Bowles, Jan - Tamed by the Dom [Guilty Pleasures 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (3 page)

Trying to quell the fascination she had with his BDSM lifestyle, she retorted angrily, “Being submissive is not my style.”

“I can tell.” With a hand on her back, he guided her over to his BMW, and without a word, opened the door for her. Within a few minutes he was driving her back to her mother’s place. With the silence between them developing, she studied his profile in detail. He had a strong jawline and full lips. His dark hair was cut to taper in at the neckline. Everything about him commanded her attention, from the expensive designer watch he wore to the light smattering of masculine hair on the back of his hands. His long fingers expertly guided the car as they turned into a side street and headed for her mother’s house. His featherlight touch on the steering wheel was a sure sign that he was relaxed and at ease with himself.

“Why so angry, Kat?” he asked eventually. “I know it can’t be pleasant being snubbed by your own flesh and blood, but surely as you’re financially sound, you can at least get on with your own life.”

Her hands clenched into fists. Colt had it too easy. Maybe that was why he was so dismissive of her situation. “Things are not what they seem, Colt. The designer clothes and the Jaguar back at the bar are all bought with borrowed money.” She looked directly at him. She could see the surprised expression on his face. “I don’t have a cent to my name.”

A frown creased his forehead. “Then why did your mother leave you penniless?”

She took a deep breath. “I don’t really want to explain, but here goes. I’ve been spinning my mother a yarn for the past seventeen years. I made out I was doing really well. That I’d achieved a lot in my life.

“Once a month I’d telephone my mother. What I lacked in personal success, I’d more than make up for with exaggeration. A thousand dollars would become ten thousand dollars. A job at Walmart would become a personal assistant to a big hotshot lawyer in the city. A small one-room condo would become a large apartment, complete with a private swimming pool and sauna.”

He shook his head. “Why? And why borrow money to come back here after all these years?”

“I wanted to be seen to be doing well. I didn’t want to return to Fairfax after seventeen years as a failure.”

“So you’ve got yourself in debt, pretending you’re something you’re not.”

“I know it’s ridiculous, but I suffered when I was younger. I felt like an outcast here. I wanted to show them all that Katrina Masters has succeeded in life.”

Colt maneuvered the car across an interchange, and then turned back to her. “You’re good at one thing, that’s for sure.”

“What’s that?”

“Lying. You lied so well, your mother thought you didn’t need the money and left you with nothing.”

If Kat hadn’t been so tight, she’d have cried. “Yeah, the irony of it all.”

Colt nodded. “So how much do you owe?”

“A hundred thousand dollars, plus interest.”

He let out a long, slow whistle. “How are you managing the repayments?”

“I’m not. I’ve already missed the second one.”

“Then you should think about selling that car. It’s far too powerful for you anyway.”

“I can handle it. But I know you’re right. It has to go.”

Colt parked the car outside her mother’s house. “I guess you’ll be returning home soon, so I probably won’t see you again. Where is home these days?”

“A trailer just outside Pasadena. I haven’t got any plans made. Everything I’ve done recently has centered on mother leaving me an inheritance. Now I’ve got to figure out what I’m going to do next. Besides, apart from the trailer, there isn’t anywhere I can go. Guess I burnt all my bridges when I left Pasadena. I’ll find a job somewhere local and rent myself a small place. It’s got to be better than where I was living.” She held out her hand. “Keys, please. You haven’t just taken the keys to the Jag, the house keys are on there, too.”

Colt took her keys from his jean pocket. “I can always offer you a job, Kat.”

“Doing what?”

“I need someone to run the reception for me at Club Fusion.”

She shook her head. “I’m not standing around wearing nothing but a leather thong.” Colt’s gaze swept over her from head to toe, and she knew he was picturing the imagery in his head. Flippant remarks with a man like Colt could get her into some serious trouble, and she answered irritably, “Besides, I told you I’ll never set foot in the place.”

He grinned, showing his dimples. “So you did, but that was before I found out you’re desperate for money.”

“Not that desperate.”

“You really have the wrong idea. You should come to my club and take a look for yourself. You’ve already made up your mind, but you know absolutely nothing about Club Fusion. I promise you, it’s not nearly as depraved as you think.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.” She fiddled with the house keys in her hand. “Colt, thanks for being a nice guy. I know I’m drunk because I don’t usually reveal anything about my private life.” If she weren’t careful, she’d say too much. Working on instinct, she kissed his cheek, and then slid from the car. She smiled as she walked to the front door.

He lowered the window of his BMW as she moved unsteadily toward the house. “Kat, if you change your mind, you know where to find me. I’m putting an ad in the newspapers at the end of the week. So the position of receptionist won’t be available for long, especially as the money is so good.”

She shook her head and smiled. “I’m sure it is, but don’t hold your breath, cowboy.”

* * * *

Kat concluded that borrowing a hundred thousand dollars was the dumbest thing she’d ever done. Even dumber than going around Fairfax and asking if anyone had a job. To her, the townsfolk seemed to take intense pleasure in telling her there were no vacancies of any description.

As she drove the battered Jeep out of town, she repeated a conversation she’d had with the owner of the grocery store, and she mimicked the woman in the same whiny, nasal voice, “What happened to your Jag, Kat?” She thumped her fist against the steering wheel. “It’s gone for good, Mrs. McCreedy. I much prefer to drive this piece of shit.”

After trading the Jag in at a local dealer, and losing twenty thousand bucks on what she’d paid for it just a fortnight ago, she’d managed to reduce her debt. Although, the unscrupulous hoods who’d loaned her the money had also added an extra charge of three hundred dollars for the late payment. Now, with the loan sharks breathing down her neck, she’d have to go cap in hand to Colt Donahue for a job. That’s if he still had one.

As she steered the beat-up Jeep along his private road, she grimaced and spoke out loud again. “Shit. Guess I’m gonna have to eat some humble pie.”

The old ranch house came into view. Built in the Colonial style, it had deep wraparound wooden verandahs. Huge marble pillars guarded the main entrance. Three floors high, the white painted walls stood out amongst the greenery of trees and shrubs. Two large gray dogs unfurled themselves from a swing seat on the porch and trotted out into the yard as she parked. Although they didn’t bark, the inquisitive hounds were waiting for her to emerge from the Jeep. Kat took a deep breath. She just hoped humble pie tasted good.

* * * *

Colt smiled to himself as he watched Kat Masters step from the Jeep. He shook his head. There was something about her that piqued his curiosity. Those long legs in tight jeans, and that abundance of thick, jet-black hair that cascaded over her slim shoulders and pretty red blouse, heightened his libido. He wouldn’t mind knowing Kat on a more intimate basis, though her temperament was not conducive to his style of lovemaking, to say the least. He’d just finished a six-year relationship with Angie before she’d returned to Australia. Four years of that they had indulged in a dominant, submissive partnership. Kat certainly needed mastering and bringing into line. He laughed. It would take a lifetime to bring a woman like her under control. She was mixed up to the point of being uncontrollable. He guessed she was trying to get her life into some sort of order because the svelte Jaguar she’d once owned had changed into a rundown, beat-up pile of rust. If she’d come about the job, then perhaps he should give her a chance. For the position of receptionist, he needed a woman able to look after herself, and she fit the bill perfectly. He couldn’t imagine her taking any crap from his members. As many of them were submissive, he guessed they’d pay extra for something like that.

He went into the reception area and opened the front door. She was just walking up the short flight of steps onto the porch, and he called, “Hi, Kat, good to see you again.”

“I might have known you’d look smug, Colt. I’ve come about the job you mentioned, so if it’s gone, let me know and I’ll be on my way.”

“Easy, Kat.” He held up his hands. The woman looked almost on the point of leaving. He’d never known anyone as skittish as her before. “No one’s trying to make you feel a fool. The job is still available, so if you want it, you’d better come in.”

Her eyes narrowed on him for a moment, and then she stepped over the threshold. “I guess I changed my mind about your club. It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, right?” She sounded defensive.

“Of course it is. I’m glad to see you took my advice and got rid of the Jag. It was way too powerful for a woman to handle. What’s the Jeep like, any good?”

Her lips pouted. “It looks and drives like crap.”

He put his arm around her shoulder and guided her toward his office. “Take a seat, Kat. I’ll just get a personnel form. Would you like a drink?” He pointed to a dispenser in the corner of the room. “Or perhaps, you’d like something a little stronger. Bourbon?”

“No, I’m fine.” She sat in the chair opposite his desk and crossed her legs. She looked nervous as she slowly scanned the interior of his office with her beautiful hazel eyes.

When he placed the relevant form on the desk, he asked, “What are you looking for?”

“Chains, whips, ropes, gimp masks.”

He shook his head. She really had the wrong idea about the club. “You won’t find any in here.”

“Oh?” Her brow creased in puzzlement.

“I’ll explain everything when I show you around. What address are you living at now, Kat?” He held a pen ready to fill in the form.

“I’m not. If the job’s not available, I was going to leave Fairfax today.”

He leaned back in his chair and steepled his hands against his chin. “And go where?”

She shrugged. “Wherever my last dime takes me.” When her gaze held his, he knew she was telling the truth. Kat was an enigma. She might be able to fend for herself, but he found her vulnerability intoxicating. How many times had the school of hard knocks visited her?

“I’ve a spare room,” he said, without really thinking about the consequences.

“Under what terms?” she asked cynically.

“What terms would you like?”

“A bedroom with a lock as far away from yours as possible.”

He stared at her. It reminded him of negotiating a session with a sub. “Done. Anything else?”

“Access to a kitchen and one day off a week.”

“Done. Anything else?”

She shook her head, and he raised a brow. “Perhaps you’d like to know the pay?”

She smiled and he saw her shoulders visibly relax. “It might be a good idea.”

By negotiating the living arrangements first, Colt knew exactly where Kat was coming from. He guessed men had used her, time and time again. “I reckon you’ve had a hard life, Kat, but believe me when I say, I don’t take advantage of anyone, least of all a woman down on her luck. For the first month you’ll receive two thousand dollars cash, plus your board and lodgings. In three months’ time, when you’ve settled in, and I see how good you are at your job, I’ll pay twice that amount. Is that acceptable to you?”

“Yes.”

“Then follow me, Kat, it’s time to show you around Club Fusion.”

Chapter Four

Colt hadn’t lied when he’d said the pay was good. The money would certainly help with her debts. He led her through a door marked private. Colt pointed to the sign. “When we’re open for business, this door is kept locked at all times. This is the private accommodation. I thought you’d like to see your room first.”

“Does anyone else stay overnight?” she asked. It was wise to know what she was letting herself in for.

He turned and looked at her. “No one else, other than Romulus and Remus.”

“Who are…?”

He motioned with his thumb over his shoulder. “You’ve already met them. They’re my two wolfhounds.”

“Oh.” At least they seemed friendly enough.

He led her up a flight of steps. “My room is on this floor, but since you want a room as far away from mine as possible, yours will be on the top floor.”

As she followed him, her gaze rested on his cute butt encased in a pair of tight jeans. He sure had a sexy walk. Her eyes drifted to his strong, powerful shoulders, and she licked her lips. To be held in his arms would make her feel so safe and protected. She shook her head. Colt was way out of her league. Besides, he lived a BDSM lifestyle, and that just wouldn’t suit her personality. She sighed resignedly.
Just push any fanciful notions from your head, Kat. Men always get you into whole heaps of trouble.