Secrets Learned Page 11

  As she wasn’t at all poetic, those thoughts would have amused her, except his casual, no longer rumpled but just woken appearance did strange things to her insides. She itched to smooth his hair and wipe the trickle of water that snaked down his cheek and under the neckband of his shirt. Instead she stood up, grabbed a wooden spoon and stirred the paella.

  Shit, I have it bad. Why do I want to ignore food and jump him? It was a new sensation and one she wanted to savor. Later. “How do you feel now?” she asked, as she put the spoon down and checked the heat under the pan. If she didn’t stop messing, the rice would turn to a soggy mush. Not really the way to impress Alex with her cooking skills.

  “Much better and like I said, whatever’s in that pan smells good.” He pushed himself off the doorjamb and sauntered across to the stove, lifted the lid and sniffed. “Nice. Did I crash for long? I’ve no idea if it was five minutes or a day and a half. I zonked.” He didn’t appear too worried over his need for sleep.

  She shook her head. “About an hour, that’s all. I took the liberty to cancel our booking.”

  “Oh, shit, didn’t I even do that?” Alex looked aghast as he ran his spare hand over his chin. “I owe you. My name would have been mud otherwise. The excuse that someone tired me out, and someone else conspired to make me stay awake, wouldn’t hack it there. That the second someone didn’t do it in a good way wouldn’t impress either.”

  “How come?” Mimi asked curiously. “I mean the second one.” She grinned. “I’m hoping I know what you mean by the first one.” She was relieved when he nodded and winked.

  “Minx. Long story, I’ll tell you later, but let’s say I had intended to nap as soon as I got home and I didn’t get the chance.”

  Dammit. He’s worried and I need to know why. Mimi bit back the words she wanted to utter—along the lines of ‘tell me now or I’ll sulk’—and smiled as best she could. “Well, in that case, I’m amazed you even stayed awake long enough to flop in comfort. You look better, but honestly, how do you feel now?”

  “Better, hungry and raring to go.” He kissed her cheek and stroked her breast. As his fingers hardened over her nipple, she bit back a gasp. He pinched with deliberate sharpness, designed to do more than sting or tingle, she was sure. It hurt.

  “As in?” Was that breathless voice really her?

  “God knows, but I look at you and my cock perked up and my body and mind say ‘mine please’.”

  Her thighs were damp and she’d love to rub them together. Only the look in his eyes stopped her. She remembered his words, ‘your climax is mine’. Did that still hold true? Somehow she decided it would. “Well, you can’t make love on a full stomach.” She turned the paella off. “This is ready when we want it. Up to you.”

  His eyes gleamed and the grin he gave her came under her personal category rating of scorching, sexy and roll over and rub my tummy. Mimi squirmed and clenched her thighs together. Dammit, she wasn’t going to be one of those women who were permanently wet for their man and ought to keep a supply of lady pads handy—so not sexy. However if he carried on looking at her in such a speculative, searching and horny way, her lacy undies would be chafing her pussy. Maybe she’d be better off going commando.

  “Ah, pet, there’s no contest.”

  Alex held her chin between his thumb and forefinger and pinched the soft skin. The short, sharp pain focused her on him and her nipples rubbed hard against the lace of her bra. More chafing. Perhaps there was something about soft plain cotton after all. Lacy bits of nothing were all well and good but they didn’t help you when you were aroused. She shifted and the scrape of wet lace over her clit made every nerve end in her body throb. Or maybe that was a good reason for lace? Those extra sensations really heightened her awareness. Mimi put the thought aside as Alex tilted her head upwards.

  “Fuck now, food later,” he said in a deep gravelly tone that made her toes curl up.

  “Perfect, come on.” She grabbed his hand. The gleam in his eye held her in place. “What, Sir?

  “Now it’s my turn to be in charge again.”

  He tugged her to her feet, flipped her around and bent her over the back of the chair she’d been sitting on not many moments before.

  “You did say you were open to new experiences, pet. Color?”

  “Green.” Why would it be anything else when she was so wet that it was a wonder she hadn’t make a puddle on the floor?

  A waft of cool air feathered over her ass as her skirts covered her head and the sound of lace ripping made her gasp.

  Her new lacy thong seemed now to be a new lacy rag.

  “Spread for me, pet.”

  Mimi opened her legs with alacrity as Alex nudged her knees apart. His cock stroked over the crack of her ass.

  Really? Her breath sped up.

  “Eager, pet.” He laughed. “I like that.”

  In her cocoon of darkness, it sounded enticing and she moaned as he teased the ring of muscles that guarded her anal channel.

  “Oh, my pet would like me to take her there, I think. But not yet.” There was the sound of foil ripping. “Shit, my hands are shaking so much I feel like it’s the first time I’ve ever put a condom on. Ah fuck, yeah… Okay, yeah…” His words came out in short sharp bursts. “It isn’t though. The first time. Got it, thank the Lord.”

  “Well, sorry, but I think I’d be even worse,” Mimi said frankly as seconds later his cock probed the entrance to her pussy and thrust in with little finesse. She was wet and oh so ready for him and her channel opened up to embrace his thick, hard length. As he filled her and began to move, the friction sent tingles through her and the pulse between her pussy and arse throbbed in the same way it did when she climaxed. To feel that sensation so early on was something new. She gasped in appreciation as he set up a fast rhythm that she eagerly matched. Perspiration dotted her skin and vied with goosebumps for space. Her breathing sped up and she moaned and panted as she thrashed her head from side to side. The pleasure was so intense that she’d explode if she couldn’t come there and then. Mimi clenched her pussy muscles around Alex’s cock and squeezed as hard as she could.

  “Ah, Sir, please. More.”

  He suddenly stopped moving and she moaned. What? Why? “Nooo…” The tap to her bum stung. The second tap hurt and the third made her bite her lip. Why had he stopped?

  “Shh, no talking, pet, unless you call red, or I’ll gag you.”

  Gagging was definitely red. She stayed silent.

  “Good girl.”

  Alex began to move once more and, immediately, Mimi’s breath came in short sharp pants. She’d stay silent, even if it killed her, because if he didn’t let her come soon, that would kill her instead. Never before had she experienced such a fast, furious and violent need to climax and scream her completion. But hell, it was hard. She needed to feel that drop into total, sated pleasure.

  “No coming until I say so.” His words were spoken in a staccato rhythm as he kept up his steady thrusting pace.

  What? Oh, fuck… I… She opened her mouth to complain, remembered his words and bit her lip. Concentrate on that pain not on… She began to shake and thought of school dinners, jelly and ice cream on the same plate, jogging and Billy Miller, who used to torment her in nursery school—all things an anathema to her. Anything to pull back from the brink.

  Alex pinched her clit. “Come now.”

  It was the only command she needed. A hot, fast, violent orgasm hit her, so cataclysmic her body shook uncontrollably

  Dimly, Mimi felt him follow her over the edge.

  “Mine…” There was a wealth of satisfaction in his voice.

  Oh yes.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Are you okay to do this?” Theresa asked as they took their seats in the lounge of the local pub that had been reserved for the forum meeting. They were the first to arrive and they’d met earlier to formulate a plan for a cohesive front, as Theresa had put it.

  “Oh yes.” Mimi winced as her sore bum
met the hard seat of the chair. She and Alex had played on and off over the last few days and, boy, didn’t she know it.

  However, she wouldn’t have missed any of it for a fortune, especially the delicate scribe of a rose on her breast and the bright red handprint, which had turned into a bruise on her ass.

  She’d extracted a promise from Alex that the rose would one day be permanent. After the symbol, she’d booked in with Anders to have it as a tattoo the following week. That thought made her squirm slightly. Alex was going to be with her every step—or prick—of the way.

  “Are you okay in other ways?” Theresa asked as she grinned at Mimi’s careful movements. “So where’s your level of red now then?”

  Mimi shrugged. “No idea. We’re still trying to find it.” If anyone had told her even a few days ago she’d be so open and forthright about her sexual and BDSM preferences, she would have thought they were crazy.

  Now it seemed normal. Well, to discuss them with Theresa anyway.

  “Okay, here comes asshole, time to go and annihilate him, eh?” Theresa sat back as Eric and a few other people entered.

  He smirked and moved to sit next to Mimi.

  Alex stepped into the room and took the seat next to Mimi.

  Eric opened his mouth to speak and Theresa, as chairperson, forestalled him.

  “Mr. Sunderland is here at my request, in case anyone requires further clarification or doesn’t understand Miss Leman’s report. Now, I think we must all be here.”

  “He’s your fucking brother. He’ll just do as you tell him.”

  Someone muttered, “Crap.”

  Theresa ignored it. “Mr. Lonnergan, if you are impugning mine or my brother’s integrity, I’d advise you to be very careful. We would not take that lying down.”

  Eric glowered and firmed his lips.

  Theresa stared at him and raised one eyebrow. “I believe you wanted to say something?”

  “No offense. Sorry.”

  Theresa waited for what seemed like an age to Mimi then nodded. “Your gracious apology is accepted.” He reddened but kept his mouth shut. Theresa returned her attention to Mimi once more. “Dominique?”

  Mimi nodded, smiled and looked around at the others. Several seemed disgusted by Eric’s behavior and one or two looked as if they wished they hadn’t turned up. As it was, there was just the bare minimum of attendees for the meeting to go ahead. Mimi guessed there were a few people who wanted to keep out of Eric’s orbit.

  Sensible.

  The meeting opened, the minutes read and approved then Theresa turned to Mimi.

  “Perhaps you could make your report?”

  Mimi cleared her throat and wiped her clammy hands on her skirt. Now it was time to show Octopus Eric just where to get off—in a very professional manner, of course. She only hoped she could convey her thoughts properly, not just to him, but to everyone in the room, especially Alex. What better way to show her Sir how much he meant to her?

  Here goes.

  “As you all know, I was asked to go to Diomhair, to find out exactly what it was all about and, more importantly, make a recommendation about whether it was a threat to our community and should be closed down.” She paused and looked around the room. A few people seemed interested, one bored and several encouraging. She didn’t glance in Alex’s direction and waited until last to look at Eric. He seemed to have recovered from Theresa’s remarks toward him and smiled in his normal, slimy way. Mimi forced herself not to shudder. The man was definitely stalker-scary.

  “Which I’m sure you discovered is the right answer,” Eric said.

  He wore another ‘scorch your retina shirt’, this time in lime green and purple stripes, and, as ever, had far too few buttons fastened. Mimi wouldn’t have been surprised to see a gold medallion somewhere. “Closed down and the occupants encouraged to leave,” he added.

  Mimi ignored him. “My report is very straightforward. I went to the castle, was shown around and had a chance to experience a little of what BDSM is all about. Pardon, Mr. Lonnergan?” She would have sworn he called her perverted under his breath. “Did you say something?”

  He shook his head.

  “Strange, I thought my hearing was spot on and I could have sworn you said I was perverted.” She counted to three in her mind and watched him shift uneasily in his chair. Good, you pest. I wonder how it feels to be on the receiving end for a change? He was rattled. “Or was it converted? Neither? Oh well, I’ll be sure to go to the doctor and tell her I’m hearing things.” One of the other men laughed and changed it into a hasty cough. Mimi bit back her grin. “Everyone there was open, honest and friendly. I saw nothing to show it wasn’t a group of like-minded people enjoying their leisure time.”

  “It’s wrong,” Eric said stubbornly. “Perverted.” He folded his arms over his chest.

  Mimi considered him and wondered why he was so adamant. “Have you been there?”

  He shook his head. “Not me. It’s full of people who are little more than animals.”

  Mimi sighed. “Your opinion, not mine. Just as their kink isn’t yours and my kink is mine. Eric, we’re all different. Why can’t you accept that? What happens in Diomhair is consensual and legal, and in fact”—she thought of all the forms she’d filled in—“a lot more safe and controlled than any other club of any description I’ve ever heard of. To be honest, it’s a lot harder to get in there than the royal mint. “

  He shook his head and hardened his expression. “It corrupts.”

  That did it. Mimi stood up and slammed her hands on the table. Pens, pencils and Eric jumped. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Alex bite back a grin. “Rubbish. You know what I think, Eric? You’re intrigued, drawn to something that happens there and ashamed of your reaction. Scared to embrace the real you. So to keep temptation out of your reach, you decided to try and have the club closed down. Well, I’m not going to be party to that. My findings are here.” She lifted up several sheets of paper. “They contain exactly what I’ve just spoken about.” Mimi paused. “Except for the bit about you.”

  He went white then red and studied his fingernails. Mimi waited for a moment and addressed Theresa. “I’ve nothing else to add.”

  Theresa cleared her throat noisily. “Therefore we had better vote.”

  Unsurprisingly, Eric was the only person who voted in favor of a recommendation to ask for the club to be closed. He sat grim-faced until Theresa finished speaking then pushed his chair back noisily. “I believe it’s time I left. I…” He blinked and swallowed. “This isn’t going to reflect on anyone in any way. I’m convinced you’re wrong, but I’m professional enough not to let it interfere with our employment and such.” He walked stiffly out of the room.

  That wasn’t what Mimi had expected and, judging by the astonished look on Theresa’s face, neither had she. Theresa spread her hands wide. “Time to wind this meeting up, I think.”

  * * * *

  Two hours later, Mimi held Alex’s hand as they walked up the stone staircase in Diomhair to meet the others. Ahead of them, Theresa chatted to Ronnie, who had met them outside the meeting with the news that he was their taxi driver and he had a bottle of champagne with Mimi’s name on it.

  Mimi had—Theresa had reported to Ronnie as they drove to Diomhair—given a clear and concise report that no one—except Eric—argued over, and everyone—except for Eric—agreed had shown no reason why Diomhair should be closed down. One daring person had gone as far as to say he’d thought it did a service for the community. Even if, he’d added hastily, it wasn’t his thing.

  I wonder how long it will be before Jack what’shisname asks for a look around?

  “Okay, pet?” Alex turned slightly to look at her. “You still wince when you think I’m not looking. Did you take the arnica?”

  “Yes, and rubbed it in,” Mimi reassured him. “It’s an honorable wince, Sir, and to be honest, I love it. It makes me all warm and happy inside. I feel it and know I’m yours.”

  He kis
sed her nose. It was a habit of his and to be honest, she liked it. That and the way he twisted her nipple at the same time as he bit on her clit.

  “Ah, Dominique, I love you.”

  She blinked. “Er, you what?”

  Alex laughed self-consciously. “Well, that blurted itself out. It’s true, but I was going to keep it to myself for a while.”

  “Why?” Mimi stopped moving upwards and stood on a stair two above him. That meant she was about at eye level with Alex.

  “Because it’s too soon.”

  “Don’t you believe in love at first bite?” Mimi asked as she deliberately used bite, not sight. “I do. You bit me and I was yours. Maybe I need to bite you to make you believe me?”

  “You can bite me anytime,” Alex assured her. “Within reason and the remits of our scenes, of course.” He smiled. “But not to make me realize I love you. I know that.”

  Mimi stood on tiptoe and swayed toward him.

  “Are you two going to make out on the stairs all night or come in and celebrate?” Kath called down the stairs. “You can do the gooey-eyed, wet knicker bit later.”

  Mimi shook her head. “Such a way with words.”

  Kath sniggered. “Yeah, anyway?”

  “We’re coming.” Alex patted Mimi’s bum to move her on again. “Hold all those thoughts until later, pet.”

  Mimi intended to.

  “Half celebrate,” Jeff said as they joined the others. He handed glasses of champagne around. Ronnie waved water in the air for the toast. “The forum is sorted, thanks to Mimi. The white van isn’t and the Arperony could be soon. It’s been a good few days all around.”

  “And,” Alex whispered in her ear, “it is only going to get better.”

  “Yes, Sir, I totally agree with that.”