Her Old-Fashioned Boss (13 page)

“Roarke, let me down. I can walk.”

“Enough,” he said, using his Dom voice. Her face grew almost comical as she immediately closed her mouth, her eyes growing wide. He set her down on the bathroom counter, and leaning over, put the plug in the bath and turned the water on.

“Really, I can do this myself, you don’t have to.”

He stared at her for a long moment. Had she never had someone take care of her before?

“I like taking care of you, Ava. And I intend to do it a lot. How often do you do that?” he asked, changing the subject.

“What? Go running? Usually once a day.”

He shook his head. “No, push yourself until there’s nothing but the burn. Push yourself to the point of pain, until you forget about everything else.”

He realized he’d hit the nail on the head as she stared at him, shaken.

“What if you’d been out running on the road? You can’t turn your brain off like that without someone around to watch over you, Ava. Did you keep yourself hydrated? Were you aware of how hard you were pushing yourself?”

Guilt filled her eyes before she dropped them and shook her head. Roarke cupped her chin, raising her face so she had to look at him. “I’m only scolding because I care about you, honey. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

He tested the water then turned off the taps. “Sam will be back soon with some breakfast. I want you to rest in this bath for twenty minutes. Then when you get out we’ll eat and you can have a nap.”

“I’m not a baby, Roarke. I don’t need a nap.”

Taking her face between her hands, he leaned down and kissed her. “You’re my baby. And I take care of what is mine. You will not push your body like this again. If you need some stress relief, you come to me, I’ll help you find the rush you’re looking for.”

She took a deep breath. “How? By tying me up and flogging me?”

“Yes,” he replied. “Now get in the bath and don’t get out until you’re wrinkly.”

He helped her up, gave her a slap on the ass then left, his erection pressing firmly against his pants.

Chapter Six

Lord help her, she’d really overdone things this time. Even with the bath she’d taken, every muscle ached as she made her way to the small kitchen.

The soft murmur of voices stopped as she entered the room. Glancing up, she found both men scowling at her.

“I thought I told you to stay in there for twenty minutes,” Roarke growled.

Ava shrugged her shoulders. “I was finished.”

“Here have a seat.” Sam pulled out a chair and guided her over, staring at her in concern.

“I’m fine, Sam,” she said reassuringly, smiling brightly. “Just overdid it a bit.”

“A bit?” Roarke replied darkly. “I’d say a lot.”

She avoided his gaze, not wanting him to see the acknowledgement in her eyes. She had overdone it, particularly after her midnight run, not that she intended to tell either of them about that.

The table was filled with goodies, pastries, croissants and fresh fruit salad and Greek yoghurt. Sam poured her out a coffee.

“After breakfast, I’ll give you a massage,” he offered, sending her a wink.

Ava shivered, her body already heating at the idea of having his hands touch her all over.

“Then you’re going to spend the rest of the day resting,” Roarke decreed, picking up a croissant.

Ava sighed, but knew arguing was senseless.

Sam held up the bowl of fruit and when she nodded, he ladled some into a bowl for her, before pushing over the yoghurt. Ava took a sip of green tea. Perfect.

Roarke stood, and grabbing a glass, filled it with water then brought it back and placed it by her plate. “Drink. You need to rehydrate.”

Barely refraining from rolling her eyes, even as she felt a happy glow at the way he took care of her, Ava did as ordered. She had to admit, bossy though they could both be, it was nice having someone look after her.

“From now on, you’re not to run for more than forty-five minutes a day,” Roarke told her.

“What?” She gaped at him. Okay, scrap that previous thought. Now he was taking things too far.

Sitting back, he crossed his arms over his chest. “You heard me just fine. Forty-five minutes of exercise a day and you need to set aside two days when you do no exercise. After this morning’s session I want you to give your body at least two full days to recover, understand me?”

“And if I don’t? How will you know?”

“If you don’t, I’ll make that spanking I gave you yesterday seem like love pats. And I will know, a Dom always does.”

*****

“Ooh, yeah, right there. That’s it. Perfect.”

Sam chuckled from behind her. Ava lay on her stomach on her bed in her underwear, Sam straddling her hips as he worked on the muscles of her back.

“That feels like heaven.”

“Glad to know I please you, my sweet.”

He climbed off her back. “Part your legs, I’m going to do your thighs.”

Nothing had ever sounded more wonderful and as he dug his thumbs into her tight muscles, Ava groaned.

“You know he’s right, don’t you?” Sam said quietly. “You push yourself too hard. I’ve seen it when we’ve worked out together.”

Ava tensed then relaxed, hearing the very real concern in Sam’s voice. “Sam, I’m sorry I worried you, but really, I’m okay. Just some sore muscles. You’re both kind of overreacting.”

“Roarke’s a Dom, honey. He takes his job looking after others very seriously, particularly those he cares about and he cares about you.”

“And you?” she asked.

“I care about you, too. So much. Ava, I...”

“What?” she asked.

“Never mind. I don’t want you overdoing it again, honey. And I don’t think this is a one-off thing. You push yourself hard, baby, in everything you do. And you don’t eat properly, I’m worried about you.”

“Sam, I’m fine,” she said with exasperation as she rolled to stare up at him. “I promise.”

He stared down at her. “Don’t lie, baby. That’s sure to get you a red ass quicker than anything else.”

She raised her brows. “I thought Roarke was the Dom.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t spank your butt if you need it,” he told her. Then sighing, he shook his head and held up his hands. “Truce, okay. Just know that when you’re ready to tell us, we’re here for you. No matter what.”

Yeah, like they’d want to hear about her problems. No man wanted to take on a girlfriend with issues. Ava didn’t know what she’d been thinking. She should just step back now before her heart got involved.

Right, like she didn’t already love them.

“You know what? I have stuff to do and I really need to get home.” She sat up, ready to move off the bed when Sam grabbed her arm, turning her. The misery on his face nearly shattered her heart.

“Don’t go. I’m sorry. I won’t speak about it again. Please, don’t go.”

“Oh, Sam.” She cupped her cheeks with her hands. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Don’t you realize this is for the best? This can’t work between the three of us. Things like this don’t happen outside of romance novels. It’s best I just go home now.”

“Best for who?” Roarke asked from the doorway.

She glanced over, shocked at the hurt in his face.

“F-for all of us,” she stuttered.

Roarke shook his head. “You don’t get to decide what’s best for us, Ava. That’s up to me. So you must be talking about yourself. What are you hiding?”

She swallowed heavily and glanced away.

“Ava, we want you here,” Sam told her. “We want to try and make this work. Sure, it’s not normal and there may be aspects of being with us that you find scary or overwhelming, but all you need to do is tell us and we’ll slow down, talk things over with you.” Sam grabbed her hands. “Ava, just give us a chance and we’ll show you more happiness than you ever knew existed, we’ll treat you like the precious person you are. We’ll love you, cherish you, watch over you. Please.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “Love?”

Roarke came to stand in front of them. “Yes, baby. We love you. Both of us. We want you. Both of us. Do you love us?”

She didn’t even hesitate.

“Yes.”

Sam sighed, relief filling his face.

“But there are things about me you don’t know. Things that might put you off being with me.”

Roarke narrowed his gaze. “You married? Got a secret boyfriend?”

She gasped. “No!”

“Criminal record?”

“No.”

“Well, then, it can’t be too bad.”

“Yes, it can,” she whispered.

“Tell us,” Sam urged.

“I can’t. I’m not ready. I’m scared when I tell you that you’ll think I’m too much work.”

Roarke crouched down. “Ava. Look at me.”

She glanced up at him, tears welling in her eyes.

“Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it, okay? Trust us. We both come with our own issues, everybody does.”

She nodded, tears falling down her cheeks. “I want to tell you, it’s just hard...” she sobbed.

Roarke drew her into his arms, Sam hugging her from behind as they surrounded her, holding her close. Damn these two sure knew how to make a girl feel secure. She sighed with pleasure, resting her head against Roarke’s chest.

Pulling back, Roarke kissed her on the nose. “How about if we cuddle on the sofa and watch a movie?”

“You as well?” she asked and he nodded, surprising her.

“And when you’re ready to talk, we’ll be here to listen. Just don’t take too long.”

“Yes, Sir.”

*****

“Please, Roarke. I’m ready.” Ava looked at him, holding her breath as he stared back. It had been two weeks since he and Sam had turned up at The Wild Tortoise for her and although they’d played plenty in the bedroom, with Roarke taking charge, she’d yet to experience the playroom firsthand.

She’d watched plenty.

She was ready. For all of it. Play and sex.

Finally, Roarke nodded. “All right. Pet, help our little one get ready.”

With a grin, she let Sam lead her away.

Sam took her to her bedroom and she gaped at what lay on the bed. A small, red negligee that was basically see-through.

“You expect me to wear that?” she squeaked. She still wasn’t all that comfortable being naked around them, but was this really any better?

“It’s this or naked,” Sam said cheerfully.

With a deep sigh, she picked up the negligee. “All right, I’ll wear this. Go get ready.”

Smiling, Sam gave her a deep kiss. “Stay here. I’ll come back and get you.”

Ava slipped the negligee on and stared at herself in the mirror, surprised at how the red of the negligee made her skin seem creamier, smoother. She looked hot. Sexy. A burst of self-confidence buoyed her.

“Wow.” Sam said.

Turning, the look of Sam’s heated wonder on his face gave her a further boost and as she walked towards him, she added an extra sway to her hips.

“You look hot.”

Yeah, she did.

Sam took her hand and led her out of the room.

“Damn, girl, I wish I could play with you tonight. I have never seen anything sexier.”

Ava smiled and took a deep breath as they entered the playroom.

Tonight she was going to experience all sort of delicious, scary things.

And she was nervous as hell.

Sam squeezed her hand then dropped to his knees on the mat. He spread his legs apart, dropped his hands onto his thighs and lowered his head. Ava gaped at him for a moment before quickly doing the same, albeit not nearly so quickly.

“Now that’s a sight to warm a dominant’s heart.” Roarke’s rich, deep voice washed over her in soothing waves. “I must have two of the sexiest, most delicious subs in the world. Shall we see if they’re the most obedient?”

His shoes came into Ava’s line of vision. “Undo my pants, little one,” he ordered gruffly.

With a gulp and a shiver of anticipation, she reached up and pulled down the zipper of his pants. It was the only item of clothing he had on, which was more than she or Sam had been allowed.

As she pulled his pants down, his cock sprang free.

Licking her lips, she reached out and touched it.

Smack!

She snatched her hand back where Roarke had sharply smacked it.

“Ouch!” She glared up at him.

He stared disapprovingly down at her, his eyebrow raised. “Did I say you could touch, little one?”

Shaking her head, she bit down on her lip, wondering if she’d already fucked things up.

“Hey now,” he said, his voice warmer as he cupped her cheek. “None of that now. You’re just new to this, little one, and you’re going to make mistakes. You can’t stress over that. If you make a mistake, I’ll correct you and you’ll try extra hard not to make it again, okay?”

With a deep breath she nodded and smiled.

“Good girl. Now take my dick into your mouth. No touching me, though.”

Eagerly she moved forward and took the thick, round head into her mouth.

“Ahh, that’s so good, little one.” He cupped the back of her head and she warmed at his praise. “Sam, take my balls into your mouth.”

Sam moved closer to her, ducking beneath and she wished she could see him taking Roarke’s sac into his mouth, but she was too busy concentrating on his delicious cock.

“Let me go now, little one and lick my shaft. Use Sam for balance if you need to. Shit, pet, that feels so good,” he told Sam.

With one hand on her head, his other on Sam’s neck, Roarke guided them both. Pleasure heated her blood, making her quiver as moisture escaped her folds.

“That’s right. Pet, play with my asshole. Little one, I want you to take me deep. Make me come. Take me in. Good girl, deep now.”

Opening her mouth wide, she took him in as deep as she could.

“Breathe through your nose. That feels so good.”

His cock seemed to grow larger then Roarke let out a loud groan. “I’m coming, my loves.”

Ava swallowed his seed, licking at him even when he was spent.

Breathing heavily, Roarke took a step back. Ava’s whimper joined Sam’s.

“Shh,” Roarke said soothingly, cupping each of their cheeks. “Thank you. That was magnificent. Now Sam, can you help our little one up, please? Then I want both of you to stand beside the St Andrew’s Cross.”