Double Down (3 page)

He didn’t want to admit it, but Max’s words hit a little too close to home. He’d spent all these years working his ass off and had built a business that had garnered him an international reputation. He was cautious in his relationships, aware that his money and his power were infinitely appealing to so many women. He’d learned long ago to guard himself emotionally, to the point where now he wondered if he was meant to be single forever, but lately he’d realized something vital was missing from his life. Something not even Ultra seemed to fill lately.

He just didn’t know what.

He took another slug of his drink and tamped down his unpleasant thoughts.

“I’m fine, Max. Since when do you object to our little wagers, anyway?”

Max shrugged. “Maybe since I took a look at us and wondered if we’ve turned into overgrown frat boys. We both just turned forty. One of these days you’ll meet a woman who pushes all your buttons. Then your little habit—okay, our little habit—is going to come back and haunt you.”

For a moment, he was tempted to tell Max to forget the whole thing, but he liked a challenge. And Lee Sullivan, so cool, so self-possessed, impressed him as just that.

“I think you’re depressing me,” he said. “Are you in or not?”

Max hesitated a moment then nodded. “In, but let’s make it for something worthwhile because I’ll enjoy scoring it off you.”

Branch nodded. “You name it, then.”

Max studied his ice cubes for a moment. “Okay. A hundred grand. Let’s make it payable to the charity of the winner’s choice. I’ll feel better about it.”

Branch thought for a moment. The money wasn’t a lot to either of them, not these days. And they could do something worthwhile with it, so a bonus.

“You’re on.”

“We need a time limit, though,” Max told him. “I don’t plan to let you drag this out forever.”

“Time limit.” Branch nodded. “Fine. One month.”

“You may need more than that,” Max cautioned. “This is not going to be as easy as you think.”

“Is that so? How about doubling down if I do it in less?” Branch teased.

“God, you are a cocky bastard. Okay, less than a month and we double down.” Max chuckled. “I’ll give you this. You’ve got balls if you think you can get Mistress Star on her knees inside of one month. I’ll take that bet.” He rubbed his hands. “And start looking to see where I think the money will do the most good.”

Branch slugged down the rest of his drink. If Lee Sullivan didn’t call him by Tuesday, he’d contact her. He planned to come out on top here. In more than one way.

Only—

Only why did he suddenly feel as if he might be making a huge mistake here?

When Lee pulled into the parking lot at Infinity, she noticed how full it was for a weekday evening. She hoped one of her favorite submissives would be there. She’d been so antsy since the Colby picnic; she needed something to work off her excess sexual energy. Entering the building that housed the club, she nodded to the tuxedoed bouncer at the door, smiled, and then headed for the changing room. Lockers lined one wall, and, across from them, individual cubicles gave members privacy while they morphed from their public self to their dungeon persona. Lee chose to dress at home except on very rare occasions, so she simply hung her long coat in one of the lockers along with her keys and the little mini-purse she carried for makeup and money. In the women’s vanity area, she took a last look in the mirror to make sure she was put together. Satisfied, she strode confidently toward the main room of the club.

Nearly every seat was taken at the small tables, the sofas, and the big chairs. The hum of conversation was muted as people spoke in low tones. Alcohol was not served at the club, but glasses of soft drinks or ice water sat on the low tables along with coffee cups.

“Good evening, Mistress.”

John Francona, the owner of the club, was leaning against the curved half wall at the entrance to the lounge, dressed in his usual gray silk shirt and black silk slacks. Lee had always thought the man, with his long dark hair and hint of dark beard on his square jaw, looked like a modern version of The Shadow. He was, however, the most knowledgeable person she had ever met in the community, ran the club according to strict rules, and knew how to handle the members. He also kept the membership to what he believed a workable number, which meant there was always a waiting list.

She nodded at him now as she stood surveying the crowd. She noted some couples she was friendly with making a midweek visit. A few of them were in various stages of undress, a common occurrence at Infinity. Doms and Dommes often took the opportunity to show off their sub’s assets, a silent acknowledgment of ownership and submission. Others were engaged in quiet conversation, possibly discussing the evening’s opportunities.

Lee drew in a long breath and let it out slowly. This was the moment when the electricity always buzzed through her body, making her nerve endings snap and her pulse kick into a staccato beat. The hunger for a naked male body, bent to her bidding, craving the pleasure of the pain she inflicted, actually made her mouth dry.

She had spent a tense few days since the picnic, unable to wash the image of Branch Colby from her mind. And how exasperating was that? Even though there were alpha males who found sexual satisfaction as submissives, she would bet money he was not one of them. She could still see him as he’d been at the event, outlined by the sun like some golden god. Sun-shot hair cut close and lying perfectly on his nape, broad shoulders and flat abs defined by the soft material of his polo shirt, long legs encased in denim moving smoothly as he strode about the grounds. She could imagine women tracing every line of his body with their fingertips, caressing that tanned skin, running their fingers through his razor-cut hair. When he had sat down at the picnic table with her and rested his arms on the wood, she had seen the play of sculpted muscles in his arms. The impact of his presence had been like an actual physical touch to her body.

If she had been a different type of woman, another type of person sexually, she might want to see what he was like beneath that image he presented to the world. The problem with that was she had seen other couples who had this kind of attraction to each other, both Dominants, struggle to find a common ground. It usually ended badly. It would for her, certainly. She had no inner sub craving to be released. She’d already tested that before with disastrous results.

No, if she and Branch Colby moved beyond being business acquaintances, they would both end up flaming out. She certainly didn’t need that. What she needed, tonight as a matter of fact, was one of her most alpha subs who battled her for control even as they gave it up to her. Always willingly, but always making her work for it. Yes, that was exactly what would do her the most good.

“Busy for a week night.”

One corner of John’s mouth hitched in a half-smile. “Seems the membership has a lot of energy to work off on Hump Day.” He chuckled. “If you’ll pardon the pun. Should I assume that applies to you, also?”

Yes, it definitely does.

She’d been buzzed since the Colby picnic, almost as if she’d been drinking fine wine, yet every one of her senses was incredibly alert. The worst part was she refused to admit to herself why. Branch Colby had pushed her buttons, and tonight she needed a sub ready for a good workout. She looked over the room slowly, taking in the people gathered there, looking to see if she might recognize someone who particularly appealed to her.

“Drew is here tonight.” John nodded in the direction of a conversation group. “I didn’t mention that you’d called to reserve your usual room in case you had other intentions.”

Lee shifted her gaze, and yes, there he was, her tall pro athlete with the white-blond hair and piercing blue eyes. Whoever would have thought that such a macho specimen would crave the role of submissive? Yet the first time she’d met him, talked to him, he had explained that it was almost a relief for him to be able to bend to someone else’s will for a change. Until he’d tried it the first time, he hadn’t understood the enormous sexual satisfaction of serving a Mistress. Now he was a regular at Infinity, a place where everyone’s identity was as closely guarded as they requested. One thing he knew both members and guests could count on at this dungeon—the lack of idle gossip.

“Thank you.” She smiled at John. “I believe I’ll wander over that way.”

As she approached the small group, Drew spotted her and rose at once to his feet. He wore a loose shirt and leather pants, the material soft and supple enough that she could see the thick outline of his cock beneath it. His eyes lit up when he saw her, although he kept his face impassive. Some who came here—she called them indiscriminate bottoms— would obey the wishes of any Mistress who plucked them for an evening’s enjoyment. Not Drew, though. He was one of those special subs who lived to serve a very small selection of Mistresses. That made the satisfaction in their play so much more intense and enjoyable. Yes, he was just what she needed tonight.

“Hello, Drew. I’m pleased to see you here tonight.”

“Good evening, Mistress.” He bowed his head in a deferential gesture.

“Have you already made plans?”

She knew there were two other Dommes with whom he regularly played. The three women respected each other’s territory with him.

“No.” He grinned, showing his gleaming white teeth. “As a matter of fact, I was hoping you would be here.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “Any particular reason or just the usual?”

“I wanted to show you something. A surprise for you.” He looked at the couple he’d been chatting with, and they grinned up at him. “I told Garth and Malia, but I wanted to wait to display it for your eyes.”

“Well, don’t keep me waiting,” she commanded. “Show your Mistress what your surprise is.”

He tugged the hem of his shirt from his pants, letting it fall loose about his hips, and slowly unbuttoned each of the brass buttons that held the flimsy material together. When the last fastener had popped through the buttonhole, he pulled the fabric apart to expose his chest. Lee’s eyes widened slightly. The hard, muscled, hairless chest was a familiar sight to her, but what was new were two small golden rings, one dangling from each nipple.

She licked her lower lip, slicking her tongue over the red lipstick. They had discussed this the last few times they had spent time together. She had a fascination with nipple rings for men, aware of the male sensitivity there, and she knew Drew’s nipples would be even more responsive than usual with his piercings. Slowly she reached out one finger and tugged lightly on one of the rings, knowing the sensation would be like a streak of lightning to his cock and his balls. She would have used her teeth, her preference, but she would save that for when they were in a room alone.

Drew’s nostrils flared slightly, and her own nipples tingled in response to his reaction.

“Very nice,” she said at last. “A nice treat for your Mistress.”

“Just for you,” he acknowledged. “I can choose not to wear them for others if it pleases you.”

“We’ll see.”

She smoothed a hand over the fly of his pants, feeling the hard bulge of his cock and then, beneath it, his balls. Gently she squeezed, then slightly harder, rewarded by the slight intake of his breath. She looked down at the couple he’d been sitting with.

“Thank you for keeping Drew company, but I’m sure you’ll excuse us now.”

“Of course.” Malia gave her a knowing smile. “I hope you both enjoy your evening.”

Lee turned and headed toward John, still at his same post, fully aware Drew would follow behind her. The owner smiled as she approached.

“I have your usual room reserved and ready for you, Mistress Star.” He slid a small key card from his pocket and handed it to her. “I’m sure you’ll both enjoy your evening.”

Lee strode down the thickly carpeted hallway, Drew following her. She slid the key card into the lock of the room she always preferred. Inside, she turned and watched as Drew closed the door then came to stand before her, hands behind his back, but he had not bowed his head, instead looking directly at her. Such a battle he fought each time, making her work for every degree of submission he gave her. She had come to realize, however, that, for him, half the need, half the satisfaction, was making her work for it. And hoping she would increase the punishment accordingly.

Tonight he would more than get what he wished for. She had her own demons to battle and a hunger that needed to be sated.

“Safe word, please,” she reminded him, “before we proceed further.”

“It is the same, Mistress.”

She scowled at him. “Are you being insolent?”

“No, no, Mistress. Not at all.” He cleared his throat. “Symphony.”

Ah, yes. Because he saw the sexual play they engaged in as musical parts that all came together as one smooth piece at the end.

“Remove your clothes, insolent sub,” she ordered. “Do not keep me waiting.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

But he did it with a slow insolence that was deliberate. Anticipation blazed in his eyes as he undid the buttons on the cuffs and slid out of his shirt, folding it and placing it on a small table against the wall. Next came the shoes, loafers that he toed off easily. No socks. He’d once told her he hated wearing them and avoided them at all costs. The leather pants were made of such thin fabric that, rather than the usual button and zipper, they were held together with narrow laces. He opened the placket slowly, his eyes still locked with hers, daring her to order him to move faster. Oh, yes, Drew was a sub who was driven by the need to challenge her.

That was why he never closed his eyes, even at the peak of pleasure and pain, even during a climax ripping through his body. Lee knew he needed that connection and used her eyes to control him as much as anything else.

When the slacks had been loosened, he eased them down his narrow hips and long legs, stepped out of them, and placed them on the table with his shirt. Returning to his former position, he stood with legs apart, hands clasped behind him, displaying his wares for her inspection. God, he had a magnificent cock. Long and thick, with a dark plum-colored head, it sprang free and pointed toward his flat abdomen. Beneath it, his testicles lay heavy in a sac against his thighs.