PREY AN IMPOSSIBLE SERIES SHORT STORY
JULIA SYKES
CONTENTS Copyright Impossible Series Reading Order Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 The End Bonus Scene Also by Julia Sykes Connect with Julia!
Copyright © 2015 by Julia Sykes All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. julia-sykes.com
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IMPOSSIBLE SERIES READING ORDER While the books in the Impossible Series can be read as standalone romances, the following is the suggested reading order for the stories: Impossible: The Original Trilogy (Monster, Traitor, and Avenger) Impossible: The Companion Trilogy (Sean’s POV) Savior (An Impossible Novel)
Rogue (An Impossible Novel) Knight (An Impossible Novel) Mentor (An Impossible Novella) Master (An Impossible Novel) King (An Impossible Novel) A Decadent Christmas (An Impossible Series Christmas Special) Czar (An Impossible Novella) Crusader (An Impossible Novel) Prey (An Impossible Series Short Story)
1
Sean laudia’s hand trembled in mine. I C squeezed her fingers, and her tremble
turned to a shiver that raced through her body. She softened beside me, leaning into me instinctively. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her closer, indulging in her scent. The smell of cotton and roses held a bone-deep familiarity that always allowed me to find my inner calm. “There’s no need to be nervous,” I reassured her. “You like making me nervous,” she accused. I grinned because it was true. I relished her nervousness. She hovered on the edge of erotic trepidation. She knew I was going to push her tonight, and she anticipated it with both fear and longing. I loved watching her struggle
with the dichotomy. Dichotomy. I smiled to myself. Two years ago, I never would have thought in those terms. Claudia had expanded my everyday vocabulary. She used particularly big words when she was being snippy. I found it adorable. And she found it impossible to stay mad at me when I was only charmed by her feistiness. We suited one another perfectly. “What are you smirking about?” she asked, the question imbued with suspicion. “I’m just thinking about what I’m going to do to you later,” I teased. “And are you going to tell me what that is, exactly?”
“Nope.” “I didn’t think so,” she grumbled. Then she sighed. “You know we can’t do anything too rough, Sean.” She laid a protective hand over the small bump on her belly. My grin returned, wide and silly. I covered her hand with my calloused one. “I won’t hurt little Sean,” I promised. “She might be Serena,” Claudia corrected sharply. She was dead set on having a girl. She had once mumbled something about not being able to handle two of me in the house. Secretly, I felt the same way, but teasing her was too fun an opportunity to pass up. I laughed. “Well, I guess we’ll see in five months.” We had agreed we didn’t
want to know the sex of the baby. It was more fun bantering about names for the time being. “Are we going in or what?” she said irritably, wrapping her coat more tightly around her. The alleyway leading to the entrance of BDSM club Decadence was sheltered from the wind, but the last breath of winter still clung to the New York evening. “In,” I declared, guiding her forward with my hand on the small of her back. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, visibly gathering her courage. My woman might be nervous, but she was determined to overcome it. Despite letting her emotional walls down, she still struggled to show her vulnerability.
At least when it came to being outside the bedroom. I intended to push her past that. We stepped through the club entrance, and a tall blond in a sharp suit immediately caught Claudia up in a hug. She puffed out a little giggle. “Hello to you too.” “Okay, that’s long enough, Clayton,” I warned him, even though the embrace had only lasted a couple of seconds. I didn’t like any man touching what was mine. He pulled back with an easy laugh and promptly tucked his arm around his own sub. Clayton had once harbored a not-so-secret crush on Claudia, but he was thoroughly in love with Rose now. I
didn’t have anything to worry about. “You’re a possessive bastard, Reynolds,” he remarked. I nodded, trying and failing to suppress a smile. “That’s right. Hands off.” “Speaking of hands,” Claudia interrupted, snatching up Rose’s left hand, “what is this huge rock on your finger?” Rose flashed a brilliant white grin. “We’re engaged!” She practically bounced on the balls of her feet. “Clayton proposed in Milan on New Years Eve.” Claudia turned accusatory grey eyes on Clayton. “Why didn’t your parents tell us?”
We spent several evenings a week with the Vaughns. They had kind of adopted us as their adult children. I was surprised Clayton’s mother had managed to keep the secret from Claudia. “I made them promise not to tell,” he said. “I wanted to do it in person.” Claudia slapped his arm. “You could have told me over the phone.” “But this is more fun,” he baited her. She shook her head, choosing not to rise to it. “I’m too happy for you to be annoyed,” she declared. “Congratulations!” She pulled Rose in for a hug. Then she reached for Clayton again. I wrapped a hand around her waist and pulled her back against me. “There’s been enough hugging,” I
declared. She rolled her eyes at me. “You are so domineering.” I winked at her. “I’m your Dom. It comes with the territory.” “You’re infuriating.” “You’re cute.” Further proving my point, she let out an adorable little growl. “And you two are nauseating,” a new voice drawled. “Good to see you too, James,” I said drily, taking the hand he offered and shaking it a bit too firmly. “You can call me Smith now. We’re supposed to be friends, apparently.” The last time I had seen the man, it was from inside a holding cell, with him
on the other side of the bars. But if he had been invited to this private party Clayton arranged for Claudia, then I guessed we were indeed supposed to get along. Too bad my inner alpha didn’t like his. I would have to work on that. “Master!” the petite brunette beside him hissed in rebuke. “Be nice.” He turned an indulgent smile on her. “I give the orders here, sweetheart.” She blushed and turned her bluegreen gaze on Claudia. “I’m Lydia,” she introduced. Unlike Smith, she didn’t offer her hand. I got the feeling her Master had a hands-off policy that was even stricter than my own. Grudging respect took hold in my gut, and I gave him an apologetic shrug. He inclined his
head slightly in silent acknowledgement. It was probably the closest we would ever get to exchanging social niceties. “Well, that was a touching moment,” Derek chimed in. I gave my old friend a true smile. “How’s it going, Carter?” He clasped my hand in his. Then to my surprise, he pulled me in for a manhug. I clapped him on the back awkwardly before he pulled away. “It’s great to see you again, Sean,” he said with genuine enthusiasm. I had never seen the man so happy. There was something lighter about his entire demeanor, as though some great weight had been lifted. In a way, I supposed it had. His
father had finally met the same violent end as my own. We had both grown up in the Westies together, and both resented it. Neither of us was ever meant to take orders, especially not from assholes like our dads. “The club looks great,” I told him, admiring what he had done with the space. There was something different about it now; it had changed somehow since I had been here two years ago, but I couldn’t quite place what it was. “That’s all my doing,” a short woman with a mass of glossy dark curls declared. “This place was in serious need of a makeover.” I blinked at her. “Agent Silverman?” Claudia asked
with the same confusion I felt. Sharon gave a little wave. “That’s me.” “You’re in the lifestyle?” Claudia blurted. Derek placed a proprietary arm around her waist, his fingers curling into her hip. “Right again,” she declared. “I didn’t see that coming,” Claudia admitted. “Neither did I,” she said, beaming up at Derek with obvious devotion. Truthfully, I wasn’t all that baffled. I had sensed a similar tension in Sharon that Claudia used to harbor before she first submitted to me. But I certainly hadn’t expected to see her with the
owner of Decadence. I hadn’t thought Derek would ever settle down. My musing was interrupted by the arrival of yet another couple. I instantly tensed with aggression. “What is he doing here?” I demanded, my fists clenching at my sides. Javier Santiago had the grace to appear embarrassed. He turned to the blue-eyed brunette beside him. “I told you this was a bad idea, muñequita.” Charlotte Carter placed her slim form between Santiago and me. “He’s with me, Sean,” she declared. I didn’t know Derek’s little sister as well as I did him, but I certainly didn’t remember her being so assertive. “I know Javi shot
you, but he didn’t mean to,” she continued quickly. “It’s true,” Santiago added. “I didn’t mean to hit you, but everything happened too fast. I’m sorry.” “You’re the one who shot Sean?” Claudia took a hostile step forward, her brows drawing together in anger. I caught her arm and tugged her back, angling my body in front of hers. She tried to get around me, and I tightened my fingers in reprimand. “He could have bled out!” she accused. I turned to her and cupped her cheeks in both hands, forcing her to look into my eyes. “Calm down,” I ordered firmly. “I don’t want you getting stressed.” She sucked in a deep breath, and the
tension left her muscles when she exhaled. “If I can’t punch him, you’d better do it for me,” she said coolly. One corner of my lips twitched up, and I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll give you a free shot,” Santiago offered. “No you won’t!” Charlotte demanded. “No one’s punching anyone.” “I agree,” Derek interjected. “No fighting in my club.” “This is supposed to be a party,” Clayton added. “Who says there can’t be a fight at a party?” Smith challenged. “Sounds fun to me.” I barked out a laugh, and Claudia’s mouth popped open in surprise. I caught
her lips in a fierce kiss, unable to resist their pouty allure. When I was satisfied, I released her and turned my attention back to Santiago. “I don’t need to punch you, man.” I reached out my hand. He took it, his face slack with bemusement. “I wouldn’t have met Claudia if you hadn’t shot me, so we’re cool. Thanks.” “You’re thanking him for getting me kidnapped?” Claudia said in disbelief. My teeth ground together at the reminder of how Bradley had treated her during her captivity with us. I took my own deep breath and shoved back my residual rage, reminding myself that my ex-best friend was rotting in prison for life. I wished I could erase the pain he
had put her through, but I couldn’t regret the circumstances that had brought Claudia into my life, no matter how dark they had been. “Santiago’s not responsible for Bradley’s choices,” I told her as calmly as I could manage. Her jaw remained clenched, but she nodded once in agreement. “We’ll go now,” Santiago said. “No,” Charlotte refused. “I want to stay. Big brother needs to get used to you hanging around.” Derek’s carefree expression tightened slightly. “Your husband can stay, so long as he keeps his hands off you. I don’t want to see that. Otherwise, I might break my rule about no fighting in
my club.” Sharon punched him lightly on the arm. “Dial the testosterone down a notch.” His features softened again when he looked down at her. “That’s ‘Dial the testosterone down a notch, Master,’” he corrected. She huffed her exasperation, and he landed a swift swat across her ass. She let out a little shocked squeal and glared up at him in reproach. He arched an eyebrow at her, waiting. After a long moment, she blew out a breath and dropped her eyes. He ran a hand over her hair in a show of tender approval. She shivered. The sight of their happiness
lightened everyone’s mood. Even Claudia’s. “I guess I forgive you too then, Santiago,” she offered reluctantly. He gave her a small smile. “You can call me Javier.” She returned it with a tight one of her own. “Okay. Javier.” Rose suddenly looped her arm through Claudia’s and tugged her away from me. I fought down the reflexive urge to pull her back, to keep her soft warmth close. “Come on,” Rose said to the rest of the women. “Despite their best efforts, the testosterone levels are getting suffocating over here. Let’s have a subbie meeting.”
Charlotte stayed firmly beside Javier. “I think I’ll stick with Javi.” The protective gleam in her eyes and tough set to her jaw were unmistakable. It was almost funny that this small young woman thought she needed to defend the hulking man at her side, but I found it too sweet to laugh. “Okay, keep your man safe from big bad Sean,” Rose teased. “We’re going to the bar.” “No alcohol,” Clayton commanded her. “We’ll stick to soda, Sir,” she promised over her shoulder as she led Claudia away from me. My body tightened instinctively as sudden tension gripped me.
“Rose will look after her,” Clayton told me, picking up on my distress. “I don’t like not having her near me, especially not with the baby,” I admitted. To my surprise, Smith clapped me on the shoulder. “Good man. I guess I actually like you, after all.” I shrugged his hand off, not appreciating the snark. “Gee, thanks.” He chuckled. “And you’re kind of a sarcastic dick. I definitely like you.” “Hey, don’t edge in on our bromance,” Clayton warned me. “Smith is mine.” The dark man gave him a wolfish grin. “More like you’re mine. I taught you everything you know.” “Touché,” Clayton allowed easily.
Nothing ever seemed to get to him. No wonder he could tolerate Smith. My eyes strayed back to Claudia. Her black mood seemed to have lifted, and she laughed at something Rose said. She practically glowed with happiness. Somehow, she grew more beautiful every day. “She looks great,” Clayton remarked. “I mean happy great. I’m not ogling or anything.” I turned my attention to him. “While we’re talking about looking,” I began, “I have a favor to ask you guys.” They listened intently as I told them my plans for Claudia that evening.
2
Claudia
“O h my god, that’s so romantic!” I
laughed in delight as Rose filled me in
on the details of Clayton’s proposal. She grinned, her crystalline green eyes fixing on her diamond ring as though mesmerized. “He kept teasing me. I thought he was proposing like five times before he actually popped the question. Every time, he would say ‘You think I can’t do better than that?’ It drove me crazy, but the wait was worth it. He got down on one knee in the square in front of the Duomo. It was all lit up for the night and snow was falling.” She sighed, her gaze going slightly unfocused as she became immersed in the happy memory. “It was perfect.” “He did it right out in the open? With a ton of people watching?” I asked, remembering the private intimacy of
Sean’s bedroom proposal. Her smile tilted slyly. “Oh, he likes it when people watch. He’s turned into a bit of an exhibitionist.” I shot a searching glance at Clayton. “Really? He’s always seemed so…” I trailed off, uncertain of the right words to capture my friend’s personality. “Uptight?” Rose finished for me. “He might have tamed me, but he needed my wild side. He was always so straight-laced before. He’s not such a proper gentleman anymore, if you know what I mean. He really likes getting his partner involved.” Her eyes twinkled. “Hey!” Lydia interjected. “You’d better not mean that literally. Smith’s all mine now.”
Rose blushed at her faux pas. “I didn’t mean Smith. There’s this new guy. Dex. He’s fun.” Her expression turned wistful. “I wish he was here tonight.” “Cool your libido, girl,” Sharon admonished playfully. “Derek invited Dex, so he should show up at some point.” “Who exactly is Dex?” I asked. Sean and I were connected in some way or another to everyone who was currently in the club, and I didn’t know how I felt about having a stranger in our midst. Unconsciously, my fingers tucked more tightly into the woolen material of my grey pea coat. Maybe Sean would forget about making me take it off. I wasn’t ready to reveal the skimpy excuse for
clothing he had selected for me. Especially not in front of Clayton and Rose. That was just too weird. “Dex is the newest addition to the New York unit of the FBI,” Sharon filled me in. “He’s cool. Well, he’s kind of quiet and wound pretty tightly about something, but he saved our friend Clara’s ass, so Derek likes him.” She shot Rose a teasing smile. “And Rose definitely likes him.” The striking blonde didn’t even blush. “Oh yeah,” she agreed with a brazen body roll. “He’s great.” “Doesn’t Clayton get jealous?” I asked, truly baffled. “Not at all,” Rose replied. “Clayton knows I belong to him. He’s secure
enough in our relationship to share me occasionally.” “Two men at once? I don’t think I could handle that,” I admitted. Sean would probably kill another man before he would share me with him. Not that I wanted anyone else to join us. That was outside my comfort zone. “You probably don’t have to worry about it. I think Sean is like Smith,” Lydia supplied insightfully. “My Master is very possessive. I get the same vibe from yours.” It was strange the way she so casually referred to him as her Master. I thought of Sean that way sexually, but I didn’t think the title could ever roll off my tongue so easily to a group of
friends. “He is,” I confirmed. “It’s hot, isn’t it?” Lydia sighed, her gaze finding Smith’s. She blew him a kiss and his teeth bared in a predatory smile. Clayton punched his arm to call his attention back to their conversation. “Definitely,” I agreed, my own eyes searching out Sean’s. He spared me a twisted smirk and a wink before Clayton punched him, too. Sean glowered at my friend in warning. I laughed. “Speaking of hot, aren’t you too warm in that?” Sharon cut in, eyeing the way my hands clutched at my coat. “You can take it off, you know.” I flushed. “I’d rather not.” Her features softened with
understanding. “This is your first time at a BDSM club, isn’t it? You’re around friends. You don’t need to be selfconscious.” “I’m not—” I began, but Sharon’s brown eyes instantly hardened. I recognized that she wouldn’t take any bullshit from me. My shoulders slumped. “I don’t think I’m comfortable with this,” I admitted. Her lips pressed together and she studied me for a moment. “Is this a hard limit for you?” I blinked. I hadn’t thought of it that way. “I… I guess not. I don’t know.” “You trust your Dom, don’t you?” she pressed. I shifted, uncomfortable with her
referring to Sean as my Dom so casually. That was private. Our D/s relationship stayed firmly in the bedroom. Otherwise, I was Dr. Claudia Reynolds. And Dr. Claudia Reynolds wasn’t submissive. “Of course you trust Sean,” Rose prompted me. “It’s not that,” I protested. “So you trust your Master,” Lydia said. “What’s the problem, then?” I flinched slightly when she said your Master. “I see,” Sharon nodded curtly. “You’re not comfortable with other people seeing you in a submissive role.” I stared at her for a moment. “Why do you think that?” “Because I used to be the same way.
When I first started playing with Derek, I was terrified the guys would find out that I actually enjoyed what he did to me. Even though they’re all in the lifestyle, I thought they wouldn’t understand. I thought being submissive meant I was weak, and I didn’t want anyone to see me like that.” Every word she said hit close to home. I had long ago accepted that allowing Sean to dominate me didn’t mean he was abusing me, but a part of me still worried about what others would think of me if they knew what we got up to sexually. “How did you get over it?” I asked. “It doesn’t seem to bother you anymore.” I gestured to her black velvet corset and
barely-there red tutu skirt. “My friends called me out on it,” she said with a rueful smile. “They made me realize that accepting my sexuality is empowering. Trusting Derek with my submission doesn’t make me weak. It makes me stronger. I can let go of all the fears and insecurities that held me back because he helps me deal with them. You understand what I’m talking about, don’t you?” I considered for a few seconds, wrestling with the admission. Submitting to Sean did allow me to let go of my emotional damage, and even now it helped me shed my day-to-day worries that might weigh me down otherwise. “I understand,” I said finally. “But
I’m still nervous.” “Being a little nervous is good,” Lydia chimed in. “It’s always more rewarding—emotionally and physically —when Master pushes me.” “Definitely,” Rose agreed. “You like making me nervous.” Hadn’t I just playfully accused Sean of that? I had known he was going to push me tonight. From the moment he had shown me the scrap of lace he expected me to wear, it had been obvious. My eyes slid to Clayton. Even though there was no romantic spark between us, he was still my best friend. I didn’t think I wanted my best friend to see me wearing next to nothing. “Don’t worry about Clayton,” Rose
reassured me, easily reading the source of my distress. “He’s not creepy about watching or anything. None of these guys are. They appreciate watching because they find D/s beautiful. They’re not standing there leering at you.” “I know Clayton wouldn’t leer,” I confirmed. “I still feel weird about it, though. He’s like a brother to me.” “You don’t have to worry about that. Clayton won’t be watching.” I jolted at the sound of an unfamiliar male voice and turned to find the source. A huge man with pale blue eyes and even paler blond hair stood just behind Rose, towering over her. Her eyes widened and she spun to face him, tripping on her high heels. He
caught her shoulders in his large hands and steadied her. She swallowed hard. “Dex,” she said, her voice small. “Hi.” He smirked down at her. “Hi, yourself.” His gaze quickly took in the rest of us, settling on me last. “You must be Claudia. It’s nice to finally meet you. Clayton talks about you all the time.” “Oh,” I said, surprised. “Good things, I hope.” “Nothing but,” he assured me. “I’d like to talk more later, but I’m here to retrieve Rose,” he informed me. Without asking for her permission, he scooped Rose up in a fireman’s lift. She gasped and squirmed, and his hand cracked across her upper thigh in
warning. He smiled sharply at her shocked squeal. “Clayton and Rose and I are going to have a private chat,” he announced. “We’ll see you after.” “After what?” I asked, suspicious. “Your scene,” he replied. “My scene?” my voice shot up a few octaves. “Our scene.” I instantly recognized Sean’s low growl in my ear, and his hands suddenly gripped my hips, pulling me back into him. “See you later, Claudia!” Rose said merrily as her massive captor carried her off like a prize. I couldn’t seem to find the air to reply. Sean’s hardening cock pressed
into my ass, obvious even through the thick material of my coat. I shivered in dread and delight. “You can’t possibly be cold,” he rumbled, his deep voice rolling across my skin in a rough caress. His fingers left my hips to touch the top button of my coat. “Let’s take this off.” It was worded like a suggestion, but he was already working the button free. Instinctively, I reached up to bat his hands away. He caught me easily, pulling my arms behind me so he could hold them immobile with one strong hand around my wrists. His other returned to my buttons. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, and I became acutely aware of just how
little I wore beneath my woolen armor. “Sean…” I trailed off on a weak protest. His teeth nipped at my neck, giving me a little warning flare of carnal pain. My lapels gaped open, and cool air brushed against my skin, teasing through the sheer black lace dress Sean had ordered me to wear. I focused on Sharon, who gave me a small, encouraging smile. It was infuriating. I glared at her, struck by a sense of betrayal. She should be helping me get out of this, not playing along with Sean’s torturous game. She simply shook her head in response to my show of silent hostility and walked off to join Derek.
“You’ll be fine,” Lydia said kindly before following suit, abandoning me to find her Master. I struggled half-heartedly against Sean’s grip on my wrists. I knew fighting him was futile, but my pride told me to at least make some small show of protest. This was about so much more than embarrassment at my nearnakedness in front of strangers. There was the concern with being seen in a submissive role, but I was also plagued by uncharacteristic self-consciousness. My body was different in pregnancy, and I was still shy of Sean seeing the changes in me, much less other people. His teeth caught around my earlobe, giving a sharp tug before his hot tongue
eased the sting. My attention riveted to him. “Don’t think about them right now,” he ordered, his breath teasing across my neck. “Focus on me. You’re my good sub, aren’t you?” He reached beneath my coat to tease my nipples through the lace of my flimsy dress. I couldn’t help arching into his touch with a gasp. “That’s it,” he murmured. “You’re mine.” “Then why do they have to watch?” I managed shakily. “Because I want to show you off. I’m proud of you. I’m proud that you choose to belong to me.” My cheeks heated, and warmth gathered at my core. When he put it that
way, it didn’t sound creepy. It sounded deeply romantic. And sweetly erotic. He shifted his grip on me and gently lifted me up in his arms to cradle my body against his chest. He was always so careful with me lately. Sometimes I missed the roughness of our sexual games. But now it seemed he was finding a new way to tap into the carnal power of my submission. He wasn’t going to use physical force to hold me down and fuck me. This play was purely mental, and I had a feeling his mind would prove just as indomitable as his strong hands. Just the right amount of trepidation rode me as we crossed the short distance to the seating area in the bar. The thrill
of fear kept my attention torn between him and our friends. I squirmed in his arms, uncomfortable. But the discomfort was more than simply mental. My body was awakening for him, and my clit began to throb, begging for attention. My cheeks heated at the prospect of the others seeing my lustful reaction. They still stood on the empty dance floor between the bar and the public play space. One peek their way told me they were all watching Sean with keen interest. Seeming unconcerned by their gazes on us, he selected a black leather armchair and settled down, keeping me tucked against his body. He handled me with tender ease, arranging my body so I
sat on his lap, facing our audience. I caught Smith’s intrigued silver eyes, and I quickly shuttered mine, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze. A soft silken blindfold fell over my closed eyes, and I let out a relieved breath. Sean was taking away the choice to look at my audience. Somehow, it made the situation easier. I was no longer responsible for my actions. I didn’t have to be embarrassed by what was happening, because it was beyond my control. A familiar rubbery taste kissed my lips, and I parted them without a thought. The ball gag slid along my tongue and fixed between my teeth when Sean deftly buckled it at the back of my head.
He brushed a kiss across my cheek. “Now you don’t have to worry about bossing me around,” he told me, his deep voice colored with amusement. He reached inside my coat to pluck at my nipples, and a needy whimper slipped around the gag. His low laugh sent a shiver dancing along my heated flesh. I was suddenly far too warm. This time, I didn’t struggle when he began to pull my coat free, slowly parting it to allow cool air to touch my flushed skin. His hands skimmed across the soft swell of my belly as he revealed me, taking the time and care one might use when unveiling a precious work of art. The heavy material slid down my
arms, and I gratefully sloughed off its oppressive heat. Sean’s fingers encircled my wrists and guided them to my sides. He pressed my palms flat against the arms of the chair, giving me a little squeeze to reinforce his will. “Hold on,” he ordered. His booted feet hooked between my ankles and pushed outward, spreading me wide. I became acutely aware of the fact that I wasn’t covered by even the skimpiest excuse for panties; Sean hadn’t given me any to wear. My dress was so short that it bunched at the tops of my thighs, and the position he had put me in left me flagrantly exposed. My protest was muffled by the gag, and I struggled in his lap. He pressed his
palms to the backs of my hands, trapping them against the arms of the chair. “Stay still,” he directed. I stopped tugging against his hold, but I couldn’t help shifting against him, my body seeking stimulation. Lust warred with discomfort at the idea of being watched. And lust was winning out. Or maybe the discomfort stoked my desire. I wasn’t sure anymore. My pussy throbbed, and I unconsciously spread my legs wider, inviting his touch. My actions made his cock pulse against the seam of my ass. If he weren’t confined by his jeans, he would be filling me in this position. The thought of taking him inside me made wetness
gather between my legs. Two fingers slid down to play along my soft folds, and Sean growled his appreciation of my wantonness. “You are so fucking perfect,” he praised. He began stroking my skin, teasing me in all the most delicious places. He cupped my breasts and ran his calloused thumbs over my nipples. I whimpered as desire flooded me. I had almost forgotten about the couples watching us. He overwhelmed me with his heady scent, torturous touch, and sweet dominance. Without warning, his hands fisted in the filmy material of my dress, and he tugged sharply. The rip of the lace
seemed to echo through the club, and my hands flew up to cover my suddenly exposed breasts. “No,” he rebuked, grasping my fingers and guiding my arms back to my sides. “I want them to see you. I want them to see what belongs to me. These,” he twisted my nipples until I shrieked and writhed, “are mine. This,” he thrust two fingers inside me and covered my clit with his palm in a possessive hold, “is mine.” I whimpered and rocked my hips up into his hand. My nails curved into the leather chair with the intensity of my grip, and my teeth bit down on the gag. His cock strained against his jeans, and he let out a low curse. He shifted me
forward, giving him the room he needed to unzip his fly and pull himself free. His hands braced beneath my ass to lift me up so his dick teased at my slick entrance. “And this,” he said as he slowly lowered me onto him, “is all for you.” I moaned as he stretched me, inch by slow inch. I gave everything over to him —my control, my body, my love.
3
Sean er cunt gripped me greedily as I H slowly eased her down onto my cock. I
felt the moment she fully surrendered, softening against me with a sigh. A barrier broke between us as she submitted. I had pushed her, and she put her trust in me and gave me what I demanded. It was time to reward her for her good behavior. “Ride my cock,” I rasped, clinging to my own iron control. I couldn’t come. Not yet. “Show them how much you love your Master.” She didn’t hesitate. Bracing her hands on the arms of the chair, she began to slide up and then back down again. She started slow, almost as though she was teasing me. But I knew better. The wild abandon she found in her submission had taken hold, and she was
thoroughly in my thrall. She was taking her time to relish the feel of me inside her, not to torment me. “Good girl,” I praised as I rubbed my thumb in a steady circle around her clit. She mewled and increased her pace, taking me more deeply. My own pleasure bubbled hot inside my veins, and it was all I could do to hold back the tide. She would come before I did. Her pleasure would positively reinforce the lesson I was teaching her. “You’re mine,” I ground out. “Everywhere, all the time. Not just in the bedroom at our home. I can fuck you whenever, wherever I want. In front of whomever I want. And you’ll do as I say because you love being my good girl.
Because you trust me.” I tweaked her clit, and she threw back her head with a sharp cry. My other hand played with her heavy breasts, my palm teasing across her pebbled nipples. “Come for me.” Her pleasure took her on my command, and her inner muscles contracted around me. My power over this gorgeous, intelligent, perfect woman went straight to my head. And to my cock. I couldn’t hold back my own desire any longer. I thrust up into her, grinding my hips against her ass as my fingers sank into her thighs to hold her down against me. She rocked her body, stimulating her g-spot with my cockhead. Calling up my last ounce of self-
control, I reached up and ripped off her blindfold. “Look at them,” I ordered, gripping her jaw and forcing her to take in our small audience. “They want to watch you come.” Her striking grey eyes flew wide, and she screamed her ecstasy into the pretty red gag that filled her mouth. The sight of her submission and the feel of her pussy gripping me pushed me over the edge. I came with a rough shout, spilling my heat deep inside her, further marking her as mine. She collapsed back against me, her body trembling with residual bliss. I held her close, my hands worshipping her body as I came back down from my
own high. I gently unbuckled the leather straps at the back of her head and pulled the ball gag free. She gave me a lazy smile. I grinned savagely in return, still intoxicated by my power over her. I took her lips in a slow, decadent kiss, reveling in the feel of her soft form held so close to my body. When she was with me like this, I felt superhuman, indestructible. I’d always tried to be tough, but her trust in me made me truly strong. My touch lingered on the soft swell of her belly. Soon, we would be a real family. I would have another little one to look after and protect. She gave my life purpose.
“I love you,” I murmured against her mouth, unwilling to put so much as an inch of space between us. “Thank you for trusting me.” “I’m glad I did,” she said happily. “That was incredible.” She giggled. “And you didn’t even tie me down.” I touched her stomach. “Precious cargo. I’m going easy on you for the next few months.” Her brows rose. “That was your idea of going easy on me?” I grinned. “Definitely.” She rolled her eyes. I pinched her thigh, and she yelped in shock. “Watch yourself, little one,” I warned. “I can still redden your ass. I’m sure the others would like to cheer me
on.” Her jaw went slack, and her gaze strayed back to our friends. They were chatting amongst themselves now, but I was sure I could get their attention again if I presented them with Claudia’s cute little ass. “I think there’s been enough exhibitionism for one night,” she declared, a bit breathily. Judging by the way her pussy tightened around me and her pupils dilated, she didn’t hate the idea. I groaned at the erotic touch on my over stimulated cock. Hooking my hands beneath her, I carefully lifted her off me and pressed a swift kiss against her lips as I tucked myself away.
“You’d better go clean up before I change my mind,” I told her. She looked ruefully at her ruined dress. “I guess I’ll put my coat back on.” She reached for the discarded clothing where it lay slung across the couch beside us. I grasped her waist, keeping her close for a moment longer. “Rose brought you a change of clothes,” I told her. “They’re in her bag if you go to the locker room. Although,” I paused, taking my time looking her up and down. “You look so fucking hot in this.” I fingered the tattered remnants of lace that clung to her hips. “I’d take you out like this if I could.” One corner of her lips twitched. “Really?” she challenged, knowing me
all too well. I chuckled and shook my head. “I’d probably murder the first stranger who looked at you the wrong way.” She laughed. “I guess I should go change, then. I’m sure Clayton would help you get out of trouble, but I don’t know if even he can make homicide charges disappear.” “We’d better play it safe,” I agreed. “Go get changed and meet me back out here in five. Whenever Clayton emerges from their devil’s three-way, maybe he’ll want to grab a late dinner with us.” “You should invite the others, too,” she said. I couldn’t hold back a rumbling laugh. “Already bossing me around. You
bounce back far too quickly, little one.” She brushed a kiss across the top of my head. “You’d get bored otherwise.” I caught her face in both hands, holding her a hairsbreadth from my lips. “I will never get bored with you. I love you, Claudia.” She smiled in contentment. “I love you too, Sean.” I gave her one last, lingering kiss before releasing her. Then I spun her body and landed a swift swat across her ass. She shrieked and jolted away from me before collecting herself. She walked off, laughing and shaking her head. Sharon caught her eye as she passed the small group, and she moved to follow Claudia. I nodded my thanks, and
she gave me a little dismissive wave of acknowledgement before disappearing through the open doorway to the long hall that led back to the locker room. “That was nicely done,” Smith’s voice called my thoughts away from Claudia. I shot him a sour look. “It wasn’t done for your benefit.” He shrugged. “God, you’re a dick. Just take the compliment, from one Dom to another.” I shrugged in return. “Thanks.” He snorted in derision. “Be nice, Master,” Lydia admonished for the second time that night. “You just don’t like him because he’s too much like you.”
“I’ll have to blindfold and gag you if you keep being so observant, girl,” he told her, but his indulgent smile made the threat innocuous. “There’s no need for that,” I supplied. “I am being a dick.” “Is that an apology?” Smith asked skeptically. “If you want it to be,” I allowed. He grinned. “I do. And I accept. Dick.” “Master!” Lydia elbowed him in the side. He swept her up in a sudden, fierce kiss, crushing his lips to hers until she shuddered and softened in his hold. Only then did he draw back enough to allow her to breathe. I hated to admit it—even to myself—
but I admired the man’s technique. I chose to ignore that, and the spectacle the couple was making. I turned my attention to Derek, who was frowning at his little sister. Or rather, he was frowning at Santiago’s hand where it rested on his little sister’s hip. “Hey, it’s not so bad,” I consoled my old friend. “He’s one of the good guys, apparently. Even if the fucker did shoot me.” Javier’s head shot up. “I apologized for that.” “And I forgave you,” I said lightly. “Notice I’m standing up for you right now rather than punching you in the dick.” He winced. “Thanks for that.”
“No one’s punching Javi’s dick,” Charlotte asserted. “It’s too pretty to hurt.” “Charlotte!” Derek barked. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re a virgin.” She scoffed. “Would it make you feel better if I told you we waited till marriage?” “He forced you to marry him against your will,” Derek said coldly. “I should kill him just for that that alone.” “But you won’t,” she said firmly. “Because I love him. And you love me.” Derek opened his mouth to snap a retort, but Claudia cut across him. “Sean?” There was something wrong with the pitch of her voice as she said my name questioningly. I wasn’t the only
one to pick up on the inherent wrongness of it. Everyone fell quiet, and dread hardened in my gut as I turned to her. Because I remembered the last time she had sounded that scared. I remembered the person who had caused her fear. “Bradley.” My lips formed his name, but no sound came out. I only barely recognized him. His skin was stretched too thin over his bulked up muscles, and his familiar brown eyes burned with unfamiliar loathing. My mind picked up on the details of his changed appearance, stalling out the moment I would have to register the horror of my situation. This gaunt, meanfaced version of my former best friend held Claudia in front of his body. And he
had a gun pressed beneath her jaw. “Let her go,” I demanded, advancing on them without thinking. The only thought in my head was to get his hands off her nearly-naked body. To get myself between her and that gun. A shot rang through the confined space, stopping me in my tracks. “Motherfucker!” Sharon shouted. I spared a glance from the impossible scenario of Bradley holding Claudia hostage to note that the FBI agent was also held captive, by a tall Latino guy with a pockmarked face. Sharon clutched her hands to her ears, where the man had just discharged his weapon beside her head. “Stay where you are,” her captor
commanded. Derek snarled and tensed at my side. “What do you want, Reyes?” he demanded. Reyes didn’t answer him. Instead, he turned his attention to Bradley. “Let’s kill the bitches and get out of here.” “Not good enough.” Bradley’s eyes fixed on me. “I want him to watch. You took everything from me, Sean. I’m going to take everything from you.” “Bradley,” I tried and failed to sound calm. My fists trembled at my sides as impotent rage took hold. I couldn’t go to Claudia without risking him pulling the trigger before I took so much as one step in their direction. “She’s pregnant. Please.”
His face darkened further. “So she wasn’t lying? You really knocked her up? Jesus, Sean. She’s really fucked you up.” “I know you,” I said, even as I realized I didn’t know the man standing before me at all. “You won’t hurt her. You wouldn’t do something like that.” He sneered. “Wouldn’t I? You already got me put away for kidnapping and attempted murder. Why shouldn’t I actually finish the job?” “Hermano,” Reyes said urgently. “We can’t stay here. Do what you’re going to do, or take her like you planned.” “You’re not taking her anywhere.” My words were so rough that they were
barely intelligible. I took a step toward Bradley. Sharon’s scream cut through a second gunshot. She sagged against Reyes and clutched her hands to her thigh. Thick blood streamed over her fingers. “I told you not to move,” the man shouted at me. “Stay where you are, or I’ll do worse.” My muscles knotted in strained protest, but I managed to remain still. Think. I had to think. But fury and fear tangled my mind and my tongue. Claudia—my smart, beautiful, brave Claudia—wasn’t so limited. “I don’t know how you got out of prison,
Bradley,” she said with remarkable calm, “but you still have time to get away from here. Both of you. Just leave Sharon and me and go.” Bradley’s grip on her tightened, and she winced. “You were supposed to come with me in the first place, so maybe we’ll go back to Plan A.” “And what was that?” she reasoned. “Kidnap me again? What would you gain from that?” “The pleasure of watching you suffer,” he ground out. “I wanted to take my time. Do you know what prison is like? Do you know what you did to me?” “I’m sorry for whatever you’ve suffered, but you brought it on yourself with the choices you made. That wasn’t
my doing, and it certainly wasn’t Sean’s.” I bit back a groan. She had been like this when Bradley had first abducted her: too cool-headed and argumentative for her own good. “She’s carrying my child,” I said quickly to distract Bradley. “I know you won’t hurt her. Please, just leave her and go. I won’t come after you.” For at least thirty seconds, I amended in my head. And that was only because I would need that much time to reassure myself that Claudia was whole and safe before I tore after his ass. I wouldn’t allow my child to grow up in a world where Bradley walked free. “If you ever cared about me at all,
you’ll let her go.” I was close to begging, but I didn’t care. I would say whatever I had to. He bared his teeth at me, and Claudia whimpered as he jammed the gun into her flesh. “What about me, asshole? Did you ever care about me? I was supposed to be your best friend, but you pissed all over that friendship as soon as this whore flashed her pussy at you.” “Of course I cared, Bradley,” I said truthfully. Turning on him and testifying against him in court had nearly killed me. “But Claudia’s right. You made your choices. I made mine.” “You saved your own ass by throwing mine under the bus,” he
accused bitterly. “And all for some cunt who lets you beat her while you fuck her. You’re sick, Sean. I should put you all down. I—” Bradley’s face exploded in a bloody mess, and his body dropped away from Claudia’s. Reyes fell a second later. Clayton’s shots were brutal and efficient. The tall blond agent kept his gun drawn, his bright blue eyes searching the darker corners of the dungeon for more assailants. “We clear?” he asked. “Clear,” Smith confirmed. I wasn’t listening to them. Now that the threat was gone—I refused to think now that Bradley’s dead—I rushed to
Claudia’s side. She knelt beside Sharon, applying pressure to the bullet hole in her thigh. “Call an ambulance,” she ordered coolly. She looked up at me. “Sean. Give me your shirt.” “Are you hurt?” I crouched over her, my hands roving over her body to check for injuries. She batted them away. “Your shirt, Sean,” she prompted testily. “Look at me,” I growled. Her head snapped up in response to the harsh order. “Are you hurt?” Her expression softened. “I’m fine. Really. I need your shirt, please.” I shook my head at her, but I compliantly stripped off my cotton t-
shirt. “Thank you.” She snatched it from me and pressed it against Sharon’s wound. The FBI agent let out a soft cry of pain, and her fingernails sank into Derek’s arm. Her Master looked like he felt just as miserable and useless as I did. He murmured a low stream of reassuring words, but the tension in his body betrayed his anxiety. I couldn’t even reassure Claudia. Dr. Reynolds was needed, and my coddling her would only distract her. I couldn’t risk stressing her further, not with the baby. Claudia had handled everything with remarkable calm. But when I recalled her composure in her captivity
with Bradley and me, I supposed I shouldn’t find it so surprising. Bradley. I stopped myself from looking over at his ruined face. I would never see my former best friend again.
4
Claudia Three Days Later
“B radley and Reyes escaped during a
transfer five days ago,” Clayton explained over speakerphone. “Someone in the Chicago unit made them deals to send them to a minimum security prison if they ratted on the Latin Kings. It seems Reyes still has family on the outside who ambushed the van transporting them and facilitated their escape.” “Reyes had some sort of vendetta against Sharon,” I interjected. “And Bradley obviously hates me. How did they even get hooked up in the first place?” “Sharon put Reyes away,” Clayton’s voice echoed through our kitchen, emanating from the phone that I had rested in the center of the small dining
table. “He met Bradley in prison, where they apparently became close. I feel the need to apologize. I think my involvement in both of their cases is what first gave them a common enemy. Sharon might have played a role as well. She worked both cases, too.” “You saved me, Clayton,” I said. “There’s no need to apologize for anything. How is Sharon?” I asked. “She’s good. Pissed as hell about Reyes getting the drop on her, but good. She’ll heal up over the next few weeks.” “I wish I could see her.” “You’re not going anywhere,” Sean growled. “You’re not leaving the house for the next five months.” Clayton let out a low whistle. “I’ll
let you two deal with that. For now, know that this appears to have been an isolated incident. And one that certainly won’t be repeated, given the outcome. We have footage showing Bradley and Reyes breaking into the back of Decadence. They must have been following you and Sean.” “I think so,” I confirmed. “When he first grabbed me, Bradley’s plan seemed to be to take me away, and Reyes wanted to get to Sharon. I think they’d been stalking us since their escape.” “If they had a lead on Sharon, that would have brought them straight to the two of you as well,” Clayton agreed. “I guess we made it convenient for them, us all being together like that. And
unarmed. I’m sorry it took me so long to sneak back to the locker room to get my weapon.” “Stop apologizing,” I ordered. “You saved my life.” Sean tensed impossibly further. I thought this conversation would help ease his worry, but it was only winding him tighter. “I’ll call you soon, Clayton,” I promised. “Thanks for everything.” “I’m just glad you and the baby are okay. And Sean,” he addressed my husband. “Don’t be too hard on her.” Sean’s only response was a silent scowl at the phone. “I can take care of myself,” I assured my friend. “Bye.” I ended the call before
he could say something else to make Sean even more upset. I stared at him for long seconds. “Are you ready to talk about it?” I asked, a touch of challenge in my voice. “About what?” “Whatever you’re so pissed off about. I’m okay. The baby’s okay. You’re not okay. Talk to me.” “Who says I’m pissed off?” I growled my irritation. “Fine. You’re moody, then. Please tell me what’s going on. Why are you mad at Clayton?” “Because he saved you!” he suddenly roared. “Not me,” he raged on. “I just stood there while my best friend threatened to kill you.”
I reached out and placed a tentative hand over his clenched fist. “There was nothing you could have done. If you had tried, Reyes might have hurt Sharon worse. Or Bradley might have pulled the trigger.” I laid a hand on my stomach. “The baby and I would be gone right now.” He paled. “Don’t even say that.” “I will say it. Because that’s what would have happened if you’d tried to act against him. You did what you needed to do in that situation. I won’t let you beat yourself up over it, because you made the right call.” His deep green eyes blazed. “I should have killed him the first time. The night you almost overdosed because of
him. I never should have let him walk out of there alive.” “You’re not a murderer, Sean.” His jaw ticked. “I killed my father.” “To save my life,” I corrected him. “Bradley surrendered that night. And he was your friend. I wouldn’t have wanted you to kill him, even if he had threatened me. I wouldn’t want you to have to live with that.” Emerald eyes burned into mine. “If he was my friend, he wouldn’t have tried to take you from me. I should have killed him for even touching you.” I cupped his stubble-roughened cheeks in both of my hands, trying to calm the wild rage running rampant inside him. “Hey. I’m right here.” I took
one of his large hands and guided it to my belly. “We’re right here. Everything will be okay now.” “You can’t know that. There might be others. The people I used to work with…” I pressed my finger to his lips, stemming that line of thought. “That part of our lives is over. We’re moving on. We have moved on. We’re going to be a family.” My tone deepened, imploring. “I love you.” He blew out a long breath. Suddenly, he stood, grasping my hands to lift me out of my seat at the same time. His fingers twined in my hair and he pulled my body up into his. “I love you, Claudia. So fucking much. I can’t deal
with the thought of losing you.” “I’m not going anywhere,” I promised. “That’s right. You’re not leaving this house. Not until the baby is born. Maybe not after that.” “Sean,” I said his name as calmly as I could manage. “You’re not being rational. I have to go to work. And so do you. Your shop—” “My shop can burn to the ground for all I care. You’re what matters. I won’t leave you unprotected.” “We’re safe here in Indianola. The Westies you worked with in New York are all dead or in jail. Clayton will see to it that none of them gets the chance to escape again.”
“He can’t guarantee that.” “Nothing is guaranteed,” I reasoned. “But my love for you, for our baby, that’s a sure thing. Trust in it.” He fell silent for a moment, and his eyes widened with wonder. “How are you so fucking perfect?” I gave him an impish smile. “It’s a gift.” His fingers tightened in my hair. “Don’t get sassy with me now, Dr. Reynolds. We’re having a moment.” I grinned. “You like when I’m sassy. You wouldn’t have me any other way.” “You’re damn right I wouldn’t.” He brought his lips down on mine in a harsh kiss, demanding that I cede my will to his. I opened for him,
surrendering easily. I didn’t want to play any games. He needed me to be sweet and giving, to reassure him that he was in control of himself and his life. He didn’t need to be afraid for us. He growled his satisfaction at my submission, his tongue taming mine in hot, hungry strokes. I moaned up into him, wordlessly inviting more. After a few long, hot minutes, I broke the kiss. His eyes clouded with confusion for only a moment before his lips curved in a satisfied smile. The direction of my gaze let him understand what I wanted; my eyes darted to his cock of their own accord. I was ravenous for sex lately, and I had gone without for three whole days.
I reached for his fly, and he caught my hand. “You seem far too pleased with yourself,” he remarked. “Maybe I should tease you for a while.” “Don’t you dare!” I warned, more harshly than I had intended. I bit my lip and dropped my eyes in a quick show of contrition. He laughed. “Maybe not, then. You were very good for me at the club. You deserve a reward.” My skin flushed pink at the memory of him putting my body on display in front of our friends. It was sweet enough to forget the bitterness of the fear involved in what came after. I chose to focus on the good times.
“You definitely pushed my limits.” “And you submitted beautifully,” he rumbled. “I trust you,” I said simply. His gaze blazed with carnal hunger and fierce yearning. “You’re too damn good for me. You definitely deserve a reward. What do you want, little one?” “Your cock, Sir,” I answered without hesitation. He gave me a sharp grin. “Happy to oblige.” His hands closed around my hips, and he spun my body away from his. Automatically, I reached out to find my balance, and my hands splayed against the cheery blue-painted wall. “That’s right,” he encouraged.
“Brace yourself.” I scoffed, and he smacked my thigh hard enough to make me squeal. His fingers dipped beneath the hem of my jersey wrap dress to find the burning spot left by his palm. He soothed away the lingering sting with a gentle touch, and then he moved on to explore other parts of my body. My pussy was his primary interest. He pushed aside my underwear and dipped a finger inside. A low groan of pleasure left his lips when he found the wet arousal that waited for him. “I’m going to fuck you hard,” he told me roughly. “Tell me you want it.” “I want you to fuck me hard, Sir,” I panted. My sex ached for him, pulsing in
time with my heartbeat. Abruptly, his cock was at my slick entrance, sliding into me in one long thrust. I cried out in blissful abandon as he began to take me fast and hard, his hands on my hips steadying me. I pressed my hands against the wall, leaning on it for support as he pounded into me. His fingers twined in my hair, and little prickles of pain danced across my scalp as he tugged back. A sharper pain flared on my neck as his teeth sank into my sensitive flesh in a possessive bite. The dual sensations triggered my orgasm, and I came with a long scream. He began to pump inside me, and he snarled against my skin as he followed me, his teeth never freeing me from their
bite. This was no slow seduction or sweet lovemaking. This was Sean’s brand of lovemaking: savage and all consuming. It was my brand, too. And it always would be.
THE END
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Want to know what happened between Clayton, Rose, and Dex in the private room at Decadence? Check out this bonus scene!
BONUS SCENE
“See you later, Claudia!” Rose called out, her voice echoing through the nearly empty BDSM club as I carried her off. The gorgeous blonde lay compliantly over my shoulder, showing no signs of
distress at being manhandled. I wasn’t surprised at her joyful capitulation; prior experience told me she would welcome this treatment. If anything, I admired her eager acceptance of her most devious sexual desires. She was a pure hedonist, like myself. She would suit my needs nicely. I needed to fuck. I needed to lose myself in pleasure so I could forget her. My fingers dug a little too harshly into Rose’s creamy thigh at the fleeting thought of Katie. My captive wiggled against me in protest, and I immediately loosened my grip. I shook my head sharply, as though I could somehow knock loose the fantasy of holding my Sparrow in my arms.
It wasn’t Rose’s fault that I was hung up on another woman. I couldn’t allow myself to take out my frustrations on her. If I wasn’t careful, I could accidentally damage her with my superior strength. The last thing I wanted was to fuck up my new friendship with Clayton by hurting his sub. Especially considering that the man was nice enough to share. The corners of my lips curled up in a cruel smile as familiar erotic savagery began to take hold of my thought processes. I was a predator, and the prize slung over my shoulder was my conquered prey. The feel of her body against me—soft and compliant—made my cock stir. I fell into my more primal
headspace, relishing the freedom from my civilized concerns. My head and my heart didn’t matter here. This place, this time, was about the pleasures of the flesh. And about the power exchange I would find in sex. Power. Control. I drew in a deep breath, allowing the rush of oxygen to expand throughout my body. When I blew it out again, I felt centered, calm. “You work fast,” Clayton said with approval when we entered the long hallway leading back to the private play rooms at Decadence. “Did you even introduce yourself to Claudia?” I shrugged the shoulder that wasn’t supporting Rose’s weight. “I’ll get to
know her later, I’m sure. Her Dom seemed eager to start their scene, and I know you wanted us out of the way for that.” “What if I want to watch?” Rose asked, a bit petulantly. “I want to see what Sean has planned. Couldn’t we just —?” Her question was cut off on a shocked squeal when Clayton reached out and gave her a warning pinch on her thigh. “No, we couldn’t.” He spoke sternly, but he couldn’t fully contain his amused smile. The man never seemed to frown. “I told Sean we would leave them alone. Claudia wouldn’t want us out there. You know that.”
She blew out a sigh and twisted her body so that she could glare at her Dom from behind my shoulder. “You always have to be so fair and reasonable. And here I was just bragging to Claudia about how you’re not so uptight anymore.” He chuckled, completely unconcerned by her lack of respect. “Would an uptight man allow his friend to spank his sub for her rudeness?” Rose tensed against me, and Clayton and I exchanged savage grins. “Master!” she protested on a gasp. “Have you seen how big Dex’s hands are? Can’t I have a paddle or something reasonable?” I let out my first true laugh in days and gave her a little taste of what was to
come. She shrieked when my palm cracked across ass. “That was just a love tap,” I teased. “If you’re good, I’ll kiss it better when he’s done,” Clayton promised her. She let out a frustrated growl. “I thought you were going to fuck me, not torture me.” “But you love the torture,” Clayton countered easily. “See? I’m not uptight anymore. Before I met you, I wouldn’t have dreamed of tormenting a woman until she begged me for an orgasm. Now I’m a proper pervert, thanks to you.” “You’re not funny,” she huffed. “Do you hear me laughing?” “I’d rather hear you screaming,” I said casually. I slapped her ass again,
harder this time. “That was nice and pretty,” I approved of her sharp shout. “I suggest you don’t backtalk him,” Clayton told her. “Now that you mention it, I’m realizing his hands really are massive. I doubt you’ll be able to sit tomorrow without wincing.” “Master…” she trailed off on a whine, obviously deciding that backtalk did indeed go against her best interests. And the way she shifted against me suggested something more lewd than simple discomfort. The scent of her feminine arousal hit my nostrils, and my grin sharpened. Her body anticipated the erotic torments we planned for her. The hit of power went straight to my head, and I fell further into my Dominant
headspace. My smile remained firmly fixed in place as I began to follow Clayton down the hallway and into one of the private rooms. He selected one with a huge mahogany canopied bed. It was built for bondage and to accommodate more than two lovers. I nodded once in my approval of his choice. He inclined his head in acknowledgement and then settled himself on the bed, his back propped up against the headboard. “Set her down,” he commanded, gesturing across his lap. I didn’t mind following his orders. This was his sub and his scene. I was just here to assist and enjoy myself. I shifted Rose’s body easily,
swinging her down from my shoulder and flipping her over so she sat back on her heels, her knees spread wide on either side of her Master’s thighs. I kept her wrists held loosely in one hand, securing them at the small of her back in case she decided to get feisty. “Very nice,” he said to me, but his gaze riveted on her. Her crystalline green eyes widened, and her full pink lips parted to draw in little panting breaths. Her breasts strained against her corset, her nipples peeking above the top of the satiny emerald fabric that confined them. With her legs spread as they were, her tight black skirt bunched around her hips, revealing her bare ass. Rose Baker was undeniably
breathtaking, even if she wasn’t the one woman I truly wanted. I grimaced and shook the thought away. Clayton was too transfixed by his sub to notice my fleeting ill mood, and I was glad of it. His concern would have made me linger on my pain, and all I wanted was to fuck it away and forget about it. Rose’s eyes fell to the growing bulge in Clayton’s black slacks, and her tongue darted out to wet her lips. He smiled in triumph and lazily reached for his belt buckle. “I don’t think you’ve done anything to earn a reward,” he remarked, hesitating. “In fact, I recall you being rude to me out in the hall.”
She bit her lip and looked away. “Sorry, Master.” “You accused me of being uptight,” he continued. “But you like when I’m strict with you. You don’t want me to let you get away with being rude or reckless. Do you?” “No,” she mumbled, still not looking at him. My free hand twisted in her hair, directing her gaze back to her Master’s. “Answer him properly,” I ordered. Her eyes flew wide and fixed on Clayton’s bright blue ones. “No, Master,” she said with perfect clarity. “I don’t want you to let me get away with it. I like when you’re strict.” He bared his teeth in a perfect white
grin. She shivered in my hold, but didn’t drop her gaze again. “You also said I was fair and reasonable,” Clayton said. “That’s true, too. And because I’m fair and reasonable, Dex will only give you twenty.” She tensed with worry, and I eased my grip on her hair to work my fingers through the platinum blonde strands in a soothing rhythm. After a few seconds, she shuddered and softened once more. Clayton resumed his progress with his belt buckle, working it slowly free. Taking that as my cue to get started, I gripped Rose’s hips and pulled her back toward me until she straddled her Master’s knees. I released her wrists
and pressed her forward with a hand between her shoulder blades. She caught herself with her palms against the mattress. When I was finished with her, she crouched over Clayton on her hands and knees, her mouth perfectly positioned over his hard cock. I gave her the first of her twenty blows, a sharp smack across her upper thigh. She let out a shocked cry that made my dick harden in anticipation. Her pussy was open and spread before me, wet and waiting. “Show your Master how sorry you are for teasing him,” I ordered, delivering a second blow. She yelped and immediately touched her tongue to Clayton’s shaft in a long,
apologetic lick from base to head. His hand sank into her hair to tug her closer. “Good girl,” he rumbled. His eyes flicked to mine for half a second before fixing on the sight of his sub’s mouth on his cock. I knew he wanted me to continue her punishment. I landed four quick hits on her exposed ass. Her pale skin immediately flushed a gorgeous shade of pink. I showed her my pleasure by stroking one long finger along the length of her slit, gathering up the moisture between her labia to lubricate her asshole. I brushed over her tight bud, teasing. Her cry of supplication was muffled by her Master’s cock, but she arched back into me, begging me with her body.
I withdrew my touch and continued her spanking with renewed intensity. She tried to scoot away from me, so I hooked my arm beneath her hips to hold her in place while I mercilessly swatted her ass. Her scream turned to an adorable whimper, and she went still under my hand. With two more hits, she moaned and pressed her ass back into me, welcoming the heat of the spanking. I kneaded her heated cheeks with my fingers, massaging just on the edge of pain. “Fuck,” Clayton groaned. “You’d better hurry up,” he warned me. “She’s too damn hot.” The man’s handsome face held uncharacteristic strain, and I knew he
was working to hold himself back. My own cock was aching to get inside her wet, needy pussy. I didn’t need any more urging to finish my task. I retrieved a condom from the bowl on the bedside table and freed myself from my leathers. As soon as I sheathed myself, I thrust into her tight heat. As I drove home, I delivered her last two blows. Her inner muscles contracted around me, and Clayton bit out another curse. Using his hold on her hair, he tugged her up off his cock before she could make him come. I withdrew from her welcoming heat. Her Master wanted her pussy. I didn’t mind that at all. I had taken Rose’s ass before, and I relished the thought of
fucking her there again. She cried out in protest of being left empty, and I gave her one more smack. “Greedy,” I accused on a low laugh. “Climb on your Master’s cock.” She hastened to comply, and within seconds she let out a rapturous sigh at the familiar feel of him filling her. I was about to push her past that level of comfort. I reached for a bottle on the bedside table and quickly lubricated my dick. Seconds later, I moved in and pressed my cockhead to her asshole. Proving how much she wanted this, she didn’t tense up, but I barely managed to enter her before I had to pause. With Clayton filling her, she was tight enough to take
me to the edge of discomfort. But I enjoyed pushing boundaries—even my own—so I gritted my teeth and pushed forward. My head slipped past her tight ring of muscles, and my vision went white with pleasure when she contracted around me. I snarled against her flesh, distantly surprised to find that I had bitten down on her shoulder. From my vantage point, I was treated to a view of Clayton’s deft fingers toying with her taut pink nipples. She mewled and writhed between us, and my shaft slid further in. Fully embracing my animal instincts, I drove all the way in. She screamed out her pleasure, and Clayton grunted as her
tight muscles tormented both of us. Knowing we wouldn’t last long, I reached between Rose and Clayton to find her clit. I rubbed in a firm, steady rhythm that I knew would yield the result I wanted. Just as I desired, her orgasm hit her hard, and she exploded with a scream. Clayton let out a rough shout and ground his hips up into hers. I felt him move inside her, further stimulating my own cock. My teeth sank into her tender flesh with a long growl as I thrust in and out, mercilessly riding out my pleasure. It took me with vicious force, winding my entire body tight with agonizingly perfect ecstasy. The wave rippled through my system before finally crashing, my bliss
leaving me on a harsh cry. I stayed immobile for long seconds as I floated in the hazy aftermath of the torrent of pleasure. This was exactly where I wanted to be: no thought, no messy emotions. Just pure, perfect, mind-melting bliss. My bliss was shattered by the all too familiar sound of gunfire. My entire body jerked to alertness, and my eyes found Clayton’s blue ones. He shifted Rose’s weight off him and quickly got to his feet. The strict lover who had toyed with his sub was gone, replaced by the coolly in control Agent Vaughn. “I’m going to get my SIG from the locker room,” he told me in an undertone. “Stay with Rose.”
“No!” she argued, alarmed. She scrambled away from me, trying to get to him. I held her back, firmly tucking her body against mine. I wrapped my hand over her mouth to silence any further outbursts. If there was a shooter in the club, I didn’t want her drawing his attention. “I’ve got her,” I promised. He paused and fixed Rose with a fierce look that I didn’t quite understand. All I knew was it made something ache deep in my gut. “I’ll come back for you,” he swore. “Stay in here, and stay quiet. I love you.” Her tears slipped over my hand where it covered her lips. I felt them silently form the words beneath my
fingers. “I love you.” The ache sharpened to a stabbing pain, and I realized what it was: jealousy. I didn’t want Rose. I wanted what they had. I wanted my own sub. I want Katie.
ALSO BY JULIA SYKES The Impossible Series Impossible: The Original Trilogy (Monster, Traitor, and Avenger) Impossible: The Companion Trilogy (Sean’s POV) Savior (An Impossible Novel) Rogue (An Impossible Novel) Knight (An Impossible Novel) Mentor (An Impossible Novella)
Master (An Impossible Novel) King (An Impossible Novel) A Decadent Christmas (An Impossible Series Christmas Special) Czar (An Impossible Novella) Crusader (An Impossible Novel) Prey (An Impossible Series Short Story) The RENEGADE Series TARGET SPY SUBJECT ASSASSIN AGENT
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