Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing
8
B rynne woke after a fitful night, out of sorts. She hit the snooze button a second time and the snippets of a dream floated somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. She was lying over Gage’s lap, her panties pulled down to her knees. He was caressing her bare cheeks, and she knew he was about to spank her. One hand pressed the small of her back and the other lifted… She braced for it, her body tingling in anticipation.
And then the alarm jarred her awake.
Damn! Banishing the arousal that lingered, she called Jared and jumped into the shower.
They met at noon to wander through the Selfridges shoe emporium downtown. After trying on ten styles, she found the perfect pair of lace-up booties with a comfortable two-inch heel. When they stopped for a cappuccino, Jared demanded that she spill the juicy details of her run-in with Gage.
“I will, I promise. But I have to ask you something first. Have you ever met the scary, giant Russian guy Dimitri?”
The coffee cup froze halfway to his mouth. “Bree, he is richer than God, and the scariest dude I’ve ever laid eyes on. He was in Russia for the last four months.”
“Well, he’s back, and I had to serve him! He made me so on edge. You know I can handle overzealous admirers, but this was different. It was like he marked me or something. Have you seen him upstairs, you know, in action?”
“No, but I wish I had; he is so frickin’ hot!”
Brynne chided him, “You’re crazy, J. He’s hot like a nuclear meltdown—and probably fatal if you get too close!” She shook her head and added, “Melinda told me he sometimes brings two subs with him to fetish night. That’s pretty crazy.”
“I’ve heard that but haven’t seen it. One of my friends witnessed a scene at another club where the rules are less strict.”
“And?”
“Apparently, he prefers to use a crop because he likes to leave marks. The guy said he tied the two girls together and made them pleasure each other while everyone watched.”
Brynne shivered and sipped her coffee. “Jesus. I hope he goes back to Russia soon.”
“You are safe at Dominus, Bree. Garrick and Gage have the best security, plus there are high-ranking members of Scotland Yard in the club regularly.”
Brynne took a deep breath. “I know he can’t hurt me, but he’s messing with my head. You know?”
Jared waved his hands. “Okay, we haven’t got much time. Tell me what the hell you did to piss off the boss?”
He listened to her tale of ice and woe and warned her for the second time she was playing with fire.
“Babe, Gage doesn’t joke around. I’ve never seen him even crack a smile. He expects everyone to follow his rules and won’t hesitate to fire anyone who doesn’t.”
“Well, maybe I’m winning him over and thawing his frozen sense of humor?”
“I wouldn’t count on it.”
Jared told her what he had heard from the other staff at the club. Gage used to frequent the underground scene in London and Berlin but hadn’t been seen anywhere in ages.
“Apparently, back in the day, he had a different sub on his arm every few weeks.”
Brynne listened and said absently, “I wonder what it would be like to do a scene with him?”
Jared’s eyebrows shot up. “Have you lost your mind? He’s the kind of Dom that expects total submission and proper behavior. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you aren’t a natural submissive. Your defiance simmers below the surface, ready to do battle. I know Ross made you feel like shit when you shared your fantasies, but he was not worthy. Not even close.” He took her hand and squeezed. “I saw it with my own eyes. The more confident you became, the more he tried to tamp down your sparkle.”
“You’re right. I was blind. He was slowly isolating me and undermining my belief in myself. Why couldn’t I see his possessiveness for what it was?” Brynne blew out a deep breath. “All I wanted was for him to take charge in the bedroom, but he was so not the guy for that!”
“Bree, just be patient. You will find someone who gets you when you least expect it. But Gage is a Ph.D. level in D/s, and you are in kindergarten. So please, please, put him out of your mind.”
She smiled, knowing he was just trying to protect her. “I might find him attractive, but you have nothing to worry about. He’s an asshole, and he doesn’t even like me.” She chuckled. “You are worrying for nothing.”
Jared rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, you just behave yourself. Remember to follow the damn rules, and everything will be fine.”
Brynne smiled and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re a worrywart, Jared and I love you for it. I’m off. Hope I will see you tonight.”
Jared gave her a squeeze and waved as he took the steps to the other subway platform. As her train pulled away from the station, she noodled on their conversation. Sure, she was curious about what made her bad-tempered boss tick, but her mission was not to get involved with a man, it was to understand the whole dominant/submissive dynamic. The book would not rewrite itself, and she hadn’t touched it in days. This fascination with bondage and discipline was just a passing fancy and nothing to do with being dominated. Taking orders and submitting herself to a man like Gage MacLeod? Of course not…
She had one more stop to make before Brixton station. When she left the Naughty she would try to get back in his good graces. Sucking up was not her strong suit. God help her, this would be harder than pretending indifference.
When she got back up to the kitchen, Melinda was there getting an order.
“Hey Tink! Glad you’re here! Could you help me? The order for table four is up and I’ve got my hands full. Things are hopping tonight.”
“Sure, happy to help.” She was grateful Mel didn’t comment on her appearance.
Brynne awkwardly picked up the serving tray, spreading her chained hands as far apart as possible, hoping she wouldn’t lose its precarious balance. Imagine if I accidentally spilled this tray on someone—then I’d really be in trouble. She navigated through the tables, aware that the noise in the room was gradually diminishing. As she reached the table with two elderly gentlemen, conversation had given way to the clink of glasses and the sound of cutlery on plates.
“Which one of you ordered the medium rare burger with cheddar?” she asked quietly.
“That would be me, Miss Tinkerbell.” The balding man in the pinstriped suit grinned at her. “And I’m looking forward to hearing what you did to piss off Master Gage.”
Brynne was about to say something flippant but stopped herself. “If I told you, I’m sure I would get in even more trouble, sir. You wouldn’t want that, would you?” She maneuvered the tray carefully and put the plates down, taking care not to catch the annoying chain on their glasses.
The other man chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind seeing that, Tink. I have signed up to give you a spanking later.”
She cringed at the reminder, but her pride would not let it show. She cleared her throat and asked, “May I get you anything else?”
The first man patted her hand. “I’ll have another Dalwhinnie fifteen straight up, and my friend will have a pint of Guinness.”
He turned to the man and said, “Don’t torment the girl, Douglas. You’ll have your chance later.”
Brynne escaped to the bar and punched in the drink order. Bill snickered at the collar and cuffs. “Not sure what you did, lass, but you’ve caused quite a stir tonight.”
Brynne shook her head and sighed. “After I deliver these drinks, I would really like to know what I’m in for.”
Bill smiled and handed her the scotch and the beer. “Sure thing. Stop over at table nineteen first. Those fellas just sat down, then I’ll fill you in on tonight’s festivities.”
She delivered the beverages without incident and was about to take the orders of the new table when one of the men grasped the dangling tag and pulled her slowly down to his level. Before he could finish asking her how bad she was, a tall, hulking security monitor was beside them, deftly prying the man’s fingers off the tag and getting in between them.
He casually addressed the man and his friends. “Sirs, we do not allow our waitstaff to be manhandled. Should you wish to enjoy the company of a skilled submissive, you may investigate the upper floors later.”
The man sneered. “I know the rules man, I was just going to say something to her. You didn’t need to go all sphincter police on me.”
“Yes, well, she can hear quite fine standing right beside you.” Turning to Brynne, he said, “Do you have all the drink orders, Miss?”
“Just two so far. I was just going to ask what you would like, sir?” Brynne pasted on a smile for the jerkoff with the dirty blonde hair. He stared at her, then huffed out his order of a Rusty Nail. The guard escorted her back to the bar and alerted Bill to keep an eye on those guys while she entered the order.
Brynne waited for the drinks, feeling certain she was being watched. Damn the collar and cuffs. There was an air of predatory anticipation in the bar, and she felt like a fox before the hunt.
As she returned to the table, she heard one man say to his friend, “We should get to punish the bad girls every night, don’t you think, Roger?”
The blonde dude looked up at her as she placed the drinks down, licking his lips suggestively. “Definitely agree, mate, especially the ones with attitude.”
Brynne held her tongue. The last glass was almost on the table when his hand found its way to the back of her thigh, just below the hem of her skirt. She jerked back and spilled his drink onto the table, splashing his pants. He jumped up angrily. Brynne was apologizing when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a large man striding toward them, his face a mask of fury. Brynne shook and almost dropped the glass. Dimitri arrived at the table at the same moment as Bill. The three men stood staring at each other, and she knew she needed to defuse the situation.
She grabbed the bar towel Bill had in his hand and mopped up the drink. “Bill, I was terribly clumsy and spilled the Rusty Nail. Would you be a dear and make another one, please?”
Bill looked pointedly at her, and she was relieved when he retreated. There was enough testosterone at the table without him trying to referee.
Dimitri was staring at her; she saw his eyes narrow a fraction when he read the tag on the collar. He looked at the man who had touched her like he was an insect, rage still blazing from his eyes. She put her hand on his forearm and squeezed. “Mr. Ivanov, thank you for coming to my rescue, but as you can see, everything is fine.”
His gaze softened slightly, but his words were sharp and ragged like a serrated knife. “This man put his hand on you, and if he knows what’s good for him, he will apologize.”
The blond guy withered under his stare. It was obvious he was no match for the Russian, and one fist could easily crush him. He backed away, his hands up in surrender. “No harm, no foul, Ivanov. I’m sorry, I was out of line.”
Dimitri shook his head in disgust. “Nyet. You need to say sorry to her, not me.”
The man was beet red, his head bobbing up and down. “I’m very sorry, Tinkerbell. I meant you no harm and hope you can forgive me.”
Brynne nodded quickly, wanting to escape the situation. Dimitri was being a strange combination of lethal and protective. She definitely didn’t like all this attention.
“Thank you, sir. I’m sorry for spilling your drink and causing a commotion.” She stepped out of the way when Bill brought the new cocktail and made to leave with him. Dimitri followed them over to the bar. He leaned in and rested his elbows on the polished wood. She could feel the tension coming off him in waves.
“You have been bad?” he asked, rubbing the stubble on his jaw.
“I, uh, got into a little trouble, yes,” Brynne said, looking down at her feet.
“I would like to punish you, but I must know the crime. Then I will know how hard to be.”
Brynne’s mouth fell open, and she looked to Bill for help. Before he could respond, Gage came up beside her and placed a hand on her lower back.
“Dimitri, welcome back to Dominus. Garrick told me you were in London. I trust business has been treating you well.” Gage greeted him politely, but Brynne saw how rigid his body was when he shook Dimitri’s hand.
Turning to her, his face a mask of indifference, he said, “Tink, take your break now.”
Dimitri watched her go, and he didn’t look happy about it. “Da, Gage. Business is excellent. I’m here for a month and supervising the final touches on my yacht. You must come out for a cruise when I take delivery in a few weeks. She is a beauty.”
Gage nodded. “Sounds brilliant. I’d love to.” When hell freezes over. He wouldn’t be caught dead on this man’s yacht. “Let us know if you need anything, and enjoy your evening.”
Dimitri popped some peanuts into his mouth, then said casually, “I want Tinkerbell to serve my table when she comes back.”
There were no outward signs of his feelings on this subject. But when Gage spoke, his voice had dropped several octaves. “She is serving a private event tonight, so I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
Dimitri studied him, probably deciding if he believed the excuse or not. “Pity. Well then, I expect her to serve my table when I come tomorrow night.” He put his hand on Gage’s shoulder, the way a friend might, but it was a blatant act of dominance. “You can make that happen for me, can’t you, old friend?”
Gage watched Dimitri walk away. He gritted his teeth and turned to Bill.
“Let me see who has signed up to punish our little troublemaker?” Bill passed him the sheet, and he went in the back to find Brynne.
She was in the kitchen, pacing back and forth, when Gage found her.
“Change of plans for this evening, Red. There is a private party on the third floor that Bettie was going to serve, but I’m putting you up there instead of her.”
“Okay,” she said, her brow crinkling.
Gage glanced at the paper in his hand, his mouth a hard line. “There are five members who signed up to punish you, so unless I want a riot on my hands, we honor that plan.”
“Five?” She gulped.
He looked pointedly at her. “You are lucky. Bill pulled the sheet down early so it wouldn’t exceed a manageable number for your first time.”
“Th-thank you for that.”
Gage watched her chewing on her bottom lip. “Don’t thank me yet. Each one gets five strokes.” He ran a hand through his hair and continued, “Bill will discreetly let them know to be in the Pareo play area at nine thirty p.m. If the dinner party isn’t finished, Bettie will cover.”
She was fidgeting with the chain, looking pensive.
“If you want to back out and quit, now is your chance.”
“No, sir. I earned this punishment. And someone will supervise, right?”
He got the feeling that her stubborn pride regularly got her into trouble, and he wondered what she had to prove. “I’ll be overseeing your punishment. And if you use your safe word, it stops.”
“I understand.”
“The dinner party has already gathered in the Veni Vidi Vici room, so check in upstairs and get your bearings. Garrick will let Bettie know of the switch. You will owe her one and should share your tips with her. The parties usually net a tidy bonus.”
“Absolutely I will. What kind of party is it?”
He watched her face transform. Uncertainty gave way to curiosity, lighting her darkened pupils with excitement. Without a doubt, she would be lousy at poker.
“A small dinner celebration for one of our most esteemed members from Scotland Yard. That’s all you need to know. They have hired a couple of subs to entertain, and the dining room staff will bring dinner in. You will just need to run the bar, keep the wine flowing throughout dinner, and clear a few dishes.”
“Okay, got it. I’ll head up.”
“One more thing, Red.”
Brynne looked expectantly at him. He drew her wrists forward and unbuckled the cuffs and then the collar.
“You won’t be needing these until later.”
Her irises had turned to the color of espresso and that pouting bottom lip was begging to be nibbled.
“Go,” he growled. “And for god’s sake, try to stay out of trouble.”
It took every ounce of self-restraint he had not to watch her go up the steps. He headed to his office cursing Garrick, his mother, his ex-fiancée and his libido, which chose this moment to come out of hibernation.