CHAPTER 43
Sutton
I glared across the dining room table at Dominic and stabbed a piece of broccoli with my fork harder than necessary.
Three days had passed since they’d claimed me as their own but there had been zero orgasms, minus the one Theo gave me the morning after, zero trips to the club, and zero extra touches or kisses.
I didn’t understand it. Why had they claimed me if they didn’t want me?
I felt like they’d unlocked my sexual desires and then walked away. It was killing me.
Without looking up at me Dominic let out a deep chuckle.
“Something bothering you, Kitten?”
Theo and Leon were off doing whatever it was they did and the kids were already asleep, so it was just the two of us sharing dinner. I put my fork down and gripped my hands together under the table.
“Yes.”
He finished chewing his bite of steak before looking up at me.
“Is there more?”
It felt like being trapped in a perpetual state of arousal was making me bolder. Or maybe being around them was just slowly changing me into someone who wasn’t so afraid to say what they needed to say.
“Is there more? Yeah, there’s more! Why aren’t you touching me?”
One of the illusive kitchen staff paused in the doorway, a tray of dessert in his hands. The man looked between the two of us and slowly backed away.
“Fudge popsicles.” I shifted in my chair and then grabbed my wine and tossed it back. “You’re making me crazy.”
He pushed his plate away and smirked.
“Does my sweet Kitten need to come?”
Heat scorched my face but I held his gaze. It wasn’t easy to do, not when everything in me told me to look away and act like I’d never said anything.
“Yes.”
He licked his lips and nodded for me to walk over to him.
“If you want to come you’ll come over here, put your sexy ass on the table in front of me, and pull up that skirt.”
I looked at the doorway where the man had appeared.
“But—”
“Take it or leave it.” He watched me struggle with what I wanted versus what I felt like I should or shouldn’t do. “It’s a time sensitive offer, Kitten.”
I opened and shut my mouth a few times as I looked back at the doorway. I hesitated and gripped the edge of the table.
“Dominic…”
“Time’s up, Kitten. Another night without coming for you.” He stood up and walked around to me. Bending down, he pressed his lips to the top of my head. “I’ve got work. See you at breakfast.”
I stood up so fast that my chair toppled over.
“Wait!”
He frowned but stayed where he was.
“I don’t understand. I…I thought you wanted me.” I looked down at my feet, embarrassed beyond belief. “Did I do something wrong?”
He wrapped me in a hug and swore.
“No, baby. You didn’t do anything. Things came up with work that have been distracting. I probably shouldn’t have come home for dinner tonight but I wanted to see you. Things will settle down soon.”
I held him just as tightly as he held me.
“Are things at the club okay?”
He stiffened slightly but then he seemed fine.
“Yeah, the club is fine. It’s just business. No big deal. It’s been making us neglect our Kitten, though, which isn’t acceptable.”
I leaned back to look up at him. There were more lines around his eyes than normal and I could almost see the tension radiating off of him.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” Blowing out a sigh, he shook his head. “We’re making some changes with one of our businesses and it’s caused some issues.”
A thought I’d been having for weeks moved to the forefront of my mind and I couldn’t help myself.
“Y’all have illegal businesses, don’t you?”
His face turned stern and he gripped my hips and walked me backwards until my butt hit the table. Just when I thought he was going to bend me over and spank me for asking that question, he sat in one of the chairs and put me on his lap, facing him. He cupped my cheeks and searched my face.
“Why do you think that?”
I focused on the buttons on his shirt.
“Theo’s whole…murder thing…I’m not allowed to take the kids off the property. The secretive way none of you talk about your business. Most people come home at night and talk to their families about their day. Just your overall vibe, honestly.”
His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.
“What if we did have illegal businesses?”
I met his gaze and felt the last remnants of my walls crumble at how nervous he seemed.
I’d asked myself the same thing at least twice a day for weeks.
I was a kindergarten teacher. I was still a virgin, not for lack of trying.
I was about as plain as a woman could get.
I had no business being involved with anything illegal. I didn’t even speed.
“Sutton?”
I made a face.
“Kitten. You only call me Sutton when you’re unhappy with me.”
“Kitten. Answer me.”
“I don’t know. I know what I should say but that isn’t what I feel. It’s irresponsible and stupid of me but I don’t think I care. I don’t like the idea of any of you being in danger, though. Is that what’s happening right now? Are y’all in danger?”
His breath left him in a big whoosh and then he was crushing me to his chest.
“Fuck, you’re perfect, Kitten.”
I cuddled into him, loving the way he made me feel small. His non-answer made me shiver, though.
“You’re in danger?”
“We’re leaving the business. There are…growing pains. We’re handling it, though.” He spoke into my hair. “Theo keeps us safe.”
“You sure did make me forget that I was horny.” I pushed at his shoulders so I could stand up and see his face. “You’ll tell me more one day?”
“One day.” He tipped his head back and groaned. “I have to go, Kitten. My phone’s vibrating the shit out of my pocket and I know it’s Leon and he’s getting pissy.”
“Be careful.” I stood up and wrapped my arms around myself. Having the confirmation that they did illegal things made all my stress come to a pinpoint focus. “If you get hurt and can’t take my virginity soon, I’m going to find someone else who can.”
“That spanking the other night wasn’t enough?” He threaded his hand through my hair and tugged. “That virginity is ours. We’ll take it when we decide you’ve been tortured so much that us stretching your body in ways you can’t imagine will feel like heaven.”
I moaned as he kissed me roughly and then stepped back, leaving me bereft.
“No fair.”
He looked me over from head to toe and groaned.
“Do you have any idea how fucking sexy you are?”
Blushing, I shook my head.
“But…I’m starting to feel it.”