Passion's Hope (The Doms of Passion Lake Book 3) (39 page)

Charlie was so moved, she couldn’t stop the tears from welling in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. She kept sayin “Thank you,” and blowing kisses until the applause finally died down and people resumed their seats.

“You okay?” Mitch asked, taking in her tears, her flushed skin, her rapid breathing, and her obviously heightened level of excitement from the adrenalin flooding her system.

“Sure.” She gave him a goofy grin. “This is fun! What an audience! Better than five falling-down drunks and a dead person any day.”

He laughed.

She lifted off her guitar and handed it to Ash Rafferty, who put it on its stand. As she stepped back up to the microphone without it, she felt open and exposed. She had always used her guitar as a sort of buffer between her and any audience she’d ever performed for. Without it she felt more vulnerable and her nerves ratcheted up.

But not for long. As the band started in on the intro to the Trisha Yearwood hit,
How Do I Live without You.
Charlie closed her eyes and began to sing, she suddenly realized that the words were a direct reflection of how she felt about Nik and Jay. That if they were ever to leave her, they would take away everything that mattered to her. And it would destroy her. Because she loved them from the bottom of her soul.

Oh, my God! I love these two men!
Her eyes darkened with emotion as she finally admitted the truth to herself. The truth that had been in front of her the entire time. The truth she’d been too insecure to acknowledge, much less reach out and grab onto. Her gaze sought first Nik’s, then Jay’s as she found herself singing the song directly to them. For her, everyone else in the room ceased to exist. She was so lost in the powerful emotion gripping her that, as she approached the final chorus, she removed the microphone from its stand and stepped down the stairs from the stage onto the main floor, winding her way slowly through the throng of people toward her two men. As the last notes of the song died away, she was startled to realize that she was standing directly in front of Nik and Jay. They gave her looks of such smoldering intensity her breath caught and her heart began to hammer in her breast. For a split second she feared they would leap over the table and ravish her right there on the dance floor. Okay, it wasn’t fear so much as it was wishful thinking. Surprised by the sudden, erotic turn her thoughts had taken, she let out a ragged sigh as the last note faded. That sound, amplified by the microphone she was still holding in front of her mouth, became part of the song.

Pandemonium ensued as the audience went wild, forcing Mitch Thompkins to shout into the mic, “Miss Charlotte Fielding, ladies and gentlemen.” As the applause finally began to die down, he said, “Come up, Charlie and take another bow.”

Blushing furiously, she bit her lip and ran back up onto the stage. “Thank you. Thank you. Give yourselves a hand. You are the Best. Audience.
Ever
!” Which got them another raucous standing ovation. After several bows, she handed the microphone to Mitch, who placed it back in the stand, adjusting the angle. “Don’t worry, folks, Charlie’ll be back later on. In the meantime, enjoy the music! One. Two. One, two, three four.”

As Charlie walked back down the steps to join Nik and Jay, the band launched into a rousing rendition of the Brooks & Dunn hit
Boot Scootin’ Boogie
, with Ethan singing lead vocals and various others providing backup. Charlie had to dodge the two-stepping couples who were already beginning to shuffle around the dance floor.

Nik and Jay came out from behind the table, to greet her with proud hugs, and long, sweet kisses that had the people around them groaning and hollering for them to “get a room.” As they led her back to her seat, she was bombarded with congratulations, out-thrust hands to shake, and numerous pats on the arm or back. As soon as she was seated, people lined up to give her hugs. She even got a few kisses on the cheek, which at first had Nik glowering, until Charlie told him playfully to “suck it up, Papa Bear. That’s what you get for making me a star.”

He just grinned. “I didn’t make you a star, little one. You did that all on your own.”

At the end of the first set, the musicians joined Nik’s group at the long table, while the waitresses rushed to serve them ice cold bottles of beer. Since the bar was closed due to the enormous number of people, the only drinks being served tonight were bottled beer or canned sodas. Pre-recorded music played through the speakers, encouraging couples to continue dancing.

As Chelsea Greer approached Mitch with a bottle of Coors Light, he said, “Hey, Chelsea, girl. Ain’t you a sight for sore eyes?” He gave her the full benefit of his dimpled, eye-crinkling smile. He was in full flirt mode and it was potent.

Chelsea preened. “Hey, yourself, cowboy. You’re not so bad, either, you know. In fact, if I had to look at you all day, I probably wouldn’t poke myself in the eyes with a sharp, pointy stick.”

Mitch laughed. “High praise indeed. Why don’t you pull up a lap and have a seat?” He patted his thigh. “Take a load off.”

“Sorry.” She shook her head. “But Section III, Paragraph five, Sub-paragraph d of the Icebox Bar and Grill’s Official Employee Handbook says, and I quote, “Employees are only permitted to sit in ugly customers’ laps. Not good-looking customers’ laps.”

“I thought that was Sub-paragraph k.”

“D’oh!” Chelsea whacked the heel of her hand against her forehead. “You’re right. Sub-paragraph d is, ‘Naked dancing is only permitted on the bar or tabletops. Not the floor.’ I keep getting those two mixed up.” She gave a philosophical shrug. “Oh, well. Guess I know what
I’ll
be doing tonight. Boning up on my Employee Handbook.” She jerked her thumb at Nik. “The boss here is a real hard-ass when it comes to the rules. Fortunately, it’s fascinating reading.”

They laughed and she flounced off to serve another customer.

Jay led Charlie out to the floor to teach her the steps and she danced with him, Nik, all the band members, Clay “Raven” Nighthorse, and the Rafferty triplets until she was flushed and sweaty, and loving the plug in her ass. Every movement she made kept her arousal at peak levels. Her orgasms, when she was finally allowed to have them, were going to be epic. The very thought made her so happy she was giddy.

Dancing continued through the band’s second set until Mitch stepped up to the microphone and raised his hands. “Ladies and gentlemen, once again, Miss Charlie Fielding.”

Charlie ran up on the stage and they launched into
Need You Now
, with Charlie and Ethan alternating the lead and Mitch providing a third voice to the harmonies.
While Mitch waited at the mic for the cheers to die down, Julian Decker placed his guitar on a stand and went to the back of the stage to retrieve his cello. Garrett Sloan traded his Dobro for an amplified bass guitar, freeing his chair for Julian to sit in. Nik and Jay brought up three additional chairs and set music stands in front of all of them. Gabe and Ash traded out their acoustic guitars for electric ones.

When the room had quieted enough for Mitch to speak, he said, “If you’ll just bear with us here, folks, we’ve got somethin’ really special for you. It’ll be worth the wait, I promise you.”

Finally, they were set. Julian Decker, Sam Walker, Aaron Sawyer, and Caleb Rafferty sat in the chairs. Julian fitted his cello between his knees, the three violins went through a brief tune-up. The band members took their places behind them.

A hush fell over the room. No one dared talk or leave. Even the kitchen and wait staff had left their posts to stand at the back of the room and listen. Ethan began the melancholy piano intro of the Evanescence song,
Lost in Paradise
, and Charlie began singing, her voice breathy and cool and smooth as velvet. For a few bars it was just her and the piano before they were joined by Julian Decker’s cello, then the three violins. As they sent the melody soaring, Ethan added his perfect harmony to the vocals. They built to a crescendo, retreated, and built to another one. Paused. Then Jake Weston’s drums brought in all the rest of the instruments in a pounding backbeat as the song exploded out into the room, filling the space with a rich throbbing sound that soared to a final pinnacle before diminishing and ending with, once again, just the piano and Charlie’s clear, haunting voice.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

For a moment there was absolutely no sound in the enormous room. The thunderous applause that followed seemed to go on forever. All the band members went up to Charlie and, one by one, they hugged her. Julian Decker, still seated, just pulled his lower lip behind his upper teeth and shook his head in awe, curving his lips upward in a smile as he lifted his arm to give her a high five. “Way to go, girl,” he said. “That was fuckin’
awesome
!”

And Mitch’s earlier prediction turned out to be right. They did have to do the entire song, not once but
twice
more before the crowd was finally ready to let them go.

By this time on a normal Saturday night, people would have already been leaving, but not tonight. Tonight, everyone stayed until the last note, many coming up afterward to speak to Charlie and the rest of the band members and tell them how much they had enjoyed the music and were looking forward to hearing her again next week. It was well after the official closing time of midnight before the Icebox was finally empty, except for the band members, Sarah, Jesse, Adam, Simon and Kylie Rafferty, Clay and Leah Nighthorse, Nik, Jay, and Charlie. The guys had carried all their instruments out to their cars and trucks and were now sitting around the long table, talking, laughing, and drinking ice cold beers.

Steve Moran, the manager emerged from Nik’s office, waving a huge wad of cash. “Guys, you’re not gonna believe this. You filled
two
tip jars tonight. Over three thousand dollars!”

“Woohoo!” they chorused, raising their beer bottles in salute. “We rock!”

Mo sat down at the table, facing Jay, taking a swig out of Jay’s barely-touched beer. “Usual split?” he asked.

“I think it should all go to Charlie,” Caleb Rafferty said. “She’s the reason there’s so much, and she earned every penny.”

“Hear, hear,” Mitch said. “I second the motion.”

“Absolutely not!” Charlie cried. “You all worked a whole lot harder than I did. Just do what you usually do.”

“Not on your life,” Ash said. “We don’t do this for the money. We just do it for fun. You, on the other hand, came here with nothing, looking to pick up the pieces of your life and put yourself back together. And, yes, we all know your story. Nothin’ is secret in this town, especially where our women are concerned. So, please, take this money as a thank you from us and put it in the bank. Put it in a sock under the mattress. Put it in the cookie jar. Do whatever you want with it. It’s yours with our compliments.”

She bit her lip, still uncertain.

“Go ahead,
myshka
,” Nik said softly. “Take the money. We’ll put it in the bank first thing Monday morning. It’s an excellent start to your ‘escape fund.’”

She looked up at him, eyes flickering with something that made his heart suddenly start beating just a little faster. His eyes darkened. He sucked in his breath and held it, not certain what was coming next.

She hesitated, biting her lip, a full panoply of emotions flitting across her face. “But that’s just it,” she finally said in a low voice that was nevertheless heard by every person in the room. “I’m not sure I want to escape anymore.”

The room held its breath. Nik blinked, afraid his ears were playing tricks on him. Did she just say what he thought she said? The breath hissed slowly from his lungs like air leaking from a tire. For a moment he became so light-headed, he feared he would pass out.

Jay, too was having a hard time. His entire nervous system was going haywire. His eyes closed and a tiny sound escaped his throat as the full impact of her words slowly began to soak into him,

“Well,” Jesse Colter said, eyes twinkling with mirth. He stood up and everyone followed suit. “I think that’s our cue to leave. Looks like Charlie has some ’splainin’ to do.” He put his fingers beneath her chin and bent his head to press a kiss to her forehead. “Welcome to the family, sugar.”

Everyone hugged good-bye, then they all exited through the main entrance, leaving Nik, Jay, and Charlie alone in the dimly-lit lobby.

“
Myshka
!” Nik placed his hands on her shoulders and slid them down her arms. He took her hands in his, lifting them one at a time to his mouth to place gentle kisses against each knuckle.

Charlie’s heart was beating so hard, it made her body sway. Finally she slid her gaze away from his, to keep from sinking into those fathomless black depths.

“Did you mean what you said?” Nik asked. “That you don’t want to leave?”

She nodded, a jerky movement of her head.

“Are you sayin’ you want to stay here? With us?” Jay asked, needing to hear her say the words.

“Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying. For as long as you’re willing to put up with me.”

“Nik…” Terry Parker, the night manager, came out of his office behind the check-in counter. “Could I see you for a minute?”

“Sure.” Nik released Charlie. “Go on downstairs, you two. I’ll be along in a minute.”

Hand in hand, Jay and Charlie ran across the darkened restaurant floor, into the hallway, and down the stairs to their own private sanctuary. Jay pulled her into his arms and claimed her mouth with his. One hand slid down her back, pulling her hips into his pelvis. His cock was a steel girder against her belly. Everything inside her softened, then melted away like hot wax.

When he finally released her, her lips were swollen with passion, her eyes were dark and turbulent, and the breath was sawing in and out of her lungs.

“Oh, Babygirl.” Jay grinned down at her. “You are gonna go off like a firecracker tonight. Like a whole
string
of firecrackers.” He sobered. “Unless you’re too exhausted. You’ve had quite a night. Daddy and I will certainly understand if you are.”

She shook her head. “No, no, not tired. I’m…buzzed. Like I’ve been plugged into a socket. I don’t need firecrackers. I
am
one. And I can’t wait to play with you and Daddy. You know, take charge. And I want to”—she hesitated, uncertain how to continue.

“Don’t be shy, sweet thing,” Jay admonished her. “Say the words.”

“I want him to suck your…um…you know.”

“Cock, baby. Say it.”

“Cock.” She smiled, ducking her head against her shoulder and blushing. “That’s such a lovely word. And I want to watch you…um…fucking him.” Her eyes met his. “Do you think he’d ever go for something like that?”

“I think he’s so damn proud of you tonight, he’ll go for anything you come up with.” He laughed. “Actually, I think he’d let you get away with murder any night. And he’ll definitely be surprised.”

“How would you feel about fucking him? And letting him suck your cock?”

“Are you kidding? I can’t think of anything I’d like more! Except maybe fucking
you
. And letting
you
suck my cock.” His grin was wicked.

“Thank you, Cuddle Bear.” She gave him a kiss. “You’re the best. Do you think he’ll be angry with us? Like angry enough to punish us? I couldn’t bear it if I earned
you
a punishment.”

“Don’t worry, baby girl. He might growl and threaten and bluster, but that’s all it’ll be. Bluster.” Jay’s eyes twinkled. “Remember, deep down inside, he’s more teddy bear than grizzly bear. Besides, even if he did punish me, it would be totally worth it to get to fuck his ass.”

“I hope you mean that,” she said impishly. “Because I want you to sneak up on him and handcuff him so he can’t get away while we have our wicked way with him.”

Jay threw back his head and let out a raucous laugh. “Oh, baby girl, that’s priceless.
You’re
priceless.”

Shoulders and arms tightening with anticipation, she clapped her hands rapidly. Her next words came out so fast and so close together, it was all one sentence. “Omigod I can’t believe we’re actually going to do this he’s going to be so surprised I can’t wait!”

Jay just laughed. “Go on into the bedroom, baby doll, and get ready. As soon as he joins you, I’ll get into position and wait until he’s fully occupied, then I’ll sneak up behind him and cuff his hands. Then we can both pounce on him.” He chuckled with anticipation.

Throwing her arms around his neck, Charlie gave him a big, smacking kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Cuddle Bear. This is going to be so much fun!” Giggling, she ran off into the bedroom to change her clothes and get into position.

Watching her go, it was several seconds before Jay could even move. A wave of emotion filled his chest, expanding outward like a balloon until he feared his ribs would crack from the pressure. For a long moment, he just stood there fighting tears, swept away by the power of his feelings. He loved this woman.
Had
loved her from the moment their eyes had met across the room at Club Risqué. This beautiful, child-like woman who, despite all the horrors she had suffered, had such a generous heart and giving spirit. And she wanted to stay with them! She’d said so herself just a few minutes ago. Charlotte Fielding was definitely the woman he had always hoped he would find. The woman he’d been waiting for all his life. The woman he wanted to love and treasure through eternity. But did she love them? She
hadn’t
said that.

Shaking his head, he went over to the console table behind the sofa and pulled a pair of handcuffs out of the center drawer, tucking them into his back pocket. Then he turned out all the lights and crouched down behind the kitchen counter to wait for his partner. His lover. His Daddy.

Ten minutes later, Nik descended the stairs into a dark, empty apartment. The only light was a narrow sliver coming through the slightly-opened bedroom door. Smiling at the thought of what awaited him inside, he strode across the living room, pushed the door open and stopped dead in his tracks.

Charlie was kneeling on the bed, sitting on her legs, totally naked. She had gathered her hair into two pony tails and tied pink ribbons around them. She was holding Mr. Floppy and sucking on the purple lollipop she’d gotten from Lucas McKay. Pulling the lollipop out of her mouth with a huge slurp, she looked straight at the enormous erection he was sporting behind his jeans and gave him a beatific smile. “Hi, Daddy. Are you ready to play?

Oh, baby, you have no idea!
For one stunned moment he remained standing right where he was, rubbing his hand across his jaw while he struggled to get his racing heartbeat under control. “
Myshka.
” His voice sounded hoarse, almost strangled, like it was being pushed between two rollers and flattened. “You have no idea how beautiful you look right now. No idea what the sight of you kneeling on that big, fucking bed does to me.”

Leaning one shoulder against the door frame, he crossed his arms over his chest and grinned. A wicked, evil grin that creased the corners of his eyes and put a mischievous twinkle in their black depths.

Charlie just stared at him, a sudden hitch in her breathing.
Holy shit!
She gulped.
He is so goddamned sexy!

He followed the direction of her stare and chuckled. “Naughty girl, you’re ready for Daddy’s big cock, aren’t you?”

Her mouth watered. “I’m always ready for Daddy’s big cock.”

Straightening, he swaggered forward, unbuckling his belt, unsnapping his jeans, slowly lowering the zipper.

She followed his progress, never taking her eyes off of the bulge in his groin. He was less than a foot away from the bed when he pulled aside the flaps of his fly and let his cock spring free. It rose like a flag pole, thick and heavily-veined and leaking pre-cum. His big hand closed around it and began stroking up and down, moving the foreskin to cover, then reveal his shiny cock head.

“Oh, yeah,” he said, continuing to stroke himself. “You want this, don’t you?”

Taking the lollipop out of her mouth, she tilted her head and gave him a coquettish smile, looking up at him through her lashes. “Are you going to give it to me?”

“In every way possible,” he vowed solemnly.

‘If you come a little closer, I might give it a kiss,” she sing-songed in a high-pitched, little girl voice, hunching one shoulder up around her ear. She gave him a seductive smile. “I might even give it a lick. Like this lollipop.” She lifted the purple lollipop to her mouth, stuck out her tongue and gave it a slow, seductive lick. “Would you like that, Daddy?”

“Oh, Babygirl, you can do more than just lick it. You can suck it, too. And I guarantee it will taste much better than that lollipop.”

“I know.” Her belly plummeted and her eyes darkened at the thought of taking his cock into her mouth and sucking him until he climaxed down her throat. “It will taste like you.” She watched as his pupils swallowed up his irises, turning his eyes into bottomless black pits.

“Come closer, little mouse.” His voice was a mere thread of sound. Sliding his hand down around the base of his cock, he lowered it so that it was pointing directly at her. “See all this white cream?” he asked, swiping his thumb through the pre-cum dripping from the tip and spreading it all around his cock head, making it gleam in the soft lamplight. “It’s a special cream Daddies make just for their little girls. So come closer, little mouse, and I’ll let you taste it.”