Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

“You remember what I said about us both being Doms?” Carrick asked.

“Yes, but you’re sometimes a bottom?”

“Sometimes. But not for you. I’m always your Top. For sex anyway.”

“I’m always in charge,” Jardin growled. “Of both of you. But especially you, sweetness. And you’ll have rules to follow and consequences if you don’t.”

She looked back at him pleadingly. “You’re not really going to punish me for leaving?”

“Oh, yes. I certainly am. For not telling us what was going on. For running away. For risking yourself. For not telling me you were living in a dive. That you were unsafe. The list goes on.”

Her bottom lip dropped in a pout. Oh, hell, no. She did not just do that.

“Put that away,” Jardin ordered. “That shit doesn’t work on me.”

“Besides,” Carrick whispered. “You might just like your punishment.”

She turned sideways so she could see them both. “Maddox said you’re a sadist.”

Jardin swore. “That asshole.”

“Are you? Because while a spanking seems, um, doable, I don’t think I could go for any real pain.”

“And you won’t have to. Because I don’t get pleasure from inflicting pain on people who don’t want it. Punishments are different, of course. You break the rules, you get punished to deter you from breaking the rules again. Then, I won’t hesitate. But I’m not going to strap you down and take my whip to you because I’m some deviant sadist.”

“But then . . . won’t you miss it?”

Jardin grinned. “We’ll work it out. It’s not something I need all the time. Carrick has yet to decide if he wants to feel the bite of my whip. Maybe I’ll take you to Saxon’s while we’re here. There’s always someone there who enjoys or needs the pain.”

She frowned. “You’d touch them? Be with them?”

He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck then reached for Carrick, bringing him closer. “I’ll be with no one but the two of you. You always come first. Helping with a scene doesn’t have to be sexual, but if you don’t want me to do that, I won’t.”

“Okay,” She whispered. “Maybe we can see.”

“Good girl,” he crooned. “You’re going to be our very good girl from now on, aren’t you?”

She looked from him to Carrick. “Yes.”

“Yes, Sir,” Jardin told her.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Now, I’m going to go sit on the end of the bed and go through your rules while Carrick strips you.” He met Carrick’s gaze, saw the heat and, unable to resist, drew him close to kiss him.

Carrick was a bit hesitant at first, then he threw himself into the kiss, pulling Jardin closer. They drew apart slowly, both of them breathing heavily.

“Oh, God, that was so hot. I think I just came a little. More? Please?”

Both of them looked to Thea. Then Carrick let out a laugh, his shoulders shaking. “More? You have to earn more. Come here.”

* * *

Carrick drew Thea closer as Jardin pulled the curtains closed. He admitted, he’d still held some reservations about how she would take him and Jardin together. Wondering if he’d be left out again. When Jardin was in a room, he tended to dominate it.

But Carrick knew he would have a role to play. Jardin could sometimes be too much, too overwhelming. He brought balance to the possessive beast. Not that he wasn’t just as possessive. He simply hid that side better.

As Jardin took off his jacket and shirt, Carrick turned her to face the other man and stepped in behind her. He reached around to cup her full breasts.