GladYouCame (3 page)

He was a grown man for fuck’s sake.

He could take care of himself.

Tony Fitzgerald was in trouble.

Trouble that had the name Dade Ellingson scrawled all over
it with thick black marker.

Being in trouble was nothing new but the corner he’d wedged
himself into this time had certainly taken the cake. A Saturday afternoon
behind the register at his comic book store, 616, hadn’t even been enough to
cheer him up. The looming dinner with friends was clouding his mind too much to
find any sort of joy in his normal routine.

He wanted to go as much as he didn’t.

He tugged off his glasses, rubbing at his burning eyes.
Normally he loved coming to work every day. Opening his shop, being welcomed by
the chaos of colors, pop art and stacks of musty comic books always sent a
thrill of pleasure through him. He’d been delighted by all of those things
since he was a young boy. So having the opportunity to make a living doing
something he loved was gratifying in more ways than one.

Going through the motions of closing the store was usually
cathartic for him. A pattern in the flow of his life that brought him stability
and comfort. He loved coming to work each day. Loved seeing the delight on
young children’s faces as they burst through the door, ready to spend the money
burning a hole in their pockets. Loved chatting with a group of local teenagers
who made the comic book store their daily hangout. And, as boring at it
sounded, he even loved cataloging the inventory when it arrived like clockwork
each Tuesday.

He made a halfhearted attempt to tally the cash drawer. But
he knew it would be the same amount in the morning. As he stowed the money bag
in the safe he thought about how much he loved the small town he’d grown up in.
That he’d promised to someday raise a family in. But even more than all those
things, Tony loved his wife. He considered himself a damn lucky man to have
someone love him right back.

He loved the fact Genevieve was such an adventurous free
spirit. She’d introduced him to a lifestyle he’d only fantasized about. Showed
him how to use the power he wielded to his advantage. She pushed him to want
more from himself. From her. They sought new adventures together, experiencing
the rush of ecstasy he never would have thought possible with someone.

Everything was perfect.

Almost.

He loved his wife with all his heart. She was the perfect
woman for him. Something he recognized all the way to the marrow of his bones.
He couldn’t imagine spending the rest of his life with anyone else.

So why in the hell couldn’t he stop thinking about Dade?

He wasn’t sure what bothered him the most. The fact he was
sexually attracted to Dade or the fact his thoughts were growing more frequent.
Not to mention pornographic. So explicit, in fact, he’d made himself blush a
few times. An odd reaction considering the fact Tony wasn’t a stranger to sex.

He was a Dom for fuck’s sake, and Genevieve was his
submissive. Had been since before they’d gotten married. Given both of their
appetites for sex, he and Genevieve had their fair share of adventure both in
an out of the bedroom. But approaching her and confessing he was thinking about
sucking another guy’s dick?

Yeah, like that’d happen.

There was a better likelihood Superman would come out of the
closet.

Twenty-five minutes after he engaged the fancy alarm system
Allison Conners had installed for him at 616, he stood outside his wife’s
storefront. Like his business, Genevieve had built the restaurant and attached
bakery from small beginnings.

There was something fascinating about listening to her share
her story of how she’d started baking as a young girl, holding real tea parties
for her friends. By thirteen she was preparing gourmet meals. When most girls
were picking out their prom dresses senior year of high school, she’d been
laying the foundation for her future.

His Genevieve was always thinking ahead.

During the short time they’d dated, the restaurant had
become a second home to him. His friends as well, which was probably the reason
they used it so often for their traditional once-a-month gatherings.

As Tony stepped through the welcoming French door entryway,
he spotted the table his friends had commandeered for the night. Tucked into
the back corner of the restaurant, Ryan Flynn and his wife Beth sat with Elena,
Allison, Mark and Cooper—all of whom were already engaged in some kind of
lively conversation. And Ryan and Beth’s toddler son Mal was slapping his hands
against the table, squealing as though he felt the need to add to the noise.

The chaos made Tony smile even though not all of his friends
could make it. Scott would be absent tonight, as he’d emailed earlier with an
excuse he had a late meeting. Tony wondered if there was something more Scott
Parker wasn’t ready to mention yet—a relationship he was holding close.

Regardless, Tony was anxious to join the group and catch up.
Not to mention put the tension of the day behind him. But first he needed to
see his wife. Hold her in his arms. Feel her body pressed against his just to
remind himself she was all he ever needed.

Screw his confusing thoughts about Dade.

He didn’t spot Genevieve around the table. Which meant she
was probably in the kitchen ruling with a cast-iron skillet. Waving to those
who’d already arrived, he ducked behind the hostess station and headed for the
pair of steel doors that separated the kitchen from the dining room.

A quick peek through the porthole window showed Genevieve
was indeed in the kitchen, her starched black-and-white chef’s coat firmly in
place. Warmth filled him at the thought of secretly watching her doing
something she loved so dearly.

Someday soon he’d have her wear the coat and nothing else.

He tapped on the window to gain her attention. Her green
eyes brightened as soon as she looked up and saw him waving. Holding up a
finger, she put the finishing touches on the plate she’d been working on. She
scooped up the large platter, her smile growing wider as she approached and
used her hip to swing open the door. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” She
held the platter to the side, planting a kiss on his lips.

The rich flavors of fettuccini and cream teased his mouth.
He fitted his hand to the back of her neck, wanting more. The flavors grew more
intense as he dipped his tongue between her parted lips. One of the best things
about kissing her was the way she tasted. Never the same way twice. She was
always sampling some of her cooking to check for proper seasoning levels.

Kissing her was always an adventure because it always did
crazy, unexpected things to his body. He loved the thrills of pleasure it sent
through him. Each and every time without fail. Loving her so much after the years
they’d been married always caused him to grin.

“And good evening to you too.”

She hefted the platter, the alluring scent of the fettuccini
alfredo and garlic toast points drifting toward him. “Want to take this over to
the table for me? I’m just going to put the finishing touches on the dessert
course for the critic.”

“So he showed up?”

“Table six. Right in the center of it all.” Her eyes grew
wide as he glanced over his shoulder. “Don’t look! Once I’m done I’ll be off
for the night.”

He leaned closer, brushing her jawline. “Then maybe I can
get you off.”

“Mmmm, aren’t you a charmer? Shoo, before the food gets
cold.” She pinched his ass when he turned, holding a bit longer than comfort
dictated. Arousal pooled in his groin, heat trailing up his spine as he made
his way back to the large table. Once they got home maybe he’d dig into the toy
chest at the back of their closet. He’d always liked to hear Genevieve whimper
around a ball gag as he feasted on her pussy. Something he hadn’t done in a
while because of their crazy schedules.

Now that the food critic had showed up she would be able to
put some of her stress behind her. He was just gearing up for his busy season
with the approaching summer, but the next few weeks should leave enough of a
lull they could carve out some time together.

His good mood evaporated as soon as he arrived at the table
and saw exactly what he’d been dreading about the night. Dade had arrived. He’d
know the man would be here. It was rare for any of them to skip the tradition.
But seeing Dade in the living flesh was another matter entirely.

And given Dade’s height and stature there was a hell of a
lot of flesh to look at too. And a build that would put Dwayne Johnson to
shame. Dark-brown hair, tan skin and green eyes. He’d love to see if the rest
of the man lived up to the fantasies his imagination had created.

“Please say that’s for us, ’cause holy frak does that smell
heavenly.”

Allison’s voice snapped him from his stupor. “Dig in.
Compliments of the chef.”

By the time he got to his seat, half the contents of the
platter had vanished. Hungry crowd tonight. Genevieve would enjoy that. Always
pushing food on the people she loved.

“I’ve got a free weekend if you’re up for a few games.”

Tony held out his plate for Allison. “Where’s the rugrat?”

“Grandma’s. Patrick left with her this morning to spend the
weekend up at the guest house in Staunton. Alex is covering the shop for the
weekend since he doesn’t have a tournament. And I’m all caught up on my work.
I’ve been itching to spend a few hours Riley-free. As much as I love her, these
terrible twos are driving me batty.” She handed him back his plate piled high
with noodles and two pieces of toast.

“I don’t think I have any specific plans, so sure. Just give
me a shout when you’re ready and we’ll hook up.”

Genevieve slid into the chair beside him. “Planning a hot
weekend tryst without me?”

“Of course not. I’d be more than happy to let you watch.” He
snagged Genevieve’s waist, pulling her into his lap. She squealed and wiggled
against him, dropping the plate and fork to the table. Now that he had her full
attention, he wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and fit his mouth
over hers.

Desire poured from her, a soft moan vibrating her throat as
he slid his tongue between her lips. Catcalls were lobbed their way, which only
caused Tony to kiss his wife even more passionately. Everything about Genevieve
was powerful and intense, sweeping over him so each time they came together
felt fresh and new.

Exhilaration sparked deep inside him, curling around the
base of his shaft. His fingers itched to get inside her. To feel her come
undone and screaming his name. Had they been alone he would have stripped her
clothes away, held her over his straining erection and slammed home into her
sweet pussy.

That idea of digging out the ball gag when they got home was
starting to sound even better. Breaking away, he was drawn into her luminous
gaze, her kiss-swollen lips and her flushed cheeks. Damn, this dinner was going
to be one uncomfortable affair.

“Phew, Mr. Fitzgerald, someone sure taught you to kiss.” He
laughed, kissing the tip of her nose and, regrettably, sliding her off his lap
and back into her own seat.

“How’d it go with the critic?”

“Good. I think. I hope. Jesus. He’s got me frazzled and it’s
hard to think straight.” She inhaled slowly, closing her eyes for a moment
before blowing out the breath and finding his gaze again. “He said I had
nothing to worry about.”

“But you will.” Tony touched the back of her hand, tracing
the veins under her porcelain skin. “Guys are asking if I have some time to
game tonight. Thinking of taking a pass though.” Leaning closer, he nipped at
her ear. “Was thinking you and I could play some games instead.”

Though her gaze heated, worry drew her eyebrows together. “I
really should stick around tonight instead of going to the movies. I’m sorry, I
know I said I was done but…”

His plans fractured. Genevieve working herself to the bone.
What a shock. Still, he did his best to not let his disappointment show. He
understood the need to be around when you owned your own business. He’d had to
bail on her on more than one occasion because of something he couldn’t get out
of. Some delivery he didn’t have anyone else around to accept.

“Have something brewing?”

“If the food critic gives us the good review I think, I have
a feeling this place is going to be swamped. And I’m not sure Tessa can handle
it alone. Where in the hell is Greyson? He said he was right behind me.” She
rushed away from the table, making a beeline for the kitchen. Despite his
souring mood he watched her ass and hips swaying as she fast-walked to the
kitchen.

Fuck the food critic. He was going to find that ball gag
tonight if he had to stay up all night searching. Then he’d wait as long as it
took for her to come home. He needed a few hours with her if he had to tie her
to the bed and remind her how much he loved her.

As he looked away from the kitchen his gaze collided with
Dade’s.

Something he couldn’t identify painted those green eyes
dark. Tony lifted one side of his mouth in a half-smile but Dade just rolled
his eyes and looked down at his plate. He twirled a few noodles around on his
fork as though he was completely disinterested in the food.

Strange.

Elena poked Dade in the side. “Hey, we need to talk about a
new design that came across my desk the other day. Monster project.” Elena had
left her job as an architect several years ago and opened her own business, Top
to Bottom. Now, instead of designing buildings for a living, she specialized in
high-quality sex furniture and suspension frames. She even hired Dade or Ryan
for their experience with glass and wood for the occasional customized toy or
implement from time to time.

Genevieve plopped a dessert tray to the center of the table
and slid next to Tony again. “So, yeah, anyway. I’m going to be slammed for the
rest of the weekend, so play until your heart’s content. If you want something
a little different than the video games, why don’t you see if some of the guys
want to get together for some cards or something at the house? I’ll make up
some sandwich trays you can take home.” She vanished again before Tony could
answer.