Chapter 13
FLEX
It’s been four days since Celest and I fought outside Venom. I’ve been giving her space, but I’ve not had so much as a fucking text from her. It’s pissing me off how much she has me by the goddamn balls right now. I’m going to fix my error. She’s a submissive. She needs structure and rules just like every other sub.
This seemed like a really good idea on the way over here, but now I’m standing on her front steps and wonder if I’m about to kick the hornet’s nest.
The door opens, and Celest looks horrified at the sight of me. Shock turns to anger as she steps out onto her porch, shutting the door behind her. “What are you doing here, Flex? I told you I’m not looking for a guy to be part of my real life.”
Her wording irks me. “The club isn’t ‘real.’ Is that what you truly believe?” She looks me up and down before her eyes stray to my motorcycle and the second helmet draped on the handlebars.
“Why do you even care? It’s real. It’s not. Either way, you get to do what you want with my body with none of the commitment.”
“You’re not that stupid. You know why.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I really don’t. Why are you here?” she yells .
“Jesus Christ!” I run my fingers through my hair, exasperated. “Are you that clueless?”
The front door opens, and a little girl slips to Celest’s side, wrapping her tiny arm around her leg. “Why are you shouting, Mommy?”
Mommy?
Celest drops to her knees, pulling the girl into her arms. “I’m sorry, sweet pea. Go inside. Mommy will be there in a few minutes.”
My heart is hammering in my chest as Celest’s daughter looks up at me with the biggest eyes I’ve ever seen. She’s adorable, like a real-life Disney princess. She waves at me. Her smile is bright as she clings to her mom.
I take a knee and hold my hand out to her. “Hi, I’m Flex. What’s your name?”
“What are you doing?” Celest interjects.
Her daughter takes a step toward me, taking my hand in hers. She’s so tiny. “Hello. I’m Gracie. I like your hair.”
“Well, hi, Gracie. I’m pleased to meet you. I like your hair too.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m a friend of your mom’s. I was going to ask her if she wanted to hang out with me today.”
“Mommy, can Fex stay for lunch?” Oh my God. This kid is so freaking adorable it’s ridiculous.
“ Flex doesn’t want to eat peanut butter sandwiches with us, Gracie. Go inside.”
“I happen to love peanut butter sandwiches,” I say with a smile, but when my eyes find Celest’s, she looks pissed.
Gracie waves at me before doing as she’s told. “Bye, Fex.”
She disappears inside, and I get to my feet before Celest shoves my chest. “Don’t talk to my daughter.”
“I just said hello. What’s the problem?”
She shoves me again as if her small hands could move me even an inch. It’s cute that she tries. “She’s not a pawn to help you get laid.”
“Hold the fuck up, Celest. I would never do something like that. I’m offended you think so little of me. ”
“I’m your easy lay, Flex. Why did you have to ruin it?” She slams her hands against my chest once more, but this time I grab them, holding her in place.
“Stop!”
“I can’t do this.”
“Do what? Spend time with me? It’s a nice day. I thought you might enjoy going for a ride with me. I checked with Dalton to see if you were working today. We’re friends. Is it that far out of the realm of possibility for me to want to hang out with you?”
“We’re fuck buddies. Nothing more.” Her eyes are swimming with unshed tears, and it breaks my heart.
“Stop.”
She wrestles against my grasp, but the second I let go of her hands, I pull her into my arms, holding her tight. “Let me go, Flex.” The quiver of her voice betrays her harsh words.
“I’ve got you, Celest.”
“I don’t want it. I’m perfectly fine on my own. No complications.” She bursts into tears, burying her head in my chest. “I’m fine. We’re fine. I can do this on my own.”
“I know, pet,” I say as I smooth my hand down her back, gently giving her the comfort she needs at this moment.
I can’t believe she didn’t tell me she has a kid.
“You have to go. I don’t want Gracie to be part of my life at Venom. She deserves so much better than me.”
Sliding my hands up into her hair, I pull her back just enough for her to see how serious I am. “You’re a great mom, Celest.”
“How can you say that? You found out less than five minutes ago.”
“Because I know you . You are incredibly kind and generous. You put others before yourself, and you are a great friend. The pet I know is definitely strong enough to be doing this alone.” She casts her eyes to the ground, unable to look at me. “But why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because Venom is the one place I can leave all my baggage at the door. It’s complicated. I love Gracie with all my heart, but it’s hard not to lose yourself as a mother. In Venom, I get to be selfish. To have someone want me and finds me attractive. Relationships are hard, and Doms don’t want to take on a sub… and her kid.”
“That’s why you broke up with the last guy?” Just the thought of someone treating her that way makes me angry.
“ He broke up with me the night I told him I have a daughter.”
“What a fucking piece of shit.”
“It’s not his fault.”
“The fuck it isn’t.”
“I’m a package deal, and Doms don’t want that. I get it.”
Realization dawns, and I feel like a piece of shit. “That’s why you were open to our little arrangement. It wasn’t because I wanted no strings. It’s because you don’t want them.”
Fuck me. Am I any better than her previous Doms? At least they committed to a contract. I haven’t even offered that to Celest.
“This doesn’t have to change anything, Flex. I don’t expect you to come play house with me. In the club, I am yours to command. Outside of that…” she turns and stares as if she could see through the door to where her daughter waits, “I do the best I can.”
“I don’t want to keep you from your daughter. Like I said, I just thought you might enjoy coming for a spin with me.”
The door opens again, except this time it isn’t the little girl of moments ago. It’s an older woman who bears a striking resemblance to Celest. “I’m sorry to bother you. Gracie got me worried for a moment there.” A look passes between them, and all goes quiet until I reach out my hand.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your day. I’m a friend of Celest’s, and I thought she might be free to go for a ride, but I’ll get going and leave you to your day.”
“Well, that sounds lovely. You should go, sweetheart. Gracie and I will be just fine for a few hours.”
“Mom, no. It’s fine. I’m not going. I promised Gracie we could go and get churros today.”
“And you can do that when you get home. Go. Have fun.”
Celest’s mom looks me up and down before giving me a warm smile. “Are you a safe driver? My daughter is precious cargo. ”
“I would never put her in danger. I promise to take good care of her, and I’ll have her back in plenty of time for churros.” I give her a conspiratorial wink.
“No,” Celest protests. “Doesn’t my opinion matter?”
“Of course,” I interject. “If you don’t want to come and hang out with a friend for a few hours, I’ll turn around and never bother you again. If it’s because you‘re afraid to get on the bike, then we can all go and get churros together. I could have my driver come pick us up in the town car.”
“That won’t be necessary. You want to come get churros with me, my mom, and my daughter? It’s not exactly your pace, Flex.”
“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do.” I leave it hanging in the air between us. It’s her move. Her mom excuses herself and heads inside, gently closing the door behind her, giving us a few moments to talk.
“You don’t have to do this, Flex. I don’t expect anything from you. There is no contract, and my family is not your problem.”
“You’re right. One hundred percent. Your family is not my ‘problem.’ You are not my ‘problem.’ The way I see it, I’m lucky to be your friend, and even if we stopped our little arrangement tomorrow, I would still want to spend time with you. As for your family… I’m so glad you have people in your corner. Your mom seems lovely, and trust me when I say I wish I still had mine. Cherish the time you have. Can I be totally unbiased here?”
“Sure.” The quizzical look on her face is endearing.
“You seriously made the cutest tiny human I’ve ever seen.” That makes her laugh, and the blush that blooms on her cheeks has me feeling—I don’t know—happy.
“I agree with that statement.”
“So, what do you say? Want to come for a ride with me?”
“Just for a little while. I need to get back for Gracie.”
“Got it. If I behave, do I get a churro?”
She smirks as she turns the doorknob, “If you misbehave, I might let you come.” Her words are dripping with innuendo, and I’m getting hard at the mere suggestion .
“What are you doing to me, woman?”
“Me? Nothing,” she says with a butter-wouldn’t-melt expression. “You’re the one who showed up on a motorcycle, looking all hot and bad-boy-esque.”
Oh, she shouldn’t have shown her hand. Taking a step toward her, I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close. “You like the leather jacket?”
“Yes.” Her voice is a breathy whisper.
“I’m going to love it when it’s all you’re wearing as I fuck you on my bike.”
“Flex.”
“Celest.”
“Kiss me.” I don’t have to be told twice, but it’s not the usual, hungry exchange that comes from our chemistry. This is soft but deep, sweet, and sensual.
I’m breathless when she breaks our connection.
“Let me grab my wallet and jacket. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Sounds good.”
As I walk back to my bike, I’m sort of in disbelief. Celest has a kid, but that’s not the part that spooks me. What does is the fact that I’m okay about it. I came here today wanting to deepen my friendship with Celest, and that still holds. Maybe even more now.
Leaning against my bike, I watch as she sashays down the front steps of her house, looking seriously hot in a pair of jeans and a white fitted T-shirt, accentuating her curves. She knows how good she looks right now, her hair cascading over her shoulders and a bright smile with a slight hint of trepidation.
“You ready to ride?” I’m rewarded with a devious grin.
“Always, Master.”
“Talk like that, and I will take you down a quiet road and ride you for anyone to see.”
“I’d rather not get arrested for lewd behavior.”
“It’s cute that you think it would stop me. Or that you wouldn’t be begging for it.”
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see.” Fuck me, she’s sexy.
I grab the second helmet. “Pull your hair back.” She does as I ask, giving me the chance to kiss her before sliding her helmet on and making sure it’s secure. I flip the visor up, her eyes full of fun and excitement. It’s such a pleasure to know I’m the reason for it.
“Where are we going?”
“Do you trust me?” The words are out before I have a chance to contemplate why I want to know.
“Yes.” Fireflies take flight in my stomach, but I quickly suppress the urge to open myself up to rejection.
“Is the helmet comfortable enough?”
“Yep,” she says with a bright smile.
Closing her visor before grabbing my helmet and securing it in place, I straddle the bike and beckon her to climb on.
“Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal, pet. You need to hold on tight and move when I move.”
She slides on behind me, her chest tight to my back as her arms wrap around my waist. “I can do that.”
The bike roars to life beneath us, and I know Celest is going to get a kick out of the vibrations. She’ll be primed and ready to fuck by the time we stop. Hell, just having her so close to me has me ready to abandon the ride and have my wicked way with her as soon as possible.
“Ready?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Fuck me. I could get used to that.” I rev the engine before taking off, the jolt making Celest hold tighter. “I’ve got you, pet.”
It’s not long until we’re out of suburbia and on the open roads. I was planning to take her up to my place in the Hamptons. It’s a great ride, and I’ve already planned how I want to fuck her in every room. Obviously, that’s not going to happen today, but I’m cool with changing things up.
There’s nothing better than going for a ride on a beautiful day. It clears your mind, and the adrenaline rush is addictive. As Celest clenches her thighs at my back, I have to amend my thought—there’s one thing better than a ride.
Every time we take a bend, Celest’s arms tighten around my waist, but we move in sync, and it’s thrilling. I never interact with subs in the quiet moments. All of my previous subs were strictly sexual. There were never any soft touches. I care about this woman. Everything between us is based on friendship, but I find myself blurring the lines.
I’m a soldier. I don’t blur lines. Sex is sex. Punishment is great for me when I have a sub who craves it. It’s all about kink compatibility. Even when Viv and I have hooked up on occasion—and we’re friends—we don’t spoon afterward. I’ve never been content to lie with a woman after sex. I give aftercare because that is the order of things. A sub does her part. I do mine. It’s a transaction.
As the world whips by, there’s only us. Nothing can touch us out here, and I feel relaxed. Comfortable.
We’ve been on the road for about an hour when I pull up outside a little restaurant I sometimes stop at when I’m out by myself. I don’t think I’ve ever brought anyone here. Not even Dalton.
When the bike is parked, Celest jumps off, squealing as she yanks off her helmet. “That was such a rush! Oh my God, Flex. That was…”
The second I take off my helmet, she lunges toward me, almost barreling us over with the bike. I manage to keep us upright when her lips crash down on mine. We’re both sweating from the heat of the helmets, but I don’t care. Grabbing her hips, I pull her in before sliding one hand up into her hair, fisting it to hold her in place as I deepen the kiss. I dart my tongue out to lick the seam of her lips, begging for entrance, which she eagerly gives. God, she tastes so good, and her lips are so fucking beautiful. They’re going to look amazing wrapped around my cock.
“Thank you. God, I can’t even tell you how much I needed this, and I didn’t even know it.” That puts a smile on my face as I kiss down her neck. “That’s my job as your Dom.”
She stiffens in my arms, pulling away from me. “Don’t say things like that, Flex. It’s not funny.”
“What?”
“Don’t say you’re my Dom. Remember what we’re doing here.”
I grab the back of her neck and take her lips in a fierce kiss. “ Stop getting in your head. We’re here, the food is amazing, and the company is top tier.”
She smiles against my mouth before opening herself up, letting our tongues do a slow dance, her body relaxing as we lose ourselves in the moment.
“Why do you always smell so damn good, Flex. It’s unfair.”
“What’s unfair?” I say as I cup her delicious ass and hold her close.
“That I can’t resist you.”
“Why would you want to resist?” My tone is playful, hiding the unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“Because…”
“Tell me, pet. What do you want?” I bite her bottom lip just enough to make her squirm.
“I want to be friends.” My heart stutters to a halt, even though she’s not saying anything I don’t know. Hearing the words come out of her mouth is jarring.
“Okay. Then let’s eat, buddy.”
“Flex…” I force myself to move and put a few feet between us.
“Come on, slow poke, I’m starving.”
“Flex.” It’s a plea on her lips, and I steel myself before turning to face her.
“We’re friends. It doesn’t mean we can’t eat a meal together, right?”
“I feel like I’ve upset you, and that’s the last thing I want to do.” She looks genuinely sad at the prospect.
“You’re speaking to the Dom with zero chance of catching feelings. That’s why this works.” At this moment, I realize I’m a lying sack of shit and a fucking idiot.
“Sure. I wasn’t insinuating that you have feelings for me. I know the drill.”
“Celest, take a breath. It’s fine. We’re fine. We can be friends without benefits if it bothers you. No big deal.” If I say it enough, I’ll convince myself.
“Of course.”
Fuck. I shouldn’t have strayed from the plan. Dominate at the club, fuck, and walk away at night without a care in the world. That’s what makes today such a goddamn rookie mistake. I know nothing about my ‘good friend.’ I found out about her kid by accident because I showed up trying to fucking romance her. Stupid .
I suck it up and grab her hand, dragging her the few feet to the restaurant’s door. “We’re supposed to be having fun. You’re going to love the food.”
She visibly relaxes, her hand gripping mine a little too tight. I’ve just made this situation complicated, and I didn’t even see it coming. I’ve gone from a Dom with no capacity for love to a sappy moron. The fact that I convinced myself I wasn’t planning a romantic getaway is just fucking dumb.
I take control of the situation because that’s what I’m supposed to do. This is as simple as I want to make it. Lunch. Fuck. Drop her home.
Once we’re seated across from each other, there’s nowhere to hide. I can see she’s uneasy, but we get through ordering drinks and picking from the menu before I address the elephant in the room. “Your daughter is very cute.”
“Flex…” She can’t even look at me, picking at the black cloth napkin.
“Why didn’t you tell me you have a kid?”
“You never asked.” It’s such a copout.
“Seriously?”
“This is exactly why. It changes everything. You don’t see me as the hot sub at the club who will drop to her knees and deepthroat you on command.”
“That’s bullshit. We’re friends. Maybe more than friends. Or at least I thought we were. Don’t make me out to be the one with an issue here. You didn’t give me a chance to react.”
“Because it always ends the same way. I’m a great lay and willing to take any punishment with a smile. I’m good for what’s between my legs, not between my ears.” Her confession is disturbing, and I’m part of the problem. Friends with benefits . I’m a sorry excuse for a Dom.
I grab her hand across the table, ensuring she’ll focus on what I’m about to say. “I’m so sorry if that’s how I made you feel. I don’t see you that way.”
“Our whole arrangement is based on my pussy.” The resignation in her voice is my undoing.
“If that’s truly how you feel, then sex is off the table.”
“What?”
I rub circles on the back of her hand with my thumb. “Our friendship is more important to me. You are more important to me than just sex. When I’ve convinced you of that, and you feel the time is right, we can still spark up our deal.”
“You just want to be my friend?” She looks at me as if I just grew a second head.
“Is it inconceivable that I could be friends with a woman without sleeping with her?”
“Yeah. You’re… you,” she says with a shy smile.
“What does that mean?”
“Every inch of your body exudes sex. Your face is beyond handsome. Your body was carved by the gods, the embodiment of lust incarnate. Every sub at Venom wants to be in your bed.”
“I might have to marry you now. No one has ever described me with such positivity.”
“Oh God, I’ve just inflated your ego. All I meant to say was you’re too hot to be just friends with any woman. It’s always going to lead to the bedroom, or in your case, the playroom.”
“Then why are you fighting it? Be my friend. Let me show you what it is to have a man worship your body and your mind. I don’t want to be just friends, Celest. I want more.”
I see the war waging inside her, her expression stern as she clearly talks herself out of sleeping with me. “I think it’s for the best if we just stay friends. Our whole lifestyle is about contracts. A set of rigid rules to work within. What we’re doing is…”
I stand from the chair and round the table, wrapping her hair around my fist before tugging her head back and kissing her with everything I’ve got. There’s a sense of urgency I’ve never felt outside of a SEAL team mission, which was life or death. It’s a ridiculous comparison, but I give it my all, nonetheless. She’s breathless by the time I let go. “What we’re doing feels so fucking good, pet. Tell me I’m wrong.”
“I…” She grabs my face and pulls me in for another kiss.
I could lose myself in this woman.
Fuck!