Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Having worked long hours all week, Drake took Friday off.
After sleeping in, he wandered out to his back deck, breathing in the cool briny air.
Across Puget Sound, the Seattle skyline stood out against the blue sky.
With hopeful squawks, some gulls circled the slow ferry as it neared the Bainbridge terminal.
“George.” Sitting at the table, Drake lifted his cup of coffee in a toast to the departed woodcrafter. “You were right. I do love the island.”
Last fall, when Drake complained of the stress of double jobs—owner and CEO of his real estate development company as well as running Chains—George talked him into buying this house.
He insisted the ferry commute wasn’t much longer than driving into Seattle from the east side and would be far more peaceful.
“Thank you, mon ami.” Drake pulled in a slow breath. “You are missed, you know.”
There were more than a few club members mourning the loss of the quiet switch. George hadn’t wanted any serious relationships, but he’d been part of the BDSM community for years. He’d been content with his work and his family. His two sons adored him as did Ray.
Drake winced. George wouldn’t be pleased his girl was a member of Chains…or of what Drake had done with her, let alone what he’d like to do. “Sorry, old man, but she is incredibly appealing.”
More than physically, in fact. Certainly she had a tempting body with her sweetly rounded ass and plump breasts. And those freckles on her face, her arms and shoulders, and the tops of her breasts were captivating. He’d definitely noted how well her light skin held the marks of the paddle.
But Chains was full of lovely submissive women.
Women realized earlier than most men that they wanted more from a partner than good looks.
Eventually many men learned personality was more important than appearance.
Here was a woman who followed a code of honor, who had a sense of humor and intelligence, kindness, confidence.
Then there was the chemistry and compatibility between them. How could he resist?
He sighed. Even vanillas had trouble finding partners. Add in balancing D/s dynamics, and it was a wonder anyone in the lifestyle managed a serious relationship. He sure hadn’t.
His friends had better luck. Alex and MacKensie, Peter and Hope, Bob and Lynn. Down in Florida, Z had his Jessica and now two little girls. Max and his cousin had found a woman to share.
Simon had Rona. It would be good to see the two of them—even if he’d have to hide his envy.
He tapped his finger against the table, thinking back to last Saturday in Chains. When an intelligent, beautiful submissive had drawn the lines. Fun only.
The scene had roiled up her emotions, no doubt about it. A thorough spanking often offered an emotional release, but could also bring insecurities to the surface.
And she’d backed away.
Normally, he wouldn’t try again after a woman said no. His ego was healthy enough to take the hit if and when a woman wasn’t interested. But she was attracted to him, and she hadn’t actually rejected him as much as she’d rejected a relationship.
After seeing her ex, Drake could understand why she was wary. Especially since she’d also experienced something traumatic further back in her past.
However, she trusts me. Or she wouldn’t have sought security in his arms after the scene.
He took a sip of coffee and watched the gulls skim the water.
A submissive wasn’t the only one to have concerns about moving forward. Dominants could, as well. When Ray had said fun only, he hadn’t protested. Because…face it, his track record wasn’t one to boast about. Two relationships, two fails.
At one time, he hadn’t planned to try again.
Yet now…
He picked up his phone. A woodcrafter might enjoy a walk in the forest.
“Um. Okay. Yes.” Ray pocketed her cell phone. I said yes. Why did I say yes?
“Now there’s a puzzled expression.” MacKensie turned away from the newly finished shelves on her wall.
Puzzled was an understatement. “I… Hmm...”
Frowning, MacKensie walked over to set a hand on Ray’s shoulder. “Is anything wrong? Can I help?”
Ray had to smile. “You are a really nice person.” The unexpected burn in her eyes made her step back and blink hard. “Sorry, sorry.”
“Oh frak, I’m sorry.” MacKensie’s expression held panic as she hugged Ray. “I didn’t mean to make you cry…”
Ray choked on a laugh. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Just made me realize how much I’ve missed having friends.”
“Oh.” MacKensie blew out a breath. “Okay, I get how feelings can sneak up on you. But”—she frowned—“you’re good with people. Why…”
“Why don’t I have friends?” Ray dropped into a chair, and the big black mongrel came to rest his big head in her lap as if to say I’ll be your buddy.
“Butler, you’re such a sweetie,” she whispered.
His tail thumped against the floor.
Okay, explanations for the human. “I lost my college friends when I dropped out, then I buried myself in my career. Last winter, I got into a relationship with Theodore who I thought—briefly—was my destiny.” The sarcastic emphasis on the word said it all.
“Gotta watch out for those so-called fated mates.” MacKensie grinned.
“Big letdown there, yes.” Ray picked up her iced tea for a sip. “Anyway, it’s been wonderful to reconnect with Hope and also to make new friends, especially ones who…um…”
“Oh, I hear you.” MacKensie snickered. “There are a fair number of smart, kind women. But not so many go to Chains and can give advice on how to rile up a Dominant.”
Ray choked on her iced tea. “Rile up a Dom… You mean Alex? Are you delulu?”
“Maybe a smidge? But it mostly only happens when I’m mad at him. Or bored. Or sometimes, for the pure fun of it.” Grinning, the crazy person motioned to Ray. “C’mon, the housekeeper left apple fritters in the kitchen.”
“Oh yum.” Ray kissed the top of Butler’s furry head and rose.
“Now, since we’re friends and all, who was on the phone?”
Ray huffed. “You’re one of those are you—never forget a dropped conversation even if everyone else has moved on?” Pretty much her opposite.
“That would be me.” MacKensie pulled the top off a storage container. “Were you talking to your ex?”
“Hardly.” Ray took a fritter, glossy with glaze, and bit into it. Cinnamon and apple bits and sugary icing. “Mmm.”
Maybe MacKensie would have advice. “It was Drake on the phone.”
MacKensie’s hand froze halfway to her mouth, then lowered. “Drake like in Chains?”
“Ha, there’s a visual.” Shiny metal chains over tanned skin. Over those supple muscles. “That Dom would never let himself get put in chains.” Restraining him would be like trying to handcuff a tiger.
Mac snorted. “The mind boggles. And…?”
“Yes, it was Drake on the phone. He invited me to go for a hike at Bloedel this afternoon.”
“Bloedel—the nature preserve over on Bainbridge?”
At Ray’s nod, Mac’s lips curved. “Nice. But why did you look so confused? Did you think he wouldn’t call you even though he said he would? Or did you not enjoy the sexy-time paddling?”
The heat in Ray’s cheeks was from embarrassment, right? Surely not from the way-too-arousing memory of his hands, his voice, the sheer intimacy of how he’d touched her. She took a bigger bite of the apple fritter and concentrated on chewing. And avoiding MacKensie’s knowing gaze.
“After I…after the scene, I told him I didn’t want anything more than fun—no relationships or anything. And he agreed. Didn’t even hesitate.”
“Consider what he said—he’d call you. For fun.” MacKensie scooped her snow-white cat named Chef off the floor and cradled it to her chest. A loud purr showed feline approval.
“Uh-huh. On the phone, he said hiking was fun. And would be the first step.” Ray shook her head. “A first step to what? There is no second step. I’m not going down that road again.”
MacKensie’s lips twitched as if she was trying not to laugh. “Mmm. ‘You may test that assumption at your convenience.’ ”
Was that a quote? Ray narrowed her eyes. “Captain Picard’s way of saying fuck around and find out, right?”
Mac beamed. “Another Trekker. I knew I liked you.”
Smiling back, Ray sighed. Because Master Drake was fully as commanding as Captain Picard…and she knew exactly what’d happen if she fucked around with him.
She would be…assimilated.
In Bloedel Park, Ray slid out of her SUV and smiled up at the clear blue sky. When she was young, there’d been far more rainy days in the summer. But California’s dry weather had crept north. Rather than moist mosses, the air smelled of flowers.
Leaving the parking lot, she approached the gatehouse.
And there he was, leaning against the building, arms casually crossed over his chest. Just a totally gorgeous, dark-haired, dark-eyed man. The carefully shaped goatee framed his mouth, making her remember kissing him. How his lips had moved over hers. Had made her respond.
No, you stupid brain, don’t go there. This is a friendly hike. They were simply friends. Maybe not even that.
“Hi.” She kept her voice casual. “Have you been waiting long?”
“Non, not at all.” He smiled, took her hand, and kissed her fingers. “Although you are worth a wait.”
The feeling of his warm lips on her skin, the slight French accent, the way his dark gaze held hers… Had she relocated from the Pacific Northwest into a scorching Saudi desert?
“You…” She cleared her throat—and her mind. “Mas—um, Drake. This is a friendly hike. Just friends.”
“But of course.” With a wicked smile, he laced his fingers with hers so they were holding hands. “We can be friends.”
A year ago, George had introduced Drake to the wonders of Bloedel, a 140-acre nature preserve with carefully laid-out winding trails. Timed tickets ensured the peacefulness was maintained.
Today, Drake and Ray started off on the trails through the forests and down to the famous moss garden. As they walked, the sound of trickling streams accompanied the faint rustling of wind in the higher branches.