Punishing for Pleasure Read online

  The reporter’s question had rattled Meri, but Dex had been damned impressed with how quickly she’d recovered. He also wanted to howl with laughter at the icy response the little prick had definitely deserved. If that boy isn’t from the south, he probably doesn’t know he’s just been filleted with a smile. Dex hadn’t been raised in Texas, but he would have recognized that smile a mile away. He'd been gifted with the same expression by his sweet mama back in Georgia on more than one occasion. And even though both of his older sisters had left the South, they hadn’t lost their ability to flash that same smile—seems once a genteel lady learns that particular lesson, they keep it.

  Since Ash hadn’t questioned him, Dex was sure he had also noticed Kelly Mason chatting up the little prick who had just sent a flash of pink into the perfectly tanned cheeks of Ms. Lanham. A quick glance to his side confirmed his suspicions. The lines of strain around his friend’s eyes and mouth told Dex just how close Ash was to grabbing Mr. Nosey-Reporter up by the scruff of his neck and escorting him into a nice secluded alley to chat. They had both worked personal security for Jax and Micah a few times, so it was easy to assume that don’t-fuck-with-me posture when they’d stopped a few feet to Meri’s left. She hadn’t seen them approach—another thing they’d be talking to her about—until she noticed the change in the reporter’s expression.

  “If he so much as flinches I’m snatching him up by his short and curlies…what a pissant.” Dex had to hold back his smile at Ash’s threat, it wasn’t that he considered it empty, because Dex had known Ash Moore since they’d both been pea-green recruits, and knew what his friend was capable of. They’d gone through Basic Training and BUD/S together, discovering they had actually grown up just a few miles apart. The fact they hadn’t met until they were adults was likely a godsend considering what a holy terror Dex had been. They’d bonded quickly and considered themselves brothers in every sense of the word except blood. Dex doubted there would ever be a situation where he couldn’t predict within a microsecond how and when Ash was going to react. No, Ash’s threat was amusing because it was just exactly what he’d been thinking himself. Yes, indeed…battered and bruised would be a nice look for the little twerp.

  Thankfully the hospital’s CFO managed to pull himself away from Meri’s assistant long enough to step forward and politely thank everyone for coming. His words essentially ended the informal question-answer portion of the gathering. Even though he was grateful, Dex wanted to shake both men for being so distracted they hadn’t managed to look out after the guest of honor. The financial officer seemed to be completely infatuated by Mr. Best Dressed Look-at-me Tony Ballard. Fuck it, both of them were the kind of men that made every woman they passed do a double take. It stood to reason they had to be reasonably intelligent, but Dex was betting both men struggled to keep their personal lives on an even keel. Dex recognized the barely contained hunger in two men’s eyes, still—he vowed to remind Mr. Ballard that a large part of his job as Merilee’s assistant revolved around keeping his lovely boss safe.

  While the pretty-boy CFO encouraged members of the audience to watch for further announcements and updates, Dex wanted nothing more than to lead Ms. Lanham through the crowd and right out to his truck. But he stood quietly beside Ash and watched—everything. His eyes continually scanning the area for possible threats. Old habits weren’t always worth breaking and he couldn’t shake the feeling there was more than one threat milling close. Even though he didn’t get the impression the reporter who’d questioned her about her ex was a threat in a physical sense, he could certainly hurt her professionally. Dex knew enough about women to know the fall-out of having her kinks exposed would be emotionally devastating, and that was what worried him the most, he’d always sensed a vulnerability in Meri. She was a borderline masochist who didn’t have a strong enough sense of self-preservation in Dex’s opinion. But even more significant was the fact she was also a submissive who would always see herself in whatever she saw reflected in her Master’s eyes, so she could easily let things go too far seeking his approval.

  Merilee Lanham’s pleasure during a scene was so closely linked to pain, Dex wondered if she’d be able to orgasm without it. That is something we need to work on. But outside of that specific dynamic, she was a “pleaser” of the highest order. Her happiness was dependent upon making the other people in her life happy. If she belonged to them, Dex knew for certain one of their biggest challenges would be teaching her to recognize and respect her own limits. He doubted the woman ever said no to anyone—hell, she’d probably run herself into the ground helping others if they didn’t monitored her closely. Oh, Ash and I will definitely stop that nonsense in short order.

  They gave her a few minutes to say her good byes and as soon as they saw her assistant moving toward Meri, they both stepped forward flanking her. Their synchronized movement made it look as if they’d rehearsed it and Dex had to hold back his smile at the impressed expressions on the faces surrounding them. If they only knew how many times we really have drilled and practiced that particular move in preparation for everything from hostage rescues to escorting prisoners, they wouldn’t be so awestruck.

  When he wrapped a large hand around her upper arm and began leading her toward the door, she stiffened, “What are you doing? I’m not ready to leave yet. You can’t just manhandle me out of the room you know.” Meri’s voice was little more than a quiet hiss and Dex wanted to laugh at her lame attempt to avoid being alone with them. Good luck with that, sweetheart.

  “Be still or we’ll chat right here…and I don’t think that is in your best interest, do you?” Dex didn’t change his expression or slow his pace, he just kept walking. He could see the wrinkles around Ash’s eyes—it was usually the only outward sign when the man was enraged—and Dex knew his friend well enough to know he was just a few heartbeats away from giving the gorgeous woman between them a thrashing she’d never forget. If she thought the beating she’d gotten for her comments to Tobi had been bad, she’d be getting one a whole lot worse unless she played her cards very, very carefully.

  *****

  Ash was straight up pissed off. He wanted to lead Merilee D. Lanham into the nearest housekeeping closet, strip her bare, and beat her ass until she understood there was absolutely no difference between lying with words and deception with silence. But he wasn’t going to say one word until he got her through the throng of dignitaries and reporters that seemed to be continually trying to cut off their escape. The next asshole who tries to step between me and the fucking door is going to get steamrolled.

  There wasn’t any doubt that he was mad as hell at Meri, but if Ash was honest—and he always tried to be—he was angrier at himself for not realizing how much more there was to the woman that he and Dex had been spending time with. Talk about your newbie Dom mistake. Hell, this was a beginner-level fuck-up of epic proportions…it might even make it into a training manual or two. When he started to lift his hand to run it through his hair, a gesture even he knew was one of his few tells, he cringed at the sharp pain that accompanied the quick movement of his injured arm.

  Meri hadn’t missed his wince and looked over at him, concern clouding her pretty green eyes. “Are you alright? Oh frog-eating fairies, of course you aren’t alright. Damn that was a lame question. What happened to you?” Ash caught the twitch in Dex’s jaw and silently willed his friend to keep his mouth shut, he didn’t intend to be derailed by explaining his humiliation. God only knew there would be countless retellings of the tale, she could catch one of those.

  “This isn’t about me. This is about you, pet, and you damn well know it.” He almost ran over a couple of rag-tag reporters who thought they would stop if the scrawny pricks stepped into their path…wrong. Ash could sense her assistant trailing after them and even with his back to the man, Ash’s gay-dar was pinging off the chart. Personally, Ash didn’t give a rat’s ass what the man’s sexual preference was, what occurred between other consenting adults wasn’t his concern. What he
did care about was the fact the twerp had been so busy flirting with the hospital’s CFO that he hadn’t been watching out for his boss. “Did you drive here?”

  “Yes of course, I dr—”

  Ash cut her off with a curt command, “Give me your keys.” When she hesitated, he practically growled, “Now, Meri.” He’d deliberately used the correct pronunciation of her name, and he was sure she hadn’t missed the thinly disguised dig. Without even breaking stride, Ash turned and tossed the keys to her assistant. “She’ll be with us.” Ash could see the muscles in Dex’s jaw flexing as he tried not to laugh at the huffing sounds of the man behind them scrambling to retrieve the keys he obviously hadn’t managed to catch. The man has nerd written all over him, not surprised he didn’t manage a simple catch, but at least it slows him down a bit. We might actually make it to our truck before he has security on our tails.

  “This isn’t at all necessary, you know. We could have easily met somewhere later for coffee and discussed whatever is bothering you.” Meri’s voice had moved from flustered to indignant. Ash hoped she could hold on to that self-righteous attitude for a while because it would just add to her punishment, and right now he was most certainly in a punishing mood.

  “You might want to dial it back a bit, sweetheart, because you’re already in a whole peck of trouble.” Ash and Dex had been hearing that particular expression their whole lives, but the little wrinkle that appeared between Meri’s eyes told him she didn’t have a clue what Dex had just said to her…she’ll cipher it out soon ‘nuf. Smiling to himself, he realized the only time he fell back on his southern roots in his speech was when he was dancing on an emotional edge. All his Special Forces training had robbed him of even the slightest hint of his previous southern accent—something his sweet mama had complained endlessly about when he’d first become a SEAL. Now that he was living in Texas, he’d noticed bit by bit his accent was beginning to resurface—yes indeed, his mama was going to be happy as a clam.

  Moving quickly through the parking lot toward the pick-up they’d driven, Ash noticed Meri was having trouble keeping up in the heels she was wearing and slowed his pace. Dex must have noticed as well because he’d given Ash’s bandaged arm a considering look and all but laughed when Ash slowed. Sure, any other day Ash would have simply scooped Meri up in his arms and continued on, but his damned arm was throbbing like a bitch and he was worried he might actually drop her if he tried his usual Tarzan-routine.

  Chapter Four

  Meri was starting to lose patience with their thunderous expressions and curt answers. She’d asked them where they were taking her when they’d pulled out of the hospital’s parking lot and Ash’s response had been, “If you have anything planned for this evening, cancel it and then hand me your phone.” Presumptuous bastard. And if Tony wrecks my car I’m going to skewer them both. How dare they give him the keys to her baby. She loved him like a brother, but her assistant was one of the worst driver’s ever to sit behind a steering wheel and he’d been nagging her to let him drive her car ever since she’d owned it.

  She would have told them she didn’t have any plans if they had simply asked, but Ash’s barked command grated on her last nerve. Sure she was a submissive, but that didn’t mean she was a doormat. Damn Doms anyway. Just to be cantankerous, she dialed her private number at the office and left a message explaining she’d been kidnapped by a couple of crazies and the authorities should review the tapes from the presentation at the hospital if her staff hadn’t heard from her by morning.

  She’d sworn she’d heard them both growl and Dex’s hands were now gripping the steering wheel so tight she worried it might snap. The muscles along the side of his jaw clenched so tight she wondered if it might shatter as well. Ash took the phone from her hand, switched it to vibrate, and then slid it into his pocket. “That little stunt will cost you ten.” When she turned to glare at him he added, “Be very careful, pet. The tally is already higher than you can cover in one session, you might want to measure your words very carefully.” Sure, threaten me with something I love. What a dumbass. I’m a masochist, you dim-wit. I like pain…probably ought to be thinking up something else if you intend to call it punishment.

  Meri had already had her fill of men today so they weren’t going to get any huge concessions from her. She’d show them carefully measured words. Let’s see how they like no words at all. She simply turned and stared out the windshield tuning out everything happening around her. Thinking back over the past few hours, Meri wondered how her life had managed to spiral out of control so quickly. Her assistant, Tony, was the only man she’d been near who hadn’t been a total jerk, but even he drained her emotionally. Tony was probably the closest thing Meri had to a best friend, but his love life was such a train wreck the drama surrounding him made the Kardashian’s look like they belonged in Mayberry.

  The hospital administrator had been propositioning her for months, but he had certainly decided to step up his game today. He’d slid his bear paw sized hand down over her ass when he’d greeted her with a hug that had lasted entirely too long to be considered professional. And when he’d pressed her against a yawn-inspiring erection she’d felt herself shudder, a reaction Meri was certain he’d misinterpreted. If the two jerks sitting on either side of her wanted someone to play the pissy-card with, they could start with him if you asked her. Then, just before the presentation started, two members of the board of directors had sidled up beside her to ask if she’d like to join them at their “clothing optional” retreat this coming weekend. The thought of seeing either of them without clothes made her want to stab herself in the eyes with a blunt instrument. She’d been unable to suppress the small shake that had gone through her as that mental picture flashed in her mind again.

  And then…the grand finale had been the fiasco with the reporter she’d seen Kelly chatting with. His sneer and expression of barely disguised contempt by the end of the presentation had surprised her. She’d been so lost in trying to figure out why a stranger would dislike her so intensely she’d almost missed his questions. When the words had finally registered, several seconds had passed when all she could do was stare at him with her mouth gaping open in disbelief. She hadn’t even been able to form a coherent thought, let alone a response fit for a public venue.

  She’d been flustered and Merilee Dillon Lanham did not do flustered…well at least she never had before she’d learned two of her childhood acquaintances had opened a kink club just outside of Austin. Meri’s entire life had been centered on being groomed to follow in her father’s footsteps. Business journals all over the country were referring to her as “Fundraising’s Golden Girl”. She was well on her way to establishing herself as one of the nation’s top foundation leaders. And through all those years of preparation for this role, her mother hadn’t let Meri’s business education push aside or overshadow all her earlier lessons in gentility either. Diana Dillon-Lanham made sure her daughter knew exactly how to present a public persona that was precisely what everyone expected…and Meri had performed flawlessly until the day she’d gotten up the courage and called Kent West.

  Even though their parents ran in the same social circles, Meri had never known either Kyle or Kent well, but their paths had crossed often enough over the years that Meri knew Kent was the more approachable of the two. It had only taken her a few days to discretely set up their lunch meeting. Thinking back on that day still sent a flash of embarrassment through her and she hoped the two men sitting beside her were too caught up in their anger to notice. “Want to share that thought, pet? And I’ll advise you to give your fondness for editing some serious reconsideration.” Ash’s words might have sounded casual, but the steel under them was pure command. Damn Dom thinks he can just waltz in and make demands like he’s the king of all he surveys. As if…

  She took a minute to think through the wisdom of the snark that had initially popped into her head and decided this wasn’t a battlefield worth dying on. Meri took a deep breath and sigh
ed. “I was just remembering how hard it had been to call Kent West when I first heard about the club he and Kyle had opened. I met him for lunch and it was…well, let’s just say it was an interesting conversation.” She’d wanted to meet at Uchi, but Kent had just laughed and told her that raw fish was bait. Meri hadn’t been surprised when he’d suggested Jeffrey’s, it was an upscale establishment, and served enough steak and potato fare to keep even the purest Texas heart happy. Add in the gorgeous bar and it was perfect. In the end she’d been grateful because a happy, relaxed dinner companion was much easier to talk to than one who was continually frowning at his plate.

  “Why did you call Kent? Were you friends?” She knew Ash had tried to keep his questions nonchalant, but she hadn’t missed the tinge of jealousy he’d tried to suppress.

  “Not really, but we were acquaintances. Our families’ circles of friends overlap some, so we’ve all known one another for years. You don’t have to know Kent and Kyle well to be able to see Kent is the more personable. And since I was already nervous about the meeting…well, you know.” She felt her face heat again and cursed the fact she blushed so easily even though she always looked like she’d just returned from the tropics. She had her dad to thank for her perpetual tan and dark hair, but her sparkling green eyes had definitely been a gift from her mom.