The Author's Challenge Read online

  “Sure.” Jenissa grabbed his arm. “We’d love to.” Her tone dared Rob to differ.

  He nodded. “Of course.” Did he really hear her say, “good boy”?

  Ari turned back inside and Jenissa leaned close to him. Her perfume teased his senses and her breath tickled his skin. “Well, you might be. A good boy. Shall we find out, later?” She walked passed him and left him standing on the doorstep.

  He did adjust his prick into a more comfortable position before he followed her.

  * * * *

  Three hours later, he was ready to scream. If ever the words “cock tease” could be applied to a person, it was there and then to Jenissa. Oh, nothing overt, he realized as he swirled the dregs of his brandy around the balloon glass and admired its deep, rich brown hue. In fact, if you really tried, you could, could say it was all down to an overactive imagination.

  However, he was damned sure the way her legs brushed his, or her hand lingered on his arm as she leaned forward to emphasize something and let her hair brush his neck or chest wasn’t accidental, or imagination. Damn it, he might be a writer and able to envision things, but this? Not a fucking chance. In fact, her expression dared him to make a fuss. He was so hard it hurt, and if it wasn’t for the fact he was at his sister’s dinner table, he would have made his excuses and disappeared somewhere private to jerk off and be a bit more comfortable. As it was, he suffered in silence, and cursed Jenissa under his breath.

  She, of course, seemed to sense his discomfort and revel in it. Her thumb stroked the head of his dick. He swore he felt his pre-cum leak out. If his jeans had a damp spot, he’d put her over his knee and—No, I wouldn’t. That’s not me. But maybe I could learn and make her my exception?

  “Not a chance, boy, but I could show you how not to diss a Domme.”

  He squirmed on his chair. Was it really her, in his mind? And if so, how the hell?

  Oh yes, and how? You’ve opened it. Your mind. Let’s hope you keep it that way.

  The room was too hot, his clothes too small, and his thoughts too inflammable. He’d have to go home via the river to cool off.

  “Oh, yes, please. But there won’t be much cool about it.”

  He surreptitiously wafted the bottom of his T-shirt about to get some air to his skin. Erotic juice-inducing thoughts were all well and good, but not at his sister’s dinner table.

  Jenissa’s eyes narrowed and she ran her tongue over her lips as she peeked in the direction of his crotch. Nevertheless, and lucky for him, Jenissa must have decided not to remark on it. Ari, though, had no such qualms.

  “Rob, are you okay?” Ari spoke to him. “You look uncomfortable and in pain. I thought these seats were comfy?”

  He stopped wriggling. “They are. I had cramp.”

  “Never heard it called that before,” Jenissa whispered in his ear and then sat up with an innocent expression on her face. “They so are, Ari. It must be a man thing.”

  “Eh?” Ari looked at her friend with her eyes wide and questioning. “You’ve lost me. What must? Was it something I said?”

  Jacob winked at Rob. “Leave them be, pet,” he said to Ari. “Let them sort their own lives. I know, Jen couldn’t help poking her nose into ours, but that is by the by. Do not interfere.”

  To Rob’s amazement, his normally “push as far as she could” sister dipped her head. That in itself was unusual, but her words were even more so.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Yes, Sir? What the fuck is happening that I’ve not noticed? Okay she’s talked about her relationship with Jacob, but never, ever has she used the word Sir. The last time she said that was when Professor Leaghall at school asked her if she intended to ignore his pointed suggestions regarding her lack of cooperation. That thought made him chuckle.

  “Yes, Sir?” He stared at Jacob, who merely smiled wolfishly, an expression Rob was noticing on Jacob’s face more and more. Wolfish? Hell on wheels, I have wolves on the brain.

  “Good.” He ignored that, and the chuckle, which accompanied it.

  “Since when have you called your husband Sir?”

  “Why shouldn’t she?” Jenissa asked him. “Better than ‘asshole.’”

  Rob blinked. She had a point. “She can call him what she wants. It just sounded weird, and don’t ask me why. It’s too complicated to explain, except Prof. Leaghall, and what he called gross insolence.”

  “Oh god, I so remember that,” Jacob said and sniggered. “It’s fuck all to do with that, I promise.”

  “Good.” But it still didn’t explain why his sister used it. He had a hell of a lot to think about. Why were all three of his dinner companions different? And how? He couldn’t put his finger on it, but they were acting in a way he’d never noticed before. To each other and to him. He finished off the rest of his brandy. “It’s time I went.”

  Ari lifted her head so fast it was a wonder she didn’t say she had whiplash. “Oh, but I thought…”

  “Pet.”

  Rob wondered why Jacob’s tone made his own insides do a somersault. It wasn’t who had spoken, it was that I’m-in-charge tone, the one he sometimes thought Jenissa used on him, and he decided it was wishful thinking. For the first time in years, he wished he and Ari still had the telepathy they’d shared as kids. Sadly, they lost the ability once they reached puberty. Sometimes, like then, he wondered why the fuck life laughed at him like it did.

  “Sorry, Sir,” Ari said in the same voice she’d used earlier. Subservient and…His skin crawled. His twin, a sub? My sister, a sub? He couldn’t get his head around it. Duh. “Master,” “Sir,” “pet,” how on earth could I have missed those signs? Had he really been so blinkered, or was it all part of this new Jacob, Jenissa, and Ari he was seeing? Had they decided, for some reason not to hide their true selves from him anymore? A nasty, jealous emotion swirled through him and left an unpleasant taste in his mouth. It should be me. He might not know if it was what he wanted and needed, but how good it would be to find out?

  “Rob?” Ari touched his arm. “Earth to Rob.”

  He turned and looked into her worried face. He’d been away in his own la-la land, “away with the mixer,” as Ari often said. Behind her, Jacob and Jenissa stood side-by-side, identical blank looks on their faces. Both seemed feline and ready to pounce if he said or did the wrong thing.

  It didn’t scare him, and he’d never condemn anyone for their predilections, but he had to know, even if it did make him as jealous as hell later. At least he’d have someone to ask questions.

  Oh, no, I wouldn’t. No way could I ask my twin stuff like that. He looked at each of them in turn.

  “You’re into BDSM?”

  All three nodded.

  Chapter Four

  “Ah.” Rob ran his hand over his head.

  Jenissa could read his mind without looking. There went her chance of happiness then. Evidently he didn’t know what to think, but she couldn’t see any instant “ohh, wow, let me in” thoughts.

  “As who, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  Ari looked at Jacob, who nodded. Jenissa ignored the way Jacob looked at her. If she chose to answer Rob, it would be in private. She’d told him she wanted to talk to him. This would hopefully make it easier, even if she didn’t get the answers she wanted.

  “Butt out, brother mine. I’ll do as I want, when I want.”

  Jacob narrowed his eyes. “See you do it soon.”

  “Jacob is my Master as well as my husband. I’m his collared sub,” Ari said.

  “Do you understand that?” Jacob asked Rob.

  To Jenissa’s amazement, Rob nodded. “Yeah, and I don’t need the nitty-gritty, thank you.”

  “Just as well,” Ari said. “You’re not getting it.” She poked his arm. “Some things are best not shared with a sibling.”

  Rob laughed. “Thanks for small mercies.” He turned to look at Jacob, who he noticed had a faint, satisfied smile on his face. “And no way am I bloody well calling you Sir, mate.”

&n
bsp; “No need. I’m not your Dom. But if you need to ask questions—in general not specifically—I am your man.”

  Rob raised one eyebrow at that invitation. He’d need to mull it over. “I’ll remember.” He looked at Jenissa. “Why have you decided to let me in on all this now?”

  “It’s time,” Jacob said.

  Rob nodded. It was obvious Jacob had no intention of expanding on his brief statement. Rob turned to Jenissa. “And you?”

  “Will tell you as we walk home.”

  “Which is now.” He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. Jenissa narrowed her eyes but, to his relief, didn’t argue. He hustled her through their farewells, somewhat amazed at his temerity. Rob would say he was the last person to be so decisive—unless it regarded his writing, he rarely put himself forward in such a way—or to ride roughshod over someone else. However, now that he’d got to the point of wondering who, why, what and how, he needed to know the answers immediately.

  “I think I’m going home,” Jenissa said in a half-humorous tone as she kissed Ari’s cheek, “or something. Let’s hope it’s the ‘or something.’” She tugged her hand out of Rob’s and turned to her brother. “I’ll speak to you tomorrow.”

  “See you do,” Jacob said in a voice that demanded obedience.

  Rob was taken aback by the way it resonated deep inside himself. If he were a dog, he’d be cowering in his kennel. As it was, he couldn’t understand why he—and his cock—wanted to stand to attention.

  Jenissa curtseyed. It seemed she had no such feelings. “Oh yes, Alpha mine.”

  “Watch it. And remember, it’s not just a title.”

  “And don’t I know it,” Jenissa muttered as they walked across the graveled drive toward the track through the woods to Jenissa’s house. At least that was where Rob assumed they were going.

  “God, he’s so bloody bossy. When will he realize I’m a big girl?’

  “Never. It’s a brother’s job to boss.”

  Jenissa groaned. “Yeah, more’s the pity.”

  The gravel scrunched as their feet displaced the tiny pebbles. The grey and green hues were warm and welcoming, with none of the dullness plain grey ones could give off.

  “Shit, I’ve got a stone in my sandal. Hold on and let me take it out.” Jenissa grabbed Rob’s elbow and undid the buckle on her almost-there, three-straps-and-a-sole flat shoes. She shook out the offender and replaced the sandal. “Always happens.”

  The way she said always triggered a memory for Rob. Al… “What did you mean when you called Jacob ‘Alpha mine’?”

  Jenissa was silent for several steps, and then, as they reached the edge of the forest, she stopped walking and swung around to stand facing Rob.

  “How open-minded are you, Rob? Can you suspend belief and be persuaded to be swayed?” She spoke earnestly as she curled her arm around his neck. Her breath was warm on his neck, and he swore her teeth grazed his skin in such a way his nerve ends reacted with fervor and sent erotic messages to his dick. It, as ever, responded in the usual way and demanded to be let out to play. “You understand the Sir and Master bit, even if you won’t admit it.”

  Yeah, true enough. He wasn’t going to admit it, though. He tugged her so they were skin-to-skin. “Well…”

  Jenissa groaned and ground her pussy against him. “Damn it, Rob, I need to think. And not about fucking you.”

  “You don’t, you know.” He grabbed her ass, and held her even tighter against him. Why shouldn’t he get some pleasure as well? “No need to think. Just stay there and let me undo my jeans, lift your skirt and…”

  “And have Ari and Jacob breathing down our necks?” She laughed mirthlessly. “No thanks. I value both our skins. We’re almost in view of the house, and I swear my brother can see though trees.”

  Rob jumped. What the fuck had he been thinking? That was the problem, he hadn’t been thinking at all. Just feeling.

  “Ah, shit, Jen. I’m sorry.”

  “So am I, but not because we almost made the beast with two heads, but because we didn’t. Seriously, Rob, I wish we could have carried on—shit.”

  She took such a deep breath he wondered if—or was that hoped—her tits would spill out of her top.

  “I’ve lusted after you for years,” she finished, and reddened.

  What?

  “I never knew.” He was shaken. All those times he jerked off thinking about her, and maybe he could have been inside her for real not just in his mind. “Why didn’t you show me? Give me a hint?” He might be clueless, but surely he’d know that?

  “The time wasn’t right. Now it might be.”

  Pardon?

  She put her finger over his mouth. “Might, but not yet. Not until I’ve talked to you, and here isn’t the place. We’ll be at my house in ten minutes. Will you come in and let me explain as best I can?’

  There was only one answer. His dick pushed against his jeans. No doubt if it could it, would be bobbing in agreement. “Of course, but can we hurry?”

  Jenissa laughed. “Race you.” She took off with her skirt billowing around her legs and her hair flying around like a shimmering halo. “Come on, slow coach, show me your heels.”

  “Yeah.” He followed, sure he’d overtake her and win. He didn’t. She made it to her house a full thirty seconds ahead of him.

  “Damn it, how the hell can you move so fast?” Rob put his hands on his knees and wheezed like an old man. He’d thought he was reasonably fit until then. Now he wasn’t so sure. Evidently a five-mile run four times a week was bugger all when you were up against Jenissa. “I swear your feet hardly touched the ground.”

  “They hardly did. I sort of flew. After that, could I make you believe in all things you think impossible?” Jenissa spoke in a grave voice. “Open your mind to all sorts of possibilities?”

  He looked up into her serious face as he formulated his answer. “Well, as I usually write gritty crime novel, and somehow have digressed into adult fairy takes and such, I daresay you could. After all, I seem to be writing an interpretive history of the area, which involves fairies, witches and goodness knows what else.” He heard the derisive note in his voice and winced. Not the best way to show her he was open-minded. “So, witches, weres and whatever? Try me and see.”

  “Hmm. Should I?” Jenissa’s eyes darkened almost to black, and then cleared as she opened her door and stood back to let him precede her. He noticed her breathing had hardly altered, whist he was still puffing and trying to regulate his heartbeat.

  Less of the coffee and wine.

  “Go up to the lounge. I’ll get coffee, and the whisky. Just in case.”

  She didn’t say in case of what, and Rob decided not to ask. Nor did he decline the coffee, that could come later. He waited to see what else she would say.

  “You know the way. Upstairs, first left.”

  Rob nodded his agreement. He’d been very impressed when Jenissa had remodeled her house to take advantage of the views. He’d taken an easier option. After all, any DIY or supervising workmen took time away from his writing. Up until these last few dream-ridden weeks, writing had always taken priority over everything.

  Therefore, he’d contented himself with sitting his study overlooking the Ben, their local mountain. Even so, that afternoon, “what if” and “why” had been in his mind, and left five thousand words unwritten. That was unheard of. Generally, he was incredibly single-minded.

  “Hence your lack of awareness at what’s under your nose.”

  “I’ll er, not be long,” Jenissa said huskily. “Wait for me.”

  Why on earth did she sound so strange? Her voice was scratchy, and he’d swear she nigh on growled the words. Like a wolf? Now that was screwy. Wolves didn’t speak or growl words. Get a grip. He mentally shrugged and made his way upstairs.

  “Open mind, remember.” His cock twitched. He’d remember.

  At the top of the flight of stairs, Rob hesitated. Jenissa had said first left, but he swore her lounge was first
right. What to do?

  He could do a “this one, that one, which one, why,” but it was such a faff. Better just to go with his gut feeling. He turned right, noticed a keypad of some sort, and ignored it when the door opened to his touch.

  And knew fine well his jaw dropped open and he swayed on his feet.

  What the fuck?

  It was a kinky person’s paradise. Doubled. In spades. His mouth was dry and he had goose bumps.

  “Ah,” Jenissa spoke from behind him. “You found my playroom. I wonder if it was a Freudian slip when I forgot to lock it?”

  Rob swung round and swore the hairs on his body stood on end. She was dressed exactly the same as she had been a few moments earlier, but somehow she seemed different. Was it the look in her eyes or the way she held herself? He had no idea, but oh my, he liked it. The hairs on his arms stood on end, and he had trouble breathing. She looked—dominant. Superb. Compelling. What he’d been looking for.

  Would it be wrong to kiss her feet? Beg for whatever I should beg for? Cool it. Be calm and collected. I don’t know what she wants. Take it slowly. It was going to be as easy as shooting the winning goal at the cup final, but he’d give it his best shot.

  “Maybe,” Rob said cautiously, “I was the one making the slip? I take it this is not the lounge, then?”

  Jenissa laughed and her eyes crinkled up. “Seems not to be.”

  “Guess I did go the wrong way.”

  “Yeah.”

  “So…” He cleared his suddenly-tight throat. “Why is this here? Do you have a Dom?” He stumbled over the word, even as he prayed she’d say no. She was his, even if he didn’t have one Dom-like bone in his body. Surely he hadn’t read the signs wrongly?

  “No. No Dom. Would you have liked me to?”

  Phew.

  “No.”

  She tapped her thigh with a riding crop he hadn’t seen earlier. “What will you say, then, when I tell you…” She paused and used the crop to tease her breasts over her top. It was one of the most erotic gestures he’d ever had the privilege to see. Then she slid the leather-clad tip of the crop tip between his legs and pressed upwards, just enough for his balls to tighten in protest.