Wanting It All (The Passion Series Book 1) (24 page)

“Help yourself.  I’ll take one, sure.  You guys hungry?  Tiffany is making us dinner.” 

Lukus tries to keep his voice neutral, but he doesn’t miss the warning look Derek throws him over his shoulder on his way to the fridge.  It looks something like, “You’d better be keeping your fucking dick in your pants, man.”

Rachel is the one who answers him.  “I’m starving.  It really smells good in here.  I can’t believe how much more I’m already eating.  I dread getting fat.  I hope you aren’t going to get grossed out when I start putting on weight, Daddy.”

Derek delivers a beer to Lukus before walking to his wife and taking her into his arms.  “Little girl, I can’t wait.  You know I’m a boob guy and you’ve already started growing in all the right places.”  He boldly caresses her tender breast with one hand while holding her in a tight embrace with his other hand.  “I can’t wait to feel the baby growing and moving inside you.  You’ve been calling me Daddy for years.  I can’t believe that soon, I really will be one.”

Tiffany can’t take her eyes off of the newest couple to join them.  She hasn’t even officially met Rachel or Derek yet, but she’s surprised by the tenderness in the couple’s exchange, particularly since Derek looks like a menacing mercenary with his muscular build, edgy tattoos and badass attitude.  Up to this point, her only impression of Rachel was a quiet, fearful submissive.  

Tiff is surprised by this new, more confident and playful side of the sub.  It’s especially surprising considering the fact she’s just returning from a punishment.  A feeling something akin to relief passes through Tiff at she realizes her stereotypical view of submissives may be off base.  

“Mmm.” Brianna walks over to her best friend. “It smells great in here, Tiff.  I’m starving.  What are you making?”

Nothing fancy,” she says. “Just spaghetti and a salad.  I even found a chocolate brownie mix and thought about whipping that up for dessert.  I could really use a chocolate fix right about now.”  Lowering her voice, she leans into Brianna and asks quietly, “How are you?  Was it terrible?”

Bri can’t hide the truth from her friend.  “I won’t lie.  It was awful.  I never realized how much I depend on being able to hit my happy place to get through punishments.  Still, I feel strangely comforted that I did the crime and then I did the time.  Now it’s over.  That part I like.  And look, Derek had been so angry with Rachel, but once she’s punished, it’s like they can move past it and all is forgiven.  I just pray Markus gives me another chance.  I’d go through ten times as many canings if he’d just give me a chance to prove to him how much I love him and how sorry I am.”

Tiffany hugs her friend.  “I’m sure he’ll come around, like Lukus said.  He’s just hurting right now while it’s so fresh, but with a little bit of time, he’ll miss you and want to make it work.”

“I hope so Tiff.  I honestly don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t.  I can’t even imagine my life without him in it.”

“Don’t even try to.  You can worry about that if and when you need to.  Right now, just focus on getting through tonight.  Did Lukus tell you what’s going to happen?”

“No, and I’m not even sure I want him to.  It’s bad enough going through it, but if he tells me in advance, I’ll just get worked up and worried.  I’ll tell you, though; I
hate
the idea of him punishing me in front of everyone at the club again.  The punishment part is bad enough, but being on stage and having people witnessing my loss of control during the punishment is ten times worse.”

An involuntary shudder runs through Tiffany at her friend’s words.  “I can’t even imagine it.  It reminds me of how Beauty was always on display at the palace.  I so wanted to hate that damn book as I read it, but I can’t deny I had to masturbate at least once a chapter.  Damn, I think I creamed my panties just thinking about it.”

The girls share a naughty giggle at Tiffany’s predicament.  “Well, let’s pray he doesn’t have you sitting in the audience watching me tonight.  That would just be over-the-top weird.”

“No shit.  I’d end up getting into trouble myself because I’d be trying to get up on stage to stop Lukus from hurting you.”

Brianna sighs.  “Lukus won’t hurt me, Tiff.  Not really.  Even today, he stopped and gave me a chance to regroup halfway through the punishment.”

A feeling of uncertainty hits Tiffany.  She leans in even closer to her best friend, making double sure not to let their conversation be overheard.  “But didn’t it hurt?”

Bri leans in closer with her answer.  “God, yes.  It hurt like hell.”  Tiff can see Brianna remembering it as she reaches back with both hands to rub her sore ass through the soft robe.  Curious, Tiff is tempted to ask her friend to show her what her butt looks like after a dozen cane lashes but she stops herself, afraid the sight might cause her to run screaming from the building. 

‘If I had half a brain cell left, I’d have left long ago. Every minute I spend here, my ass gets closer to the fire.’

“Then I don’t get it, Bri.  Help me understand.  Why do you like it so much?”

“I don’t really
like
it.  I don’t know that I can explain it.” Bri thinks for a minute before continuing on.  “Sometimes I just
need
to turn over control.  Like today.  It helped that he tied me down.  Being immobile just sort of takes whatever happens out of my hands.  I guess that’s a big part of what I like.  I love the feeling when I finally submit.  It’s liberating in a strange way.”

Tiffany is quiet as she contemplates Bri’s response.  Before she can ask another question, she feels Lukus’ strong hands grip her hips from behind as he steps close.  He’s barely brushing his muscular chest against her back, but the slight contact causes her to shudder. She feels Lukus’ lips brushing intimately against her ear as he leans close to whisper to her.

“Baby, you left dinner unattended on the stove.  I was nice enough to turn it off for you this time, since I’m pretty sure you’re not prepared for the stiff punishment I’d be forced to dish out if you tried to burn down my loft.  Very naughty.”

‘Oh my freaking God.  Now I
know
I totally just creamed my panties.’

Tiffany knows she should feel threatened by his words, but right this minute, all she really wants to do is turn around, throw her arms around his neck and beg him to take her right there on the damn kitchen counter.  

Forcing herself to stay calm, she thanks him…
calmly
. “Thank you, Lukus.  That was very nice of you.”

Speaking a bit louder, he answers her.  “Yes, it was nice if I do say so myself.” 

Tiff risks taking a quick peek over her shoulder and her eyes meet the playful gaze of the Dom.  The humor found there relaxes her enough to catch her breath right up to the point where he takes a half-step away from her and smacks her ass with this open palm. 

“Now get back in there and finish up.  I’m starving.”

She reflexively spins around, ready to give him a piece of her mind, but the words die on her lips as his eyes hungrily scan her body. Tiffany can’t miss the change in his breathing as he focuses on her cleavage, and she’s having trouble catching her own breath.  It only gets worse when she boldly allows her own eyes to drift lower, taking in the large protrusion jutting out from his jeans.

A low moan actually escapes from Tiffany.  Before she can even feel embarrassed, Lukus responds with his own low groan.  It sounds like he’s in pain and Tiff smiles when she realizes he most likely
is
in pain with that hard-on squashed into those tight, sexy jeans all day.

‘Shit. Forget about creamed panties.  I’m soaked now.  I’m so screwed.’

With a light giggle, Brianna steps closer to the distracted couple, clearing her throat in an attempt to get their attention.  “Lukus, I would really love to take a shower.  If you don’t mind, can I please use your bathroom?”

Without taking his eyes off Tiffany, he answers her distractedly.  “Sure. Whatever.”

Brianna looks back and forth between her two friends several times, before chuckling, “Have fun you two,” she calls as she heads to the bathroom. “Don’t get so distracted you burn dinner.”

Tiffany finally snaps out of her Lukus-induced trance just in time for Derek and Rachel to announce their departure, too.  “Hey.  We’re going go get cleaned up in the guest room.  We’ll be back out in a little bit.”  

Tiffany glances up in time to see Derek scooping his wife up in his arms to romantically carry her to the guest room. He stops on the way out of the room to have a word with Lukus. Tiffany can’t hear the conversation, only Derek’s reply. “Sure thing.  I’ll take care of that right after I take care of Rachel.”

Lukus laughs a knowing laugh.  “Jesus Christ.  You two fuck more than anyone else I know.  Have fun.  Just don’t forget to take care of that before we need to head downstairs after dinner.”

Tiffany isn’t used to people discussing their intention to have sex so blatantly in front of her.  She was on the edge before, but only now does she realize her pussy is actually throbbing. Lucky for her, her head is stronger than her wayward girly parts.  Before Lukus can close the distance between them again, she quickly sidesteps, heading back to the stove to relight the gas burners.

She works hard to focus on the task at hand, but it’s not easy. It gets harder to ignore him though when he retakes his seat directly across the island from her.  Apparently he wants a front row seat to her cooking show.  She should feel safer with the wide island between them, but she’s not foolish enough to think the granite expanse offers any kind of real protection from the Dom.

The first minute or two tick by in quiet awkwardness.  Now that they’re alone again, it feels like all her assertiveness has deserted her to be replaced by a shy embarrassment.  She goes about browning the hamburger and chopping veggies for the sauce and salad, hoping to appear too busy to talk.  But Lukus is on to her.

“So, are you planning on just ignoring me?”

She keeps her eyes on the cutting board as she answers him with as steady a voice as she can muster.  “Of course not.  I’m not sure it would be possible to ignore you, Lukus.  I’m just trying to finish dinner.”

“I see that.  But since you’re stuck with me, at least for a little bit, maybe you should tell me something about yourself I should know.”

Tiffany’s heart jumps.  She’s confused about why he’s trying to make small talk.  She’d half expected him to pounce on her once they were alone and she tries to push down her confused disappointment at his gentlemanly demeanor.  She glances up as she replies.  “Really?  I’m surprised you’re going the small talk route.”  Tiff is mad at herself when she hears the surprised annoyance coming through in her tone.

“I never said it had to be small talk.  You assumed that.  Maybe I want you to tell me some deep dark secret.”  She looks up again to catch his devilish grin as she sees he’s teasing her… egging her on.

“I think I’ll keep all of my deep dark secrets to myself, thank you very much.”  Tiffany is running out of cooking tasks to make her look busy.   She knows she’s starting to look stupid by continuing to stir and stir the same pot unnecessarily.  She suspects he’s noticed because when she finally aborts her stirring to look up again, he’s staring at her, waiting.

“What?” she says nervously.

“I’m waiting.  Tell me one thing you think will surprise me.”

“Are you going to tell me something too?”

He only hesitates a second before smiling.  “Sure.  Why not.”

Her mind is racing to come up with something funny… clever…
non-sexual
.  Tiff finds her task harder than ever since right now, she can think of almost
nothing
but sex with him so close.  Finally, her mind blank, she gives up.  “I truly can’t think of a single thing right now.”

“Really?  That’s curious.  How about I make it easier on you then.  I’ll ask you one direct question and then you get to ask one of me.  Kind of like truth or dare… only without the dare.  You game?”

She knows she should decline.  This is a very dangerous game to play with a man like Lukus.  Still…

“I did say I was a good swimmer,” she says.  “I guess I’ll take one question from the shark in the tank.” 

Lukus’ grin is disarming.  She suspects she’s falling into a trap.

“Let’s see.  Such decisions.  I think I’ll go with a rather obvious question.” 

He pauses dramatically and she can almost hear the drum roll.  She’s wary when his jovial expression is replaced with a smoldering, primal glare.  “Tell me the truth… and I’ll know if you’re lying to me, Tiffany.  After Bri, Derek and Rachel left us alone, did you expect me to bend you over the counter and fuck you?  Scratch that.  When we were alone, did you
want
me to bend you over the counter and fuck you?” 

‘OMG, I can feel the freaking juices dripping down my leg now I’m so turned on.  How could he know?’

Her heart is racing so hard she hears the pounding in her ears.  How in the world did she not see this coming?  What the hell was she thinking playing a game like this with such a dangerous man? 

‘Now what?  Do I tell him the truth?  Will he be able to tell if I lie?  How will I look him in the face if I tell him the truth?’

The flood of internal questions continues as he patiently waits for her answer.  When she opens her mouth, she’s not really sure what’s going to come out until she hears it for herself.  She goes with less is more and softly answers.  “Yes.”

His face lights up at her answer.  Tiffany can’t help but be glad she told him the truth.  A stray thought flits through her racing brain that she might consider walking over hot coals if it means getting to see this sexy look on his face again.  He’s truly mesmerizing.

Tiffany finally wakes up when she realizes he’s probably waiting for her to ask him a question.  It’s hard to concentrate when he’s watching her so intently, especially now that he knows definitively she wants him.  The only lame question she can think of for the Dom is the obvious one, but she doesn’t need to waste her question asking if he wants to bend her over the counter.  His eyes and too-tight jeans already answered that question long ago.

She finally clears the cobwebs in her brain long enough to think of the question she most wants an answer to.  It’s personal.  It’s perfect for this game.  “My turn.  Tell me Lukus… and I’ll know if you’re lying to me.”  She pauses to put a twinkle in her eye as she parrots his prior warning back at him.  “Have you ever had just a normal, vanilla relationship or have you always been in a D/s relationship?”