Ravish Page 5

“I do have a question though.”

  “Yes.”

  “I want to join the club, but I’m not sure I can afford it.”

  “Hot damn,” Damon said.

  Max glared at him.

  “Okay, I’m out of here. I’ll be at Colby’s place.” Damon jumped up and left.

  “Damon gets ahead of himself sometimes.” Max shook his head. “I know Colby asked to explain some things to you. The club isn’t as expensive as you think. I have a class starting on Thursday night, so why don’t you come out, and we can get you started.”

  “Okay, and yes, Colby mentioned the classes.” Her life was going to get busy, but the kind of busy that made her very happy.

  “Good. Seven.” Max stood. “I’m glad you’ll be doing the food, Lara. Everyone raved about it. See you Thursday.”

  Raved about it? Lara stood in shock for a moment. The food wasn’t that special. At least she didn’t think so. Those poor people must be in need of heartier food than the club’s sliced fruit offerings. Cooking and feeding people was so second-nature to her that sometimes she forgot some people lived on snacks and convenience foods. She headed for the kitchen still reeling over the changes in her life.

  “Hey, Lara, it’s two forty-five,” Megan said.

  “Go ahead and leave.” Lara stepped out of the small kitchen and waved at Megan as she left. Max’s words played around in her brain. She hadn’t really expected to cater more of the club’s events, but it was a good thing. She looked forward to working with Max and everyone at the club. She liked everyone she’d met there, and let’s face it, the club called to her like a long-lost home.

  At three, Lara locked the door and finished cleaning up. She gathered up the day’s receipts and put them in the safe, grabbed the money, and left by the back door. Climbing into her vehicle, she drove to the bank, which was busy, dropped off the deposit, and by the time she arrived home, it was almost five.

  She had to get ready for her date with Colby. A shiver of anticipation flowed over her skin. It would be her first date in over three years. She’d tried to date right after she opened her café, but she hadn’t been ready.

  Once home, Lara took a quick shower and then perused her closet. What to wear tonight? Colby hadn’t said where they were going. She walked over and picked up her phone from the dresser.

  Lara dialed the number for Durham’s leather shop instead of his cell.

  “Good afternoon, this is Colby with Durham’s Leather Shop. How can I help you?”

  She couldn’t prevent the tremor that penetrated her skin caused by his husky voice. “Hi, Colby, it’s Lara. Where are we having dinner tonight?”

  “Well, hi there, sweetheart. I wasn’t thinking anything fancy. Is the barbecue place okay with you?”

  Oh, he called her sweetheart. Wow, they hadn’t even been on a date yet. The endearment warmed her heart and gave her a tingle of excitement. It implied he was serious about her already. Was that even possible? “Perfect. Now I know how to dress.”

  A groan came over the line.

  “Please tell me you’re not calling me without any clothes on.”

  “Well.” Lara glanced down. “I guess you could consider a towel clothing.”

  “You’re killing me here.”

  Lara let out a giggle. “I don’t mean to. I want you alive for dinner.”

  “You know.” His voice dropped to even a lower register. “Bad girls get punished.”

  Her heart fluttered with excitement. “And just what will you do to me, Sir?”

  Colby’s harsh breathing reached her ears. There was rustling and a muffled conversation on the other end of the line before Colby spoke again. “I think, the first thing I would do is to take you by the hand and lead you over to the bed.”

  Her blood heated. “Colby, you’re at work.”

  “Technically, yes. I just stepped outside, so, where was I? Oh yes, the bed. I would slowly strip your clothes from you and place you on all fours in the middle of the bed.”

  Lara’s breathing hitched as she backed up until her knees hit her mattress, and she flopped on the bed. “And once I’m on the bed?”

  “Well, since this is a minor infraction, I would simply give you a nice spanking with my hand.”

  “Do you spank me hard?” Her skin tingled with anticipation.

  “Oh, sweetheart, you’re starting to push it. I’ll give you just as much as you need.”

  Lara’s breath caught in her throat as she closed her eyes and imagined Colby in the room with her. “Oh yes, Colby, spank me harder.” She squirmed against the mattress.

  She heard his exhale through the phone line. “You’re liking this way too much. Let me see what else I can do to you. What did I bring in my bag?”

  “Bag?”

  “Of course. No good Dom is without his toy bag.”

  Her nipples puckered at his words. “What is in your toy bag, Sir?” Why was this phone play coming so naturally to her? Because of him.

  “Now that’s for me to know and for you to discover as I use my toys on you.”

  “Please, Sir. What will you use on me first?” Her body tingled with anticipation of what he would use on her.

  “Since we don’t know each other very well yet, I’ll probably start with something simple. Maybe, a vibrating glove.”

  She hadn’t heard of a vibrating glove before, but it still caused her nipples to tighten further. “What is a vibrating glove, Sir?”

  “So you’re not familiar with it. Interesting. It’s a nice little thing that I slip over my hand and stroke up and down your body, controlling the vibrations of the glove by how hard I’m pressing on your skin.”

  Her pussy tightened at his words. She could almost feel his touch against her bare skin, the glove’s vibrations causing her nerve endings to come alive with want and need.

  “Oh please, Sir.” Her voice was breathless.

  “I will please you, but not until later, my naughty sub.”

  The slamming of a door brought Lara back to earth, hard. What a fantasy. Or was it? They were going to dinner tonight, and who knew what could happen afterward?

  “Damn, I gotta go. Until later.”

  The line went dead, and Lara laid there, her body pulsing with need. It wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge. Her fingers flirted with the edge of her towel. No. She wouldn’t get herself off, not right now. She wanted to keep all of this for Colby.

  Lara climbed off the mattress and went back over to her closet. She pulled out a pair of designer jeans and a flirty top. Maybe she’d make Colby work for her consent, but she kind of doubted it. She was ready for anything he could throw at her.

  Chapter 5

  Colby climbed the steps to Lara’s front door. His cock pulsed with each step he took. After their phone call this afternoon, his dick had stayed hard. Colby knocked on the door, and a second later, the door opened to reveal a smiling Lara.

  His gaze ran over her from head to toe. The brightly colored top clung to her breasts, and he would have sworn she’d been poured into those jeans. “You look so delicious I could eat you for dinner.”

  Lara smiled shyly. “Well, you did say casual. Do you want to come inside?”

  His cock jumped, and he closed his eyes for a moment. “Better not tempt fate right now.” He held out his hand.

  “Okay.” She reached back, grabbed her purse, and set the alarm before she put her hand in Colby’s, closing the door behind her as she walked out onto the stoop.

  “Before we go.” He leaned closer to her. “I know we haven’t officially agreed to a relationship, so let me rectify that right now. I need verbal consent that you’re willing for me to be your Dom in and out of Wicked Sanctuary.”

  Her eyes widened before her lashes fell. Colby waited. He wasn’t going to rush her, but he needed that consent. While they’d had pretty basic phone sex today, once he had her consent, he’d take it up a notch.

  “I believe I could agree to that.” Her voice was soft.<
br />
  “I need a little more than that. Yes or no.”

  Her lashes rose, and she tilted her head back until their gazes met. “Yes, Sir.”

  His cock pulsed against his jeans. “Thank you, sweetheart.” He ran his finger over her cheek. “We have a lot to talk about over dinner.”

  “Like what?”

  “Your level of experience in the lifestyle. Plus other things.” Colby guided her down the steps to his motorcycle. He frowned. That top wasn’t going to keep her warm on his bike.

  Opening the small storage compartment on his bike, he pulled out a leather jacket. It would be a little big on her, but until he could get her something that fit, it would work. He shook out the jacket and held it out to her.

  Lara slipped her arms into the jacket, and Colby turned her around and zipped up the front. Then he grabbed the extra helmet and put it on her head. She shifted from one foot to the other.

  “I can’t believe I get to ride with you on your bike,” she said, excitement tingeing her voice.

  Her enthusiasm pleased him. “The jacket’s a little big, but it’ll keep you warm. You’ll have to come by the shop so I can get you one that fits you better.”

  “Do you think I’ll need one?”

  Colby grinned at her. “Most definitely.” He slipped on his helmet. “The helmets are equipped with Bluetooth so we can talk.”

  “That’s so cool.”

  He helped her onto the bike and then he mounted. Colby started the engine. “Put your arms around my waist. I’m not going to go too fast.”

  “But I want to go fast.”

  “After a few rides, once you get used to it, I’ll take you out for a real run.” Her arms slid around his waist, and his dick pulsed. It was going to be a long night if he couldn’t get his body under control.

  Colby released the brake, and they were off. Lara’s arms tightened, and he enjoyed the feel of her body pressed against his. As promised, he kept it slow and easy, and all too soon, they pulled up to the barbecue place.

  Colby parked the bike and helped Lara off. When he took her helmet off, she was grinning from ear to ear as she ran her fingers through her hair.

  “That was fun.”

  “I’m glad you liked it.” Colby stored her helmet with his before taking her hand and leading her up the walkway. The restaurant was busy for a Tuesday evening. He walked up to the hostess with a smile.

  “Colby, it’s so good to see you again,” the blonde woman said before leaning over and kissing his cheek. “I have your table ready, just follow me.”

  Colby gestured for Lara to precede him, and he noted the questioning look in her eyes. They had one of the best tables in the house. It was his favorite table. Next to the windows where, during summer, you could see the ducks out on the pond.

  “Mike will be with you shortly. Enjoy your dinner.” The hostess set the menus on the table and bounced away.

  Colby held Lara’s chair out for her. She hesitated for a second then sat down. He took the seat next to her rather than across. For what he wanted to discuss, it would work better if they were close to each other.

  “The hostess seemed to know you,” she said, her voice cool.

  “I’ve known Tina since she was in diapers. She and her mom lived down the street. We grew up together.” Her jealousy warmed his heart, and he didn’t blame Lara for questioning him. He’d probably do the same.

  “Oh.” She looked down at the table.

  Colby took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “Tina isn’t a threat. She’s just an old friend. I want you to understand that. I have a lot of friends from the neighborhood.”

  “I bet a lot of women.”

  “Yes.” His lips caressed her knuckles. “But there’s only one woman with me tonight. And that’s you.”

  “I have no reason to act jealous.”

  “You have every right. I just asked you to be in a relationship with me. That’s the reason this dinner is so important. To get to know each other better.” He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.

  Lara’s lips fluttered in a smile.

  “Are we okay?” he asked.

  “We are.” She tugged her hand from his hold and began looking over the menu. “So many choices.”

  Her acceptance of their relationship warmed him. “Much like your café. I always have trouble choosing.”

  “But you pick the same thing. Every day.”

  “Because it’s easier that way.” He looked at her over his menu. “Would you like me to order for you?”

  Lara was silent for a moment, then she closed her menu and set it down in front of her, folding her hands on top of it. Colby prepared himself for a tongue lashing. What was he thinking? She knew food and was an independent woman. “Thank you for asking. I actually like that idea. Less for me to think about right now.”

  Colby’s Dom side preened at her words. He wasn’t an expert in the lifestyle, not by a long shot. But Max had once told him he had good instincts, and tonight, he was going with those instincts.

  When their waiter arrived, Colby gave their dinner order, and ordered a beer for himself. He looked over at Lara, and she grinned and told the waiter she’d have a beer also.

  “So, how do we go about this?” she asked.

  Colby stretched his arm out and rested it behind her on her chair. “We get to know each other. I know a little bit about you already.”

  “And what do you know?” Her brows came together, not exactly in a frown, but as if she was concentrating hard on something.

  “You have a close relationship with your aunt. You love your business. And you’re interested in the lifestyle.”

  She shook her head. “There’s a lot more to me.”

  “I know there is. So, tell me, Lara, how does one who grows up with a rich family end up owning a café and living next door to her aunt?”

  * * * *

  Well, damn. It wasn’t like Lara had hidden that part of her life, but she didn’t talk about it. A lot of people treated her differently when they found out she came from money. But Colby seemed different. Guess she’d find out. “How long have you known?” Her heart clenched.

  “Since the beginning.”

  She looked up as the waiter brought their beers and then disappeared. “Does it bother you?” She hadn’t realized that Colby knew about the family name. It wasn’t like Meyer was all that different, but growing up in Pleasant Valley, most people were aware of her family’s money. Theirs. Not hers.

  “Does it bother you that I grew up on the poor side of town?”

  “Of course not. Why would it?” Where he grew up had no bearing on their relationship.

  “Why should your upbringing bother me?”

  Lara stared at him. “Some men are intimidated by the money my family has. Others just see me as a meal ticket.” Walter had seen her as that and more. Well, he’d gotten his wish, but not the way he thought.

  Colby took a sip of his beer and set the mug down. “Is that what your ex did? He saw you as a get-rich-quick scheme?”

  “Pretty much.” She wasn’t going to lie to Colby.

  “So how did you meet him?”

  “At Berkeley.” Lara took a drink of her own beer. “I met Walter when I was a junior. We got along, and he was fun to be with.” That was the truth, at least in the beginning.

  “What did you study at Berkeley?”

  “I studied how to be an entrepreneur. Are you sure you want to hear this?” Her life wasn’t that exciting.

  Colby shifted in his chair, his fingers dancing over her shoulder. “I do. This is a part of you. To make this work, I need to know.”

  Lara sat there a bit stunned. “Before we get into my life, explain a little bit more to me about the lifestyle.”

  “From what you told me Saturday night, you played a little bit while you were at Cal Berkeley. Were you ever in a long-term relationship with someone in the lifestyle?”

  “No. I attended some parties and visited a club a fe
w times. But it was always with friends, and there was never anything romantic between us.”

  “Was there anything like what you saw at Wicked Sanctuary on Saturday?”

  Lara tilted her head. “Yes and no. The only equipment was really X frames and some spanking benches. Nothing like I saw on Saturday.” She closed her eyes and thought back to those times. “Saturday, I don’t know. Everyone seemed to be having fun. There didn’t seem to be a lot of drama going on.” Some of the parties she’d attended had so much drama going on, she hadn’t stayed.

  “I’m not going to say there isn’t drama. There has been. But that’s why the club has a vetting process.”

  “Max mentioned that today. I’m a little nervous about it.”

  Colby caressed her shoulder. “What are you nervous about? I can’t see you having anything in your past that would stop you from becoming a member.”

  “It’s just…my family.” She let out a sigh. “They never wanted me to open the café; they thought it was beneath the family name.” She wasn’t about to use her married name. She dumped that as soon as the divorce papers were filed.

  “That’s their problem.”

  “Yeah, it is, but sometimes, it’s also mine. You saw my brother and my ex last week and the ruckus they made.”

  “Let me ask you this: Would you have been happy going to work at the bank with your father and brothers?”

  A shudder went through Lara’s body. “Lord no. While I’m good at running my café, there’s a reason I hired an accountant. Numbers are not my thing.”

  “There’s your answer. One thing I’ve learned over the years is not to let family define me. My father left when I was two. My mother worked several jobs to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. I’ll never forget the lessons she taught me.”

  Lara turned in her chair. “From what I’ve seen, she raised a very caring man.” She ran her fingers over his jaw, enjoying the feel of his skin against hers. “You’ve done so much with your life. I feel like I’ve just stagnated here in Pleasant Valley.”

  “Hey.” He gripped her chin and turned her face toward him. “You’ve not stagnated. Pay attention tomorrow at the café, and by that, I mean really look at the people who come in, the way the people interact with you. You don’t care about their backgrounds. You don’t care about where they came from. You’re happy they’re there, and you make sure they’re happy.”