Empowered [Sexual Magic 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (20 page)

Noah tuned out their conversation as they walked toward the elevators. What was going on with him and Madelyn? She never used to take offense at his barked questions or demands. She was used to the way he ordered her about and liked it. He knew she thrived on the constant harping and correction.

He watched them step into the car, and his throat tightened at the comfortable way they held each other. Madelyn’s arm tucked snugly into the crook of Gabriel’s side, their fingers entwined, bodies meshed shoulder to hip.

The wind escaped him and his heart stammered to a crushing halt.

He was losing her.

She lifted her sea-green gaze to his and smiled, though he sensed a guardedness that hadn’t been there before.

Before Gabriel.

He couldn’t fault the man, though. He was proving to be a formidable Dom. He picked stuff up quickly, efficiently, and put the tactics to good use. More than once during the day, Noah found himself admiring Gabriel’s way with Madelyn. He used much different methods but often achieved the same results as he did with his commands and whips.

Not to mention, the guy was genuinely nice. Oh, not in a smarmy, used-car salesman kind of way. He was witty and thoughtful, intelligent, and he loved baseball. That spoke volumes to Noah. He’d been shocked as shit when they’d started discussing the merits of ballplayers. Madelyn listened and nodded whenever he brought up the season, but she didn’t really care. Gabriel, on the other hand, was like a walking baseball encyclopedia. The man had definite opinions, too, most of them full of crap. If they’d had more time, he would look forward to disabusing the man of some of his more foolish notions.

But Gabriel was just a client. He was a temporary stop on their journey.

Noah stepped onto the elevator and leaned against the mirrored wall just in front of them. He watched in the mirror as they exchanged sly glances, small touches.

His throat constricted and heaviness settled in his heart. Weary resignation rained down on him, and he scrubbed a hand over his face, blowing out a harsh breath. He didn’t want to lose Madelyn, wasn’t ready to give in by any stretch. Gabriel was just a client and in the end, when he left, Noah would spend a few weeks reconditioning Madelyn to his touch and domination.

Reclaim her.

His gaze shifted to Gabriel’s, meeting the man’s hazel eyes head-on. He had a quizzical, cautious look on his face, but Noah shrugged and shook his head.

Gabriel remained still for a moment then nodded before looking down at Madelyn.

Noah’s breath was stolen by the tender expression on Gabriel’s face.

He knew that expression. Knew the emotion driving it.

Love.

He knew, because he’d looked at her that way every day for the last ten years.

Again, Noah’s heart clenched and breathing became a chore. His eyes burned hotly and he blinked rapidly. How was that even possible after three days?

The ugly truth hit his gut hard.

Because Madelyn was something damn special. A treasure. One he’d spent years owning but rarely appreciating.

He would not give her up.

The car reached the ground floor, the bell dinged, and the doors slid soundlessly open. Noah escaped into the relative coolness of the lobby and sucked in tropical-tinged air.

The choice would be Madelyn’s, he knew.

Noah waited for them to catch up to him, caught her other arm, and shared another inscrutable look with Gabriel.

Damn, why did he have to like the guy so much?

They reached the restaurant which had a large crowd milling about, buzzers and drinks visible in many hands.

“Looks like a wait,” Gabriel said.

“I’ll go see how long and get us on the reservation list. Keep an eye out for Natalie.” Madelyn excused herself and headed for the hostess stand.

“You okay?” Gabriel asked the second she was out of earshot.

Noah shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Why do you ask?”

“Not an answer, I see. What’s bugging you?”

His eyes caressed Madelyn’s back, and Noah clenched his hands.

“Nothing.”

Gabriel swung his gaze back to him, eyes narrowed and a tic in his jaw. “Don’t bullshit me, man. I can tell something is wrong. What can I do to help?”

That shocked the hell out of him. Not only that Gabriel picked up on his hazy feelings but that he wanted to help. Hell, he was usually surly, so figuring out it was more was a surprise in itself.

But the offer to help astounded him.

“What do you feel for Madelyn?” he asked.

He stilled. “Why?”

“Answer the question.”

A heartbeat of silent torture. “I’m not sure.”

“Bullshit,” he threw Gabriel’s words back at him.

The man grinned slightly and inclined his head. “Fair enough. She’s incredible. Special. Warm and loving and tender and feisty as hell. She has a mouth that can’t be beat, both verbally and sexually.” He gave another wry grin. “Not telling you anything you didn’t already know, huh?”

“No.” But the easily rattled-off knowledge stretched across his nerves like fingernails and chalkboard. The man was too damn perceptive and fitting too easily into her life.

“Is that what’s bothering you? That I figured her out so quickly?”

Noah snorted. “Yeah, actually. It’s surprising. Doesn’t usually happen with clients. Hell, it’s
never
happened with a client before.”

“I see.”

Noah had a sinking feeling he did. But what in the hell was he going to do about it?

“Hi.”

Natalie’s breathless greeting turned him around.

“Natalie,” Gabriel said. “You look lovely.”

The neutral tone of his voice surprised Noah, but not as much as the aura emanating from the dark-eyed beauty in front of them. “Good evening, Natalie.” He took her hand and brought it to his mouth, brushing his lips over her skin.

Her eyes widened and she giggled. “Hi,” she said again.

Gabriel and Noah shared a glance. In the other man’s eyes he caught the same urge to roll his eyes over her insipid response.

His lips twitched.

Gabriel didn’t hold back but grinned widely as he scoped over her form.

Noah also checked her out. She was wearing a blue cotton blouse, buttons opened to the middle of her cleavage, and matching shorts that stopped just below her ass. Her pink-painted toenails shone vividly from the strappy wedge sandals she wore.

She looked like a barely legal teenager. Much younger than the twenty-seven or so he thought she was.

“Are we alone tonight?” she asked. She didn’t hide her relief.

“No, Madelyn’s getting us on the list.”

“Oh.”

Another shared look, this one filled with disapproval.

The girl was not off to a good start.

“What’s this?” Gabriel asked, pointing at something along her left shoulder.

She cleared her throat and tugged her collar up but not before Noah glimpsed an angry red welt.

He frowned and reached out, parting the shirt before she could stop him. Several such weals covered her skin. “Did you just come from a session?”

“I, uh…”

“Yes or no,” Noah snapped.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Hey, it’s okay,” Gabriel said, pulling the material back into place. “It’s what this place is all about, remember? Finding partners and exploring your sexuality.”

Her head came up, and she gave them a tremulous smile. “I wasn’t trying to cheat on you or anything. It just happened a little unexpectedly.”

“Whoa, whoa!” Noah held up his hands.

“Yeah, back that up,” Gabriel said. “There is no cheating. We just met you. Hell, we barely talked to you for five minutes.”

She looked confused. “Well, I know, I just meant—”

“I have our buzzer. Another ten minutes, the girl said. Oh, hello.” Madelyn’s voice dropped from light to flat on the salutation.

“Hi.” Natalie’s response was equally as tepid.

Noah jerked his head to the right, and Gabriel nodded.

“We’ll be right back,” he said to the women.

“Where are you going?” Madelyn demanded.

“Right over there. Don’t worry, I’ll be able to see you. I’ll be right here.”

She sighed, and he knew her safety wasn’t what concerned her—being left alone with Natalie did.

He winked at her and walked away, leaving her fuming behind him. Oh, he was going to pay for that later.

“That’s an evil smile,” Gabriel remarked.

“Yeah, I was just thinking of what Madelyn is going to do when she tries to punish me for leaving her with the girl.”

“Ah, yes, that should be fun.” He swung and studied the women. “Damn, she’s got a mean glare. She’d give a gator a run for its money.”

Noah chuckled. “Yep. So, you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“How are we going to get rid of Natalie?”

“Yeah. She could grow into a liability, especially if we played with her.”

“I don’t want her hanging around or getting the wrong idea. It’s best to just end it now. Should we do it before dinner?”

“Well.” Noah stroked his chin and considered the matter. “That would probably be best, though it seems rude.”

“Yeah, but if we don’t get rid of her now, we’re opening ourselves up for trouble later.”

“Good evening, gentlemen.” Constable Ralston’s smooth voice cut through their debate. “I hate to interrupt your conversation.” He looked anything but regretful. In fact, he looked suspicious. “Might I ask who you plan on eliminating?”

The phrasing struck Noah as funny, and he laughed again. “Not eliminate, Constable, shoo away. Natalie. The girl in the blue shorts and shirt.” He pointed her out to the policeman. “We’ve decided she’s a bit too green for our tastes.”

The man’s face relaxed immediately, and a new sparkle came into his eyes as he sized her up. “She’s a submissive?”

Noah hid his surprise, then wondered at it. Pleasure Isles did cater to all sorts and who said an island cop couldn’t be a Dom? “Maybe. She’s not really sure. She’d like to explore. Would you care for an introduction?”

The man smiled widely and adjusted his belt. “I would indeed.” Then his face turned serious. “But first, I have a bit of news for you regarding the young man we found today.”

“Yes?”

“You were correct, Mr. Bishop, he was beaten with some type of blunt object, mostly likely a heavy whip. That is not what killed him though.”

He didn’t hide his shock, nor did Gabriel.

“No? Then what did it?”

“He was drugged.”

Madelyn stood in silence with Natalie, waiting for Noah and Gabriel to return to them. She slanted a speculative glance at the girl, saw the glow she wore, and wondered if she’d just come from a scene.

She checked on the men again, surprised to find the constable had joined them.

“Who is that?” Natalie asked.

“Constable Ralston, local chief of police. He’s investigating the body.”

“What body?”

Madelyn filled her in. The girl’s horrified expression softened her heart and she took her hand and patted lightly. “He is very well trained, there’s no need to worry. I have every confidence he’ll catch the person responsible.” She couldn’t bring herself to say killer.

Natalie relaxed and shifted on her feet then leaned closer. “He’s quite handsome, the constable, isn’t he?”

The conspiratorial whisper, the naked admiration in her face, and the way her eyes traveled over the man’s fit form tickled Madelyn.

“Yes, he is. Would you like an introduction?”

“Oh, he’s looking this way.” Natalie straightened, thrust back her shoulders, and flipped her hair behind her.

Madelyn smothered a laugh. The girl was as subtle as a baseball bat.

“So? Would you?”

“Yes, please.” Finally, Natalie looked her full in the face, eyes wide and sparkling. “I am very interested in a man, not a woman. No offense.”

“None taken,” she replied dryly. “Not that I recall offering.”

The girl had the grace to look chagrined. “Well, I just mean the other woman was a bit more forceful than you. Almost expectant. I didn’t quite know how to turn her down. And when she touched me, well, I found I didn’t
want
to turn her down.”

“What other woman?”

Natalie waved her hand airily. “Just a Domme I met in the bar during my shift. She promised me a good time. I’d never been with a woman before.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes, very much. But there was something lacking. Something too clinical about the whole process. I found myself analyzing the situation instead of really enjoying it.” She rubbed at her wrists and shook her head. “Good grief, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to prattle on.”

Madelyn smiled, completely at ease with the girl now. She was no threat. “It’s quite all right. This is a wonderful place for experimenting as long as you follow the rules.”

At the word
rules
, Natalie’s mocha skin turned ashen. “Oh, the rules. Yes, I must follow those.” Her swallow was audible and a tremor rippled through her.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes, of course. Just one of those things, you know, someone walking over your grave?” Natalie’s smile was wide and once more ingenious.

“Right. Oh, look, here they come.”

Noah approached and his look frightened Madelyn. A storm brewed in his eyes, fury spat like sparks from a downed electrical wire, and the cords stood out on his neck.

She was afraid to look at Gabriel, wondering what he’d said to enrage Noah so much. When she finally did meet his glance, she was astounded to find his expression the exact same.

Both men were carefully controlling their ire.

“Natalie,” Gabriel said. “I am sorry, but something has come up and we need to cancel our dinner with you.”

“Oh no, you can’t do that,” the girl said.

Madelyn frowned at the panic in her voice. Plus, she felt a wee bit guilty at her wave of relief.

“But we must,” Noah said. “However, I’d like to introduce you to Constable Charles Ralston. Constable, this delightful creature is Natalie. I’m sorry, I don’t know your last name.”