“It might be.” Storm slid into the driver’s side and Cameron got into the passenger seat. “Then again, it might be a disaster. I’ve never had a sub who wasn’t already in the lifestyle.” He started the engine and glanced sideways at Cameron. “And neither have you. This is uncharted territory, my friend.”

  Cameron didn’t answer. He wasn’t as concerned about uncharted territory as he was about the fact that Olivia might turn out to be a bit too innocent or naïve. Cameron liked to keep things loose and easy. As soon as a woman looked at him with stars in her eyes, he was done. And Olivia seemed like the kind of girl who might interpret simple gestures as more than they were meant to be. He hadn’t missed the way her entire face had lit up when he and Storm had given her those quick kisses. Cameron didn’t want to play Prince Charming for anyone, even a cute redhead.

  But there was something about the combination of red hair and green eyes that he’d never been able to resist. Olivia was so exotic looking, but she didn’t know how pretty she was. That alone drew him in. He’d always preferred unassuming people. How exciting would it be to teach her everything and help her explore her fantasies? But what if she made more of a big deal out of it than either man wanted it to be?

  Love didn’t exist, and fairy tales were just that—fantasy. They were nothing more than the stuff of dreams for girls with pink bedrooms and pigtails tied with pretty ribbons. Just ask his parents.

  The only reason no one in Racy knew how many times his parents had pushed each other down the stairs or broken things over each other’s heads was because his father was an ER doctor and would patch things up at home. And if he couldn’t do it himself, he had plenty of physician friends who would do it for him. Anything for Racy’s favorite doctor. If they suspected the bizarre, frequent household accidents had been deliberate, they’d never said anything.

  Storm pulled into the garage of the condo they shared. “So? What are you thinking? Still want to do this?”

  Cameron got out of the car. “Yeah. Yeah, I do. But we’ll be careful.”

  Storm unlocked the door. “Careful might not be enough. I’ve never seen anyone so wide-eyed at a collaring ceremony.”

  Cameron chuckled. “Yeah. She looked a bit like a girl at her first high school dance.” He leaned against the kitchen counter. “That’s the only thing that has me worried.”

  “Then we’ll be up front with her tomorrow.” Storm poured himself a shot of Jack Daniels and downed it, wincing. “I needed that. I am so fucking glad we’re done with these fires. Don’t mind telling you this one had me scared shitless that we were dealing with someone hell-bent on delaying construction downtown permanently.”

  A shiver ran up and down Cameron’s spine. “Amen to that.” He poured a shot of the whiskey and sipped it. Unlike Storm, he couldn’t handle drinking it that fast. It burned too much. “I hope they fry this dude.”

  Storm poured another shot and chuckled. “Yeah. Too bad the death penalty won’t apply here, eh? For him or the Criders.”

  Cameron nodded. Billy and Sylvia Crider had been harboring Billy Crider’s cousin, Kevin Newark, the man behind the three recent fires in downtown Racy. He’d made homemade bombs and detonated them via remote control.

  Billy Crider had a criminal record that Sylvia, his wife, conveniently forgot to mention to Claude Busler, who owned Busler’s Department Store. Billy was once an accountant in the comptroller’s office at City Hall, until allegations of embezzlement got his ass fired. Sylvia, former head of Human Resources at Busler’s, had then hired him to keep the books for Claude.

  Because the first two buildings that had been blown up—Busler’s Department Store and City Hall—were still under reconstruction, the police and fire department at first thought it was someone who opposed the cost of rebuilding them to look as close to the original late nineteenth century architecture as possible. When that idea had first been introduced, there had been opposition, especially from Bernie Crumb, Racy’s mayor.

  But then when Kevin blew up the warehouse that had been housing City Hall, and the courthouse since the tornado, they knew their original theory was incorrect.

  “Wonder who Claude will hire now as head of HR for his store?” asked Cameron. He finished his drink and chuckled. “And I hear he now needs an accountant as well.”

  Storm shook his head. “What a piece of work Sylvia is, eh? Harrison Kelly is better off without her, that’s for sure.” Harrison had come home early from a shift one night and found Billy in bed with Sylvia. They’d been carrying on behind his back for some time, and two years ago, his divorce from her became finalized.

  “And now he has Gina.” Cameron raised his glass. “He and Zach looked pretty damn happy tonight, didn’t they?”

  “They did.” Storm gave him a thoughtful look. “Think you’ll ever do that?”

  “Do what? Collar a sub?”

  Storm narrowed his eyes slightly. “Fall in love, dumbass.”

  Cameron averted his gaze and finished his drink. “Storm, I’m going to do everything in my power never to let that happen.”

  Chapter Two

  Olivia woke up shaking, and she swore she’d come in her sleep. She drank some water and then hugged her knees. That had been one steamy dream. She’d had erotic dreams before, but never one involving two men, and certainly not two men she knew. In her dream, Cameron and Storm had done things to her she’d never even conjured up in her imagination. How was she going to face them today?

  It felt odd to be awake this early on a Friday but not be getting ready for work. Her boss, Nancy Barr, had left a voice mail message last evening that Olivia finally listened to once she was home, explaining that they’d all be paid for the time off, but to enjoy it because once temporary headquarters were up and running again, the chances of getting more than a day or two of vacation for the remainder of the year were slim.

  Olivia took her time in the shower, playing over the images from her dream. Thank goodness for friends like Cherilyn. Otherwise Olivia wouldn’t know a damn thing about sex, given her lack of actual experience. Cherilyn was so open about her relationship with Thayer and Evan, and always answered Olivia’s questions frankly.

  But hearing someone describe what it felt like to have sex with two guys at once or get flogged still wasn’t the same as experiencing it firsthand. Would that ever happen to her? Olivia didn’t know. All she knew was that she lived in an almost constant state of unrelenting horniness, but her experience with Bill Turner had left her with enough self-doubt to choke a horse. If she could bottle the shit and sell it, she’d be rich. And she was tired of feeling that way.

  She was sick of giggling like a damn schoolgirl every time a man so much as flashed a grin at her. When she thought of how silly she’d behaved last night with Cameron and Storm, she wanted to slide down the drain with the soap and dirty water.

  Gina called as Olivia was trying to decide what to wear. “Gina, you must be psychic. I was just about to call you.”

  “I have no idea what to do with myself today. I can’t believe we’ll be off work again for at least two weeks. Want to go out to lunch? Harrison is working, and Zach is having an emergency meeting with the other councilpersons.”

  “Oh shit…” Olivia just realized she’d never told Gina where she was going today. “I can’t. I’m going to Maddox’s house with Cameron and Storm. They’ll be here in less than an hour.” Olivia counted three seconds of total silence and thought she’d lost the call. “Gina? We’re just going to see the house and the club. Nothing else. Should I not go? Say something. You’re scaring me.”

  “No, no, it’s fine. Yes, you should go. I’m just surprised, that’s all. Sorry.”

  “I should have said something last night, but it wasn’t the right time. You were busy.”

  “Oh, Olivia. Of course you could have said something. You could have marched right up to me and told me.”

  “No, you could have done that. I couldn’t.”

  “Hey, you said you were about to call me. Is that why? To tell me?”

  “No. Because I have no freaking idea what to wear.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Since there was to be no play involved and the guys were only taking her there to show her the house and the club, Gina and Olivia decided that she should keep it casual but sexy. Olivia felt ridiculous as she preened in front of her full-length mirror dressed in charcoal cropped pants and a black, open-shoulder silk top, but Gina said it was perfect. Olivia drew the line at heels, however. Instead she wore her favorite black flat sandals, insisting that if she wore heels she’d trip and fall.

  “But you have great legs. Heels show them off.”

  Finally, the two compromised on a pair of black wedge sandals. As Gina was picking out jewelry, Olivia’s doorbell rang. She glanced at Gina, panic coursing through her, but Gina merely laughed. “Answer the door, silly. They won’t bite.”

  As Olivia sprinted toward the door, Gina yelled. “Unless you ask them nicely.”

  She was certain her face was still red as she opened the door and smiled at Cameron and Storm. She was relieved to see them dressed so casually in khaki shorts and polo shirts. Then again, maybe that wasn’t so great after all because the muscles in their forearms and calves weren’t covered by clothing, and neither were their tats. Olivia was practically drooling by the time they crossed the threshold.

  Gina emerged from Olivia’s bedroom and greeted both men. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I was just leaving. Have fun.”

  After Gina left, Olivia told Cameron and Storm she’d be ready in a minute. She scurried back to her bedroom to fix her hair and grab her bag, and when she returned to her living room, Storm asked if Gina had volunteered to chaperone.

  Olivia laughed. “No, she was helping me pick out something to wear.”

  As Storm’s gaze roved over Olivia, she had to bite back a moan as images from her dream raced through her mind. “Remind me to thank her,” he muttered.

  “Are you ready?” asked Cameron, giving Storm a quick sideways glance and holding out his arm for Olivia.

  She curled her hand around it, smiling up into his beautiful eyes. A fine dusting of brown hair covered his skin, making her wonder what it would feel like to rub her nipples over it, like she’d done in her dream. A quick glance down his legs confirmed the hair on them as well. If she wrapped her thighs around them, would the hair tickle her?

  She slid into the passenger seat of Storm’s car, inhaling the scent of leather. “This is nice.”

  Cameron slipped into the back seat and leaned forward. “He likes to show off. You should know that up front.”

  Storm flashed him a look in the rearview mirror as he started the motor. “Cameron thinks if you drive a car that isn’t at least ten years old with a cracked windshield, you’re showing off.” Storm pulled out of her parents’ driveway and started down Honey Locust Lane.

  “Don’t listen to him. It’s a truck, and it’s a classic. He’s just jealous.” Cameron glanced out the windows at the trim lawns and large trees. “I love this street. It’s so pretty. Did you grow up here?”

  “Yes. My apartment building was destroyed in the tornado. That’s why I’m back with my parents for now. I’m just glad they had the apartment above the garage free. Every time my sister Fiona has a fight with her husband, she moves back home for at least two weeks, and claims that space as her own.”

  Storm grinned. “Guess she’s up shit creek the next time, eh?”

  “No, all that means is that I’ll probably get stuck staying with her until she decides to go home again.”

  Cameron chimed in from the back seat. “Time for you to find another place to live, Olivia.”

  That was easy for him to say. He probably wasn’t doing all he could to pay his bills and go to school at the same time. He already had a real career, unlike her. She doubted being the fire chief was as meaningless or boring as being an administrative assistant at City Hall.

  Should she tell them that she stayed up until one or two in the mornings quite often, just to finish her online coursework? Or that there were weeks where she ate nothing but an apple for lunch just so she could pay for the next class? “I’m working on it, Cameron.” She didn’t want anything to spoil this day. She was far too excited about where they were taking her.

  Maddox’s house was set back in the woods on Birch Lane, and even through the leaves Olivia caught glimpses of equally impressive homes on the same street. It was difficult to believe people actually lived like this. Storm had to give their names at the gate before it rolled open. He parked along the circular drive in front, and Olivia tried not to gawk as she exited the car, but it was impossible not to.

  A dark-haired man with penetrating eyes was waiting for them at the front door. Storm and Cameron introduced her to Maddox McCree. She’d seen him at The Fit Bod the night before, but hadn’t spoken to him. She shook his hand, and then as she stepped inside she gasped and twirled in a slow circle. Olivia had never seen anything like this.

  “Welcome to my home,” said Maddox, a big grin on his face.

  Olivia felt like an idiot as she gave him a sheepish smile. “Thank you. It’s stunning.”

  “Would you like a tour?”

  “Yes. Thank you.”

  Maddox showed them through the various front parlors, chatting away about the period pieces and what theme he’d been going for when the room had been decorated. When he showed them into his library, Olivia laughed at the sheer number of books in the room. “Now I know how Belle felt,” she said quietly.

  Cameron and Storm chuckled, but Maddox merely smiled. “I’ve heard that before about this room.”

  He then led them into the kitchen, and by then the expensive furnishings and the rich fabrics and wall décor had overstimulated Olivia. She couldn’t imagine living in a house this large. She’d get lost in it.

  Once they’d returned to the main hallway, he gestured toward a set of double doors at the end of the corridor. “The club is back there and the doors are already unlocked. Olivia, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll leave you in Storm and Cameron’s capable hands from this point on.”

  “Thank you, Maddox. Your home is really beautiful.”

  Maddox smiled at her, shook hands again with Cameron and Storm, and ascended the sweeping staircase. Olivia suddenly felt nervous. She had no idea what she’d see in there. Should she tell them she’d had enough and ask to go? No. If she did that, she’d regret it. She’d come this far. What could happen, after all?

  “This way,” said Storm, placing a hand on her elbow. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through her arm, straight to her nipples. Olivia took a deep breath as Cameron opened the doors and she stepped inside.

  The room was dark, but in a few seconds her eyes adjusted to the low light. She stood at the top of three maroon-colored, carpeted risers. The floor below was covered in the same carpeting, except for the immediate areas around the bondage furniture, which was covered in wood flooring. At least, she assumed the equipment she spotted was bondage apparatus. Olivia had never seen most of the pieces in this room. Dozens of questions bubbled up, but she couldn’t even process her emotions much less give voice to the questions.

  She descended the stairs, barely aware that Cameron had closed the doors to the room. The men were behind her, but she didn’t turn to meet their gaze. Instead she took a few deep breaths, trying to identify the smells. Leather stood out, but nothing else she could pinpoint. She became aware of the minutest details, like Storm’s breathing and Cameron’s cologne.

  As Olivia started to walk the perimeter of the room, she tried to imagine herself draped over the various benches or tied to one of the towers. Did they tie people with ropes or something else? She had no idea. Suddenly, all the questions she’d asked Cherilyn seemed tame and insignificant compared to the things she now wondered about.

  She’d been focused on positions during sex with two men and whether or not both men would put their dicks inside her at the same time. She’d never asked Cherilyn what it was like to be tied up in public like this or spanked so hard you cried.

  Olivia realized she knew so little about this that she might as well go back home right now and forget the whole thing. Cameron and Storm were going to walk away from this day believing what Bill Turner had said about her—that she was a naïve little schoolgirl.

  “Are you all right, Olivia?” Storm’s voice brought her back to the present.

  “I’m fine. Just absorbing it all.” She didn’t want to look at them yet. Surely if she did, they’d see the lust coursing through her body. Her breathing was shallow and fast now. The air in here was stuffy. Did they notice it? This was what they did all the time. How often were they in here? What had they felt the first time they’d walked into this room? Did they still feel a thrill when they came here, or had it become routine for them?

  Olivia stopped walking and ran her hand lightly over what looked like a pommel horse. But it was lower than any gymnastic equipment she’d seen, and it had rings attached to it. The leather pad was very soft. If she was draped over it, would she be uncomfortable or feel supported?

  “It’s a spanking bench.” Cameron was directly behind her. “You lean over it.” He pulled extensions out from underneath to reveal smaller pads on each side. “And if your Dom is nice, he’ll let you rest your forearms on these. If he’s not, he simply makes you lean over it, and your wrists are bound together behind your back or in front of you.”

  “Bound together with what?” Okay. That was easy. One question asked. Finally.

  “Cuffs or rope, usually, but just about anything can be used.”

  “What about your feet?” Her voice came out breathy, like she’d been running. She swallowed hard, wishing she had some water right now.

  “Your ankles can be bound the same way, and your legs can be spread as wide as your Dom wants them.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15