Doms of Dark Haven 2: Western Night (22 page)

Uncomfortably he glanced at Tex, noting that his jeans were tight with his erection. Had he been having similar fantasies? A lifetime of want and need was coming to a close. A new path opened, and Hunter could barely absorb its meaning. He’d come to accept a future alone, and now he was looking at a mate and children. He was looking at a partner who watched his back and, more important, would help keep their family safe and secure.

His sexual frustration had an edge it lacked before. He was impatient. Knowing that culmination was within his grasp, Hunter felt nearly wild with need.

“Sometimes it’s the dominant who suffers the most,” Tex murmured, deep dimples showing in his cheeks. He reached down and unfastened the lariat from his hip. “I’m tired of behaving. How ’bout you?”

Chapter Eight

“Holly, in all the months you’ve been here, you never mentioned a boyfriend. You certainly didn’t mention two boyfriends!”

Destiny stood before her. She should have looked silly wearing nothing but cheap plastic nipple shields and toy six-shooters. She tilted her head, and a tiny diamond flashed on her upper lip. Like Holly, the curvy little woman was completely comfortable in her skin.

Tentatively Holly reached out and rested a hand on the other woman’s arm. She felt a frisson of…something. Destiny started to pull her arm away and then stopped to turn her hand to grip Holly’s arm.

“Really, sweetie, are you okay? You worked so hard to find your inner dommie self. Then these guys show up, rope you, and lead you around the club? It’s just…weird. Sexy as hell, but weird.”

“Not weird.” Holly smiled. “I’ve known Hunter most of my life. Tex…years now. I left home because my wo—I knew we were meant to be together. But they needed to figure it out without me in the way. Now they’re here, and it’s all good.”

She bit her lip, inwardly chiding herself for almost saying the word “wolf.” Hopefully the other woman hadn’t noticed.

Destiny folded her arms, a frown on her pretty face. She’d changed her hair again; the golden curls were spiked with purple. Holly briefly wondered about doing the same thing. Maybe blue…

“And you’re leaving with them?”

Holly looked away, unable to meet her friend’s gaze. San Francisco had opened a new world to her. Not only the club and the scene, but people…thousands of people. Traffic and buildings and gemstones of history hidden between decay and renewal. Music and art and food she’d never before encountered. Dim sum and high tea and a different museum every day.

Uneasiness stirred in her gut. What was the story with the boy who’d appeared out of nowhere?

Abraxas.

“I need to go home, Des. But in a way, this city’s my home too. We live only a few hours away. Near Tahoe. Maybe you could come visit me.”

She bit her lip after offering the invitation but then relaxed. Sometimes Briony had her friends up; one of the betas just ran a flag up the pole in the front yard, warning that there were humans on the grounds.

“Tahoe. That’s like…mountains and snow and wild things.” Destiny wrinkled her nose. “Maybe, but only for you.” She grinned.

Holly glanced back at the men. The silvery chains around the bed partially obscured them from her view. The bed was toward the back of the room and was barely lit. Her belly jumped, a feeling she was beginning to associate with arousal.

“I’ll call you, Des.” She turned back, noting that her friend’s smile had once again fled.

“What’s your number? Shit. That’s right. No cell. What a barbarian!”

“I’ll get one. Soon.” Feeling bold, Holly leaned forward and gave the shorter woman a brief hug. It felt awkward, but she was certain that with practice, it would become easier.

It was time to go. She felt them both watching…waiting. Neither had reached culmination, and surely they wouldn’t let her forget that. She turned from Destiny, and without looking back, she crossed the room.

“Hey, Holly! Your clothes!” Holly stopped and laughed, and then gasped when a rope settled over her head and torso then snapped tight to pin her arms. Destiny burst out into laughter. “Looks like you’re tied up again, baby!” She set the clothes on a bench near the stairs. “Come and get them when you’re ready.” With that, she started up the stairs.

A tug on the rope brought Holly’s attention back to the bed and the men who were waiting.

The game was back on. She stifled her grin, dropped her gaze, and walked obediently to the swinging platform. She dropped to her knees, waiting for the next command.

“Holly.”

“Yes, Master Hunter.” She didn’t look up but ran the risk of peeking through her lashes. Tex and Hunter reclined on the bed, both looking dangerously relaxed. The men were staring at her. Their comfort was belied by the intense expressions on their faces. She could see the shadow of their erections through the heavy denim of their jeans. Her belly quivered in both fear and arousal. She remembered the orgasm they’d given her, and her head went momentarily light. She’d never dreamed a physical response to stimulation would be so all-encompassing, surging through every cell of her body. She’d never expected it to shatter her emotions, bringing her to both laughter and tears.

“Check and see if any of the rooms are vacant.”

Tex’s voice pulled her back to the moment. She went high on her knees, straining to look over her shoulder. “Yes, Master Tex. The door to the Medieval Room is open.”

“Go there. Close the door and wait for us. We’ll join you shortly.”

She rose to her feet, puzzling over the rope that still pinned her arms. Was she to take it off? Leave it? Since Tex said nothing, Holly left the rope in place and walked to the room. She couldn’t use her arms normally, so she worked the soft rope with her fingers, pulling it into the room so she could get the door closed properly. She fussed with the door for several moments, then finally clasped the handle with her fingers and walked forward to drag it shut. Immediately she was surrounded by the hushed atmosphere of the little room.

She’d been in here a few times, mostly when she was working as dungeon monitor. Holly was more comfortable playing in the open. Too much could happen in privacy. Things could go too far when the lights were dim and the doors were closed. She swallowed. This time she wanted the privacy. She wanted the two men to herself, with no prying eyes to witness their consummation.

There were peepholes, mostly for safety purposes. This room wasn’t set up for voyeurism like the Victorian Room was.

She surveyed the space, finally deciding to wait right in the middle of the stone-paved floor. Would they want her on her feet or on her knees as she waited?

What would I expect of a sub?

She kicked a flat silk pillow to her chosen spot and lowered herself to her knees, then sat back on her heels.

There were furs and pillows piled all around the floor, as well as a low platform bed and a thronelike wooden chair. Large silver goblets winked at her in the muted light. A wooden box on a rough table held condoms and lube packets. Bindings and other accoutrements were tucked away in drawers and cubbies around the room.

Holly let out a breath and took in another, feeling as though she hadn’t had oxygen in weeks.

She wasn’t a virgin—not physically. That part of her had been taken away long ago. But in all the ways that counted, she
was
a virgin. That was something that could only be given, not taken. Her mouth was dry, and she still caught the scent of lavender; it blocked her sense of smell just a bit. When Tex had shut down her senses, she’d been forced inside her head, with only their hands on her skin to let her know where she was and who she was with. Sensory deprivation had allowed Holly to focus on what the men were doing to her. Otherwise she’d never have orgasmed.

Through the cushion, the rocks bit into her knees, but she tuned that out, remembering the sensation of their hands on her body, teasing her then making her come. Her heartbeat accelerated, and fluid began to trickle from her channel. Knowing how she reacted to them excited her more. She slowed her breathing, aware that her nipples had drawn up hard and tight.

Tex had wound her up, brought her to the edge, but it had been Hunter’s touch on her breast, his command in her ear that had pushed her over the edge. He was submissive to Tex only because he was learning. Given time, she’d have two men dominating her…taking control of her pleasure.

This time, she wanted to see. She wanted to touch and taste. She had to do everything just right so she could ask for permission to watch. She straightened her back and stretched the kinks from her muscles. As soon as she heard a hand on the doorknob, she bowed her head, checked her stance, and waited.

“You didn’t bring back your clothes.”

Tex didn’t sound pleased, and inwardly, she cursed. He’d roped her before she had a chance to go back! He entered the room, setting the small pile on the floor by the wall. Should she apologize?

“The sub seeks permission to speak, Master.”

“Permission given.” Hunter answered this time. Good; he was stepping up to his role.

She licked her lips nervously. “The sub made a mistake and wishes to offer her apologies.”

“Does the sub seek forgiveness?”

She thought fast. Is this how her subs worked her? Were they really as manipulative as she was?

“The sub asks forgiveness, but only if it is the masters’ wish.”

“Oh, very good, Holly.” Tex stepped in front of her and used two fingers to gently tilt her head up. “She’s setting us up to negotiate, most likely for something she wants later. What do you suppose our little sub is angling for?”

Damn! Holly slanted her eyes away. “The sub wishes only to please her masters.” Tex let go, and she dropped her head respectfully.

“Apology is accepted. Forgiveness…” Hunter paused. “Forgiveness is pending.”

He wasn’t talking about forgotten clothing or the game they played. Hunter was still angry she’d left them. She glanced quickly at Tex. He wasn’t smiling either. What had they been talking about in those few minutes she’d been gone?

Suddenly the game wasn’t frivolous anymore. For the first time, Holly realized there were dozens of ways she could have handled her situation last year. She could have simply shifted back to human and given them the chance to talk to her. Eva or Briony would have been glad to help her step back into life. Chase had given her his full support, but had warned against this course of action. Running away had not only been cruel and thoughtless, it had been incredibly dangerous. She’d been so proud of herself, had felt triumphant in her progress, that she’d never stopped to consider the effects of her actions on the men she loved.

“I understand.”

Looking down, she felt a tear fall from her eye and watched it drop onto the blue silk pillow under her knees. It made a spot that widened out on the rich fabric.

“The sub is ashamed of her behavior.” She didn’t raise her eyes to look at the men. She wasn’t trying to manipulate them any longer. She simply had to say what she meant.

“I am
so
sorry I left you two like that.” Another tear fell. “I thought it was the only way, but it wasn’t, was it?” She looked up, and the men both shook their heads. Holly couldn’t reach up to wipe the tears away, so they flowed freely down her cheeks. She blinked quickly and sniffed. “I just… Tex, you kept coming home smelling like sex and humans. And Hunter, you were just fading into the woodwork. All you ever did was stare at us and glare. I know there were other things I could have done, but one day, I just had to run.” She looked up at them, praying they’d understand.

“So maybe it was the right thing to do.” Hunter shoved his hands into his pants pockets. “Sure shook me up.”

“Me too.” He looked steadily at her. “I’m not going to ask why you ran. I understand I hurt you. I guess…I just felt so…confused. Needy. I thought it was because of Rico marrying and Briony getting pregnant. I thought I was just lonely. It didn’t occur to me that my mate was right there, waiting for me. It didn’t occur to me that you were the one.”

“I was just floating. Being angry and doing nothing… It was just the easiest path to take.” Hunter sighed. “I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to tell you I love you. I don’t know how to tell Tex I need him to show me how to live in this world and love you the way you need.” Hunter ran a hand through his thick hair, pushing it back from his face.

“Well, you just did a pretty good job by yourself, Hunter.” Tex reached out and threw an arm over his shoulder. And Hunter didn’t flinch away. “You know you can trust me and Holly to teach you.”

The men exchanged glances. Their male bonding moment must have been helpful. As her grief ebbed away, Holly felt a surge of triumph. Joy. Her future was standing before her, and it was good. Hell, it was better than good!

Chapter Nine

The silence in the room stretched out. Outside the walls, Hunter could hear other people in the dungeon—the sounds of sex and pain. More distantly he heard music and laughter. He closed his eyes and swore he heard the sound of three hearts beating in a synchronized rhythm.

“Remain where you are, Holly.” Hunter stepped forward till he was just inches from where she knelt on the floor. Her head was level with his groin, and he ached…ached to feel her touch on his body. Tex moved silently next to him. He was still barefoot; Hunter had also removed his boots. Now he felt the cold stone floor beneath his bare feet. Tex shook the rope loose from Holly. She remained perfectly still.

“Unbuckle my belt. Open my pants. Touch me.” Hunter realized he was no longer playing a game. It was time. And he was so afraid.

Holly reached up, her fingers trembling just a bit. In the small room, he caught the scent of her liquid arousal mixed with lavender. The flower would live forever in his memory. When her hand reached his belt, his belly jerked in response. Hunter shut his eyes, focusing only on the feel of her skin, the sensation of air drifting over the hood of his cock. When she gently slid the foreskin back, his cry was automatic. The years of desolation and denial washed over him. Tex was behind him, supporting his weight.