Chapter 18

EARSPLITTING SCREAMS in the night jolted Tristan upright in bed. Disoriented at such an abrupt awakening, it took a moment for him to register that the screaming was an alarm, and it was seeping through the wall he shared with Piper. Fueled by adrenaline, he didn’t bother with clothing, dashing down the stairs and out his front door in his boxer briefs and bare feet.

In seconds, he crossed the courtyard and bounded up her steps. Amidst the cacophony of the blaring alarm, he could hear her frantic mutterings as she desperately struggled to silence the system.

Tristan entered her passcode, relieved she hadn’t changed it, and was through her wrought iron security door in seconds.

She shouted in desperation while frantically pressing buttons. “Why won’t it reset?”

He brushed her trembling hands aside and quickly entered an override. When the alarm finally fell silent, Piper released a ragged breath, her eyes meeting his in gratitude.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know, but it startled me out of a sound sleep, and I jumped out of bed.” She bent to rub her leg. “I banged my shin so hard, it’s definitely gonna bruise.”

When she straightened, she ran her fingers through her sleep-tousled hair. His gaze skimmed down her front, taking in her ribbed white tank and short shorts, revealing her long, tanned legs. The temptation was too strong for his exhausted mind and weary body to resist. He had to go, but first, he needed to do a safety sweep to make sure everything was secure.

“Stay here while I check things out,” he said more abruptly than he meant to. But even in the dim hall, he could see the outline of her nipples through the thin material.

After checking every door and window, and finding everything in order, he returned to her.

“It could have been a bird or the wind. I’ll come by tomorrow when it’s light and check the sensitivity settings.”

“Okay, thanks.” Her voice, still husky from sleep, had the same seductive quality as when she’d come so spectacularly from his hand in her panties.

One minute, he was telling himself to get out of there, fast, and the next, he had her against the wall, her soft curves molded to his hard body. His mouth covered hers, and his tongue swept inside, savoring her honey sweetness. The passion wasn’t one-sided. Piper kissed him back, hungrily, her leg around his hip with her heel digging into his ass. It ignited from there, their hips grinding together, his cock pressing against the warm haven between her thighs. Her breathless moan broke through the haze of his runaway desire, and he tore his mouth away, breathing hard.

“We should stop...”

Her hands slid up his neck, one gliding over his head. “What if I don’t want to?” she asked, as winded as he was.

“I want you, Piper, but I’ve got baggage.”

“Don’t we all?”

“Not like mine. Nothing has changed. I’m not interested in long-term.”

“Who said I was? Can’t we just be...neighborly?”

“Is that what we’re doing?” he quipped. “I’ve never dry-humped a neighbor against the wall before.”

“Me neither. But it’s going swimmingly so far, don’t you think?”

Caught off guard by her teasing, he stifled a laugh. In a complete 180 from the intensity of seconds ago, he brushed her hair back from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. “I don’t want you hurt when this ends.”

She returned his gaze steadily. “I told you once I’m a big girl, and I’m going into this with my eyes wide open.”

“You’re certain?”

Leaning into him, she whispered, “Completely.”

His desire for her overrode his skepticism, and he accepted her answer. Thank fuck , because he wasn’t sure how he would walk away. His hands roamed her body, reveling in the heat and softness of her skin beneath his fingertips. Her breath hitched as he trailed kisses down her neck, his lips leaving a wet trail in their wake. They moved together, their bodies fitting perfectly like two puzzle pieces.

Tristan lifted her up against the wall, his knee slipping between her legs, prompting her to wrap them around his waist. His hand slipped between them, finding her heat and wetness, but her shorts were in the way.

With a frustrated growl, he spun with her in his arms and planted her ass on the kitchen counter, the cool surface a startling contrast to the heat between them.

“Hands up,” he ordered and whisked her tank over her head when she complied.

He planned to strip her shorts from her next, but her full pink-tipped breasts were too tempting. Curling his hands beneath both, he plumped them up, licking then sucking one hard peak into his mouth. Her hands slid up his back, fingers clutching his shoulders as whimpers of pleasure rose from her throat.

He moved to the other breast, murmuring, “You’re so damn beautiful,” before he took the other nipple into his mouth. As he greedily tasted and nibbled, his thumbs slipped into the waistband of her shorts. She lifted her hips, eager to help, when he pulled them down.

Tristan remembered protection and reached for his wallet, only to bite out in frustration, “fucking hell,” when he realized he was standing there in nothing but his boxers.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“No condom. I wasn’t expecting to do this when I rushed out of my house in my underwear.”

“I have some.”

“I’ll go get them. Where are they? Upstairs?”

“Actually,” she said, blushing. “They’re on the end table in the living room.”

He stared down at her, surprised, because that was a damn unusual place to store them, but he really didn’t care at this point. Scooping her up once again, he swiftly made his way to the couch, where he set her on her feet. She reached for a black and gold gift bag on the table and poured out a collection of business cards, foil-wrapped packets, and candy. Amongst the pile, he spotted a penis-shaped lollipop. Holding it up, he raised an eyebrow.

She snatched it from his hand and exchanged it for a red foil packet. “They were giving out samples and goodies at the vendor fair.”

He spotted a sticker for Leather and Lace and Josie’s website on the packet. “What a stroke of luck for us.”

Tristan shucked his boxers, ripped the wrapper open with his teeth, and rolled it on. “Now then, where were we?”

Piper didn’t answer, her gaze fixed on the red latex-covered length that extended between them.

“Never mind. I remember,” he said, lifting her and lying her back on the couch.

He spread her thighs, and like when he’d first glimpsed her breasts, he couldn’t taste her glistening, pink pussy fast enough. But he forced himself to go slow as he parted her with his thumbs and licked through her folds to her clit. She let out a cry, half moan, half whimper, as he sucked and flicked it with his tongue. That small taste was all he allowed them, needing to be inside her.

Tracing kisses up her body until he reached her mouth, he sealed his lips over hers as he slowly and purposefully entered her. Piper gripped his shoulders, arching her back and surrendering fully, as, inch by slow inch, he sank into her.

Once he bottomed out, her heat, tightness, and glorious wetness surrounding him, slow went out the window. Their movements became urgent, the need they had for each other driving their passion. The sound of skin on skin filled the room, mixing with their ragged breathing and whispered moans. Tristan’s hands gripped her hips, guiding her movements as they found a rhythm both wild and intoxicating.

Piper came first, her ecstatic cries reaching a crescendo. He swiftly followed suit, his own sounds of pleasure blending with hers.

In the aftermath, as their bodies cooled and their breathing returned to normal, they lay entwined on the couch. The heady scent of sex permeated the air.

When had he wanted a woman so badly, he let his body rule his head? Piper was dangerous to his quiet, orderly life, but now that he’d had her, he had to have more of her in his ropes, in his arms, and in his bed. But he had to shield his heart because it would end. It had to. He couldn’t go through the pain of losing her like he had everyone else in his life, especially Nolan.

But as she stirred beside him, the soft sound of her contented sigh evoked in him a bittersweet blend of longing and regret. For all his experience, he was defenseless to her innocent allure, and he feared it was much too late for protective barriers.

PIPER WALKED HIM TO the door just before sunrise. He could tell she wasn’t ready for him to go.

“Are you sure you can’t stay for coffee? I’m not a big breakfast eater, but I could make you eggs and toast.”

Lord, he was tempted. For all his concerns that she’d be the one confused, he found himself conflicted. The chemistry between them was off the charts, and for all his frowns and grumbling, he liked her. She was funny, sweet, and hot as fuck. But as much as he wanted to stay, it wasn’t an option, and, luckily, he had an excellent excuse to go.

“I have to shower and be across town to relieve someone at eight.”

He was on her front porch, escape was imminent, then he turned to say goodbye. Colossal tactical error with Piper back in her tank and shorts, hair mussed from his fingers, and cheeks pink from passion and beard burn. Tristan didn’t think of the potential consequences. He pulled her through the doorway and into his arms for another hot and steamy kiss right there on her doorstep.

“We can pick up where we left off tonight,” he told her long minutes later.

“Oh, well, um.” Flustered, she smoothed her hair and stroked her kiss-swollen lips. “I’d love to, really. But I have plans.”

“Change them,” he insisted.

“I already RSVP’d.”

“To what?”

“Master Eric called me yesterday. My application for membership was approved. Shortly after, his wife Val reached out to invite me to something called little black dress night , which is tonight. I got the impression it was a rite of passage for club submissives.”

“You joined even though you knew I was against it?”

“Well...yes. On a ninety-day trial membership.” Tilting her chin up, Piper’s unwavering gaze met his, appearing completely unintimidated. “We haven’t been on the best of terms—other than tonight.”

“And you were planning to go alone?”

“I was hoping to go with Josie, but she withdrew her application at the last minute. Something happened between her and Axyl. Any idea what it was?”

“No clue. I asked, and he wouldn’t say, and he hasn’t brought up that night since.”

He didn’t want to talk about Axyl and Josie. His concern was for her. They were neighbors, new lovers, and not really friends. He’d seen to that. Even though he’d tried, he had no right to dictate whether or not she could join the club, but he couldn’t bear the thought of her being there. Subs’ night out was always a madhouse. On the first Wednesday of the month, almost every submissive member, both male and female, single, married, and many collared, dressed to the nines and hit up the lounge for a night of music, dancing, and unlimited cocktails. As a result, the playroom was usually deserted. The doms, left to their own devices, headed to the lounge for the show—and he didn’t mean the one on the stage.

He hadn’t planned to go, but Piper in a seductive black dress, emanating an irresistible blend of innocence and sensuality, with her inhibitions set free by alcohol, would attract doms like bees to honey. She’d be safe from their kinky desires, but not from their smooth moves and plans for future seduction. There was only one way to protect her from the swarm.

“I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Oh, but...” She hesitated.

“Unless you’ve made plans with another dominant.”

Her lilting laughter resonated through the warm morning air. “Except for you, Master Eric, and Axyl—though he’s off-limits. I would never do that to a friend—who else do I know?”

A stray strand of her hair drifted across her face, prompting both of them to reach for it. Before she could, he tucked it behind her ear.

“So, seven it is?”

“Aren’t you afraid having me around will cramp your style?”

“I could ask the same of you, especially on subs’ night out.”

She snorted indelicately. “What style? Unless you consider hiding in a dark corner petrified that someone will ask me to scene with them a style.”

“You weren’t petrified with me,” he reminded her.

“That’s because you’re...” For the first time that morning, she looked away, avoiding his gaze.

“Finish what you were going to say.”

“I trust you.”

Not for a minute did he believe that’s what she intended, but trust was a major hurdle, and he didn’t press further. “If that’s the case, and to keep you out of dark corners, perhaps we should expand our arrangement.”

Her eyes came back to him. “What kind of arrangement? Like neighbors with benefits?”

“A little more in-depth, I think. You mentioned the many rules and nuances of BDSM. Most people new to the lifestyle have a mentor or teacher of some sort. I could be that for you and also show you the ropes.”

“Pun intended?” she asked with a trace of a smile.

“I’ve been looking for a regular model for demonstrations. Having to switch up every few weeks, often starting from scratch, is getting old. We could help each other.”

“But I’ve never modeled, and I’m not very flexible. All I know about shibari is what I’ve seen at your demonstration.”

“Trust me, you’ll be perfect,” he assured her. “But we can have a trial run. Not tonight but soon.”

“I’m not exactly fluent on BDSM rules and regulations, either.”

“As your dom and rigger, I’ll teach you what you need to know about submission and being a rope bottom.”

Her brow furrowed as she considered his offer. “Can we define how you’d be my dom a little more?”

“Yes. Negotiation up front is important. I’m suggesting a power exchange at the club. Ropes, bondage, some beginners’ toys, and, if we’re feeling it, a flogger—for now.”

“Um... What about sex?”

“That would continue. Unless you’re rescinding the with benefits part of being neighborly.”

She shook her head. “No, no. That’s all good.”

“Glad to hear,” he said, stifling his amusement.

Piper in contemplative mode, especially biting her plump lower lip, was a sight that could tempt even the most virtuous of saints. He wanted to take her in his arms, kiss her, and demonstrate precisely what he intended. With her still uncertain, he dangled another carrot instead.

“Many practitioners find shibari calming. Some do it solely for relaxation. It might help take your mind off your stalker.”

Still, she hesitated.

“I’ll take excellent care of you, Piper. You believe that, don’t you?”

“I do,” she said without skipping a beat. Suddenly, she nodded. “If it helps me forget I have a creep stalking me, even for a few minutes, count me in.”

He bent until they were nose to nose, close enough for him to kiss her, but he stopped there, or he’d never get to work. “We’re going to find him and put an end to this. In the meantime, I’ll see you at seven.”

“See you then, teacher.” Teasingly, she smiled up at him and suggested, “Or do I call you mentor? Or maybe sensei?”

“At Decadence, you call me sir or Master Tristan. Here, I’m just Tristan. The same as before.”

“Okay, Tristan. And thank you,” she said, big blue eyes wide and teasing aside. “I wasn’t looking forward to walking in there alone.”

Her innate sweetness and vulnerability got him every time. Although he wanted to carry her back inside and take her on the counter again—against the wall, on the floor, or in her bed would do too—he had to get to work. He settled for a quick kiss and was down the steps.

“Don’t forget to reset the alarm,” he called over his shoulder.

“When you find him, can I get rid of this alarm? It’s a royal pain in the patootie.”

Stopping at the bottom, he looked back up at her—delightfully flushed and mussed from sex. “You’re not in Iowa anymore, remember?”

“How could I forget?” she said with a sigh.

He waited until she closed the door. Through it, he could hear her complaining as she wrangled with her system. A faint beep followed then silence.

Walking the few feet to his front steps, he climbed them quickly, ignoring the uncomfortable tent pole in the front of his boxers. A stiff cock was a perpetual state around Piper.

This morning, there was something else he couldn’t ignore. Ever since he’d suggested expanding their arrangement, an uneasiness had settled into the pit of his stomach. It was like when he had a hunch that a case was about to go south. Those hunches were rarely off.

Piper was inexperienced and softhearted. He’d have to be extra careful with her, no matter her assurances. Perhaps he could help her find a safe dom she could build a future with.

But the thought of her with someone else twisted the uneasiness into an uncomfortable knot.

Hell, Rogers. You can’t have it both ways!

Surely, after all these years, his heart had hardened sufficiently that he could walk away when the time was right. Other doms took on new submissives for training all the time. Many for a defined period of time, then they moved on. Why did that seem so callous now?

Because this was gorgeous, funny, down-to-earth Piper, who was so fucking sweet he got a toothache. He couldn’t wait to see her wrapped in his ropes. Another driving force behind his suggestion; one taste of her wasn’t nearly enough.

“Damn,” he muttered as he entered his condo, barely keeping from slamming the door out of pure frustration.

A string of nagging thoughts plagued his mind. What if he was mistaken and his heart wasn’t shielded in stone, as he believed? What if he couldn’t walk away? What if what he feared most came true? That he came to care for her, possibly love her, then one day she suddenly vanished from his life, like everyone else, and his heart was decimated once again?