“No, actually. He agreed that you and I could work together on exploring BDSM.” His gaze skitters away from mine, and he’s entirely too calm. Not to mention, it doesn’t sound like something Cam would agree to. Like ever.
He’s leaving something out.
“That’s it? He was fine with it?” My voice reveals my disbelief.
“The only caveat is there will be no sex.”
I glare at him as if he’s grown three heads. That’s the point. The entire fucking point. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I don’t whether to laugh or to cry. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” There’s no way in fuck I’m agreeing to that, but I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot before we even begin. “Cam’s an idiot,” I say instead, waiting to feel him out.
Reece shrugs. “He’s your older brother. It’s to be expected.”
“So . . . how do we do this?” Do I drop my pants here, or are we venturing down into the club?
“It’ll be three lessons. I think you’ll be satisfied with that.”
My heart hammers wildly in my chest at the knowledge we’re actually going to do this. Three lessons. With Reece Jackson, the Dominant. “When do we start?”
“Tonight. I have work to do today, but we’ll have dinner and discuss your goals and limits. Do you like Cuban food?”
I level him with my stare. “I lived in Miami for two years. Of course I do.”
“Perfect. There’s a good restaurant we can meet at tonight just down the street. The food is excellent, and the lighting is low. It’s quiet enough to talk, but loud enough to not be overheard.”
“Okay,” I agree.
“Give me your phone.”
“Why?”
“I always exchange numbers with submissives I’m working with.”
He says it so dismissively, as if I’m nothing more than one of his playthings, as if we don’t have a deep and complicated history. I hand my phone over reluctantly, probably some leftover reaction from Tony’s constant distrust and questions. He used to read my texts, even though I was nothing but faithful to him.
Glancing at me curiously, Reece adds, “And I’m going to text you the address of the restaurant.”
“All right. Sounds good. I’ll see you there.”
“Seven o’clock. Don’t be late, Macey.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, sir.” I can’t help the sass in my voice. One way or another, I will get my way.
Chapter Five
Reece
When I got home and saw what Macey had done to my apartment, she thought I was mad, but I was actually kind of in awe. I’ve never had a girlfriend, never had someone who cared enough to spend her time doing little things just for me. Thoughtful things like organizing and tidying up my place. Facing all my damn hangers the same way. Or making sure I had a soft, fluffy rug to step out on after showering, versus the cold tile that I was used to.
I’m just glad she didn’t find my stash of toys. I can only imagine the butt plugs would be organized by size, the vibrators by color and intensity. A little bit of chaos in life is a good thing. Not to mention, I don’t want to scare her off before we even begin. She might be putting on a brave face, but I know that I’ll be opening her up to a whole new world. I could smell the fear and uncertainty on her during that club tour as if she was wearing it like a perfume.
Needing to keep busy before our meeting tonight, I find myself in my office down on the main floor of the club, catching up on business. As I gaze at my laptop screen, I realize I’ve been staring at the same blank spreadsheet for twenty minutes. Shit. I’m not even sure what I’m hoping to accomplish right now, just that I can’t hang around upstairs with Macey so close in my personal space. It’s throwing me off my fucking game, but I intend to get back control tonight.
“Hey, boss.” Chrissy, the club sub, pokes her head in my office doorway.
“Hey, Chrissy. Everything all right?”
“Yeah. Just worried about you.”
“Me?” I’ve never given my employees a reason to worry about me, and I don’t plan to start now.
She tilts her head, examining me. “You’ve been different since that girl arrived.”
“Macey?”
She nods. “That’s the one. Unless you’re hiding another woman upstairs in your apartment . . .”
“No. I’m fine. You don’t have to worry.”
“You don’t let women stay over, though, so I assume she’s someone you’re serious about, but I’ve never heard you talk about her before.”
“She and I go way back, and I’m trying to figure out how she fits into my life here, if it all.”
Chrissy lets herself in and sinks into the chair across from me. She and I have a long history, mostly just as friends, though there were a few times when she first began coming to the club that we shared more. Now she’s an employee, and call me old-fashioned, but I don’t fuck my employees. Chrissy’s a good girl, and we look out for each other.
“She used to be your submissive?” she asks, a look of concern crossing her features.
“No. We knew each other ages ago. She’s not into the lifestyle.”
Chrissy smiles at me warmly. “She wouldn’t be here if she wasn’t interested.”
That’s the problem, though. I don’t know if she’s interested in me, curious about what goes on behind closed doors, or simply running from a crappy situation and grasping onto the first distraction she can find. I intend to find out.
Chrissy’s gaze softens, and she leans in closer. “In all the time I’ve known you, you’ve never had a girlfriend, never taken on a submissive as your own.”
Narrowing my eyes, I lean back in my chair. “And? Your point is?” My annoyance is rising by the second. I don’t appreciate people meddling in my personal life.
“Behind the tough Dom exterior, I know you’re actually a sweet guy, Reece. I just want you to be happy.” She smiles at me sadly.
“I’m fine, Chrissy.”
A flash of movement catches my eye, and I glance toward the door.
It’s Macey. A flicker of an unidentifiable emotion crosses her face as she says, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to confirm the time for tonight.”
I know it’s just an excuse because I cleared the time with her upstairs. I’m not sure if she came down here to see me or was merely curious about club business. Her gaze wanders from me over to Chrissy, and she goes completely still.
Chrissy’s dressed in her black vintage lingerie—lacy high-waisted panties, garters, stockings with a seam that runs up the back, and on top, a corset that allows her ample breasts to spill over. I’m so accustomed to seeing her like this, I don’t even look twice, but Macey’s cheeks flush.
“No, I was just leaving,” Chrissy says, rising to her feet. “I have to get back to work. I have a bossy Dom who’ll be here any minute, and he’ll redden my ass if I’m late.” She smiles. “Oh, darn.”
I chuckle as Chrissy heads to the door. She’s good at her job, that’s for sure.
Chrissy pauses at the door before exiting and faces Macey. “Be careful with him,” she says before sauntering away. Macey remains speechless near the door.
“Seven o’clock,” I remind Macey. “Wear something nice.”
She nods and ducks out of my office, escaping like a scared little mouse.
Well, that was interesting.
• • •
At ten minutes to seven, I walk into the restaurant and request a table in the back. I want to be here when Macey arrives. And after working all afternoon, I need a few minutes to get in the right mind space for this conversation.
Leave it to her to walk back into my life and uproot everything in a matter of two damn days. Christ, I’ve been letting her walk all over me, call all the shots. That won’t do. I need to regain the upper hand. She hasn’t seen my dominant side, but she’s about to.