TWENTY-SEVEN
DAKOTA
“What is it?” I asked when Chase entered my bedroom with a little box in his hands. He looked so handsome in his black suit tonight.
“Open it,” he handed it to me. I opened the box, confused as to what I was seeing. “It’s an accessory,” he explained, pulling a little remote from his pocket, and my stomach twisted. Oh?
“I have to put that up my—uh—” I slightly cleared my throat in confusion, and he gently held the sides of my neck with both hands.
“Big girl words,” he reminded me.
I smiled, leaning in to playfully whisper up at him. “My vagina?” I dramatically mouth, and a grin tugged at his lips.
“Yes,” he kissed my forehead. “You look beautiful, kjaere,” his fiery gaze trailed up my body and under his intense stare, my knees nearly buckled.
Shyly, I smiled. “Thank you.”
Slowly, his fingers trailed up and down his jaw as though he was fighting his self control and with his clit tingling grin, he stepped back, leaving my bedroom. Oh my…
Feeling hot and deeply bothered, I looked at myself in the mirror with my heart racing. An expensive black dress, diamonds, and my favorite pair of high heels. I guess we were doing this.
* * *
“Woah,” I quietly breathed, spotting the luxurious building we were approaching.
We pulled up to the entrance with multiple cars lining up behind us, each waiting their turn.
Kaden was driving with Chase in the passenger seat.
Logan had decided to sit in the back with me, and I was extremely grateful. He hadn’t taken his eyes off me once since seeing me walk down the stairs, and also hadn’t failed to remind me how gorgeous I was.
When I caught him staring again, he simply smiled.
Both men in front got out, and so did Logan. I was sitting behind the driver’s seat, so Kaden found himself at my door as he opened it, extending his hand.
My palm slipped to his and he helped me out of the car. The valet greeted him before taking the keys, handing him something in return and climbing into the driver’s seat.
Kaden and I rounded the car, and I hooked my arm around his. I slipped my free arm around Chase, and the four of us headed up the stairs.
We approached the doors, and the hostess instantly smiled at Logan. Her voice was coated in honey. “Good evening, Mr. Hale.”
He grinned at her in response. “Mayra,” he said her name and her cheeks flushed pink.
“Mr. Madden. Mr. Moretti,” she smiled at them, and they simply nodded in response. She knew them? All of them?
Logan told us to head inside, and when we did, I cast a slight glance over my shoulder, watching him slip both hands into the pockets of his slacks as he stepped towards her—talking.
I didn’t miss how her body naturally shifted under his stare, like a quiet submission. I recognized it immediately.
A couple stepped up, and Logan found himself at her side, resting his hand on her upper back and vile jealousy brewed in my core.
I shifted my eyes forward as we headed further into the event. Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode was playing quietly over the speaker.
“What are we doing here?” I asked Kaden as he swiped a flute of champagne from the passing waiter. He brought the glass to his lips, having a sip as he simply stared down at me. I sighed in defeat, slapping a fake smile on my face as I turned to look at Chase.
“Why are we here, Chase?” I asked him.
“Logan didn’t tell you?”
“No,” I shook my head, and he gave me a slight shrug. Right.
I turned, staring out at everyone and everything.
Black and white with gold accents for decoration, beautiful women and handsome men, food, drinks and waitresses floating around.
It looked like one of those fancy events my dad always dragged mom and I to.
The room was filled with murmurs and soft jazz music.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I politely said, glancing between the two of them.
“I need to find three new Dom’s to suck off,” I murmured before strutting across the room.
Really? I know I fucked up but was this really necessary?
As if Chase carrying me to my bedroom last night after I had fallen asleep wasn’t punishment enough.
I immediately halted in my tracks, feeling the vibrations between my thighs. Pleasure spiked up my spine and I swallowed hard, straightening my shoulders as I kept my head up. With a deep breath in, I didn’t even bother casting them a glance as I continued.
This morning, after breakfast, I was told that I wasn’t allowed to leave my bedroom at all until either of them said otherwise. I was about to protest but when I caught Kaden’s stern eyes, I decided against it. I guess even withholding information grounds for punishment.
I was bored out of my mind, being stuck in that room. Logan wordlessly brought me lunch and left immediately afterward, having fought the urge to give in after the puppy dog eyes I shot his way.
Around 5 p.m. he reentered my bedroom and informed me of tonight’s event. He placed my dress, shoes, handbag and accessories on my bed before leaving again.
After that Chase brought my final accessory and well, now here we are.
I grabbed a virgin martini, having a sip. I trailed my eyes around the room, taking all of it in. These women exuded elegance. It was evident that this was just another event to them.
I had some of the caviar before a hand grazed my lower back. I turned with the intention of apologizing until I realized it wasn’t one of the guys.
“You’re a new face.”
I was met with a tall, older man. He looked mid forties in a wrinkle free grey suit. “Anthony,” he extended his hand and I politely smiled.
“Dakota,” I took his hand but he lifted mine to his face and without breaking eye contact, he kissed the back of my fingers. He stood up right, looking down at me with a smile. “You look… incredible,” he breathlessly said and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Thank you,” I smiled politely, pulling my hand from his as I lifted my glass to my lips.
“Your first time?” he asked and I nodded.
“Is it that obvious?” I leaned closer to whisper and a grin tugged at his lips.
“Definitely not,” he shook his head. “I simply haven’t seen you around here before.”
“Do these events happen often?” I sipped my drink.
“Every second week,” he answered and my jaw almost dropped. It didn’t. I kept my composure. Elegance was the main focus of the night.
The vibrations between my legs started again and my eyes grew wide as my fingers tightened around the glass. Shit.
“Everything okay?” Anthony asked with a hand on my waist and the vibrations increased.
“Yes,” I smiled, stepping back and the vibrations decreased. Oh? I see. “Sorry about that,” I brushed it off, feeling a hand on my lower back.
“You were serious about that?” Chase asked to my right, looking down at me and my brows drew together in confusion.
Chase’s eyes landed on Anthony who quickly caught on.
“Chase Madden,” Anthony said and both men shook hands. “She’s beautiful,” he pointed out and Chase gave him a single nod in agreement.
Kaden stopped at my left with Logan and I swallowed hard.
“Sinclair,” Logan said, shaking Anthony’s hand and Kaden did the same. Anthony spat out some Italian and all four men shared a humorous chuckle. Damn. They even laugh like money.
Their conversations continued in English and being bored out of my mind, I trailed my eyes around the room, leaning into Chase.
I really wondered if everyone here genuinely enjoyed their time or if they faked it. Well, I guess they knew why they were here, so chances are they were having a better time than I was.
“I’m back.”
My head snapped to Anthony and I watched Josie slip her arm around his. My stomach flipped. “The girls can talk,” she dramatically said and Anthony simply shook his head.
“It’s okay, dear,” he reassured her. Dear? “I want you to meet some people,” he said and she turned, allowing her eyes to fall on us.
I didn’t miss the subtle freeze in her body as she shifted her eyes between the four of us. Anthony introduced Josie as his date, and she awkwardly smiled, but it kept faltering. Oh—my—God.
By the faint confusion on my guys’ faces, I’d say it’s safe to assume they were just as stunned as I was.
“Why don’t you show Dakota around?” he asked but it was definitely a command. “She’s new.”
Josie smiled—fully—and batted her eyelashes at him. “Yes sir.” Sir?
She took my hand in hers, completely ignoring the guys and pulled me with her. Without waiting for their approval, I allowed her to take me away. Yes ‘sir’? Is she—are they…?
In confusion, I followed her and she hooked my arm with hers. Oh.
It suddenly clicked. That’s what Chase meant when he asked if I was being serious about ‘finding three new Dom’s’. But then that must mean—
“We haven’t officially met,” she smiled over at me. “I’m Josie.”
“Dakota,” I returned her smile as she led me into a different space.
We sat down next to each other at a table and she sighed—heavily. “It just feels so good to not be around them, doesn’t it?” she asked, nearly chugging down her drink and my brows drew together in confusion. “You know… being obedient and always on edge.”
“You mean with the guys?” I asked for clarification and she nodded. “Oh. Well, no, not really,” I half smiled.
“You’re not on edge around them?” she questioned like she wasn’t understanding me.
“Nope,” I popped the ‘p’ as I lifted my glass to my lips. “They are on edge around me,” I leaned in to whisper and she broke out in a laugh, making me smile as well.
“Well, good. Now, they finally know what it’s like being on the receiving end,” she said. “On behalf of all submissives, we thank you,” she playfully bowed her head and I chuckled. Oh, she’s a submissive…
After I visited the club for the first time with the guys, I had called Lindsey to ask some questions I was too embarrassed to ask the guys about. I quickly learned that I was a submissive, but more specifically, a brat.
Josie and I both held matching smiles as we conversed about everything, and it seemed as though we were complete opposites yet so similar.
After what felt like hours of chatting, Anthony finally approached us, stealing her away. She kissed my cheek with a little finger wave—shocking me—before leaving with him.
Uneasiness took over my body as I watched her walk away with Anthony.
The guys all stopped in front of me and I took the last sip of my drink, looking down at the table as I placed the empty glass down.
I lifted my eyes to the three of them, noticing their hesitation. “Nervous?” I mused, taking my time to look each of them in their eyes.
Kaden’s jaw ticked and I smiled.
“One Dom down, two more to go,” I tapped my chin, casually looking around and Logan pulled out the chair in front of me, sitting down.
“Enough.” His voice sent chills down my spine and I crossed my legs, straightening my posture. “What did the two of you talk about?” he asked, and I could tell that he wasn’t too happy.
“Just the pain and torture of being a submissive to three Dom’s,” I casually replied, looking around the room. “She understood me. Who would’ve thought?” I teased—with a smile—but when I met their gazes my smile dropped and I apologized. Not the time, Dakota.
Kaden rubbed his tongue on the inside of his cheek and again, the vibrations buzzed between my legs. I squeezed my thighs together, suppressing a moan and looked up at Chase.
“Answer the question. Truthfully,” he said and I could slowly feel the vibrations increase.
“We just… talked,” I murmured, shifting on the chair. “Girl talk, that’s all. We—oh—” I cut myself off as dark lust slithered through my body. “Oh, God,” I breathlessly whispered underneath my breath. “We were just getting to know each other,” I said as I gripped the edge of the table.
Logan glanced up at Chase and he turned off the vibrations, leaving my clit aching for more. Logan ran his hand over his mouth with a subtle hint of frustration, and I caught my breath.
He shifted to the edge of his seat, slipping his hand between my legs as he gripped the inside of my thigh.
“We don’t want you speaking to her anymore.”
My brows drew together. “Why? Is everything okay? Did something happen?” I asked, looking between the three of them.
“Nothing happened,” he assured me.
“Okay. I won’t talk to her again,” I said and he gave my thigh a little squeeze.
I wouldn’t deny the fact that curiosity got the better of me, but I trusted them enough not to question this. I had already been giving them a hard time all evening.
“Was she nice to you?” Kaden asked and I noticed the tick in his jaw as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Yes,” I smiled. “She was really kind to me.”
“Anything else?” he pressed.
I paused in thought. “Well, she and I were really similar. So you three clearly have a type,” I said, making Chase smile.
“You’re nothing like her,” he shook his head and my cheeks grew warm.
“Definitely not,” Logan added, slipping his hand a little higher and a short gasp slipped from my lips as he took me by surprise.
I immediately shifted back, pulling his hand from between my thighs as I fought back a smile.
I crossed my legs, shifting uncomfortably as the pulsing between my legs returned. Them being handsome in their perfectly fitted suits was not helping either.
* * *
Yawning, I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror. It had been a long night of the guys talking business.
I touched up my makeup and made sure I looked presentable before opening the bathroom door.
My eyes landed on Kaden and Josie not too far from me and I immediately halted. A knot formed in my stomach as I stepped back into the bathroom, subtly peeking my head out.
I watched her smile as she spoke, being overly touchy and extremely close to him. I didn’t like that. I could tell that she was flirting, and bile rose in my throat. It seemed as though they were deep in conversation.
He stood with one hand in the pocket of his slacks, and I contemplated interrupting them. I mean, he did walk me to the bathroom, so it wouldn’t be entirely rude, would it?
With a deep breath in I stepped out but froze when she gently placed her hand on his bicep, stepping closer. She batted her eyelashes at him and by the mere look on her face, I could see where she was going with this.
He said something to her, and I watched her cheerful demeanour shatter as she nearly crumbled. She shook her head, and with a deep breath in, he looked away from her and down the hallway.
Her face, twisted in denial, morphed into something spiteful.
I stepped back, pushing away all the negative thoughts but my heart sank when she reached up, turned his face to her and pressed her lips to his. I stumbled back, gripping the door handle. Nausea stirred in my stomach and tears burned my eyes. No.