Secrets Shared Read online

  “Thank you, Ma—David. This is Jessica.”

  Jess had no time to wonder what her companion had been going to say before the man bowed and smiled.

  “Jessica, welcome.”

  She didn’t think so. His voice rumbled through her, and set off a minor earthquake in her clit. She didn’t welcome it. Cocoa, a good book and her yellow duck jammies had never seemed more of a good idea than then.

  Chapter Two

  David watched as the gorgeous redhead frowned at the way Kath greeted him. It seemed she wasn’t impressed with him. He wondered if she knew how Kath had been about to address him, and if that had anything to do with how she’d reacted? His eyes narrowed into a look designed to make most subs assume the position and shiver in trepidation—or anticipation. She did neither but stared back at him with a bored expression. How he’d like to make her flutter her eyelids and let them close over those deep pools he wanted to drown in.

  David grinned to himself at his fanciful words. He had a sudden urge to hear Jess in the throes of passion, giving soft mews and sighs and panting her excitement. He’d bet his new Shibari rope she’d go deep and fast if she let herself. Damned if he didn’t need to rub that insulting expression off her face and replace it with one of arousal. A notion struck him to be rejected as fast as it came. She might say she wasn’t a sub, but she was no Domme either. Nothing about her proclaimed dominant. Not in the way she looked at him or Jeff’s sub. Everything shouted sub, even if it was reluctant. The shiver when he stared, the brief look down—so brief he bet she didn’t even know she’d done it—the way she licked her lips and her nipples stood out against her silk top. All for him? He hoped so. Jeff had warned him Jess wouldn’t be happy, but he hadn’t expected such a show of determined apathy.

  “Look, if I have to go to this stupid place, can we get it over and done with?” Jess tapped her toes. “I’ve better things to do with my time than spend it somewhere like that.” And, her tone inferred, with people like David.

  David stared at her until she fidgeted. He looked down at her feet until the tapping ceased then raised his glance to her face once more.

  “Don’t knock what you don’t know, pet.” He used the sobriquet on purpose, and as he’d expected, she bristled. Like a hedgehog—my God, she’s prickly.

  “Woof woof, and don’t call me that. My name is Jess, and if you insist on not using it, you can go whistle.”

  David wondered just what she’d do if he put her over his knee? If it hadn’t been for the worried expression on Kath’s face, he might well have challenged Jess. Not now, plenty of time for that later.

  “Jess, please,” Kath said in a soft voice. “Argue with Jeff not David. He’s been asked to drive us, nothing else.”

  Jess bit her lip.

  One day I’ll show you what happens to subs who mutilate themselves like that. Subs? David had never been so certain about something in his life. Not only that, if she opened up and admitted it, he knew damned fine who would be her Dom.

  “Well?” He kept his tone harsh, and couldn’t help but enjoy the trickle of satisfaction that filled him as she swallowed hard and eventually inclined her head.

  “Fine, okay and under protest. But only so I can tell Jeff where he can shove his investments.” She slid into the back seat and held her handbag across her front like body armor. With an apologetic glance at David, Kath followed her.

  He made a mental note to ask Jeff about her later. His remit from the owner of Secrets—he still couldn’t get his tongue around Diomhair and used the English word—had been brief. Could he collect his partner and his sister and bring them to the club. Jeff had mentioned his sister was part owner and had never visited before. What he’d neglected to mention was her antagonism. As David drove along the road it hit him in waves.

  “Not a chance, Kath. No fucking way. You’re screwy, hell are you expecting me to agree to that? Well, sorry and no dice.”

  The fierce argument held behind him didn’t add to his hope that not only was she a willing owner, but she might be a willing participant in what happened between the walls of Secrets. And she needs to sort the swearing out. If there was one thing David didn’t like it was foul language coming from such an attractive mouth.

  “You’ve got to. Everyone does at first.”

  “No, not in a million years.” The statement was emphatic, and he wondered just what Kath had said to Jess. “Then just stop the car and let me out, now.”

  A thump on his shoulder made him jerk and wince. It seemed the lady meant what she said and packed a mean punch for emphasis.

  He looked in the mirror to see Kath’s distressed face glare at him in a ‘don’t you dare stop’ look. He didn’t.

  “Hey, are you deaf? I said stop the bloody car.”

  A second, harder thump was enough to make him jerk the steering wheel, and the car swerved. David swore under his breath and controlled it in one swift movement. He began to dream up punishments he’d be more than happy to dish out. Along the lines of the lovely Jessica wide open for him, her hands bound and her ass full.

  “Stop it, Jess, you’ll make Mas…er, David crash.” Kath sounded frantic. “Jeff’ll explain, I promise. But I want to get there in one piece.”

  So did he. He waited to hear what Jessica said next.

  “Then stop the car and let me out or turn round. You can’t ask me to do this, never, ever.”

  She sounds scared. What on earth did Kath ask her? Her distress hit him in waves. He wondered if Kat had suggested she dance naked down Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow, or streak at an old firm football match.

  After a quick glance in the rear view mirror to check it was safe, David slowed the car. He was anxious to hear what was going on, and pleased he hadn’t activated the privacy screen. For the first time in a long while, David felt a surge of interest and arousal. Somehow, her attitude had gotten to him, and he wanted, no needed to know why. He was going to go out on a limb and help her get over whatever it was that haunted her, even if it worked against him. She was a mass of contradictions. David was sure she was a sub, and his intuition told him somewhere in her past something so negative had happened to her that she now refused to admit to it.

  A surge of anger filled him, and his hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white. He suspected some kind of abuse, and if his instincts were correct, it would take more than a few dominant glances and directives to get over it. David made a mental promise to find it all out and deal with it. He chose not to analyze why it mattered so much that he help Jess. Yes, he’d do the same to help any sub with problems, but somehow, Jess’s problems mattered more. However that was for later. Meanwhile he listened to the couple in the back.

  “It’s policy, you have to.” Kath sounded worried.

  Ah, I bet she’s mentioned the blindfold clause.

  “No I don’t, and no way.” Jess sounded adamant. “So either I go eyes wide open, or I don’t go. Your choice.”

  Kath has mentioned the blindfold clause, and it’s a biggie to Jess. That made him swallow hard. David loved the notion he could blindfold his partner, see her wondering what was about to happen, and know she would revel in whatever he chose to do. Now it seemed a blindfold may well be a hard limit to Jess. How to overcome that? If it was a hard limit there would be nothing to decide. He’d respect it and try to find out why later. While he mulled things over, a short whispered argument went on behind him

  “Jess, we can’t. I can’t do that. It’s not up to me. The rules say every new or prospective member must be blindfolded. Can you truly not cope for a few minutes?”

  “Ha.” Lord, she sounded triumphant, but it seemed she had a get out. “Nope, no dice and anyway I’m not a new member, and not only that, I don’t want to be. So let me go home.”

  David made up his mind it was time to intervene. He checked the road once more and pulled the car onto the curb before stopping it and swiveling around in his seat.

  “Jessica, stop.�
� His tone was authoritative. Would she heed him? “Enough already. Stop harassing Kathleen—she is obeying her Dom.”

  He ignored Jess’ “For fuck’s sake, no.” It was up to Jeff and Kath to sort that out.

  “Either do as she asks, call red or answer to me. I can think of nothing nicer than teaching you how to show respect.”

  He waited, his heart thudding to see what she would say, expecting a succinct answer. He’d come on strong on purpose, to push her. He wasn’t disappointed.

  “Fuck off.”

  Yeah, that’s succinct enough. Somehow I don’t think the lady will kneel down and submit willingly.

  David got out of the car and opened the passenger door next to Jess.

  “Your language would make a navvy blush. Be thankful I haven’t got the authority to punish you.”

  Jess went white and as he watched, her nails dug into the leather of the car seat.

  “Not unless you want your balls rearranged.”

  “Out,” he said tersely. Of course the lady didn’t comply like any good sub would. She stared at him as if he had two heads and laughed.

  “Sod off, mister.”

  “Jesssss,” Kath’s hissed entreaty went unheeded. “You can’t say that.”

  He waited, more amused than angry to hear her reply. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d looked forward to being a Dom with a woman. Their tussles were going to be fun. Of course he hoped he’d win in the end, but if he didn’t? Well, no, he decided he couldn’t joke about it even to himself.

  Jess balled her hands into fists, and her knuckles showed white. “Oh, I can and I did. Who is he anyway? And what’s all this shit about calling red. I’m so not into that. No, not now not ever means just that. If you say I’m an owner, then surely that makes me his boss? Listen well, both of you. For the last time, no one, and I mean no one, blindfolds me—ever. Or ties me up, holds me down or bullies me in any way. Whatever you and my moronic brother think. I got into this car for your sake, Kath, no other reason. I never agreed to anything other than that. End of. So?”

  “So.” David hadn’t considered he’d butt in, but enough was enough. Jess needed to calm down and think rationally. Right then all she was doing was winding herself up. “Shut the hell up and stop harassing Kath. She’s following orders, which is something I’m going to look forward to teaching you to do. Kath, don’t worry. I’ll sort this. Sit down and relax.”

  “Thank you, Master.” Kath’s reply sounded more than heartfelt. He saw Jessica stiffen, open her mouth and shut it again immediately. That was better. Perhaps something had filtered into her brain. The silence was what his mum would have called pregnant and heavy.

  It lasted for a full two minutes. He’d been mistaken. Jess shook her head in, he assumed, disbelief and maneuvered herself out of the car. She ignored his proffered hand.

  “For fuck’s sake, K, what planet are you on? I’m so out of here. Enjoy your whacked out evening and tell my asshole of a brother to buy me out. So. Not. My. Scene. End of.” She wheeled around and began to walk back the way he had driven, her back ramrod straight and her bag swinging from a still-clenched fist.

  “Please, Master David.” Kath was in full sub to Dom mode. “Please don’t let her go. She needs us. She needs you. If she goes now, we’ll lose her forever. That asshole did a right number on her. Even though she has no idea what we know or how we know it, she needs help to get over it.”

  And I’d love to know just what the ‘it’ is. David knew, to his regret, it wasn’t time to ask. Kath was becoming more agitated by the moment.

  “We miss her, not just me but Master Jeff as well. That prick stole his sister and my l…” She trailed off.

  “And your?” he prompted, as he checked just how far Jess had walked. Not very far.

  “And my best friend, my sister and the other half of me.”

  “Kathleen, you weren’t going to say that.” His voice was harsh. He wanted to run after Jess, hold her and tell her he was going to make everything better. Not likely to happen like this. He needed to pacify Kath and go after Jess. “Remember, if Master Jeff isn’t here, I am his designated choice. So?”

  “Er, so…” Her voice trailed off, and she rubbed her eyes.

  “We were lovers, okay? You utter shit,” Jess said. “What business is it of yours? Get your rocks off hearing about other people’s sex lives, do you?” He hadn’t been aware of her approach. It seemed she had heard his questions and had walked back toward them. She poked him in the chest. It stung rather than hurt, but it was the fact she’d chosen to pull him up in such a way that riled David.

  “That’s four, or is it five?” he asked in an even tone. “I’ll decide if it’s my hand or a flogger later.” It could be twenty-seven, he didn’t care. All he knew was that sooner rather than later he was going to spank her until her ass was colored with the imprint of his hands. Definitely my hands. Then he may well turn her over and start on her cunt. Never before had his cock threatened to split his trousers as it did now, and his psyche demand someone bow to his every desire. He forgot everything he’d ever learned and spoke without thinking. “You’re mine, Jessica, like it or not. I know, and if you’d just open your mind, so would you. We are each other’s completion and sooner or later, and I reckon sooner, I’ll show you.” He firmed his lips together, scared he’d said too much.

  “Fuck you—it’s bollocks, and you know it.” Jess’ eyes flashed, even though her hand shook. “I’m not your sub, not a member of the sodding club and not interested.”

  He rather fancied her rapid breathing and flushed cheeks gave lie to the statement.

  Behind him, Kath sobbed quietly. David felt sorry for her. None of this was her fault except that she had acquiesced to her Master’s demand. Whether Jess would ever forgive her twin or her friend was, he felt, doubtful. She was flushed, but not, he surmised, from arousal. It was from sheer bad temper. David concluded a different tactic was needed.

  “Jessica, you’re upsetting Kathleen. If as I’ve been told she is your greatest friend, can you stop? Give her a break maybe. Your brother asked her to do this and—”

  “As she’s been hypnotized by him, she’ll do what he says,” Jess broke in. “Even though she knows—he knows—I can’t.” She turned to Kath. “I know you know a little bit of why I’m so anti all this, but I chose to ignore the fact you’d checked up on me.” Her eyes glittered with tears. “And believe me, you don’t know the half.”

  David’s throat constricted. If only he could tell her it was all okay, nothing was going to happen, and he’d take her home that minute. But he couldn’t. He had to at least get her to her brother.

  “Then you come and tell him everything. I’ve promised Jeff I’ll take you both to him, and I don’t go back on my promises. I’ll hold your hand.”

  Jess paled even further and shook her head. David reckoned it was hard to believe so much color could leach from a person’s skin, and them still be conscious.

  “And I should accept this why?”

  He raised one shoulder. “Because your brother and friend have your best interests at heart maybe? Whatever. But listen well, you do not take it out on Kathleen. How about I give you my word? Once we get there, if you wish, you can leave and I’ll take you wherever you want to go.” He could tell she was thinking over his words. Her eyes were cloudy, and she twisted one red ringlet between her fingers. Behind her, Kath was silent. She must have understood how crucial this was.

  “Like this?” she waved her hands over her face. “Eyes wide open and not covered?”

  Shit. What had made her ask that?

  “No, not quite.” He waited. She waited, and David realized he had to speak. “Blindfold. It’s the rule.” Why was he being so arsy about it? He could bend the rules if he wanted to. David realized it was because he needed Jess to trust him. Is it just because it strikes at my ego, or because it would be the first step to a Dom-sub relationship? He evaluated his feelings. Definitely the latter.
r />   Jess shrugged. “Then sorry, no dice. I will never, ever be blindfolded. So either I go sighted or not at all.”

  And therein was his dilemma. As much as he wanted it, David accepted it was asking too much for her to put all her trust in him without any good reason. Why should she? He knew damned well if he was in her position he’d tell him to go to hell. Something was seriously wrong, and he was determined to help her get over the hurdle or phobia. For both their sakes.

  “Would you agree to keep your eyes shut?” he asked, trying for a compromise. “If I promise no one will touch you?” David hadn’t realized until that moment how crucial he considered her answer would be. “No one except me that is, and I’ll only touch you to guide you.”

  The silence stretched. With infinite patience, he counted off the seconds in his mind. He would give her two minutes and…then kiss her senseless maybe. Why this woman should affect him the way she did, he had no idea. In truth he wasn’t enamored with the fact she appealed to him on more than one level. Not only was his cock hard and his balls tight with arousal, David’s dominant—and emotional side demanded he make sure she was okay with everything that happened. It was a pity he was busy, too busy to give her the care and attention she needed. He grinned to himself. Just whom was he kidding? If she did interact, show even the slightest interest in him, he’d do his damnedest to have her. Under him, writhing in pleasure as he fucked her every which way possible. Bent over the spanking bench, his hand caressing her as he made his mark on her shapely ass. With him every step of the way, as he explored her limits and pushed them further. However, he had a feeling the River Clyde would freeze over before that happened.

  Beside him, he saw Kath wipe her eyes and wait with him. Jess paced up and down and nibbled her top lip once more. How he’d like to reprimand her and tell her not to mutilate herself. Already a red mark had appeared on her skin, and as far as he was concerned, he should create the only red marks, and they wouldn’t mar her face.