Doms of Chicago, Boxed Set One, page 54
“If it’s you, yes.” Jackson moved as far away from Suzette as physically possible. If his look of contempt didn’t get his point across to Suzette, his words did.
“Aw come on, Jackson, surely you aren’t holding what happened several years ago against little ole me, are you?” Suzette’s rouged lips pouted as she sulked.
Damn, is she going for an Academy Award? She’s playing the genteel southern lady to the hilt despite the fact she’s an Army brat from the word go. Jude swore Suzette should’ve been born during the Civil War. All that was missing was a parasol and the dashing Rhett Butler to complete her image.
“I don’t have the time for this.” Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll catch you later, Jude. I have to go set up surveillance for Olivia’s. If you’re a good boy I might even cut you in on the skinny.” Heading towards the door, he gave Jude one last order. “Get rid of her.” Then he strode from the room without bothering to even acknowledge Suzette’s presence with a good-bye.
“Dammit, Jackson! You better give me updates!” Jude called after him. God damned bastard will hold out on me just on principle alone even if I get rid of this pain in the ass brat.
“Jude, honey.” Her red lacquered fingertips wrapped around his arm. “Let’s go have some lunch. I really could use a friend. You promised Dad…”
Looking into her pleading blue eyes, Jude mentally swore. Why the hell does she have to play the guilt card? “Listen, Suzette, you’re no longer a seventeen year old girl who lost her father. It’s been almost ten years, why haven’t you grown up yet? I refuse to keep bailing you out of trouble or be a convenient shoulder for you to cry on.” He jerked his arm away from her before pacing towards his desk. “In fact, I told you that the last time you called when your marriage was on the rocks.”
Her lower lip trembled. “Why are you being so cruel, Jude?”
Sinking into his leather chair, he used the mouse to wake up his computer. “What did you expect me to do? Welcome you with open arms after you ripped my best friend’s heart out?”
Razor straight white teeth nibbled on her lower lip. “And what if I told you I was sorry and I know I made a huge mistake?”
Jude didn’t bother to look up. “Then I’d say you’re apologizing to the wrong man.” He glanced up from his computer. “You were a cruel, heartless bitch.”
A bitter laugh escaped her. “Aren’t all women at one time or another? I was pregnant and hormonal. So sue me. Once I lost the baby, everything went back to an even keel, but I was already married to Stewart.”
“Don’t you mean aborted?”
She shrugged. “You say to-may-toe, I say to-mah-toe.” She moved closer to his desk.
He gave a snort. “Please, this isn’t something as simple as the pronunciation of a piece of fruit. You murdered Jackson’s child once you got that golden ring out of Stewart.”
She paled. “I did not murder Jackson’s baby! I wasn’t even six weeks pregnant - it wasn’t even a baby yet. Besides Stewart didn’t want to raise another man’s baby, so…”
“You did what you always do. You looked out for number one.” He shook his head before squeezing the bridge of his nose. Opening his eyes he gave her a sardonic look. “You were a manipulative little brat as a kid and let me tell you, Suzette, you haven’t changed. You’re still a royal bitch to your toes, always looking for the next sucker.”
Her face grew red, her breasts heaved. “You…”
He smirked at her. “Asshole? Bastard?”
Her outraged gasp had him chuckling.
“What’s wrong? Can’t force yourself to say it? You don’t dare let such a word cross your lips. I can’t believe you and Jackson were ever together. I bet you made him turn off the lights before he could even fuck you.”
She stamped her foot. “As the good Lord intended. He wanted to tie me up and I just couldn’t…it’s so demeaning. How could any man or woman want that?”
He froze. Had she heard what Jackson had been saying just before she walked in? How else would she have found out?
“While I can never see myself submitting to a man, you’ve always been a bit different, Jude.” A thoughtful look crossed her face. “I could definitely see myself dominating a man. Perhaps I should’ve set my cap after you instead of Jackson. Then I could’ve ended up with this.” She gestured around the office. “And have you on a short leash. Holding sex over your head, giving it only as a reward and you’d love every moment of it. I can see the appeal. Would you like that? Having a strong powerful woman denying you every physical pleasure until you did exactly as she said? I could do that for you, Jude. Give you what you want and your father would never even know. I’d even pretend to be the docile wife in front of him. It’d be the best of both worlds. All you would have to do is spend…” She leaned over the desk and trailed a finger up his chest. “…your hard earned money on me.”
Surging to his feet, Jude clenched his jaw even as sickness pooled in his stomach at the thought of doing that what she suggested. Well the thought of Dad never finding out is nice but with Suzette? A shudder worked through him Nope, not even if she promised me the world’s best blow job every night. Now, Olivia on the other hand? Maybe… The idea of her lips around his cock had sweat breaking out on his forehead as his eyes drifted shut. He started when he felt a hand cup his sex. His eyes flew open. Suzette not Olivia. In her hand, his cock which had gone hard at the thought of Olivia went limp. Disgusted, he pushed Suzette’s hand away.
“Stand still.” The order in her voice repulsed him and he flinched.
“What the hell are you doing, Suzette?”
“Seducing you, you stupid boy. If this is what it takes, then I’ll be…what is it they call it…a Domme. After all it can’t be that hard.”
It’s not worth going to jail. It’s honestly not, he told himself while wrestling with his need to choke the infuriating woman. She’s just playing her game again. I can’t believe she honestly thinks I’m a big enough fool to get caught up in it. Just remember your promise to her Dad, Larson. Choking her ass is not protecting her, even if it might be protecting the next unsuspecting sap that gets caught in her web. “I don’t think so. Even if I were submissive, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to trust you, Suzette.” Wrapping his hand around her arm, he dragged her towards the open door of his office. “Now I think it’s time for you to leave. Go home. Find a man in Charleston because there’s no place for you here.”
“What are you so upset about, Jude? The truth hurts? You’ve wanted a woman to dominate you for a long time. Kathleen used to brag about it. Even if your dad says no real man worth his salt would allow that to happen, you need it.” She dug her feet in. Her voice softened even as a manipulative look filled her blue eyes. “How can you even think about not following your desire? I could be the perfect woman to give it to you.”
“I highly doubt that, since I’ve been told on high authority that I am. But I suppose it’s up to Jude to say, if he ever does admit he’s submissive.”
Stumbling to a stop, Jude’s heart raced. His dick instantly hardened behind his fly, as desire made his skin tight. In front of him, Olivia leaned against the receptionist's desk with a slender man he recognized as a submissive from her club. Tall, slender, and mixture of Asian and African, the man made a beautiful contrast to his mistress. The slave’s bald head was even attractive. He could easily imagine it thrust between Olivia’s thighs. Hurt wrapped around him. She’d already replaced him with another. And to think I was ready to go down on my knees and beg for another chance the next time I saw her. What a fucking idiot I am. I’ll never learn.
* * * *
Watching the emotions flicker across Jude’s face and the presence of the Barbie-doll look alike, Olivia wondered if showing up at his office unannounced was a wise idea. Behind her, she felt Micah shift. I can’t believe I honestly let him talk me into coming here even if his idea of introducing himself to Jude in hopes of gaining Jude’s confidence was a sound one. I should’ve just sent Micah by himself. There’s no reason for me to be here. Her inner voice laughed at her. Other than the fact that you needed to see him. You’ve become shockingly dependant on a man you barely know, Bozka, considering you’re supposed to be an all powerful Domme. Isn’t that the slave’s role? The mocking tone in her head now sounded just like her domineering mother- in-law.
Shut the fuck up, Aggie. This is Jude not Claude. The stinging reminder of her one lapse with her husband, while exploring to see if there were any submissive in her, had become legendary. Especially after her husband had mentioned in passing to a cousin that he wasn’t comfortable with assuming the dominant role she’d asked of him. One god damned time. I needed a break from being a Domme and wanted to experience what he felt. All I did was ask for twenty-four hours of peace from his constant demands - not the freakin’ Hope Diamond.
“Mistress?” the croaked sound of Jude’s voice had her inner Domme sitting up and purring.
“Well at least he got that part right.” Micah’s response was barely heard over the roaring in her ears.
“Jude, sweetie, who is that?” The sugary-sweet tone grated on Olivia’s nerves.
Jude dragged his attention off of her and to the woman standing next to him. Olivia wanted push the woman away from her sub. Come on Olivia, he’s not yours. Yet.
“No one for you to worry about.” Jude shoved the woman towards the door.
Hurt warred with Olivia’s determination to prove him wrong. I’m nothing to worry about? We’ll see about that.
A moment later, Jude was back in front of her sans the Barbie doll, mask in place making it hard for her to determine his emotional state. She found she didn’t like the idea he could hide them from her. “Let me get Jackson. I do believe he’s handling your account now.” He moved around the reception desk to pick up the phone.
“I didn’t come here to talk to Jackson, Jude. I came here to talk to you.” Uncrossing her arms she took the receiver from his hand.
His nose flared. “Ms. Metjka, I don’t think that would be a wise idea.”
The man behind Olivia blanched. “That definitely wasn’t a good idea, Jude.” His hand touched Olivia’s shoulder. “He didn’t mean it, Mistress.”
Jude gave him a mocking grin. “Of course I did. Unlike you, I don’t have to worry about being punished for using her given name because I am not her submissive, nor will I ever be. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll let Jackson know you’re here.” Turning on his heel, he fled back into his office.
* * * *
Standing in front of his office window, he watched for Olivia. It had been several minutes since Jackson had called and told him Olivia was leaving the offices. Evidently he knew Jude had planned to stay holed up inside until she was gone. Damn, I can’t believe this. I didn’t even act like this with Kathleen. I took it like a man. What the hell is wrong with me? It was hard to believe that for the first time in his adult life, he’d actually ran from a confrontation, especially with a woman who didn’t even come up to his chin.
The opening of the door behind him barely caught his attention as he saw the object of his interest leave the building. He frowned. She was by herself. Where the hell did her fucking slave go to?
“I’d like to speak to you, Jude.”
The slightly accented voice had him stiffening. Well there’s one question answered. She left his ass behind, but for what purpose? He curled his fingers around the window frame in front of him before taking a deep breath.
“And what if I don’t want to talk to you?”
“Give me five minutes and if I can’t convince you of a good reason to keep me around, I’ll leave. I never force myself where I’m not wanted.”
He sounded closer but the calm assuredness radiating from his voice intrigued him. Straightening, he turned to face the man. He crossed his arms over his chest.
“You have five minutes.” He gazed pointedly at the clock as the silence grew. “And you’ve already wasted thirty seconds of it,” he added when the man continued to stare at him.
“I was just wondering what it was that intrigues Mistress Olivia about you. At first glance, I would have to say you’re a good ‘ole boy that takes no shit from anyone. You’re from the South if I’m not mistaken?”
Jude nodded. Moving towards his desk, he sank down into the chair. Bracing his chin on his hands he continued to watch the man. “But somehow I don’t think that you’re here to talk about my origins.”
Cocking his head, the man studied him thoughtfully, his gaze bright and direct. “Actually, that’s exactly why I’m here.”
Lifting his hands off the desk, Jude frowned at him. What the hell is he up to?
“Really? And what would some other slave want to know about me? Are you worried I’m going to steal your Mistress’s affections away?” He stood - unable to sit still. His footsteps were muffled by the lush carpet under his feet, but he almost wished he could hear the ratta-tat of them against the linoleum. Anything to get my mind off this conversation.
“No, I’m not. Slaves aren’t jealous of each other, Jude. Our training forbids it.”
Jude arched an eyebrow. “Really? I was in the service for over ten years and I’m here to tell you there’s no training out there that will ever eradicate jealousy. It’s bred deep in our bones. Hell, even wars are fought over petty jealousies and greed.”
“Then perhaps the military should send its soldiers to a club to be trained by someone like Mistress Olivia.”
Laughter built in Jude’s chest at the idea as he stopped in front of the bar. “Boy, I’ll admit that Olivia is a helluva a woman but not even she would be capable of whipping a platoon full of horny soldiers into obedient submissives.” He continued his pacing.
“True. By the way, my name isn’t Boy, it’s Micah. Micah Beaumont and my Mistress sent me as a gift to you.”
Jude froze, half way between the bar and his desk. “Excuse me? There’s no way in hell I’m gay, Micah. So you can run home and tell your Mistress I said thanks but no thanks.”
Micah burst out in laughter. “Neither am I, Jude.”
Jude studied Micah for a moment. “You mean to tell me that if Mistress asked you to get down on your knees and suck my cock, you wouldn’t do it?”
All humor left Micah’s face. “If she asked it of me, yes. I wouldn’t enjoy it but I would do it.”
Running a hand through his hair, Jude scowled at him. “But why? If you don’t enjoy doing something like that, why would you do it? Just because Olivia said so?”
“No, not because she said so, but because I want to please her. She gives so much to me but rarely takes anything in return. That’s why I do something I wouldn’t normally consider.” His face lost the intense look as a huge grin filled his dark face. “But luckily for you, that’s not why I was sent to you.”
“Then exactly why did you stay behind?”
“For this.” He spread his arms wide.
Jude sank back into his chair. “You’re making about as much sense as a drunken E-class nothing on his first weekend pass.”
Micah burst out laughing. “I haven’t heard that expression in years. In fact the last time I heard that was when my pops was exasperated with the fact that I wasn’t going to outgrow my submissiveness.”
“So did you? Outgrow it?”
Micah sank down into the chair in front of Jude’s desk. “Nope. I’m submissive through and through. I love being told what to do, when to do it and how to do it. I’m what they call a slave. It’s a different type of submissive.”
Jude leaned forward, now intrigued. “Explain. What’s the difference?”
“Simply, a submissive is usually only submissive during certain aspects of their lives. Say you’re a sexual submissive. You’d want to be dominated in bed. It’d get you all hot and bothered to have your lover control how fast the sex is, when you have the sex, and how hard she wants you to fuck her.”
Jude gave a muffled groan which he tried to disguise by coughing. God I don’t need him thinking I’m being aroused by his words.
“I can see the idea intrigues you, Jude. That’s why I am here. Mistress has told you what you have to do to gain entry into her club again?”
Jude rubbed his eyes. “Yeah. Something about embracing my submissive side. I’m not submissive. I can’t be like you.”
Micah nodded. “But how do you know? Have you ever thought about it, dreamt it in the deep of the night when no one else is around to see? Woken up hard and aching because you need that darker edge – nails digging, teeth nipping, the sting of pain and your lover commanding you to fuck her harder – just so you can find release?”
Jude looked away, terror filling him while his mind begged for him to admit just once even if it was to the man in front of him, exactly what he wanted. Do I dare? Finally he met Micah’s steady gaze. He dug his nails in the palms of his hands. “How did you know?”
“Because I’ve been there. I had a successful career as a video game programmer, on my way to the top of my field, but the higher I climbed the more trapped I felt. I’d go to raves and clubs looking for mindless fucks just to cope with the stress. But none of them did anything to relieve my stress for long. Once I came, it came back even stronger than before.”
“So what changed?”
“I ran into Mistress, literally, at a rave that was hosting a BDSM night. She was so strong, so forceful, so demanding. I was in a bad mood. I’d just been forced to take another promotion I hadn’t wanted. So I acted out. I snarled at her about watching where the hell she was going. I even called her a bitch.”
Jude chuckled at the idea. “Let me guess? She put you in your place?”
“Oh yes. Before I knew it, she had me bent over the bar, my hands restrained and told me she was going to show me exactly what a bitch was capable of.”
Jude swallowed and could see the image in mind. Mistress and Micah in a crowed club, techno music pounding as she laid into Micah’s ass with her whip…naw, the whip would be too dangerous in such a setting. “So what did you use on you?”
