A Little Harmless Obsession (13 page)

“No problem, May. Truthfully, I think you were a little hard on him. He’s just looking out for you.” She grunted as she stepped out onto the pavement of the lanai. “I’m not used to it and I don’t need it.

Not this morning.”

He brushed his fingers over her shoulder. Heat radiated from that spot. Her nerves jumped, as did her heart rate. She looked back over her shoulder at him and he yanked his hand back as if caught stealing cookies.

“No touching.” She bit both words from behind clenched teeth.

His gaze traveled down her body, reminding her of everything that had transpired the night before.

Heat licked down her spine when one corner of his mouth kicked up.

“You didn’t complain last night.”

Evan didn’t cringe at the baleful look May gave him, but it was a close call. He’d told himself over and over he would never touch her again, never give in to the temptation. Hell, he’d sworn a solemn oath not to even mention it. But they were alone less than five minutes and he couldn’t resist.

It was inevitable. That’s why he’d always kept his hands to himself. But she’d turned that corner, her eyes still drowsy from sleep, and lust had slammed into him like a hard, fast fist to the jaw. He wanted to touch, to taste, to hear her scream while she came. Again.

From the evil expression on May’s face, she wasn’t going to put up with it.

She stepped around him and shut the door. Grabbing him by the arm, she pulled him away from the house and into the yard.

“Don’t even mention that in my house.”

He knew that many people lived two lives. They had to. Prejudices about the lifestyle were common and could cost some people their jobs or even lose them friends. But still, he didn’t like the cold look in her eyes, or the dismissive tone in her voice. He knew it’d been a one-shot thing, but he wouldn’t let her deny it.

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A Little Harmless Obsession

“Are you ashamed of what you did last night?” He leaned closer, knowing he was being an ass, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “I thought you knew what you wanted. You sure acted like it.” Again, a flush crept up her neck and then blossomed onto her face. “I know what I want in the bedroom.” She jerked her shoulder. “Or at least I’m trying to figure it out. What I don’t need is my teenager brother to overhear and take it the wrong way.”

He knew that was true. But it didn’t stop the need clawing at his belly to hear her say it mattered. That last night had changed her life as much as it had changed his. He knew a sub’s first time wasn’t something they ever forgot and he’d initiated more than a few through the years. But last night had been different.

The half a bottle of whiskey he’d downed the night before hadn’t helped him. He’d spent almost every fucking minute since they’d parted thinking about her, wishing he’d gained more than her pleasure.

Wishing he had truly become her Dom. The need to have her submit to him and only him had scared him shitless. Possessiveness wasn’t a familiar feeling to Evan. And he damned sure never felt it for a sub.

“I take it my father gave you enough specifics to get out here, but not enough to know exactly what he wants?”

“Are you going to pretend that nothing happened?”

She sighed lustily and looked at him. “What happened was just an act. You weren’t participating so much as causing my reaction. I know your rep around the club.” He frowned. “Well, seeing that I don’t know what this rep is, why don’t you tell me?” She set her coffee down on a glass patio table, crossed her arms beneath her breasts and very nearly sneered at him. “You see your
performances
as just that. There is no connection between you and the sub you’re working. I believe the quote I heard from one woman was that you had ice for blood.” That was the way Evan usually kept it, the way he preferred it. When he worked with a sub at the club, it was just that, work. It wasn’t a relationship. While he did feel some connection with whomever he was working with, it ended when he walked out of the room. He wasn’t like some of the Doms at the club who had relationships in real life with subs they’d worked with at Rough ’n Ready. He’d never even contemplated the idea before last night. And wasn’t it just his shitty luck that had him thinking it about a woman who was too damn good for him. Still, the fact she was dismissing what had happened between them last night as routine was starting to piss him off. Irrational, yes, but he really didn’t give a fuck.

“You know better than to listen to gossip.”

She threw her hands up in defeat. “I’m not in the mood to discuss anything about last night.” He wasn’t either, but he was perversely irritated that she didn’t want to. What kind of woman was she? Evan had been pretty sure before last night. He’d been sure that at some point she’d settled down with a steady man and have boring sex. Because in his mind, May wasn’t ever supposed to enjoy sex with another man. Not that he’d ever find out, or be on the receiving end, but he definitely expected her to follow the pattern. She didn’t.

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Melissa Schroeder

Hell, she’d shaken his world. He’d never broken in a sub who was so responsive. With the right Dom, she’d be unbelievable. Some nameless, faceless bastard who would have the right to touch her, pleasure her, fuck her.

“What the hell are you scowling at?”

Her question brought him out of his dark thoughts. “Nothing.” He shoved his hands in pockets of his jeans to keep from reaching out to her again. He had already tested the limits of his control. “Why don’t you tell me what your father wants?”

She studied him for a second or two and then blew out a breath. “He wants to expand the concrete on the lanai and cover it.”

Before he could ask her the particulars, the sliding glass door opened. A rounded man who had to be her father stepped out smiling. He wore a University of Hawaii ball cap, a dark green shirt with the same emblem and tan shorts. Like May, he was barefoot.

“Ah, Maylea, you got started with Mr. Chambers.”

May choked on the coffee she’d just drank. She cleared her throat. “Yeah. Evan this is my father, Daniel Aiona. Dad, Evan.”

Daniel hurried over, a wide smile stretching his lips. He offered his hand. “Great to meet you in person. May talked about your company and the renovations you did at Dupree’s, so I decided to give you a call.”

Evan took his offered hand and shook it, amazed at the strength behind it. Her father wasn’t old but he was slight in build. An inch taller than his daughter, Daniel showed signs of his age in a few weathered wrinkles around his mouth and eyes, telling Evan he smiled a lot. He released Evan’s hand and then slung his arm over May’s shoulders. The easiness of the action told him what he’d suspected about May’s family.

Daniel’s genial manner would probably do a one-eighty if he knew what had transpired last night.

“I appreciate it. That job I did for Chris brought in a lot of business.”

“I also asked around. You have a good reputation.”

May looked at her father, over at Evan and back to her father. “Since you’re here I’ll let you take over.”

She tried to wiggle away, but her father’s grip tightened.

“No, no. I need you here. Besides, I got you a date for tonight.” Every muscle in May’s body stilled. “A date?”

“Yeah, your grandfather has a new doctor, smart kid.” She pursed her lips, a sure sign she was pissed. Evan didn’t blame her. What the hell did her father think he was doing setting her up on dates? With a fucking doctor. As if she would be interested in a doctor.

“I’m working tonight.”

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A Little Harmless Obsession

“Did I say tonight?” Her father gave her an indulgent smile. “I meant Monday.” Irritation rose off her in waves so strong, Evan was amazed her father didn’t sense it. “I don’t want to go out with him.”

The even tone in her voice had Evan cringing inwardly. Her father just smiled. “You haven’t met him.

You will when you meet him.”

Evan watched her jaw flex as she ground her teeth together, but amazingly, she didn’t smack her father upside the head. She’d curled her fingers into the palm of her hand, telling him she had seriously thought about doing it, but she restrained herself.

“Dad—”

Her father waved her away. “Why don’t you go make sure that brother of yours is actually studying?” She opened her mouth to argue, but her father turned his back on her and started talking about his plans for the lanai. With a huff, she turned on her heel and sashayed into the house, affording Evan an eyeful of her ass as she did. Because of her agitation, her swing was a bit more exaggerated than usual. It wasn’t until she closed the sliding glass door behind her that Evan realized her father was giving him detailed directions.

Turning his attention to Mr. Aiona, Evan reminded himself that May was now off limits.

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Chapter Ten

Evan watched the milling crowd in Rough ’n Ready, trying to decide what the hell he was doing here.

It was odd, feeling like he didn’t belong in the one place he always had in the past. He’d spent more nights here than he had at his own place, but now he felt as if he were a virgin at an orgy.

“Surprised to see you here tonight,” Micah said.

Evan glanced at his business partner then back out onto the floor. “I don’t see why you should be.”

“You’ve been here so little, especially on weeknights. And let’s just say that after the experience with Maylea, I’d think you’d be sniffing around her.”

Evan tossed back the rest of his whiskey and then asked for more. As the bartender filled his glass again, he said, “You know that was a one-time thing.”

“At first, I thought it would be. But I have to admit, you two seemed…in tune, I guess is the best way to describe it.

Evan grunted. “Well, as you can see, I’m looking for a sub.” When Micah didn’t respond, Evan looked at him. He had crossed his arms over his chest and had one eyebrow raised.

“What?”

“Evan. What the fuck is going on in your head?”

Good question. Evan didn’t have an answer. He’d been searching for it for several days, wondering just why the hell he couldn’t sleep anymore. Instead of answering, Evan shrugged and looked out on the floor. “Just need a break from work. Took on a new assignment, a lot of late hours.”

“Yeah, I heard about that. That still doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

“Jesus, Micah, get off my fucking back. I don’t need this shit.” Evan spotted a sub he’d worked over before. Six feet tall, blond hair, blue eyed, with a slim attractive body, and she liked it rough. Just what he needed tonight.

He tossed back the rest of his whiskey and slammed the glass down on the bar. He was feeling pleasantly buzzed…but not enough to numb the ache he had.

“I’m off for the night.”

Micah looked over at Susan and frowned but said nothing. Evan dismissed him from his mind as he moved through the patrons in search of his prey. When he reached her, he tapped her on the shoulder. She
A Little Harmless Obsession

glanced back over her shoulder and smiled. At one time, that smile had driven him crazy, stirred his blood with the anticipation of making her submit to him. This time, it left his blood cold.

“Hey, Evan.” Her husky voice rose over the crowd. “How’re you doing tonight?”

“Fine.” He leaned in to brush his lips over his cheek and breathed in her scent. The cloying over-the-top flowery perfume was another thing he used to like. Now he just wondered if she bathed in the damn stuff.

“You have a partner tonight?” he asked. Evan knew that even if she did, she would dump him in a minute for him.

She shook her head. “Nope, just got here a few minutes ago.” She cocked her head to one side and studied him. “I didn’t think I’d see you here tonight.” He bit back his irritation. Why did everyone act like he had disappeared off the face of the earth?

“Well, I am. Ready for a round?”

Her smiled widened, a calculating gleam sparkling in her eyes. “With you? Always.” Without another word, he grabbed her hand and pushed his way through the crowd. Need stabbed his belly, held him by the balls. He shoved aside the voice that kept chanting this was the wrong woman and practically ran down the stairs.

“No need to rush, Evan.” Her voice was slightly breathless, with a touch of irritation.

He ignored her. He didn’t want to think about her, about the fact he felt like he was cheating on May.

May, the woman who was on a date with a fucking doctor tonight. Letting the bastard touch her, kiss her, do things to her—

“Dammit, Evan, you’re hurting my hand.”

Evan stopped and looked down. It was then he realized that he’d squeezed her hand so hard he was amazed he hadn’t broken it. Damn, Susan wasn’t delicate, but he knew he was capable of hurting her. He immediately released her hand.

“Sorry,” he mumbled.

She rubbed it and nodded as he opened the door to his room. Unlike the night May was there, the curtains closed off the room to the crowd above. He wasn’t in the mood. He stepped aside to allow Susan in first but then found himself standing at the threshold. He couldn’t seem to get himself over it and into the room. The idea of taking another woman here felt somehow wrong…as if he were betraying May.

He raked a hand through his hair and pushed himself into the room. He could do this, he had to do this.

“Strip.”

Susan smiled, and again, it left him cold. There was no anticipation dancing in his blood as he watched her kick off her shoes and then peel off the tight black dress, revealing nothing but pale ivory skin.

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He didn’t even get the familiar beat of arousal in his blood whenever he saw a naked woman, not to mention the idea of touching her had bile rising in his throat.

He closed his eyes and tried to remind himself it was an act, that May had been nothing but another sub. The moment he thought of her, memories of the night together came blasting back to him, washed over him and had his dick jumping to attention. He could still hear her breathless little moans, the way her breath caught each time he spanked her—