She sighed into the pillow as I slid a hand down her back.
Her ass was still pink from the spanking I’d given her, drawing me. Sliding my way down her back, I pressed my lips to her skin as I went, feeling the warmth of it against my lips.
“Feeling okay?” I murmured. I was always careful with my subs, making sure they had what they needed, but this was the first time I wanted the answer not because I wanted to know if I could leave or to make sure I'd done a good job. I honestly wanted to make sure she was okay.
“Better than.” She turned her head and cracked open one eye to look at me. The pale gray gleamed almost silver in the dim light.
Having her in bed next to me did something odd to me. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but instead of climbing out of the bed the way I typically did after making sure my partner was fine, I was content to lie there and stroke my hand up and down her back. We were done. It was edging up on midnight. I should go. That was how this was supposed to work. Get what I need. Give what they need. Leave.
But I could see myself staying in bed beside her for another couple of hours. For the rest of the night. Waking up in the morning and rolling her onto her back. Sliding into that tight, wet, heat. A slow and lazy wake-up call. I’d like to hear those rough, raw moans again. Feel her hips lift to mine as we took our time.
But that wasn’t how this worked. How I worked.
Rolling onto my back, I ran a hand through my hair, then scraped my nails down the shadow on my jaw. I was telling myself I needed to get my ass up and moving when the bed shifted. Slanting a look over at Dena, I saw her already easing out of bed, the elegant line of her back arching in a sleek curve as she stretched her arms over her head.
I watched as she got up, picked up her dress and panties, then headed into the bathroom. I wasn't entirely sure when I'd taken her clothes off of her. Probably some time after I untied her, but before I'd gone down on her. Forcing her to stay still when every muscle had been quivering with pleasure had been extremely satisfying.
When she came back into the bedroom, she was dressed. She bent over to pick up her boots, and that was when it hit me.
She was leaving first.
I couldn’t decide how I felt about that.
“Am I going to see you again?” I surprised myself by asking the question.
She slid a look at me over her shoulder as she tugged her boots on, then shrugged before answering, “I don’t know. I don't usually go to Leather and Laces. Do you know Club Privé?”
“Yeah.” I couldn’t help but smile. I wasn’t surprised. She seemed to fit there, all sleek and elegant. She’d stood out in Leather and Laces, a highly polished diamond in a box full of cubic zirconia. “That your normal spot?”
“More often than not.”
“Maybe we’ll see each other there, then.” The idea of meeting with her again made my heart skip a beat.
She came to me then, bent over me, pressed her lips to mine in a brief, chaste kiss. “I can’t say I’d mind.”
Then she slid away, leaving without a sound.
Blowing out a breath, I flung my arm over my eyes. Somehow, I knew it would take awhile to get her out of my head.
Chapter 10
Dena
Today was one of those perfect days.
I got in late – or early, depending on how I wanted to look at it – and took a long, hot shower, then collapsed into my bed and slept until noon.
When I woke up, I decided the best way to spend the day could only involve Chinese food delivery and wine, followed up by finishing a book while curled up in the window seat. When I finally closed the last page, I headed into the bathroom and sank into a long, hot soak where I allowed myself to enjoy a replay of the past night.
Arik.
His name was Arik, and whether or not I ever saw him again, I knew one thing for certain. It was entirely possible to find a guy who could give me what I needed.
Last night had been amazing.
Arik had made all the Doms I’d been with before pale in comparison, rank amateurs at knowing how to handle me. I knew I might feel discouraged and disappointed later on when others didn't measure up, but I’d never regret what had happened last night. Finally feeling that release...
My breath shuddered into my lungs, then out as the memories pulsed, then flashed through in hot, rhythmic pants, echoing in time with my heart.
It was everything I’d ever hoped for.
He was everything I’d ever hoped for.
What if I never found that again?
Groaning, I slid down into the water and soaked my hair. Honeysuckle-scented water caressed my skin, and I sighed. I felt better, more relaxed, than I had in months. Maybe even longer.
And who knew when I'd get to feel like this again.
I opened my eyes. I needed to stop thinking about whether or not I’d ever have another night like last night and focus on what I did know.
Bethany had said she’d give us her decision first thing. I had the chance of a lifetime in front of me. I would've liked to pretend that I could spend the rest of the weekend relaxing, but I knew better.
I was going to think through every line and detail of my presentation.
I’d done better than Pierce had.
I wasn’t thinking that out of arrogance. I knew when I was being arrogant. My parents had called me on it enough growing up for me to recognize that line. I also knew when I was being realistic. The choice should be logical. I’d presented the better argument, regardless of Bethany's differing reactions.
I also knew I was the better lawyer. I was the one who’d do better for the DA’s office. I’d actually done some research on Pierce since meeting him. He wasn’t a bad lawyer, really, but he wasn’t exceptional either. He took short cuts, made deals when he didn’t need to, failed to push when he should have, compromised when it was simply convenient. Basically, he took the easiest route possible rather than fighting for the best outcome.
There was no question how this should go.
***
Operative word: should.
Fighting to keep my face expressionless, I stood in front of Bethany’s desk and listened to her describe the process that had led to her decision. I nodded at the right times, made the appropriate noises and managed not to say something I'd regret.
According to her, Pierce and I had both made fantastic arguments, but Pierce seemed to have a little more experience when it came to trial law.
Experience.
Like hell he did.
His entire argument had been built on smoke and subterfuge, but since he’d argued something other than divorce and child custody cases, he was the one who'd be better in front of a judge and jury.
She hadn't said it flat-out like that, but I knew what she meant.
When she finished, she gave me a guileless stare. After a long moment, she rose and came around the desk, leaning against it as she held my eyes. “You’re a good lawyer, Dena. I think after a while, you could be exceptional. You just need a little more...seasoning.”
What was I, a turkey?
She continued, “Right now, I need all hands on deck. If you can help with the research and legwork, it'd do me a world of good, and it can get you that much needed experience. Are you onboard?”
“Of course.” I gave her a polite smile, and then nodded at Pierce before cutting around them.
He’d been given second chair.
I was relegated to gopher and glorified donut fetcher.
They might not say as much, but that’s what I was doing. That behind-the scenes-shit was just that – shit. I knew what they wanted. I’d be doing a bunch of grunt work, and I'd be lucky if I made it into the gallery for any of the actual trial.
On this one.
I tried to console myself by saying that it was only one case. I couldn’t take it personally. I was just starting out, and I knew what that meant. Just because I'd paid my dues at Webster and Steinberg didn't mean I didn't have to pay them
here.
Except I had a strange feeling about this.
No, it was more than that. It was a bad feeling. I’d been knocked down a hundred times since I’d gotten into law school, sometimes justifiably, sometimes not. I knew the difference.
Just as I went to push through the door, Pierce called my name. I braced my shoulders, prepared for whatever crap comment he had. But when I turned to look at him, he was holding out a fat manila folder.
“This is some of the information we need pulled. Can you get to work on it? As soon as possible, please.” He gave me a wide smile. “Thanks.”
“Of course.” I gave him a stiff smile and took the file.
I could get through it, I told myself. I'd done it before. I could do it again. Just keep my eyes on the prize.
***
As soon as possible…thanks.
Pierce’s words had been echoing in my head all week, driving me bat-shit crazy. I let myself out of my so-called office and turned toward the steps, intent on finding Bethany and Pierce. They’d be holed up together, I had no doubt of that, doing all of the trial work.
I had the utmost respect for the difficulty and importance of research, as well as for those whose job it was to do it.
I just didn't want it to be my job.
I'd already made up my mind. Once I turned over the information I’d dug up, I was going to do something I hadn’t ever done.
I was going to play hooky. Well, not exactly, since it was technically the end of the work day. I just wasn't going to spend today like I had the rest of the week, working late on some of the pointless shit Pierce had thought up. I had everything they needed here, but I'd already learned that it didn't matter if I thought my work was done. They'd find something else for me to do so I wasn't included in their little two-person team.
I'd had it. I'd do my work and do it well, but I was through letting Pierce be an ass.
Resolved, I strode down the hall toward Bethany’s office.
There were a few paralegals and associates still here, and I saw at least one other ADA's light on, but Bethany's door was shut and her blinds drawn.
Strange.
I knew Bethany and Pierce should be there. They’d told me they needed this information.
Knocking briskly on the door, I waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And acknowledged that I was waiting on people who had likely left already without bothering to tell me.
Assholes, I thought sourly.
Blowing out a breath, I tried to decide what to do. Bethany locked her office when she left. I could try it, but if they were inside and I opened the door, she'd probably be pissed. And if she was gone and the door was unlocked, she'd probably be just as pissed if I went into her office when she wasn't there. But I had to do something with the files.
I'd leave them on Pierce's desk, I decided. His office was near mine and we were on the same level, so it wouldn't be the same as going into a supervisor's office. Plus, I knew he left his office unlocked since I'd gone into it yesterday to get something for him.
I headed back down to where our offices were located, trying not to let my frustration get the best of me. As I neared the door to his office, however, I stopped suddenly.
Was that...
My skin prickled.
Heat rushed up to suffuse my face.
Oh, hell.
It was.
And before I could figure out what I should do, everything shifted.
Because the rough voice I’d just heard was most definitely Pierce’s.
And he’d just grunted out, “Bethany…fuck. Yeah. Just like that.”
Son of a bitch.
A rush of emotion welled inside me, stronger than anything I had felt in a very long time. I still held the information that Pierce had needed in my hands, my palms growing slick with sweat while my jaw locked to keep me from doing something stupid.
Anger, disgust, a seething sort of self-righteous fury that burned away the headache residing at the base of my skull – all of them thrummed within me in a cacophony that was almost loud enough to drown out the moans coming from Pierce's office.
I didn't know what to think in that moment. All I could do was stand there. Stand there and listen as Bethany urged Pierce to fuck her harder and faster.
She was his superior. Bethany was supposed to be his boss.
While there were a whole host of ethical issues brought up by what they were doing, it wasn't even those things that were causing the anger to bubble up inside me.
Bethany had shoved me aside and given second chair to Pierce because they were involved. That’s all there was to it. I was smart enough to know that I should've been given second chair. I had a lot to learn, true, but I was a better fucking lawyer.
And now I knew the truth.
But they didn’t need to know that yet. I waited a few more moments and pulled my emotions under control, closed my eyes and breathed deeply. I was going to take some time and think this through, calm down.
Anything I did right now would be driven by emotion, and that wasn't the way to handle things. This wasn't some asshole in a club. This was my job. One I'd been working my whole life toward. I needed to be smart.
As much fun as it might be to call them both on it, I knew I'd be better served by moving forward with calm deliberation and making sure I was reacting for the right reasons, rather than the petty ones.
I turned and headed back to my office. I'd wait until I heard Pierce's door close before I went to give him the files. Then I was getting the hell out of here.
By the time I finally got home, it was late and I was tired. More than that, though, I was still pissed.
Part of me was so tired, I wanted to just lay down and sleep, but at the same time, I knew there was no way I’d be sleeping any time soon. I ducked into the bathroom for a quick shower, then pulled on a pair of tight leather pants and a silk tank top.
Club Privé was a little farther from my place than I would've preferred to go considering how tired I was, but I desperately needed to blow off some steam, and part of me was hoping that I might find Arik there.
A little while with him and I’d be able to forget about the lousy day. Maybe it'd even clear my head enough that I could think through the problem with Pierce and Bethany.
And if not, well, hell, I’d still have had one more night with Arik.
When I strode through the doors, I met the eyes of the woman manning the door and nodded. Arlene was in her mid-thirties, a lesbian in a committed relationship, and one of my favorite people at the club. She was built like the side of a barn, and had a face that looked like somebody had smashed it with a hammer. She was also one of the sweetest people I’d ever met, and she could scare some of the toughest looking sons of bitches I’d ever met. She could also talk people down in a blink.
That was why she handled the door. She could have been a bailiff.
I doubted Carrie would be here tonight since she was busy with wedding preparations, but that was good. I didn't want to talk to a friend.
I wanted to fuck.
Hopefully Arik.
Bodies swayed and moved to the music. Skimming the crowd, I studied the dance floor for a long time before moving off to the staircase that led up to the VIP floor. I couldn’t see him.
It should've bothered me that I knew I'd be able to spot him in a crowd, but it didn't. I just wanted him.
One familiar form did catch my eye, and I paused briefly when Jack caught my eye, but that wouldn’t do it tonight. I gave him a smile and turned away. Settling at the bar, I ordered a drink.
Gavin found me before I was halfway through my glass.
“You look like you've had a hell of a day.”
“It’s been one hell of a week.” I crooked a smile at him and shook my head. I considered elaborating and then decided not to. It wasn’t going to help, wasn’t going to make anything any better.
“Carrie is off looking at...” Gavin f
rowned, looking more perplexed than normal. “Table favors and hand fans.”
I grinned at him, amused. Seeing Gavin confused and thrown off his stride was something I might've paid money for at one time. He was definitely one of those men who always seemed to know what to do in any situation. “What, Gavin, don’t you know your way around a doily and a jar of mints? A personalized bottle opener?”
“It’s not the favors.” Gavin let it go at that.
There was a shiver of fear and awe in his eyes that left me amused.
Men and weddings.
I knew beyond a doubt that he loved Carrie more than anything, but he was still freaking out a bit. Maybe it was just the planning, but it was still amusing.
Rising, I moved to the railing that faced out over the dance floor on the lower level. As Gavin moved to join me, I gave him a smile. “It won’t be long until you’re well and truly chained for life.”
“Yeah.” He nodded slowly, a glint showing in his eyes. “I can’t wait.”
It was just the event itself. Good.
Envy curled inside me, but I didn’t let it show as I leaned over and bumped his shoulder with mine. “You’re such a sap.”
He snorted, then said something else, but I didn’t hear him.
A tall, lean figure moving out on the dance floor had caught my eyes. He’d emerged from the shadows and I hadn’t seen him. My heart skipped a beat. I steadied my breathing and mentally prepared a little exit strategy.
Those few precious seconds saved me from doing something stupid.
Arik wasn’t alone.
He had a woman with him.
One I knew.
She was a regular here at the club. She was pretty and funny and nice.
She was also a submissive. More of a traditional 'yes, Sir' one.
Not like me.
As Arik led her off to the area where some of the private rooms were, my throat went tight.
I closed my hand tighter around the stem of my wine glass, and told myself that it didn't matter. We hadn't made any promises to each other.
Then why the hell did my chest hurt so badly?