Chapter Three

Chapter ThreeAs the bartender set another glass of wine in front of me, I shifted on my stool. “I should just go.”On the stool beside mine, Cat frowned. “What? Why?”“Cole’s obviously not coming.”“Relax. He’ll be here.” She sipped at her cocktail. “I agree with Briar, you hooked him with that kiss last night.”I merely snorted, doubtful.“Ye of so little faith. He’ll come, you’ll see.”“I’m not waiting around all night.”She looked close to rolling her eyes. “You’ve been here fifteen minutes. Have some patience. It’s not as if he’s late.”I lifted my glass with a huff. The lounge was as busy as it usually was on Saturday evenings, but not rowdy. No matter how blitzed members got, no fights ever broke out, no arguments ever ensued, and no riotous laughs ever rang throughout the space. People were calm. Composed. Respectful of the rules.Part of that was undoubtedly because no one wanted to tangle with the owner of the club, Blake Mercier. Like Danton, he was somewhat ruthless and didn’t only involve himself in purely legal dealings. If there was ever any trouble in his club, Blake didn’t call the police. He had his own way of handling things, and you could guarantee that there would be some violence involved. That didn’t stop people from signing up to be members.I took a sip of my wine and then idly swept my gaze around the lounge. Briar had been right about one thing—if any people here knew about the article, they didn’t find anything amusing about it. People didn’t stare at me. There were no snickers or whispers or funny looks.And there was still no Cole.“I shouldn’t have come. I knew better than to think he’d turn up.”“He’ll show, I’m sure of it,” Cat firmly stated before knocking back the last of her cocktail. “I know it will sting you hard if he doesn’t—”“Whoa, it won’t sting. It’ll just annoy me, because it’ll mean I got all dolled up for nothing.”She snorted. “I’m not buying that bunch of bullshit. You’re not all frowny and edgy because you’re sure he won’t show. You feel like this because it bothers you just how much you want this guy to show.”“Couldn’t you have pretended you didn’t sense that? I would have felt more comfortable that way.”“I’m just, you know, keeping it real,” she said, her eyes lit with amusement. “I like that you’re into this dude.”I took a swig of my drink. “Speaking of dudes, here’s yours.” I tipped my chin toward Danton, who’d just stepped out of the elevator.His gaze locked on Cat pretty much instantly. He was seriously gorgeous. The kind of bloke who could rock a suit with a dignified elegance … but you just knew he could also pound a fucker into the ground like a savage—and without even ruffling his shirt.He crossed straight to Cat, sparing no other women a glance. I had no idea why she was so sure he had no real interest in her. There was no wayhe felt anything less than exceedingly territorial where she was concerned—anyone could see that. “You did what I asked,” he said to her. “Good.”What? What had he asked?He gave me a slow nod. “Evening, Isabel.”“Hi, Danton.” Why he didn’t simply call me Izzy like most people, I didn’t know.His brow pinched. “You meeting someone here?” he asked, sounding surprised. He probably thought I was here for Ryland and, given the recent media shitstorm, had no clue why I’d bother with the prick.“Yes,” I replied. “Cole Delaney.”His frown smoothed away. “We’ll wait with you until he arrives.” It was a declaration, not an offer.Really, I doubted that the thought of me sitting alone at the bar would bother him if I wasn’t a friend of Cat’s. Still, I gave him a thankful smile. I didn’t want to be sat here all on my lonesome. But as the minutes ticked by and my restlessness grew, I blurted out, “You two should head off. It’s looking like Cole won’t show.”“I wouldn’t say that,” Danton told me. “He just came off the elevator.”I turned my head and, yep, there he was, his sharp ultra-blue eyes scanning the lounge. My insides relaxed, and the tension slipped out of my muscles. He clocked me sitting at the bar, his lips hitched up slightly, and he made his way toward me.“Told you,” taunted Cat.I threw her an exasperated look.“You’ll be all right?” Danton asked me.“Yup, you don’t need to hang around,” I replied.He nodded, taking me at my word, and claimed Cat’s hand. “Let’s go.”She slid off the stool and beamed at me. “Enjoy your night.”“You, too,” I said as they walked off. I switched my gaze back to Cole, my pulse kicking up at the intent look he wore.He finally materialized at my side, his gaze warm and satisfied. “You came.”“As did you.” Even I heard the surprise in my voice.His brows inched up. “You thought I wouldn’t?”“I figured it was a possibility. I’m not exactly flying under the radar right now, thanks to the article you’ve no doubt heard about.”“I heard. The man’s a dick. He has no relevance here.” His eyes bore into mine. “This, tonight, is about you and me.”I sipped at my drink, aiming to look casual, hoping I wasn’t failing miserably. “And how exactly do you plan for the night to go?”“Well, it will depend on whether or not you’re up for entering one of the dome’s boxes with me.”Excitement buzzed along my nerve-endings. “Could be fun. I’ve never used one before.”“Good. Finish your drink and then we’ll go. There’s no rush.” He leaned against the bar and idly plucked at one of my curls.I took another sip of my wine. “So what’s the main appeal in the basement for you?”He twisted his mouth. “This is probably going to sound cold. The truth is … training takes up a lot of my time and attention. I don’t want the distractions that come with relationships. I don’t want to be made to feel guilty for prioritizing my goals.”“That doesn’t sound cold at all. There’s no reason why you should feel guilty.”“So I’ve been told by each bed-buddy I’ve had. In the beginning. But it always came to a point where they held against me that I’m so focused on my career. I suppose it’s one thing to be warned that you’ll come second and another to actually feel second.”Maybe so.“When it comes to shallow flings, the lines aren’t always clear cut. People have different definitions of them. For instance, some believe exclusivity should be a given, some don’t. Some believe ‘shallow’ nonetheless includes dating, some don’t. Some even see flings as stepping stones to real relationships whereas others view them as dead-ends.”I nodded, understanding. “Expectations can differ from person to person, which can cause problems for two people having a fling.”“Exactly. But here, everyone knows the score. Everyone knows there’s not a single string attached to anything that happens here unless someone specifies otherwise. I prefer that clarity.”I could relate to that. “Yeah, it takes a lot of pressure off all parties. I don’t find relationships easy. Or even flings. But I also don’t like one-night stands. It might not bother some people in the public eye that someone they picked up for the night isn’t so much interested in them as in fucking a celebrity, but it bothers me.”“Same here. Fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”“No, it isn’t. Here, there’s no gawking. No one asks for pictures, tries to creepily touch my hair, or calls me stuck up when I won’t give out my number.”“Is that the main appeal of the basement for you? The feeling of anonymity?”“That and the private rooms. When you’re in the public eye, you can’t explore a lot of your fantasies because you can’t trust that what you enjoy will remain private. You always have to be so careful of what you do and say because of how it can reflect on you, your career, and your family.”He hummed in agreement. “All that attention and pressure can make a person feel very limited. I want the freedom to be me.” An intensity gathered behind his eyes as he leaned toward me. “And part of being me is fucking someone where I want, when I want, however I want.”Every cell in my system lit right up at that declaration.He straightened. “On that topic … shall we get moving?”Well yes, yes that would work fine with me. I tossed back the last of my wine and then set my glass on the bar.He took my hand as I slid off my stool and then led me across the lounge, walking slightly in front of me, shielding me.My pulse raced as we made our way down the hallway toward the dome. Anticipation poured through my veins, hot and thick. My stomach felt light, fluttery, and giddy.It had been a while since I was this attracted to someone. It wasn’t merely about his looks, it was about the power leashed within that spectacularly built body; it was about how controlled he remained even as he unchained said power in the ring. It was about how I could quite easily sense that this man could give me what I needed; would take charge in a way that not only pushed my best buttons but would make me feel safe and free.He wouldn’t require direction, wouldn’t ask for permission, wouldn’t hesitate to do and take what he wanted. But he would stop instantly if I asked. I knew in my bones that he’d never take advantage of any power I granted him over me.Inside the dome, we shouldered our way through the many dancers as we made a beeline for the center box. He took out his membership card and swiped it in the lock, turning the little light there green as the door unlocked. People had to prebook access to boxes or rooms by phone or via email. The access would then be applied to their card, allowing them to use it as a key.I stepped inside … and just like that the mirrored walls were now windows. One had a wooden bench attached. Leather straps dangled from the ceiling among the not-too-bright spotlights.It was spacious enough that we could easily move around without bumping into each other or the windows, but it still gave a person that feeling of being … not quite trapped, but captured. As if we were inside a small interrogation room or something.Cole pinned his gaze on me, his feet planted, his posture strong; exuding such calm and authority and focus my mouth went dry. “Stand in the center.” It was a low-pitched order that rung with assertiveness. My body responded to it—nipples tightening, heart stuttering, lower stomach clenching, inner muscles heating.I did as he asked, never moving my gaze from his.He let out a satisfied hum. “Now I’m going to undress you. Stay very still. I’ll tell you to move when I want you to move.”My belly rolled. Well, all right, then.He didn’t rush. Didn’t fumble. Every movement steady, precise, and smooth, he gently pushed each strap of my dress over my shoulders, lowered the side zipper, and then let the dress drop to puddle at my feet.His eyes gleamed as they honed in on my bra-clad breasts. He reached behind me with one hand and deftly unhooked the closure like a pro. Not allowing myself to consider just how much experience he evidently had with unfastening bras, I watched as it slipped from my body and joined my dress on the floor.I felt my breathing speed up as his gaze drifted over me from head to toe, glittering almost feverishly. My breasts began to ache, and I almost swayed toward him … but then he crouched down.He caught the waistband of my underwear and slowly dragged it down my legs. His nose so close to my pussy, he inhaled deeply. “Step out of the clothes,” he ordered, his voice thick. “The shoes can stay. Good.” He neatly piled my clothes onto the bench and then moved back to me, his gaze so hungry it made me swallow hard. “Now, hold onto the handles above your head. Hmm, very good. Stay like that. I want to inspect you.”He wanted to, what?Cole very slowly circled me as he probed, shaped, flicked, and traced … like I was a prized object he intended to learn every inch of. Each touch was clinical with an edge of sensuality that set me on fire.He crouched down in front of me again, making my pulse kick up. He spread my folds, which were now warm and damp. He looked. Prodded. Explored in a distant, unmoved manner. I wouldn’t have thought such a thing would hit the right buttons for me, but it did.He ran his hands up my body as he stood, his eyes dark and heated. “I swear you’re a fucking wet dream come to life.”He shed his clothes in quick yet smooth movements, baring so much solid muscle I felt my thighs clench. After kicking his shoes under the bench, he added his clothes to my pile, giving me a glimpse of all those sleek back muscles that I really wanted to give a lick or two.Finally, Cole faced me again—naked, perfect, rock hard. He was so quintessentially male. All sex and confidence and raw animal magnetism. And my body was struggling to handle it. I was pretty sure my hormones had passed out.“Cole—”“I like hearing you say my name. That voice of yours is like velvet and crushed rock.” He moved closer, pressing his front against mine, letting me feel his cock throb against my lower stomach. Long and thick, it was as impressively built as the rest of him. “Do not let go of the handles unless you need me to stop—that’s your cue. Got it?”I nodded. “Got it.”His gaze snared mine. “Be warned, I’m not going to go easy on you. That control you’re clinging to right now? I’m going to wreck it. I’m going to knock down every filter and barrier you have. I’m going to make every thought in your head center around me. By the time I’m done, you’ll be my shaking, mindless, cock-hungry baby that wants only one thing—to come.” He swooped down and latched onto my nipple.What followed was sheer sexual ravishment. Or maybe torture. It felt as good as it did agonizing, because it went on and on and on.For what felt like hours,his tongue, teeth, lips, and hands devastated every part of my body with licks, nips, sucks, bites, squeezes, pinches, strokes. And each time I came close to coming, he’d ease up until my system calmed down.Then it would start all over again.I’d never been so wet or desperate to come in my life. Never once been on the verge of begging for release. Until now.Trembling, I flexed my hands on the straps. “Cole,” I said, a tremor in my voice. “I can’t take anymore.”He nuzzled my pussy. “You’re done when I say you’re done.” He swiped his tongue between my folds.There was more torture. More near-orgasms. More curses spluttering out of my mouth as he failed to send me over the edge.It was pleasure. It was pain. It was maddening. And I reached a strange, unfamiliar point where I felt … light. Weightless. Adrift.It was difficult to explain.I was firmly in the moment. Yet not. I was fully aware of every little detail. Yet not. As if I felt, saw, and heard it all but struggled to properly process it.There was no composure now. No walls. No wish to hold onto some element of control. Only a blazing need to be filled and fucked. By him. Not just anyone. It had to be Cole.I sagged when he denied me yet another orgasm. A sob caught in my dry throat, and I squeezed my eyes shut.His body heat disappeared. I heard a wrapper tear, but I didn’t look. Didn’t move. Didn’t—He was back, lifting my legs and hooking them around his waist. “Now it’s time for you to make me feel good.”My eyes snapped open at the feel of the head of his cock inching into my pussy. Yes, yes, this was what I needed.His hands cupped my arse. “You’re probably pretty swollen inside, so this might hurt. But you know what to do if it gets too much, don’t you?”I gave a slow, languid nod.He mercilessly thrust upwards, slamming his cock so deep a choking sound crawled up my throat. It hurt. It did. But I was so wet he easily hammered in and out of me, going balls-deep every time.I came within seconds, the orgasm all but tearing me apart and making my eyes go blind for a few seconds. He groaned but kept thrusting. Rutting.It was so basic. So unrestrained. So perfect. And so it wasn’t long before I came again. Not when he’d spent what could have been hours priming my body to explode.I felt his cock begin to swell and throb, felt his thrusts turn harder and more feral, felt his grip on my arse tighten to the point of near pain, and I knew his release was fast approaching. “Come,” I coaxed.“You first.” He shifted his angle slightly, striking my clit with each slam of his cock, and I fractured all over again as so much pleasure rocked my entire system—I screamed, tensed, felt my head fly back. He grunted into my neck, ramming faster and faster. And then he let go, biting out a curse.I pretty much went boneless.For long moments, we didn’t move, panting. Fucking hell that was spectacular. Unparalleled. I’d never come that hard in my life.It hadn’t been a mere fuck. It’d been a freaking session that had consisted of carnal pleasure, torturous teasing, and just the right amount of decadent pain. The bloke knew what he was about.He whispered softly as he pulled out, stroked my back, and waited for me to pull my mental shit together. He also sat me on the bench and massaged my arms—they didn’t ache much, but the massage was appreciated.Once we were both fully clothed again, he slowly zipped up my dress, his gaze catching mine as he said, “I don’t want this to be the only time I have you.”Delight unfurled in my stomach. My smile was unintentionally a little on the shy side. “I’m more than up for a repeat.”“I’m sensing a ‘but.’”“But here’s the thing. I don’t know how this media clusterfuck with Ryland is going to play out. It could ease off, or it could escalate. And I can’t protect you from being touched by it if Ryland decides to pull you into it. Which he might if he hears that you and me are meeting at the Vault. So I’m thinking it might be better for you if we wait until the fuss has died down.”Cole gave an uncaring shrug. “I can’t say I’d be bothered if the world thought I got to spank, cane, and whatever else they might imagine I’m doing to you. I’m pretty sure I’d be the envy of the male population.”“I’d tell you to be serious but you don’t look as if you’re joking.”“I’m not. And if you want my opinion, I don’t think Ryland would drag me into this if for no other reason than he won’t want the world to know you moved on from him so fast. You’re supposed to be drowning in sorrow after he dumped you.”“Contrary to what the article states, it was actually me who ended what was only ever a simple arrangement. And I’m not into even half of the kinks it listed.”Cole slanted his head. “Why did you end the arrangement?”“He demanded exclusivity in the beginning, but he didn’t stick to his part of the deal.”Cole’s brows snapped together. “How could he want anyone else when he had you?”I went all warm inside. “That’s a nice thing to say. Really, as much as he claimed to care for me and want us to have a real relationship, I don’t believe he was truly happy with me. Which isn’t a reason to cheat. I’m just saying I think he found it easy to betray me because my feelings don’t matter to him—and yet, he wanted us to take things to the next level.”“Seriously?”“The nerve of him, right?”Cole slid his hand up my arm. “I don’t know him, but he sounds like a weak prick. So maybe he didn’t trust that he had what it took to hold onto you. There’s something about you that makes you seem … unattainable. Unkeepable.” Cole fingered my earring. “In any case, I don’t give a fuck if he tries tossing shit at my door. I never let anyone keep me away from what I want. And what I presently want is more of you.”Now I was feeling tingly all over again. “Okay. But I won’t hold it against you if you change your mind at any point about waiting until after the media storm passes.”“I won’t change my mind. So, when will you next be at the Vault?”“Either next Friday or Saturday. I’m not sure yet.”“We’ll exchange numbers. You can text me when you are sure. Then we’ll arrange a time to meet up. Yes?” It wasn’t so much a question as a pressing suggestion.I felt my mouth curve even as I let out a long-suffering sigh at his bossiness. “I can agree to that. I suppose.”He smiled. “So very accommodating.”“Aren’t I just?”