She heard running water, and from a small crack where the curtain wasn’t entirely closed, she saw his back as he stood in front of the sink.
“Oh, excuse me!”
Hearing a strange female voice, Kelsey froze.
“Am I in the wrong place?”
“Not at all,” Nathan replied easily, grabbing a paper towel. “Goodnight.”
He disappeared from sight, and she heard the solid soles of his shoes against the tile.
More mortified than she’d ever been, she took her time brushing her hair before dressing in an oversize T-shirt and yoga pants, hoping the other woman had already left the room. But as Kelsey walked through with her bag over her shoulder, the blonde was still there, putting her earphones in place. They exchanged quick smiles, and Kelsey strode nonstop toward the door.
Nathan was standing near the elevators, and he pushed the button when he saw her. “How does it feel?”
She was so concerned with almost being caught that she’d forgotten her discomfort. “Fine. I think.”
When they were descending to the parking garage, he eased his hand inside her pants.
“These are almost as good as a skirt,” he said.
He pushed on the base of the plug and she sucked in a breath and stood up a little taller. “Damn,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to you wearing it all day on Friday.”
Kelsey wasn’t sure she could tolerate it. She also knew better than to argue.
He took her bag from her as they made their way to his vehicle then helped her into the car before reaching across to fasten her belt. She should have expected that, but she hadn’t. His size, proximity and take-charge attitude made her utterly aware of her femininity. When she squirmed to get comfortable, it wasn’t entirely from the effects of the silicone up her rear.
“You know, Kelsey, you’re a very good sub. That won’t get you out of what I have planned for you tonight, though.” With that, he smiled and closed the door.
She sank against the seatback.
As they drove, she checked her phone and found that the ever-professional Thompson had gotten back to her about Nathan’s Dallas trip. “You’re confirmed for next Thursday. You’re meeting Connor at the airport at six a.m. The meeting with OneTech is at nine. That will give you time for breakfast and account for any flight or traffic delays. You’ll depart Dallas Love Field at three.”
He glanced at her. “And be home in time to fuck you.”
Unsaid words hung between them. They’d only agreed to spend this week together. She refused to think past that.
“Where are we on plans for the family retreat?”
“Second weekend in December,” she confirmed. “Both your grandparents have said they will attend, as has Erin. Your aunt Kathryn has not agreed yet. There’s some sort of dispute about the guests she wants to bring with her.”
He nodded as if that wasn’t a surprise.
“Connor and Lara, of course. Cade and Sofia will be there.”
“Hard for them to avoid since it’s at their place. I’d still like for you to attend.”
“Thompson will be there to handle admin for the family,” she said.
“It’d be a good opportunity for you to get away. Corpus Christi. Picture taking…”
“You know how to tempt a girl, Mr. Donovan.”
“Did you ask Martha about her availability as I requested?”
“I…” She felt his steady gaze on her. “No. I did not.”
He exposed his watch and touched the screen. This time, the heart that hovered above it was more red than pink, and she wondered if that meant anything.
“Memo,” he said.
“Ready, Mr. Donovan.”
“Contact Martha Leone to find out her availability the second week of December.”
“Noted.”
He drew his cuff back into place. “If you’re not intending to do something I ask of you, Kelsey, please have the courtesy to say so.” Despite his words, his tone was light, but direct. “Give us the opportunity to discuss it.”
“It’s not that,” she said. It had been on her to-do list since Monday. When she’d been making arrangements with Thompson for the family gathering, she’d considered sending Martha an email or phoning her, but she’d put it off. “I hadn’t decided whether or not I want to go.”
“My point remains. Please let me know if you’re not going to do something I asked.”
She exhaled. “You’re right.” And he was. “I’ll contact her tomorrow.”
“I’ll handle it.” His tone said the conversation was over.
“I apologize, Nathan.” She reached across the compartment to put her fingers on his wrist. “It won’t happen again.”
“I know.” He sounded sincere, and she exhaled.
A few minutes ago, she’d been prepared for an argument, but she realized that he had the knack for making a point then moving on. It was a skill she could learn from.
He pulled into the parking lot of a small strip mall. Nonina’s was at the end and took up two storefronts.
After he’d parked, he met her at the front of the vehicle and placed his fingers at the small of her back as they walked to the door.
The restaurant was small, with red-and-white checkered tablecloths. Empty chianti bottles served as candleholders, and the scent of garlic and fresh bread greeted her like an old friend. Her mouth watered. Suddenly she remembered how long it had been since lunch.
“Nathan!” A petite woman with short blonde hair beamed a smile across the distance.
“Elena, meet Kelsey.”
“Delighted,” the woman said.
“Elena and her sister make the best food on the planet,” he said.
“I can’t wait to try it,” she said, noticing that he hadn’t introduced her as his employee.
“Your pizza will be right out,” Elena said, wiping her hands on her apron. “Wine with that?”
Nathan looked at Kelsey with a raised eyebrow, and Kelsey said, “I’d love a glass.”
“Make it two,” he said. “Chianti.”
“Should I bring a bottle?”
Kelsey shook her head.
“Just the glasses, Elena. Thanks.”
Nathan led Kelsey to a small table in the back of the dining room. The plug felt even more rigid against the wooden chair. “Is there a reason you didn’t choose a booth?”
“Yes.”
“You did this on purpose?”
“Knowing you’re uncomfortable with the plug I put up your ass? Yeah. I did it on purpose.”
She shifted her weight to one butt cheek, hoping for a little relief.
“Imagining you enduring it all day on Friday makes it even better.”
Elena walked over carrying a tray with silverware, napkins, plates and their wine.
When she left, Nathan offered a toast. “To your first experience on the spanking bench.”
“I don’t know if I want to drink to that,” Kelsey said. They clinked their glasses, then she stared into the bottom of hers to distract herself from his gaze.
They discussed business for a few minutes and were interrupted when Elena returned with an enormous pizza and placed it on a metal stand. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything that big.”
“We don’t like you to go home hungry.” Elena served them each a slice before telling them to let her know if they needed anything.
“This looks amazing,” Kelsey said when they were alone again. She lowered her head and inhaled a whiff of the garlic and tomatoes.
Nathan picked up his slice and folded it before taking a bite.
Not nearly that adventurous, she cut hers then forked it into her mouth.
The flavors exploded on her tongue. “This could be some of the best pizza I’ve ever had.” The crust was nicely browned, and the cheese was hot and melty. She thought she might be in heaven.
“Told you.”
She managed to finish two slices, but Nathan kept going, surprising her with his appetite. “I think you could have eaten that entire piece of chocolate cake the other night.”
“Easily.”
“Thank you for recommending Andi to your sister.” Another reminder that he followed through on the things he said he intended to do.
“No thanks needed. Erin is always looking to try something new. She wore a corset to the ranch’s centennial celebration. I’m not sure the Colonel has recovered yet. And she’s annoying as hell. You’ll like her.”
Since there were still two slices left, they had the leftovers packaged to go before promising Elena they’d return soon.
Kelsey barely had time to relax on the short drive to his house.
The neighborhood was older, well-established, with oaks, magnolias, even some palm trees. Houses were spread out for privacy. This, she’d expected. The house had to have been a solid investment, one that would retain its value and increase over time, but it wasn’t in one of the pricier areas where homes were overvalued because of their zip code. It suited his fiscal personality.
He pulled up a long driveway then parked in the garage and turned off the vehicle’s headlights.
She grabbed the leftovers while he got her bag. He flipped on some lights to illuminate the path and breezeway that led to the back door.
As far as she could see from the numerous solar lights, his landscaping was lush, if overgrown. With its numerous benches and chairs, the yard issued a silent invitation to sit and relax.
Their lifestyles couldn’t be any more divergent, she realized.
Inside, the air conditioning hit her in a welcome break from the day’s cloying humidity.
She fell in love with his house instantly.
A breakfast nook was next to a window. Before he closed the shade, she noticed that the sightline included a magnolia tree. His kitchen was a designer’s dream, with under-cabinet lighting and an island at least half-again as wide as her own.
“Refrigerator’s over there,” he said, pointing.
She placed the box inside then put her purse on a counter and followed him when he offered a tour.
Whereas she was cramped in her space, he seemed to have miles of it—a two-story entryway, a dining room that seemed to be unused, a great room and a guest room on the main level.
“Did you decorate?” she asked, appreciating the crown molding in each room, and the way various cool colors complemented the hardwoods and tiles. Throw rugs, paintings and tapestries softened some rooms.
“No. I liked the way it was painted and modernized, and Erin and my mother bought the furnishings.” He shrugged. “Some of them came from the attic in the ranch, and a couple of pieces were donated by my mother.”
“Thrifty.”
He glanced over his shoulder at her.
“I wouldn’t have expected anything else.”
Nathan opened a door to show her a guest room adjoining a bathroom.
“Is this where I’m staying?”
“No. You’ll be in the master. With me.”
It had been a year or more since she’d stayed with a man. Last night, after he’d left, her place had felt empty. When she’d snuggled into him, part of her had wanted him to stay.
Next he showed her the study.
“I love it. Love it. Love it.” The room had three long but narrow windows, dozens of drawers, shelves and several cupboards. When she’d bought her condo, she’d been hoping to find a place with a room like this. There was more than enough space for her cameras, tripods, pictures, albums. “How does envy look on me?” she asked.
He tipped his head to the side. “A little green,” he said. “Maybe Andi could give you highlights that make it look not so obvious?”
She grinned.
Before they climbed the stairs, he grabbed her bag.
“The master bedroom is to the left.”
She hesitated for a moment, unsure which way to go.
“We’ll go there first.”
She led the way into the bedroom. The room was stunningly big, with a tray ceiling. Other than a nightstand, there was nothing in the room except for a honeyed-oak four-poster bed. It was covered with a navy blue comforter and the whole thing shouted dominance and masculinity. “I bet you picked this out.”
“One of the only things I purchased, yes. And you’ll be the first sub I tie to it.”
Her mouth dried.
“Bathroom and closets are through here.”
The space they entered was almost as large as her living room. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a chandelier in a bathroom before.”
“It’s gorgeous. Erin’s idea. But I keep thinking I’ll replace it with an overhead fan.”
She looked at him, stunned.
“In summer I could use more air circulation in here.”
“I think I’d rather suffer than get rid of the chandelier. The light refraction off the mirrors is stunning.”
“I’d never really noticed,” he admitted. “Give me a minute to change? You’re welcome to get comfortable, settle in, put on a robe or get naked.”
There were his-and-her closets with built-in drawers. While his was filled with suits, ties, shirts, shoes and slacks, the other was empty. He put her bag on a shelf.
Since it would be easier to find what she needed if she got organized, she hung the dress she’d selected for work, put the shoes on a rack, moved her lingerie and sleepwear into the top drawer then carried her cosmetics bag and hairbrush to the vanity. “Which sink should I use?”
He came out of his closet wearing all black, from a pair of lightweight casual slacks, to a form-fitting T-shirt to shoes. She realized it was the first time she’d seen him without his ever-present watch.
He stole her breath. Nathan looked every part a Dom, and her entire body vibrated with the need to offer what he silently demanded.
How was it possible that he was more intimidating now than he had been last night? Even his hair made him look devilish, and the evening stubble hardened his appearance.
“Ah…”
“The one on the right.”
She momentarily forgot what she’d asked.
“The sink,” he said. “Yours is the one on the right. The drawer next to it is empty, and there’s room under the cabinet, as well.”
“Thank you.” She looked away, severing the impact his gaze held over her.
“Is your paddle in the bag?”
She nodded.
“Good. Get it.”
She went into the closet, and he followed. Kelsey lost her grasp on the zipper pull and had to grab it a second time with him standing merely inches from her.
Kelsey reached into the bottom of the bag and pulled out the paddle. She put it in his outstretched hand, with the word
slut
facing up.