On Becoming Her Sir (4 page)

Her hand on the doorknob, she twisted and bolted in and to her horror lunged to the center of four men, including Luke. “Ah fuck. I’m…sorry.” His glare was abnormal, filled with amusement. Only then did she realize her very short robe, one that barely hid her ass cheeks from view. Within seconds she realized the silky material had managed to come completely unfastened and one of what Luke called her voluptuous breasts was very perky and also very much in the line of sight of one man. My God, she knew who they were. There couldn’t be anything worse than this very moment. Not a single one. You’re an idiot. An idiot!

“Interesting,” Luke breathed.

A quick glance in the direction of the handsome man and she could see the hungry look on Bartholomew Reynolds’ face. Taking two steps back, she almost stumbled over a second man and only by the grace of his hands did she not take a tumble on her ass.

“Well, Jezebel. Now you know what closed doors mean.” Luke’s voice was stern.

“Luke. Christ, give the girl a break. Let me help you. Nice to see you, Jezebel.” The voice was rich in a baritone timbre and very kind.

Jessie glared at Luke as she struggled to tie the sash on her robe. Mortified, she tried to get out of the other man’s hands then recognized the voice. Jackson Michaels was the oldest friend to Luke in the odd foursome of men who used to own a BDSM company of sorts. She was well aware Luke had participated in certain business activities with them a few years before. By the looks of the laptops in the room, he was involved yet again. “Thank you. I’m fine. I’m sorry to interrupt. Luke and I had plans.”

“And plans can change,” Luke said casually.

She had already turned to leave, heat rising on her face, and she stopped short. For some reason the way he said the words infuriated her.

“I’ll only be a few more minutes. Why don’t you take a shower? Okay?” Luke’s voice had softened.

Her fury remained. “Certainly…
sir.”
As she moved past the doorway she gave Luke and all the rest of his buddies a finger and knew that at least Bart has seen her offensive gesture. Of course the man would rat her out. She had no doubt. They were buddies after all. Just before she closed the door she heard the words of one of the men. Snarling inwardly she pulled the door until it was open just a crack.

“She’s quite the submissive and I can see you have yet to tame her. An unbridled creature such as herself needs to be broken just so. Perhaps you’re not the man to do that, Lucas.”

When Luke didn’t answer she sighed and closed the door, the sound reverberating into the hallway. They were definitely at a crossroads in their relationship.

****

Bart eased back into the soft leather and enjoyed the little show Jezebel had given all of them. His cock stirred, giving him a painful sense of desire. He could tell there was tension in the lovely home, a moment of strife between the lovers. Taking a sip of his bourbon, he studied the way her face held contempt toward all of them, especially toward him. She didn’t like him very much. Bart had to wonder if Luke truly understood why.

All the years he’d sparred with Luke, longing to be more like him initially then wanting to take everything his friend had. He’d never wanted something so badly. As he swirled the liquid in his glass, studying every nuance, every shift of her face, he knew one thing. He
was
going to taste her.

When she’d closed the door with a hard thud, every man cringed and he was surprised only he kept his eyes on the door. The others seemed embarrassed, as if being a Dom meant the woman wasn’t going to be a handful or a challenge at times. He chuckled and tipped his glass. “One fiery woman, Sir Luke.”

Luke exhaled slowly. “She continues to be…willful.”

“I’d call that more than willful. Wouldn’t you? I think she needs some true obedience,” Bart chortled. “What do you think, gentlemen? A touch of the whip? A slap of a cane on her creamy backside to help her understand the error of her ways?” He could sense Luke bristling. “Yes, a strong Master she very much needs.”

Wally darted a glance toward Jackson then raised his eyebrow. “Personally I love a woman with spirit. She’s like a fine wine, meant to be enjoyed in all manners.”

“All layers,” Jackson added.

“Yes. I agree,” Luke added, his voice tense.

Bart noticed Luke kept his eyes on the door. Of course he was expecting Jessie to come back, knock on the door and perhaps apologize. He knew instinctively the opinionated woman wasn’t ever going to succumb to a level that demeaned her or at minimum truly had her succumb without question. Well, until she was sufficiently tamed. No, a woman like Jessie needed to be broken in a sense, using very particular methods. Hmmm… “I think you need a hand with her, Luke. I really do.”

“And why the hell would you say that?” Luke laughed at first as he rose to his feet, grabbing the bottle of bourbon.

Bart glanced from Jackson to Wally and grinned. “Because she’s too much for you. I think you’ve lost your touch. I think you’re unsure of how to handle Jezebel.” Of course he’d struck a nerve as he intended.

Luke gripped the glass and remained quiet.

“In my mind she needs a serious undertaking of discipline for an extended period of time. She’s more than just willful. She is pushing hard against all authority and needs to be reigned in.” Bart continued to egg Luke on, cognizant of how uncomfortable the other two men were becoming.

“Well, her welfare is none of your concern, thankfully. What I do know is that Jessie wouldn’t respond well to your particular brand of torture. In fact, she just might cut your dick off.” Luke’s response was laced with a combination of raw emotions but the other two men laughed, obviously enjoying two rivals bantering.

Sniffing, Bart didn’t react. He wasn’t going to give Luke the satisfaction. “My brand of punishment as well as training seems to have worked much better than yours. You must have the guts to admit that.”

Luke snarled and snapped his head around. “Do
not
go there.”

Bart grinned and raised his glass.

“Christ!” Jackson snapped and jerked to his feet. “I hate this crap between the two of you. Why can’t you both grow the fuck up?”

Wally sighed. “I think the testosterone is getting thick in here. We didn’t come here to talk bullshit. We can here to talk business. If neither one of you wants to talk business then I’m leaving. I do have a life, one not centered around children.”

Satisfaction filled Bart. He rose to his feet and turned to face Luke. “I’m sorry. That was completely uncalled for. I hope you’ll accept my apology.” He held out his hand, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Luke. The rivalry was in full swing. How he loved the game.

Luke remained unblinking for a full minute before shaking Bart’s hand. “Business. Nothing more.”

“Nothing more,” Bart repeated, but they both knew better. The line in the sand had been drawn and this time, he was going to win every hand.

****

Luke stormed into his office, cognizant of the fact he’d snarled at the receptionist as well as his assistant, who had only been reminding him he’d missed a meeting. He was pissed and his growing anger had nothing to do with this business. He was still miffed about the events at his house two days prior. Since then Jezebel had barely talked to him. Normally he would be furious with her but right now, he didn’t blame her one bit. And the mother fucking asshole had gotten under his skin. “You slimy bastard.”

What in the hell was wrong with him? Bart was nothing. Nothing at all. Shivering, he stalked into his office. Bart hadn’t just gotten under his skin. The man was right. Jessie was too much to deal with. Last night’s display had been a telling sign.

Slamming the door, he couldn’t believe he was as angry as he was. Neither Jack nor Wally had said much to the rather heated discussion that had ensued after Bart’s initial comment. Then the scathing foray into some ridiculous gamble, one that Luke had fallen for, had led them to finish the night without coming to any conclusion about the magazine. Like he gave a flying fuck at this moment. He stood frozen, scanning his office and trying to figure out where he’d left off with his real business on Friday. Why in the hell had he allowed the meeting at his house? Sunday was a planned day with Jessie, one both of them had desperately needed.

“Idiot. You’re an idiot.”

She must have overheard Bart’s bullshit statement and taken the fact to heart. Taking long strides, he dumped his briefcase on his desk and walked toward the window. He hadn’t bothered turning on the light. Since Sunday it had been raining and right now he was happy the skies were gray. The ugly color matched his demeanor well enough. The three men had almost convinced him to come back into business with them, even investing in the company. He had to be out of his freaking mind.

“Idiot,” he snarled under his breath and palmed the glass. The trip was less than a week away and he was determined to get her on the plane, even if he hadn’t even booked the reservations yet.

“You or the ridiculous fight for Jessie?”

Hearing Jackson’s voice he sucked in his breath. “Jack, did you come to dig into me or try and get me to invest? Wally called this morning and Bart has sent at least two dozen e-mails.”

“Bart likes to play for keeps. He usually wins. You should know that from the days of the magazine,” Jack said as he walked closer. “What was that bullshit with him? Competition. Now? And about Jessie?”

That’s exactly what was going on and he loathed himself for falling into the trap. Luke didn’t bother to turn around. He heard the edge in Jack’s voice. “Are you trying to tell me he has his sights set on Jessie? Are you trying to tell me he’s going to seduce her?”

“Oh come on. You heard what he said or more importantly how he uttered the challenge to you. If nothing else, you have to admit she
is
a beautiful woman and her behavior was the perfect ammunition for a rat like Bart. Hell, I don’t necessarily blame him.”

“Fuck you!” Luke hissed and turned to face him. “You touch her and so help me God.”

Jack’s eyes opened wide. “Hold on. I was kidding. Remember me, your buddy? The one you left behind in the dust after that bullshit with Marla.”

“Well Bart has her now.”

“Marla or Jessie?”

Luke bristled. “I’ll kill him.”

His mouth dropping open, Jack shook his head. “Whoa. Please do not tell me you’ve remained jealous after all this time. And for God’s sake, please don’t you dare tell me you still have something for Marla.”

“Jealous? Fucking bullshit I’m jealous.” Luke rubbed his mouth. Yeah, he’d had a twinge of jealousy when they were at the BDSM party at the hotel. He continued to remind himself that Marla had only worked for him years ago and her involvement with Bart was merely coincidental. Sadly, Luke knew better. Bart enjoyed the hunt, the chase of everything including women he could string along. When the prey was captured he usually let them go. Perhaps he’d met his match with a woman Luke had called a bitchy vixen, one meant to be alone for the rest of her life, given her ballsy attitude the last time he’d seen her.

“Well, the damn hesitation means there’s something there. I know you and I haven’t been very close for the past few years but it looks like you’re finally back on track with a woman who makes you happy.”

Luke shot him a look then turned back toward the window. Guilt and destructive feelings continued to race through him.

“Wait a minute,” Jack snorted. “Jessie is gorgeous, highly intelligent, can carry on a witty conversation and she seems to want to serve you. What in the hell is wrong with you? What more do you want?”

“I love Jessie and I want her in my life forever.”

“Then what is the problem? Then why are you allowing Bart to goad you?”

“I…” Luke swallowed hard. “I just don’t want to hurt her.”

“Then don’t. Don’t fuck around on her because my guess is that woman will take just about anything but your betrayal and especially with a woman from your past.”

The words struck Luke hard but he sure as shit wasn’t going to talk about this. Not now. Not every. “Why are you here, Jackson? I have a hell of a lot to do.” There was a long pause, one filled with tension.

“Fine. You know I’m your friend, or at least I’d like to be. If you’d get that damn chip off your shoulder and just enjoy life, forget whatever the hell must have happened to turn you away from your friends, my guess is you might just find the happy go lucky Luke I used to know. I’ll offer up another thought. The person I’m talking about is the man Jessie needs and the only one who can handle a real relationship.”

“What the fuck do you know about relationship? Isn’t Ginger like the tenth one you’ve enslaved?” Luke knew immediately he’d crossed the line.

“Fuck you!”

“Look. I’m sorry. That was totally uncalled for.” A full and very quiet minute ticked by. He turned back to face his friend and could see such a hollowness in Jack’s eyes.

“You’re right. Ginger doesn’t get me any more than the other women did because I can’t seem to settle down. I’m not quite ready to be like Marla and Bart, swinging or living with others, but I have a roving eye. I know what it’s like to fuck up a good thing.”

“Does that mean Ginger is…”

Jack tipped his head and fingered the file he held in his hand. “Let’s just say we had a terrible argument and she’s going to take a leave of absence for a little while. I don’t blame her.”

“Jack, I’m sorry. Really.”

“Nothin’ to say. The shit is my fault. Mine alone. She wanted more of me than I’ve been able to give.” Jack rubbed his eyes then glanced at Luke. “A little bit like what’s going on with you and Jessie. Isn’t it?”

“Yeah. I guess. I’m just… I don’t know.” Luke remembered all the talks he and Jack had shared of a beer or five, dreaming of big business and the perfect relationship. What in the hell had happened to the two of them? They weren’t like Bart, had never been. Or were they?

Waving his head, Jack moved closer. “Trust me, what happened with Ginger is all my fault, but that’s not why I’m here.”

“Business?”

“Please push all that crap with Bart aside. Whatever that bantering bullshit was last night, I’ll talk to him.”