The Beginning of Us (103 page)

“I know and that scares me.”

“As it should.”

I frowned. “Really?”

“Being vulnerable
is
scary, Keely.” His voice softened. “But as your Dom, it’s my job to protect you and make sure that you are happy.”

“My Dom?” I repeated, testing those words on my tongue. Those words sounded…normal. Like they were meant to be. Who knew that after everything I had been through that I would allow another man to control me? But he didn’t control me in the way that Devin tried to. It was give and take. It was all so confusing.

“You read, Keely. You know what I’m referring to,” Parker said casually, clipping the cuff links in the sleeves of his shirt. P.R. shone in gold lettering that was encased in black stone.

“Yes, but none of the men in my books are like you.” I grabbed his black tie off the bed and slipped it around his thick neck.

“That’s because this is real life. People aren’t perfect. You and I? We’ll learn together, pet,” he said softly, brushing his fingers along my nape.

I liked the sound of that. I finished doing up the tie and grazed my hands down the front of his hard chest. “Perfect.” I smiled up at him.

He grabbed my hands and kissed my knuckles, sinking his teeth into the soft skin of my palm. “When we get home, I have something to show you,” he said softly.

I nodded slowly. “Okay. What?”

His mouth slid along my forearm. “Something that I think you’ll enjoy.”

My heart sped up, my breathing erratic as I watched his soft mouth move over my skin.

“Something that you’ve never experienced before.”

I couldn’t imagine what it was. “Tell me.”

“Patience.” He pulled me in front of him and wrapped a hand around my throat, tilting my head back. “Look in the mirror, pet.”

I did as he said. His large hand cupped my jaw as he held me against him.

In a quick move, he had both my wrists behind my back, holding me in place.

My chest rose and fell with each ragged breath as I waited. For his instructions. His demands. His need to tell me what to do. I gave in. Always. And I didn’t mind at all.

“I will teach you the ultimate seduction of power.” He tightened his hold on me, igniting a whimper from my lips.

My body heated, a tingle of desire spreading through my very being.

“I will show you what pure submission looks like and
feels
like,” he purred against my neck. “I will give you control in its greatest form.” His hot breath washed over my ear. “
Me
.”

“Oh. My,” I breathed, my legs weak, my knees buckling with the dark intensity of his stare.

“I’ll fulfill all of your dirty little fantasies.”

“I…I think you’ve already done that,” I said, leaning back against him. My skin tingled, the hairs on my body vibrating.

A deep chuckle sounded from his chest. “We’re just getting started and I won’t stop until you’re mine completely.”

“Why?”

He spun me in his arms, keeping hold of my wrists and pushed me back against the wall. “There’s something dark inside of you. Something that needs to come out. Something that wants to…” He licked his lips, a slight smirk spreading on his face. “Play.”

My heart raced. “I don’t know…what you’re talking about.”

“You will.” He leaned down to my ear. “Because I’m going to be the one that brings it out of you.”

A nervous energy travelled through me when he released me completely and took a step back. My cheeks heated, feeling self-conscious at the dark intense stare, like he was reading my thoughts. Pulling all of my dirty and dark fantasies to the forefront of my mind.

I cleared my throat and turned towards the mirror. I gave one last twirl. Troy and Patrick would be impressed. “Wait.”

“What?”

“Can we take a picture?”

Parker raised an eyebrow. “You want a picture with me?”

I nodded. “I know there’s going to be tons taken by the media but I want one just for us.” My stomach twisted. “If you—”

He grabbed my phone and pulled me closer. “Pose, kitten.”

I smiled and kissed his cheek as the flash went off.

His eyes warmed. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”

I giggled and yelped when he swatted my ass.

Parker’s phone rang as we headed out into the hall. “Yeah. Yes, we’re ready. We’re in the hall. Alright. Meet you in the limo.”

“Everything okay?” I asked as we made our way to the limousine out front of the hotel.

“Yes. Aidan has Liz a little tied up.”

I laughed and then my smile fell. “Wait...what?”

“What?” Parker continued making his way to the elevator.

“Parker.” I ran up to him. “Is she actually tied up?”

“Yes.” He met my gaze. “You had no idea that they were fucking?”

“Uh no. Aren’t we going to be late?”

“Vain is already at the limo. Charlie is...around.”

“Around?”

Parker kissed my head. “You worry way too much, pet. You’re protected.”

A sigh of relief left me. My shoulders lifted as I took a deep breath. It felt like a weight had been lifted off of my body.

“Wanna tell me about your dream?” Parker asked, opening the limo door for me.

Not really. I slid onto the black leather and waited for him to join me. “I don’t remember much of it but I know that it was about Devin.”

“Have you taken counseling or anything?”

I scoffed. “I can’t. You are the first person besides Troy that I’ve talked to. And he only knows because he knew Devin and walked in on…stuff.”

“What stuff?”

“Me being strapped to the bed.” I swallowed past the bile that rose in my throat. “I think that’s probably why being restrained terrifies me but…” I looked up at him. “It only scared me the once but not the other times.”

Parker brushed his thumb along my lips before replacing it with his mouth, easing my pounding heart. “You haven’t been properly restrained, pet, but if that’s a hard limit…”

“Hard limit?”

“Something you don’t want to do. Soft limits are things you would try.”

I nodded. “I’ve read about those in books.”

“Is BDSM your favorite genre, kitten?” he teased, brushing his finger along my arm.

“Maybe.” I glanced up at him. “How do you know when to distract me? It’s like as soon as my heart starts racing, you swoop in and ask me something else, getting my mind off the issue that’s bothering me?”

“Because I’m good.”

“And a tad cocky,” I scoffed.

He chuckled. “I could see the signs, Keely. I’ve practiced long enough to know when someone is about to have a panic attack or…lose it.”

“You amaze me,” I whispered.

Our gazes locked. The air crackled and fizzled between us.

“Did your parents know?” he asked, clearing his throat.

My eyes burned. “No. They knew something was up though when they asked me one day why I was losing so much weight.”

“Shit, Keely.”

“Parker. Thank you. For everything. But I really don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Devin may have broken me but I refused to let him control me.

We sat in silence for what felt like forever. Parker rubbed his thumb along the side of my neck, keeping his arm wrapped around my shoulders.

“When we get home, besides showing you my little surprise,” he winked. “I would like to take you on a date.”

“I would like that.”

“Good.” He kissed my nose. “Cause you are not getting rid of me that easily.”

I grinned. “I don’t want to.”

He cupped my inner thigh, holding me. Gripping me tight.

I placed my hand on his, rubbing a thumb over his tattoos.
Love
was spelled out on his thick strong fingers. Images of them being on my body, inside of me, all over me, heated my skin. I shifted in my seat.

I didn’t know what I was doing. I didn’t know what would come out of this but I knew that I wanted more. But I needed to make some changes before anything like that happened.

Aidan and Liz came out of the hotel a moment later holding hands and made their way towards the limo.

“The way they acted on the plane, I didn’t think they were together,” I stated.

“They have an on-again off-again relationship.” Parker slid closer to me, allowing room for the others. “It’s been going on for a year. She’s a brat and he loves it.”

Interesting.

They slid into the limousine, a soft smile splayed on Liz’s face. Her eyes were glassy, a rosy tint to her cheeks. She looked relaxed. Well-used. She met my stare and smiled.

Aidan leaned down to her ear, whispering softly. She nodded. He cupped her cheek, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Liz leaned into his palm, a soft sigh leaving her lips.

“She looks drunk,” I whispered to Parker.

His jaw ticked. “Yeah, she does.” He turned to Aidan as Charlie and Collin filed into the vehicle. “She should be resting.”

Aidan’s gaze hardened. “I know that, your highness.”

“Take the attitude down a notch, fucker.”

“Guys.” Liz sat up. “I’m fine. Tired but I’m fine. We’ll have dinner and then Aidan will bring me back.”

“To sleep,” Parker added.

“I’m not new,” Aidan snapped.

“Well then stop thinking with your dick and take care of your sub.” Parker gripped my hand.

Aidan looked away.

“I’m fine,” Liz repeated. She looked between Parker and Aidan. “I am. Honest.”

Collin crossed his arms under his chest and grunted.

Charlie shifted in his seat but didn’t say a word.

The four big men in the limo took up a lot of space. Suddenly, I felt very small.

“Is she going to be okay?” I asked, worry settling in my belly.

“Yes. She will be. Charlie, keep an eye on them,” Parker barked.

Aidan’s head whipped around. “Reed, I don’t—”

“Listen, Aidan. I know you aren’t new,” he said, his voice cold. “But you of all people should know better.”

“You need men at your back.”

“I’d rather you take care of her, then worry about me.”

Aidan sighed, slowly nodding. “We’ll eat dinner and come back to the hotel.”

Liz shook her head. “But, Parker, you need—”

“You arguing me with me, pet?” Parker growled.

Liz quickly shook her head.

“Didn’t think so. Now, you will do as your Dom demands. It’s not an option.”

She snapped her mouth shut. “Yes, Sir.”

When the limo came to a stop ten minutes later, everyone filed out when Parker turned to me.

“What you saw was a Dom not meeting his sub’s needs and placing his before hers.” He pinched my chin. “Like I told you, we are all human and make mistakes. We’re not in one of your romance books, but Aidan knows better. He owns a club. He’s kicked people out for less.”

I nodded, not taking my gaze away from his. “I understand.”

“Do you, pet? What I want, you will give me. I will mold you, shape you, push you but I will never let you fall. I’ll be right there by your side, holding you up. Do you understand
that
?”

I swallowed past the hard lump in my throat. “It sounds exciting and scary.”

“It is. BDSM is not all hearts and flowers like a lot of those books make it out to be. But a good Dom or Domme always listens to their sub and does their research; a lot of those books don’t portray that either.” He kissed me fully on the mouth. “Now answer me, pet. You have a safe word. You can use it and everything stops. I don’t mean when we’re having sex. You can use it in general and we’ll be done. Do you understand?”

“I don’t want—”

“Do you understand?” he asked slowly.

“Yes. I understand.”

A breath left him like he thought I’d say no or safe word out. “Good girl. Now let’s go. You need to eat.”

My stomach rumbled and we both laughed.

As soon as we left the vehicle I realized Charlie and Collin were standing on either side of the door. They both nodded at me and followed us into the convention hall.

Cameras flashed and reporters forced microphones into Parker’s face. At one point they tried separating us but Parker snapped at them, pulling me tighter against his side.

Collin and Charlie held the paparazzi and media back but the two men could only do so much.

I was suddenly shoved from behind and if Parker didn’t have a hold on my elbow, I would have fallen flat on my face.

“What the hell?” he growled.

I looked around me and that was when I saw him.

Cold black eyes. Dark hair. Shaved head. Strong chiseled jaw. He was big. Larger than I remembered. And his cold gaze bored into mine. His lips turned up into a sneer.

I clutched my throat. “Devin.”

NINE

“Parker.” I grabbed his arm, pulling him back to the door. My whole body trembled, convulsing with fear of the unknown.

His brow wrinkled. “What’s wrong?”

“I saw him.” I shook my head trying to get rid of the sound of my heartbeat thrashing in my ears. My gaze moved around outside, over the crowd, back and forth, but I couldn’t see him. Anywhere.

“Who, pet?” He cupped my neck. “Who did you see?”

My body shook, a cold sweat racing down my spine. “Devin.”

An animalistic growl left Parker’s mouth. “Vain, Charlie. Get your men and fucking search this place.”

They both disappeared into the crowd.

“They…they need to protect you,” I pointed out.

“And
I
need to protect you. See the men in black suits?” he asked, leaning down to my ear.

“Yes,” I whispered. They were everywhere. Leaning against the walls, talking into ear pieces. Watching everyone and everything.

“They are here to protect me but you are with me, so they’ll protect you as well.” His thumb brushed over my mouth. “You’re mine,” he whispered.

For the moment? Just until he got his fill of me?

“Don’t doubt me,” he said, his voice firm.

Doubt was a part of me. How could I not doubt him after everything I had been through?
Enough with the pity party, Keely.

I sighed and grabbed hold of his hand as he led us into the hall. My eyes widened. A large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. A hundred tables, if not more, lined the floor of the vast room. Red tablecloths covered the tables, along with white and silver vases holding yellow roses. A touch of crimson bled onto the petals. It was utterly breath taking.