Chapter 8
I walked into the coffee shop as if I didn’t have a date with one of the most attractive men in all of Falcon Creek and quite possibly all of Wyoming.
The cafe had round tables in the middle of comfy, cozy armchairs. Spotting Logan across the room, I headed to his table. He smiled as I approached and took the seat next to him. He appeared relaxed, twirling the half-full coffee mug in between his fingers. I had been looking forward to our date as we texted back and forth the past few days. Still, even with our conversations, seeing him in the flesh started a fresh swarm of butterflies in my belly.
“Thank you for waiting for me, Logan. I had an unexpected meeting with a doctor I’ve been trying to get to see me for weeks,” I babbled.
“It’s fine, darling. You let me know, and I appreciate it. What’s your drink of choice?”
“Hm.” I tapped my chin and tried to remember my favorite concoction. “White chocolate mocha. Hot with whipped cream on top.”
“I’ll get a refill and grab your coffee.” Logan stood up.
I nodded, admiring the way his jeans fit, pulling on his thighs as he walked. He wore a simple navy Henley-style shirt that showed his muscles, making them look so good without being flashy. The ease with which he strode to the counter, and everything else about him exuded a classy dominance. I continued to stare as he returned and sank down into the plush cushion of the chair.
“I don’t get flustered easily, Logan,” I offered as he leaned back, resting his foot on his opposite thigh. Something about his posture drove me wild. There was just so much confidence oozing from everything he did.
“Good to know.” He stared at me, his eyes twinkling, until I looked away, then asked, “Do I fluster you?”
“Since the first time I met you.”
“Hm. Is that why you ran out of my store?”
“I didn’t–” Sipping on my coffee gave me something else to focus on. I enjoyed the sweet drink for a moment before glancing at Logan. He cocked an eyebrow while waiting for me to reconsider what I’d been poised to say. “I purchased my items and exited post-haste,” I stated softly.
“Uh huh. Yet, you didn’t contact me before you went to the club. I could have ensured you had a better experience. I would have paired you with someone to give you a full tour of the place, talk about scenes more in-depth regarding where they are held in the club, or whatever you wanted to explore. As well as non-scene related topics. Not a negotiation, just information. That way you would have been more comfortable in the space before attending a party.”
“Pfft. Do you do that for every person who walks into your club?” I rolled my eyes. There was no way a personal tour and all of that was a regular activity.
“Yes. Why wouldn’t I?” Logan dropped his leg and leaned forward. “It’s part of my professional responsibility. Ensuring the enjoyment and security of every guest is also a personal responsibility. I would never want anyone to be uncomfortable or leave with a poor taste in their mouth.”
“It’s not your job to make sure each guest is personally satisfied.”
He sipped from his coffee and his eyes sparkled mischievously. Logan shook his head before setting the cup down. “You worded that funny, but yes, it is. I take my role seriously, because if someone visits my club and they have a negative experience, it’s not just a bad internet rating. They might not explore anything again as it relates to the community or worse, they may not delve further into their own wants, needs, and desires.”
I had to hand it to Logan. He had a very good point. “I never looked at it that way.”
“Creekside is more than just a club to me.”
“What made you open the club in the first place? Falcon Creek is such a small town. When Eli told me there was a unique... watering hole here, I was a bit shocked.”
“When the building was listed for sale, I already owned the store, or I may have incorporated both locations together. The surrounding land is zoned residential, not for business. However, there’s a few… gray areas when it comes to the nature of the club. I have a lot of friends with way more experience in laws and regulations. We found some loopholes. Basically, there was a hole and we filled it.”
“So, I’m hearing that you’re a talented entrepreneur who successfully runs multiple businesses and you enjoy filling holes?” I could not keep the grin off my face as my question reached his ears.
He shook his head and subtly licked his lips. “Careful, Karsyn. I enjoy teasing them as well.”
Well, fuck. I might as well pour lighter fluid on our already smoldering connection. “You should show me.”
Logan stroked the scruff of his beard, something he seemed to do often, usually when he was thinking before he spoke. He studied me for a few moments, letting the span of silence increase the tension, rather than stifle it. “We’re ten minutes away from my house. Would you like to come over?”
I rolled my eyes, my bratty side popping her head out before I could even stop the gesture. “I didn’t mean now, Logan.”
He stood up. “I did. Let’s go.”
I leaned against the cushions, scanning his posture. My eyes landed on his absolutely gorgeous forearms, the muscles casually flexing as he held his hand out to me. I swept my gaze upward, looking at his face. I didn’t have to obey him or comply with his decree. Licking my lips, I said nothing and made no move to get up from my chair. Logan set his hands on either armrest, effectively caging me in the small space.
“If you think I won’t toss you over my shoulder and carry you out, darling, you’re mistaken.”
His words stirred something low in my belly. No, much lower, and in between my legs. If we were at his club or in his office or anywhere other than in the middle of a coffee shop in our small-ass town, I would have demanded he follow through. But in public? I didn’t really want to provoke the handsome, dominant man leaning into my personal space. Did I? I swallowed hard, glancing back and forth between the door and him.
“I can’t get up if you’re blocking me, Logan.”
His jaw clenched and relaxed. “You’re testing me, darling.”
It wasn’t a question. No, it was a complete statement.
“Pfft. I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Logan shook his head and straightened, taking one step away from the chair. It gave me more than enough space to get up and walk out on my own accord, but who would care if Logan Wilde threw me over his shoulder and carried me out of the shop? Would anyone even bat an eye? I thought about it, playing the scenario in my head, and getting more heated each time it ran through. He allowed me more than one chance to get up and yet I sat drinking from an empty mug rather than complying.
“Do you know what implied consent is, Karsyn?”
I glanced around the café, but no one was paying any attention to the two of us. “Uh, if you tell me to do something and I refuse to comply then I’m technically consenting?”
“Yes, you’re correct. You’ve been screaming for attention since we met. Stand up and come with me. I’d like to continue our conversation privately.”
“Is it so you can respond to my off-handed comment about teasing or something else?”
“Yes, I accept your challenge. I’ll show you my expertise in teasing those holes of yours with my hands as well as my tongue.”
Fuck. I opened and closed my mouth several times without actually saying a word. I did it a few more times before shaking my head. “I… well… you…,” I tried, but nothing intelligent seemed to come out of my mouth.
“Last chance.”
“I promise I’m not trying to be disrespectful.”
“I’m aware, Karsyn. You are, however, testing boundaries and finding some limits, aren’t you?”
How the fuck did Logan know? It was something I had tried in my previous relationships with limited-to-no success. It was one of the many reasons I had all but given up on finding a dominant partner. I was sick of men pretending they were going to give me the world, set rules and guidelines, spoil me and be my Daddy, but then dumping my ass as soon as I started bratting. Or worse going overboard and punishing far beyond the crime, for lack of a better explanation. If I broke a simple rule, even the first time, they would go hog wild and enact severe consequences.
Instead of allowing them to continue, I’d safeword out of the punishment and the relationship. It was always after so many conversations with them, thinking that they understood what I wanted and needed. It proved that none of them were meant to be mine. A real Dominant would have praised me for having such great communication skills before we embarked into a relationship while learning and growing with me.
I realized too late that I’d been staring at Logan, not saying anything for far longer than I meant to. He gently but firmly grabbed my waist and lifted me over his shoulder, then grabbed my purse and put it on his other shoulder.
“Hey! I was trapped in my head! I wasn’t ignoring you, Logan,” I protested.
“Regardless, I’m done standing in this coffee shop.”
“Ugh!” I sighed as he walked out the front door and stopped short.
“Well, look who we bumped into. Hey, August.”
“You’ve got something growing on your shoulder, Logan,” August said, chuckling. “Do you want me to look at that for you?”
His velvety-smooth voice was unique, plus August had the most charming laugh. I worried about the picture I presented to him, as well as the awkward situation.
“Nah. I’m not worried. She’s not going to cause me any more trouble.”
“That’s what you think,” I muttered.
“Oh, you might want to try out some of those new gags you were telling me about.” August peered at me. “In case you didn’t know, Logan loves a challenge.”
“And how about you?” I sassed. What was it about these two men that made me so quick to poke and prod at them? August patted my head for a moment before crouching down so I could see him fully even in my odd position.
“Do you really want to know?”
“Obviously.”
“Mm.” He stood and disappeared from my line of sight. August leaned into my ear, his hot breath fanning across the shell of it. Fuck. He was arousing me without even touching me.
“I may have been a little less than respectful with my tone, August. Not that you give a fuck about the sort of tone I have. But if you do care? Well, then I sincerely apologize.”
“Wow. Apologizing before I’ve even said a word. That must be some sort of world record, Karsyn,” he mused. “I bet you’re a very good girl, aren’t you?”
“I’d really like to be,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. I wasn’t sure how August tugged such a sincere reply out of me. I longed to be someone’s priority and he seemed more interested in me than I previously thought.
“I can make your coffee at my house if you want to join us,” Logan offered.
“You don’t even know what I drink,” August retorted.
“Blonde hazelnut latte.”
“Yeah, you’re right. As usual. I guess I shouldn’t have insinuated that the great Logan Wilde wouldn’t know something random about somebody.”
“You’re not just anybody.”
“Yeah, I am.”
Logan growled under his breath. “Watch it, August. While you and Karsyn might not have anything in place regarding tone, you and I do.”
Logan adjusted me and those butterflies from earlier swarmed through my belly again. If Logan and August had ‘something’ in place, then perhaps their promised conversation swung in his favor after all. August didn’t reply and I’d kill to see what sort of expression was on his face.
“What’s it like to always be right, Logan?” I asked sweetly.
“You two are going to gang up on me, hm? That isn’t going to work out the way you think it is, brat.”
Something about him calling me a brat made me want to poke harder. “Huh? I think it’s going to swing very much in my favor.”
“You’re lucky we’re in public right now, babygirl. Laugh it up while you have the chance. We won’t be for much longer.”
Shit. I shouldn’t love the authoritative tone falling from Logan’s lips, and yet I did. I’d never experienced a real dynamic, or at least not the way I wanted it. The thrill of anticipation quieted me, despite the temptation to keep going. The bonus of him calling me ‘babygirl’ left me drooling.
“Interesting. Looks like your threat had quite the effect. I don’t want to interrupt whatever you two had planned,” August said quietly.
“Cut it out. You’re not interrupting, or I wouldn’t have asked you. Let’s see what Karsyn says. Do you want to get to know August better, sweetheart?” Logan tapped my hip.
“Yes, I really do,” I said, pouring as much sweetness as I could in my tone. I did not want August to get the wrong impression. I wanted him as much as I wanted Logan even though the thoughts scared me to my core. We were not strangers, but we weren’t friends yet either.
“Glad we’ve settled it,” Logan growled. “Follow us to my house.”
“I have some things to handle.” August backpedaled. “I’ll get my coffee to go, and we can connect later.”
“I didn’t give you an option. So, unless you’d like me to toss you over my other shoulder and put you both in my car, I highly suggest you listen.”
Oh snap! I threw my hands across my mouth to stifle my giggles. I loved their banter more than anything.
“Do you have something to add?” August asked in a husky, honeyed tone.
“If Logan is growling at you, you should probably not be concerned with me.”
“How about you answer my question, Feisty?”
He used a shortened version of my club name. It hit differently when it fell from his gorgeous cupid-bow mouth. His features were softer than Logan’s, less harsh but with incredible cheekbones and muscles that went on for days.
“I have nothing to add, August.”
“Are you sure?”
“We don’t know each other very well.”
“By the time tonight is over you’re going to get to know me a whole lot better, Karsyn,” August stated firmly. “Keep it up. I plan on introducing myself by flipping you across my thighs and smacking my hand against your sassy little bottom.”
“It really is an effective way to communicate, and it will make a hell of an impression,” I said casually. My heart raced in my chest as I pictured his threat in my mind. I needed a spanking so badly and I already knew August was adept at delivering one.
“Has she been like this all day?” August asked Logan.
“At least as long as I’ve been with her,” Logan confirmed. “Why else do you think I’m carrying her out of the cafe’?”
“Good point. I’ll see you in a few,” August replied, laughing.
I wished I could see Logan’s face as he carried me through the parking lot. I said nothing else as he set me down on my feet and gave me my purse.
“Where’s your car, darling?”
“Over there.” I gestured toward the small, yet powerful Subaru Crosstrek. Falcon Creek was in the middle of nowhere, Wyoming and I had changed out my tiny, well-loved Kia for the SUV. Logan nodded and took my hand, leading me to it. I had a feeling from now on, I would be doing what he said the first time without him having to repeat himself.
“Logan?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you and August in an actual relationship?”
“Yes.”
He did not elaborate, so I stared at him, licking my lips while I tried to voice some of the thoughts in my head. We reached my car, and he took my other hand in his. “He’s not used to being with a dominant partner, is he?”
“No, sweetheart. Not at all.”
“I’m not used to it either.”
“Well, to be fair you mentioned never having been in a healthy dominant-and-submissive relationship. At least you have some idea of what you don’t want to experience. It’s a place to start.”
“I, uh, don’t normally assume, but… it sort of feels like the two of you want to be in some type of relationship with me. Am I close?”
“Yes, you’re spot on. I told you I was determined.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. For maybe the first time in my life, I took a leap of faith. “I’m attracted to you, and I said as much. I’ve felt a pull toward August as well. If you both are willing to try this whole three-way relationship, then I’m willing to trust you both. Trust you with my body, my heart.”
“I’m very happy you’re willing, sweetheart. Follow me home.” Logan squeezed my hands, then gestured at a huge beast of an SUV. It was black, sleek, and could handle anything the road threw at it.
“Will do,” I muttered, getting into my own car, as my thoughts raced with possibilities. I couldn’t believe how easily I caved to his dominance. That I’d just agreed to a relationship while barely knowing either of them wasn’t lost on me either. What the hell had I been thinking? I’d had conversations with Logan via text, but August was the wild card.
No, stop.Logan held the reins. He wouldn’t allow myself or August to spiral out of control. And if I didn’t like the way it was going, it seemed like Logan was more than willing to hear my opinion.
As I followed Logan’s truck, thoughts of the two of them taking turns with me, kissing me and spanking me, barreled through my head at a million miles an hour. Logan had promised to tease my holes, which is what started me becoming more and more sassy as I sat in the cafe. Then he’d lifted me over his shoulder as if I weighed nothing. I wasn’t a tiny woman, not by a long shot. I was taller than average at five foot, nine inches, and I had curves. Lots of curves. Curves that should come with a warning. No, that was my mouth.
I returned to the original thought—I had as much control in our new relationship as August or Logan. If I didn’t like the way we were doing something, I would bring it up. In the short amount of time that I’d known Logan, I trusted him. A lot of that trust stemmed from other people’s opinions of him, but it was still there.
Eli was going to be over the moon! She had been gently pushing me to get out of my comfort zone. She knew how badly I needed a Dominant, but what she didn’t know or couldn’t have anticipated, was how I wound up with two.
Glancing in my rearview mirror, I saw August driving a respectable distance from the back of my car. Oh good. I had been worried for a few minutes that he might decide not to come over. Though it would likely mean he would have needed to talk to Logan about it or face whatever sorts of consequences he had with him, instead.
I pulled into the driveway and tried to calm my frantic heartbeat. If only two Dominant men, one who already heard me talk about how badly I needed a daddy, and the other who had threatened to spank me, weren’t also waiting for me. Who was I kidding? This was the best day of my life!