Lassoed By A Dom (6 page)

Trish could have gone into the house to wait for her friend, but she was enjoying the show so the heat was merely an inconvenience. Although, she wouldn’t turn down a cold iced tea when they were finished. Or a beer.

Finally, Liz urged the gelding to a halt, waited while the horse stood perfectly still for a long minute, then nudged him over to where Trish sat.

“You must be broiling out here,” she said, using the bandanna tied around her neck to mop her forehead.

“Makes men out of boys,” she teased.

Liz laughed. She had once told Trish that John Loughlin, the man she’d worked for who had left her the Lucky L, answered most every question that way.

“He’s coming along nicely.” Trish nodded at the horse.

“Yes.” Liz patted the gelding’s neck. “He’s a winner. Let me just put him up, and I’ll meet you at the house. Petal’s got cold crab salad for lunch, along with our choice of beverages. I’ll be up in a minute.”

Petal was the Wrights’ housekeeper. Liz said she’d told Alex she was good in the barn, good in the ring, and good in the bedroom, but she stayed out of the kitchen. Trish felt much the same way. Cooking had never been one of her talents. When a person spent as much time on the road competing and training as she did, cooking was low on the list of priorities.

Petal served them on the glassed-in, air conditioned porch, the salad mounded with fresh crabmeat, the Lone Star beer so cold the bottles frosted on the outside.

“So.” Liz sat and patted her lips. “I gather last night was a success?”

“Oh?” Trish lifted an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”

Liz burst out laughing. “Because if it had been a disaster, you would have been over here at the crack of dawn chewing me out for letting him cart you off after dinner. Right?”

“Well, yes. I guess.” She forked a small piece of crab and chewed it thoughtfully. “Do you know we actually met before yesterday?”

“What?” Liz leaned forward. “And you didn’t tell me?”

“Well, maybe ‘met’ is too finite a word for it. We locked eyes for about ten seconds in Oklahoma. He was still working there, and I was competing, of course. He’d come to the rodeo and walked back to the barns afterwards.”

“You didn’t talk to each other?”

Trish shook her head. “I think he wanted to come over and say something to me, but a bunch of people came to the stall where I was brushing Misty and when I looked back he’d disappeared.”

“That’s it? The whole thing?”

“That’s it.” Then she leaned forward. “But I’m telling you, Liz. It was the hottest few seconds of my life. Until last night.”

“That’s so amazing. And I’m glad last night worked out.” She gave Trish a sly look. “So should I assume you’re going to see him again while you’re still here?”

“He said he’d call me, but I haven’t heard from him today.” She took a swallow of her beer. “And don’t I just sound like I’m in high school. He’ll call when he can. We didn’t make any commitments to each other.”

“Honey, you’re both busy. He knows you’re just here for a short time. If you both had a great time last night, he’ll call.”

“Maybe it would be better if he didn’t.” Trish sat back.

Liz frowned. “I don’t understand.”

Trish tried to frame her words carefully. “Jake and I have a connection, Liz. We’ve had it since those few seconds in Oklahoma, outrageous as it sounds. Last night only made it reality.”

“But?”

“But…I’m out of here in two weeks. I can’t get into a situation where some man is going to try to tie me down and tell me to get off the circuit.”

Liz’s eyebrows flew up. “And you think Jake would try to do that?”

Trish shrugged. “I don’t know. And I suppose it’s stupid to even worry about it after one night. But I’m telling you, that connection between us…”

“What else? I can tell that’s not the only thing.”

“This is embarrassing.” Trish looked down at her hands. “The sex was incredible…for vanilla, which is not really my favorite flavor.”

Liz burst out laughing, then pressed her napkin to her mouth. “Sorry. I know that’s not funny.”

Trish’s lips twisted in a wry grin. “Yeah, I guess it is. It’s just been so long since I discovered I was a sub that, without it, the sex is…missing something. And how do I even bring it up to him? Say, Jake, would you bring your lasso with you so you can tie me up? Blindfold me with your bandana? Spank my ass with your big hand until I’m so hot I could come by myself?”

Liz grinned, fanning herself with her napkin. “Hot, hot, hot. And I don’t mean to laugh.” She sobered, and a strange expression crossed her face. “Could you tell how he was reacting? Did you feel he wanted to say something but was holding back?”

“To tell you the truth, I was too busy enjoying myself. Anyway, what if I asked him and discovered he was into D/s? How would that affect us?”

“It depends on what you want out of this. If you and Jake get too twisted together, you’re right, you might have to make some decisions you don’t want to. Although, you know the offer for you to hire on here as a trainer is always open. I’d love to add you to our staff.” She studied Trish across the table. “You’ll probably win at Grand Nationals this year. Again, that’s three times. When do you think you’ll be ready to get off the road, anyway?”

“I don’t know. I just—” She flapped a hand in the air. “The whole thing makes me itchy.”

“My immediate prescription for you is a night at Rawhide. That way you can satisfy your needs without worrying about the emotional aspect of the situation.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“Alex and I are going tonight. Come along. I know you’ll find someone to keep you happy, even if he might not take your mind off Jake Keenan.”

“You’re probably right. What I need is a good session with a strong Dom. Maybe I’ll get lucky and someone I remember will be there.”

“You just never know.” Liz finished the last sip of her beer. “Why don’t we pick you up about nine o’clock?”

“I can drive myself. That way, if things don’t work out for me, I won’t have to drag you guys out of there early.”

Liz flipped a hand at her. “Not a problem. I think Alex just needs to work off a little excess energy.” She chuckled softly. “And he wants to do it where the hands can’t hear me scream. An hour should take care of things.”

Trish frowned. “Or what if I happen to get lucky, hook up with a Dom I know, and I’m not ready to leave then?”

“Quit making problems where there really aren’t any. We can always hang out in the lounge and visit. If you want to drive by yourself, just say so. I just thought…”

“No. You’re right. I really don’t want to go alone. And I can’t even say why. So thank you, I’ll be ready at nine.” She winked. “In my best sub outfit.”

****

Jake locked the door of his truck and headed for the carved door of Rawhide. He noted the parking lot was unusually full for a Wednesday night. He wondered if many of the people in town for the rodeo—visitors as well as competitors—had requested guess passes. He had long since stopped being amazed at the variety of people he ran into at the dungeons he’d frequented. He could still remember when everything was cloaked in a furtive air and you almost needed hand signals to get in the door. Now, for many people, it had become almost as unremarkable as a night out at any club. The only difference was the activities.

He hefted the black canvas satchel in his hand. Rawhide provided excellent equipment, and their sterilization methods were second to none. But he’d long ago gotten in the habit of bringing his own toys. The bag contained most of the usual things—handcuffs, blindfolds, toys like that. And he often selected some of the items provided by Rawhide. There were just certain things he favored. His own ropes for example, made especially for him of the finest, softest silk by a company that specialized in Shibari bindings. His floggers were of the most supple leather, the braiding on the handles twisted and wound just so. And the violet wand he carried had attachments he’d chosen very carefully after a lot of experimentation.

He hoped one of his usual subs might by chance have stopped in and be looking for an intense session because god knew he needed one. A combination of Shibari and the violet wand were at the head of his list. And tonight, instead of keeping on the leather pants he favored for the club until he was ready for the sub to touch him, he planned to strip, give his aching cock plenty of room to swell and thicken during the session. Maybe tonight, as horny as he was, he’d have the sub work her magic with her mouth, sucking him hard until he filled her throat. Then he could recover while he treated her to a combination of Shibari and the violet wand, his favorite type of session.

He nodded to the man at the door checking people in and headed directly to the lounge. The well-appointed area was about two-thirds filled with people in low tones of conversation, some at the tiny café tables along one wall, some in idle play with their subs, often while they chatted with friends. The lighting in the area was deliberately low, giving people a semblance of privacy even though they were in the gathering area of the club.

Clint Chavez, leaning against the wall, nodded at him and smiled, even as his eyes never stopped cataloguing everything going on in his club.

“Good to see you.” He shook Jake’s hand. He glanced at the bag Jake was holding and grinned. “See you brought your gear. A couple of your favorites are here tonight.”

“Good. I’m more than ready.”

“Rough day?”

“You have no idea, but not in the way you mean. I guess I’ll wander into the lounge.”

“You should have told me you would be here tonight. I’d have made sure everything was ready for you.”

“Not a problem.”

Clint checked his watch. “I’ll have a room ready in just a few minutes if you happen to find a playmate.”

“I’ll get a cold drink while I’m waiting and scope out the lounge.”

The main room was fairly large, couches and chairs arranged for both conversation and mild play activities. As he glanced over the crowd, he spotted someone waving at him. Liz Wright, sitting on a curved demi-sofa with Alex. There was another person with them, a woman, with lustrous brown hair and—

Wait! Holy shit! He swore his heart came to a complete stop in his chest. Was that Trish Barton?

He tried to move forward, but his feet seemed rooted to the floor and every bit of breath was trapped in his lungs. Was he dreaming? Fantasizing?

“Hey, Jake?” He felt a hand touch his elbow, and Clint Chavez’s low voice pierced his fog. “I think the Wrights are trying to get your attention? Something wrong?”

“Uh, no. Nothing at all.” In fact, maybe something was right. “Just startled for a minute.”

“Okay. Just checking.”

Jake moved forward as if walking through water, his step sluggish, until he reached the place where Alex and Liz were sitting.

And Trish.

She looked up as he stopped in front of them, and he wondered if the shock on her face was mirrored on his own. Especially when he saw the outfit she was wearing—a short leather skirt with matching halter and strappy shoes with needle heels. An outfit much like many subs wore. He knew he should say something, but he just couldn’t seem to make his mouth work.

****

I’m dreaming, that’s the only explanation for this.

Trish couldn’t drag her eyes away from the man standing in front of her. Was she really looking at Jake Keenan? Here? At Rawhide? And carrying what she knew to be a gear bag many Doms brought with them? She blinked, wondering if he’d disappear, but no, there he was. And in a long sleeved black collared shirt and soft leather pants that outlined his very enflamed cock. At once her nipples peaked and tingled, and the crotch of her thong was soaked with her juices.

Jake’s nostrils flared, as if he could smell the suddenly rich perfume of her musk.

“Well.” One corner of his mouth kicked up in a hungry grin. “This is a pleasant surprise.”

Trish finally unstuck her tongue from the roof of her mouth. “For me, too. Do you play here a lot?”

“I’m a gold card member.”

Her eyes widened. Gold Card members were considered the elite of the membership. A private room was always made available for them, and whatever they wanted the club made sure they had.

“Wow.” She slid her tongue over her lower lip.

“Well.” Jake’s eyes raked over her. “Too bad you didn’t tell me last night.”

“I could say the same. Although I’d hardly say the evening was wasted.” She turned to look at Liz who was watching the exchange with obvious amusement. “And you, my friend, you never mentioned a word when we had lunch today. Did you know Jake would be here tonight?”

Liz shook her head. “No, but I hoped. I didn’t say anything just in case.”

Trish heard Alex chuckle.

“My wife has a devious mind. I may have to punish her for this.” He stroked her arm.

“If you believe it’s necessary, Sir.” Liz shifted slightly.

“And you?” Jake’s smoky voice sent heat coursing through Trish’s body. “Should you be punished for withholding this information from me?”

“Perhaps. If it pleases you.” How easily she had slipped into sub mode with him. She shivered with anticipation.

“Oh, I think it more than pleases me. Did you drive by yourself?”

“No.” She nodded at the Wrights. “I came with Alex and Liz.”

“They won’t need to wait for you. I’ll be taking you home.”

“But—”

“Arguing with your Master?” There was a hint of amusement in his tone.

She lowered her gaze. “No, Sir. Thank you for offering to take me home.”

“Clint just signaled that my room is ready.” He touched her arm. “Let’s go.”

“Enjoy yourselves,” Liz called as Trish rose and followed Jake.

“Oh, we will.” Jake winked. “No doubt about it.”

Clint handed Jake a key card as they passed him. In seconds, they moved down the short hallway, and Jake opened a door. Trish stood obediently, eyes downcast, hands behind her back while he closed and locked the door and set his bag on a small table. She heard him moving around the room, the sound of his feet soft on the thick carpeting. Then he was back in front of her.

“I’d say we wasted an entire night because we weren’t honest with each other,” he told her. “But I know how difficult it is to bring this subject up to someone you’ve just met in a non-D/s environment.”