Beg for It (2 page)
Reed snickered. “Back to this, are we?"
It wasn't a secret that Kole had an interest in Bella. Hell, how could he hide it? Every time they all went out to a dance club or even met at a pub for
Sunday Night Football
, she teased him. But he wasn't the only one captured by a woman. “Marley spun you just as hard."
Reed inclined his head. “Got me there.” Then, his expression firmed. “But this is different. Marley knew the lifestyle interested her. Bella doesn't. If you plan to stick to vanilla sex, then by all means"—he waved out toward Bella—"enjoy yourself. But it should stop there."
Vanilla sex didn't interest Kole. Even if Bella could use a good lay to brighten her mood, he didn't have it in him not to demand her submission, especially once he settled himself between her luscious thighs.
Reed continued, “If Bella finally realizes that her tastes extend to BDSM, then it's my responsibility as Marley's Dom—and boyfriend—to place her with the right one.” He lifted his chin, his voice deepening. “That's not you."
Kole snorted. “Thanks for the high opinion, jackass."
"You know what I'm saying, Kole.” Reed's tone softened, and he placed a hand on Kole's shoulder. “You've never taken a newbie who's as innocent as Bella into a scene."
"I don't think she's as innocent as she puts off,” Kole retorted. “There's a feisty woman in her, and that strength I'd imagine would make for a sub I'd enjoy."
"Strengthwise, yes,” Reed countered. “But she's not submissive in nature. I doubt she has it in her to give you the control you want.” He dropped his hand, folded his arms. “And then I'll be placed in a position to explain why she can't sit for a week since her ass will be marked for her disobedience."
Kole was well aware of who he was and that he enjoyed pushing his subs to extremes that Reed would never go in order to show their submission to him. Plus that he tolerated much less than Reed did from a submissive.
But something existed between him and Bella, and that told him that Reed's worries were irrelevant. He wouldn't be drawn to a submissive who couldn't give him what he needed as a Dom.
Reed stared hard into Kole's eyes and finally sighed. “Fuck, my talk is pointless, isn't it? You're going to go after her, aren't you?"
Nothing Reed had said would dissuade him. An opportunity had presented itself that he wouldn't let pass him by. Bella needed a fantasy. And he'd give her the one he knew she craved, even if she didn't realize it. “I'll introduce the idea and let her decide if she wants to pursue it."
"Introduce, huh?"
Kole grinned. “I'll awaken that dormant submissive in her, let her squirm awhile until she realizes I'm exactly what she needs."
Reed exhaled, long and deep. “Promise me you won't push her excessively if she doesn't submit to you as you'd like?"
"You know"—he glared at Reed—"for my roommate and friend, your opinion of me is discouraging."
Reed's expression was measured. “I'm well aware that you push subs when they're under your command.” He gestured toward Bella. “Be careful with her, or Marley will rip into me, and I won't hear the end of it."
"I won't push past her limits, even if those limits are way too low.” He cocked his head and sighed in exasperation. “Does that suffice?"
Reed nodded. “That'll do.” He grabbed another beer out of the fridge, then left the kitchen to join Marley.
Kole leaned against the counter, pursed his lips, and regarded Bella. He had no doubt if he offered himself to her for a night of blistering hot sex, she'd jump on the chance, but getting her into a scene might prove difficult.
She clearly sensed his gaze on her, since she'd glanced at him. A pretty blush filled her cheeks, and she looked down at the glass in her hands. A reaction he enjoyed.
He suspected when Bella wanted a man, she didn't hold back and went after him. But when it came to him, she was a shy little thing who couldn't hold his gaze.
Submissive.
Tonight, he needed to open the doorway so she'd finally stop ignoring her interests in BDSM.
You've got your work cut out for you.
Good thing he loved a challenge.
Only one thing would save Bella now—a stiff drink. Reed and Kole's parties were always fun, and it was nice to see new friends she'd made over the past month. But her mood was right in the toilet. It'd been that way all day and had only gotten worse since she joined the party. She shouldn't have come.
She cursed on a low breath. How in the hell was she going to get out of her current predicament? Originally, it'd been she who offered the idea of the pact of seduction, and she couldn't even commit.
Pathetic.
Marley's giggle drew her attention, and Reed had pulled her onto his lap, nibbling at her neck. As horrible as it was, jealously surged. Maybe she had hoped that her fantasy would fill that empty void in her soul. Sure, it was meant as something sexually fun, but Bella craved something...
A part of her remained unfulfilled, even if she didn't understand exactly what was missing. All she knew, her life at this moment was boring with a side of totally sucks.
She glanced over at Kyra, who laughed with Sadie, and nudged her arm. “I'll be back. I need some air."
"Sure.” Kyra's green eyes were a little glassy. The wine clearly had gotten to her. “Want some company?"
"Nah.” She plastered on a fake smile. “I won't be long."
Kyra gave a nod, then turned her attention back at Sadie as the two chuckled about something Sadie had said. If only Bella had something to laugh about. She rose from the couch and made her way through the crowd.
As she passed, she noticed a man sitting on the ottoman and a woman knelt at his feet with her arms over his legs. The position appeared casual enough, but it also looked...different. As if the woman enjoyed being at his feet. Another spurt of jealously soared, and she gave her head a good hard shake. She was apparently envious of everyone who had a relationship. And since when had she been jealous of a BDSM relationship?
What's gotten into you?
She made her way through the living room and stepped out onto the balcony. The cool air brushed against her skin, and she shivered. Winter still hung on in Baltimore, but what a strange winter it'd been—snow one day, mild the next. Tonight was brisk, but that only seemed to help cool off the annoyance burning her blood.
With her glass in her hands, she leaned on the railing and glanced over the city. Reed and Kole's condo had an amazing view and the lights twinkled below.
She sipped at her drink and pondered her situation. How could she plan another fantasy when the only one she wanted she had yet to fully accept herself? And why was she acting like a bitter idiot?
After a long gulp that had her cringing from the aftertaste, a deep voice interrupted her useless thoughts. “I heard last night didn't go well."
She lowered the glass, licked the moisture on her lips, and looked next to her to find Kole. Like always in his presence, butterflies fluttered in her stomach, but she squashed them and kept her voice controlled. “That's putting it lightly."
His blond stylish hair framed a face worth a second look, and his dark blue eyes shone with a power that made her melt. He leaned against the railing beside her, cocked his head, and she felt the weight of his stare right down to her toes. “Tell me about it."
She sipped her drink, mortified to her bones that she had to admit this to Kole. “It wasn't Raven's fault. I"—she drew in a deep breath and said quickly—"I always thought my fantasy was to be with a woman, but clearly it's not."
"Ah, I see.” He took a gulp of his beer before he lowered it. “You didn't get off, I'm assuming?"
She snorted. “If laughing in her face means that I didn't get off, then yes, I didn't get off."
He chuckled, the sound so seductive Bella quivered. In response to that odd reaction, she examined him and couldn't stop from admiring the view.
He was dressed in a pair of dark jeans that no doubt hugged his fine ass, and a black T-shirt that was snug around the muscles beneath.
Good God
. She licked her lips for reasons that had nothing to do with her drink.
"You didn't follow through with your part of the pact, then?"
Her gaze lifted to his face. The glint in his eyes declared he'd been quite aware of her admiring him. Hell, she'd lusted after him since the day they met. A strong sexual attraction existed between them that she hadn't experienced before with any man, especially a Dom.
She blinked and focused away from the warmth that formed between her thighs. “That's right. I bailed on the pact."
His gaze became penetrating as his tone dipped lower. “Why don't you arrange another night with someone else for your fantasy?"
"Because"—her muscles stiffened, and after a long sigh, she grimaced—"I have no idea what that fantasy is now."
"Such a problem for a woman to have,” he mused.
She gulped at the way his voice seemed to carry into her soul; then she lowered her head to avoid eye contact with him. He raised his bottle to his mouth, and his arm brushed against hers. Tingles zinged through her, and she squeezed her thighs together to ease the throb of her clit.
How did he make her body do that? Every time he was near, she all but sizzled, and when he touched her, everything was amplified.
"I see that you need help, then, in finding what you're looking for."
It hadn't sounded like a question, which she was glad for since her tight throat made it impossible to answer. He slid his finger along her arm, slowly and with clear intent to unravel her.
She bit her bottom lip. “W-what does that mean?"
He tucked his finger under her chin and lifted her head. “I think we both know what I mean.” Those eyes of his burned with the lust that he had obviously contained. “You enjoy my attention, and I'd enjoy you under my command."
Then he pressed a finger on the back of her hand and danced his touch up her arm. His gaze followed his caresses every step of the way. And damn him if she didn't close her eyes and shudder.
A scrape of his nail along her skin drew her eyes open, and he grinned with sin. “Look how beautifully you react to me.” He finally reached her shoulder, and she trembled under the softness of his touch that seemed to contradict that power oozing from him. He tucked his fingers back under her chin, drew her head up, and stared intently into her eyes.
Searching for what, she had no idea.
His hold tensed, a shift in his gaze appeared that made her stomach flip-flop, and her panties were now soaked. He leaned in, pressed his lips against hers, and the world froze. His luscious and damn well perfect mouth molded with hers as his silky tongue swept her away. When had anyone ever kissed her like this?
Oh, right—
never.
He kissed her thoroughly, leaving no part of her mouth untouched; then he backed away but kept hold of her chin. “It's time to stop ignoring what your body needs and accept that you want to be dominated."
Hell, how right was he? Maybe BDSM wasn't her fantasy when she made the pact of seduction with her friends, but after hearing about it from Marley, her interest had grown. She lifted a lazy shoulder to appear nonchalant. “I suppose if I set up a scene with you, that would be a solution to my problem."
"Not good enough.” His gaze hardened. “Do you want me to take you into a scene, Bella?"
At his pause, she realized she needed to give a better answer, and she nodded. “I do."
He examined her for a long moment before he finally said, “Now what are your interests in BDSM?"
She melted at the way he stared at her now. So intense. So wicked. Was this a hint of what he'd look like in a scene? Her body flushed, yet she held her focus and lifted her chin. She had always prided herself on staying strong around powerful men.
Her job as a stockbroker in Baltimore's top lending investment firm meant she swam with the sharks. Most of her coworkers were authoritative men. If she'd showed weakness, she wouldn't be where she was today, and she'd worked hard for her position.
"I'm interested in"—her throat went dry. All these fantasies she hadn't admitted to anyone. Was she really going through with this? Her soaking panties declared it so—"ropes, sex toys, floggers, to be controlled, pleasure, and pain.” She raised her glass to her mouth and tried to ignore the way her hands shook.
Before the rim could reach her lips, Kole snatched the glass from her hands and set it on the ground next to him. “If we're discussing this and you are serious, you
will
stop drinking."
A flare of irritation rose up that he'd be so bold to take her drink right out of her hands, yet Marley had said that Castle Dolce Vita Doms never allowed submissives to drink alcohol in a scene to ensure they were clearheaded. And since they were discussing what would happen between them, she let it go. “Okay."
He gave a short nod. “Now I want to make sure you're well aware of what will happen and what I expect of you.” His gaze searched hers, seemingly looking right through her. “And I need to be sure that I'm the correct Dom for you."
"I don't want anyone else,” she blurted out before she could stop herself.
His eyebrows rose. “I don't mind your answer, Bella.” A small grin turned up the corners of his mouth. “But do tell—have you put more thought into this than you're letting on?"
Her cheeks had never burned so hot, but she wouldn't be
that
woman who'd stumble around a man. She stuffed her nervousness away, clasped her hands, and demanded her voice to be strong. “Maybe once or twice."
She'd been aware of the mutual attraction between them, so two could play his game. “Are you trying to deny you haven't thought about it too?"
He winked. “Maybe once or twice."
A flutter whipped around inside her, her palms grew clammy, and she squeezed her fingers. Why did he make her act so...knocked off her axis?
"One thing that needs to be discussed is my expectations.” He glanced at her hands for a moment as if he took in her reaction before he looked back into her eyes. “From what I know of you as you are now, you'd struggle to meet them. And I want to make that clear so you know what you're getting yourself into."