He gripped her hair, tilting her head back, forcing her to look at him. “Don’t ever push me away. I won’t hurt you.”
She blinked up at him suspiciously, her eyes tearing from his invasion.
“If you want to come, you’ll do exactly as I say. Put one hand on your cunt and the other behind your back.”
Her eyes pleaded with him as she obeyed. It seemed orgasm denial was a far better motivator for her than pain. He would have to remember that.
He thrust into her mouth again. She was better prepared this time, but her body still tensed when he reached the back of her throat, panic shining in her gaze.
“Relax,” he told her. “You’re less likely to gag if you do.”
He pulled out slowly then plunged in deeply, groaning when she struggled to accept him. Again and again he tested her, and each time she was a little less reactive, a little more accepting. When he could no longer take the torturous pace, he gripped her head with both hands and fucked her mouth. He loved the muffled sounds of her moans. She gagged a few more times, but recovered quickly. Drool coated her chin, tears ran down her cheeks and still she strived to please him. She liked it as much as he did, this brutal submission he forced on her. The more aggressive he was, the faster her hand moved between her legs.
“Don’t you dare come,” he bit out through panting breaths.
Her throaty complaint lodged in subtle moaning vibrations against his cock, driving him over the edge. Release roared through him as he thrust deep. He came, spurting his seed down her throat, and like a good slut, she swallowed every last drop. Regrettably, he withdrew.
From her knees, she gazed up at him with something akin to adoration. He might have allowed himself to fall for her for that look alone, if he were capable of such things. This precious, eager girl who challenged him wasn’t going to be easy to let go. He knew arrangements like theirs didn’t last forever, but he couldn’t fathom her leaving. Not yet. His chest tightened at the thought.
He pulled her to her feet. “Good girl.”
He kissed away her remaining tears as he trailed his fingers down the front of her body. When he reached the folds of her pussy, he claimed her mouth with his, stealing her moan. As he kissed her deeply, sliding his tongue along hers, his fingers drew lazy circles around her clit.
He continued to tease the little nub with the barest amount of pressure. “Tell me how badly you want to come,” he whispered against her lips.
“
Please
,” she begged, swaying on her feet.
“Wrap your arms around me. And you’ll have to do better than please.”
She grabbed onto his shoulders as if he were a lifeline. “I… Oh god, Brian. Please, I want to come more than anything right now.”
“Mmm, I don’t know. You’ve already had one orgasm tonight. Why should I let you have another?”
“Please make me come. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Oh I know you will.”
He kissed her again and stroked her more purposefully. The musky smell of her arousal permeated the air as her juices soaked his hand. She moaned into his mouth, seemingly unaware of anything but the feel of his fingers. Shifting her pelvis, she rocked against him. He almost ordered her to be still, but changed his mind. He wanted her to lose control.
“Come,” he whispered.
A few more thrusts of her hips and she came apart in his arms, calling out his name as she bucked wildly against him. He loved watching her come. It was immensely satisfying to know he was the one who drove her to lose herself so completely. She went slack against him, shuddering as she drew in shaky breaths. He held her for a moment, giving her time to compose herself.
“Thank you,” she rasped against his neck.
“Oh no, thank you. That was quite an arousing display.”
She picked her head up, looking at him with a wry smile. “Entirely your fault.”
“I’ll gladly take the blame,” he said, bringing his fingers to his mouth. He sucked them, savoring her taste. “Now, run upstairs and get dressed before I decide to tie you to my bed and keep you.” He was only half joking.
Brian stared at the screen of his iPad, but he was too busy entertaining thoughts about what he planned to do to Genevieve to see what was displayed on the screen. Unfortunately, Friday was not a day they’d agreed to meet. She would be at Donovan’s tonight, not that it would do him any good whatsoever. Having her so close without being able to exert his dominance would be hell. He took a sip of his coffee, frowning when he found his cup empty. He’d been so distracted he’d drained the damn thing without even realizing it.
Chris was there pouring him a second cup before he’d even thought to ask. After Chris returned the carafe to the warmer, he deposited several pieces of mail on the table. “Sophia sent you an invite to her new gallery opening in Miami and your father called.”
Brian groaned.
“He wanted to know if you’d be attending the meeting next Wednesday,” Chris informed him.
“As if I’ve ever missed one,” he muttered. “I’ll call him this afternoon. I haven’t had nearly enough coffee for that conversation.” If anyone had the power to get under Brian’s skin, it was his father, Sean Donovan.
“No need. I told him you’d be there promptly at nine a.m.”
Brian would rather be beaten bloody with his own crop than attend another torturous quarterly board meeting. Unfortunately he had to attend in order to meet the conditions of his grandfather’s will and keep the fifteen percent of Gulf Coast he currently owned. It killed his father that a sizeable portion of the company was not under his direct control. He was determined to bring Brian into the fold by pressing him to take an executive position. He’d promised Brian big bonuses and a larger stake in the company if he complied. No amount of financial gain could convince Brian to place himself directly under his father’s thumb.
His father considered it a deep insult that Brian had chosen to open a pub rather than work for the family business. He never failed to point out that, in his opinion, Donovan’s Pub was an immature and self-indulgent mistake. Brian had stopped caring about his father’s opinions long ago—right about the time he’d given up vying for his approval and acceptance. Brian was his own man now.
Chris eyed him speculatively. “I don’t understand why you don’t just have him buy you out. Save yourself the torture.”
“Don’t start, Christopher.” Brian selling his shares would have been the worst way to honor the memory of the only member of his family who’d given a shit about him. As much as he hated dealing with his father he simply couldn’t bring himself to do it.
“Your father should be proud of what you’ve done with Donovan’s,” Chris continued, ignoring Brian’s warning. “Or at least acknowledge the blood, sweat and tears you shed to build the business from the ground up. It’s not like you just sank money into the place. Have you forgotten that I was there when you handled the renovations? There isn’t a board or nail you didn’t oversee or put in yourself.”
Brian gave him a bland look. “Don’t be so dramatic.”
“Don’t be so modest. It’s not as if
his
father hadn’t done the very same thing decades ago with his own company. Funny he doesn’t seem to equate the two.”
“Millions of dollars and a string of trophy wives have clouded his memory,” Brian muttered. “Can we change the subject? What’s on my calendar next week?”
“The new liquor rep will be at Donovan’s Tuesday at noon with a pitch for some new flavored liquor they think you might be interested in. You also have a Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday at ten.”
“Good. Anything else?”
Chris picked up the invitation and ran his fingers over the embossing on the heavy stationery. “You know, Ms. Hawthorn is quite the artist. I think she would enjoy going to Sophia’s event.”
“She showed you her work?” Brian asked, suddenly interested, but also peeved Chris had been privy to something about Genevieve he had not.
“The walls in her apartment are covered with it. Her art is very dark, but evocative nonetheless. She definitely has talent. Modest though. She barely said two words when I asked her about it. You should take her,” he said, sliding the invite across the table.
“I’ll consider it.” It was actually a very good idea. Maybe it would encourage his enigmatic little submissive to open up some. Meeting Sophia and Indigo would do her some good. They could make a weekend of it.
“How are things going with Ms. Hawthorn, by the way?” Chris asked casually. Brian knew better. There was nothing casual about that question. Chris had been, not so subtly, encouraging him to venture out and find a woman to share his life with. His house manager’s heart was in the right place, even if his nose wasn’t.
“Well, I think,” Brian replied. “You like her, don’t you?”
“Yes, very much. She’s different from the women I’m used to seeing you with. Not that I’ve seen any women at all around here for months now. At any rate, I’m glad you found her. It’s nice to see you smile for once.”
He had been smiling more, hadn’t he? “Her attitude leaves a lot to be desired, but I’m enjoying her.”
Chris chuckled. “I think she’s good for you, attitude and all.” He paused, his face suddenly serious. “It wouldn’t hurt for you to let yourself care about her. I think it’s past time you moved on. It’s been eight years, Brian, and you still act as though part of you died with Danielle.”
“Part of me did!” Brian swallowed hard, trying to staunch the sudden rush of emotion. He didn’t want to think about Danielle’s death, much less talk about it. Even after all this time, it left him raw. “This isn’t up for discussion. Genevieve is my submissive, nothing more. Leave it alone.” Brian scrubbed a hand over his face. “I apologize for raising my voice. It’s still… Just don’t bring it up again.”
“No need to apologize. I know it’s a sore spot. You know I only say these things because I care about you, right?” Chris asked, cocking a manicured brow.
“I know that look. Don’t even think about meddling.”
“I don’t remember there being a no-meddling clause in my employment contract.”
“I’m beginning to understand why Dad fired you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Your father fired me because he found out I was gay, not because of my meddling.”
Yet another reason Brian wasn’t fond of his dear father. Brian still carried guilt for the way his dad had treated Chris after discovering his sexual preference. Being gay did not have any bearing on Chris’ ability to do his job. Sean hadn’t blatantly fired him for it, but it hadn’t taken him long to drum up a thinly veiled excuse after he’d learned the truth.
Brian had gladly capitalized on his father’s mistake and hired Chris on the spot, another thing that irritated his father. Since Brian thoroughly enjoyed angering the old man, employing Chris had been an easy decision, one he’d never regretted. Chris was damn good at what he did. Over the years he’d become more like family to Brian than his own had ever been. He was thankful to have him, even if he wanted to strangle him from time to time.
“Arrange to take Genevieve shopping at her convenience. She’ll need something appropriate to wear for the exhibit. Dress, shoes, lingerie and whatever she needs for the trip. She has her own unique style and I don’t want her to feel as though she has to curb that to fit in with this crowd, so encourage her to be herself.”
Chris gave him a thousand-watt smile. “Consider it done.”
* * * * *
“So, how are things with Brian?” Ivy gave a mischievous little smirk.
Gen finished pouring a draft beer then flicked the tap back, closing the valve. “They’re fine. And this is not the place to talk about it.” She placed the frosty beer on one of the server’s trays and spotted Brian several feet away, talking to a group of customers. If she knew anything about that man, he was listening to every word.
Ivy invaded her space. “When are you going to give me the sordid details?”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
Suspicion pinched Ivy’s pretty features. “Why are you being so secretive?”
“I’m not. There just really isn’t much to tell. It’s just sex.”
“Just sex. Right. Is he kinky? At least give me that.”
Gen rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “Yes.”
“I knew it. So go on, w
hat’s he like?”
He’s wonderful and intense and passionate though he tries to hide it.
“Nothing special. Kind of a jerk actually.”
Ivy laughed. “Then why are you seeing him?”
“You’re the one who told me I needed to get laid. I’m simply following your advice.”
“Oh I see, blame your bad taste in men on me.”
“Well, I have to blame it on somebody.” Gen turned back to the service station. Her heart threatened to beat a hole in her chest as she noticed Brian approach. Had he heard their entire conversation?
“Genevieve, I’d like to see you in my office,” he said in his stern voice.
She struggled to remain stoic and unaffected
. He’d worn
the
belt. She couldn’t look at him without thinking dirty, kinky thoughts. How could she not when he chose to brazenly wear the very same leathery implement of discipline he liked to use on her? It was a calculated thing to do. She had to admit, that was kind of hot.
“Uh oh. Someone’s in trouble,” Ivy said under her breath.
“Shut up,” Gen hissed as she stepped out from behind the bar. Apprehensive, she followed Brian to his office. What
had
she done this time? She’d been respectful, made it on time, smiled at the customers. She couldn’t think of a single reason she’d end up bent over his desk on the wrong side of his belt. Not that that would be altogether bad. She was already halfway to begging for it after staring at the damn thing all night. Unfortunately he’d said he would keep their time at work strictly professional.
He closed the door behind her, setting her nerves on edge.
“Have a seat.” He sat behind the desk and gestured to the only other chair available. “You’re not in trouble, so relax.”
Relieved, she blew out a breath and sat.
“I know we only talked about seeing one another on Mondays and Thursdays, but I’d like to take you to Miami for the weekend. A friend of mine is hosting an event at the end of next month I think you might enjoy. I’ve already arranged for Connor to pick up your shifts. I just wanted to inform you of the change in plans well in advance.”
How nice of him to have worked everything out. She pursed her lips, fighting to get a handle on her sudden irritation. She’d agreed to submit to his control while in his home. The high-handed interference with her work schedule was too much. He hadn’t even had the courtesy to ask her about it. No, he’d taken it for granted that she would go along with it like a good little submissive.
“May I speak freely?” she asked.
“Of course,” he replied, leaning back in his chair.
“It would have been nice if you’d asked me before you decided to take it upon yourself to rearrange my schedule. I don’t have a problem going to Miami with you, but,” she paused, choosing her words carefully, “you making decisions for me outside of your home was not part of our deal.”
His smile was so boyish and apologetic it took her off guard.
“I’m bad at this, aren’t I? It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a relationship. I’m sort of rusty in that department.”
That wasn’t what she’d expected to hear. “You’re not the only one.”
“Aren’t we the pair? You were right to call me on that. I should have asked you first. Let’s start over. Genevieve, would you be willing to change your schedule in order to accompany me to the opening of the
Cadeau
gallery in Miami?”
Her heart tripped on itself. “Sophia Adler’s gallery?”
“That’s the one,” he said, seemingly satisfied she was in-the-know.
Artists would kill family members for a few moments of Sophia Adler’s time. She owned several galleries, launched many careers and sold art to people who had very deep pockets. Gen definitely didn’t want to miss an opportunity to rub elbows with some of the art world’s most influential patrons. The only problem was she’d have to ask Ivy to look in on her mother while she was away. It was a good thing he’d given her a month’s notice.