Cole's Mistake (Haven, Texas 8)

She winced as she sat. “Ouchie. Gonna have to find a good hiding place for that paddle.”

“There are plenty more where that one came from, kitten,” Julian replied with amusement. “And if you hide that one, I’ll just have to test each of the others out on your ass until I find another I like.”

Cole was surprised by the bolt of arousal that filled him at the idea of testing paddles out on Keira’s ass. Paddles, whips, having a partner kneel at his feet and call him Sir . . . that had never interested him. Or he told himself it hadn’t.

Because he hadn’t wanted to admit it. Still, that didn’t mean he was like Joel. He wasn’t going to start going to fucking sex clubs and parading his partners around naked. He growled at the thought of other people seeing Keira and Julian naked.

“What’s wrong?” Keira asked.

What was he doing? Here she was naked in front of him and instead of worshipping her as he should, reassuring her that she was every bit as beautiful as he’d told her she was, he was scowling and thinking dark thoughts. Keira moved her arms to cover herself, scooting back into Julian’s lap.

The other man frowned at him, looking like he was seconds from throwing Cole out on his ass.

And you’d deserve it.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” he told her. “I was feeling possessive and jealous.”

“J-jealous? Of what?”

“Of everyone who saw your beauty tonight. When I wasn’t there to protect you.”

“I was there,” Julian snapped.

“So you were. See, they were foolish thoughts, because I know Julian guards you well.”

“He does,” she replied a little breathlessly as he moved his hand up her thigh, pushing her hand aside.

Maybe it was time to show them he could take charge. And if he was honest, this wasn’t just about them.

“Julian, sit back against the headboard with our kitten between your legs.”

The other man hesitated for a few seconds and Cole had a sudden vision of bending him over and applying a paddle to his ass. “Please.”

What emotion just flashed through the other man’s eyes? Cole wasn’t quite sure. Before he could question him, though, Julian slid back, leaning against the headboard. He settled Keira between his spread legs. She still had her arm over her breasts, her legs pushed together.

That wouldn’t do at all.

Cole decided to distract her a little. He slid off the end of the bed and slowly started to strip. He was aware of both of their eyes on him. He forced himself to go slowly, even as he longed to move quickly, to dive between Keira’s open legs and feast on her.

He took his shirt off and looked for somewhere to put it. Shrugging, he placed it on the floor. Something he’d never have done at his own apartment or dared to do if he’d lived with his father. Even as his boy, his room always had to be neat as a pin.

He enjoyed the way both sets of eyes, one pale blue the other so dark they were nearly black, roamed over his chest. He never missed a morning session at the gym. His routine was set in stone. He’d never allowed anything to challenge it or his beliefs. Until these two came along.

He set that thought aside as he pulled off his belt. He bent it over, looking at it. Fuck, he’d never even thought of using his belt on someone before. A partner had asked him to once, and he’d flat-out refused.

Still, he didn’t have to use it in order to create a reaction. Which is exactly what happened. Keira’s eyes widened with a spark of anticipation and worry. But it was Julian’s reaction that most surprised him. Was he aroused?

Of course, he’s aroused. They were all fucking in need. Didn’t mean he wanted to feel the bite of the belt against his ass. Which was good, because Cole wasn’t into that. Was he?

He dropped the belt hastily, and then undid his pants, drawing them off. His dick was straining against his boxers. And he ran his hand down the shaft, squeezing it at the base. He needed to regain some control here, or he’d be known as the twenty-second wonder.

He slid his boxers down and stepped out of them, wrapping his hand around his cock once more.

“Like what you see?” he asked in a husky voice.

Keira nodded slowly. “Can I touch you? Please?”

Fuck. He loved that she asked permission. And in such a sweet voice. Christ, she was made for him.