“And that’s not out of the question. A little road trip with Jade riding shotgun sounds pretty exciting, if you ask me.”
“Aren’t you the guy who was afraid to take her virginity?”
Kellan stilled. “That’s not changed.”
“Then you’ll have to wait for me,” Reason said. “If a bomb was planted at Jade’s place, you’re right about taking her out of town. Let me talk to Tristan and Ansley tonight and see what I can find out about some time off. Plus we need to see if we can get a facial recognition on the gal who came in here pitching warnings.”
“I’ll be here,” Kellan promised.
Reason shrugged. “I know what I’d be doing if the roles were reversed.”
“I guess I don’t have to tell you to hurry then.”
“Do me a favor and paddle her ass. She needs to know it’s not okay to wear bracelets advertising her availability.” Reason paused and added, “And be sure to let her know that as long as she’s playing with us, she’s not free to look for outside play partners. Last time I had an inexperienced submissive in my bed, she was searching for experience everywhere else, too.”
“That won’t be a problem with Jade.”
“Make sure it isn’t. We can’t keep her safe if she’s drawn to all the wrong places.”
Reason disappeared down the dark hallway and Kellan returned to the suite, thinking about “dark” in a different manner then. His sweet Jade wouldn’t have a need to use her safe word tonight because he intended to make this experience pleasurable, even if he gave her a taste of some pain.
Watching from across the room, he loved the way her body arched slightly when the timed plug joggled inside her. The white dress, however, was a reminder. Someone had stepped way over the line in an effort to harm her.
Approaching the bed, he eyed the small plug tucked between her cheeks. Jade didn’t look embarrassed but she was undoubtedly aware of what held his interest. He enjoyed watching the way her body naturally sucked at the rounded tip as the smooth quakes left her body ajar.
“Kellan, are you afraid of me now?”
“What? No.” He sat next to her. “Why would you think that?”
“You look at me like you’re not quite sure what to do with me.”
“Trust me, honey. I know what to do with you.”
“Prove it.”
He swallowed, remembering how he’d felt at her home, how easy and comfortable conversation had been, how much he’d enjoyed shopping with her or just being near her. They had a level of comfort between them that he couldn’t exactly pinpoint or explain.
Kellan didn’t want to fuck this up.
Lifting her dress slightly, he withdrew the plug. After depositing it in the sink, he returned to unhook the handcuffs.
“Go freshen up,” he whispered, helping her sit and then stand. “We have a long night ahead of us.”
She rose to her tiptoes and pecked his lips. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jade ditched the dress. It made Kellan uncomfortable and while he hadn’t said as much, he didn’t need to. She could tell it served as a reminder.
A man like Kellan probably didn’t like it when someone gained the upper hand. Someone had been able to send her a gift without his knowledge and considering he was looking out for her well being, he likely viewed the dress as a rival’s memento of his failure.
He hadn’t been able to keep the enemy out and if he couldn’t keep the enemy out, he couldn’t hold up his promise. Kellan couldn’t protect her.
Jade slipped off her shoes and pulled free a plush white towel from the linen closet. She wrapped it around her and left the bathroom.
As soon as she reentered the suite, she appreciated the changes. The dim lighting and the candlelight set the stage for romance.
Kellan held a riding crop in his hand. Letting it hang loosely at his leg, he eyed her suspiciously. “Did I tell you to lose the dress?”