She made to protest but Jake was out the door. Putting her purse down on the counter, she took the seat in the corner. One moment she’d sat waiting for Jake to bring her to the dungeon then the next he was looking for another man to give her what she needed. None of it made any sense.
Running fingers through her hair, she blew some of her fringe out of her eyes. A haircut would be on the agenda in the next week. She worked as a receptionist in a lawyer’s office. One of the lawyers offered her a job as a personal assistant, which she turned down. The man in question had been trying to get her to go out on dates with him. She refused to give men the wrong signal, especially when she wouldn’t go through with it.
What on earth had happened to Jake?
* * * *
Staring at the screen, Ryan took a seat while Bill finished dealing with some issue on the main floor. From the looks of it one guy tried to hit on another’s girlfriend. He zoomed onto the girl in the dungeon who’d been sitting at the bar. What was it about her that intrigued him?
She sat on a chair, her hands rubbing up and down her thighs. Her head rested on the wall behind her with her eyes closed. What was she thinking? His curiosity rose even more. What was she thinking? His thoughts stayed on her even as the door to the office banged open.
“Ryan, can I have a word?” Jake asked.
Bill entered the room before he got chance to answer. “Everything is okay now, boss.” Ryan watched the other man take a seat, returning his attention back to Jake.
“I could really do with that word.”
Glancing toward the man, Ryan zoomed out of the room, giving Bill a nod before he left.
Ryan led the way into his office and took a seat behind the desk. “What do you want?”
“I need your help.” Jake took a seat.
“Then get on with it. I’ve not got all day.”
“It’s about Jesse and everything she’s been through.”
For the next ten minutes, Ryan listened to everything Jake had to say. He got a complete run down of the blonde woman who caught his interest. Anger consumed him at learning about her past.
“What happened to the fucker?” Ryan asked, hoping the bastard got castrated with a blunt knife.
“He pulled a gun on a local sheriff or something and he got shot dead.”
The end was too easy for Ryan. “Keep going.”
Jake finished the tale, leading up to him offering his services to bring her pleasure.
“Is she seeing someone about her issues?” Ryan ran a finger over his lip.
“Yes, but she doesn’t talk about this with them.”
“What do you think? Is she stable in her mind?”
“I’ve never had a problem with her. She hasn’t experienced any bad memories or anything. I promise you, Ryan, she’s a lot stronger than she looks.”
Sitting back, he stared at the man who was asking him to take over Jesse’s care. “She doesn’t want a relationship?”
“No, I’ve never had sex with her either. I simply give her pleasure. I’ve touched her body but never found any pleasure myself during our time together.”
Contemplating what Jake said, he considered his options. He did find her attractive. Every time he looked at her he got a stirring in his groin.
“Will you do it? I know you want her, Ryan. All I ask is that you take care of her for me. Give her everything she needs.”
“Jake, you’re in no position to tell me what to do. Not only will I take care of her but I’ll also make sure her needs are met fairly. I’m not a monster.” His cock hardened at the thought of taking the young woman. At forty years old he was ready to find a submissive woman he could play with. “Also, you will not butt your nose in. If I do this then I’m doing it without your interference. I expect the same rules to apply as I do in my club.”
“Yes. I agree.”
“Now, go and get her. I think it’s time I got to know my new submissive.” He watched Jake leave the office, closing the door behind him. What the hell was he doing? Backing out wasn’t an option. Jesse needed him or at least she needed someone who wouldn’t leave her for another woman.
It’s a good time as any to settle down.
Tapping his fingers on the desk, he waited. Within five minutes there was a knock, opening the door when he told whomever to enter. He didn’t know if it would be Jake or someone else. Jesse appeared first. Her eyes met his. He followed her movements as she walked into the room.
“Take a seat, Jesse,” Ryan said. “Have you told her everything?”
“Yes.”
“Good. You may leave and continue your work in the club.”
He waited for Jake to close the door before focusing on Jesse. She sat with her hands in her lap, grasping the purse.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Jesse Robinson.”
Raising an eyebrow, he waited for her to ask him a question. After several minutes neither of them said a word. Getting up from his seat, he circled the desk to rest on the edge while looking down at her. Nothing lay between them and he got a clear view of her body. “We’re not going to get anywhere until you start talking to me,” he said.
“What? I thought Jake told you everything.” Her eyes were large and the bright blue took his breath away.
“Yes, he did. I want to hear you talk. I’m not into silence unless I say otherwise. I’m not going to fuck you or play with you until I know you more, Jesse.”
He gave her time to let his words sink in.
“Erm, what’s your name?” she asked. Her cheeks were bright red and flushed.
“Ryan Carter.”
“How long have you been a Dom?”
Smiling, he clasped his fingers together in front of him. “All my adult life. You?”
“One year.” She didn’t hesitate in her response. “How old are you?”
“I’m forty years old. What about you?”
“I’m twenty five.”
His assessment of her earlier was accurate. “What do you do? Where do you work?”
“I’m a receptionist for a law firm.” She mentioned the name and he whistled.
“Good work there, or so I’m told.” Several of his customers were from the law firm she mentioned, which he found funny.
“Yes, it’s a great place to work and they’ve got good medicals and stuff.” She smiled, tucking some hair behind her ear.
He liked her smile. From the quick meeting he knew she didn’t smile enough. There was already something haunting in her eyes. He knew the truth as to why she looked so sad all the time.
“Good.”
“What else do you do or is the club everything?” she asked.
“I’m an investor in small companies. The club is all mine and I intend to keep it that way.”
“You come from money.” She made it more a statement than a question, which he didn’t dispute. Jesse appeared to be a good judge of character so far.
He found himself liking her.
* * * *
When Jake grabbed her from the dungeon, Jesse had been so nervous. The look on his face let her know he meant business. He usually looked happy, ready to tease his next victim but suddenly he looked so serious. Then he’d told her about Ryan and how he couldn’t help her with her problem anymore. She didn’t have a problem at all but he felt she did.
Staring up at Ryan she found herself relaxing. Surprised, she sat back in her seat, placing her purse on the ground beside her. The added protection of the purse was unnecessary. Ryan wouldn’t hurt her. He took great lengths to being in control and she respected him for it.
“Yes, I come from money. Is that a draw for you?”
“No, I’m not a gold-digger. I’m not asking for marriage or a ring. Far from it.” She licked her lips suddenly feeling dry.
“Would you like some water?” he asked.
“Yes.” She pressed a hand to her chest shocked by the rapid beating of her heart. What was happening to her? Her nipples ached and were in hard point