His fingers skimmed over her exposed shoulder, dipping into the indention at her neck. Cade’s finger pushed under the hem of her skirt, grazing over her knee. She jumped at the contact even as she shifted to try to ignore it completely. “Still think there’s a fine line? That we aren’t for you?” Dalton’s voice had taken on a husky quality and she wondered if it was what he sounded like when fully aroused.
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She swallowed hard and nodded despite the fact her hormones had gone off the scale. It was everything she could do to completely forget how she’d reacted to Dalton’s firm command at her house. She wanted to listen to him give her guidance on this but she wasn’t sure if she could admit it out loud. “I’m still not sure.” “The sooner you stop lying to yourself, Erin, the easier this is going to be.” “I’m not lying.” Despite her best efforts otherwise, her defenses flew up and locked into place. Habit was a hard thing to get rid of. “You’ve brought me into a sexually charged atmosphere. It’s only natural that I would react this way.” Dalton’s chuckle flowed over her, wrapping around rattled nerves to soothe them. “Humans aren’t wired to become sexually attracted to something they find offensive. If it excites you, your body will let you know. Even if you don’t know it yourself. Like how you’re reacting right now. To us. You had a taste of each of us and now you want to know what lies in front of you.” She inhaled sharply in response just as Dalton’s hand moved to fit under her jaw. He turned her face to his, capturing her mouth for a possessive kiss she couldn’t help but respond to. Cade’s hand slid higher, the tips of his fingers pushing under the thin material of her dress as he pressed his body closer to hers. His hand closed completely around her breast as Dalton’s tongue slipped between her lips. Hard, throbbing music spun around them as she was swept away by their touch and how they made her feel pressed between their bodies. Suddenly, she was unconcerned for the audience around them and all hesitation melted away as they continued to touch her. Dalton was right. She’d felt it at the garage when she realized Cade was there with them but she’d spent the time since trying to convince herself it wasn’t possible. Dalton broke the kiss, turning her face to the stage again. Her eyes fluttered closed and his voice immediately sounded in her ear. “Keep your eyes open and on Linn, understand?” While it was a question, something in his tone told Erin it wasn’t a request. It mirrored the order he’d given her last night and sent a thrill through her. Cade’s mouth cruised over her ear, cheek and jaw. She wanted nothing more than to turn her face and let him kiss her just as deeply as Dalton had. But she also wanted to follow the instruction Dalton had given to watch the action on the stage. The statuesque Domme knelt to straddle the briefcase-size machine that sat on low profile wheels. Angie flipped down the side closest to Linn as she extracted a shiny silver dildo out of the side closest to the audience. To Erin, the cylinder was massive and her concern for the woman held in place with the pipe caused her to nearly protest. “Relax.” Cade’s soothing voice washed over her as he turned her face away from the show. “Angie knows what she’s doing. I’ve personally watched Linn take larger dicks than that. She’ll be fine.”
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“Larger?” she asked in astonishment. “Are you kidding?” Cade’s mouth brushed against hers as he gave a light laugh. The power behind his kiss was more subtle than Dalton’s earlier one, but she still felt it deep inside her. “No, honey. Remember, female bodies are designed to birth children. A lot of women find great pleasure in being stretched open wide. I’ve heard it’s quite intense to be that filled. Perhaps some of the most powerful orgasms you could ever experience in your life.” His mouth brushed hers again, his tongue dipping between her lips to explore a little further. Erin decided Cade’s kiss was different but only in that his approach was not the same. Dalton took and when she gave him what he wanted, he took even more with brutal force. Cade pulled it from her slowly, which gave her a false sense that she’d given it to him freely when that wasn’t at all the case. “Cade.”At Dalton’s stern warning, Cade broke their kiss and she realized the blood in her veins pulsed for this man as much as his companion. “Finish what you have to say to her now, or I’ll put you up on the stage after Angie’s done and show the audience exactly what happens when a sub goes against clearly stated orders.” Cade nodded toward Dalton. “My apologies for overstepping. I simply thought Erin should understand what she’s capable of.” “And we’ll show her another time. Eyes to Angie and Linn, both of you.” The hardness to Dalton’s voice didn’t bother Erin. In fact, she wanted to hear more of it as he gave orders because her body seemed to come alive when he did. But she kept her thoughts to herself as she returned her focus to the stage just as whispers of appreciation swept over the crowd when Angie pushed a button. It caused the dildo to extend forward on a rigid pole that slowly and inexorably traveled toward the submissive. When the dildo made contact, Linn’s body hitched in response. Erin’s hand clutched the table in front of her when the sub gave a soft cry as she accepted the dildo into her pussy. Angie flipped a switch on the side to stop the movement, the last few inches of the long dildo still outside her submissive’s body. A few adjustments were made and another switch was flipped. The dildo moved, pulling out of Linn almost completely before thrusting back inside. Dalton and Cade were right, Angie knew Linn well enough to know what the woman could take. A wave of energy flowed from the restrained woman, filtering out into the crowd, and Erin swore she felt it wash over her. She became just as lost under the spell of these woman as the rest of the people assembled in the room with her. The utter surrender of control fascinated as much as it scared her. Why would someone give that much power to someone else? She didn’t have an answer but knew it interested her enough to want to learn more and discover what it was like to let Dalton and Cade choose how she found completion.
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Linn strained against the metal as Angie flipped a lever on the remote in her hand as she stood. Linn’s body pressed against the metal pipes and a cry from her mouth melted with the music that suddenly dominated the air. The Domme knelt, affixing clamps to the bound woman’s nipples. Once in place, she slowly tugged on the red rope that connected them. Linn’s body tensed again and from here, Erin saw her muscles quiver. “You’re aroused, aren’t you? Your body language gives it away. It’s not the thought of all of this that frightens you. The thought of being with us that causes you to hesitate.” Dalton was so very right and everything inside her screamed his name. He was perceptive enough to know and she let him say the words so she wouldn’t have to. “You’re afraid you won’t be yourself if you give up control like Linn has.” She swallowed and forced herself to nod in acknowledgement. “I can assure you, you will know exactly who you are. In fact, I’ll take the time to remind you of it quite often. How about a little taste of just how powerful submitting can be?” “Right now?” The idea thrilled her even as it appalled her. “Yes. Look at me, Erin.” She drew her gaze away from the stage and focused on Dalton. His eyes were bright with anticipation and she fought against the thought of how it would be to kneel before him should he ever put her on her knees. “We’re in a sex club. What better place?” Dalton cupped her thigh, pulling one of her legs toward him. She felt exposed despite the fact the sitting area was tucked away and all eyes were focused on the stage. Being seen like this was the least of her worries. “Help me open her, Cade.” Cade’s fingers drifted up her other thigh and before she opened her mouth to protest he threw her leg over his. The position automatically tilted her pelvis, raising her skirt. It completely opened her to the two men. “Seems as if our girl here isn’t as naive as she seems.” Erin quietly yelped in surprise as Dalton slid gentle fingers between her legs. Cade’s low groan sounded in her ear as his hand married with Dalton’s touch. “Completely bare. You’ve got some secrets of your own, sweetheart.” Despite her apprehension she relaxed under their combined touch. Fingers scraped lightly against already swollen flesh that vibrated with need and begged for a firmer touch. Each man was patient and slowly touched her. With two hands there was no down time, no moment where she wasn’t being aroused in some fashion. She couldn’t process everything at once and her mind seemed to short-circuit. Hands moved in conjunction to expose her completely, and the cool air of the club touched her heated clit where their hands spread her. Her eyes started to flutter closed but she remembered Dalton’s command and forced them open.
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The woman onstage strained against the bands as the machine’s thrusts began to vary. Her Domme never severed contact as she gently stroked her submissive’s clit, and Erin’s breath hitched when a scream of pleasure from the area of the stage tore through the air. Cade gave a low groan of approval as his mouth pressed against the side of her neck. His breath was hot and made her skin tingle where it made contact. “Are you wet, Erin?” When she didn’t respond, Dalton’s voice dropped an octave. “Answer me. I want to hear you acknowledge it.” The sound of his voice slid through her like warmed molasses. It didn’t sound as if he’d changed the tone of his voice to make any kind of distinction between her and Cade. The idea he treated her as equally as Cade thrilled her. “Yes,” she stammered out, her heart beating erratically. “But are you wet enough for me to just slide right inside your pussy?” Even as he asked, his finger teased her opening and the pad of Cade’s thumb pushed hard against her clit. The sudden pain caused her hips to buck and her vision spotted. Without warning, Dalton slid a finger deep inside her warmth. Her head fell back against the bench and a low moan vibrated her throat. Despite the fact she knew how wrong it was she couldn’t deny the reaction of her body. She hadn’t been touched like this, had this much attention lavished on her in…well, never. “Just as I thought, Cade. She’s dripping wet. Almost ready for us.” Her eyes flew open as she lifted her head. “Almost? How much more ready can I possibly get?” “Yes, almost. You’re not ready to surrender that level of control yet.” He nodded to the stage where Angie forced Linn to endure a higher setting from the machine. “It’s a matter of trust and I haven’t earned it yet. That’s good. I don’t want you to just hand it to me. I will have it but I want to work for it. For now just enjoy the moment. It’s yours so let us give it to you.” The two men worked in tandem, reading her body with an expertise she envied. But it wasn’t enough to tip her over the edge. Her body continued to reach for something beyond her grasp. The realization caught up with her a second later. Oh God, I need more. As if on cue, Cade’s finger joined inside her heat and Erin let out a long sigh of pleasure. The pressure added an edge to the moment and she suddenly didn’t care where they were or about the fact two men touched her. She just needed. Their fingers slid in and out of her hot core rhythmically, their timing impeccable. She’d been right. These men were filled with skill. They read her body—its needs— even as it betrayed her. Molten heat coiled between her legs, a new fire touching off each time the men withdrew and pushed inside. Her entire body felt alive, her skin stretched so tight over 67
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bone and muscles. It was as if she would rip open at any moment and expose her very core. They overwhelmed her. Their fingers sure as they knew exactly what to give her to make her mind fuzz with the potency of their sexuality. They coaxed her higher. Pulled more from deep inside and taught her more about herself in five minutes than she’d learned in five years. Dalton shifted closer. “We’d very much like to make you come, Erin.” “I don’t think I can.” Her voice sounded husky, foreign. As if it wasn’t hers. “Oh you can. I’m fairly certain that once you start you won’t want to stop. But maybe that’s the problem.” Time froze as their hands withdrew and left her feeling empty and alone. She nearly whimpered from the sudden loss. The club fell away and nothing existed for her except the constant throb between her legs. Her gaze first met Dalton then Cade and she nearly came at the sight of longing in their eyes. She needed relief and she was certain these were the only two men to give it to her. The men released their hold and she righted her dress as she sat fully upright again. She forced the tempest spiraling inside her to calm and made herself focus on the biggest issue at hand. “We need to set some ground rules.” “Yes. We do,” Dalton said in agreement. When he opened his mouth to continue, Erin used the power coursing through her to fuel her resolve. “Let me, please. Before I lose my nerve.” Dalton nodded and she fought for the courage she needed. It was important to her to say this just as is it was important for them to hear it. “You’re together—as a couple or not—and I don’t want to be the one to drive a spike between you. I’m not going to be responsible for ruining something, not like that. And before you start trying to reassure me that won’t happen you need to know there’s more.” “Sound ominous,” Cade said with a touch of humor as his finger skimmed over her shoulder. Was she really going to do this? Could she be like the woman on the stage and surrender total control to someone else? The throb between her legs intensified despite the fact no one touched her and her heart beat in time to the pulsing. It seemed as if her body had made up her mind for her. For once, she was going to take a chance and listen to it. “It could possibly be the deal breaker.” “And what does our sly little minx have in mind?” Erin watched as Angie unbolted her sub from the metal and gathered the dazed and smiling woman in her arms. The Domme folded herself around her and someone 68
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stepped out onto the stage to offer them both a blanket. Angie wrapped it around the woman and cradled her lover with such devotion it contrasted with the intensity of the scene. It somehow seemed very right and touched Erin in a way that she’d never experienced before but made her understand one thing. That’s what I want. “If we’re going to go this, we do it all the way. No shortcuts. No holding back. I want Dalton to come out of retirement.”
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Chapter Eight The Iron Cruisers shop loomed through the windshield and for a moment Erin’s nerve faltered. Cade’s hand lifted off the steering wheel and settled on her knee. “We can still take you home if you want.” “No.” Erin shook her head and pushed away her doubts even as Cade gave her the out she would have taken under normal circumstances. She’d been surprised to hear Dalton had a room tucked away behind his motorcycle shop that catered to his interests. The fact he used to own and run a club should have been an indicator he still had some area set aside for such things. People didn’t routinely walk away from something they had a deep interest in. That lifestyle was written in Dalton’s blood and not something she suspected he’d give up entirely. That was what drove her to make her bold statement in the first place. Interestingly enough neither man seemed surprised to hear the words when she confessed her wishes about Dalton. They’d taken it quite calmly and said little to her as they drove back to town. The three were quiet as they walked across the shop floor and Erin wondered how she’d missed this on previous occasions. She’d been here enough shouldn’t she have noticed? As they made a right turn Dalton spun on his heel in front of a plain brown door. “I want to be very clear about something before either of you walk through the door. Cade already knows but it bears repeating. This is my space. My rules. Nothing will happen to cause you harm but I will push your limits.” “Limits?” “How far you’re willing to go,” Dalton clarified. “What you’re willing to do. Think about the point in which you feel comfortable and I will push you past it. Believe me when I say I will never give you more than I think you can tolerate. If you can’t handle that, leave. I won’t think less of you. Do you have a friend you can contact that you trust?” Erin shook her head. “No. Not one that I trust enough to divulge what’s going on here. Why?” Dalton’s hand skimmed over her cheek in a tender caress. “You need to have someone know where you are. Someone to contact in case things get out of hand and you can’t handle it.”
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Out of hand? For a second, she wondered what she’d truly gotten herself into. Then she shook off the momentary worry and solidified her stance. “I trust you.” Dalton shook his head. “No, not yet. Remember, I need to earn it. Don’t give it to me freely.” She started to object, but his glare stopped her. “These are my rules, Erin. You need to listen to them.” He held out a business card and waited for her to take it. “Call this number. Arrange for a check-in time. If you don’t call her by then she knows what to do.” Erin glanced down at the simple tan card and saw a name and phone number embossed in the center. It made her a bit uncomfortable to broadcast the choice she made, especially to a stranger. “What if I don’t want people to know? It’s none of their God-damned business.” His expression darkened and a sign this was something he would stand fast on. “This is my business. I have clear guidelines and you will abide by them or I will not allow you through that door. This is what you wanted and were very clear on earlier. It’s not for everyone, I get that. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with changing your mind. This is your chance to leave without a safe word being enacted. You step through here and all bets are off.” He turned without further preamble and disappeared through the door, shutting it behind him. Nervous energy glued her to the spot. Could she handle what she’d gotten herself into? Cade’s hand cupped her nape, pulling her toward him. His other hand fit to her chin, tilting her face to his. This close his firm erection pressed against her stomach and she used that feeling to strengthen her resolve. She was the one who’d thrown fuel on this fire and it was time for her to own up to what she wanted. She wanted them both. And wanted them to show her their world together. His gaze fell on the card in her hand and his head tilted as he read the name. “I know Cassidy. You can trust her. In fact, she’s probably someone you’ll want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with one day. Discuss things.” Erin couldn’t help but respond with a soft snort. “Coffee and bondage. Not your typical coffeehouse conversation.” “You’d be surprised.” His thumb skimmed softly over her chin. “He means it, you know. He may sound tough but it’s for everyone’s protection.” “If I had any doubt he looks out for others he just erased it,” she muttered. He looked the door and then back to her. “I’ve been here on numerous occasions and as you see, I’m perfectly fine. He will push your limits but he won’t hurt you.” Maybe that’s what I’m afraid of. “What if someone wanted him to?”
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Cade seemed to think carefully about his choice of words before he finally spoke. “Within his own limits—yes, I think he would. But everyone has a line in the sand they won’t cross. Pain for pain’s sake isn’t something he’ll do, believe me.” His expression suddenly changed to one of concern. “You look frightened. No one is going to fault you if you walk away right now. I get it. I know what you’re going through. I was once there myself.” She wasn’t scared, not really. It was more about facing the unknown. It was thrilling and overwhelming at the same time. The knowledge that Cade had once experienced the same thing she felt right now was comforting. “I don’t think I know where my limits are and that is what’s bothering me at the moment.” That smile of reassurance appeared once more and his thumb worked a slow pattern against her chin. “Then Dalton is the man to show you.” She gave him a sly smile. “Not you as well?” Cade shook his head slowly, small crow’s feet appearing at the corners of his eyes as he gave her a genuine smile. The gentle lines made him even more handsome. “This is Dalton’s space—as he said. Not mine. His rules. His world. “You saw what happened last time you were here. Even at the club just an hour ago. I’m submissive and on the very same playing field as you are once we step through that door. He’s the Top and he will make that very clear if you forget for even a second. Just know that anything that is done or said is strictly for pleasure. Remember that before you idly toss up a red flag.” Fear stabbed an icy sword in her gut and she suddenly wondered what would happen if she did something wrong. “But what do I do? Say? I don’t want to mess anything up.” “Do what he says. If he asks you a question in there, it’s because he already knows the answer. I can’t speak for Dalton but I know how I feel about you and I wouldn’t let you walk through that door unless I had complete faith in him. I don’t know what he has planned but I do know you’ll come out of there with a whole new perspective of yourself. Not to mention wanting more.” Cade moved off, giving her a reassuring glance as he edged closer to the door. “You will always want more.” Cade vanished and she did her best to settle rough nerves as she slid her finger over the print on the card. She pushed in Cassidy’s number before she even had time to think otherwise. Each sound of the ring through the earpiece seemed to calm those rough nerves but they jumped to attention again as soon as a soft, feminine voice answered. “Hello?” Erin asked hesitantly. “Yes? Who is this please?”
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Erin sucked up her courage. If she didn’t, she’d never know if this was something more than just a flash of lust. She owed it to herself to learn more. “Erin Corvus. Dalton gave me—” A soft laugh sounded over the phone line and stopped her. “About damn time he came to his senses.” “Sorry?” The woman continued on as if Erin had never spoken. “How much time would you like, honey?” She’d forgotten to ask either of the men before they’d disappeared in the room. “I’m a little new to this so I don’t know what’s standard.” “There is no standard when it comes to Dalton. How about an hour? Does that work for you?” “Yes,” Erin agreed. “All right then. Enjoy yourself, honey.” Erin continued to stare at the phone for a few minutes after the enigmatic woman hung up. This was so much different than she expected. Everyone seemed completely at ease. Everyone except for her. But she was committed now and refused to turn back. She shoved the phone into her bag and tried to ignore the fact her fingers trembled. Steeling herself, she took that first step. Dalton was in some kind of quiet discussion with Cade when she stepped through the door and shut it behind her. His gaze met hers and she detected a slight nod of approval. He gave another nod to Cade as he stepped away and put distance between them. “Clothes off, both of you.” It seemed they were going to get down to the business at hand. Cade didn’t appear to take issue with it and immediately stripped off his shirt. The ease with which he did relaxed Erin and made the tight knot of apprehension in her stomach loosen. She tugged at the shoulder of her dress and played with the thin fabric as she watched him pull open the button on his dark jeans. Those were whisked away with seeming ease and as he stood she finally saw this man in all his glory. She was ashamed to admit the images she held in her imagination of that first night at the garage didn’t do him justice. The flat planes of his chest. The curving grace of his shoulders as they sloped down to his narrow waist. The faint dusting of red hair that drew her gaze down. Her body quickened as she noticed moisture had already gathered on the tip of his straining erection. “Erin, remove your dress.” Dalton’s stern warning snapped her back into focus and she jumped, filled with anxious energy. With her nervousness, it took a few minutes to
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free herself from the thin material and it was nothing more than a whisper on the air as it fell to the floor. As it did she fought the urge to cover herself. To hide her imperfections—the breasts that were too small, the hips too round—behind her hands. But she was afraid Dalton would correct her. She didn’t want to start out on a sour note. Instead, she lifted her chin and forced her hands to remain by her side. The dress finally settled at her feet and she gave both men a nervous smile. Cade was the only one to return it. Dalton moved, pulling a chair closer. He settled it in front of Cade and pointed for her to sit. She did as directed and shivered as the cold, smooth surface contacted with her rapidly heating skin. He moved in a slow circle around them both looking for something Erin couldn’t determine. Evidently pleased, he stopped next to her and set a hand on her shoulder. His touch was fire and the swollen flesh of her throbbing pussy roared to life. It was a sign to her that things were just as they should be despite her apprehension. Dalton lowered himself to eye level with her. “Your safe word is blackbird. For the most part I highly doubt you’ll use it. I’m very good at what I do.” She swallowed back the bite that sank its teeth into her at the sinful gleam in his gaze and made her want them even more. “What about Cade?” “Unnecessary. I know him well enough to know exactly how far to push him. You and I don’t share that bond yet, so you will have a safe word until I say otherwise.” Her silence seemed to be the answer he needed and he leaned forward to take her mouth with his. The kiss was sweet with just hint of wildness under the surface. She recognized it for what it was—a means to relax her—and felt herself sink into the moment. His touch was gentle but persistent, not something she would normally equate with the purpose of this room. Her mind fuzzed as his hand swept over her shoulder, down her arm and across the gradual curve of her breasts. Her nipples tightened and reached for a firmer touch. He broke away and she fought against the pull her body had to follow him. “I have plans for you later. For right now…” Dalton’s voice trailed off as he moved behind her. From Cade’s rapt gaze it was obvious he knew what was going on. Dalton’s hand moved down, closing around her wrist to guide it behind her. She felt the rasp of the rope as it was wound against her skin, and released a slow breath as she waited for Dalton to secure it around the center slat of the chair. As Dalton moved around behind her, she watched as Cade tightly clutched the base of his very erect cock. Unless she was mistaken, Dalton hadn’t instructed him to do so. There was no way to know what Dalton had planned without asking, but he’d made it very clear questions weren’t on tap tonight. One of his muscled arms reached over her shoulder and he pushed his fingers against her knee. Another length of rope wrapped around her ankle and his intent 74
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became clear when he moved to her other leg. Apprehension seemed to melt away with each circle the rope made around her limbs and the rough texture of the rope abraded her delicate skin. It was only enough to remind her it was there. It gave her an anchor in a moment that seemed so far removed from reality. Despite the rope binding her, she was free. Cade gave a strangled sound as her legs were spread and gave him unencumbered access to view the cleft between them. She was completely open for him to see. It caused him to draw his hand up the length of his erection. Dalton’s eyes narrowed as he turned his head to where Cade stood. “Stop right now.” Cade flinched, moving his hand to replace it around the base again but Dalton shook his head. “No. Keep your hand right where it is. You took it upon yourself to do that. You’re going to suffer for that since no one told you to move.” Dalton returned his attention to Erin and finished securing her legs to the chair before he reached over to the small table beside her. “I’ll have you know I picked this up a few days ago. Earned myself a few strange looks at the store since the clerk used to be a regular at Second Circle and knows I’m not there anymore.” He held a small pink vibrator in the shape of a butterfly between his fingers. It had two small straps attached to it but they weren’t like the ones she’d see in one of those adult-toy catalogues. These looked to have been specially made, sturdy and secure. Just like him. “These straps will keep this in place.” He threaded the soft leather around her thighs and fit the toy where he wanted it. The small device was turned on with the flip of a switch, and her breath hitched in response to the sensation. She was no stranger to vibrators, and even owned a few. But the feel of this one placed directly over her clit with no means of escape was something new. Moving behind her again, his voice was low and seductive in her ear. “You aren’t allowed to come until I say. And don’t think because you don’t ejaculate like a man that I won’t know. I will.” She nodded and kept her gaze straight ahead as she had no doubt he meant every word. The orders to Cade earlier had been a vivid demonstration of that. “You’re going to want to come. Every fiber of your being is going to want that release. But you don’t have permission. Remember that.” He moved away and Erin released a hard breath. The feel of the rope against her skin intensified the adrenaline coursing through her veins and made everything a hundred times more vibrant. The vibrator steadily pressed against her clit and just as she got used to the feel of it there, it shut off completely. She gasped in surprise, automatically tensing against the rope. What happened? Her body buzzed like a live wire and Dalton stood a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest. He seemed unsurprised by her predicament but offered a brief explanation.
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“It’s designed to turn off and on by itself. Even vary speed. You’re completely at its mercy. Which makes it all the more delightful.” The small device clicked back on and excitement slammed into her full force as it buzzed against the tight bundle of nerves that were already sensitive. Her eyes fluttered closed as sensations swamped her and she fought back as she remembered his command not to climax. Her gaze met his again, her resolve firmly into place now that she knew what she faced for the moment. She didn’t want to disappoint him. Pleased, Dalton nodded and moved to stand next to Cade. He pulled something out of his pocket and Cade’s chest hitched in response. Dalton reached out, snapped the circle of leather around Cade’s testicles and then looped it around the base of his cock, pushing his lover’s hand away. “I was going to make her watch while I fucked you since she seems to have a fondness for that, but someone had to get impatient. Now, instead, you’ll both suffer.” Erin watched as he palmed Cade’s erection and moved his hand in slow, steady strokes. The sight sent a thrill through her just as the vibrator shut off. Her whimper caused Dalton to laugh a bit but he continued to work on Cade as if nothing had happened and moved with almost deliberate slowness. His fingers dragged over the ridge of the head, then the thick vein that ran just under the flare. He even caught a drop of moisture at the very tip, smearing the come as he dragged his hand down the shaft once again. “Cade here has some of the best control I’ve ever encountered. He doesn’t get a lot of chances to showcase it so this is the perfect opportunity for him. Also doesn’t need the cock ring either, but I couldn’t resist since he was so impatient tonight. Sometimes the punishment is too decadent to pass up.” Apparently satisfied with his work, Dalton let his fingers trail up Cade’s abdomen as he reached behind him for another length of rope. He moved behind Cade, pulled his elbows back and wound the rope around Cade’s wrists and forearms. The position looked awkward to Erin but Cade took the change easily. Done with binding both submissives, Dalton moved away. He said nothing, looking at first to Cade, then to her. With his commanding stance she expected to see flatness in his eyes, a dull gleam as he admired his own work. But instead, she saw utter admiration. They’d trusted him and he, in turn, appeared to express a silent thanks for their surrender. His eyes were filled with anticipation and seemed to be lit internally to glow hot and intense. He stood between them truly alive and very much in his element. Erin knew then Dalton had been born to embrace this side of this life, and he’d denied himself completely with his decision to walk away from it all. It made her wonder why people willingly walked away from something they found that much joy in. 76
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He was clearly proficient based on the way he’d snapped into sharp focus the second the trio had come closer to this part of the shop. The way he’d given detailed instructions before anyone crossed the threshold. Even the way he’d expertly fastened the ropes around their wrists and her ankles. It made her wonder what he’d been like when he’d still worked at his club. What that magnificent body of his had been like as he’d held court. He was obviously secure with himself and that had to have been doubly true when he’d trained people. Surely it took that sort of attitude to exert that level of control over someone. She had to wonder why he gave that all up. His voice broke through her mental questions. “Look at each other. You’re not allowed to look anywhere else unless I specify otherwise.” The words sounded completely natural from Dalton and, yet again, it was abundantly clear he knew how to handle them. Her gaze found Cade’s and she saw the deep and utter longing in the depths of those green eyes. Her heart hitched in her chest and she had to remind herself this was all just about sex. Nothing more. Those fleeting emotions had no place in this room at the moment. She could handle it. She swallowed, let the corner of her mouth lift in a slight smile and Cade winked at her in return. That break in the scene gave her a shot of confidence and reminded her they were in this together. Dalton had positioned her far enough away from them that, despite the fact she was to look at Cade, she still had the ability to see his entire body as he knelt. It allowed her to watch as Dalton’s hand slid over Cade’s skin, his fingers and blunt fingernails scraping along the surface. The humor in Cade’s eyes vanished. Now his gaze bored into hers. Arousal and heat wrapped around need. That heat flooded the space between her legs and a quiet sigh vibrated her throat. Dalton’s calloused hand splayed over Cade’s chest and Erin swore she felt it when he pinched one nipple. Cade’s quiet hiss filled the room. Her own nipples peaked, seemingly reaching for Dalton to do the same to her. This was madness—sheer and delicious torture. The vibrations kicked on that moment and her mind went blank. She was free to simply feel. Dalton pushed away from Cade, leaving them both for a moment to cross to the other side of the room. There was a steadiness in Cade’s gaze as she stared at him, and she used it as a foothold to push away the throb that increased against her clit. It cemented her and kept her grounded despite the far away sensations she experienced right at the moment. It was the only way she knew how to prevent herself from orgasming.
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Caught up in fighting her own body, she was startled when she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Her gaze left Cade’s in order to see. Dalton carried something in his hand. A few items, she corrected when she noted the dildo and a white tube. When she realized Dalton intended to use the object on Cade, that control she’d thought was so firmly in place broke. It took everything inside her to keep from going over the edge and climaxing. “I see someone else has trouble listening.” Realizing her mistake, Erin immediately snapped her gaze back to Cade. Dalton’s footsteps sounded as he approached and her heart raced. He knelt and closed his fingers around her chin to turn her gaze to meet his. “You’re new at this, but that won’t stop me from punishing your disobedience.” Panic sped through her body, causing her to gasp for air as her chest burned from the rush of adrenaline. She started to speak, but the words of apology caught in her throat when his stern gaze stopped her. He pulled her face closer to his. Somehow she doubted the gleam in his eyes was because he found her behavior amusing. “Your inability to follow instructions is disrespectful. Of the equipment I’ve bound you with, and of me personally. While I don’t normally stand for such behavior, you’ll get one concession from me since this is new. But if you don’t do as I say again, if you don’t keep your eyes on Cade’s, I will blindfold you. Understood?” Embarrassment flushed her skin. She hadn’t meant to do something to upset him. This was obviously something she was going to have to work on. “Yes.” Dalton rose, releasing her. He resumed his position behind Cade and continued as if he’d never come over to reprimand her. She couldn’t fully see because of their positioning, but watched Cade’s body language for a signal to what was being done to him. He returned her stare, but Erin was certain he didn’t see her sitting there any longer. Cade’s eyes had lost focus as he was too far gone to Dalton’s attention. For long moments, the only movements in the room were ones Erin wasn’t privy to. It both frustrated and aroused her. The vibrator pressed against her clit didn’t help matters with its intense, and unknown, pattern. Cade’s body tensed as both of Dalton’s hands disappeared behind the kneeling man. His erection strained forward and visibly hardened even more as those brilliant green eyes glazed over. Dalton’s hushed voice filled the room. “Look at her, Cade. So open and waiting. I want you to think about how her cunt will taste on your tongue as she rides your mouth. Or how it will feel with her wrapped around your dick while I take you in the ass.” Cade broke eye contact for a split second as his eyelids fluttered closed. Dalton’s hand came around his side to surround Cade’s cock. Those green eyes snapped open and found her gaze again as control rippled under his skin. 78
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While she’d never experienced anything like this, she could tell that it took everything in Cade’s power to manage the situation. She couldn’t see what Dalton was doing to Cade, but she determined that was the point. The tense set of all those long, magnificently built muscles strained and shook from the effort. The sight of it was delicious and she’d never been more turned-on in her entire life. “Fuck,” Cade slowly groaned out. Those eyes lost focus for a second as his control faltered once more. The vibrator kicked on, and she quietly cursed. She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take. Without warning, her vision blurred and her body tensed. Despite her best efforts otherwise, the sight of Cade’s reactions to Dalton’s attention, and the vibrations assaulting her body, tipped her over. The climax slammed into her hard, catching her off guard. It stole her breath and shook her to her very core. Her limbs quivered from the ferocity of the crashing wave. Her body went limp even as it trembled from the shock of the powerful climax. The rope burned against her skin as she strained against it. The pain added to her release and caused the orgasm to intensify instead of lessen. She was swamped with sensations she didn’t know how to process, and finally surrendered to it completely. Her body still buzzed as Dalton reached down and unsnapped the ring of leather surrounding Cade’s iron hardness. Done with it, he tossed the implement to the side and took his time to unwind the rope from Cade’s wrists. He didn’t appear to be in a hurry to provide the most deserved orgasm. Dalton’s gaze met hers for the first time since he’d come over to correct her. “Amazing how thirty minutes can be so informative. Based on the fact you didn’t listen to me again, looks like I’m going to be punishing you a lot. We’ll get to that in a minute as I think Cade should be given a reward for listening so well after his correction. Then you’ll understand what a sub receives when they please me. Though, I imagine, he’s quite enjoyed the consequence of his disobedience despite anything he’ll tell you otherwise later.” Cade’s voice was a quiet sigh of relief and he leaned forward to support himself with shaky hands. Based on everything so far she was surprised he didn’t blow well before now. Given a strict order, he still listened even though he’d been released from the bonds. Dalton turned away from her, pressing against Cade, and took his time to trace his hand from shoulder to hip. His fingers scraped over solid muscle, drawing through the sheen of sweat on the surface. Finally, he reached around to fist his hand around Cade’s engorged cock, pumping from root to tip with slow, drawn-out strokes. He didn’t seem to be in any sort of hurry as his lover strained and fought for control. Quiet moans of utter pleasure saturated the air, but she was too far given over to the men to care if the noise came from her or Cade. It didn’t matter. 79
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“Look at her. Sitting there in that chair, tied up and watching you. That hunger in her eyes is for you—us. I can tell she’s surprised. She didn’t realize she was going to be this turned-on.” His hand moved to grip the base of Cade’s cock and eyes fluttered closed as he squeezed. Dalton pressed his lips to Cade’s ear but spoke loud enough for Erin to hear. “She blew faster than I was expecting. And I bet she just came harder than she ever has before. I’m going to enjoy punishing her after we’re done here. She’ll find out how it feels to be bent over and strapped down to my spanking bench while my hand turns that pretty ass of hers red.” Cade’s body hitched as he let out a low moan. “I look forward to the day I can have both your asses presented high in the air for me.” Dalton smiled, quietly laughing as he began to rapidly move his hand, pumping Cade’s straining shaft. “You have permission to give me your release, Cade.” That well-toned body finally yielded to the order it had been given. As he came, he gave a powerful roar that ripped another climax from Erin’s body. Seconds later, the only sound in the room was Cade fighting for breath. Erin’s senses returned slowly and she noticed Dalton standing over the shattered man. His chest moved rapidly as his body seemed to be wired tight with tension. He knelt, running a gentle hand over still trembling skin. Cade turned his face up to smile at the man who’d dominated him so expertly. There was so much emotion in that smile. So much feeling and depth. Love, Erin amended. Reaching behind him, Dalton pulled out a deep blue blanket and covered Cade’s body. He leaned forward, pressing a tender kiss to sweaty forehead as Cade curled under the fleece and basked in the afterglow. Whispered words Erin couldn’t hear were exchanged between the men and Dalton gave him another kiss, this time directly on the lips. It was slow and sweet, and made Erin’s insides clench with the affection the men shared. Despite the fact she’d just experienced two of the most powerful orgasms of her life, her body reached for both men. Dalton pushed up and away, crossing to where Erin patiently waited. He bent on one knee to bring himself eye level with her and his mouth captured hers. He ravaged and demanded her response. Fresh from an equally powerful kiss with Cade, she tasted the other man on Dalton’s tongue and found herself enamored with the combined taste. It caused her to buzz like a live wire filled with electricity. She opened for him and let him drink her. Her heart slammed, hitching as Dalton shifted and deepened the kiss even more with a harsh snarl. She struggled against the rope, wanting to drive her hands into that thick mane of hair and pull him closer so she could fit herself against him. With a growl of protest Dalton severed the kiss.
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“I see we’ll need to spend some time working on someone’s control. And before you think otherwise, I will deliver your punishment just as I described it to Cade.” He gave her a level look as he flipped open the buckles on the harness. He tossed it to the side, and moved around to loosen the rope that kept her firmly in place. Once finished he cupped his hand around her head, cradling it with a firm hand. His words made her flush with shame and washed away the warm glow of orgasm and the memory of Cade’s surrender. She should have worked harder to follow the instructions she’d been given. But she’d gotten caught up in the moment since she’d wanted more. Dalton squatted, balancing his weight on the balls of his feet. His fingers combed through her sweat-soaked hair. “It’s all right. I didn’t expect you to actually be able to hold off. But I needed to gauge your tolerance level.” The reality of his statement crashed around her, sending her into a slump she didn’t understand. The high vanished along with her shame. It was replaced with anger. “You purposefully set me up to fail,” she stated emphatically. Her jaw bloomed with pain as she clenched her teeth to keep herself from saying more. “Yes, I did.” He offered a reluctant smile as he stood, but it did nothing to erase her annoyance. “And now it’s time for you to receive that lesson in following the orders you were given. Go over to that bench in the corner, and bend over to present yourself to me.” This was not what she’d signed on for. The threat of a blindfold was one thing, but spanking was another matter entirely. She did the only thing she could think of. “Blackbird.” Humiliated, she pushed away from the chair so violently it crashed to the floor with a bang. Heat still flushing her face, she grabbed her discarded clothing and left the motorcycle shop without a glance to either man.
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Chapter Nine The next morning, Erin’s feet beat a steady cadence as she jogged down Main Street. The rhythm of her shoes against the concrete cleared her head and let her think more clearly. She couldn’t stop contemplating the events of last night while they were still fresh in her mind. She was angry. Hurt. Most of all, she was confused. Everything Dalton and Cade told her leading up to the previous evening gave no warning to some kind of test. This wasn’t high school. She wasn’t a toddler who needed corporal punishment to correct behavior. Where did Dalton get off treating her in such a way? She was an adult who could clearly make her own decisions. She didn’t need some overbearing ass to tell her she needed some kind of passing grade before she could progress further. Dalton had never given her a reason to doubt him. Until last night. The behavior caught her off guard and she was furious with him. She understood the corrective steps he’d spoke of when she hadn’t looked where she’d been instructed, and she’d done as he’d ordered. But the threat of a spanking had pushed her limits because she didn’t understand the necessity of it. Fueled by anger, she sped up. Her legs pumped as the miles ticked away under her sneakers. With those miles came clarity. She’d done something as equally childish. After the threat of a spanking as punishment, she’d let her emotions propel her blindly out of the shop without asking more questions. She could have used her safe word to stop everything and simply say she didn’t understand what was going on. But she’d never been put in a situation where she’d been purposefully set up for failure, and she let it get the best of her. It was obvious she hadn’t followed Dalton’s instructions but her body had acted as if she had no control of it. Especially when the atmosphere had been charged with pure sex. Cade had been right there getting his rocks off so what the hell was I supposed to do? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t given it her best effort. Last night had been anything but simple from the very start. They’d made it clear they wanted her to be with them but yet they’d barely touched her once they’d entered the room. Why hadn’t Dalton at least given her some kind of advance warning so she knew what was expected of her? So she could have prepared herself for what Dalton had in mind? She needed to know if she’d done something wrong. Maybe she’d said something to make them change their minds and do a one-eighty from how they’d acted at the club.
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The club. She still couldn’t get the image of what had played out on the stage out of her mind. The Domme controlling her sub had fascinated more than appalled, which just further added to Erin’s confusion. She’d known this kind of thing took place but to see it with her own eyes was something of a wonder. Worse yet, she wanted to know more despite Dalton’s little test the previous night and the fact she was pissed at him for it. Her pace increased again as she gave a frustrated growl. This had been what she’d hoped to avoid and why she’d continually denied them. She hadn’t even given anything and she’d still gotten hurt. Curiosity had gotten the better of her and look what had happened. She had woken this morning and still felt as if the ropes around her wrists and ankles were still there. As if they were imprinted permanently on her skin. Damn him. However much she cursed him—them—she couldn’t get the image of the two of them together out of her mind. Of Dalton working his hand over Cade’s cock. Of the passionate kiss the men shared afterward. Even the burn of Dalton’s mouth against hers as he’d kissed her. It had been one hell of an introduction into their world. Was it really for her? Did she have what it took to balance two men? To handle the consequences in this kind of lifestyle if she didn’t listen? It was obvious she enjoyed spending time with them while doing the most mundane things. Despite the heartbreaking fallout with Billy, she missed having someone by her side to share things with. As embarrassed as she was to admit it, she even missed waking with a warm body beside her that she could curl against. She knew she wouldn’t stay away from the dating pool forever, but never in a million years would have thought she’d consider two men as her welcome back into the fray. She’d always considered herself adventurous, but where they’d all gone was entirely off the map. The question was did she want to venture that far off the norm? Frustration burned away—and left with only questions—her pace slowed. She kept up a brisk walk to start the cool-down process. Despite the chilly morning air, sweat still beaded on her skin and she would need a shower as soon as she returned home. As she thought about home she took in her surroundings to see just how much further she would have to go until she reached that shower. It was then she noticed where she had blindly jogged to. The Collington Creek jailhouse. Maybe a few questions to Cade would be the best course of action instead. He knew what Dalton was like and understood the inner workings of his mind. Perhaps he even
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knew why Dalton felt the need to test her. Certain he would be the one to shed some light on this, she moved forward. The one-room jailhouse was modest with enough room for the desk immediately in front of her and one near the cell at the back. “Can I help you?” the older woman behind the front desk asked politely, which made Erin stop in her tracks. Steeling herself, Erin stepped closer, smiling at the kindly face that looked more appropriate for a rocking chair on a wide front porch. She took note of the nameplate that bore the woman’s name before she answered. “Yes, Betty, I’d like to see the sheriff. If he’s not too busy right now,” she added when she looked to the other desk and saw Cade sitting with his head bowed and fingers splayed against his scalp. He was hunched over, and from the looks of it, appeared to study a piece of paper in front of him. His head suddenly came up and his lips moved as he talked to himself quietly under his breath. Paperwork shuffled then scattered as he looked for something of importance. Tension drew lines on his face, aging him well beyond his years and a signal to her that he took his job very seriously. She started to rethink her choice to barge in here and demand answers. “Of course, dear.” Betty pulled off her glasses and turned. “Sherriff, you’ve got a visitor.” A muttered curse died as Cade lifted his head and spotted Erin. The harried look in his eyes vanished almost immediately and his expression softened. Despite her anger, she was touched by the fact she could do that to him. That her presence lightened whatever stresses his job brought him. Erin gave a warm smile to Betty as she passed and kept it in place as she approached Cade’s desk. Maybe she hadn’t read things all wrong. Certainly wouldn’t be the first time she’d completely misread a man. She’d thought she had these two figured out and then they’d certainly shocked the hell out of her last night. “Hey.” He rose from his chair, brushing a kiss to her cheek. “What brings you by?” She pushed her sweaty hair from her eyes as she grimaced. “I wanted to talk. Maybe get a few answers. But if you’re busy, we can just do it later. I need to grab a shower anyway.” “Nope. Schedule’s clear.” He pushed the paperwork to the side and grabbed his hat as his hand settled at the small of her back. Excess arousal from last night still coiled in her belly and reawakened the second he made contact. Her body reacted to his touch before she could stop it. His fingers flinched against her shirt and it settled her nerves a little. She needed him to be as anxious as she was right now and it clearly seemed to be the case.
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He covered it perfectly and nodded to the dispatcher as they passed. “Betty, you want to defer any calls if someone rings in? I’m going to take a stroll with Ms. Corvus here.” They took a right as soon as they exited, which put them in the heart of town. Though it was mid-morning, Main Street was full of small-town bustle. “I expected to see you a bit sooner,” Cade stated. She waited until they were out of earshot of a few older men sitting in front of a barbershop. This wasn’t something she wanted to share. “I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t expect to come here. I’m still upset about what happened, mostly because I don’t understand. I trusted you both and I feel as if you both dismissed me without a second thought. Now that I really think about it, guess I should be talking to both of you.” Cade nodded to a man in a rocker, and Erin noticed a trend. One that reminded her why she enjoyed this type of life over the bright lights, big city one she’d left. “Think both of us figured you’d have questions. We can have this conversation with Dalton included if you like. I’m sure he’s at the shop.” Talking to them both at the same time seemed like a good idea—in theory at least. However, there was clearly a reason she found herself at the jailhouse. Unconsciously, she needed to get a few answers from Cade first. The mind-blowing orgasms certainly made her want more. But her head told her to stop thinking with her pussy. Determined, she plowed ahead. “I think I’d like to talk to you alone first, if that’s all right. I assume you know why I’m here in the first place.” “Yes. You undoubtedly have many of the same questions I once had.” “Then I hope I can get some answers.” He pointed to an opening between two buildings and she turned, walking down the narrow alley. Unfamiliar with this part of town, she hesitated, but Cade pushed against her lower back to encourage her to continue forward. The wall ended and opened into a garden area, complete with lattice work and stone benches. It was one of those benches he gestured to and she sat, fascinated with the peace and utter calm that surrounded the area. They were alone here with no threat of interruption from the older locals. Based on that, she decided to speak freely. “It’s…not what I expected.” The laughter in his eyes made her stomach do a somersault. “Very rarely is. Did you enjoy yourself at least? It certainly looked that way. At least until you used your safe word.” “Yes,” she answered easily to give him that. After she’d been allowed to watch him lose control he should know how she felt. “But my brain is having a hard time processing it, I think. I’m worried you both want something from me that I don’t want in return.” “And that is?” 85
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She bit her lip in hesitation. It seemed ludicrous to be unwilling to admit to her doubts after they’d both been stripped down so thoroughly by Dalton. With a deep breath she made herself continue. If she didn’t, she would wonder for the rest of her life. “I don’t know. What exactly do you two want from me?” “I thought that would be quite obvious. We want you to enjoy yourself. Find pleasure with us as Dalton shows you exactly what you want from him. You’re the one that asked for him to show you that piece of himself. Having second thoughts now because you didn’t like the idea of facing a punishment you rightfully earned?” She nodded and drew her hands into tight fists, looking away because she couldn’t face the truth if that was indeed the case. She wanted so much for it not to be though. “I don’t know if I can give up that much, Cade.” A gentle hand tucked under her chin, turning her face so she saw his expression. She’d worried him even though that hadn’t been her intention. “Hear me out first before you decide, please. You needed to understand, fully, what you’re up against before submitting to Dalton. I can guarantee that is what last night was about. Showing you exactly the kind of thing you’re going to go through if you decide this is something for you. Let me ask you something. Did you feel anything change once you stepped inside the room?” She’d noticed. The dynamic had shifted as soon as she’d crossed the threshold. “Yes. He owned that room with everything he was. It was as if I had no choice but to do what he wanted. But I wanted it too.” She gathered her courage and asked the question that had plagued her since she’d watched first the submissive at the club and then Cade’s surrender to Dalton. “What’s it like?” “I assumed that would be a bit obvious,” he answered smugly. Vivid images of watching Cade come flashed in her mind, tightening that fist in her gut. Somehow it gave her courage. She wanted to understand. Needed to. What happened in that room wasn’t just a flash in the pan. At least not to her. “No, I mean fully surrendering. Giving up complete and utter control.” He let his hand lower, took her hand up in his and traced his fingers over an unseen pattern at the base of her wrist. He seemed to know exactly where the rope still felt as if it sat against her skin. She made herself focus on what Cade had to say. On how he’d looked completely spent under the blanket. “But you’re mistaken. Being a submissive isn’t about giving up control. It’s about having it.” In a mind already filled with questions his statement didn’t make sense. “How is something like that possible? How can someone tied up on their knees have control? Aren’t you helpless?” She knew that was how she’d felt secured to that chair with no choice but to watch. “Now I think I’m more confused than ever,” she grumbled.
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His touch firmed and he pulled their joined hands into his lap. The hand that had been caressing her wrist lifted to her chin and he tugged, pulling her face toward his again. “At any point the sub is the one who can stop the scene. That sub can pull out the safe word, if one has been enacted, and the understanding is the Dom stops. The Dom is also the one who takes care of everything the sub needs. Before, during and after. It’s more about trust than a power trip. And believe it or not it’s not about sex.” “Really?” she asked, startled. “That’s the last thing I would have thought.” “Yes, as hard as that may be to believe. It’s about faith and communication. Relying on someone to catch you when you falter. Trusting someone else to give you what you need even when you don’t know you need it yourself.” She’d seen that right in front of her, twice over last night, and she hadn’t understood until right this very moment. “How did you figure out you were into this sort of thing?” “How did you?” he countered. She blushed. “I don’t think I really have. That’s the problem.” Evidently, he took pity on her and answered. “I think it dates back to when I a teenager. That’s around the time I figured out that I liked both sexes. Or it was the blowjob that Matt Stiger gave me under the bleachers when I was fifteen. The military quelled anything more for me while I did my time. Mostly because I didn’t have the luxury to focus on a personal life.” “Was your job stressful?” Cade gave a quiet snort. “You can say that. I was a Navy SEAL. High stress, minimal payoff and shitty family life. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Once I was out, though, I realized I liked certain things. Noticed I always wanted that little bit more. Something I could never put my finger on. A friend pointed out Second Circle and the first time someone locked me into a pair of handcuffs, I was a goner.” She knew that feeling because it was still so fresh in her mind. She’d known the moment Dalton secured her wrists this was how she was meant to be. Sex without this something more would never happen for her again. “It was the thing you’d been looking for?” He nodded. “The start of it at least.” “Is that why you finally became a cop?” His bark of laughter filled her with warmth that spread down to her toes. “No. I wanted to change the world. Still do, according to Dalton. Being a cop has nothing to do with my proclivities for sex.” His finger continued its pattern. “Now that you know and are a little more educated about this I suspect you’ll have much more involvement. That is, if you express your intention to move forward and clear the air with Dalton.”
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As Erin sat there, everything clicked into place. Cade’s careful explanation just moments ago suddenly made sense. She hadn’t fully understood it, even at the club, because the terms didn’t match the reality before her eyes. The threat of punishment had made her angry enough to not understand. “That’s what you mean about the sub having control.” “Bingo.” His hand came up, cradling her jaw. “You hold the cards to decide. That choice is strictly up to you, not Dalton. Not even me. You simply have to say you don’t want to get involved further and we’ll just all remain really good friends. “But you should know you aren’t the third wheel in this, Erin. You never will be. We’re all going into this with eyes wide open. There aren’t any games. No behind the back deals between Dalton and me just so we can fuck you. You fascinate us. We want to know more about you and let you know more about us.” She opened her mouth to respond but was brought up short as his thumb grazed over her lips. “I will say this however. And please don’t read this as I’m trying to sway you either. But just try. Fully, once. Let Dalton put you in subspace and then you can decide if you want to walk away from the experience.” Confusion caused her anticipation to lessen even though she was still a little foggy on what she wanted out of this arrangement. Something told her she would get those answers when she spoke with Dalton. “What’s subspace?” He smiled through a long pause before answering. “Very, very hard to put into words. It’s like you go into another world. That you’re someplace where nothing can touch you. It’s a natural high that nothing else can duplicate. Dalton is an expert at finding that place inside you. That’s mainly what he taught at Second Circle. Aside from how to handle subs, read them better than they know themselves, at least.” Even though they’d explained some of what Dalton had done at the time he’d worked at the club, it still caught her by surprise. “He taught classes on this kind of thing?” “In a sense. It’s not something that can be taught easily in a classroom setting like you’re thinking. It doesn’t even require sex but it does help because you can use the pleasure to help the pain.” She recalled Linn and Angie at the club. The tight lengths of pipe. The seemingly awkward position. “Some people get off on pain, right?” “Yes, they do. It’s a natural high itself. Dalton is very good at finding what your balance point is. The point at which you’ll spill over if he exploits it,” he added when she gave him a curious glance. “The type of punishment he offers falls in line with that. His corrective action fits the crime, so to speak. The blindfolding, for instance, was appropriate for not looking where he said.” “And the spanking?” “Again, entirely appropriate behavior correction. Some could say you behaved childishly by not following the directions given. Therefore, he chose spanking. Between 88
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you and me it’s not a spanking like you think. Yes, there is humiliation and pain, but Dalton is a master at tempering that pain.” “This is all just so…” Cade gave her an expectant smile and she returned it before she finished her sentence. “Amazing. Astounding. Confusing. I can’t seem to process it all at once. My brain keeps short-circuiting on all this information.” He nodded as he fit his hand under her jaw and lifted her mouth to his. The kiss was slow and patient just like the explanation he’d just given her. His tongue slipped between her lips, sweeping through her mouth to gift her with a sense of comfort. But there was still possession in the gesture and the heat of it branded her. They parted, almost reluctantly, and she struggled to catch her breath as he spoke. “No one’s asking you to have all the answers at once. Least of all me. You’re the only one who can make up your mind. Regardless of what Dalton or I tell you. But remember, the punishments aren’t there all the time as long as you listen. And subspace isn’t something to aspire to every single time. It’s too intense.” “It’s also not the goal, right?” “Correct. It’s an experience. Not a destination.” Regardless of how tempting what Cade offered sounded, she couldn’t give in easily despite how that kiss made her world spin off kilter. “I think I need a few days to think this over.” Cade nodded in response and gave her a wide smile. “I think that’s warranted. Take all the time you need. We’ll wait for as long as it takes.”
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Chapter Ten A few days later, at the only bar in Collington Creek, Dalton played with his beer glass. As his fingers ran over the surface of the smooth container it reminded him of a toy he’d once seen at Second Circle. He’d watched a Dom use it on a sub who was particularly fond of hot and cold sensation play. The smooth glass instrument could be frozen or heated depending on the user’s wants. The sloping curve of the shape reminded him of Erin and that in turn reminded him of the silence she’d given recently. It wasn’t out of the ordinary to confront this kind of wall when it came to someone this new to the lifestyle. Given the nature of the conversation Cade said he had with her, it was expected. But the longer the silence from her drew out, the more concerned he became. It also caused him to question the close friend who sat off to his side. “You ever share partners, Adam?” “At the same time? No. You’re the only one to hold that honor, man.” Adam shifted in his seat, leaning forward so he could speak in a lower voice. His straight sandy blond hair fell over his whiskey-colored eyes but he made no move to brush it away. “You got something cooking?” “I’m not sure.” Dalton stared at a point on the wall in front of him and thought about recent events. By the way Erin responded to the commands he’d given her she was naturally submissive. He could order her to do more, participate instead of observing from the sidelines, and he had no doubt she would do it without question. But that’s not what he wanted. It was easy to gauge her interest based on how her body reacted even if she wasn’t sure herself. She had let her head get involved in the mix and it clouded things. He just didn’t know if it was his responsibility to show her she was capable of so much more than she thought. “Lay it on me. I’ve got nothing but time right now.” Dalton tilted his head and remembered he hadn’t seen Adam at the club when they’d taken Erin there. It was unusual as Adam once joked about spending the majority of his free time at the establishment. At least that’s how Dalton remembered it when they’d worked at the club together. “Not training anyone at the club right now?” “Nope. Latest recruit actually fell for his sub. I stood as his best man last month.” Adam snorted as he shook his head but Dalton saw the quick flash of a grin. “Good for him. He deserves it. Not too often someone can find someone else they can share their lifestyle choices with and love them at the same time.” 90
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Dalton wanted that. Problem was, in a very short amount of time, he’d come to discover he didn’t want it from just one person. But he’d been down that road before and it had ended very badly for all parties involved. He wasn’t looking for a repeat. “So, back to you. Still seeing the sheriff? I assume you properly celebrated his promotion last month by putting him in his place and reminding him who is really in charge.” Adam’s dark eyes glinted in the low light of the bar. “Yeah,” Dalton answered with a grin. Of the former employees at Second Circle, Adam was one of the only ones who knew Dalton and Cade had been extremely familiar with each other for some time. While he wasn’t often quiet about whom he chose to spend time with in such a fashion, something had made Dalton want to keep quiet about Cade. If he was going to arrive at any conclusions however, he would have to fully disclose his intentions to Adam. “Been seeing Erin Corvus too.” Adam’s expression tightened with surprise. “A woman? Interesting.” Familiar with that knowing tone, Dalton rushed forward to explain. “She owns a graphic-design studio. Asked her to work up some new logos for the shop. Does damn good work.” Such good work he wanted to talk to her about doing some of the artwork on the tanks of his custom bikes when a customer requested it. The artist he used now was two hours away and Blackbird Designs would definitely be more convenient. “You juggling them?” Dalton shrugged. “Don’t think juggling is the right term.” “Okay, then clarify it for me.” “She had dinner with us. Hung out for a few weeks, just as friends. Went to a concert at the faire.” Adam gave Dalton a perceptive look. “Just as friends, right?” Dalton snorted and took a sip of his beer. “At first. Then things got a little heated. She ended up at the club with us because I wanted her to know a little more about what she was possibly getting herself into. Angie and Linn were there doing a scene.” “I heard that night was an intense evening for them from Rob. Bet it was a sight to see. Sorry I missed it but I had some evidence that needed to be processed and couldn’t get out of it. Anything happen between you three there?” Adam was a physical therapist with the Army at Fort Gillem and it was rare for his job to interfere with his interests. There was more to that story, but Dalton would have to ask for more details later. He shook his head in answer to Adam’s question and trailed a finger through the water that had beaded in front of him. “Nothing much really. Some heavy petting, touching. She’s a natural at submission even if she doesn’t know it yet.” “End up behind the shop?” “Yeah but not how you think.” He swallowed and let the images play over in his mind about how the night had progressed. The sight of her bound and helpless as she 91
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rode a hands-free vibe caused a tingle at the base of his dick, and he shifted in frustration. He made himself focus on the discussion with Adam. “Tied her up in a chair with a clit vibe on and never touched her beyond that. Put a ring on Cade and made her watch while I jacked him off. She did a few things that weren’t in line with what she was supposed to do, which I expected. Pulled her safe word and left. Expected that too.” Adam barked out a bit of laughter and reached over to slap Dalton’s shoulder in a companionable gesture. “Damn, man, I think you just became my fucking hero.” “Just wish it was simpler,” Dalton responded with a grimace. He’d already begun to wonder what the hell was wrong with him. He’d never gotten this caught up in someone so quickly. Distance had always been spread out in some form or fashion because that’s what he dictated. “It’s sex,” Adam offered simply, pulling Dalton from his thoughts. “Can’t get much more simple than that.” Dalton remembered the story about Billy. The heartbreak had showed on her face even as she’d shared that bit of information. It was still a fresh wound. Not that he blamed her. She’d put herself out there and the man had trampled all over her as if she could simply be discarded like a child’s toy. “She’s complicated. Doesn’t want a relationship with anyone right now. Least of all two men. Which was one of the reasons I didn’t touch her.” “Sounds right. You respected her limits and boundaries. Needed to see what she could handle. Doesn’t sound that complicated to me. Enjoy it.” “Problem is I think I want more.” Dalton shifted in the seat, leaning against the high bar in front of him. “I don’t know. For the first time in a long time, I just don’t know what I want. It’s usually been so clear cut and now—” “It’s scaring the hell out of you because of what happened before, isn’t it? Have you said anything?” “No.” It’s too fucking soon. Adam seemed shocked. “Nothing?” The astonished tone of Adam’s question bothered Dalton. Mostly because he knew his friend was going to scold him for not being more forthright. “Cade knows, obviously. Not Erin though.” Adam frowned. “She’s going to need to know. Especially if you let this go any further. Full disclosure, man. Those are the rules.” Dalton knew what the rules were. He’d put most of them in place for the staff at Second Circle. They were regulations he believed were necessary for the utmost pleasure for all parties involved. Without them no one was safe. Yet, he’d given in to his heart once and broken some of those rules. “Yeah, I know.”
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Adam leaned back and drummed his fingers on the bar as he slung his arm over the empty chair beside him. “You know but you’re not inclined to rush out and offer up a failure, are you? That’s a dangerous position for a Top to be in since you’re mixing the two.” “Exactly.” Everything Adam said was one hundred percent spot on. Dalton knew better than to push boundaries and step into unknown territory. What he didn’t understand was why he wanted more than just a simple D/s relationship. One where Erin was fully involved and Cade was added into the mix as well. He hadn’t wanted something of that level in a long time and the thought of it unsettled him. Adam was quiet as he studied Dalton for a few moments. He finally shook his head and finished off his drink. “You really know how to get yourself into some complicated situations, don’t you? You could break it off with both of them.” Dalton had already thought of that and it wasn’t something he wanted to entertain further. “Rather not.” Adam’s laughter told Dalton he was more than amused by the response. “Then I think you’ve got your answer. I’ve got to head out if I want to get to the club in time for my shift. Should I look for you there anytime soon?” He clapped Dalton on the shoulder as he pushed away. Dalton finished off the last of his beer and wondered if he should have another. He had a bike that needed to be finished and he’d been avoiding anything more than a simple phone call with Cade. He wanted to get a firm handle on this whole situation first before anything more happened. Cade had hinted at the fact he’d noticed a subtle change in Dalton but he’d brushed it off as nothing more than the residual effect of pent-up sexual energy. He didn’t want to tempt that beast again. “Probably not.” “Shame. Would be nice to have the big man back at the helm.” That statement worried him about the state of the club. “Is Diane not doing a sufficient job?” A frown pulled down the corners of Adam’s mouth. “Not what I meant. She’s good, and knows her stuff. And she’s not afraid to be firm when it’s needed but…” “Not me, right?” When he’d decided to walk away, he’d signed the club over to Diane Blankenship with every faith she could handle the responsibility in addition to her Domme duties. Thanks to his personality and need for control, he still quietly checked up on her from time to time. Recently he’d found she’d taken on less time in the club because the business aspect of it all consumed her time. He remembered that well and didn’t envy her for a second. “Give me a call if things get too out of hand around there.”
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“Thought that was the point of the club in the first place.” Adam winked and Dalton turned back to his glass to find it full again. It appeared that someone had decided about that drink for him. The Red Oak’s owner, Brian O’Malley, stood on the other side of the long counter with a beer in his own hand. He gestured toward the full glass. “On the house. You look like you could use it.” “Thanks. Just been one of those weeks.” “Stress?” Brian scoffed. “For the carefree, hedonistic Dalton Shaw? Say it isn’t so.” Dalton snorted and shook his head in response. “Piss off, ginger.” Those ruddy eyebrows of Brian’s lifted. “You’re in a right foul mood, aren’t you?” Dalton rubbed a hand over his face. “Damn it. I moved out here to simplify my life and now it seems to be more complicated than ever.” “Love does that to a man.” Dalton jerked in response and gave Brian a wry look. At first, Brian simply grinned, but it wasn’t long before he explained. “I’m a barkeeper. I see all manner of problems weighing heavily on people’s shoulders from a mile away. You, my friend, are carrying Mt. Rushmore around with you. Weight that heavy? Gotta be love.” It wasn’t love, Dalton assured himself, not at this point. But there was a weight on Dalton’s shoulders that needed to go away. He tossed a few bills up on the counter and gave Brian a nod of thanks before he left without a word. Later, the shrill ring of the phone in his office caused Dalton to dash across the bay to reach it in time. His knee contacted hard with the aluminum desk he barely used and he rubbed it as he palmed the receiver. “Shaw.” “I need for you to tell me why.” Erin’s accent, rich with emotion, nearly brought him to his knees. He forced himself to remain collected despite the fact triumph filled him to the brim. She’d come to him, just as he’d allowed her to. It had been in her own time and way because that’s what she needed. “Well, hello to you too, sweetness.” Her nervous laughter warmed him from the inside out and was an indication they had just taken a step on the path to redemption. “Sorry, I needed to do that before I lost my nerve. I’m just confused. I think there need to be ground rules.” Erin had said those same words at the club but Dalton equated it to nervousness on her part. The statement was useful and meant she wanted to get to the business of things so they weren’t clouded with emotion. Not that he minded in the least. It uncomplicated matters. But not everything. “There always are. If you hadn’t already determined, I don’t work any other way. Thought we already covered this?”
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“I know.” She paused, heaving out a sigh. “I’m new to this, sorry. I just don’t wish for you to treat me any differently. But something still doesn’t sit right with me and that’s why I need to know.” Knee throbbing, he lowered himself into the office chair. “Oh sweetness, I will treat you differently but not because this is foreign territory.” “I just meant I don’t want you to roll out the red carpet for me or anything.” “You’ll get star treatment. But not because you’re special. Besides, can’t have those delicate knees of yours getting burned. I will say this and hope it clears up your confusion. Having two subs is a dicey situation for a Dom. Add in bondage and some D/s play and I have some very rocky ground to navigate. You’re not the only one with something on the line.” “But that doesn’t explain why you felt the need to test me like you did. I need some kind of answer, Dalton, or this is going to stop before it even has a chance to get to that point.” Damn, she was fiery and tenacious. “Fine. Answer me honestly. Did you truly try to hold back your climax? Were you trying to hold it back because you were ordered to or because you wanted to please me?” There was a quiet pause before she answered. “I tried. I did. With everything I possibly could. But…I just couldn’t. I wanted to obey you.” Her voice trailed off at the end and a small zing of accomplishment raced through him. “That’s what I wanted to hear. You can be taught control, Erin. But I can’t teach want. You have it and I had to test you in order to see that you weren’t there because Cade or I cajoled you into it. I didn’t do it to humiliate or disrespect you even when I talked of punishment.” A soft cough caught his attention and he looked over to find Cade in the doorway. “But I have to say I see a dichotomy in this situation I quite like. Cade has pristine control whereas you do not. At some point, if you decide to continue, I can see the advantage.” The silence of the line didn’t worry him. The heavy sigh she gave before speaking did. “Thank you for answering me.” Despite her thanks, hesitation tainted her voice. “But I have to say I still have some reservations.” He nodded, shifting his hold on the phone. “You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t. I expect if you had been able to control the release the first time out of the gate I would have questioned your motives and your inexperience.” “You mean you have concerns as well?” The surprise in her voice indicated she hadn’t expected his confession. “Of course. I wouldn’t suggest you take up with a Dom who didn’t. One who doesn’t worry about all the angles has absolutely no business in this kind of lifestyle in
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the first place. They’re just out to bully and intimidate. Both things that have no place in this lifestyle. Does that help assuage your fears?” She hesitated again, which was understandable considering the unknowns she faced. “Somewhat. I still have some uncertainties that I just don’t know how to deal with.” He wanted to soothe those away, give her exactly what she needed in order to feel as if she belonged between them. But she was the only one who could determine that. “Expected. But I want to be clear about something.” “Go on.” He pressed on, knowing they would all benefit. “I expect you to answer when I ask a question. I’m not a Dom who needs my ego stroked by having you call me Master. You are your own person and I will never—ever—take that away from you. “On that same note I do expect you to abide by my rules. They are firm and I’m unwilling to waver on them in any fashion. You are not my slave and I will not carelessly dismiss what you say. However, you have to let me take care of you when you’re in my room.” “You may get some resistance. At least at first. I’m trying to adjust to this. I want to, really. I just need you to have patience with me.” “Which I fully expect. And, just so we’re clear, that resistance will be dealt with accordingly. It’s for you to decide if you are willing to accept both sides of this. You can’t have it one way and not the other. Understand?” “Yes. I do.” Based on her answer, he really did want to continue this conversation in person. He needed to see her face, her body language, in order to gauge her reaction better. “Are you working tonight?” “Is that a question or a command?” The fact she had to ask was exactly why she needed to be here. “More of a request.” Her light laughter drifted through the phone line and everything inside him wanted to hear that raspy Texas drawl of hers as he rode her. And even as she rode Cade. “I was planning to leave in ten minutes. So, no, I’m not working and I’ll be at the shop shortly after I leave here.” Erin ended the call without another word. Dalton hung up the phone and slipped the rest of the way out of his jacket. Cade eased his hip against the corner of the desk. “Guess she’s still talking to us?” “Appears so.” He settled himself into his high-backed office chair and stared out past Cade. So much was going to ride on what happened in the next few hours and he didn’t want to make a mistake. “You’re quiet. Everything all right?”
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Dalton turned his attention back to Cade and noticed the first two buttons were undone on his uniform shirt. It indicated he had the rest of the night off. His mind immediately started formulating an idea. “Just working some things out in my head.” “Ah, the mental preparation you always talk about.” Cade slid a sheet of paper out of the way as he pushed back to sit. “You know I answered what I could when she stopped by to see me. But I did divert the majority of it to you.” Cade had been in the lifestyle long enough to know how the dynamics of a D/s relationship worked. The fact he’d left some questions open was a sign he took his submissive stance seriously. Dalton had never doubted, but it was always nice to see such a display of it. “She’ll have more questions for both of us.” Deciding a reward of some kind was in order since his submissive had pleased him, Dalton rose to bracket his hands on either side of Cade’s body. “I eased a few worries and alleviated some of her concerns. But figured there would be more based on her doubts.” Cade’s mouth lifted on one side into one of his patented carefree smiles Dalton admired. “Did tell her about subspace.” “Did you?” Dalton pushed closer, mirroring the position he’d had Erin in when he’d first kissed her. The feel of Cade’s body was different, as he expected, but somehow the similarity astounded him. “Seems as if I’m going to be held to a higher standard now that she knows.” “Didn’t expect me to keep a secret, did you?” “Certainly not.” In fact, he was glad Cade and Erin had talked. It made one less thing he would have to worry about. Communication was something he insisted on. It was a vital part of this kind of lifestyle. He leaned in, breathing in the earthy scent of Cade’s aftershave as he took his lover’s mouth slow and easy. At the first touch of his tongue against Cade’s, Dalton’s body betrayed him. Relaxation morphed into arousal in a flash. Everything about Cade made him want to consume the man. Fuck away the tension that strained through his body. His balls were heavy with come as they demanded a release by any means necessary. Here and now. Dalton was normally a patient man. He’d been trained to have the fortitude to see to his submissive’s needs over his own. It was a necessity in order to handle times where his want demanded to rule. But this was a moment where that patience broke. Cade’s hands wrapped Dalton’s wide shoulders, giving anchor to the chaos that devastated Dalton with its power. Tongues tangled between gasps for air. Teeth nipped at sensitive flesh and dragged out deep groans of pleasure from both men as they broke away.
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“Do you have any fucking clue what you do to me?” The tenor of the question from Cade caused Dalton to growl softly. He moved closer, pressing a savage kiss over Cade’s mouth. His fingers worked to get between the tan shirt and over the yards of hard, sculpted muscle. He poured all his recent frustration into the kiss and the man took it, demanding more as he held him close. What would life be without this? The kiss grew desperate, and just as Dalton shifted his hands around Cade’s waist to pull him closer, he became aware of another body in the room. The roar in his head fell silent as that minty mixture of Erin’s scent filled his nose. Kissing Cade while that delicious scent slowly inundated the air nearly unmade him. “You know, I seem to possess this uncanny knack for walking in at the wrong time.” At the strained notes in her voice, Dalton broke away and found Erin staring at them with wide eyes. She inhaled sharply, holding her hand up to her chest as she released a slow, calming breath. “Then again, maybe it’s not the wrong time after all.” Her turquoise eyes sparkled with amusement. She shrugged out of her jacket and laid it neatly on the long table he used for a filing cabinet. Dalton pushed himself away from Cade and shoved his hands into his pockets in order to keep from crossing to her. Taking her in a kiss as rough as the one he’d just shared with the man he’d been with for years wouldn’t be right. It was best to stall for time as he settled himself. It was remarkably hard considering the level of fierce want roaring through his body. Kissing her right now would mean an utter loss of control for him and that control was something he took pride in. He’d nearly lost it already. That kind of slip would annoy him to no end. A quick glance at the clock on the wall told him something about her. “Five minutes. In quite a bit of a rush, weren’t you?” “And yet you two couldn’t wait,” she replied. Cade’s laugh caused Erin to smile and amplified the illicit thoughts that ran through Dalton’s mind. He wanted them both naked and bound. Their bodies available to him so he could give them the pleasure they so richly deserved. Feeling as if they had a clean slate, he repeated the question asked not so long ago. “So, Erin, tell me something. Have you ever entertained the idea of taking two lovers?” Amusement flashed in her eyes at his questioning tease and she leaned against the door as she shrugged. “Probably in some fantasy buried so far down I’m not even sure I’d admit to it. My feeling is fantasies should just remain fantasies. The reality never compares.” “But you’re faced with the possibility to make that fantasy a reality. It can’t hurt to try.” Her expression fell and became serious. “That’s not true.” 98
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“How so?” He did cross to her then as he couldn’t stand the thought of the room separating them any longer. “If something goes wrong, one of us falls deeper than someone else, someone is going to get hurt.” So that’s what was wrong and what held her back even though he could clearly read her body language. “Is that your problem? You’re anticipating someone getting hurt?” Her hair shifted as she shook her head and he reached up to skim his hand over her nape. “No, of course not. It’s just always a possibility.” Somehow, he got the impression she wasn’t being completely honest. “You need to let go of those possibilities, Erin. Enjoy what life is offering you.” His hand slipped away from her neck, caressing down her shoulder to take her hand in his. “Now what’s your answer?” “Yes,” she said quietly without pause. “I want two lovers. I want you both.” A quick gesture to Cade had the man following them and, as they walked to that secret room of his, Dalton finally spoke. “You, sweetness, are in for one hell of a ride.”
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Chapter Eleven “Clothes off, both of you. When you’re done, Cade, go to the table.” Like last time, Cade stripped off his clothes without hesitation. The courage to take off her clothes came easier this time. She flipped open the button on her pants as Cade made his way over to the piece of equipment Dalton referred to. He turned once he got there and leaned against the table. He did nothing to hide himself and the sight of his erection gave her the fuel she needed to remove the rest of her clothing without pause. Now she stood before Dalton completely nude. Her nerves were on high alert and she forced herself to relax and enjoy. It was remarkably hard because at least behind her clothing, she had something to hide her. This way she was totally exposed. Confidence that Dalton would stay true to his word kept her here. She would never know if this was something she could handle if she didn’t commit fully. “Come here,” Dalton said, gesturing for her to move toward him. With each step some of her confidence faltered, but she pulled it back into place, determined she would see this out to completion, even if only once. “Very good. I’m going to put you in a position where you can’t do anything but accept what you’re given.” The words didn’t sound as ominous as she thought they could have. “I expect you to use your safe word if you’re uncomfortable with anything. Do you remember it?” “Yes. Blackbird.” “Good. Based on your abrupt departure last time, I expect you to be tempted to pull that safety net far sooner than you need. Give careful consideration before you do. Right now this is just about finding what works and what doesn’t. For all of us.” Erin swallowed and nodded, flicking her tongue out to lick dry lips. Nervous anticipation made her stomach tie in knots and—for God’s sake—her palms were sweating. How was she supposed to be sexy when she was nervous? This was supposed to be new and exciting. Dalton’s mouth skimmed over her knuckles and brought her back to the here and now. “Stay with me for right now. Your brain is imagining so many possibilities that you can’t keep up. Am I right?” At her nod, he continued. “For right now just go along with this. This is the only way you’re going to know if this is really for you.” “I know. I just—” His fingers pressed against her lips to silence her. “Cade, come back over here and show her.”
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A warm body snuggled up tight against hers and the pressure in her chest eased. In fact, a sense of utter peace washed over her as both men surrounded her. They both alleviated her tension, though some worries still remained. She pushed them aside, determined to see this through now that she’d committed. “That’s our girl.” Dalton’s soft murmur washed over her as Cade’s mouth pressed a light kiss on the sensitive skin under her ear. Dalton held up a roll of something that appeared to be duct tape. “Bondage tape. Sticks to itself and not you. I’m only interested in marking your skin in other ways. Both of you come with me.” He pulled her away and both she and Cade followed Dalton to the long narrow table in the center of the room. As they approached, she estimated the height to be about hip high. “This is a bondage table, isn’t it?” “Someone’s been researching.” Dalton ran a loving hand over the deep brown wood. “A friend of mine makes these. This one is specially built and reinforced underneath with a bit of my welding expertise.” “Safety first, right?” she joked halfheartedly. “Exactly.” Once at the table she reached out to touch it. The leather was chilly, but quickly warmed to her body temperature within a few seconds. It provided minimal cushioning but given the nature of the furniture, comfort wasn’t evidently high on the priority list. Dalton had been correct. In her curiosity to gain more familiarity with the lifestyle, she’d done some research on the internet. Bondage tables had been high on the search results, so she knew exactly what they were used for. Or at least thought she did. Something told her she’d really find out before the night was over. “Pull out the center section, Cade. We won’t need it.” Dalton tossed the roll of bondage tape to him and pulled Erin’s face around to his. “The tape is really just another way to bind you and isn’t much different from the rope. I chose it to give you another sensation and learn a different means of bondage. And I have to add that I think I’ll find it extremely sexy to look down and see your forearms secured to the table.” Erin closed her eyes, swallowed the last of her trepidation. If she was going to do this, she would give it everything she had. As she opened her eyes again, Dalton closed the distance between their lips and kissed her. He was slow and patient, evoking responses deep inside her core that soothed her doubts. Heat bloomed between her legs and she gasped in response to the flood from her already wet pussy. Dalton simply smiled as he broke their kiss and maneuvered her into place, positioning her so her back was against the leather and her feet still touched the floor. 101
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“Bind her for me, Cade.” Erin let out a breath as Cade took one of her arms and began to wind the tape around her wrist and forearm. With each pull on the roll, each circuit the tape made around her arm as it fixed her to the table, she found herself pulled to a place where she was completely at ease. She was relaxed there. “Well, well. This is certainly a surprise.” Dalton’s voice sounded hazy and disconnected. As if she wasn’t in the room with him. “Something tells me she’s going to slip into subspace damn easy. Going to have to be careful with her.” Hands skimmed over her exposed flesh and she desperately wanted to arch up against them. But held in place as she was, it was impossible. She could do nothing more than simply take it. A sharp sting against her nipple drew her back to the present, and she looked up into Dalton’s gray eyes as his mouth moved away from her breast. “Can’t have you too far gone yet. Where would the fun in that be? Makes me understand why you blew so easily that first time. I will say this. You’re damn responsive and I’m looking forward to taking full advantage of that.” Fully strapped to the bondage table now, Erin couldn’t move her arms. Dalton’s fingers brushed over her thigh and down her calf where he gently lifted one of her legs. “Normally, I’d bind you completely but I have a fondness for legs. Specifically yours.” “As in he likes them wrapped around him when you’ve lost control.” Dalton’s eyes cut to Cade. “As in I want to see what they look like wrapped around your shoulders while you bury your tongue in her cunt. Speak out of turn again and that won’t happen.” Cade’s smile faltered for a second, and lust painted those green eyes dark. Dalton stepped forward, embracing her free leg in his hand to pull it closer to him. The position spread her open and a heated blush crept up her torso. It wasn’t from embarrassment though. It was from arousal. Dalton reached forward to spread her knees wider with a gentle push so she was completely and utterly exposed. He made a noise, and the sound of it cemented her in the moment. Spread out before them, these two men worshiped her like a goddess. More importantly, they made her want to do whatever it was they demanded of her. She held far more of an aptitude for submission than she would have ever guessed and she owed that knowledge to Dalton. Something told her this was just the tip of the iceberg. The bindings made her feel safe and secure—comforted. The tape eliminated the possibility of any movement in her arms so she could center her focus elsewhere. Scents were stronger, sensations more fluid and rich, because all she had to do was lie here and simply feel. She lifted her head, her gaze immediately focusing on Cade as he stared at her spread out before him.
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“I want her.” Uninhibited desire colored Cade’s statement and made her shiver. “And my sub should know he doesn’t get to speak out of turn regardless of what he wants,” Dalton snapped out. Cade’s gaze fell away from Erin as he lowered his head. “My apologies. I let my need get the best of me.” Dalton smoothed his hand over her knee, and she admired his level of control. He appeared to be utterly at ease despite Cade’s mistake. “I’m disappointed, Cade. You always have such impeccable control and let it falter because Erin showed you what she had to offer us. You let your dick speak for you. For that alone I should deny you outright.” Cade said nothing as Dalton continued. “Instead, punishment will come in two parts. Half now and half when I see fit as you obviously need another lesson in manners.” Dalton leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Your impatience cost you the privilege of fucking her tonight. Now take her, but take care how you touch her.” Cade moved forward to comply with the order but Dalton’s hand collared around his neck to hold him in place. “Mouth only. I want her tight and ready for me.” Cade nodded, his hands rolling into tight fists as his lover held him in place. Those tightly packed muscles were strung taut as if the simplest thing would set him off. Still holding him tightly, Dalton reached down and cupped his free hand around the base of his lover’s cock. He gave it one slow, forceful pull on the hard shaft that caused Cade to shiver visibly and hiss out a breath. “Kneel. Show her the devotion she deserves.” The words were hushed but held a force that demanded to be heard. And Cade didn’t hesitate to carry out those orders. He made the two steps necessary to reach her and lowered himself to his knees. Her breath quickened as his mouth moved over her thigh, inching closer to his goal. Everything inside her clenched into a tight fist as his mouth moved higher and her hips started to strain upward. Dalton’s hand clamped over her pelvis, pushing down to hold her in place. “Keep that up and I’ll rethink the decision to not bind you fully.” His voice was rough and filled with a delicious tension that thrilled her. Cade’s closed mouth pressed against her skin and everything inside her ached for more. He traced his lips over the tiny bundle of nerves, appearing to relish the sensation of his lips against her bare skin. He returned to the center, dipping his tongue inside her opening to tease further than his lips could reach. The touch sent a small shockwave through her system. As if he could sense it, Dalton shifted his hand to lift her legs and expose her even further. She gasped as Cade took his time to savor her, and moved his tongue in a long, purposeful slide over her throbbing clit. As quickly as the contact came it vanished.
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Instead he worked his tongue down her slit, skimming through slick flesh to circle around and up the other side to stop next to that highly sensitive nub. She waited for him to touch it but instead he began another slow circle of her most intimate parts. The pattern continued with his pace never increasing or decreasing, slow and steady as Dalton shifted her legs and laid them carefully around Cade’s shoulders. “Now that is just too fucking gorgeous for words.” From the faraway sound of Dalton’s voice Erin knew he’d stepped back a little and now simply watched. The drag of Cade’s tongue snapped her back into focus and she whimpered for relief. Anything to take the edge off this hunger gnawing at her. Dalton’s hands slipped under her knees, pressing down to open her fully for Cade’s thorough attention once again. In this position Cade had unencumbered access to her pussy, and she basked in his unhurried ministrations. During the next circuit he shifted his tongue slightly, letting it dip into her. She bucked against his mouth. He continued on as if nothing had changed and even slowed down more. From the quiet sound of gratification that rumbled from his throat he wanted to savor her. Every muscle chanted a silent plea for a release in order to bleed away the tension. A plea did spill from her lips when Dalton’s calloused hand started to trace a pattern just behind Cade’s tongue, and Dalton let out a rumble of dark laughter. He spread her, holding her labia open so Cade could have even more access. She lifted her head just as Dalton pushed hard against her clit and made an excruciatingly slow circle. “Give me the orgasm, sweetness.” Her gaze fell to Cade and as his gaze met hers, he slid his tongue against his Dom’s fingers, so he tasted Dalton and Erin together. It was the final push she needed and she tumbled over the edge blindly with no control. She felt as if she was soaring even though her body was still anchored to the table. The powerful release caught her off guard, taking over so she had choice but to accept it. Wave after wave crested over her, breaking slow and rippling out in a never-ending echo. The intensity blurred her sight and she fought to regain her composure as the climax slowly faded away. Still sliding down the other side of the high, she watched as Dalton moved around her. He threaded his fingers through Cade’s hair, pulling Cade’s mouth from between her legs. Dalton took Cade’s mouth with a fierceness that stole her breath and nearly sent her spilling over once more. She hissed in response as Dalton’s thumb flicked hard against her oversensitive clit. His touch firmed even as he continued to kiss Cade and the combination finally did cause her to orgasm again. Her breath burned in her lungs as she fought for air and tried to hold on to some small thread of sanity. Dalton pulled Cade up while he sustained contact with her moist heat. “Touch her with me.”
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Cade’s hand swept up her leg, and anticipation was a small knot in her stomach as that touch married with the one already there. She jerked against the binding that held her in place when their joined fingers slid inside her pussy. The men continued to kiss even as their hands worked in conjunction to lift her higher. Slowly, inexorably, they slid in and out to make her even wetter. Another finger was added. Then another. And yet, she still wanted more. The two hands worked together so it wasn’t long before she squirmed under their touch, even though she was certain it wasn’t possible. Her body burned. The shrill ring of a cell phone brought an abrupt halt to everything. Dalton tore his mouth away from the other man, withdrawing their combined touch. “What was the time limit?” His voice was thick with need and Erin fought to get a handle on her breathing. Find a sense of herself through the disorder of her mind. She had to battle back the roar in her ears from the contact that had been severed. Focus returned slowly and she remembered the phone call she placed as she arrived at the shop. “One hour. Just like before.” “Shit.” Dalton pushed away, crossing the room with a few purposeful strides to where she’d left her phone. He glanced at the screen, frowning as he popped it open while coming to stand next to her. “Answer truthfully and honestly.” His fingers brushed in comfort over her sweaty forehead and he pressed the talk button. Loud music blared through the device, a tinny quality added to the noise because he’d engaged the speaker function. “Erin?” Cassidy’s voice, filled with concern, punctured through the clamor. “I’m fine, Cassidy.” Dalton snapped the phone shut before anything else could be said. “Are you comfortable with me turning it off completely?” She nodded, looking up at him to see the concern in his eyes. It gave her something to focus on. To calm the swirling chaos that was so potent it was addictive. “Say it. No room for misunderstanding.” Erin cleared her throat, feeling a surge of endorphins push her as she offered another slice of surrender. “Yes. Turn it off.” She turned her face just as Dalton lifted the ringing phone to his ear. “Cassidy, its Dalton. Everything’s fine, and thank you for being so thorough. I’m enacting phone silence from now on and Erin agrees.” The phone chimed when it powered down and Dalton tossed it aside. He stalked toward her, eyes bright with a heat and darkness she’d never seen before. She experienced a moment of apprehension before his hands bracketed her shoulders.
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His mouth crushed down on hers, stealing her breath as his tongue plunged into her mouth. There was no room to misread this. The kiss demanded a response. It took ownership as soon as their tongues touched and was brutal. Her body instantly reacted and made her want more. He pulled away suddenly, breaking contact Erin already missed. “Get her ready, Cade.” Dalton’s attention returned to Erin as he leaned closer so their lips almost touched. He kept his voice low and the strained sound washed over her. “This will play differently than last time. I will remind you again, you have a safe word. Think very, very hard before you use it. ‘There is no restriction on how many times you’re allowed to come and you will a lot. I guarantee it. I’m going to push you hard. Even to the point of pain and where you think you can’t handle any more. You can. Do not doubt me.” She started to shake her head then remembered his earlier instruction. “I don’t.” Cade’s tongue blazed a path over her clit and she lost all form of coherent thought. “Cade, come around to the side. By her hip. Hold her legs.” The two men switched positions and she hissed as a bolt of pleasure shot through her when Dalton’s thumb pushed firmly against her clit. “Has anyone caused you pain during sex, Erin? Made you come through the pain?” She shook her head even as the word tumbled weakly from her lips. He pinched and she pushed against Cade for leverage. “You like that, don’t you? Surprised?” Her entire system had gone haywire and she couldn’t answer him. Dalton’s fingers pushed together, closing around her clit and, as he gently pinched, he tugged. He repeated the movement, pulling and tugging harder each time. The orgasm took her by surprise, throwing her completely off balance. She gave a deep moan in response. She’d never come this much or this hard before in her life. More. A familiar sound pierced through the buzzing in her head. Once she realized it was a condom being unwrapped her system soared at the thought. She was as close to begging as she’d ever been her entire life. She wanted them plunging into her, pushing her over that precipice. “Cade, take over, but wait until I direct you to.” Dalton’s fingers moved away, sliding down to open her even more. The first touch of the tip of his cock was sheer nirvana, and her entire body went tense as she waited for him to continue. “Relax, sweetness.” His voice washed over her, calming the blinding need that just seconds ago made her want to be thoroughly fucked. She automatically fought her body, trying to force it to bend to her will and let go. Obviously satisfied, Dalton pushed his hips forward. Her body was sensitive to the slightest change, and Dalton slid in and stopped so just the widest part of the head of 106
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his cock opened her. He held there for a moment before withdrawing almost completely, keeping the barest contact with her. He repeated the agonizing movement and she lost track of how long this continued. She was only aware of the feel and wet sound each time he teased her opening. Time ceased to exist. The world had contracted to a bright shining moment that hung over the three occupants of this room like a beacon. Nothing else existed. As Dalton shifted her hips he pushed forward enough so that he finally seated just the crown of his cock inside her. It felt thick there, thicker than she expected. The earlier stimulation caused her to be oversensitive. He held his hard cock in place, pulsing a little but never moving forward or withdrawing completely. His thumbs traced a path much like Cade’s mouth had earlier, teasing the skin to add another layer of sensation. Her body was already strung tight, and just when she didn’t think she could take any more, she felt Cade’s fingers close around the hard nub of her clit. He pinched, gently at first, then more insistently when he started to lengthen the time before he released. He seemed to know just when the pain increased to the point of discomfort. When it seemed to be too much, he pushed the pad of two fingers firmly against her heat, creating a new feeling that added yet another layer. “Give me your hand, Cade.” Dalton’s voice may have been quiet but it held as much weight as if he’d yelled a command. Cade’s touch moved away, his knuckles grazing hot skin as he closed his hand over Dalton’s shaft. Slicked with her juices, his hand moved easily over the hardness of his lover’s cock. He moved a few times, pushing Dalton’s shaft forward until it became fully seated within her. Erin whimpered as Dalton withdrew. He couldn’t leave her now. Not when she felt so right with him inside her. He stopped before he pulled out completely, positioning just the head at her entrance again. “Show her the pain again, Cade.” Cade’s fingers shifted, pinching her clit and labia again. This time he held on longer. The pain grew, morphing into pleasure faster than she could register. He released, which allowed her to take a breath to prepare for the next slide of pain. His fingers came together again, this time harder, pushing with more force. Cade’s hold tightened, and her breath hissed between clenched teeth. She waited for him to release her. He didn’t. Instead, he held tighter. Her hips moved uncontrollably and Dalton didn’t stop her, except to prevent her from slamming down onto him. His thumbs dug into her abdomen to hold her in place. “Ride the pain, Erin. Let it grow and feed the pleasure. Use it.”
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Cade finally released his fingers and she gasped as sensation painfully returned to the area. Dalton slammed his cock forward at the same time the orgasm swept her up and away. Lost in some higher plane, she couldn’t count the number of times her body screamed for more. More pain, more pleasure. Anything that would prolong this near out-of-body experience. Her body, not used to such overwhelming sensations, tripped higher as she went blind, deaf and deprived of any sensation except for where Dalton continued to thrust into her. She flew. Lost to oblivion, it was dark and silent. She was complete. Here, there was freedom. She was the universe and all its heavenly bodies rolled into one. A simple package presented to Dalton and Cade to make them feel like masters of this new world they’d created for her. It was as if she could do anything. That she’d been built to provide this sliver of time to these two men who had quickly come to mean something to her. The thought of those men was what began to ground her, pulling her back from the natural high her body had adopted. She fought it at first, wanting to go back to that borrowed heaven, because in it there was perfection. A soft caress, the gentle brush of lips against overheated skin, pulled away the gossamer edges of the euphoria. Blinking, she fought for sight again as she drifted back to her body. One of the men worked to free her of the bondage tape, his lips pressing open-mouthed kisses against where the non-adhesive tape had been placed. Then a cool washcloth pressed between her legs, over her hip and across her stomach. The remnants of the good, hard fuck she’d almost begged him for were washed away. “Are you all right?” Cade’s voice was muted as he slid a hand behind her neck for support as she sat up. “Yes,” she managed to say. The muscles in her body were loose and though she felt tired she was also energized. The contradiction was delicious. Oh dear God, I get it now. I understand what Cade meant. Why he feels the way he does about Dalton taking him to a higher plane. She lifted her gaze to find Cade starting intently at her. “What?” His expression softened. “Just looking for signs of bottom drop. You’re fine though. Did better than I did the first time, that’s for certain.” He stepped closer and she felt a small tremor go through her as the press of his body set off new fires. “Magnificently so, in fact. Can’t wait to see what else he has in store for someone as reactive as you are.” He handed her a bottle of water and she suddenly realized her throat was parched. “What do you mean bottom drop?”
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“Submission can be very intense and consuming. When that’s taken away, a person can be so overwhelmed with the emotion it can be hard to deal with it.” Cade slid her hand into his and stood with her. His lips pressed a gentle kiss to her shoulder and her entire body tingled from it. “But you’re doing just fine. You can use the bathroom to wash up if you need to.” Erin nodded, pulling the towel Cade handed her around her body and tucking the end between her breasts. Her body rejoiced in the pleasure she’d been given. She’d never been this aware of herself and everything around the room. It made her want to shout from the rooftops and let the world know what it was missing. Her gaze scanned the room as she crossed it and she finally noticed Dalton was nowhere to be seen. Was that normal? She yelped when she opened the door and found Dalton strolling down the hall with a wet washcloth in his hand. He’d taken the time to pull on his jeans, but they gapped at the fly, as it appeared he hadn’t taken the time to fasten the buttons. It allowed her to take in the fine line of dark hair that dusted his lower abdomen. Giving a regretful sigh, she tore her gaze away and, as his gaze met hers, she saw the absolute satisfaction on his face. He gestured her forward, pulling her into the solid wall of his chest. His hold was firm and resolute, but something had changed. His body was more relaxed and calmer than it had been in that room. The rough edge he’d displayed had vanished like an evanescent fog. Dalton’s mouth curled up into a satisfied smile as his lips gently pressed against hers. “Welcome to subspace, sweetness.”
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Chapter Twelve Dalton leaned against the brick wall of the building next to Blackbird Designs as he waited for Erin. His body still buzzed from the energy of the previous evening. But he wasn’t here for a repeat of the event. Years of experience told him she would have questions and concerns about what had, and hadn’t, happened in that room. He was here to alleviate those fears just as a good Dom should. She squeaked when she turned and sighted him a few feet away. Laughter touched her eyes and, after locking the door, she took the hand he extended toward her without reservation. He was glad as it was pointless to be timid now. “How was your day?” “Good. I, uh, had some trouble concentrating.” A blush brightened her cheeks and he felt a clench deep inside his gut at the sight. God, she’s beautiful—and ours. “Just some? I’ll have to work on that next time. I actually have a reason I came by. Well, two really,” he immediately corrected as he stepped closer. “So, what’s the first?” His hand dropped to her waist, curving around to the small of her back to pull her against his body as a mark of possession. “Check up on you. See how you were.” “Check out your handiwork?” Those ocean eyes of hers flashed a little darker. A hurricane roaring across the open water as it barreled headlong toward the shore. Damn, he loved to see that spark and whether or not she was aware it just further enhanced her beauty. “And that would be the second reason.” He dropped his mouth to hers, overcome with the need to calm that raging tempest. A twisted part of him wanted to see that from her as she knelt before him. Find out what it would take to quell it. His tongue made a slow circuit of her mouth and her body went pliant against his. The anger filtered away, swelling into something else, and he felt himself swept away by it. She’d been more responsive than he could have ever dreamed. Reluctantly, he separated from her and smiled at the pink shade her lips had turned from the stubble on his face. “Make that three reasons because I’ve been thinking about doing that all day.” He jerked his chin to the curb. “Want to go for a ride?” “With you? On your bike?” He smirked and dragged a fingernail against the puckered material where her nipples showed clearly through her shirt. “Unless you’d like to ride me instead?”
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Unable to stop himself, he pinched that firm peak and reveled in the gasp she gave in response. She shook her head as she put a little distance between then. “Aren’t you worried about someone seeing us?” “Ah, yes, you’d like that, wouldn’t you?” She laughed. “That’s not what I meant.” Tugging on her hand, he pulled her close to him again. “How about you spend less time wondering what other people think and more time thinking about what happened when my instructions weren’t followed?” He let his hand drop lower, skimming it over the curve of her butt. She flinched and squirmed against his touch. “Every time I tried to sit down today I was reminded. It doesn’t hurt, but it made me very aware of the area and of what you did. Even now, it makes me very conscious of what I did wrong.” “Good, that was the point.” He’d finally delivered the punishment for her insubordination that first night for not following his instructions. After she’d been made to understand subspace, they’d gone back in the room. He’d promptly marched her over to his spanking bench, bent her over and given her what she’d earned. His hand had created, and soothed, the burn. His handiwork as she’d referred to it. “Thought I’d forgotten and let you get out of it, didn’t you?” “Yes.” He wouldn’t hesitate to do it again either should she did something to disobey him. Especially since he’d learned it wasn’t a hard limit for her as she’d indicated by using her safe word that first night. Just as he always thought, communication was everything. “Let it serve as a reminder of what happens when my submissive doesn’t follow implicit instructions. Now how about that ride?” “I’ve never been on a motorcycle before.” “A virgin,” he joked. “It would be my honor to pop your cherry then.” He extended a hand to her and she snorted with a shake of her head. “Sure, why not? Should be fun.” The second she slid onto the bike behind him, he realized this was a mistake. Nearly two hours later, that thought was firmly cemented in his mind as her legs pressed against his butt as he navigated up Tray Mountain. He hadn’t thought about the torture beforehand. While he may be into different forms of pleasurable punishment, he wasn’t a sadomasochist. Riding with her was wonderful, aside from being thoroughly aroused with her wrapped around him. He’d always felt a special kind of freedom riding his motorcycle. As if it were just him and the machine, nothing else. This moment with Erin was wonderful. She belonged on the back of his motorcycle, navigating the curved roads with him. Her body flowed with each turn he executed, 111
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each dip the road made. Another indication she was a natural at letting him have control. As he ran on the ragged edge miles ticked away under him. The sensation was not unlike the feeling of total control he experienced whenever he was around both Cade and Erin at the same time. It was raw and potent, unlike anything he’d ever dealt with before in his entire life. A guy could get used to this, and it was the thing that could prove dangerous for everyone. She’d made it clear she wasn’t looking for an attachment and things would remain purely sexual between them all. With a flick of his thumb, he downshifted, slowing the bike to guide it into the parking lot of the Anna Ruby Falls Visitor Center. He liked to frequent the falls when he needed time to think. The engine died as he cut it, rolling into a space in the empty parking lot. She shifted and he spread his legs to widen his stance for stability as she dismounted. There was a sudden emptiness as she pushed away and stood beside him. Her eyes were bright with excitement as she pulled off the helmet and ran a hand through her matted hair. As much as he wanted to gather her into his arms, kiss that excitement and heighten it, he knew they needed to talk first. She would need the reassurance if this was going to continue between the three of them, and the idea of it ending now was too weighty for him to think about. The kickstand clinked quietly against the asphalt and he leaned the heavy machine on the stand as he dismounted. “One of my favorite spots is just down that path. Care to see it?” Her expression lit up and she was obviously eager to do something that pleased him. That, in turn, made him happier and caused a warm glow low in the pit of his stomach. It was that feeling he tried to suppress as they moved down the well-worn path. As they broke through the trees, she gasped quietly behind him. He could sympathize with her. He’d felt much of the same thing when he’d discovered this spot years ago. Sunset painted the sky from horizon to horizon as the day slowly bled into night. It reflected off the falling water, giving a dark and mysterious air to it. She followed as he led her to a spot the tourists usually missed. The small patch of grass was undisturbed and he was pleased to see they were still alone. Good, he thought, the topic of conversation will undoubtedly get a little personal. He sat in front of an old elm tree and patted his thigh. She was hesitant at first but she settled on his lap after a few moments. The feel of that firm bottom of hers pressed against his thigh was nearly as bad as when she’d been wrapped around him on the bike. He pushed that reaction aside however and got to the heart of the matter.
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“You are like an open book and I see those questions all over your face. Go ahead, ask anything you want.” She worried her lip as she worked up the courage to ask. “You answered my questions about the whole testing mess, which I suppose I understand as much as I ever will. Guess I’m just a little confused about why, if you’re the Dom, Cade was the one who stayed.” Ah, so they were going to start this conversation at the hard end of the spectrum. He admired that trait of hers to get right to the point. It would serve her well in the future. “It’s the Dom’s responsibility to provide all the aftercare the sub needs. Normally, I don’t break protocol. However, sometimes the rules skew a little when there is another submissive involved. For me, at least. Instead, Cade was responsible for it as he and I discussed ahead of time.” Communication was a huge part of the Dom/sub relationship. Even the simplest conversation could provide the most important piece of information the Dom would need about their submissive. She was silent for a few moments and he let her work things over at her own pace. It was essential for her to arrive at any conclusions on her own. Though he could help guide her if she got too lost. “I think I get it,” she responded carefully. “It allowed you to remain the one with decisive control in the room. I noticed that the first time.” Smart woman. Just another thing on the laundry list he’d assemble about her that he admired. She was extraordinary and now that he had her, he wanted to ensure it stayed that way. Part of this type of lifestyle was to be completely open and honest. He wasn’t about to jeopardize things for them all now even if he wasn’t being candid about his own hesitations. That skeleton in his closet was too much for him to deal with right now. “Yes. I have one job inside those walls. Once you’re more comfortable I’ll call upon you to take an active role like Cade. And it won’t be every time. There will be times when I handle the aftercare for you both. You’ll never know when, however. I like keeping some surprises.” He couldn’t stand to not touch her anymore. Especially after how she’d reacted in front of her office building. Her eyes fluttered closed as his hand brushed against her jaw. His fingers fanned out, cradling her face in his palm. The thought of having both Cade and Erin at his mercy caused his blood to boil. Her expression didn’t change. He decided to turn the conversation in another direction and his arms circled her waist. “Not to change the subject, but how would you feel if I told you I wanted to watch him fuck you?” Those eyes finally opened and her interest in his question showed clearly in her unfocused gaze. His libido kicked into overdrive, and it was everything he could do to not bend her over the rock beside them and drive his cock into her. 113
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“I’d wonder what got into you because, based on everything to this point, I was certain you’d never ask my opinion about what you wanted.” His deep laughter echoed off the surrounding rock formations. Every time he thought he understood what made her mind work she said something that threw him off balance. “While I enjoy taking my subs out of their comfort zone there’s only so much I will push. You’re allowed to express your thoughts and feelings, Erin. I would have thought the need for communication would have been clear based on you storming out. Things may have gone a little easier if you’d just stayed and talked.” “I know, and I’m—” He slid his thumb over his lips to silence her. “You already apologized once, that’s enough for me. You don’t have to repeat yourself. Now I asked about watching Cade fuck you because I’ve noticed you like to watch. I wondered if that extended out to being watched as well. I’d like to hear it from you, sweetness.” Surprise skittered across her expression. “So you want to know my limits?” “Yes. I want you to be absolutely certain.” “Thorough, aren’t you?” Silence blanketed them again as she went somewhere in her head to find an answer. He let her have the time she needed, knowing that it was crucial. Besides, it gave him the time to study her face, learn her body language even more so. It was something that could prove invaluable to him inside that room of his. There was a lot a person could learn just by watching someone, and Cade always teased him about being an expert at people watching. It was something that fascinated him. She cleared her throat as she tucked a stray lock of hair out of the way. “There’s very little I won’t try at least once. But aside from yesterday I’ve never had anyone watch.” “The thought excites you, doesn’t it?” She sighed. “I’d be lying if I said no. But I have an opinion about what you want, if I’m allowed to share it.” He nodded, and held back a smile. “Of course. Tell me what you have working in that mind of yours.” “Somehow I doubt you simply want to watch.” God, how did I get so lucky with this woman? He actually looked forward to butting heads with her fiery personality. He wanted to hear why she thought that instead of just giving it to her though. “What makes you say that? I quite enjoy playing voyeur.” “It gives up an amount of control. Which you rarely deviate from what I’ve learned so far. You’d want to watch but you also want to direct the action as well.” “You’re right.” He grinned, brushing his mouth over hers. The soft sigh she gave in response pleased him. “We just hadn’t gotten to that part yet, right?” 114
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The sound of those words punched him in the gut and stole his breath. His dick went rock-hard. “Exactly. You, sweetness, are a treasure.” His mouth took hers, demanding she respond as his tongue plunged into her mouth. She whimpered around it, melting against him. He and Cade had a discussion shortly after she’d used her safe word and stormed out the first time he’d tied her up. They’d both agreed she was someone who was extremely receptive to touch. A caress, the brush of a finger, any of it, seemed to cause her to lose her head and he wanted to be right there to see if he could drive her out of her mind. Last night had proven how easily she fell and now he wanted her in every way possible. He nibbled on her lips before he pulled away. The delicate flesh was a few shades darker than usual and practically begged him to kiss her again. “In case you’re wondering, I would never leave you when you need me the most. In or out of whatever we choose to set up for a scene. I left last night only because it was Cade’s responsibility to handle the aftercare. I returned when it was time to deliver on that punishment you’d banked.” “I understand the need for the separation.” Her head tilted and her expression morphed from one of arousal to curiosity. What could she want now? “Which leads me to ask if you’ve ever told him.” “Told him what?” “That you’re in love with him.” She immediately second-guessed the words as soon as they were out of her mouth. Well, Erin, you’ve already screwed the pooch on this one, might as well go for broke now. “Something tells me, despite what you say, it’s not all about fucking with you two. In fact, I’d venture to guess you’ve been in each other’s beds. Even spent nights making love. That is way more than just simply finding relief through fucking.” Dalton blinked a few times in surprise. He drew away from her and she immediately regretted being so forward with him. Perhaps she’d stepped over some unknown line she was unaware of by asking something so personal. He scraped his hair away from his face, holding it back with his hand as he looked out at the scenery around them. As her fingertips grazed over his arm she noticed the pained expression on his face. She hadn’t meant to cause him uneasiness by asking something so intimate but there was no way to take it back now. All she could do was simply wait and see how things turned out. She hoped she hadn’t ruined everything with her outburst. It was another few moments before he spoke. “I was in a relationship once. Nearly the only time in fact. With a couple. Needless to say things did not go well.” His voice held no hint of humor despite the smile he gave her.
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That certainly explained his reluctance to expand his relationship with Cade. He had to know there was more there—more between the three of them than any of them seemed inclined to admit. She didn’t know what the training entailed for people who chose to dominate, but they had to be well versed in matters of love in order to recognize when things went just beyond an arrangement. “What happened? If you don’t mind me asking, I mean.” Dalton was quiet for a few moments and she feared she’d made a huge error in asking him for that piece of himself. Whatever it was, he held it close to him, guarded it much as she’d protected herself after Billy. “No, it’s time I told you. It was fine for a while like most things. It’s similar to the arrangement the three of us have. We were all open about things, who was with who when. Fell into a pattern of all three of us together a lot of the time as we found that suited us best. No secrets. John went out of town for a few days on a business trip, and Mara and I decided to hole up for a few days. Have it overlap so he could join us when he returned.” He paused, staring out over her shoulder while he seemed to gain his bearings again. The pain on his face made her want to soothe away those old wounds. She refused to let him beat himself up about this any longer. “What happened, Dalton?” “Something even I couldn’t control.” The sound of the despair in his voice broke her heart and made her reach for his hand. He started to pull away but she was determined and reached out with her other hand, forcing him to hold hers. Their fingers wound together. Dalton’s smoky gaze met hers and her stomach leapt into her throat as she realized what happened a second before he said it. “She was pregnant. We didn’t know it at the time but the next morning, I woke up and the sheets on the bed were soaked with blood. She was so pale and lethargic, and I didn’t know what the fuck to do. Got her to the hospital and the doctors had to perform an emergency operation in order to stop the hemorrhaging. It’s the reason there is no bed in that space behind the shop. I refuse to have that level of intimacy there again.” Years of pain and personal torment dripped from the words and she finally gave in to her need. She released his hand, skimming her fingers over his unshaven cheek. His head rested on her shoulder as she reached up and cupped his body to bring it closer. She held him tight when his body shivered as he relived the painful memory. “Dalton, you didn’t—” “They told her when she woke up from the anesthesia that she’d never be able to have children.” He continued on as if he hadn’t heard her. “Ever, Erin. Never. Because of me.” The words cut her to the core and she hitched up her shoulder in order to lift his head to take it between her hands. She forced him to look her directly in the eye. When he tried to turn his gaze away she shook his head a little to get his attention.
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“That’s not true. You know it’s not because there’s no way to know for certain. She could have easily had that miscarriage if you hadn’t been together that night.” His expression didn’t change, but she’d learned how to read him better each passing day. “She blamed you, didn’t she?” Dalton wet his lips as he nodded. “They both did. They said they needed time and I respected that. Hell, I needed some myself.” “Time is good. Allow everyone to heal.” Her expression softened and she moved her hands to cradle his face in her palms. Giving in to her earlier desire, she let her finger smooth over the worry lines on his forehead. She leaned forward and placed tender kisses against those worry lines in the hope she could erase them. “I never saw them again. They made it clear they wanted nothing to do with me after what happened. So, not only did I blame myself they blamed me as well.” “Oh Dalton.” Suddenly, she wanted to hold him close as he ripped out his own heart. She snuggled in as he pulled her closer. He needed her as much as she needed him. His breathing slowed as he pushed his forehead against hers. “I tuned out everything for a very long time. I couldn’t be bothered to care about anyone else or what they wanted. I fell into a very self-destructive pattern and did a lot of stupid shit that I will never be able to take back.” “You wouldn’t want to.” Dalton gave a strangled bark of laughter. “You’re right. I learned to utilize the skills I’d gained and opened Second Circle.” He’d turned his personal hell into a lucrative business. It took a special kind of man to make that happen. A strong man who knew both his weaknesses and strengths. “You’re the man you are now because of that. Life isn’t about our mistakes. It’s about how we react and pick ourselves up afterward. That’s what counts.” The pain in his eyes appeared to subside. It meant a lot that he trusted her enough to share something this emotional. She surrendered her own trust to him even more so than she’d already done. “I get the feeling that you didn’t count on Cade, did you?” “No, not exactly.” Dalton shook his head and the side of his mouth lifted a little. “He pushed through when everyone else dismissed me. I didn’t tell anyone else, so it wasn’t as if I could expect them to act any differently. It was easier to keep up the charade than to admit what I was going through. Cade didn’t give a crap.” He took her hands in his and pressed a soft kiss to her thumb. “He made me deal with it even when I didn’t want to. Forced me to accept the reality that—just like you said—it would have happened anyway. I was pissed at him for a long time about it.” “I just bet.” She wondered about the couple who had broken this man’s heart. How they could have possibly been foolish enough to place blame where none was warranted. “What about them?”
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He blinked a few times, which told her that she’d taken him by surprise. “You know, no one’s ever asked me that. Not even Cade.” It warmed her heart to know she alone had taken the time to ask. It didn’t take away from what Cade had done for Dalton at the time. She would never try to compete with that. She recognized this was something else he needed to get out and she was the outlet he needed. “You know, don’t you?” Dalton nodded carefully and it was a few minutes before he cleared his throat and answered. “They got married about a year later, and even adopted a little girl a year after that. By all appearances their life is perfect.” He shrugged and she smoothed her hand over his shoulder in a gesture of comfort. “No one’s life is perfect. Ever. I don’t care how you spin it. Shit is still shit no matter how much fairy dust you sprinkle over it. They walked away from a damn good thing, Dalton. It’s their loss, not yours.” “No, in some way it is mine. But you’re right, no one has a perfect life. I wouldn’t want one anyway.” “Perfect’s overrated.” Dalton tilted his head, skimming his fingers over her forehead to brush a few strands of hair out of her eyes. “You’re perfect.” Now it was her turn to offer a quiet bit of laughter. “I am so far from perfect I’d have to take a vacation to find it.” “You’re damn closer than you think, sweetness. Thank you. For everything.” He took her mouth again and overwhelmed her. It had obviously been his intent and caused her brain to fuzz. One of his hands closed over her breast, and through the material she felt the heat of him. She welcomed his touch, arching against him to encourage more. When she did, his hand slithered up under her shirt and her quiet moan of approval echoed off the rocks as his fingers lightly pinched her nipple. “Let’s go. I want to see that all of this perfection spread out before me, bound and suppliant.”
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Chapter Thirteen A week later, Erin pulled into the parking lot of her office building. As it was early in the morning, she was surprised to see a cherry-red Corvette parked in one of the slots. She was even more surprised when she stepped out of her car, and the woman leaning against the sports car smiled in greeting. “Erin Corvus, right? He said you were a tiny thing and I didn’t believe him. Then again anyone is tiny next to Dalton.” Erin studied the warm chocolate eyes that stared at her expectantly. “I’m sorry, who are you?” “Sorry.” The blonde stepped forward and extended her hand in greeting. “Cassidy Gibson.” The familiarity of the voice, and the reason why this woman was here, clicked into place as Erin took her hand. Cassidy’s grip was gentle but firm. This was a woman who owned herself, who didn’t take any bullshit from anyone at any time. Erin liked her immediately. “You really aren’t anything like I expected.” Erin didn’t know whether to be offended or proud. “And what were you expecting?” “To be honest, I’m not sure.” Cassidy tossed her keys in her hand and crossed her slim legs at the ankle. Erin had a moment to envy the pencil-thin heels the woman wore before she spoke again. “Not a little thing like you, that’s for certain.” “Looks can be deceiving,” Erin offered. “I don’t doubt that. I wouldn’t expect anything else for Dalton and Cade. Strongwilled men like that need a strong woman to get between them. Looks like they’ve found her.” Erin felt as if she had just been sized up, and jutted out her chin. Despite the fact they’d talked on the phone quite a bit Erin still felt the need to defend herself. She’d had enough doubts about letting the men share her without someone else adding to the mix. “Is there something I can help you with?” Cassidy nodded and pushed away from the car. “I just thought we could talk a little. Answer any questions you have.” Erin blew out a breath and relaxed when she realized she was defensive against this woman without truly knowing her. It was rude and uncalled for. Cassidy had been nothing but polite on the phone each and every time they’d spoken. “I think it’s a little late for that.”
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“Nonsense. It’s never too late. The main reason I came by was because I thought you could use a friendly face—or rather voice—to talk to. This has to be little overwhelming for someone new to all of this.” Where was she a few weeks ago? “Am I that transparent?” Cassidy gave her a warm smile and Erin continued. “It is nice to meet you finally. And you’re right, I do have a few remaining questions because I still don’t fully understand the phone call thing. I mean, I do and I don’t.” Cassidy brushed her straight hair to the side, shifting her stance to cross her arms around her midsection. “Dalton has always insisted on having someone at hand that a sub could reach at any time. Similar to a safety net. It’s one of his limits. Don’t ask him to budge on it.” “I didn’t,” Erin said in a hurry to reassure the woman. “The last time, when he forgot, he asked me if I trusted him enough to shut the phone off completely.” The blonde nodded. “I know. Despite him answering my second phone call to give me the all clear, he and I still talked the next day. His abruptness had me a little worried.” “Thorough, aren’t you?” The fact Cassidy had followed up didn’t surprise Erin. She didn’t imagine Dalton gave her the number of someone he didn’t trust implicitly. “I take my job very seriously. Or at least I did.” One word stood out to Erin. “Job?” Cassidy stood, straightening her trousers. “I used to work with Dalton at Second Circle. I kept track of all of his security men who in turn kept track of all the activity at the club. We were the lifeline for whoever was there on a given night. Be it Dom or sub.” “You don’t work at Second Circle anymore?” Cassidy laughed quietly as she shook her head and stared at some point over Erin’s head. “No. I discovered something about myself that forced me to resign my position at the club. I was uncomfortable with things and Dalton understood.” Erin could only imagine. She was curious but didn’t want to pry. Especially considering the fact this woman was a virtual stranger. That brown gaze flicked back to Erin. “I can see the curiosity in your eyes. Go ahead and ask. I’ve nothing to hide from you. In fact, it would probably help to build up a little trust between us in case you continue to utilize my service.” Erin winced. “Wow, I really am that transparent.” “Like a panoramic window, honey.” The sound of the woman’s warm laughter relaxed Erin. “All right then. What happened?” “Honestly, I thought it wouldn’t do to have a submissive work security at a fetish club. That position is more appropriate for someone with a different mentality.”
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Cade told her she would learn a lot about herself through this kind of journey and Cassidy’s words cemented that theory. “Then why did you take it on in the first place?” Cassidy shrugged. “I thought I was something I really wasn’t. I talked a big game, but when it came time to deliver I fumbled the winning ball. Listen, I skipped breakfast and could use a cup of good, strong coffee. Mind if we continue this elsewhere?” As if on cue, Erin’s stomach growled. “Sure, there’s a nice shop around the corner.” Fifteen minutes later, Cassidy and Erin settled in a small booth at Page Marker, an intimate bookstore café nestled in the center of town. The owner of the business greeted them with a smiling face, two steaming cups of the house blend and samples of the pastry of the day. Erin lost herself for a few moments as she enjoyed the mini pumpkin scone set before her. “They need to figure out a way to market this stuff.” Cassidy crossed her arms as Erin savored her breakfast. “I have to say you have that glow.” “It is a good pastry.” The woman’s eyes rolled in exasperation. “That’s not what I meant.” “Oh that. It’s just sex, Cassidy,” Erin scoffed. “You keep telling yourself that. You may have the look of a woman who’s been well-bedded, but there’s more there than just a couple of well-endowed men taking care of you.” Erin giggled, surprised with the noise. When was the last time she’d giggled in such a fashion over her sex life? Never. Billy had been stuffy when it came to all matters of sex. Missionary position only. In and out with such swift efficiency Erin had always been left with frustration. His lack of sexual prowess was a surprise given the fact he’d spent enough time gloating to his friends about how good he was in bed. She’d gotten proficient at completely avoiding Billy in the months leading up to their wedding. With all the planning for the wedding, it had been easy to use it as an excuse for her distance. Looking back now, they’d never been a good fit from the start. Damn thing, hindsight. Now, Dalton and Cade were a different matter entirely. Erin lifted her gaze to find Cassidy staring at her in expectation. Something told Erin their earlier conversation topic had shifted. Now Erin was the one Cassidy wanted answers from. She didn’t mind. There was already a warm camaraderie between her and the woman. Given what they knew about each other, there didn’t seem to be anything off limits. “What do you want to know?” “Oh please. Like you don’t know.” Cassidy held up a pinkie finger and wiggled it. Erin nearly choked but managed to answer without a smile after she recovered. “More than generous.” 121
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“And the other?” At Erin’s silent stare Cassidy’s mouth dropped. “Holy shit.” “My thoughts exactly.” “I have to assume they know what they are doing. I mean, men who are—” “Yes, Cassidy. Proficient as they come.” Both women realized the meaning and dissolved into a fit of giggles. Erin tried to stifle the laughter a few minutes later when Dalton walked through the front door of the coffeehouse and sauntered to the front counter. The amusement that warmed her shifted to something different as she watched him scan the other customers. His leather jacket did nothing to hide the bulk of muscles she wanted to sink her teeth into. In fact, Erin was sure it enhanced his lines. Her mind instantly shifted to how he made her feel. How he took her somewhere she’d never thought possible. She still had some trepidation about joining in an already established relationship, but that was her issue to work out. They’d already both said—and done—more than enough to alleviate any of her fears. It wasn’t long before his intense smoky gaze met hers and her cheeks flushed with heat. She’d been caught openly admiring him again. Though from the smile he gave in return, it didn’t seem to trouble him. He’d already clued her in to the fact he was a man who appreciated a woman’s lust-filled gaze. Cassidy poked her in the shoulder and gave Erin a knowing look. “Reality to Erin.” The woman dissolved into a fit of giggles again. “Seems like I should have an order of whatever you two are having.” Dalton shrugged off his jacket and tossed it over the back of the booth without waiting for an invitation to join them. Erin smiled at him through the laughter and pressed a kiss to his cheek as he slid into the booth beside her. “Cassidy and I are just comparing notes.” One of Dalton’s dark eyebrows lifted. “So it is true what they say. Women talk about men when we’re not around.” “Like men are any different,” Cassidy scoffed with a wave of her hand. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and those brown eyes sparkled with amusement. Dalton gave her a knowing smile as he leaned his elbows against the table, and gestured toward Cassidy. “Nice collar. Nelson give it to you?” That sun-kissed skin of hers tinted a rich rosy color as she blushed and lowered her eyes. Erin reached over and poked her in the side. “My Dom. Not yours.” Dalton let out a booming laugh that turned several heads. “That’s all right. A fully trained submissive is sometimes hard to come by. Nelson is very a lucky man to have such a prize.” Erin looked Cassidy over but saw nothing out of the ordinary. “Am I missing something? What collar?”
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Cassidy lifted her hand, jiggling it a little to draw Erin’s attention to the simple silver bracelet that circled her slim wrist. She’d missed it before and gestured for Cassidy’s hand to examine the jewelry. It was elegant and sparkled despite the low lighting in the coffeehouse. “How do you get it off? There’s no clasp.” “It has a magnetically coded ring to match. Nelson wears that and it only comes off when he wishes. He had it specially made for us. I’ve been wearing it for about three years now.” Three years? Erin had seen how Dalton and Cade were together, but there weren’t any collars of this type involved. “But why wear it in public when you’re not together?” “It signifies ownership.” “Ownership?” Erin asked, taken aback by the term at first. “Oh wait, I remember Dalton talking about this the other night. When he told me about the different types of collars, he said they can mean different things. It’s more than just during a scene for you two, isn’t it? You choose to live this lifestyle all the time. 24/7 is the term, right?” “Yes. Nelson is my Master,” Cassidy said with a smile. “I see Dalton is educating you well. Not that I would have expected anything else.” “I’ve learned a lot recently from both Dalton and Cade.” Erin released Cassidy’s wrist and sat back as Dalton’s arm came around her shoulder. “Most people would probably be appalled at that term and the thought of a full-time Dominant/submissive relationship. But I have to say, I find it completely fascinating.” “Enough that you’d like to learn even more about it?” Dalton leaned closer, his lips lightly pressing against her ear as he continued. “Would you surrender all your rights and responsibilities to me? I think you’d make a very proud and strong servant, Erin. And I have no doubt you’d be a challenge. One I’d gladly take on if that’s your choice.” Heat spread between Erin’s legs. She thought about the reaction and forced herself to question if it was because of Dalton himself or what he’d just said to her. While she didn’t seem to have any problem with the idea of a full-time Dominant/submissive relationship for someone else, she didn’t think it was something that would suit her or either of the men. She liked the idea of relegating Dalton’s dominance over her to sex. She didn’t think she could surrender other aspects to him outside of that room. It wasn’t in keeping with her wish to contain this all simply to sex. Deciding the reaction was to Dalton and not his offer, she smiled. “No, I think I like things the way they are between the three of us.” “It’s not for everyone.” Cassidy cleared her throat and stood as soon as her cell phone chimed. “That would be Nelson and also my cue to exit. Erin, glad to hear that you’re okay. Dalton, take care of this girl, she’s special.”
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Dalton chuckled as Cassidy left. He pressed his lips against Erin’s forehead and leaned back in the booth. His position showed he was relaxed and completely at ease. “How was your day?” “Eye opening,” she offered. How else did someone explain everything that she’d just learned? It seemed as if every minute, every second, of her life was so far removed now from what she’d known that she didn’t even recognize it anymore. She wasn’t the scared little girl who had been left by a coward. Being with Dalton and Cade gave her a strength she didn’t know she possessed. They’d put her on a path of self-discovery. If nothing else she had a better sense of herself than just one short month ago. Dalton’s hand against hers brought her back to the moment. “Well then, why don’t we continue this streak of learning and have Cade meet us at the shop? We’ll test that knowledge of yours.” As Erin and Dalton stepped into the back room of the bike shop, Cade looked at her in question. Unfortunately, Dalton had been vague on the details—meaning he’d not spoken at all—so she could offer nothing more than a shrug. “Cade, strip,” Dalton ordered with firm authority as he absently tossed his coat in a chair. Clearly still confused, Cade removed his weapon, followed by his shirt and pants. His boxer briefs joined the small pile so he stood before them completely naked and waited for further instructions. Being with two men was still something Erin fought to accept. Despite the fact her body seemed more than willing to submit without question, her head fought the entire idea. The wars had become less frequent of late, but they still existed. Standing in a room with one man behind her while the other stood before her completely naked and proud shouldn’t be the norm. Her mother would pitch a fit if she knew. Not that Erin was about to offer up that little piece of information in the first place. What she did behind closed doors was strictly her own business. Despite the fact her head told her it was wrong, she felt completely free from anxiety standing here. It was amazing how quickly she’d fit into this role, this place, between Dalton and Cade. She’d been worried about coming between them but was still surprised to find she fit like a puzzle piece. Now she just had to keep telling herself to enforce Cassidy’s warning about keeping her feet firmly on the ground. It wouldn’t do to ruin the good time by falling in love with the men. Sex was simply sex. Nothing more. Dalton slid behind her, pulling off her jacket. He towered over her as he leaned forward to press his mouth to her ear. “I’m making good on our conversation at the
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falls. I really do want to see Cade fuck you.” He made quick work of her clothes and came around to stand in front of her. He slid a finger down her torso, between her breasts. “And I will direct what happens.” He turned and crossed to stand beside Cade. “Take her slow in the ass. Just remember, neither one of you is allow to come until I say so. Is that clear?” Erin blinked in surprise. While she expected something out of the ordinary she hadn’t expected this. Cade’s gaze brightened when it met hers. Everything the three of them had done had been new and foreign to her. Just when she thought they’d explored every possibility, Dalton surprised her with this. Dalton whispered something to Cade before he moved to a chair he’d placed a few feet away. It was the same chair Dalton had strapped her to that very first night. He waited for them to follow his instructions. With a quick glance in Dalton’s direction, Cade stepped closer to her. Cade dragged his knuckles over Erin’s jaw, his skin a whisper of comfort against the unknown. The familiarity of his touch helped ease her worries. “Have you done this before?” She swallowed hard, shaking her head. “You?” A smile teased up the corners of the mouth that had brought her to orgasm many times while Dalton had watched. “Always been on the receiving end.” Her eyes went wide with astonishment. “But—” Cade shrugged. “Dalton is more of a giver than a taker if you hadn’t figured that out by now. I know what I’m doing though. I won’t hurt you and if you relax and let me take care of you, this will be highly enjoyable.” “That’s enough,” Dalton ordered and Erin felt the sternness behind the words wash over her. “Cade, put those cuffs around her wrists. Secure her to the table so she can’t move her arms.” Cade smiled warmly as he lifted her onto the bondage table, laying her down. He fastened the two heavy circles of leather in place. The cuffs were a startling contrast against her pale skin, and she finally understood Dalton’s fascination with any kind of binding method. It wasn’t necessarily about the control aspect bondage brought, it was more about the image it made. Your lover, neatly secured and helpless to your every whim. With encouraging words, Cade positioned her on her side, angling them both so Dalton could clearly see everything just a few feet away. Her breath huffed out in surprise as his thumb slid over the tight musculature of her bottom. “Cade, spread some lubricant to get her used to the feel of it on her skin. She seems a little tense and I’m going to have to work harder to relax her. That won’t make me happy.” She tensed a bit as Cade’s thumb slipped between the cheeks of her bottom. “Permission to speak to her.”
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“Granted. But keep it to a minimum. Don’t force me remind you two who is in charge.” “Thank you.” Cade bent forward, pressing warm lips against the swell of her hip. “Relax. Listen to Dalton. He’ll tell you what I’m going to do before I do it.” Following his instructions, she let her muscles ease. His hands roamed her body, massaging and caressing skin. She couldn’t help but settle herself under his expert touch and give him what he needed to follow Dalton’s instructions. “You’re exquisite like that, sweetness. Ready and waiting. So prepared for Cade already and you don’t even know it. Cade, slip your thumb in just a little and give her a sample. Just stay relaxed, Erin, or it will hurt.” Caught up in his encouraging words, she followed his instructions. His thumb slipped deeper and she was immediately surprised by the pleasant sensation. The pressure wasn’t uncomfortable, and she wanted more as the pleasurable burn elevated her excitement. Instinctively, she shifted her hips. His thumb pushed deeper, sliding easily past the tight ring of muscles. A moan of satisfaction slipped from her throat as his thumb became fully seated. She needed more, needed something else and shifted her hips in indication. “Did I give you permission to move, Erin?” The sternness of Dalton’s question immediately made Erin freeze. “Cade, use your other hand to keep her in place. She moves when I say.” Following their Dom’s instructions, Cade placed his hand against her thigh to prevent movement. “Seems our girl is anxious, Cade.” “Permission to give her what she wants.” Her pulse spiked at Cade’s words and she waited for Dalton’s response. “Denied. She’s still not relaxed enough. You have a creative mouth. Use it to ease her worries.” Cade immediately followed Dalton’s orders and leaned over to flick his tongue against one of her hardened nipples. He sucked it into his mouth, using his tongue to pay it lavish attention. As Cade continued to suckle, Dalton spoke, “Surprised, aren’t you, Erin? By how much you like being watched while Cade prepares to fuck your ass. Though in order to do that, he’s going to have to prepare you a little better.” Cade withdrew his thumb and her voice was a quiet mewl as he inserted a finger. After a moment, he added another. She felt stretched but not uncomfortably so. In fact, after the first initial burn when he’d slipped inside, she noticed she was the on the edge of some kind of high. The warmth relaxed her muscles, easing away any amount of trepidation about this unusual experience.
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She wanted to go further. Most importantly, she wanted both of the men to take her there. His fingers began to slip in and out easily and she realized he’d added more lubrication. He moved his hand for a time and just as she got used to the pace he’d set, he surprised her by adding another finger. She took the change easily but found herself spiraling out of control faster than she could manage. Molten heat burned through her and caused her to panic when she realized she was about to orgasm. Dalton’s strict instructions sung in her head. She didn’t want to displease him. Not again. Her muscles tensed as she tried to restrain herself, and she hissed in protest as Cade pushed his fingers forward. The tension caused his movement to hurt. “She’d tightening up again, Cade. We’re losing her.” Dalton sounded displeased and Cade’s frown reinforced the fact they weren’t working hard enough to do what Dalton ordered. Cade immediately stopped pushing and caressed her thigh instead to focus her attention there. “Relax.” “Can’t.” She fought as she breathed out the word. Her inability to maintain control was once again going to fail her. She didn’t want to be bent over that spanking bench again. “Relax, Erin,” Dalton repeated. “Let the muscles pull all the tension away. I’m not even close to being finished with you.” She still struggled and her voice was a quiet mewl of protest in her throat. “Think of the muscles releasing the tension slowly. Let it filter off into other parts of your body and away from Cade’s touch. Focus it elsewhere instead. Cade, show her where I taught you.” At Dalton’s instruction, Cade touched a finger to the bottom of her foot. She did as he said and was surprised to find his suggestions worked. Considering their experience in this particular area, they would know. “Well done, Erin. Prepare yourself, Cade. She’s just about ready for you.” Shifting her for easier access, Cade removed his hand only for the short amount of time it took for him to don a condom. Chill brushed against her skin again only to be replaced with his heat as he pushed the tip of his cock against her anus. His hips moved forward a little and she opened to take him with far less effort than she would have thought. The pain bloomed, spreading to a burn that snapped over to pleasure so fast she was startled by the reaction. “Erin, take it easy. Bear down and push out so you’ll take Cade’s cock easier.” Those encouraging words gave her something to concentrate on and, after a few minutes, Cade was fully seated inside her. Her body was far more pliant than she would have ever thought. These two men were the cause of that, and no amount of gratitude could ever repay their kind patience.
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As this was her first time dealing with anal sex, she was tight. So much so, she felt every line and ridge in Cade’s cock. He stretched her more, filling her even when she thought she couldn’t take any more. Caught up, she arched her back, thrusting her hips as she waited for him to move again. Sensitive flesh rubbed together as he began to withdraw and there was an explosion of light in front of her eyes. It was too much sensation, too much of everything. She never expected this. Her voice was a quiet gasp of pleasure as he pushed forward. She was stretched taut, filled to the fullest and she wanted more. “You’re rushing a bit, Cade. Slow down so I can enjoy watching you two.” Following Dalton’s instructions, Cade started a slow rhythm, easing forward and pulling out of her with precise control. Her body came alive as pure sensation swept over her. “Tell me how it feels, Cade. How she feels.” The quiet order drifted on the charged air. There were a few long moments where Cade continued to move before he answered his lover. “She is so fucking tight it’s unbelievable.” There was a hint of need in that hushed voice and it drove down into Erin’s core to set her aglow. “Virgin ass. Nothing else like it in the world. As a reward sometime, I may let you be inside her cunt when she comes. When she goes into subspace, it’ll kick you over the edge so fast you’ll nearly lose your fucking mind as she milks your cock.” Dalton’s voice was just loud enough to hear. It sent a small thrill through her to listen to a voice so on edge. To hear that colorful language that sounded so natural coming from him. On anyone else, it would have seemed foolish and forced, out of place despite the raw sexuality saturating the atmosphere. “But that’s only if I decide to share that piece of her with you, Cade. It’s mine. Just like your ass is mine.” She couldn’t see Dalton but didn’t need to in order to understand the control it took to remain in that chair. She’d experienced a small amount of that the first time she’d been here. It was also easy to recognize something else in Dalton’s voice because she heard it so frequently from herself. What she didn’t understand was who he was punishing—them or himself. Cade was patient and sweet as he continued to push her toward orgasm, only to pull her back. He was as attentive a lover as Dalton. But they were different, two sides of the same coin that wanted nothing but pleasure for her. They unabashedly showered her with their devotion. Just when she didn’t think she could take anymore, Dalton issued another command. “Bring her here.”
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Braced for Cade’s withdrawal, she was surprised when he scooped her up in his arms without removing himself. He only took a step or two and sat in a chair that Dalton had obviously provided. The movement slid him fully inside her once again and she arched her back in response. He felt so damn good inside her. She never wanted him to leave. Cade’s hands came around to bracket her hips, holding her in place while he situated himself in the chair. As Cade settled her comfortably in his lap, Dalton reached forward to part her legs. “Open her. I want to see that glistening wet cunt of hers while you fuck her ass.” Cade’s hands shifted at the order, joining Dalton’s touch to spread her. Her thighs opened and Cade’s hands slid back up to her hips to steady her. With her legs draped over Cade’s thighs, even if she pointed her toes, she couldn’t touch the ground. She was helpless. At their mercy and utterly exposed. She’d never felt more vulnerable. More alive. Her breathing was the only sound that broke the silence of the room. Cade used the leverage of one arm banded just below her breasts to lift her. Colors exploded behind her eyes as he withdrew. Still, it wasn’t enough to send her plummeting over the edge. She needed something more. Something to push her even though her body sang with new sensations it didn’t know how to process. Cade slowed his movement, dragging out the feel of entering her again. There had to be some kind of relief to this madness. She wanted to put her hands down, and force leverage so she could move on her own accord. Just as she was about to, Dalton’s thumb, slicked with her juice, brushed over her clit. “You’re close. Aren’t you, sweetness?” Dalton’s voice was low and seductive. “Oh God, yes.” She nearly begged for completion. The release was there. She felt it just beyond her grasp but they held her on the edge to deny it. They were skillfully extending out that ridge so her world consisted only of their contact. It was both maddening and blissful at the same time. “You deserve a reward for pleasing me. So let’s see what we can do to help you along a little.” The pressure increased and she realized Dalton had slipped a finger inside her scorching hot core. Cade’s voice sounded in her ear in response as Dalton pushed that finger against Cade’s cock, and his careful strokes faltered a few times before he found his rhythm again. The sensation of Cade taking her from behind while Dalton finger fucked her was nearly too much to handle. She desperately wanted to fall but their combined skill kept her from barreling over. Dalton’s hand pushed under her chin, lifting her face up so she saw his intense gaze. Her vision spotted as Cade thrust inside her, pulling a long, low groan of pleasure 129
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from her. Dalton pushed against that spot deep inside that made her nerves frazzle even more. A sultry smile teased up the corners of his mouth. “What is it you want, sweetness? Tell me.” He leaned forward without giving her time to answer before his mouth crushed over hers. His tongue stroked against hers as Cade slammed up into her. It drew a muffled cry from her throat, and she ground herself down onto both of them. Dalton severed the mind-numbing kiss, panting for breath as his thumb pushed at her hard clit. “I can scent those words, sweetness. I can even taste them on your tongue. Give them to me so I can savor them. Beg me.” Something inside her broke free at his whispered demand, and her plea was a hoarse cry. “Please. Dear God, Dalton. Let us both gift you this.” Cade’s voice joined with hers as they begged their Master for his ultimate approval. She’d never wanted anything more in her life. “Yes,” Dalton whispered in a quiet hiss. “That’s it. Go now. Both of you. Give me your releases.” Overloaded, and finally given approval, they both tumbled helplessly out of control. It was as if someone had fired off every nerve ending at once and Erin was utterly powerless. The world spun, righted on its axis for a brief second then went chaotic as the release took her. She couldn’t do anything but let herself be taken along for the ride. Everything seemed hazy and she was unable to fully process what happened around her. Lost, she was dimly aware of a warm wetness that saturated the skin between her legs as Dalton saw to both her and Cade’s aftercare. At some point later, she realized she was cradled between the two men and cosseted in a blanket. Both of their arms around her held tight in the strongest of vises. Their voices hushed and quiet, offering her words of support and encouragement as they gifted her with their adoration. They showered her with praise and she couldn’t get enough. But when she lifted her head, looking into that fathomless ocean of gray and green, that euphoric feeling evaporated. Petrified, she knew what those twin looks of admiration meant. Love.
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Chapter Fourteen As Dalton rode his motorcycle the next morning, he realized something. Sitting with Cade as they both embraced Erin after her intense climax, he’d never felt more content. Adam had been right. It was a dangerous position for him to be in—both as a man and a Dom. But at that moment, with his two lovers there, he hadn’t much cared. He only knew how whole he felt with both Cade and Erin. When Mara lost the baby, it was as if his heart had been hacked out with a dull knife. The emotional scar had never healed so much as it had been hastily stitched back together. He’d had to do it in order to go on with his life. This couldn’t compare, however. He was off kilter with the current level of intensity that existed between the three of them. Needing to talk it through, he’d closed up the shop, jumped on his bike and headed for Atlanta. Dalton tapped on the gleaming bar at Second Circle a few hours later. “Adam around?” Rich hazel eyes met him as the woman tending the bar lifted her head. The caution in that gaze bled away when she realized who’d asked the question. “Hey, Dalton. Adam took the day off.” “Mariana, Adam doesn’t take a day off.” The tall Asian woman stuffed a towel in her back pocket and shrugged. “I don’t know. His name wasn’t on the schedule today. I’m not his keeper. Come down for some debauchery?” He watched as a man wearing nothing more than a metal cock ring walked past and headed for the pair of frosted glass doors. “No, I’m going to head back to the shop. I should go finish up a few things instead of chasing ghosts. Tell him I stopped by, will you?” “Dalton Shaw.” He froze. A curse swirled in his head as that melted chocolate voice said his name. It had been his hope to duck in and out before he was noticed. He, once again, scolded himself for his stupidity for not just picking up the phone and calling ahead. Turning, Diane gave him a speculative look. “Not trying to slip out without saying hello, are you? At least not again. Mariana, hand me three bottles of water and a Diet Coke.” The woman moved away to retrieve the requested items. She returned and set the bottles and a highball glass on the counter before slinking away again so quietly, Dalton had to wonder if she’d had some kind of special ninja training. 131
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Diane waved over a man dressed only in a pair of jeans that were covered with leather chaps. “Take these to Samuel in the back. Tell him to ease off. His sub is too far gone to say her safe word or realize she’s starting to dehydrate. And issue him another warning. That’s his second in six months and he’s pushing my patience. I did not train him to ignore his submissive’s needs.” The man started to move off and she stopped him with a firm hand. “Give this to Kate. Tell her I want it gone before I strap her to the new stockcade we just got in. She needs to be shown how much I didn’t appreciate her back talk in our earlier session.” Dalton watched the man scurry off, set a bottle in front of a redhead who knelt before the door and disappear through the doors that separated the sitting area from the rest of the club. He looked back at Diane and grunted. “Just another day in the office.” She nodded, her stark blonde ponytail falling over her shoulder as she did. “I was disappointed you didn’t say hello the last time you were here.” “I was…preoccupied.” “So I saw. Welcome back to the dark side.” Diane winked as she settled on a stool next to him. She reached for the plate Mariana left near her elbow. “Have a cookie.” “I’m not—” He stopped at the harsh look she gave him. She knew better, just as he did. It was useless to deny at this point in time. They knew each other too well to bullshit anymore. He took the proffered health cookie and rolled his eyes. “How’s business?” Diane sipped her Diet Coke and rested a hand against one denim-covered hip. Her sapphire eyes scanned the quiet seating area. “Flourishing. People will always have a need for sex no matter how many wars we fight or how poor the economy gets.” “Sex is free,” Dalton offered. “For the most part.” “That it is. Fantastic stress reliever as well. Anything that takes away your problems has to be good for you. Speaking of which, any problems bring you here? Or maybe you’re just not here to talk.” Her hand left her drink and wrapped around his arm. “Is that it? Up for an afternoon scene, Dalton? I’m sure I can find a sub or two to please you.” “Diane—” Her attractive face dazzled as she smiled. “Oh relax. I saw you with those two the last time you were here. I know better and you know it. You used to have a sense of humor.” She sipped her drink again and thanked Mariana when she refreshed it. Considering the fact Adam wasn’t around and there wasn’t anyone else for him to talk to, Dalton decided to confess to his former business associate. She, after all, was adept at reading people. It was one of the reasons he’d signed over the business to her. “I think I’m in over my head.” “That’s unlike you,” she responded slowly as she examined his face.
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He avoided her gaze, conscious of what she sought. “I know. This isn’t the kind of life I was meant to live. I’m not sure it’s for me.” “Why aren’t you, Dalton?” She scowled. “Why aren’t you allowed to be one of those fools we used to make fun of? You need to give yourself some slack.” She also wasn’t one to pull any punches and that was something Dalton needed right now. “I blew it. I had my chance,” he said mildly as he finished the last of the cookie. “No. Not like this you haven’t.” Her fingers gently touched the underside of his chin and she examined his face for a few minutes before she continued. “I saw you three together. It’s nothing like Mara and John. It doesn’t hold a candle to it, so stop muddying this time in your life with your past.” She tapped on the bar again and Mariana reappeared with a bottle of water. Diane smiled in thanks and slid off the chair. Before she moved off to attend the sub who knelt at the door patiently waiting for her, she leaned over and pressed her lips against Dalton’s cheek. “You had it once. You found it again in Cade. You’d have to be a fool to not see that woman of yours strengthens it, and makes it more of a solid foundation upon which to build. You deserve it, Dalton. Enjoy it. Enjoy them. Let them love you. Most of all—let them own you.” Dalton watched Diane slink away and made up his mind. There was someone he needed to talk to.
***** In the dim luminescence of twilight, Dalton rode his motorbike down the quiet street toward Cade’s house. Tucked at the end of a cul-de-sac, it was the typical ranch most families of the town inhabited. Cade’s mother and father had lived there once and Cade had taken it over when they’d passed a number of years ago. Dalton noted a group of children playing baseball in the street and automatically slowed even though his speed was already well below the posted limit. One young boy shouted and the entire group split so Dalton could pass between them. After he parked behind Cade’s ancient truck, he swung his leg over the seat and turned to watch the group re-form and go about their game as if they hadn’t been interrupted. A neighbor in an adjacent house lifted her hand in greeting to Dalton and he returned the wave with a friendly smile. This was how life should really be. Lazy evenings spent watching a group of children enjoy their youth. He’d wanted that once. A wife, kids, a steady nine-to-five job and a white picket fence to come home to. The typical atomic family. But then he’d grown up a little, and realized his tastes weren’t something that could conform to the normalness expected of most people.
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Though he’d nearly had some form of that not so long ago with Mara and John. Then hell had carted in the handbasket and Dalton realized a family with kids just wasn’t in the cards for him. Time to stop dwelling on the past. He forced out a breath, closing off the memories. He lifted a hand and rapped his knuckles against the screen door. Cade’s bright smile fell a little as he spotted him. “Everything all right?” “Sure. Why?” Dalton stepped over the threshold and pulled the screen door shut behind him as he followed Cade into the kitchen. The rich aroma of fresh spaghetti sauce hit him full force and his stomach growled in reaction. Other than the cookie Diane gave him, he hadn’t eaten all day. His brain had been too caught up in what to do about the position he’d found himself. Cade gave the sauce a quick stir, then turned to the fridge and pulled out two beers, one of which he handed to Dalton as he took a swig from the other. “Just wondering about you. You’ve been missing in action most of the day. Thought something about last night spooked you.” “I don’t spook easily.” At least he never had before and he was certain nothing had changed in that arena. Images formed in his mind of Erin as she’d been bundled between him and Cade and he gritted his teeth at the memory of how it felt. No, he hadn’t been spooked. Quite the opposite. “I know,” Cade agreed. “That’s why I was surprised to not see you around your usual haunts today. Sam Cabbot stopped by the jail. Was a bit upset he couldn’t find you because he says you owe him a drive shaft for his El Camino. Wanted me to haul you in for ripping him off.” “I’ll call him in the morning. It’s backordered at the supplier and he damn well knows it.” Dalton shrugged, taking a sip of his beer. As much as he hated to admit it, it was time to get to the real reason he was here. “I took a drive. Needed some time to think and clear my head. Get a fresh perspective on a few things. That’s the beauty of owning my own business. I can take off whenever I want.” “So I was right.” Cade’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “There is something bothering you.” “Not so much bothering me, no. Just had a few things pointed out that I realized I knew all along.” Those green eyes narrowed as Cade gave him a hard stare, and set the bottle down with sharp crack. “You’ve been talking to Diane.” Dalton snorted and shook his head. “How’d you guess?” Leave it to Cade to know exactly what was going on. Oh he may not know all the details, but Cade was intuitive enough to know something had been off. “You only get introspective like that when you’ve been talking to her. If it’s what I think it is, I could have told you and saved the trip.” Cade turned to the stove, 134
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transferred the colander full of drained noodles back to the stove and made two plates of spaghetti. He set them on the breakfast bar that jutted out at the end of the counter and pulled over a stool to sit down. As Cade dug into his pasta, Dalton blinked a few times in astonishment. It all seemed so…normal. With a start, and a look back on the past few months, Dalton realized he’d stopped by Cade’s house more frequently than usual as of late. It wasn’t an everyday occurrence, but apparently it was enough for Cade to prepare dinner for two. When the hell had that happened? Was this really what was missing in his life? He had the sex, but had Diane really been right that it was time for him to have more again? Confusion swirled in Dalton’s mind, and he realized he was tired of asking himself questions for which he had no answers. Right across from him sat the one person who didn’t care what kind of mood he was in. “Are we into something more than what we planned for?” Cade sputtered and reached for a paper towel to wipe his mouth. “What?” “Me and you.” Dalton waved his hand to indicate the meal before them. “Things didn’t start out between us with dinners together. Hot, sweaty sex that left both of us mindless for a few hours was what I remembered. Not that we don’t still have that.” Cade blinked a few times and Dalton noted the surprise. At least he wasn’t alone in the sudden revelation. “You’re right, they didn’t. I think we both just accepted the natural progress between us but never said anything. Or pretended it didn’t exist. To be honest, you never seemed to be one built for a relationship.” He stopped and was quiet long enough for Dalton to regret saying anything. But Cade crumpled up his napkin and set it beside his plate before speaking again. “Now that you mention it, yeah, I think we are. I don’t think it’s just the two of us though.” “Agreed.” Dalton plowed on and went for broke since he’d already opened himself up. “So then how would you feel about something more solid between us and Erin?” Cade smiled around his beer as he took a swig. “I’d feel fine about it. I assumed things were heading that direction anyway, given what I saw last night.” He paused for a moment and Dalton shifted under his intense gaze. He’d felt the same thing, but had wondered if he’d been alone. “Why? Do you not want that?” “She’s got a painful past. Hard to get over that and allow yourself to love again.” Cade’s hand faltered as he replaced the bottle on the countertop. It leaned to the left and he overcorrected. Beer spilled everywhere. He swore, and reached for a wad of paper towels to clean it up. Once all was right again, he narrowed his gaze at Dalton and frowned. “That’s a word I never thought would pass your lips—love. You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?” “Yeah, that’s what makes this all so fucked up.” 135
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“Don’t tell me you’re worried about rejection. You’re the last person I’d think would worry about something like that.” Dalton dropped his fork to the plate and leaned forward on his elbows. “Damn it. I don’t know. Diane said Erin is the foundation we both need. I’m starting to think that’s why this all happened without me noticing.” He massaged his temples as he referred to the budding relationship with Cade he hadn’t seen coming. “I always did like Diane.” Cade’s bark of laughter caused Dalton’s stomach to clench. Both men were quiet for a few minutes before Cade spoke again. “Do you think she’s right?” Dalton lifted his gaze and gave him a steady glare. Cade smirked and pushed away from the bar and his almost untouched plate. “That’s what I thought. Didn’t expect it, did you?” “Didn’t expect her,” Dalton replied snidely. “Funny, I believe you said the same thing about me.” The house phone rang and Cade detoured to the handset that hung on the wall next to the back door. Dalton tuned out the conversation. How was it everyone seemed to know what was going on and he didn’t have any idea? Things like this rarely got past him, so why this time? Why this instance? These two people had blindsided him and he felt himself falling harder than he ever thought capable. “That was Erin.” Cade’s voice broke through Dalton’s silent musings. “She wanted to know if she could come over to talk for a bit.” Dalton pushed away from the uneaten food and swung his leg over the stool to stand. “I’ll head out then, let you two talk. I could use some fresh air anyway.” Cade’s hand closed over Dalton’s forearm and squeezed tightly. “I have a feeling she wants to talk to us both.” His other hand lifted and threaded through Dalton’s thick hair as he pushed their foreheads together. “You wanted answers. Here’s your chance.” Erin’s hand froze as she lifted it to knock on the slat of the screen door. Through the mesh material she saw Cade and Dalton in the kitchen, their heads bent together as they quietly talked. She’d interrupted an intimate moment. As she’d turned onto the street just moments ago, she’d noted Dalton’s bike in the driveway and still fought to swallow the nervousness that leapt in her throat. It was good he was here. What she needed to say involved him as well and it would keep her from repeating herself. No one could misconstrue her words as they were passed on. “Knock, knock.” Both men looked over their shoulders and flashed twin smiles in greeting. It caught her unaware and knocked the breath right out of her, which caused her to stop mid-stride. They both spun her for a loop and made what she had to say so hard. 136
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It needed to be dealt with, however, especially after yesterday. Someone had to be the voice of reason. She cleared her throat and mentally shook herself as she shoved her keys into the pocket of her jeans. It was obvious that her nervousness had started to show and she fought it back with a hard swallow. Forcing herself to walk again, she took one step at a time toward the men who had caused her to see a glimmer of herself again. It was a glimpse that scared her, and why she needed to do this. “I’ll just say what I need to. And get out of your way, since it appears I interrupted dinner,” she added after a quick glimpse to the counter. Another peek into the familiarity these two men shared with each other. “Actually, we’d just gotten started. Care to join us?” “No, thank you.” Both smiles faded and she pushed on. “As I said, I’ll just say what I have to and get out of your way. Something happened last night. Something I don’t know if I’m ready for.” Panic flashed through Dalton’s eyes as he stepped to her. “Are you all right? Were you hurt?” This is what she’d hoped to avoid. Worry wasn’t something she wanted. She felt wonderful and that was exactly the problem. “No, Dalton, I’m fine. Physically, at least.” Her body still buzzed from the sensations they’d overwhelmed her with. “Emotionally, I’m a wreck.” “You aren’t the only one,” Cade added wryly. Her gaze snapped to both men. She finally noticed their expressions and saw beneath the façade they’d presented her with. Something had occurred here in this very room. “If it’s because of me, then I apologize.” “I think we’ve all dug our own graves here. Can’t say as I’m complaining, however,” Cade added with a smile. “Last night I felt something I’ve never felt before. I can’t even put it into words and I’d be a fool not to admit to the fact it scared me.” Dalton reached out and snaked his hand around her forearm. “So maybe anal sex is a hard limit for you.” His touch scorched her skin, marking her and made what she had to say all the more painful. “No. No, that was fine. Fantastic even, which is not something I would have ever thought I’d hear myself say. I meant there are some emotions floating around here that I don’t think I can deal with.” A look passed between Dalton and Cade and caused her to bite her lip. She hesitated for a moment, clearing her throat to stall for a few seconds longer. To gain the strength necessary to say what needed to be acknowledged. “I saw something from you both that I need some clarification on.” “Anything for you.”
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The easy assurance from Dalton almost made her stop. “I need to know what you both expect from me. It was my understanding this was strictly about sex and exploration—” Cade tilted his head, smiling at her. “It is.” “It was,” Erin corrected. “I can’t say it appears that way anymore.” Both men were quiet for a time and she thought it was the end of the conversation. The end of everything. Dalton huffed out a heavy breath and finally spoke. “You’re right. It’s not. You have to know it wasn’t our intention.” The heaviness around her heart eased. She hadn’t thought it was done on purpose, but it helped to hear the assurance. “I know. I’m not blaming either of you for it. I just…I know sometimes sex and emotions can get tangled up and confused.” “And you want to make sure we’re all on the same page,” Cade finished. “Exactly,” she said firmly as she tilted her chin up. “I took a chance—correction, we all took a chance—and I don’t think there is any room for fuzziness when it comes to what we’ve gotten ourselves into.” “So, let’s clear away the confusion. Cade and I want to know if you’d like to move what’s between the three of us to another level. We all have something, together and individually, and it’s worth exploring.” “No.” The pain on their faces was immediate, and she rushed on to explain herself. “I have learned so much about myself in the past few weeks, and I know there is a lot more you both have to teach me. I have a lot to learn about myself as well because it has forced me to examine everything I knew. That’s why I have to say no to anything more than sex between the three of us right now. I have to know myself. I don’t want to give you what I don’t know. I can’t.” “Are you certain?” The men exchanged a look and Erin’s soul wept for the ambiguity she added into the mix. “I asked myself if I love you both,” she stated as she lifted her hands to each of their cheeks. The difference between Cade’s clean-shaven jaw and Dalton’s three-day growth made her smile. She adored that about them. The differences that made them so unique, and special to her. “I found that I didn’t have an honest answer and you both deserve one. I know we have a lot of fun and find enjoyment in what we all do together. But I still don’t know if I can be in a relationship again. I know for certain I can’t right now because I’m still raw from what happened with Billy. The three of us together is a concept I’ve just gotten used to, and I’m comfortable with how things stand for the moment. I don’t want that to stop. Is that all right?” Both men nodded and the knot in her stomach finally loosened for the first time since the previous evening. “There aren’t any guarantees. When it comes to love, at least,” Cade offered as he pushed closer and wrapped his arms around her waist to fit her against his body.
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When Dalton joined them, holding them both with his muscular arms, she nodded and pressed a kiss to each of their lips. First Dalton, then Cade. “I know that. I just don’t know if I’m ready to give that part of myself yet.”
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Chapter Fifteen A week later, Erin knocked on the door to the back room at the bike shop and pushed it open when Dalton answered. She felt more secure about what the three of them shared after their talk. Sex was something she could handle right now far more easily than a triad relationship. They’d yet to talk more because her work schedule this week kept her away. So there hadn’t been an opportunity to get together to find out if the sexual aspect had been irrevocably damaged by that talk. A casual greeting died on the tip of her tongue as she spotted Cade kneeling in the center of the room without a stitch of clothing on. Seemed as if their little arrangement would continue to hold. “Take off your clothes.” She obeyed, caught up in the heady way his voice made her feel. Her bag fell to floor, forgotten as Dalton’s hushed command sounded in her ear. His body heat flowed over her as he stood behind her and watched each piece of clothing fall away. Hot lips caressed her shoulder as she slowly removed her panties. She’d long gotten accustomed to Dalton’s whims. It was one of the things she liked most about him. Spontaneity like that was hard to come by. It seemed as if he was in the middle of one of those moments right now, and the idea of it thrilled her. “As we’re both aware, Cade has a fondness for oral—both giving and receiving. So guess what Cade won’t be getting?” A quiet groan of protest sounded from where Cade knelt on the floor. It caused Dalton to smile against her skin. “I will be instead.” Dalton took Erin’s hand and guided her to stand in front of Cade, but maneuvered her to face the other direction. “Why don’t you lower yourself to your knees for me, sweetness? Give Cade a glimpse of that pussy he’s been talking about all day.” She complied as he stepped away. Her gaze focused on an imaginary point in front of her as she waited. The floor was hard and rough under her knees, and she used the pain to keep focus. A chair scraped across the floor as it was brought closer. Once again the very same chair she’d sat in that first night. The wood cracked as Dalton sat and a shiver traveled down her spine as his hand slid against the back of her neck. The simple movement was a gesture of pure possession. His touch was something that brought comfort to her no matter her mood or state of mind. Her breath released in a slow sigh as his fingers dug into her skin, threading through her hair as he gently pulled her face up. 140
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She saw he was nude from the waist up. His jeans were unbuttoned and his erection peeked through the gap in the fabric. His soft chuckle surrounded her and without thinking, her gaze lifted to his. Those gray eyes had gone dangerous, fire rimmed with smoke. “You like what you see, don’t you?” Dalton’s voice was heavy with arousal. Swallowing him was something she’d thought about since she’d first bore witness as Cade had sucked Dalton’s cock that first night. She’d imagined what it would be like to have her lips wrapped around his thickness. To feel him come in her mouth. The anticipation of what he would taste like made her brain lose focus. “Answer me, Erin.” His voice broke through her mind as his hand tightened on her nape, and she cleared her throat. “Yes.” “Just yes?” A knot of panic clenched her stomach. Had she said something wrong? Done something she wasn’t supposed to? Unlike some people in the lifestyle, Dalton didn’t expect either of them to call him Master. In fact, he usually preferred they didn’t call him anything, as he was the one who did all the talking once they were in this room. At a loss, she looked over to Cade and pleaded with her eyes for some kind of guidance. Dalton chuckled again, closing his finger over her chin and turning her face to his. His gaze met hers and held it. “I just want for you to tell me what you want to do. I want Cade to hear the words. I want to hear the words,” he stressed. It occurred to her then that this was similar to when he’d sat and watched her and Cade together. Where he’d made Cade describe what he felt when he’d slid inside her. Now Cade was the one who would watch from the sidelines until Dalton decided otherwise. If he even allowed him to at all. “I want to taste you. Feel you against my tongue and have my lips wrapped around…” She hesitated, gnawing on her lip as the words caught in her throat. This was the part that always tripped her and made her feel as if she were an amateur. “Say it, Erin. Don’t be afraid of power that exists behind the words.” His finger lifted to run across the seam of her lips. She blew out a breath, fighting to remain steady. They were simply words. But they weren’t just words. They held meaning and purpose. Power, as Dalton had said. It was then she realized what sort of power they held, and that was what gave her the strength to speak. Her gaze met Dalton’s eyes straight on. “I want your cock in my mouth so I can feel you orgasm and discover what you taste like when you come.” The corners of Dalton’s mouth lifted in a smile. “There. Feels good, doesn’t it? To throw off the chains that bind you?” She nodded in agreement as the confirmation 141
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breezed past her lips. “Now show me what that mouth of yours can do other than talk dirty.” Leaning forward, she flicked her tongue over the velvet surface of his already rockhard erection. His breath hissed between his teeth, and the sound of it gave weight to the moment. Her tongue followed the ridges and lines of veins, and his thighs hitched as she teased the underside of the flared head of his cock with her teeth. She remembered that Dalton liked a special brand of pain. Teeth nipped at hard flesh as her mouth closed over the crown. Her eyes fluttered closed at the contact with his heated flesh. His breath sighed out over her as he relaxed under her touch. It was everything she could have ever hoped for. “Whoever taught you to give a blowjob should be raised up on an altar and worshipped. Sweet fuck, Cade. She’s giving you a run for your money.” It thrilled her to hear Dalton say such a thing, and caused her to quicken her speed. He lengthened and hardened as she relaxed her throat. His deep voice rumbled in utter bliss as she sucked, taking him as far as she could. Dalton moved suddenly, pushing her away with a loud curse. Based on his sudden panic, she’d done more—been more—than he’d expected. She’d caught him off guard and rejoiced at the idea of Dalton completely at a loss for control. She waited as he stood, his chest quickly moving as he panted. It was another few moments before he finally spoke, excitement heavy in his words. “Seems Cade is feeling a little excluded. Let’s see what we can do to remedy that.” He shifted, making sure he had her positioned just as before. “Spread your legs again. Show him what he may be gifted with if he conducts himself in a manner I judge fitting.” Erin moved, feeling a cool wisp of air against her overheated flesh when she opened as instructed. Cade’s voice sounded behind her, the noise of it scraping over her skin to make her feel even more exposed. Dalton towered over her, and she looked up to see the expectation in his eyes. She knew what he was going to say even before the words passed his lips. “Suck my cock again, sweetness.” Without hesitation, she rose a little and took Dalton’s cock back into the warmth of her mouth. Instead of letting things build again, she acted as if he hadn’t interrupted her. She braced one hand against his thigh for support, using the other one to aid her mouth to surround him because he was too much for her to swallow entirely. She pushed her tongue against hot flesh as she pulled back, twisting her hand as it followed before plunging down over him again. His cock grew harder in her mouth, widening again to signal his orgasm was near. She was so close to having what it was that she wanted. This knowledge fueled her and drove her to continue.
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Dalton’s hand tightened against her head and she took it as another sign he was close. It caused her to quicken the unrelenting pace as her own arousal spread hot up her spine. He hardened further and erupted in her mouth within minutes with a loud snarl of release. The hot, salty fluid hit her tongue and caused her to give a deep groan of approval as she greedily swallowed. This is what she wanted, what she had been ready to nearly beg him for since she admitted her need. She drank him and swallowed every drop he gifted her with. After a time his flesh softened in her mouth and she regretfully withdrew as his taste still danced over her taste buds. Hot lips crushed down over hers and, riding the high, she opened for Dalton’s mouth. A groan rumbled from his throat as his tongue met hers and he caught a taste of himself in her mouth. The kiss deepened as Dalton took ownership of her. “Stay like this.” Dalton moved away and Erin carefully controlled her breathing, just as she’d been working on. It took everything she had to control the storm that raged inside of her because she was determined to overcome the inability to restrain her orgasms. The sound of a voice, harsh and ragged, sounded over her shoulder and she recognized the wet sound of skin on skin. She couldn’t see clearly in her peripheral vision, but it was evident Dalton now used his hand on Cade. Already quivering muscles clenched at the noise and she tensed in order to hold everything inside her. Restraint became increasingly harder when she heard Dalton’s voice behind her. “Do you want her wrapped around your dick, Cade? Want to feel what it’s like to have her spasm around it as she loses control? Maybe even feel what it’s like as I put her into subspace?” “Yes.” Desperation saturated the word. “Slow and gentle with her then. She’s a woman and you owe her your tenderness. You’re not allowed to come. Erin, on the other hand, may come as often as she likes. In fact, I want no less than three—understood?” Dalton asked as she looked over her shoulder at him. She swallowed back a laugh. “Don’t think that will be a problem.” Dalton released his hold on Cade. “Take her.” It was hard not to squirm in anticipation as she listened to the foil of the condom wrapper and Cade moved behind her. The patience Cade exhibited as he slid into that wet heat within her was commendable. Every muscle in her core tightened at once at the feel and she released a steadying breath, determined to hold out for as long as possible. Cade evidently had other ideas as he pulled his hips back and thrust forward before she could prepare. The first climax punched through her after just a few more quick thrusts. It left her breathless and her knees wobbled as she fought to maintain her
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composure. Cade’s hands were tight on her hips for support and she leaned against him more than she intended. Her voice caught in her throat when Dalton reached to where she and Cade were joined and slicked his fingers over Cade’s cock. He wet his fingers with the lubrication from her juices and slid his thumb over her rear passage. Relaxed from the release, she was able to take his thumb easily as it slipped inside and he matched Cade’s thrusts almost immediately. The fullness was nearly too much to stand, yet she managed to hold on as he slipped another finger in to join his thumb. Her body buzzed with the energy that filled the room and she used it to draw out her pleasure. “Stop, Cade, but stay where you are. I want this one for myself. But she needs something else.” His fingers withdrew and she nearly sobbed at the loss of contact with him. Dalton moved away and she felt Cade’s deliberate breaths wrap around her while they waited. She unintentionally shifted and Cade’s fingers dug into her hips in order to hold her in place. “Don’t move. Just…fuck.” Cade’s voice was quiet so only she could hear, but dripped with the strain it took for him to maintain control. She felt the need to apologize, tell him she hadn’t meant to cause a problem, but Dalton’s footsteps were a signal of his return. He hadn’t directed them not to talk, but she didn’t want to tempt fate by speaking. Dalton’s thigh brushed against hers as he knelt beside Cade and smoothed a hand over her lower back. His fingers traveled lower and the shock of something smooth against her skin caused her to jump. Cade hissed in response to her sudden movement. There was no doubt in her mind Dalton had done that deliberately to see what kind of reaction he could garner. It was a thought further cemented when Dalton’s dark laughter filled the room. Cold touched her skin as he added some lubrication and her voice was the one that filled the room now as Dalton pushed what felt like a dildo into her ass. Relaxed, the device slipped easily inside her and she fought to keep from grinding back onto Cade as Dalton pushed it deeper. “Shame I’m intent on seeing her drive you wild with her orgasms, Cade. She’s primed and ready to have one of us buried in her ass.” Cade’s moan fueled the spark that flashed anew inside her and Dalton began to thrust the toy with slow and drawn out motions. He varied his pace, never settling into one pattern that would let her grab onto it. “You came for Cade, Erin. Now you owe me one. Let me have it.” Oversensitive, it was easy to answer his request and the release pulled a strangled sob from somewhere deep inside of her. Unable to stop herself, she did move now, pushing back against Cade in a silent demand that he move. An obedient sub, he stayed in place and waited for Dalton to
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allow him the freedom of movement again. It made her grateful that she hadn’t been instructed to hold back, as she didn’t think she could find the restraint to do so. Dalton shifted the toy, holding it fully inside her. “Move, Cade. Now. Force another one out of her. Feel what it’s like to be inside her as her world falls away.” The climax slammed into her when the toy and Cade moved at the same moment. She shot vertical, stripped of cognizant thought as she was yanked up into that space she’d come to love so much. Everything became pure and vibrant as she was carried off to another world. Her body was alive and pulsed with an energy that sparkled behind her eyes. She returned to find herself sprawled on her back, her body a boneless mass that left her unsure if she had the energy to walk again. A soft noise to the right caught her attention and she turned to find Dalton kissing Cade slowly and thoroughly in some kind of benediction. Fascinated, she unabashedly watched the two men. As much as she wanted to rise, cross to them and find some of the desire they possessed for each other, she found utter delight in simply being an observer. She’d watched them together before, but it made her wonder what it would be like to see the two men together from beginning to end. To simply play observer as they fucked. Their gazes turned on her as she shifted to a sitting position in order to watch. There was that need she’d longed for and hadn’t even known she’d been looking for in the first place. She’d found it with both of these men. No one ever needed her like they did and she’d never needed anyone this wholly and completely. “Erin, come give Cade your thanks. Show him how grateful you are.” Dalton’s meaning was clear without clarification and she would happily oblige after what Cade had given her. As she rolled onto her knees, she noticed Dalton had removed the condom despite the fact Cade still hadn’t orgasmed yet. One day she would have that level of control. She prowled slowly on her knees to the men. Cade’s gaze was unwavering as her mouth brushed against his. Her tongue scraped over his closed lips until he gasped in reaction. Seeing her chance, she angled her head to deeply kiss him. The flavor of Cade exploded on her tongue, mingling with the lingering taste of Dalton’s seed still in her mouth. Dalton’s deep groan of approval made Cade take a more active role and take possession of the kiss. Hands slid through her hair, moving her head to give Cade better access, and the familiarity of the touch indicated Dalton hadn’t been able to remain completely removed. Even after the powerful releases they’d given her, arousal shot to boiling point. Her body shook from the combination of the orgasms and the need to have them both. She was a fool to think she could easily keep this strictly about sex. She needed this, and needed them just as much as they needed her.
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She dropped and braced both of her hands against Cade’s thighs as she took his cock into her mouth. As she closed over the crown, the muscles in Cade’s thighs jerked in response. Dalton’s voice was hushed overhead, a silent and single command given to Cade. She felt his body tighten and a loud growl echoed through the room as Cade finally relinquished control.
***** The next morning, the trio sat around a table at Mac’s Diner. Erin fluffed a hand through her hair, making a covert gesture with her hand in response to a smartass comment from Dalton. Cade hid a smile behind his hand as Dalton leaned forward and folded his hands together. “Keep that up and I will bend you over the table, tie you down and show you how far one of those fucking machines can take you.” He clearly meant it as a threat, but the glint in his eyes made her smile. She was still warmed through with the fact that Dalton had allowed her to handle Cade’s aftercare the previous evening. Lost in the careful task, she’d nearly gone into a hazy state as she’d spent time making sure he had what he needed. That he was comfortable and remained hydrated. The connection was something she understood now and was eternally grateful to Dalton for gifting her with the privilege of something so precious. Another sign the trio had something very special. Dalton opened his mouth to say something more but abruptly snapped it shut. His eyes darkened. She looked to Cade and noticed his expression had shifted as well. Before she could inquire, Dalton nodded to someone over Erin’s shoulder. “John. Mara.” A hollow feeling balled Erin’s stomach and she swallowed the sudden case of nerves that flared to life once she heard those names. She wanted to reach for Dalton’s hand, offer comfort and reassurance, but Dalton wouldn’t want it. Not right now. Erin turned her head a little, catching sight of the couple. John was tall, lean and his angular face framed soft light green eyes. Mara was equally as tall, but she wore three-inch heels to achieve the height. Wide brown eyes were framed by a fall of soft blonde hair that looked as if had cost a small fortune to maintain. Her full lips were perfectly straight, worry marring her flawlessly painted face. “Dalton, great to see you.” John extended a hand toward the man who was flanked by his current lovers. Dalton didn’t rise, but shook John’s hand in what Erin saw as a friendly gesture made out of politeness. “Same here. What brings you back to town?” “We’re on vacation. Brought the kids here to see where Mara grew up.” 146
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Kids? Erin turned her head just in time to watch Dalton’s hand flinch against the cheap Formica table. He covered it fluidly enough so even the most astute observer wouldn’t notice. But the worry that instantly clouded Cade’s eyes made it clear he’d noticed, just as she did. “That’s good, pass along the history. Show that it’s not always about big city living.” “Exactly.” John slipped his arm around his wife’s waist and met Erin’s gaze. “I’ve been away for a while, so I don’t recognize your friends here.” Dalton cleared his throat. “Sorry, this is Sheriff Roberts and—” “Erin Corvus,” Erin interrupted. Mara offered her hand, but Erin made it appear as if she hadn’t seen the woman reach forward. The last thing she wanted to do was touch this woman who had caused so much damage to the man next to her. As the woman leaned over, Erin suddenly realized the greasy, heavy scent of the bacon and fried potatoes wasn’t enough to erase the potent scent of Mara’s perfume. If she ever smelled another bushel of roses again, it would be too soon. Mara let out a nervous laugh and smiled as she slid that rejected hand into her husband’s grasp. “Dalton hanging out with the law. Now there’s a change of pace. I used to remember you running from the law, not sitting beside it.” Cade dropped his silverware to his empty plate and the noise made the couple flinch. “Sometimes, events in your life cause you to change your outlook.” His voice was loaded with contempt and even Erin felt the coldness of it. The sound of it seemed to kick Dalton out of his stupor and he leaned against the back of the booth with his arms wide and long behind both her and Cade. It was a clearly possessive move intended to mark his territory. “So, kids, you say? Added a few?” Oh Dalton, please don’t go there. Don’t put yourself through this. She caught Cade’s gaze and pleaded with her eyes for him to step in and say something to stop this train wreck. “Yeah, they’re—” “Listen, sorry to interrupt, but I’ve got to get into the station.” Cade cleared his throat and pushed against Dalton’s shoulder with a closed fist. “Dalton, you rode over with me because you left your bike at the station. Ready to head out?” Dalton brought his arms in and nodded despite the fact a frown pulled at his mouth. Erin seized the opportunity and tossed her napkin down in front of her. “Hey, Sheriff, I need to head to my office as well. Think you can give me a lift?” It didn’t matter that her office was two blocks away. The couple didn’t know otherwise. She certainly didn’t want to stay here and she was not going to leave Dalton alone right now. He may not realize it, but he needed both her and Cade more than ever.
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The three shifted and John and Mara backed out of their way. It wasn’t hard to miss the disappointment on both of their faces. Their displeasure was even more evident when Mara reached forward and brushed her hand over Dalton’s forearm. “Oh well, maybe we can get together for dinner later this week?” Dalton jerked against his former lover’s touch and stepped back in order to put space between them. The contact appeared to have made something inside him snap and a forced smile lit up his features. “Actually, I have a few jobs I’m behind on. Need to get them done by the end of the week. Have a nice time while you’re here though.” His heavy work boots sounded quietly against the worn linoleum as he moved away. Erin watched a flicker of disappointment pass between the couple. They hadn’t been truthful about their reasons for being here and she immediately hated them for it. Hadn’t they caused enough hatred and discontent without further adding to the problem? Cade tapped her shoulder, giving her a silent signal he wanted to catch up with Dalton. “I’ll meet you outside.” “I’ll pay the tab. You got it last time.” Erin pushed away from the table as Cade rushed to catch up with Dalton. She threw a few bills on the table to cover their breakfast and crossed her arms over her stomach as she faced the couple. Mara’s gaze had followed Dalton out the door, and she still stared as if it would somehow make him step back through the entryway. Erin cleared her throat to get Mara’s attention. “Dalton is happy. In case you were wondering.” Mara nodded. “We’re glad for him.” Erin snorted and shook her head. “No, you’re not. You didn’t come here for vacation. Well, you did, but not for the family bonding time you meant for him to believe.” Brown eyes pleaded for understanding, and under different circumstances, Erin would have actually felt sorry for her. The woman was obviously emotional about Dalton’s abrupt dismissal. “We realized our mistake and came to find him.” Despite her moment of pity for the woman, those words caused indignation to flow hot in Erin’s veins. Her attitude toward the couple changed dramatically as she realized they weren’t going to give up easily. “Why? He wasn’t lost. He’s been in the same place he’s been since you both walked out. I’d suggest you don’t stick around.” If the couple seemed surprised to hear Erin knew the truth about their relationship with Dalton, their faces gave nothing away. “You have no business sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong,” Mara snapped out, her pretty face distorting with anger. Tired of the posturing, Erin reacted to the woman’s attitude and handed it right back to her. “And you had no business leaving him like you did. You really have no
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business coming here and expecting him to just welcome you back like nothing happened.” Cade returned just in time to hear the last of Erin’s carefully controlled tirade and reached around the couple to take up her elbow. “Erin, come on. Let’s get out of here.” She started to move, but John’s hand clamped on her shoulder to hold her in place. “If we could just talk to him. Maybe let him know how wrong we were.” Mara nodded, her expression pleading as if it would help the situation. “We just—” The tension in the air cracked and Cade lost his composure. “What? Woke up from your stupidity and suddenly realized what a damn good thing you let go? You don’t get to sweep back into his life and say ‘Oops’. Deal with the choice you made and get the fuck out of my town.” “You can’t abuse that badge, Sheriff.” Mara’s expression darkened, taking on a hard edge that ruined the beauty she’d been when they’d first entered. In this moment Mara was an ugly woman and Erin knew she would always remember her this way. She would have to in order to look back on this moment and laugh. “You’re right, I can’t. But I can make your time here very, very miserable.” His arm snaked around Erin’s waist and she let herself be pulled into his embrace. She welcomed anything that got her away from the slimeball’s grip on her shoulder. Cade held her as she settled into his tight hug. “Dear, stop it. You’re pushing too much.” “But he needs us,” Mara insisted as she tried to shake off her husband’s tender touch. Erin saw his fingers clench tightly against Mara’s arm. His gaze softened and he appeared to understand with far more clarity than Mara did. “No, I don’t think he does. He’s obviously got people who love him enough to stand up for him. We’re not going to ruin that. That’s not what we came to do.” Mara sighed heavily, slumping against her husband in defeat. Her slender hand lifted to his chest and he cradled her to him as her emotions got the better of her. “He belongs with us, John.” John’s gaze met both Cade’s and Erin’s fierce stares and he nodded his head at each of them in turn. “Not anymore, Mara. Let’s go. We’ve caused enough trouble. He’s moved on and so should we.” He shifted her, putting himself physically between them. Regret clouded his eyes. “I apologize if anything we said upset you. It wasn’t our intention to cause trouble, and to be honest, we were a little overzealous. Please know that we’re not usually like this. We just want the best for him.” “Then the best thing you can do is leave.” Cade’s arm firmed around Erin’s waist and they stood their ground together. She pressed herself against him, feeling eased by his presence.
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John’s words made perfect sense. She knew the draw Dalton possessed because she’d felt it herself, even though she’d denied it. Now that she’d embraced it, she wasn’t of the mind to let it go easily. Without a doubt, Cade felt the same way. Cade guided her past the heartbroken couple and out into the bright sunlight of the morning. As they approached the truck, the quiet was broken by Cade’s frustrated sigh. “Damn it. He’s gone.”
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Chapter Sixteen her.
Later that night, as Erin stepped into The Red Oak, John’s words still stuck with
He’s obviously got people who love him enough to stand up for him. Yes, she was willing to step up and defend Dalton, but was it a sign that she loved him? He had obviously been in a great amount of pain at the sight of his former lovers. She’d wanted to do everything she could in order to erase the hurt. Surely that wasn’t indicative of love. She’d been down that road and knew enough to recognize what love felt like. The emotions and feelings they both drew from her weren’t love. It was so much more. The bar was smoky and filled to capacity with locals out looking for cheap drinks and slurred conversation. The establishment did its fair share of business from husbands who sought to fill in the hours between end of shift and dinner with their families. Erin’s gaze scanned the packed room before it landed on the owner of the bar, Brian. He jerked his chin in greeting, then gestured with the rag in his hand toward the dark lump at the end of the bar. She blew out a relieved breath and smiled in thanks as she pushed aside her inner debate about what constituted love. Her cell phone was in her hand to dial Cade’s number before her feet even started to propel her forward. “He’s here. Drunker than a skunk from the looks of it too.” “I’ll be there in five minutes.” She shoved the phone into her back pocket as she slid onto the high barstool next to Dalton. His hand gripped tightly around the half-filled mug and his shoulders were hunched. The wood bar served as his pillow and she wrinkled her nose in disgust as she caught the strong scent of yeast. “You smell like you’ve been fermented.” “All the better reason for you to get drunk on me.” The words were slurred and nearly incoherent in his inebriated state. Erin snorted and rubbed her nose in the hope it would help dissipate the potent aroma. It didn’t. “Hey, Brian, can I get a glass of ice water? See if we can’t sober this boy up. Why’d you still serve him anyway? Thought it was against ABC laws to serve someone already over the legal limit.”
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Brian slid two tall glasses of water her way and leaned against the counter. A smile of amusement teased up the corners of his mouth as he gestured to Dalton. “He came in two sheets to the wind. The alcohol in him ain’t mine. I refused him service.” “Yet he’s got a beer.” “That, my dear, is my special concoction for those who don’t know when to stop with their indulgences. Apple juice mixed with a little club soda. Been sucking it down like water. He’s so shitfaced he doesn’t even know the difference.” Erin beamed. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.” “Stop hitting on my girl,” Dalton mumbled around another swallow of his drink. “You keep up this bullshit and the only thing you’re going to see of your girl is her ass as she leaves.” “Works for me. I like her ass just fine.” He lifted his head and Erin spotted a thin thread of red through his normally clear and sharp eyes. There was a bawdy grin on his mouth and he used his elbow to prop up his head. “Cade does too. Told me he wanted to fuck it again so he could tell me—” “Drink this.” She cut him off and shoved a glass at him in a rush to put something in his mouth other than his usual vulgarity. Dalton swept his hand wide, knocking the ice water away, and he stood to push into her. The close proximity gave her a contact high and she tried to put space between them so she could breathe clean air. Dalton’s hand was strong and firm against her nape as he pulled her sharply against him. Despite the fact he was three sheets to the wind, the hardness of a stiff erection pressed against her hip. “I’d rather drink you. Or him. Maybe both of you at the same time. Now there’s something we haven’t done. I’ll take you both. Have you sit on his dick while I lick your cunt. Taste you both at the same—” “Erin, I suggest you get him out of here,” Brian interrupted with a loud cough as he reached forward and pushed Dalton back on the barstool. “Someone’s going to take offense if he keeps it up with that mouth of his.” Erin nodded and looked to the door in case she had missed Cade’s arrival. She wouldn’t be able to muscle Dalton to her car, so she would have to make do until he got here. “Hand me a rag, I’ll wipe up this side.” Brian tossed a towel toward her and she gave him a soft smile. “Thanks for babysitting.” “Just don’t let it get around that I’ve gone soft. Listen, want to grab some extra rags out of the back? I could use a few more to wipe the mess up on this side. I’ll keep an eye on him.” “No problem.” She smiled at a few groups who sat near the hallway that led to the back and avoided their curious gazes. Dalton had been loud enough for most of the bar to hear and the town would buzz later with gossip about the newest relationship news. Most of the town was open-minded enough not to care who did what behind closed doors, but that didn’t stop them from talking.
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As she stepped into the stock room, the strong aroma of cleaner rid her nose of the assortment of scents she’d been subjected to since her arrival. She was thankful Brian understood and hadn’t blinked an eye when Dalton’s vulgar tirade had started. The towels tickled her palm as she stacked a few together and she caught herself smiling in spite of the current situation. Dalton was someone who rarely let his emotions show. He’d gotten thrown off his game the moment John and Mara had stepped into the diner this morning. He’d typically taken off and it hadn’t surprised her or Cade in the least to find him gone. Finding him had been the biggest frustration. For as small as Collington Creek was, it had taken most of the day to locate him. Judging by his words, drunk or not, Dalton hadn’t let Mara and John’s sudden reappearance sway his desire for either her or Cade. The feel of that certainty from someone she was close to swelled inside her. She suspected the questions she’d been forced to ask herself lately about the men would soon find very different answers. Am I ready for it? There was a loud shout and a swell of voices out in the main area made her toss the hand towels to the side. The urgency behind the noise caused her to sprint up the narrow hallway just as Dalton took a swing at another customer. Despite the fact he was nearly filled to capacity with alcohol, Dalton’s fist connected solidly with the man’s jaw. His head snapped back on his neck and blood splattered another patron immediately to his left. “You pansy fuck,” the man shouted in response as his eyes narrowed at Dalton. Both men lunged for each other at the same time. A fist slammed into Dalton’s face. With his height and build, the mountain of a man didn’t move, didn’t even flinch. Clearly annoyed, Dalton returned the punch with enthusiasm and suddenly the bar was in total chaos as fights broke out everywhere. Alcohol, unrest and emotions ran high and fueled the mob to make for a volatile combination. She gritted her teeth and tightened her fists at her side. Those years she’d spent breaking up fights between her older brother and sister looked as if they would come in handy. Just because she had a small stature didn’t mean she couldn’t hold her own in a fight. Besides, men were far simpler to take down to their knees when they got this unruly. “Getting off easy with just a kick to their crotches too,” she muttered as she stepped forward, ready to put her knee to good use, but was brought up short when Cade suddenly threw himself into the melee. He ducked the thrown punch with an effortlessness and fluid grace that couldn’t be taught at any sort of police instruction facility. He’d clearly retained his military handto-hand combat training. Splitting the crowd, Cade muscled Dalton away from the raucous group and held his arms behind him to prevent further punches from being thrown. Brian held the other man, who struggled in the hold and took offense to what had just happened. 153
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“You’re all sick in the head. Think you own the world because you’re better than the rest of us. It’s bad enough you two butt-fuck each other. But then you go and ruin a perfectly good-lookin’ woman by convincing her to fuck you two cocksuckers.” And now we know what started the fight. Erin shook her head in disgust and stepped through the crowd to stand beside her men. “Evan, I’d think real long and hard before you open that bigoted trap of yours again.” Cade’s warning didn’t seem to deter the man as he continued his rant. “Bunch of demented perverts. I hope you all burn in hell.” Evan’s eyes flared white hot as he shook off Brian’s hold and stepped closer to Dalton and Cade. He sneered at the men, then turned his glare on Erin. “How about you let a real man show you how that pussy of yours should be filled?” Cade shoved Dalton toward Erin as his fist slammed into Evan’s face. As she stepped in to support Dalton’s swaying form, there was an audible snap as the cartilage in Evan’s nose disintegrated. Dalton’s chest hitched and she looked up to see a slight smile play over his lips. She had no idea what he found so amusing, but could guess, considering how she felt about Cade stepping in and punching the narrow-minded bastard. Undoubtedly, Cade would be reprimanded for it since he was in uniform, but that didn’t really seem to bother him in the least. Evan fell to the floor in a heap with blood darkening the front of his crisp white shirt. His eyes rolled back and his body went limp as he lost consciousness. Brian crossed his arms over his chest and smiled. “Well, would you look at that, Sheriff. Seems as if Evan here found the business end of my floor when he fell off his stool.” Pride swelled in Erin when no one moved to assist Evan as he bled all over that floor. Served the jerk right after what he’d said. Dalton’s weight suddenly shifted and Erin looked over as Cade slid a hand around the inebriated man’s waist to support him again. “Let’s get out of here.” “Gladly.” The crowd parted like the Red Sea for Moses and was silent as the trio made their way out of the bar. Sweet night air replaced the smoke that had filled her lungs and Erin took a few deep breaths in order to appreciate it. While she loved The Red Oak, she was glad to be free of the stifling atmosphere. Cade dragged Dalton along, being none too gentle about it from the sound of the vulgar protests that came from Dalton. There was a scrape of metal on dirt and Erin looked over her shoulder to see they had an audience gathering on the sidewalk. Swearing quietly—damn, I’ve picked up some of Dalton’s habits—she turned back to face the men just as Dalton palmed the back of Cade’s neck. He pulled and Cade’s eyes
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went wide in surprise as Dalton’s mouth crushed against his. The heat and enthusiasm behind the kiss swamped Erin where she stood more than a foot away. Dumbstruck, she watched as Cade’s body surrendered. Passion swelled between the two men and something inside Erin clicked into place with an audible thud. This was what they’d been missing. Cade had been right, Dalton was walking sex, but he’d always held something of himself back. The alcohol had caused him to drop all his shields and Dalton was as exposed as she’d ever seen him. The love she’d had with Billy hadn’t felt like this because it wasn’t the same. What she felt for both men before her couldn’t even compare. She suddenly wanted to be between them to share this moment, but held herself back. There were too many other people present and would add fuel to an already raging inferno. There was an uncomfortable cough next to her and Erin gave the crowd a tentative smile. “Have to love alcohol and those loosened inhibitions.” She cleared her throat and rolled her eyes as she tapped Brian on the arm to give him a silent plea for assistance. The bar owner turned to the gathered group and held out his arms. “All right, everyone, back inside. Let’s give these three their privacy. Cut the wisecracks, Jake, or when your wife gets back from her business trip, I’ll tell her you about your threehundred-dollar bar tab when you tried to get her sister drunk.” A loud hoot went up amongst the group and they all filed back into the bar, cajoling Jake and his own illicit exploits for the night. People in this town sure have a lot of secrets. And the three of us are no exception. Erin turned back to the two men just as they broke apart. Cade made a face as he dragged his hand across his mouth. “Jesus, it’s like kissing the inside of a keg. I think I could get drunk just by having his tongue in my mouth.” “Better you than me,” Erin said with a sarcasm-laced smile even as Cade shot her a dirty look. She knew better though. Cade may have been disgusted by the taste of the kiss, but he hadn’t missed the meaning behind it either. Just as she crossed to where the men stood, Dalton’s expression changed. “I think I’m going to be sick.” Cade physically tossed Dalton away from the truck, perhaps being more aggressive than was called for just to get him out of the way. Dalton groaned loudly in protest at the movement as he curled over and both Erin and Cade quickly stepped out of the way in order to avoid the splatter of vomit when Dalton finally lost it. They watched as he dumped the juice he’d unknowingly sucked down. The truck shifted against Erin’s shoulder as Cade leaned against the quarter panel. “Even when he’s an asshole and beat all to hell, he’s still the sexiest damn bastard I’ve ever seen.” Dalton vomited again and Erin lifted an inquisitive eyebrow as she raised her foot to avoid it. “All ours too. How’d we get so lucky?” 155
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“I’m the one who’s lucky. Found you two and I ain’t letting go.” The words from Dalton were slurred and nearly incoherent. Erin skimmed a hand over her hair to smooth it back and couldn’t contain a light chuckle. “Think he’s going to remember he said that in the morning?” “Nope.” Cade shot her a grin as he reached down to help Dalton stand. Cade shoved his shoulder under Dalton’s arm for support. He turned to her after depositing Dalton in the backseat of his truck and lifted his hand to cradle her jaw. Cade’s mouth skimmed lightly over hers and she tasted Dalton on his lips. That was something she cherished. To kiss one man and taste two. Cade’s touch was light and gentle, nothing like the kiss he’d just received from Dalton. “Sure as hell going to remind him though.” The truck rocked a little against her arm as Dalton opened the door and started slinging vicious, alcohol-laden insults at them both for coming to get him. Those insults died within a few moments and were replaced with terms of endearment neither of them thought Dalton capable of. Those too lived a short life as his head slumped forward when he passed out completely. The alcohol, emotion of the entire day and late hour had finally gotten the better of him. Cade shook his head. “Something tells me both of us will find great pleasure in that event too.” “Cade, I need to tell—” His thumb skimmed over her jaw and he leaned forward to lightly kiss the tip of Erin’s nose. “I know. Why don’t you save it for when he can hear it?”
***** The excruciating pain in Dalton’s head woke him. He’d never felt anything like it and as he tried to sit up, everything swam. The roof of his mouth tasted like the leather on the bottom of his work boots and his whole body ached. As he tried to move, he let out a loud, painful groan that made his head hurt even more. If he’d been hit by a truck he’d probably feel better than he did now. “Nice of you to join us again.” Cade’s voice made his eyeballs pulse and he curled onto his side in pain. “Oh fuck, I think I’m going to die.” “Would probably be an improvement then.” Despite the throb stacked behind his eyes, Dalton cracked them enough to find Erin and Cade on the other side of the bars. Bars? What the hell is going on?
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His eyes popped open, a movement he immediately regretted. Nausea and vertigo swelled inside him and he curled into the fetal position again. Metal clanked against metal—a sound that made him silently curse Cade in his head with a vow to get revenge later—and the cot shifted as someone sat down. “I locked you up for our own good since you seemed to be of the mind to start bar fights. Not that I blame you.” The displeasure was evident in Cade’s voice. “Why did you take off like that, Dalton?” My past and my future collided right in front of my eyes and I got spooked. But he couldn’t give them that answer. Not the two people who looked to him to be the strong one. Even though he understood the relationship between all parties revolved around trust, this was something he couldn’t give them. Not right now. It hurt too much to admit a shortcoming. He wasn’t about to further cement his stupidity in such an admission, let alone confess to the fact he needed them both probably more than they needed him. In fact, he vaguely remembered stating something similar during his drunken tirade. He winced at the thought and cursed himself for letting it get out of control. A Dom didn’t do that. “You’re being a stubborn ass, you do know that, right?” Erin’s annoyance nearly caused him to wince. Of course he knew. It was a defensive mechanism that would protect everyone involved in this triangle. His feelings for Erin had swelled into something he hadn’t expected and he knew that wasn’t what she wanted. It had been stupid to think he could have a relationship with both Erin and Cade. He’d been down that road before and it had cost him everything. He gently cleared his throat when he realized his silence bothered them. “Just like old times,” he croaked out as he rolled out of the cot. The world swam in front of his eyes and he took a few moments to steady himself, using the solid concrete wall as a focal point. Cade huffed out a frustrated breath and came to stand beside Dalton, offering a companionable hand on his shoulder for support. At the contact, something inside Dalton broke loose. He suppressed it, fed on the anger instead and used it to color his words so there was no mistaking his intent. Turning, he stepped away from Cade’s touch. “I think it’s time I left and I’m not wired for long goodbyes. It’s not my style.” “Who said anything about goodbye?” Cade bit off a curse even as Erin asked the question. “We all know we were just fooling ourselves into thinking this was going to be anything more than just a couple of adults screwing their brains out. You even said so yourself, Erin. We had fun, but I think it’s time that I moved on. You’re good subs. I have no doubt you’ll find a new Dom in no time.” 157
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“Dalton—” “In fact,” he continued as if Erin hadn’t protested, “I can recommend someone at Second Circle who would be perfect for you two. I’ll have him contact you.” He pushed past Cade without a glance and avoided Erin when she rose off the cot in an effort to block his hasty exit. The bright sunlight burned his retinas as he stepped outside. Cade’s truck was the only vehicle in the lot, and he debated briefly about hot wiring it. Being a new vehicle made that remarkably difficult since the computer pieces throughout the engine stopped that kind of thing. Motorcycles were much less complicated. The thought vanished when he heard the ancient door of the jailhouse creak open behind him. He hadn’t moved quickly enough, even though he should have known they would come after him. The heavy sound of footsteps told him that it was Cade. “There’s a better way to tell us that you need some time to think. Seeing Mara and John had to be tough, that’s obvious. We know that. Even though Erin and I want to help you work through it, we’re prepared to wait for you to figure it out on your own, if that’s what it takes.” “We’re your submissives, Dalton, but that doesn’t mean we’re blind or stupid. We’re also your friends, your family and your lovers. It’s all rolled into one and I refuse to think any of us are of the mind to change any of that soon.” “I know,” he stated tightly and clenched his jaw in frustration without turning around. Cade offered his own take. “You’re human and got caught unaware by a very painful part of your past. Taking the time doesn’t make you weak.” Dalton swallowed and turned on his heel to face them. As soon as he sighted the broken expressions on their faces, the anger in him died. He shoved his hands into his pockets and lifted his shoulders in a protective gesture. This avoidance wasn’t like him and he didn’t particularly care for it in the least. They both said things he’d thought. It wasn’t unusual for a D/s relationship to become this deep and binding. In fact, it was usually better when it did. And here he had done his best to avoid that very thing. Especially because Erin had expressed concern about keeping the arrangement only about sex. Erin started to step forward but stopped when Dalton gave her a hard glare. Her tiny hands balled into fists at her sides and he could nearly taste her frustration. “You’re refusing to admit that you never dealt with what happened to cause you to close your heart off. Even though you forced me to deal with something similar. I was wrong, Dalton, I need more than just the sex. I thought it was enough, but I need more…” He wasn’t surprised to hear her statement as she trailed off. He’d noticed the change in her the second it had occurred, even though she hadn’t noticed herself. It’s what made the scene at breakfast earlier today so hard to take. To have his past stand in front of him while what he saw as his future sat on either side of him.
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“Then I did what I set out to do.” The words were forced through gritted teeth. “It was my job to show you that you’re capable of things you never imagined. I did that. Even if I failed in other areas.” “Shit, Dalton. Don’t you get it?” Cade dragged a hand over his face. Dalton had never seen him so concerned. “This isn’t a job. We aren’t your employees. You’re smart enough to know better and also know that kind of thinking is dangerous.” “Not to mention detrimental. You’re the one who taught me that the sub is just as equal as the Dom.” Erin set her hand on Cade’s chest and the touch seemed to quell the frustration. His face relaxed. His posture released and Cade pulled Erin to him as he kissed her forehead. “Bottom line here is that you made both of us face our inadequacies and yet, when it comes time to face your own, you clam up like a scared little girl.” Stunned, Dalton stood his ground as they approached him. “It’s not just you involved in this relationship, Dalton. You don’t get to pick and choose what elements of your life we get to be a part of. You want all or nothing from us? Well, damn it, we want the same thing in return.” There was no heat behind Cade’s words and reminded Dalton of the last time they’d gone toe-to-toe. Cade had gotten in his face when he couldn’t let go of blaming himself for what happened to Mara. It had been the first time he’d realized there was something more between them. He’d kept that information to himself before Erin came along and she’d seen right through it despite his best efforts. It had given him the courage to face Cade with his feelings. Cade distorted his equilibrium and Erin was the support to catch him and set things to rights again. She was good for both of them and he wanted to walk away because his past had been tossed in his face. He had exactly what he wanted and here he wanted to chuck it carelessly to the side. Fool didn’t even begin to cover his behavior. Even more ashamed now, he needed some time to get his head together so they could have coherent, productive arguments instead of…whatever this was. From the set of their postures, they waited for an answer from him. He needed to be sure that he wouldn’t fall to pieces like this again before he could give them that. “I’m going to go home. Sleep this off before I make even more of an ass of myself. I just…” he trailed off, at a loss for words. “We’ll be here,” Cade said with stubborn determination. “We’ll wait for you as long as it takes.” Dalton nodded, turned on his heel again and started the long walk to his shop as he sought enlightenment.
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Chapter Seventeen Later that evening, Erin sat on her deck. She stared at the fire as it crackled quietly in the pit. She’d lost interest in the beer she’d taken out after she’d come out here. The past twenty-four hours had been a roller coaster ride of emotions. Nothing had ever shaken her badly enough to make her feel as if the world crumbled around her. Even all the trouble with Billy hadn’t caused her this much emotional turmoil. It may have felt like it at the time, but it couldn’t hold a candle to this. Maybe it had been cavalier of her to become attached to the men so quickly when she’d been the one who’d been insistent on remaining at arm’s length. When that lack of distance had reared its ugly head, she’d panicked. Things had been so easy between them, so fluid and effortless, that she hadn’t even realized how deep she was in until it was too late. Then the proverbial carpet was pulled out from under them when Dalton’s lovers had made their surprise visit. Then all hell had broken loose. It had been countless hours since Dalton had walked away from the jailhouse. She’d talked to Cade a few hours ago and he still hadn’t heard anything either. The longer the silence stretched out, the more worried she became. The world they’d opened for her wasn’t something she wanted to see end anytime soon. And it wasn’t just the world. It was them. Her men. The phone rang in the house. Springing up, she upset the bottle perched on the edge of her chair. The glass shattered as it fell, but it didn’t matter. She just needed to get to the phone. “Hello?” She heard the terror in the tight exhalation of breath that sounded over the line before Cade even spoke a word. That silence caused her voice to catch in her throat, but alarm made her push through it. “What is it? What happened?” “Erin. It’s Dalton, he…” Everything inside her went radioactive and blew like an atom bomb as it impacted with the earth. “Cade.” His name was a strangled sob from her lips. “Please tell me what’s going on.” “It’s bad, honey. Real bad. Get Cassidy to drive you to the hospital. To Grady, that’s where they’ve taken him. There’s been an accident. It’s Dalton, he…God, I can’t even say it.”
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Cade paused to clear his throat. “The medical helicopter just got to the scene and they need to take him to a Trauma 1 facility. I’ll meet you there as soon as I can. I promise.” He severed the connection before she could protest. Take him. That had to mean he was still alive, right? The fact they were airlifting was not a good sign and the unknown had her rooted to the spot. A thousand scenarios raced through her mind at once, making it impossible to concentrate enough to place the much needed phone call for help. Her mind spun back to something she’d heard the men talk about once. How Cade had gotten tired of scraping teenagers off the pavement out on old highway 5. Despite the fact the road was in total disrepair, the straight stretch of road was routinely used as an impromptu drag strip. Surely Dalton hadn’t…oh my God. Racing through the house, she barely managed to palm her keys as she flew through the front door. Tires spun as she reversed her car out of the driveway and slammed the accelerator to the floorboard. She made the seven-minute drive in half the time and narrowly missed the back of the fire truck parked on the shoulder. Warning lights spun, splashing their red lights garishly against the other emergency vehicles and the surrounding woods. Everyone seemed too calm and orderly. Her gaze searched for an ambulance, found none and hollowness carved an abyss into her stomach. The fact they hadn’t even called for ambulance, going for the air unit instead, stabbed at her. Suppressing her dread, she spun, searching again for a familiar face. She needed a piece of her life to latch onto. Instead, near the base of the hundred-year-old oak that stood proudly in the single tight turn in the road, she stared at the shattered remains of the bike Dalton loved and cared so much for. The one he’d built up from a rusty frame into something spectacular. The very same one he’d backed her up against as he’d kissed her blind weeks ago. The broken machine lay in the road as a glaring reminder of how easy dreams fractured in the blink of an eye. Unable to stomach the horror that formed in her mind, she tore her eyes from the wreck with a sob and, seconds later, found Cade. He stood hunched over the hood of his deputy’s car, his shoulders drawn up high as tension rippled through the muscles in his back. His head was bowed and everything in his posture spoke of anguish. “Cade!” she yelled and took off at a dead run. He spun, his gaze searching frantically for the source of the voice. She was nearly stopped cold by the streaks of blood on his face, the long gaudy bands of red on his arms that hadn’t quite dried yet. But it was the tormented expression on his face that made her launch herself into his arms. He caught her, burying his face in her neck and
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like those broken remains of the custom motorcycle their lover had crafted with his own hands, they both fell to pieces. This can’t be real. After what seemed like hours, but may have only been minutes in reality, she reined herself in and managed to latch onto a coherent thought. “What happened?” Her throat was thick with emotion and she did her best to clear it. “Tell me he’s all right. Please, Cade. Damn it, please tell me.” “I got here and there was so much blood, Erin. He was covered in it. Didn’t have on his fucking helmet again.” Cade’s voice caught on the words, and he inhaled slowly before continuing. “I didn’t know what to do. Couldn’t make my cop brain function enough to call an ambulance. Couldn’t stop thinking about how stupid he was being. How much of a fucking dickhead he was for not listening.” The back of her fingers stroked over his tearstained cheek, wiping away a trail of wetness across his skin. “Cade, stop. We’ve got to let this go for right now and be strong for him.” He nodded and slid his hand up into hers. “I know. Just, I got here and I saw his leg was torn up, bone sticking up through the skin. I wanted to slap him for not being more careful. The EMT said he may have severed his femoral artery.” His eyes went out of focus as he slipped back into the moment he’d arrived and she squeezed his hand to bring him back to her. She had to be the one who kept him talking. Help him push past the horror he must have felt trying to deal with the urgency of Dalton’s injuries. “Was he conscious?” “In and out. Cussed me out when I tied the tourniquet on his thigh. Said he’d be dammed if he’d let me give him another blowjob again.” His laughter was forced and she shivered as he gathered her into his arms. She needed it as much as he did and let him cradle her close. “God, Erin, he was so cold. His skin was like ice.” Her hand pressed against the center of his chest. Despite the fact he held her, she needed reassurance that while one of her lovers fought for his life, the other was here with her. The feel of his solid, yet fast, heart anchored her. “Sounds like he lost a lot of blood.” His chest hitched under her hand, moving as he took a deep, cleansing breath. “Yeah, most of it is on me at the moment.” The blood she’d noticed earlier suddenly glared at her and snapped her out of her stupor. The urgency to be where Dalton was overwhelmed her and her chest constricted in panic. “Cade, we have to go. I can’t be here right now. I don’t think you should be either. We need to get to the hospital to be there for him.” “I’ll get Branson to drive us down. I don’t think either of us can think clearly enough to drive.” Erin curled around Cade after they’d climbed into the back of the deputy’s cruiser. He’d stripped off his uniform shirt and left on his undershirt, but she still caught the
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tang of blood on his skin. The cloying scent of it roiled her stomach and very nearly made her sick. As much as she hated the smell, right now it was her only connection to Dalton. “We can’t lose him, Cade.” “I know, sweetheart. We won’t.” He pressed his lips against her forehead and pulled her closer. The ride seemed to never end. Erin kept her focus by resting her head against Cade’s chest and using the steady beat of his heart to give herself some comfort. There was nothing to do but wait as the minutes appeared to crawl by while they made their way south. As they entered the outskirts of Atlanta, Branson inadvertently took them directly past Second Circle. Cade’s heart stuttered as they sped past the building and she curled tightly into him. Once they finally arrived at the hospital, they both spilled out before the car had even come to a rest. Her nails imprinted rows of half-moons in Cade’s forearm as they entered the emergency room and he demanded to know where Dalton had been taken. The receptionist was reluctant at first, but the flash of a badge cleared the way for them. Having two officers of the law flanking her certainly sped things along, and she was thankful for their presence. As the elevator doors of the ICU opened, Cade flashed his badge again and despite the fact they weren’t family, they were both admitted to the intensive care unit. She paused at the open doorway of the room the nurse had directed them to and fought to keep herself together. It wouldn’t do to fall apart now. She would need whatever strength she could muster. After finally gathering the courage to step in the room, her fingers trembled as she lifted a hand to the privacy curtain. Cade’s fingers threaded through the hand that hung at her side, and with his support, she pushed the curtain back enough to allow them to pass. A soft cry of horror sounded in her throat and Cade’s trembling arm wrapped around her waist. Whatever she’d expected, this was a thousand times more horrible. Dalton looked to be hooked up to every machine and tube known to man. Huge patches of gauze were taped to various places along the left side of his body. Bruises mottled his normally tanned skin and she stopped tallying the areas of road rash when she reached double digits. There was an angry-looking gash on his forehead and some of his hair had been shaved to allow the doctors to sew his skin back together. His left leg was elevated in a sling and encased in some kind of air cast. He had so many injuries, and was hooked up to so many machines, the nurses hadn’t even bothered to try to put a hospital gown on him. Instead, it appeared as if a sheet had been folded in half and draped over his hips for modesty’s sake. Erin doubted Dalton would have cared if he was covered or not. 163
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What remained of his clothes lay in a pile on the single chair in the small cubicle. She pressed her face into Cade’s neck and let tears stream unimpeded down her face. His arms came around her as he pulled her close and fell apart with her. She was so caught up by the fierce wash of emotion, she lost track of how much time passed. A soft cough caught Erin’s attention and she reluctantly broke away from Cade. “Are you family?” a soft voice asked. “Close enough,” Cade stated with firm authority to the doctor. He’d slipped back into sheriff mode and nothing would sway him in his quest for more information. It was an abuse of his badge, but Erin doubted he cared. “How is he doing?” Erin lifted her head to see a tall woman in a white lab coat standing next to the hospital bed. Her black hair was pulled into a severe knot at the base of her neck and she wore a small pair of reading glasses. She looked at Dalton laid out on the bed beside her and concern touched her expression. “It’ll be touch and go for the next twenty-four hours. He doesn’t have any kind of concussion that I can see on the film. But he’s lost a lot of blood from the nick to his femoral. I can’t repair his broken leg until he’s stabilized, so he’ll be heavily sedated for a few days. I’ll know more tomorrow morning. Right now, it’s probably best for him not to have any visitors.” Neither Erin or Cade moved and the doctor eyed them both before she sighed. “I’ll have the nurses bring in another chair, as I suspect you’ll find a way to stay without my permission. Just try to be quiet and stay out of the way. We don’t normally allow patients in the ICU to have overnight visitors like this, but I recently lost my brother. I was grateful for every chance I had to be with him, even though he probably never realized I was there.” She dropped the wire-framed glasses into her pocket and replaced the chart she’d picked up to sign. “It’s going to be a battle, but I can tell he’s a fighter.” Her practical shoes were quiet as she slipped out of the room and Erin moved to stand next to the bed. A chair slid behind her and she sat as Cade pressed a chaste kiss to the top of her head. “Go ahead and sit with him for a little while. I’m going to go talk to the nurses.” He disappeared and she was left alone with only the sound of the beeping machines to keep her company. Exhaustion made her eyes grow heavy and she leaned forward to rest her head against the hospital bed near Dalton’s uninjured leg. Sometime later, Erin felt something brush against her hand. Still caught in the haze of sleep, she grunted in protest. When it brushed against her hand again, she remembered where she was and jolted awake. Dalton’s hand squeezed hers and she lifted her head to find his un-bandaged eye open and focused on her. She started to reach for the call button for the nurse, but he squeezed again, this time with more force.
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“Please, let me have five minutes where they aren’t poking me with some sharp object I can’t slap away.” His voice sounded as if someone had scraped a rake over his vocal cords. Erin gave a light laugh and nodded, winding her fingers through his. Her lips pressed against the back of his hand and the reassuring beat of his heart pulsed against her mouth. Tears stung her eyes, causing the words to thicken in her throat. “You scared us.” “Scared myself.” She pushed away that wetness behind her eyes, as she felt she needed to stay strong for him. “Don’t do that again, okay?” “Think it’ll be awhile before he rides a bike again.” Cade’s hand smoothed over her head as he leaned down to press a kiss on the back of Dalton’s hand right over the spot she’d kissed minutes before. He set a cup of coffee on the table beside her and she quietly thanked him. “I’ll be right as rain before you know it.” The steady cadence of the heart monitor pressed into the corners of the room. “How bad it is anyway?” She finally shed those tears, her heart fluttering at the reality that they’d nearly lost him. “Could have been worse,” Erin offered when she could speak again. She couldn’t make herself tell him the truth. “Probably wished it was. Wouldn’t feel so shitty.” “Let me call the nurse and get you some pain medication.” It was nice to know Cade shared her concern. “In a minute. I’ve got something to say and I don’t want you two to blame the drugs. Where are my clothes?” Cade set his hand on Erin’s shoulder as he leaned his weight against the bed. “They were ruined. Nurse came by awhile ago and took them because they had to cut them off you.” Dalton jerked, hissing in pain when he was vividly reminded of his injuries. “Fuck. Can you find them? I need something from the front pocket.” Erin squeezed Dalton’s hand and reluctantly let go to rise in order to collect what he needed. “I’ll see if I can’t find them. Or see if someone knows.” Minutes later, when she stepped into the room again, she stopped to watch Dalton’s hand graze over Cade’s cheek. It was a loving, tender gesture. One that made her feel like an interloper. This was what she’d referred to when Dalton had taken her to Tray Mountain. This was what she’d seen that first night and had seen countless times since then. She moved to slide out of the room again in order to give them some privacy, but Cade turned, found her gaze. They both gestured to her and she winced. “Sure you two don’t want to be alone for a few minutes?” 165
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“No. You’re part of us too. Remember?” A warm glow started in her toes and fired up through her head like a firework on the Fourth of July. “I am, aren’t I? You know, I remember, not long ago, stating so emphatically that I couldn’t deal with anything even remotely close to this. Now I can’t imagine things any other way.” She moved into the room, stood next to the bed and admired the men who had wiggled their way into her life. “This was all they could find. His shirt was long gone.” She held out an opaque plastic bag to Cade as she changed the subject, emotion thickening her words. While she always thought of herself in possession of heaps of courage, she didn’t think she could stomach rifling through the contents. Cade took the bag, setting it in his lap. “What am I looking for?” “Right pocket. Small brown envelope. You’ll know it when you find it. If it’s still there.” Dalton’s fingers played with hers as they waited. Cade dug into the bag with his usual enthusiasm and even made a few funny faces as he picked through the ruined denim in order to lighten the mood of the room. He smiled when he found what he sought and Erin watched the amusement slowly bleed away from his expression. Panicked, she moved around the hospital bed and knelt beside him. “Cade, are you all right?” He pulled his hand from the bag, turned it over and slowly uncurled the fist he’d made. There, cradled in the center of his palm, were two circles of silver. The rings were nearly identical, crafted to resemble rope that had been stacked three times. It resembled the shibari rope ladder Dalton was so fond of tying around their wrists. One of the rings was larger than the other and the set had clearly been made for a male and a female. His gaze lifted and found hers. She watched his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed hard. “I was on my way back from Charlotte,” Dalton said quietly. “Guy there makes these kinds of specialty items upon request. He made the collar for Cassidy and Nelson. Guy does damn good work. Chatted him up for a while. Longer than I intended, actually. “Got a little high on my horse and opened up the bike to see what she could do because I was in such a damn good mood. I remember thinking about what I was going to say to you two after being such an ass. Then I realized I’d taken the corner too fast and that’s the last thing I remember until I woke up here.” The emotion of the possibility of Dalton being taken away from them and now this uncharacteristic display was too much and Erin finally let herself fall apart. Cade’s hand smoothed over her hair, tucking the strands behind her ears as he swept away the tears with his thumb. Her vision blurring, Erin gently set her hand over Cade’s palm and the cold metal of the rings pressed into her skin. Her chest constricted tightly as love swamped her, overrunning the sorrow. “They’re perfect.” 166
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“I was going to call you two when I got back in town. Let you watch me make a fool of myself as I asked you each to wear my collar.” Cade snorted, using his free hand to push away the tears that darkened his eyelashes and rolled his eyes at Erin. “Since when does he ask?” Dalton gave a sharp grunt in response, which caused him to wince. “You’ll have to forgive me for not being in a dominant mood right now. About the only thing that doesn’t hurt is the tip of my pinky finger.” “Let me call the nurse,” Erin insisted as she stood, and crossed to the bed. She hated to see him suffer with the level of pain he had to be dealing with. “In a few minutes, all right? The bottom line is that I didn’t want to have people blame me for things if something went wrong. That wasn’t a level of responsibility I wanted. It’s stupid, I know. Especially considering the level of responsibility I take on by having two submissives with all the discipline that requires. “I didn’t think I deserved it or either of you, to be honest. I hadn’t earned what everyone else seemed to just have handed to them. I thought the choices I’d made in my life were such that I wasn’t meant to have what I wanted the most. A life.” “You have one. You just didn’t open your eyes and see it,” Erin said with a shrug. “More like I saw it almost before it was too late. I’m who I am, all of it. I was afraid to ask anyone—again—to accept me. This all started out as just sex, but—” “Stop.” Cade pushed up out of the chair, taking Erin with him so he sat on the edge of the bed. He fit her between his leg and the bed. “We’ve taken you, faults and all, Dalton. If I took issue with how you did things, I wouldn’t still be here. In fact, I wouldn’t have gotten involved in the first place. I was there for all of the shit you dealt with, remember?” “I know. I screwed up once and nearly did again. I can’t—” Cade interrupted. “This thing between the three of us isn’t what was supposed to happen. We all recognize that. We also see it’s so much more. We’ve been given this opportunity and I don’t want to see it wasted.” “I don’t either.” Erin felt the knot in her stomach swell when Dalton opened his mouth to protest. She set a gentle finger over his lips to silence him. “At first, this wasn’t what I wanted, you know that. I think at first I used the sex as something to help me forget Billy, however wrong that was. I needed to be reminded that I was still capable of feeling something—anything—again. Even if it was just sex. You both did that. “But then John said something about me standing up for someone I loved and I realized he was right. You’re both in here.” Erin tapped the center of her chest. “I thought I knew love, but I was so wrong. This isn’t something I thought I was capable of, but I am and you both share my love. Just as you share me. I never want it to be any other way. You both showed me I am worth someone’s love and respect.”
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She reached over, pulled Cade close and gestured for him to hand her one of the rings. “Dalton, please collar us so I can call the nurse for you.” “Now I know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of being ordered around.” Dalton coughed as he tried to laugh and let out an agony-laced groan with the movement. “It’s supposed to be more formal of a ceremony. We can wait until I’m released.” Cade shrugged. “So we’re bucking tradition. Doubt it will be the last time. Besides, I don’t think either of us wants to wait. Not after this.” Erin nodded. “Please, Dalton, you’ve taken such good care of us. Let us take care of you.” Moving as little as possible, Dalton pushed a ring on Erin’s right index finger then did the same to Cade. He brought each of their hands to his mouth as he did, pressing a kiss full of promise and hope where metal met skin. The brightness in his eyes was back, even though pain still laced inside those depths. That pain must have bloomed with all the talking they’d done and those gray eyes closed as his brow creased. Erin wanted to do anything she could to take it away. He didn’t deserve this. Her thin hand skimmed over his head, sweeping back the remaining hair. A tight fist of emotion clenched her chest when the harsh hospital lighting caught on the ring. This was more than she could have ever hoped for. More than she had been prepared for when she moved to Collington Creek. Tears welling in her eyes again, she leaned over and brushed a tender kiss to Dalton’s forehead. His eyes opened and met hers. “We’ll have to celebrate later because I’m going to take you up on that offer to call the nurse now.”
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Chapter Eighteen Dalton heard movement on the other end of the shop just as Cade’s tongue slid into his mouth for a slow, drawn-out kiss. “Damn, you boys just couldn’t wait for me, could you?” It wasn’t hard to detect the sound of want in Erin’s question. Time seemed to draw out, stretching thin like taffy left out too long in the Atlanta sun. Cade’s tongue worked to slide in and out as his jaw moved. It was a hypnotic rhythm Dalton found himself drawn into faster than he could put a stop to it. The question he had to ask himself—why would he want to? Instead, within the span of a heartbeat, something held dormant inside of him awakened. His hands lifted to cradle Cade’s jaw as the other man sensed the shift and relinquished control. The atmosphere in the room altered to one of raw heat and need and Dalton greedily inhaled. It had been six months since Dalton had wrapped his motorcycle around the trunk of the old oak on Route 5. A time filled with hard work, determination and an abundance of colorful language. And that had just been on Cade’s part as he worked to shut down portions of the road entirely. The spot where the ancient oak still stood and the site of his accident had been dedicated as a park earlier in the day. The road had been rerouted and freshly paved, safer for the entire town to use for travel. Cade had finally won. Dalton still bore the marks of the many surgeries he’d endured following the wreck to repair his shattered leg. Rough patches showed on his skin where the road had buried fine grains of concrete that could never be extricated. A long scar rode high on his forehead as a vivid reminder their lives could have turned out remarkably different. Those were just the visible marks. With all the metal rods now strengthening weakened bones, Dalton would never be able to walk through an airport metal detector without setting it off. The doctor’s appointment earlier today had been the last he would need for a while and evidently Cade had been intent to celebrate his clean bill of health. Not that Dalton expected to find Erin complaining, despite her protest they’d started without her. Cade’s surrender was too damn perfect of an opportunity to pass by. But he would give them both a second to cool down since Erin had showed up. Dalton broke the passionate kiss, turning his head to direct that intensity at his other lover. “So much for knocking or shouting when you enter a room.”
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Erin tossed her bag down and laughed as she snapped her fingers. “Damn. Shame on me. Whatever are you going to do about it?” “I can think of more than a few things. This creative imagination of mine has had plenty of time to devise a means of punishment. If only there was someone around to appreciate it. A few someones would be even better as I feel the need to put my dominant skills to a quick test. Know anyone who could help me out?” Erin and Cade shared a glance and before Dalton could say another word, both began to strip. Their clothing was carelessly tossed to the side and a minute later they knelt before him. Naked, their hands were folded over their thighs in an identical position they knew he preferred. Their matching rings were still in place where he’d put them when he’d been in the hospital, and they stood out against all those yards of naked skin. His cock pushed hard against the seam of his pants. It was everything he could do not to pull out lengths of rope, bind them and exploit that willingness of theirs to please him. Especially since they had avoided substantial contact with him because of his physical therapy schedule, physical limitations and healing time. He’d sat watching them in this very room, issuing instructions and guiding Cade and Erin together as their bodies had merged into one. Now he had six months of forced celibacy to make up for and he wasn’t about to blow it all in a matter of seconds. If things continued in this fashion he’d embarrass himself. The door slammed shut on the flare of lust as all his training came back. He wanted them, but not like that. He would be an active participant again whether or not his lovers liked the idea of him pushing himself. “No, not yet. This has its place between us, but not tonight.” He pulled them both to their feet. The move caused him to put more weight on his leg than he intended. An ache bloomed on his hip, firing down his thigh. He reached out for the post beside him in order to steady himself. “I’m fine,” he stated to Cade’s firm gaze when he started to reach forward with a steadying hand. “Just give me a minute.” Even with her small size, Erin didn’t hesitate to slide over in order to support some of Dalton’s weight. “Let’s get him into the office, Cade.” “No. Better to start off where we’re all going to end up anyway.” He pointed to the closed door down the hall. Cade stepped over, taking the majority of Dalton’s weight so Erin didn’t have to support him with her small frame. As the three of them stepped through the door, Cade’s body tensed and Erin’s hand tightened on his forearm. Nice to know he could catch them off guard. Since he appreciated their surprise, he made a mental note to do it more often. Sprawled against one wall was a wide wrought iron bed. Four posts reached for the high ceiling and intricate scrollwork looped with a flourish that was still somehow understated. It was covered with a comforter the same dusky shade as Dalton’s eyes.
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Leaving them stunned, he pulled away and flopped down on the edge with a heavy sigh of relief. The cushioning was like heaven. He was glad he’d let Adam talk him into the higher-end mattress, even though it had to be custom ordered because of the size. It really had been worth the investment. “What the hell is this?” Cade demanded as Dalton pulled off his shirt and popped the first few buttons on his jeans. Relaxed now, and amused, Dalton stretched his arms back to put his weight on his hands to ease the pain in his leg. “I made it.” “How the hell did you have time for this?” Based on their questions, he decided this was far more enjoyable than originally intended. There hadn’t been a bed in this room since Mara had lost the baby, and based on the growth of their triad relationship he thought it time for a change. “Not as if I’ve not had a lot of free time on my hands recently. Or did you forget that I was instructed to spend most of my time lounging around? Don’t worry, Adam helped me out with the biggest pieces and then moved everything around when I couldn’t manage.” Erin stepped over, skimming her fingers over the curves in the metal. Dalton felt a swell of power inside him that had been missing recently. It slipped so easily into place he wondered how he’d forgotten it was there. Fueled by enough adrenaline now that he could push the pain away completely, he went under. “Cade, on your knees in front of me. What do you say we put that spectacular mouth of yours to use?” Both of their gazes blazed with profound hunger as the tension in the room ratcheted up a few notches. They both moved to stand before him, Cade lowering himself to his knees as instructed. “Don’t want you two to think I’ve gone completely soft.” Even though he’d used words to bind them to him, it felt good to slip into this old skin. This was where he belonged. Where they all belonged, he corrected. He’d missed it, missed them even though they’d both been right beside him through every step of his healing. Sometimes it had seemed as if they had been more determined than he was to get him through it all. Cade took his time to remove Dalton’s jeans before he finally closed his mouth over the very tip of his cock. It took every ounce of control Dalton possessed not to blow right then and there. He watched as inch by incremental inch, Cade slid his mouth along the thickly veined shaft. Dalton’s hands tunneled through Cade’s hair, cradling the back of the other’s man head. His hips shifted slightly, pulsing a bit while Cade closed his hands around the lower half of his cock to assist. Lifting his face, Dalton saw Erin standing beside them. She moved closer and as her head lowered, her lips closed against Dalton’s mouth. She seemed to take great pleasure
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in swallowing his strangled sighs as Cade continued to work him over. Her small hand tightened against the back of Dalton’s head and she pulled a bit to move him around as she wanted. Dalton groaned softly into her mouth when Cade started to move faster. He felt her shift to press that irresistibly lush body of hers against his. His heart rate increased as her fingers wove through his against the back of Cade’s head, joining in to move Cade’s head as he swallowed Dalton’s erection. Overwhelmed, Dalton broke the kiss and lay back in order to take pleasure in his lover’s touches even more. She moved over him, lowering to kneel beside Cade. His contented sigh filled the room and for a few moments he simply enjoyed the sensations swamping him as both of their tongues played over his shaft. Damn it feels good to be alive again. Erin’s face appeared in his sight. He reached up to comb his fingers through her hair as it curtained his face. Her lips glittered wetly and Dalton desperately wanted to kiss her. “I could watch you two all day.” “Don’t have to just watch.” He tilted her face, angling it so he could lift his head to take her mouth. Cade’s mouth slid over his cock again and swallowed him completely just as Dalton slid his tongue between Erin’s lips. He rejoiced in the moment he tasted all three of them in the shared kiss. Fire raced through his body and ignited that edge only the two of them together could light within him. The kiss broke after a few moments, but Cade continued undeterred. “Fuck. That feels so good,” Dalton said against Erin’s mouth. “It looks good. What do you want?” she whispered as her breath caught on the question. “You. Him. Together with me.” His mind drew up the drunken words he’d spouted when he hadn’t been able to deal with his past, but he held them back. She shook her head, tucking her hair out of the way. “Those injuries of yours make you afraid of your own voice? Tell me how it feels to have Cade’s mouth on your cock. In explicit detail. You know the words, Dalton. You’re the one with the gift of vulgarity. I want to hear you use it. I’ve missed it and you.” She hadn’t changed the dynamics of Dom and sub with her words, only enhanced it, and by God, he loved her for it. “I want you to ride him. Let him fill that magnificent cunt of yours with his cock. I want to take you both. Let you take me because I haven’t had either of you for so long.” Dalton trailed off, then gave a strangled moan as Cade engulfed him completely. “God damn it.” Cade stopped sucking as he lifted his head. “There’s more where that came from.” Those green eyes never left Dalton as that agile tongue slipped out and drew up the bead of come that had gathered on the tip.
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Erin let out a shaky groan as she brushed her hand over Dalton’s chest where his heart pumped in rapid succession against her palm. “Really, really something I could watch all day.” Cade’s nose brushed against Dalton’s abdomen as he swallowed him again. “Not sure I’ll last that long.” He sat up, pushing back on Cade’s shoulder to break contact as he fought to get himself under control. It had gotten away from him and he wanted the balance back in his favor again. Sliding away from Cade, he reached into a specially designed box that had been built into the footboard of the bed. He extracted two lengths of rope and a tube of lubricant he’d stashed there when he’d finished the bed earlier in the week. When he winced as he shifted up to his knees, he caught two sets of eyes that were filled with disappointment and concern. They’d noticed even though he’d tried to hide it. “You two keep that up and we’ll never get anywhere.” To their credit, neither of them said a word. He took that as his cue they would listen to their Dom. “The purpose of the artistic scrollwork on the headboard was twofold. For looks, of course,” he offered as he motioned for Cade sit on the bed. “But the second is far more enjoyable for everyone. At least I like to think so.” As he tied the treated rope around each of Cade’s wrists to secure him, Dalton slipped into a haze. His intense focus consumed him as he made the methodical loops and knots, hearing the quiet slide of rope against skin. Nothing else in the room mattered to him other than what happened in this bed. After a few minutes, he resurfaced, sitting back on his heels to admire his work. Cade sat with his arms spread wide and securely fastened to the headboard. It wasn’t hard to miss the fact that Cade had already slipped into some other space as well. Dalton gestured to Erin. With her snugly fitted beside him, he reached down and took up Cade’s solid erection in his hand. “I think Cade is a little dry. Why don’t you do something to change that?” The question wasn’t meant as a request and she willingly bent her head, sliding the flat of her tongue over the already straining tip. He met Cade’s stare and arched an eyebrow at the appearance of utter calm on the other man’s face. A muscle in Cade’s abdomen twitched and that was the sign Dalton needed to know that Cade barely held himself together. Time to push the envelope. “While she does have an impressive mouth and knows exactly what to do with it, this is too easy. I don’t do easy.” He slid his hand under Erin’s jaw, cradling the fine line of it as he lifted her away. Using his hands, he moved her around between them. Admiring the curvature of her backside, he slipped a hand between her legs, pleased at the deep sigh of pleasure she gave when he found what he sought.
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“You are dripping wet, sweetness. But I want you wetter. I want you screaming my name while you ride Cade.” With a well-practiced move that would have impressed the best of them, he’d outfitted Cade with a condom and slid Erin down over the sheathed cock. He bracketed his hands on either side of her hips to hold her in place, keeping her from moving as she sat filled with Cade. Dalton slipped his hands around to cup her breasts and pulled her back to lean against his chest so he had even better access to her body. The sound of their quiet whispers of pleasure, lost in the chaos he made for them, filled and relaxed him. Instead of using his hands, he used his pelvis to guide her. The friction of her bottom against his erection let him join in their pleasure. They moved in unison for a time, simply enjoying the sensation of movement. This wasn’t just sex anymore, a simple means to an end. This was real and potent. So breathtaking and soul shattering, Dalton wondered how he’d lived so long in denial of the inevitable. He loved them both with everything he was and they loved him in return. “Dalton, please.” Pushing hard against her, he fed off the hunger in her plea. “I’d forgotten that I loved the sound you make when you beg. But, sweetness, you’ll beg even more with me inside you too.” “Yes, I will. Please let me have you.” Her quiet whisper made him halt his movements entirely. “Stay like this,” he urged, unwilling to shatter the velvet softness that surrounded the three of them. This was what he—they—needed. He pulled away just enough to slide a condom in place and slick a thick coating of lubricant over himself. Reaching beside him as he tossed aside the tube, he ran his clean hand over Cade’s thigh. Muscle hardened under skin, reaching for a firmer touch to give that something extra. Dalton gave it to him, enjoying the minute torture that only touch could provide. His hand kept the contact with Cade as Dalton pushed tightly up against Erin again. He teased her, brushing the crown of his cock between the roundness of her bottom and against delicate flesh in order to distribute the lubricant. Satisfied, he positioned himself in place against her anus. She tensed at first, then relaxed under his touch. Educated as she was now, she released her tension even further and leaned forward. The position opened her for him and they both jumped a little as the head of his cock slid past the tight ring of muscle. He held himself in place to let her adjust again. “Relax, sweetness. Bear down just like I told you last time. Accept what I’m giving you.” After a few moments’ stillness her muscles opened against him and he pushed forward again. Her body accepted him by small increments. She whimpered quietly in encouragement as he slipped deeper. 174
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Once Dalton was fully inside her, Cade gave a strangled groan. Erin echoed it as she surrendered to both men and leaned back against Dalton’s chest once again. The three of them stayed this way, joined as one now more than ever before. Situated inside her, Dalton’s hands bracketed Erin’s hips and he nearly went blind from the feel of Cade held in place by the ropes and Erin held in place by Dalton’s grip. It allowed Dalton to control all the movement. He controlled them before, but now he was truly their Master. Unable to stand the stillness any longer, he moved her so she dragged against both of their cocks. His movements were slow and steady as he gave her the time she would need to adjust to the sensation of having them both penetrating her. When her hands closed over his, her muscles contracted as she gave a keening cry of utter surrender. It was the sign of her complete submission he’d waited for and increased the pace at which he moved her. She accepted the pace for a bit, but after a time, Dalton sensed she needed something more. Cade’s thighs trembled against his and stood as a sign to Dalton that Cade barely hung on. Dalton shifted a hand around Erin’s waist to hold her in place while he continued to make sweet love to them both. His other hand snaked around to cup her breast, his thumb and forefinger closing around the hardened peak of her nipple. Her quiet sigh was all the affirmation he needed and he pinched again, tugging harder to increase the pressure. Dalton’s gaze met Cade’s green depths and he noticed the unfocused quality that snapped clear the moment Dalton started to speak. “Look at her, Cade. She’s all ours.” He lowered his voice, brushing a hot kiss against Erin’s neck. “Go up for us, sweetness. Take us with you.” He felt the moment of release, felt both Cade and Erin convulse as Dalton bucked against them. Her scream was music to his ears as he brought them all off. Their three voices joined as one as everything else fell away. This moment in time was theirs to celebrate. Joined with the two people who gave him completion, he guided them, letting them guide him and together they soared. He sought solace in these two tolerant souls and because of them, Dalton Shaw was no longer damaged goods.
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About the Author Sara Brookes is a multi-published author who has always been fascinated by the strange, the unusual, the twisted and the lost (tortured heroes are her personal favorite). She is an action movie junkie, addicted to coffee and has been known to stay up until the wee hours of the morning playing RPG video games. Despite all this, she is a romantic at heart and is always a sucker for an excellent love story. Born and bred in Virginia, Sara still lives there with her husband and daughter. The entire family is owned by two cats, Galahad and Loki, who graciously allow the family to cater to their every desire. Sara welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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