Israel Page 14

  “So many worries bouncing around inside your pretty head, let’s see if we can’t find something else for you to focus on. Untie the halter of your dress and lower the front, so your breasts are fully exposed, Bristol.” Israel didn’t expect her to comply without some hesitance. She was in a car with a man she didn’t know and sitting next to a window as they passed under streetlights as they slowly made their way out of the city. Bristol took a deep breath, then released it before reaching for the loose knot at the top of her back. She saw surprise reflected in Israel’s intense gaze and knowing he’d misjudged her was empowering.

  When Bristol shook Lincoln Billings’ hand, she’d known instantly he was a shifter. His intensity, posture, and attentive nature made her think he was also a Dom. There was no reason to ask questions when she already knew the answer. Israel had already told her he enjoyed exhibition, and she was smart enough to recognize a test when she encountered one. When she finally worked the knot free, Bristol took another deep breath, hoping the added oxygen would fuel her courage. The two sides dropped to her lap, and the cool air from the car’s ventilation system kissed her nipples, making them draw into tight peaks.

  “You have spectacular breasts, baby. Pale ivory skin and cotton candy pink nipples that are so responsive, they make me want to weep with gratitude.” When they stopped at for a red light, Israel grinned. “What do you think, Linc? Doesn’t my mate have beautiful breasts?” The driver gave her a considering look over his right shoulder, laser-focused on her nipples before his appreciative gaze moved up to her face.

  “They are gorgeous, but I think they might be eclipsed by those high cheekbones and halo of blonde silk. I’m a sucker for both.”

  Bristol felt warmth spread over her cheeks at his compliment and appreciated him shifting his attention away from her breasts. He was a Dom, but it was obvious, he didn’t see that as his role in her life. Tobi had tried to explain this concept to her a few months after Bristol joined Prairie Winds, but it hadn’t made sense until now.

  “Don’t get all creeped out when your Dom wants to show off what belongs to him. I swear they are all a bunch of junior high school boys at heart. In a weird way, it’s like waggling their dicks at each other to see who can make it swing the most.” Tobi, irreverent goofball they all loved, emphasized her point with a series of hip gyrations, sending the other submissives into hysterics. “And if your nipples or clit-hood are pierced? You’re going to find yourself sitting on the fireplace mantel, naked as the day you were born, with all your pretties displayed for everyone’s viewing pleasure.”

  Tobi’s reference to the narrow ledge above the electronic fireplace made Bristol shiver. The native stone piece was a focal point in the room, featuring moveable pegs for the sub’s feet, designed to keep a submissive from slipping from the mantelpiece and falling to the floor. Apparently, Doms were creative and loved discovering new ways to place the pegs in their never-ending quest to make certain their sub was perfectly displayed.

  A sharp pinch to her nipples pulled Bristol back from her wandering mind. When she tried to lift her hands in a futile effort to shield the throbbing nubs, she realized Israel had easily shackled her wrists in his large hands, pinning them in her lap.

  “Wait for it, Beautiful. Wait for the pain to morph into something more—something on the other side of the coin.”

  Bristol understood the reference, one the Wests often referred to during her training. As a physician, she was programmed to believe, while pain wasn’t pleasant, it could be an indication the healing process was beginning. The concept of pain and pleasure being two sides of the same coin had taken a while to wrap her head around.

  “I know the submissive training at Prairie Winds is top-notch, but it’s only meant to teach you the basics. The Doms want to give you enough information, so you can make informed choices and hopefully, keep you from making any major mistakes in protocol.” Kyle West had said essentially the same thing at the beginning and end of the mandatory training. Bristol hadn’t made any mistakes because she’d been meticulous during the few evenings she’d been able to visit the club.

  Israel’s warm mouth surrounded her nipples, his teeth biting down on the stiff tip as he pulled back, elongating the peak. He held up two oddly shaped pieces of metal, and it took Bristol’s brain several seconds to kick into gear. Nipple clamps. She’d heard subs say their nipples hurt for days after wearing certain types of clamps, but her thoughts were racing too fast to remember which ones were the worst.

  “These are very mild, Beautiful. They aren’t intended to cause pain—these little beauties will keep your nipples aroused. They’ll look like gorgeous flowers under your dress. While I put them on you, I want you to tell me what your safe words are and when you are supposed to use them.”

  Aww, another test—something she was good at. She’d no sooner started explaining the stoplight system for safe words, reciting the information verbatim, when her entire body felt like it was heating from her core and spreading outward in rolling waves of pleasure. Leaning her head back, Bristol forgot all about being topless in the backseat of a car with a man, she’d only just met, driving them to a club where she would probably be even more exposed than she was now. A needy moan vibrated from her core all the way up her throat until the sound escaped on a slow exhale.

  “You are so responsive. If I’d drawn up the plans for my perfect mate and sub, I couldn’t have done better. I’m going to thank the great Goddess every day for the rest of my life.” He blew puffs of air over the sensitive tips, and Bristol felt the clench all the way to her toes. Her pussy was so wet, she hoped the evidence of her arousal wouldn’t slide down the inside of her thighs when she stood. Israel lifted the front of her dress and leaned close to retie the ends.

  “If it does, I’ll be the cockiest bastard to walk through the doors of the club. Fuck me, that would be hot as hell.”

  She appreciated his words, even though they didn’t do anything to make her worry less. She’d finally gotten her heart and respiration rate under control when they parked in front of the club. Lincoln opened her door, giving her a quick nod before turning to Israel.

  “I’ll be inside in a few minutes. I want to check for Ms. Williams’ car. We have reason to believe she is onsite.”

  Israel nodded his understanding, his eyes continually scanning the area surrounding the club’s impressive entrance. Bristol thought they were overreacting but was wise enough to keep it to herself. After they’d signed in, she hurried along the outside edge of the main room to the hall leading to the women’s locker room. Bristol planned to store her shoes in her personal locker and freshen up before rejoining Israel.

  The music was cranked up with dancers packed like sardines on the small dance floor. The line dances would soon give way to pairings, where the moves were decidedly sexier.

  Bristol was distracted as she turned the corner into the short hall leading to the locker rooms, quickly apologizing when she ran into someone moving so fast, she wouldn’t have been able to identify them if it hadn’t been for the woman’s distinctive scent. Why hadn’t Clovia Williams stopped to say hello? Maybe she was frustrated with you for walking around with your head up your ass. Great, now she was talking to herself.

  Walking into the locker room was usually uplifting, the other women always laughing and joking about something. They left titles at the door, Dommes and subs all the same behind the heavy wooden door. Today, Bristol was greeted by an eerie silence and a sense of foreboding. Tobi, Jen, and Gracie were standing in a semi-circle, staring at Bristol’s locker. Their arms crossed over breasts barely contained in the skimpy outfits they were wearing as they focused their attention on her locker.

  “What’s going on?” Bristol tried to keep her question upbeat but knew she hadn’t been successful. Even she could hear the worry in her voice.

  “I saw Clovia come in while we were in the sitting room. She was carrying a burlap bag. It thought it was weird, but people surprise me all the
time.”

  “I just met her in the hall, and she wasn’t carrying anything.” The hair on the back of Bristol’s neck was standing on end. She sensed danger but couldn’t get a lock on where it was coming from.

  “She was in this area. I heard a padlock being opened but didn’t remember her locker is on the other side of the room until Gracie mentioned it. When I called out to her, the spooky bitch took off like her tail feathers were on fire.”

  “Your locker is making a strange sound, Bristol. I called Micah, he should be here in…” The door of the locker room crashed open, the space quickly filling with so many people, Bristol wondered if the entire club was now standing in the ladies’ dressing area. Jax McDonald’s booming voice startled her as Israel’s warm arms pulled her back against his chest, wrapping her in his embrace.

  “Come with me, Beautiful. I want you out of here while this is sorted out.” His warm breath moved over her ear, making her pink bits tingle.

  “What about my friends? I don’t want them facing something scary when it wasn’t intended for them. I don’t understand this. I bumped into Clovia when I came into the hall but didn’t realize it was her until it was too late. When I walked in here, everyone was staring at my locker. The whole thing is like some cheesy movie plot… one of those straight-to-video specials in the dollar bin, six months after they’re released.” She felt his chest vibrate against her back and felt his amusement wash over her. “It’s not funny. I worked so hard to build a practice I could be proud of, and somehow, I’ve landed a starring role in a no-budget nightmare.” Israel spun her around so fast, Bristol wobbled in the heels she’d been looking forward to ditching.

  “This is not your fault and doesn’t reflect on you in any way.” Before he could say any more, he frowned at something behind her. Turning back to the group, Bristol was surprised to see Del West with a stethoscope pressed to the front of her locker. His frown told her, he wasn’t at all happy with whatever he’d heard.

  “Get everybody out and call Animal Control. The ladies were right, it’s a rattling sound, for sure. Probably several small rattlers, and they’re going to be pissed off when the damned locker door is opened.”

  Bristol felt her knees fold out from under her. Snakes? Fucking hell in Hollywood. This lame-ass B movie was sinking lower and lower by the minute. Voices were shouting around her, but thankfully they sounded oddly distant… and why was she floating through the air? Very odd, indeed. Reality was fading fast, and she was grateful for the reprieve. Hell, she couldn’t have pulled it back if she’d wanted to, and at this rate, she honestly didn’t care.

  “Let go, Bristol, I’ve got you.” Israel’s whispered words were the last thing she heard before the darkness closed in, but she’d never forgotten how wonderful it felt to know someone had her back. The sense of security was unfamiliar, but she pulled it around her heart like a warm blanket.

  Nobody had to tell Tobi twice to vacate the locker room. She looked around the table and shuddered. “I hate snakes. I hate them with a passion most people reserve for thermonuclear war and their husband’s ex-girlfriends.”

  “I don’t like them, either, but I’m focusing on the snake who put them in the damned locker. I say we let the guys deal with the slithering kind, and we deal with the snake who ran out of here like a fucking coward.” Jen’s tone was ice cold, and her words were everything Tobi was thinking. In all the time she’d been at Prairie Winds, Tobi had never seen one club member deliberately endanger another. It was unforgivable. As Kent escorted her out of the locker room, he warned her to stay out of it. The damned man knew her too well.

  “We can go hunting, I know where she lives.” Tobi and Jen froze, staring at Gracie with their mouths hanging open in shocked silence, they all knew wouldn’t last long.

  “Damn… I didn’t see that coming. Hell, Gracie, I’ve been worried you were going for sainthood.” Tobi’s eyes widened, a look of sudden awareness changing her expression from surprise to horror as she shot out of her seat, “Well, frosted Fiddle Faddle.”

  “You realize our reputations are in tatters, right?” Jen slumped back in her seat, disillusionment easy to see on her pretty face. “Cripes, we’ve turned into well-behaved subs. It’s positively mortifying. How the hell did we let this happen?”

  “I don’t know. I’m stunned. Lilly always tells me if I’m screwing up—she’s the mom I missed so much. I can’t believe she didn’t tell me I’m boring.” Dropping back into her chair, shaking her head in disbelief, Tobi felt shell shocked. “I feel old. We need to have a party. I’ve become an embarrassment to Lilly—her heart is probably broken. She’d have never introduced a prosaic woman to her sons, let alone allowed them to marry one.”

  “Kitten, I have no idea where you get these crazy ideas.” Kyle West plucked his wife out of the chair with practiced ease. Pulling her against his chest and cupping her ass with his large hands, he claimed her mouth. The kiss, so hot the temperature in the room had to have risen several degrees, wiped all the consternation from her mind. Tobi lost herself in the pleasure her husbands always brought. Every kiss, every touch, every whispered endearment set her body and soul on fire—as potent today as they’d been when she first met them.

  Kyle had almost run over her when the piece of shit car she’d been driving to interview them became disabled on the side of the highway during a thunderstorm. The electricity had been so strong between them, it overshadowed the lightning bolts outside his truck as he’d driven her to his home. Kent met them in the parking garage a few minutes later, and she’d been helpless to resist his charms. The brothers’ personalities were actually quite similar, but their unique communication styles made them appear more different than she knew they were.

  When Kyle finally pulled back to look into her eyes, his satisfied smile told her he’d done exactly what he’d intended. “You could never disappoint our mother, Kitten. She adores you and would be shocked to find out you consider it a possibility.”

  She felt her heart squeeze in regret.

  “Sweet Cheeks, you are not boring, although I’ll concede the three of you have been awfully well-behaved lately.” Jax McDonald shook his head as he shifted his attention from Tobi to his wife. “Cariño, we are going to talk about this sudden desire to misbehave. I suspect there is more to this than we see on the surface—Micah and I want you to know there are better, safer ways to get attention.” Tobi watched Gracie’s tanned cheeks blush deep rose and hoped their conversation wasn’t too painful.

  “Glad my men are in BFE, chasing baddies. No reason to get them all riled up.” Jen probably didn’t realize the thread of pain in her voice, but Tobi heard it, and from the look on Kyle’s face, he hadn’t missed it, either.

  “Since I’m the one who sent Sam and Sage to bum-fuck Egypt, I’ll be the one to update them on their sub’s disillusionment—something I’m sure they are unaware of and will find as disconcerting as the rest of us.” Tobi flinched, knowing Kyle’s frustration was misplaced. He must have felt her reaction because he pulled in a steadying breath before releasing her and moving to Jen. Pulling her into a quick hug, Kyle pressed a quick kiss against the top of her head and stepped back. “I’m sorry, darlin’, that was out of line. The truth is, we’ve been expecting this.” He waved his hand between the three women.

  “We hadn’t realized how distracted we’d become until recently—then we didn’t know what to do about it.” Jax looked down at his wife, regret reflecting in his eyes. “The last thing in the entire world any of us wanted was to make you feel was as if you’d lost any of your sparkle. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

  Tobi watched Jax and Kyle reach for their phones at the same time and groaned. Good news didn’t involve conference calls or group texts. Trouble and security issues traveled faster than the speed of light at Prairie Winds. Both men murmured curses vile enough peel wallpaper from the wall before turning their attention back to the women.

  “Ladies, please follow us. We’re go
ing to use the outside fire escape. You’re going to take Tobi’s car and go straight to Adler Oil. Asia is setting up a little party for you. One of the security staff will meet you in the underground parking area and escort you upstairs. Israel has already headed that way with Bristol.”

  “They’ll have clothes for you. Enjoy yourselves, and we’ll keep Israel posted on things here. Leave your phones here, and do not let anyone know where you are.” Jax wasn’t usually an alarmist, which made his comments all the more disturbing.

  “You don’t want someone to track us, using our phones?”

  “No, we don’t. Your phones won’t work inside the building, anyway. Israel’s team is scrambling everything, but there’s a chance you could be tracked until you pulled into the garage.”

  “Which is the same as painting a big X on a map.” Kyle pushed his hand through his hair in frustration. “No one thinks you were the target, but whoever put eight rattlesnakes in Bristol’s locker had no regard for the other people endangered.”

  “Eight? Oh my God. Did they get them all? Oh shit, you think there are more, don’t you? That’s why we can’t use the elevator.” Tobi’s knees folded out from under her, but Kyle had been ready. Tossing a set of keys to Jen, Kyle gave her a mock frown.

  “It’s a car, Jen, not a plane or chopper. Drive safely—yes, we’ll be tracking you and will know if you decide to play fast and loose with the rules.” He gave Tobi a quick hug before sending them on their way, down the outside stairwell.

  “I don’t know why you get to drive. It’s my car.”

  “Because you’re such a girl, going all weak-kneed over snakes. I don’t like them either, but I’d rather die than listen to Sam and Sage rag on my ass about being weak. If I let them know how scared I was of all things slithering, they’d bring home every creepy crawly thing they could find, trying to cure me.” Jen shuddered as she unlocked Tobi’s Hummer with the remote.