Glancing from Penny’s tense face to Damien’s smug look then over to the Carlsons’ knowing gazes, Paige knew when she was beat and did the only thing she could.
Muttering, “Bunch of dimwitted doodledrawers,” she stomped out with a backward toss, “I’ll call you later, Penny.”
* * *
Trevor nodded to Troy and Damien before joining Paige at the door. He enjoyed the way she frowned at him when he clasped her hand and said, “Come on, potty mouth. I’ll walk you out.”
She followed him with a huff that widened his grin. “I don’t know why you and your brother think I can’t walk to my car by myself. Believe it or not, I’ve been managing that feat for a long time.”
“If I didn’t know better, sugar, I’d think you had something against us. You don’t, do you?” His smile turned sardonic as the elevator doors whooshed closed.
“Only that you’re overbearing pains in my ass all of a sudden. What happened to you barely knowing I exist?” The taunting look she tossed him mimicked his and drew a chuckle.
Bending down, he whispered in her ear so the other two people in the lift didn’t hear. “Speaking of your lovely ass, how is it today? Any problems?” She stiffened against him, but not until after she leaned into his side with a soft sigh.
“None of your business,” she hissed, but he caught the glimmer of amusement in her eyes.
Trevor tugged her out of the elevator when it opened on the ground floor and kept quiet until they exited the hospital. “I’m making everything about you my business for now, so get used to it. Are you free next Sunday?” he asked when they reached her Jeep.
“Yes. That’s my only day off.” Paige tried, but couldn’t suppress the leap of excitement pumping her pulse up.
“Good, we’ll let you shave off the remaining seven and a half hours of your contract then.” Just to see those gray eyes glaze with passion again, he pinned her against the vehicle with his lower body pressed against hers and drew her hand behind her back. Her eyes widened and her body softened as he bent his head and took her mouth in a tongue exploring kiss meant to arouse and leave her with something to think about.
Those soft lips clung to his, her small tongue giving back stroke for stroke as she arched against him. He noticed she didn’t shy away from the public place, but he doubted if she caught the significance of that. His body went hard from the feel of her soft curves against him, her low moan of surrender and the way she nipped at his jaw when he released her.
“Until Sunday, Paige.” He flicked her nose and walked back inside.
Bemused, Paige stared after Trevor, wondering how she’d make it until Saturday since her vibrator no longer held any appeal for her.
Chapter 8
Penny tensed when Paige left her alone with the detective and Master Damien. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around her sister’s ploy to draw out her attacker, or Paige’s involvement with the Carlson brothers. Not that the two men weren’t eye-catching, but she could have warned her about their BDSM involvement had she come to her first. She’d known the second she saw Paige in physical therapy something was on her mind, but she never would’ve guessed she’d spent time last evening receiving her first spanking, at Sanctuary, no less.
Then Master Damien had to go and derail her a second time by tossing out that tidbit about going home with him tomorrow. What was he thinking? With every visit, he’d left her increasingly flustered. She didn’t understand his sudden interest in her. Since someone had assaulted her leaving his club, she understood his sense of responsibility and even his overprotectiveness, a trait most Doms shared. But to push her into spending time recuperating in his private home went above and beyond the scope of their limited relationship and sent jitters jumping around in her abdomen.
With a wary eye, Penny watched Detective Carlson move toward her, his face calm and understanding where a few minutes ago, when he’d looked at her sister, he’d shown the countenance of a hard-edged Dom. “Any news?” she asked him when he stopped in front of her. She could see why Paige’s face had reflected such interest, even though she tried to hide it. Tall and imposing, Troy’s soft tone always belied the stern set to his rugged features.
“I got hold of your ex, Jim Bates. He claims he was home, alone, the night of your attack, and he displayed genuine concern for you. He’ll remain on my suspect list because he doesn’t have an alibi, but I’m not looking at him for these assaults, not unless something turns up that points toward him. He’s a member of a club in Savannah and never causes problems there.”
“He never did in my club either,” Damien bit out before switching his cobalt blue gaze to Penny. “That turned out not to mean much.” She wanted to shrink under his scrutiny but held her head up. She knew she wasn’t at fault for Jim’s temper, and subsequent abuse, any more than she had been her assailant’s.
“True,” Troy sighed with a shake of his head. “But like I said, he’s in Savannah, and the new branch he opened for the investigative firm he works for appears successful, and to keep him busy.”
“He was always superb at his job, especially with cyber investigations like scams and computer fraud.” Penny had always been in awe of Jim’s computer skills.
“Yes, he mentioned that’s his main expertise. I want you to know I’ve got volunteers in every club in Florida lined up for the upcoming weeks, good, trained people who will be diligent about watching for this guy. Let’s hope he resurfaces soon and someone can nab him.”
“I’d welcome him to try again at my place.”
Penny shivered from the impact of the ice-cold rage swirling in Damien’s eyes. She really needed to get herself under control when he came around. Blowing hot from sexual awareness and need one minute and then turning frigid when he revealed his ruthless side the next was getting tiresome.
“Be careful what you wish for, Damien.” Troy noticed Trevor’s return. Squeezing her shoulder, he said, “If I get anything concrete, I’ll be in touch. In the meantime, take care of yourself.”
“She will.”
Penny did a mental head shake at Damien’s arrogant insertion, waiting until the Carlsons left before turning to him and saying, “Aren’t you carrying your sense of responsibility too far? I understand you feel guilty since my assault happened at your club, but no one’s to blame except the perpetrator.”
He cocked his head and eyed her with a brooding look that made her itch to run her fingers through his long black hair and over his furrowed brow. She squirmed under that intense, silent gaze, but refused to back down. They weren’t at the club, nor was she his submissive.
“Your sister works a lot. It would be an imposition on her time, and finances, to take off for you. Spring break starts tomorrow, and I’ve instructed my assistant manager to take over at the club for the next two weekends,” he stated with blunt reasoning.
She knew only too well the state of Paige’s finances, and that her sister would neglect her jobs to cater to Penny’s needs. “You act like I’m a complete invalid,” she returned, frustrated because she wanted him, and couldn’t figure out why his sudden interest in her after all but ignoring her for the past few years. “I’m getting around much better, I don’t need a caretaker.”
“You may not need one twenty-four/seven, but you’re getting my help anyway, either at my place or yours, you decide.”
Penny pushed to her feet in agitation, unable to get a read on him, her mind replaying the scene on the Sybian and the way she’d responded to his dominant takeover of her senses. Her weak leg gave out on her, forcing her to grab his arm as he rushed forward. She shuddered from the sudden impact of falling against his large body then feeling his arm wrap around her waist. His low chuckle, the first time she’d heard one from him, vibrated down her spine and echoed in her ear as he bent his head.
“See, you do need me. Quit fighting it, little one.”
“I don’t understand you,” she whispered, her voice tremulous.
He sighed. “I know.?
?
* * *
An afternoon cruise. On a private yacht. With not one, but both men I’ve been lusting after. Paige scanned the busy Friday night crowd with a mental head shake. As if she didn’t have enough to fret over with Penny ensconced at Damien’s house, her sister’s decision to take up with a man she met under the same circumstances as her abusive ex weighed heavily on Paige’s mind. Now, Penny’s misfortune in getting assaulted may have inadvertently gifted Paige with a fantasy come true opportunity, but that didn’t negate the fact she might have gotten herself in over her head with the Carlson brothers. Every time the memory of having their hands and mouths all over her butt and inside her popped up, she craved a repeat of being the sole focus of their attention. Then reality would stick its rude nose in her business and remind her nothing could ever come of messing around with the pair, except maybe one more erotic, off-the-charts sexual encounter to remember when they returned to being polite customers.