Acres, Natalie - Sex Club [Cowboy Sex 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (45 page)

“True,” Patience said, walking by the archway leading to the bathroom. “I guess I can wait until Tristan and Bailey return. Then I may poison her with some aphrodisiac. If we can keep her fucked, we can keep her happy. Look at her over there beaming. Have you ever seen her smile so much?”

Ansley settled her neck against the cushioned support behind her. Closing her eyes, she thought of her men then. She had been happy. That was a given, but would she remain that way? Without Tristan and Bailey? No, she’d be destroyed.

“You okay over there?” Kimberly asked, concern anchored in her voice.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re sure?” Kimberly asked as Patience slid out of the room without saying good-bye.

“I’ll make it.”

“I know you will,” Kimberly said somberly. “Cartwells are survivors. That’s what we do.”

After Kimberly left the room, Ansley relaxed in the water. She thought of Kimberly’s parting words and wondered why her sister hadn’t pried. Something was different about her twin, but Ansley wasn’t sure the change had anything to do with mending a broken heart. She’d been gone a few weeks but not long enough to undo Jason Neely’s damage.

Rather than think about her sister and her past with a man Ansley detested, she thought of Tristan and Bailey. What tipped their hand? Tristan mentioned a man from Miami, said he was working in Asheville now, but he hadn’t sounded certain of the detective’s identity.

Ansley would fix that. First, she’d find out what she could about the newcomer. Then, she’d talk to Dad Evan, have him speak to Pete, and the detective would lose his job as soon as Pete was on his feet again.

Sighing, she thought of how much she already missed the two men who’d ultimately turned her life inside out. They’d taught her how to believe in love, take a chance on the future, and embrace the erotic and the unusual. She’d done everything Tristan asked of her, and then he what? Deserted her! And what if…no, she wouldn’t go there. She couldn’t allow herself to even consider the possibility of Tristan and Bailey failing to return.

They’d left town for a bit. Fortunately, they saw the looming danger. They tried to touch base, but it would’ve been too risky to come back to the club, especially if the cop creep was already on to them.

Taking another weighted breath, she drew upon her inner strength. She could do this. Elliott and Graham were home. They were committed to her, and with their help, she could deal with whatever life threw her way. She was strong, like Kimberly said, and a Cartwell. She could overcome any obstacle.

As tears ran down her cheeks, Ansley realized that wasn’t entirely true. She couldn’t live without Tristan and Bailey any more than she could survive without Graham and Elliott.

Losing any one of her men was a casualty she’d never be able to endure.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Hours later, the women sat down for an early dinner. They kept their eyes on the television above the bar. A talk-show host was talking about Domination and submission. She openly condemned the new lifestyle clubs popping up all over the country.

“Can you believe this gal?” Patience said, tilting a cupful of ranch dressing over her salad.

“She’s judgmental,” Kimberly remarked. “She discusses popular topics but obviously has no interest in the subjects at hand. She schedules informative guests, but once they appear on her show, she doesn’t bother listening to them. Pay attention to the questions she’s asking. She doesn’t have a clue what she’s talking about.”

After the second segment was over, Ansley faced Kimberly and Patience. “She made a good point there at the end.”

“I didn’t hear one,” Patience said, chugging a glass of water.

“Me either,” Kimberly admitted. “She passes judgment on those frequenting lifestyle clubs. I’m tempted to call her up and set her straight. She’s lucky she’s even on the air after that last comment about lifestylers—saying we’re all in it for the sex. Please.”

“She was right on there,” Ansley said. “At least I think so.”

Patience lifted an eyebrow but didn’t comment. Kimberly tossed her napkin on the bar. “Are you kidding me? You can’t possibly believe that.”

“Sure I do. You’re a prime example. Come on. Look at Jason, for crying out loud. He’s old. He isn’t even handsome, so your relationship is, or was, always about the sex for the two of you. That’s all Domination and submission is—hotter sex with better lovers.” While Ansley couldn’t see Jason fitting into the latter group, she’d heard the rumors. Apparently he possessed a lot of junk in the front and knew how to use his equipment for a woman’s pleasure. Kimberly was dick-whipped, so the gossip must’ve been true.

Patience narrowed her gaze and leaned back in her chair. “This won’t be pretty.”

Kimberly placed both palms on the bar. “I knew this conversation would ultimately lead to a discussion about Jason.”

“Here we go,” Patience drawled.

Ansley wished Patience would keep her play-by-play commentary to a minimum. She grabbed a few napkins and sat across the bar from where Patience and Kimberly were seated. “I’m speaking in general. Forget Jason. This is about Domination and submission and the fact that those in the lifestyle are only interested in sex. It’s always been that way. Tell me you would’ve stayed with Jason if he sucked in bed.” She squirted ketchup on her plate. “You can’t do it.”

“
Ansley
, I’m surprised at you.” Kimberly pointed toward the television. “This is obviously the last show you need to be watching. It’s twisting up the lifestyle we live, the one in which you’ll be steeped if you and Tristan remain together.”

Now Ansley was frustrated. “What do you mean ‘if,’ and why did you only mention Tristan? I’m involved with four men now.”

“Only one stands out as a Dom,” Patience pointed out, shaking her fork in her direction.

“See, that’s where
you’re
wrong,” Ansley objected. “They’re all great in bed, always looking out for my needs and making sure I’m satisfied. It goes back to what I’ve always believed about the lifestyle. Here at the club, we see a great deal of role-play. Behind closed doors? A Dom definitely earns his trust and respect through a woman’s pussy. If he can control the pussy, he can dominate the woman.”

Patience roared with laughter. “Great theory, but it’s false.”

Kimberly groaned. “Good gravy and country-fried chicken. Where the hell did you come up with such an idea? Domination and submission is not—listen to me, Ansley—it is
not
all about sex.”

“Okay, Kimberly, whatever you say,” Ansley said, staring at her plate. She’d lost her appetite.

“If Domination and submission is all about sex, then care to tell me why everyone isn’t living the life?” Patience asked. Pushing aside her salad, she added, “Ansley, outside of some role-play, fucking isn’t at the core of Domination and submission. If sex is the focus, you’re definitely with the wrong Dom.”

“Okay, then how would you describe the lifestyle?”

“Let me explain this,” Kimberly said, patting Patience’s arm. “Ansley, Domination and submission can be hard to understand especially when someone has
incorrect
views about the lifestyle.

“A Dom, if he’s one worthy of your admiration, will guide, love, and support you. He’ll place a significant amount of trust in you, as his submissive, and he’ll expect your trust in return. You’ll grow together as a couple, in a meaningful relationship, but you will come to depend upon him more than you’ve ever relied on another human being.

“If Tristan is a true Dom, you’ll see a big difference between him and, say, Elliott. Does that mean Elliott doesn’t love you as much? Of course not, but your relationships will vary. With a Dom, everything is more intense. Doms are complicated men, but they know what they want and have the confidence to go after it.”

“The Doms I’ve known are stubborn, too,” Patience said.

A light suddenly came on in Ansley’s head. She narrowed her gaze on Patience and then shifted her eyes toward Kimberly. “Why of course. I should’ve seen this coming from a mile away.”

“What?” Kimberly asked,

Patience jerked her head. She picked up a crouton and chomped. Suddenly, she couldn’t look Ansley in the eye.

“You two,” Ansley said, waggling her fingers in front of them. “You were behind this from the beginning. I knew something was up when I wasn’t invited to Bermuda with you.” She pointed at Patience. “And you were behind it from the start. You knew I’d fall for Tristan!”

Kimberly smiled. “Why do you think we hired him back?”

Before Ansley responded, Patience added, “Oh come on, Ansley. After you set me up with Mark and Spencer, I sort of owed you the same favor. Besides, anyone within a mile of this place knew how crazy you were about Tristan. When he left for a brief period, you moped around here for weeks.”

“Yes, but still! I didn’t need a push in his direction! He sure didn’t need the two of you shoving him in mine!”

“You’re being ungrateful,” Patience told her, shoving a carrot between her lips.

Kimberly shook her head. “We told you when we left here that Tristan was optimistic things would work out, we just failed to mention that we meant between you and him. We weren’t worried about the club.”

“Not at all.” Patience added another two cents. “Baron could run this place blindfolded.”

“Speaking of Baron, he’s an interesting subject worth discussing, don’t ’cha think?”Ansley teased.

“No, I do not,” Patience replied. “He’s Mark and Spencer’s friend, and that’s all you need to know for right now.”

Ansley waggled her brows. “Hmm, I’m sure.” She cut her gaze sharply at Kimberly. “So let me ask you this, Miss BDSM. If Tristan is this hardcore Dom, why didn’t he pursue me from the get-go? Most of the Doms I’ve met through the club see what they want and take it.”

“Doms, like all other men, have their own unique personalities, Ansley.”

“And individual approaches to relationships and women,” Patience interjected.

“If a Dominant takes his role seriously, he’ll do everything he can to show his submissive how much he desires her. You wouldn’t have felt extra special if he’d charged you like a bull with his horns all primed and ready for a nice polishing.”

“I think you mean rooting,” Patience muttered.

“Whatever.”

“You have a point,” Ansley said, cupping her chin and placing her elbow on the bar. “But make no mistake about it. Tristan is persistent and demanding.”

Patience grinned. “I’m sure he is. They all are. That’s the man in them, more than the Dom.”

“Ansley, Tristan may have appeared to take things slow at first, but there isn’t a doubt in my mind that from the time he returned here, he planned to pursue you,” Kimberly said.

“Did he hunt you down, toss you over his shoulder, and tell you he planned to make mad, passionate love to you?” Patience asked, waggling her brows.

“Considering Tristan took nearly five months to tell me how he felt, he was more like a predator going in for a slow kill.”

“You’re so dramatic,” Kimberly muttered, taking a deep breath. “You’re also headstrong, Ansley, and while independence is a good thing, your Dom will expect you to relinquish some of that. In other words, he’ll want you to rely on him. If you do? You’ll find submission rewarding and quite empowering.” After a sip of soda, she dreamily added, “I enjoy being a sub. I’d rather be alone than without a dominant partner.”

“I don’t know if I’d go that far,” Ansley said, though she wasn’t necessarily sure she’d disagree entirely. She’d already experienced a change within. She was practically in awe of Tristan, driven to satisfy his desires, meet his requests, and exceed his expectations. When she’d described herself as prey, her word choice wasn’t meant to cast a negative light, although her reference may have seemed that way.