Full Measure [Mastering Holly Oaks] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (3 page)

* * * *

Mac listened to Kat’s story with a physical ache in his heart. Was there no one in this woman’s life who stood by her? He knew from talking with James that she didn’t have a family. Friends, it seemed, were in short supply as well. He watched in fascination as she cleared the sorrow and tears from her eyes and strength took the forefront. He saw more in Kat than she probably saw in herself. She was a strong woman with a fire in her belly. How much more confident could she become with strong men showing her how amazing and resilient she was?

What if someone could lift some of her burdens? Show her that she wasn’t alone. That she could rely on someone else to help her simply
feel
, just
be
for a time. Maybe in the quiet, she could truly see herself again without the filter of all her responsibilities and worries. God, he’d love to give that to her.

She didn’t seem the type to give in half measure. If he and Jay could win her trust, not an easy feat with her past, she would give them everything. Damn, but he wanted that. He wanted to show her what being given everything in return was really like. He wanted to see her glow. And his dick sure as hell had a few things to give her as well. He needed to calm the fuck down. This little kitten was skittish. He needed to win her trust. That would take time. Looking to Jay, he gave a little smile. Poor Jay was an impatient man, but he had a heart of gold. They would woo her together.

Mac had to know if she was a sub, if she could handle their type of lifestyle. He was pretty sure by reading her body language that she was naturally submissive. She tended to let others lead the conversation. She looked to put them at ease even about her rather sad life story. It was hard to miss the struggle she felt in making eye contact with the Doms at the table, but she seemed comfortable joking with the subs. She was more reserved with the Doms. Did she even realize she naturally showed deference to them? Even Kelly was being shown respect over her sub, and she was friendlier than he’d ever seen her. He would have expected Kat to try to form a bond with Kel since she was the only other woman, but she seemed more at ease with Jay and Ry. ’Course, Kel’s sub barely said two words, so maybe she was just afraid of Kelly despite her friendly manner.

Mac knew just how to find out if she was interested in BDSM. The club had three levels. The main floor was public, and rather just like a nice restaurant and bar. The second level was where the more hard-core socialized and partied. The third floor was for play. She didn’t need to see that yet, but watching her reaction to the dress and behavior on the second floor would likely tell him what he needed to know. “Can we keep her, Master?” Jay whispered. Yes, Jay was on the same page here. “We’ll see, slave.” Mac chuckled.

“Kat, how about we all get together again on Saturday night for some drinks here at the club?”

* * * *

Kat didn’t know what to think. The way this man looked at her had her getting wet in places that had seemed like the Sahara for years. And Jay hadn’t taken his eyes off her all night. She was thrilled that they appeared to be inviting her into their little group. She wanted to experience friendships like these. She wanted a damn social life! She couldn’t remember the last time she went dancing or even laughed. She wanted this, oh, how she wanted to belong. She smiled when she agreed that she’d love to come Saturday. Yes, she’d probably do anything Mac asked of her.

Jay practically bounced in his seat. “Don’t forget that Friday the doctor duo is having their theme party. You have to go, Kat. Seriously, they throw the best parties.” She wondered why he suddenly looked sheepish and guilty staring at Mac, but figured he must be the more playful one.

“What’s the theme?” Kat asked.

As James rose from the table, he smiled fondly at Jay. “College night. Everyone wears the style of clothes they wore when they were in college. Likewise, they bring a CD of their favorite artist from that time and their favorite beverage. It’s usually a lot of fun. You’d be surprised to see what people were like then, and what they managed to drink! God, I think I almost landed in the hospital last time from the punch Jay made. New drink this time, Jay…preferably one you don’t make on your own.” James looked a little green just remembering. “And as for your living accommodations, we have an apartment above the clinic where you can stay. We haven’t used it in a long time, but it’s a nice place, and we’d love for you to stay there.”

Kat couldn’t get over the shock. “Oh, James, you have done more than enough for me already. I couldn’t possibly take the apartment. I’m sure I’ll find something soon.”

“No arguments, Katherine. We take care of our own in this town, and you need a place to stay. Let us help you,” James said in a rather commanding tone she’d yet to hear.

“All right. Sounds wonderful. Thank you so much. I’m so excited about all of this. I can’t wait to start work, and I really appreciate you all inviting me out tonight. ” If she didn’t stop babbling, she might cry. Who were these people? In one day they made her feel welcome. She had a job, an apartment, and new friends. Things had never been so easy for her. Yup, if she didn’t leave soon, she’d be hugging them and crying all over them.

As Kelly got up, she handed a piece of paper to Kat. “Call me this week. When your schedule allows, we need to shop for Saturday, and I think a day at the spa is in order. Every girl should be pampered before a weekend of parties,” she said with a mischievous smile.

Kat had never been to a spa and couldn’t afford that or a new dress yet. With a smaller voice than normal, she told Kelly she didn’t think she should spend money yet, having just started her job and all. Kelly gave her a serious look and informed her that she would be just fine. She owned the spa and could treat her friend if she wanted, and Mac wouldn’t have invited her to the club Saturday if he didn’t intend to fund her attire as a welcoming gift. With that, Kelly flounced off as if the conversation were over! Well. Kat did not feel comfortable accepting charity no matter how well meaning, and she barely knew these people.

“Mac, I can’t accept that. I have a dress to wear. I can’t accept that kind of gift.” There. She was sure she said that with enough authority to get her point across. As she gathered her purse, Mac took her elbow in a gentle grip. She stilled at the sensation. Man, this guy was electric. His sandalwood scent seemed to invade her as he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “You can perform the dental work on my Lab next week, and we’ll call it square, but you will accept this gift, kitten.”

Holy hell. She’d never had such a physical reaction from someone whispering in her ear before. Her nipples grew into tight buds and her breathing increased. She felt the strongest urge to rub her thighs together and whimper a bit. Jesus. And she really shouldn’t like how he called her “kitten,” but damn if it didn’t make her feel all soft inside.

“Well, as long as it’s a trade, I guess that’s okay.” She flushed when she realized just how breathy that statement came out. How much wine did she have? She wasn’t the breathy type, damn it.

“Yes, kitten. That will work for now.”

Working at this vet clinic was amazing! James and Ryan showed how much they trusted her by allowing her to really do her job. She was a bit afraid that it would take weeks to prove her abilities. There was nothing worse than a vet who micromanaged and did her job for her. Here, she was expected to perform a technician’s duties without supervision, and they even asked her opinions.

Nurse Barbie was another issue. Miss Suzy Roberts did not think she should have to take direction from Kat, and Kat was just tired of her attitude altogether. She knew that Suzy was here first, but come on. She wasn’t trained for this work like Kat was. How could she possibly be offended that James expected Kat to perform the technician’s duties? Kat wouldn’t let Suzy hold a syringe even if she was just mixing a vaccine. Suzy would just have to get over herself before Kat let her inner bitch out. Maybe she could tranq her one day.

Tuesday morning was packed with surgeries. Apparently the doctor duo was making up for lost time. Kat was prepping animals and sedating them while James was closing the previous surgery. They’d only worked together two days, and already they had a great system in place. Kat was intubating a poodle when she heard a shy “Hey, kitten” from the doorway. She knew that voice. Jay had seemed a little shy at the club, too. When she could look up, she gifted him with a joyous smile. There was no way this man could make anyone frown. “Hey, Jay! What brings you by?”

* * * *

Man alive, that was one beautiful woman. Jay was usually pretty smooth around the ladies, but Kat was different. Or maybe it was the sheer possibility of what she could mean for them that was overwhelming. Jay loved Mac with his whole heart and soul, but they were both bisexual. They had talked about their situation a million times. They could be happy with each other for a lifetime, but they felt somewhat incomplete without a woman in their lives. They wanted a woman’s softness. Hell, they even wanted to stock up with chocolate and coddle her during PMS.

Women were so different than men in so many ways, and this kitten was everything they dreamed of. He could see her being caring and vulnerable at times, a lioness at others. He wanted to protect her something fierce. He wanted to just hold her and make her laugh. He felt like, for the first time, he might be able to have it all. The man
and
the woman of his dreams. Maybe even have a family someday. He knew it was early and they’d just met, but he felt a magnetic attraction to Kat. He felt he could see her soul just by looking into her eyes.

Jay wasn’t an idiot. He knew it would be asking a lot to introduce Kat into a triad. If that weren’t bad enough, they also needed her to understand and be a part of their D/s lifestyle. No matter how perfect she was, if she couldn’t accept both scenarios, she wouldn’t be able to accept either of them.

“Thought you’d like to join me for some lunch. Maybe we could grab a coffee and talk a little.”

“God, that sounds great. I’m starving. This next surgery should only take about fifteen minutes if you don’t mind waiting…or I could just meet you somewhere,” Kat said.

“I’ll wait. I wanted to have a talk with James while I’m here anyway.” He had explicit instructions to inform James and Ryan that this little kitten was off-limits.

Jay had to fend off Suzy again on his walk back to James’s office. He wished she would just stop trying to get involved with him and Mac. The woman wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. She probably only wanted them for their money, anyway. There wasn’t a submissive bone in that overly fake body of hers. Just the thought of kissing those lips made him shiver.
Ewww.

Ryan was in the office. Awesome, Jay would much rather deliver Mac’s message to another sub. As friends they were equals, but this little message wasn’t exactly the friendly type.

“Hey, Ry, you have a minute?”

“You bastard. You want Kat, don’t you? Fuck, you guys do not waste time.” Ryan’s humorous undertone softened the statement.

“Yeah, well, no point in waiting when you see something you want. You okay with that?”
Please do not let this be an issue.

“Yup, we were kinda hoping you would make your move. She’s gonna be a handful. Do not fucking hurt her. I love you like a brother, but I will fuck you both up if you hurt her.” Okay. There was a little more bite to that one.

“We don’t want to hurt her, man. We know to go slow with her, but we need to let her know who we really are.”

“Yeah, she should probably be warned before the party Friday, anyway. Not like we can shelter her too long. Just be delicate with her. She’s been hurt. She doesn’t talk about it, but it’s not hard to see she doesn’t want anyone thinking she’s vulnerable or weak.”

* * * *

“When do you need to get back to the clinic?” Jay asked.

“Oh, I started at six, so I’m done for the day. We work in two shifts, I’m on mornings. That’s when all the surgeries are done and a majority of the real sick cases come and stay for the day. Today we had two hit-by-cars. We managed to save one little guy, but it was close.” Kat loved when she could help save an animal, but the losses did take their toll. It was always worse when an accident or disease could have been prevented but for the idiocy of some owners.

“Doesn’t all that blood and gore bother you? I was getting sick just watching you put a tube down that dog’s throat.”

Kat giggled at the look of horror on Jay’s face. “Nope. Blood, I’m good with. It’s the maggots I could do without. You want to lose your lunch, just watch us work on an animal left in a barn during summer after he’s had diarrhea. Not pleasant.” So, maybe he didn’t need that mental picture, but she couldn’t help herself. He was positively green.

They spent the majority of lunch going over all the places in the area to hike and what the town was like. Kat learned that Jay used to be a high-powered attorney, but left his job to move here with Mac. Now he only worked occasionally, and sometimes for Mac’s company. Apparently Mac was great at buying companies and reconstructing them to turn more profit. She had zero business sense, so it all sort of went in one ear and out the other. She did feel a pang of jealousy that Jay felt so secure with Mac. That he could enjoy staying home and taking care of the domestic stuff, knowing Mac never took any of it for granted. What must that level of trust be like? Not worrying about what would happen when your partner left you must be wonderful. She supposed she must have always felt like her marriage wasn’t meant to last, because she never felt like Mark would ultimately always be there for her.

She noticed that once the conversation started to lag, Jay looked nervous. She didn’t mind silence, but it seemed like something was definitely on his mind. She hoped an encouraging smile would help him understand he could say anything to her. She really liked talking to him. It felt right just sitting here with him.