Strictly Business: Hooded Pleasures, Book 1 (10 page)

Kate smiled. “How about Delmonico’s Saturday night about nine? I’ll get the reservations.” She twisted the pencil between her fingers. “You can tell me about your happy married life, and I can tell you nothing about my love life.”

“Agreed. See you then.”

Kate cut the connection, grateful for the interruption. Ann knew about Kate’s rather unorthodox lifestyle but hadn’t judged her—it wasn’t only her unwavering acceptance that made her an invaluable friend.

She reached for another sketchpad and flipped it open.

A new page.

An empty page to draw anything she wanted on.

Kate took one last chomp on the pencil edge and began drawing again.

Most men went out on Saturday night. Nightclubs, restaurants, baseball games—whatever they wanted to do for entertainment. Strip bars where you didn’t even have to hide your appreciation for the female form.

Alex had tried all these and found them lacking. As in, downright boring.

What he needed, he couldn’t find in a nightclub or by hanging out in a bar.

Kate was right—he could find a woman without too much trouble; his good looks made it fairly easy to find a lover for the night. There were plenty of women who were okay with a one-night stand with no connections, no commitments.

He’d had enough of those.

Now he wanted something more.

The problem was it was only Saturday night and not Sunday afternoon.

Alex paced through his living room, making his fifth circuit of the house. Living room, kitchen, hallway, stairs, bedroom—rinse and repeat. He couldn’t sleep.

Or rather, he didn’t want to sleep.

He couldn’t shut his mind down. Flashes of code ran through his mind’s eye, tangling with reruns of last week’s appointment, his first visit with Kate.

Kate.

He increased his pace, jogging up and down the stairs to try to keep his desire at bay or at least channeled into something productive. The last few days had been wonderful, a glorious boost to his energy level fettered only by his need for sleep.

He’d worked out daily, kicking his exercise up to a new level. It was like he had opened a whole new part of himself and had to pour the vibrating energy somewhere, anywhere.

Anywhere other than his libido.

That was very healthy. It had taken a concentrated effort not to relive his first session nightly, twisting his sheets into knots with the aching need. The fantasy scenario he’d woven tugged at his core, tempted him to play it again and again.

But he’d said no.

Saving it all for Kate.

Pouring his excess energy into his work was paying off as well.

The coding had been perfect, his clients thrilled with the final product. They’d immediately asked him to help on the next phase and cut him a contract within hours to keep him on the project.

He’d thanked them and moved on to his next freelance job, not wanting to be unfair to his other clients. He was on a creative high, had been so for days.

His orbit brought him back to the kitchen, where he gazed longingly at the empty coffeepot. In response, his stomach rumbled and reminded him too much caffeine not only made him crazed but also gave him pain.

Not the good type.

Alex looked at the clock hanging on the wall.

Soon.

He forced himself up to bed. The last thing he needed was to upset Kate either by sleeping in past their appointment or worse, nodding off in the middle.

As if,
his inner voice laughed.

As.

If.

Delmonico’s had been Kate and Ann’s hangout since college, the hole-in-the-wall restaurant a surprising find when they went out searching for good cheap Italian late one night. Good food, good service and a relaxed environment kept Kate coming back at least once a month.

They also stayed open until two in the morning, giving their guests plenty of time to chat and drink and nibble on delicate desserts.

Ann was already there, having taken over their usual table and ordered a bottle of white wine. The maître d’ welcomed her with a smile and a referral to the lasagna. They’d both taken him up on it and spent the next two hours stuffing their faces with way too much pasta and bread between giggling and gossiping about anything and everything that caught their eye.

Finally, Ann sat back and patted her stomach. “That was obscene. I won’t be able to eat for the next day or so at this rate.” She poked the remains of the lasagna with her fork. “I’d ask for a box, but I’d probably eat it before I got home.”

Kate covered her mouth as an unlady-like burp escaped. “Tell me about it. I don’t know what they put into this, but it’s fabulous.” She waved the waiter over. “But we always have room for dessert.” She held up two fingers. “Cheesecake for two please. And coffee. Thank you.”

The waiter swept the plates off the table with a smile and disappeared into the back.

Ann twirled the half-empty wineglass between her fingers. She brushed a wayward dark lock of hair out of her eyes and attempted to push it back into the dying ponytail.

Kate flinched inside. It was one her friend’s signals, one Kate had learned the hard way.

She wanted to talk.

And not about picking up some pastries to go for Eric.

Ann smiled at Kate. “You’re looking good. That asshole keeping his distance?”

Kate nodded, grateful she hadn’t said his name out loud. “It’s good. He’s staying far away from me. No need for him to come around. He already got all his belongings out of the condo. Haven’t seen or heard from him for months now.”

She remembered how Carl had swept into her condo a few days after she’d seen him at the club with his new Domme.

He hadn’t even had the grace to look upset. He’d let himself in, packed up his stuff in five suitcases, dumped his keys on the kitchen counter and left with a jaunty wave of his hand.

He hadn’t taken any of their toys.

She threw them all out the next day.

Kate finished off her glass of wine in two gulps.

Dessert arrived along with two cups of strong coffee. The waiter slid the cheesecake slices onto the table with a wide smile and a flirty wink at Kate.

She blushed and waved him away.

“I hate having to say this again and again, but I need to. You can’t dwell on the past. You can do better.” Ann reached over and touched Kate’s arm. “You deserve better. Carl wasn’t right for you.”

Kate gave a noncommittal shrug, concentrating on the decadent slice of cheesecake in front of her. She didn’t indulge herself too often, but Delmonico’s treats were too much to resist.

“You told me he was acting up before he ever left,” Ann said.

Kate took up her fork and poked at the creamy yellow triangle.

“You said he started getting grouchy, upset over every little thing,” Ann pressed on. “He didn’t have the balls to try to talk to you about it, work it out.”

“There was nothing to work out,” Kate said, spearing a paper-thin slice. “He decided we weren’t right for each other and left.”

“Most people at least try to make it work. Not cut and run.” Ann picked up her own fork. “And they don’t slap their ex in the face by doing what they did. That’s unforgivable.”

Kate shrugged, hiding her smile. Ann still couldn’t refer specifically to the breaking point with Carl, the final straw shattering the camel’s back. She might accept Kate’s lifestyle, but she wasn’t comfortable talking openly about it.

“You deserve better,” Ann repeated. “There’s someone out there for you. You just need to find him. I don’t like to see you unhappy.” She paused. “Is there another, you know, place you can go to?”

Kate sighed. “There are other clubs, but it wouldn’t be the same. Not to mention I’d be always looking over my shoulder for Carl and the bitch.”

Kate wasn’t going to dignify her existence by saying her name.

“I hear you.” Ann reached for her coffee. “Don’t be mad at me for asking how you are and wanting to see you move on.”

“I know.” Kate leaned over and touched her arm. “And that’s why you’re my bestest friend in the whole world. But I’ve got to go at my own speed.”

“Okay. But you’re still working for this”—Ann waved her hand—“this company.” She lowered her voice.

Kate resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “It’s not illegal. I’m not doing anything criminal or wrong.” She couldn’t keep the edge creeping into the words courtesy of the wine. “Don’t judge me.”

Ann held up her hands. “Whoa, now. When have I?” She glanced around. “I haven’t freaked out at anything you’ve told me.” Her cheeks went red. “Well, maybe a bit, but not that much.”

Kate drew her fingernails along the cloth napkin, carving out random images. “I’m sorry. I just—”

“I get that. I get you. It’s all good.” Ann reached over and took Kate’s hand. “As long as you’re happy and safe, I get it. I have a hard time relating to what you do at times.” She picked up her coffee cup. “Although I can think of a few men I’d love to jab in the balls with my stilettos.”

Kate laughed. “More than a few, I’d wager.” She folded the napkin, wiping away the images. “I get to do what I like, and everyone gets what they want.”

“As long as you’re safe,” Ann said. “That’s all I care about.”

“I’m careful. The rules protect everyone.”

“Okay. Enough babbling from me.” Ann pointed her fork at Kate. “Just promise me you’ll keep your mind open to any prospects. I know you. You get burned once, and you hide away, afraid to get hurt again. I’ll allow you a bit more time to mourn, but then you’ve got to get back out into the real world, whether it’s finding another club or going to a bar to meet new people.” She wagged a finger at Kate. “Remember Danny Allenby?”

Kate sighed and dramatically clutched at her chest, rolling her eyes upward. “Grade six. Stole my heart and my lunch daily.”

“Until you figured out he wasn’t anything more than a user.” Ann inspected her fingernails. “And you scratched the hell out of his arm next time he tried to grab your lunch.”

Kate laughed. “The teacher gave me shit until I explained the situation. Then he put Danny in detention for a week.”

Ann shook her head. “You put yourself in detention for the rest of the year staying far away from the boys. You paid more than he did.” She reached over and tapped Kate’s plate with her fork. “You get burned, you’re going to take time to heal. I get it. But don’t forget to come back and start living again.”

Kate took a sip of strong coffee before responding. “I will. When it’s the right time.”

“Okay. But don’t blame me for pulling you into the light every now and then.”

“Never have and never will.” Kate winked. “You keep me honest. So tell me about this new promotion to regional manager. Guess I can get free flowers from any shop I want now, right? Going to have my place smelling like a greenhouse all winter.”

Ann laughed and accepted the change in conversation.

They finished off the evening with Ann offering one last time to set Kate up with a blind date.

She refused.

After all, she already had men falling at her feet.

Chapter Seven

It was Sunday. A day of rest, according to most people’s calendars.

Not Kate’s.

And definitely not Alex’s.

There was little traffic on the roads today, and she arrived at Alex’s house early, pulling into the driveway with five minutes to spare.

She sat in the car and chewed her bottom lip. Her pulse throbbed in her ears and she was halfway to arousal in anticipation of the lovely man waiting behind the door, waiting for her.

You’re too excited
, she berated herself.
Get it under control.

She drew deep, measured breaths, forcing herself to ignore the need building in her thighs.

He’s paying for a Domme. For you.

For whoever Hooded Pleasures sends out.

It’s not about you.

It’s all about him.

Kate put her hand on the car door handle and mentally threw on her armor.

All about him.

What is she waiting for?

Alex peeked through the curtains, watching Kate. He was already naked, having folded his clothing and placed it on the couch. The collar lay on the coffee table, ready to be unlocked and placed on him.

He looked at the clock on the far table.

It was 1:55 p.m.

Damn.

She isn’t going to start a minute early.

He shifted from one foot to the other, relishing the feel of the hardwood floor on his bare feet.

She hadn’t even come in the door and he was already hard, his balls aching for her touch. His back tingled with muscle memory, and he rolled his shoulders to shake the feeling.

He remembered his time against the door. The momentary awkwardness of being hung like a piece of meat disappeared the first time the flogger had landed on his shoulder. He’d arched inward, pressing his cock against the cool wood.

The shock had him flexing back, twisting him right into the next contact—the multiple tails of the flogger snaking under and up against his balls, the soft loose fabric not enough to leave marks but enough to startle him into full arousal.

He could swear he’d rubbed some of the paint off the door.

He was hard and aching, dying to wrap his hands around his cock.

No
, his inner voice bellowed.

Not this time.

Don’t do it for yourself.

Save it for her.

For. Her.

Alex gritted his teeth and returned to his vigil, watching the vehicle as it sat in his driveway.

As soon as she moves—

The car door opened.

He didn’t wait to see if she got out.

It was hard to keep a steady pace, but he walked to the front door and unlocked it before dropping to his knees and placing his hands behind his head.

He wasn’t going to make a spectacle of himself twice in a row.

The doorknob turned.

A cool breeze washed over him, and he smelled her. It wasn’t a flowery scent, not perfume.

Fresh, clean—like a bar of soap.

His cock bobbed to attention at the scent.

He didn’t dare raise his head.

The door closed with a click, and he heard the dead bolt drive home.

He let out a ragged sigh of relief.

Yes.

Those legs, those glorious legs, stepped in front of him. He resisted the urge to drop down and kiss those luscious ankles.

No boots this time.

Just a pair of delicious high-heeled shoes.

The black leather straps crossed back and forth over her feet, and he imagined his body being bound just so.

“Hello, Alex.”

“Mistress,” he murmured. He felt his face burn at the memory of her last visit, the fantasy ending already pushing him close to the edge.

But he could control herself.

Until she told him he didn’t have to.

“Much better this time.”

He heard the humor in her voice, the silent laughter.

“Thank you, Mistress.”

“Were you watching me through the curtains?”

Alex paused, unsure of what to say.

Her fingers landed in his hair, stroking through the dark strands.

“I asked you a question.” The grip tightened.

“Yes, Mistress. I was waiting for you to get out of the car so I could present myself properly.” The words rolled off his tongue as if he’d rehearsed his response.

“I see.” The fingers disentangled themselves to resume caressing his hair. “Understandable.”

He sighed at the sensation. He’d had lovers play with his hair before—that was nothing new. But like this, with her…

“You have a bedroom upstairs.” It was a statement, not a question.

He nodded.

“Let’s get you collared, pick up some water bottles and go there.” The edge of the duffle bag moved within eyesight. “I think it’s time to test how strong your bedposts are.”

Alex heard the hint of laughter in her voice and couldn’t help smiling in return.

Yes.

The next six weeks and accompanying visits flew by in a frantic rush of pain and pleasure, each preceded by hours of anticipation wondering what Mistress Kate would do to him this time.

The fourth visit had thrown him for a twist. She’d come in and collared him as usual, then instructed him to stay on his hands and knees while she went into his kitchen and made a pot of coffee.

She returned and sat down, crossing her legs and displaying those long, luscious limbs he couldn’t not look at.

Big mistake.

“Are you staring at my feet?”

He coughed while trying to figure out what to say. “Yes, Mistress.”

“You like my shoes.” She stretched out one long leg under his face, displaying the black pumps. “I bought them especially for you. I’ve noticed what you like.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I know what you want. I know what you need. And I know when to give you what you want and need.”

He swallowed hard, studying the slick leather straps.

“But that’s enough of that for now.” The shoes moved out of sight, and he didn’t dare turn his head to follow. “Today we’re going to work on your obedience.”

Alex frowned.

Haven’t I done everything you asked?

“Yes, you have.” Kate answered the unspoken question, sending a shiver down his spine at her uncanny powers of observation. “But there’s more to being a sub than being able to take a spanking. A good submissive knows how to take orders without hesitation, no matter how odd it sounds. When I say jump, you jump. Understand?”

He nodded.

“Now, this is how it’s going to work.”

Alex felt a cool sensation on his bare ass. It moved to the base of his spine and upward, caressing his shoulders.

“You were concerned about how you looked at our interview. I appreciate a man who cares about his personal appearance. Let’s take that to a new level and teach you how to present yourself to a Domme.” The riding crop appeared in front of him. “Position one. Where you are right now. A perfect table for me to rest my feet on or place a serving tray.”

He felt a pressure in the center of his back. Not enough to bow him but enough to let him know it was there.

Alex grunted.

“Or for me to have my way with you from behind.” The hot whisper in his ear had him wallowing in the fantasy for a few seconds.

“Position two.” The pressure disappeared, and her hand landed on the back of his neck, on his collar. “Nose to the floor, ass in the air. For display and disciplinary purposes.”

Kate nudged him forward, and he leaned down, almost smacking his nose on the thin carpet.

Something nudged his ass cheeks apart, and he whimpered, trying to remember what he’d listed on the application.

“Don’t worry. We’re not going to go there.” A single finger ran down his spine and between his cheeks, stopping to tickle his balls from behind. “Yet.”

Breathe
, he kept reminding herself.
Breathe and remember what she’s teaching you.

“Position three.” Her hand slipped under the collar and tugged. “Standing up, hands behind your back, eyes on the floor.”

Alex scrambled to comply.

Kate stood behind him. “This is for inspection purposes or just to have you standing by, waiting for a new command. You may be left like this for hours, so make sure you’re relaxed and comfortable.” The crop traced up the inside of his right leg and stopped just short of his balls. “We’ll start with those three for today.”

Start?

“Position one,” she snapped, and Alex dove for the floor.

He froze there as her hand landed on the center of his back.

“Remember this. Eventually you’ll assume the position based on where I touch you. Here, it’s position one.” Her hand slid up his spine to the back of his neck. “And here?”

Alex dropped his head down, almost smacking his nose on the carpet.

“Excellent. Position three.”

He leaped to his feet, breathing heavily.

“Position three.”

Alex dropped down on his hands and knees before realizing she hadn’t ordered a change.

He shook his head, angry with himself.

“Stay there.” The riding crop caressed his shoulders. “Don’t move.”

The sharp tone froze him in place.

She stepped in front of him, her black shoes inches away from his fingers. “Don’t guess. Don’t try to anticipate anything I might say or do. Wait for the command.”

The crop snapped across his shoulders, and he gasped.

“Now let’s try it again. Position three.”

A half hour later, he was back at position one, sweaty and exhausted. She’d barked out commands for the entire time, punishing him with strokes of the crop whenever he’d screwed up. He imagined his back crosshatched with crimson stripes, the burning scorching the various positions into his memory.

An empty bowl slid across the floor in front of him, and Alex recognized it from his own cupboards.

The black shoes returned to stand by the bowl.

“You must be thirsty.”

Kate leaned down to pour a small amount of water into the bowl.

Alex licked his lips. He wasn’t fool enough to make a move for it until told so.

“Good.” Her approving tone stroked his ego. “Go to position two and drink.”

He found it difficult to slurp up the water but managed, licking the cold water off his face where he could. It only took a minute to finish off the drink.

“I know you want more.” Her hands moved through his hair, caressing him. “But I don’t want to make you sick. Not when we’ve got so much more to do.”

More?

Alex licked his lips as her slender fingers pulled the bowl out of sight.

“Now, let’s add on positions four, five and six.”

He was a sweaty, gorgeous hot mess.

And she loved him for it.

Kate reclined on the sofa and watched him snap through the various poses as she called out the numbers.

Alex was a fast learner. She put that down to the programmer part of him, the ability to grab ideas and hold on to them with a death grip.

He’d mastered the primary six with much less drama than some of her other clients. He was still making mistakes, but she expected that at this point, after over an hour of constant exercise.

But he wasn’t thinking on his own, and that was what it was all about. Not to think but obey.

She squeezed her thighs together as she called out position two and tried not to imagine herself behind him, squeezing that delectable ass as she drove home, sliding the strap-on deep into him as he bucked against her—

Kate forced herself to look at the walls, both to calm herself down and to give him more recovery time. They were almost done for the day.

She squinted at one particular picture, recognizing the image.

“Position one.”

Alex struggled to his feet and placed his hands behind his back.

Kate pointed at the image. “You worked on
Dungeon Dive Dweller Four
?”

Cover art from the computer game hung on the wall nearby. The game had shipped two years ago and was still a best-seller thanks to the complexity level.

It’d driven her mad for two weeks nonstop.

Alex drew a deep breath and smiled. “I did, Mistress. I worked on it.”

Kate stood and approached him, playing with the riding crop. She saw the fear in his eyes, the confusion at having said something wrong.

She walked behind him before drawing the riding crop down his spine and slipping it between his legs. “Did you put in the third trap door on Level Five?”

“I did, Mistress.” A smirk appeared. “And a sweet little bit of coding, if I do say so myself.”

Kate cursed under her breath. “That cost me more than a few characters.” She tapped his ass with the crop. “And it just earned you five strokes. Both for your insubordination for speaking out of turn and for that damned trap. Position two.”

As his ass rose in the air, she reached out and tapped it lightly with the crop.

Someday—

She drew back the crop. “Start counting.”

Alex sighed as he leaned against her on the sofa. He took the energy drink from Kate’s hand and took a sip before handing it back.

He felt like he’d run a marathon. Multiple marathons. And he hadn’t even left his living room.

His mind was a blank sponge, the repetitive exercises drumming the numbers and positions into his head. The question about the computer game had helped him refocus at the end, come back out of the fog she’d sent him into.

He chortled, thinking of how many characters she must have lost to be so angry about it.

Kate gripped the back of his neck. “What are you laughing about?”

There was no anger in her voice, and her smile said volumes.

“That trap, Mistress. Management told me they’d get plenty of flak for it, and I told them it was their problem. I never thought it’d come back to bite me in the ass.” He shifted against the couch, still feeling the burn. “Literally.”

Kate laughed and gave him the drink before unlocking his collar. He sighed as she stripped it from his neck and placed it on the table.