“Damn it, Abby,” he complained. He didn’t move, though. She felt too good against him. “I do not need another salad. I’ve been making love to you for hours. I need man food. I need working man food. You know how many calories I had to burn to perform like that?”
She seemed completely unmoved. She was a sexy little kitten pressed against him. “Well, I can’t have you passing out from a lack of man-food. I ordered you a medium-rare hunk of cow flesh, a mountain of mashed potatoes, and steamed broccoli. Feel free to avoid the broccoli, if you must. I also got you some bread pudding.”
He gazed down at her suspiciously. “And for yourself?”
She shrugged against him. “I got a salad. I’m not that hungry.”
He slapped her ass. “Abigail Barnes. This is ridiculous.” He flipped her over and held her down with his weight. She didn’t struggle at all. She just stared up at him with those big hazel eyes. “How many times do I have to fuck you before you realize how much I love your body?”
There was a sharp knock at the door, and Sam knew she’d been saved. He slapped her ass again and gave it a little squeeze. “Don’t think this discussion of ours is over. I won’t have you turning into some skinny thing. Get dressed, baby. Dinner’s here.” Sam rolled out of bed and slid into his jeans. He fished for a tip as he opened the door to let the room-service waiter in.
“Hello, Samuel,” a deep, nearly hypnotic voice said.
“Julian.” Sam had to stop himself from looking down. It was an almost conditioned response. Sam wasn’t an alpha male. Years in a youth home had taught him that. He could handle himself in a fight. Hell, he’d started more than he cared to admit. But there was something about those deep, dark voices that Julian and Jack possessed that sent his eyes into submission. He stood up straight. He fought to keep his voice even. “Hello, Julian. How have you been doing?”
Julian walked in like he owned the place which, Sam allowed, he did. Sam shut the door behind him. There was no way out of this little interview of Julian’s. Sam had hoped to avoid Julian all together. The small hotel portion of The Club was for longtime members to use. Julian might be the host, but he usually respected his clients’ privacy. Sam realized he should have known Julian wouldn’t view him as a client. He’d only given him a membership because Jack insisted on it. He just had to hope Julian hadn’t come up to kick them out.
“Is everything to your liking, Samuel?”
Sam stared for a moment at the club owner, arms crossed stubbornly over his chest. Julian Lodge was roughly six foot two. He was taller than Sam. He was as tall as Jack, but he was lean where Jack was broad. His dark brown hair was just starting to gray at the temples. Sam remembered he was about to turn thirty-nine. Julian Lodge had an aristocratic face that looked like he could have been in the ads of Abby’s magazines. He was polished and smooth in his designer suit. Everything about him screamed money and power, though in a tasteful fashion. Julian always had the best of everything. Julian was everything Sam knew he, himself, was not.
“It’s fine,” Sam replied shortly. He hated how being in the same room with Julian Lodge always made him feel like he was back tending bar. It always made him feel like he was on the bottom rung of the ladder. Then, of course, Sam couldn’t forget the lecture he’d received on the day he and Jack had left. “Is there a problem with the bill or something? I can get cash if you prefer.”
Julian cocked his head and studied Sam for a moment. “Why so defensive, Samuel? I merely came up to say hello. It’s been a while since you came here. I almost thought you and Jack wouldn’t return.” Sam felt the weight of his perusal. He remembered working for the man. The other workers almost had him believing that Julian could read minds. Sam kept silent, trying to give nothing away, though he felt the heavy weight of Julian’s disapproval. “All right, Samuel. How about I ask you a question? I’ve been wondering why Jackson is here without you and his new bride?”
“I’ve been wondering why Jackson’s here at all,” Sam replied sharply. “You want to explain the situation to me?”
Julian’s brow climbed up his forehead. It took everything Sam had to bite back an apology. “I don’t like your tone, Sam. I’ve done nothing but show concern for an old friend. As you are not my sub, I’ll forego punishment.”
“I don’t belong to anyone.” There was no doubting the bitterness in his tone. He looked at the other man with hooded eyes.
“My, Jackson has dug himself a deep hole, has he not?”
Abby chose that moment to enter. She was soft and sexy in her fluffy robe. Her hair was mussed from hours of lovemaking. “I think I have my appetite back. Oh, you’re not room service. I’m so sorry. I’ll go get dressed.” She held the corners of her robe together.
Julian smiled slowly as his silvery eyes slid over Sam’s wife. Sam wished Abby had stayed in the bedroom. What made him think coming here was a good idea?
Julian was every inch the gracious host. He gallantly took Abigail’s hand in both of his. It was a Dom trick, Sam knew. It made the sub feel surrounded and safe. “Mrs. Barnes, please don’t put yourself out on my account. It is such a pleasure to finally meet you. Felicitations on your marriage to two such wonderful men, my dear. I’m Julian Lodge.”
She nodded, and Sam felt a curl of jealousy in his gut as she sounded a little breathless. He should have been prepared. Women flocked to Julian. “Hello, Mr. Lodge.”
“Knees, Abigail.” There it was. There was that voice that brooked no disobedience.
Abby gracefully fell to her knees, palms open on her thighs. She looked up at Sam. Her hazel eyes registered no small amount of shock.
Sam stared at Julian. “Have club rules changed? I assure you she has a Dom. He would take issue with what you just did.”
Julian glanced between them. “It was merely a little test, Samuel.”
“Why did I just do that?” Abby was frowning.
Sam walked over and held out his hand with a sigh. He couldn’t blame her. Jack had trained her, and Sam had helped. He pulled his wife up. His arm curled possessively around her waist.
“You did that because you’re a properly trained submissive.” Julian sank into one of the upholstered chairs that dotted the living area of the suite. He had an air of satisfaction surrounding him. “Samuel is not. Oh, he’s submissive, but he is not trained, and that is a problem.”
“It ain’t your problem,” Sam replied.
“Oh, but it is my problem.” Julian’s gray eyes were perceptive as he studied them. “Do you or do you not intend to walk into my dungeon this evening without your Dom?”
“I do.” Sam heard the will in his own voice. He had as much right to be here as anyone. He’d paid for his membership.
Julian shook his head and sighed. “Can’t you see what a bad idea that is? Look at her. For that matter, look in a mirror, Samuel. You’ll start a riot. Every Dom and Domme in the building will vie for the lovely, soft new subs. Even I will admit that most of the submissives who populate my club have a certain used quality to them. It is very rare to find one of your loveliness, much less two.”
“We’re not trying to cause trouble. I only got introduced to the lifestyle a few months ago. I’ve never been in a place like this. I just want to see what it’s like.” Abby slipped her hand into his, and Sam felt her squeeze. “If it’s that much trouble, we’ll leave. I’m sure there are other places that will be willing to accommodate us.”
“And that thought terrifies me even more,” Julian said with an elegant shudder. “No, Mrs. Barnes, please feel free to explore. I just wanted to warn you that your husband is here. I only mention it because I believe Samuel already knows. As for the two of you being here, I haven’t notified Jackson. You’re my guests and entitled to privacy. That said, you can’t keep your presence here a secret. I doubt you intend to. Jackson will find out, and I don’t think he will be pleased when he discovers what the two of you are up to. Are you willing to accept his punishment? I worry it could be severe.”