A Little Harmless Ride (17 page)

“
Okay, I did. But just once and we agreed that it wasn’t a good idea. Now, though, we have an agreement that we won’t do it again. It’s bad for business.”

“
Indeed?” Dillon asked.

His deadpan look did nothing to reassure Eli. “Yes.”

“
Okay, but like I said, she looks clean.”

“
Because she is.”

“
But I need to look at the other people on your ranch as well. Whether you want to believe it or not, you probably have someone on the ranch who sold you out.”

“
Yeah. I agree.”

“
It will take me a few days. Maybe a week. I have them all on file already, except any new hires.”

“
Danny Aiona’s working for me.”

Dillon smiled. “Yeah, I know and that boy couldn’t be devious if someone paid him a million dollars and, of course, he’s clean. But, others, while they might have been clean, might not be anymore.”

“
Yeah. I understand. Circumstances change, you have your priorities.”

“
Yep. So, I’ll get to work on this. You let me know if you notice anything strange.”

“
Going out tonight. Crysta wants to see Rough ‘n Ready.”

Dillon’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? You’re going to take a woman you’ve slept with there and just let her wander around.”

He grimaced. “Micah invited her and those women encouraged her.”

“
And you say the whole romance is over?”

“
What?”

“
Son, you might not want to admit it, but from the expression on your face, it’s not. And, from my background check, she’s a member of a few clubs.”

“
Yeah. A submissive.”

Dillon chuckled. “Oh, sorry I’m going to miss that, but Jillian is under a self-imposed deadline for the next book.”

Dillon had married a bestselling erotic romance author about a year earlier and moved to the islands to be with her.

“
Okay. Well, let me know if you’re missing any employee records, but they should all be up to date.”

“
And you be sure to tell me how it goes tonight; although, I’m pretty sure I’ll hear it from Micah or Evan.”

He just hoped he didn’t make an ass out of himself.

Chapter Sixteen

Eli walked into Crysta’s room that night and came to a stop. She was bending over, straightening her skirt. Well, what there was of the little black, leather skirt she had decided to wear that night. He flexed his hands wanting to have the right to tell her to change. She had the longest legs…and almost every inch of them was showing in that fucking skirt.

She straightened and turned around. Her eyes widened as she gasped.

“
Lord, Eli, what the hell are you doing sneaking up on me like that?”

It took a second for him to form words. She was wearing a black, sleeveless shirt tied at the waist. She’d opened it far enough down that just a hint of her breasts were showing.

Her hair was pulled back on the sides. A dangle of red stones danced from her ears.

“
Are you all right?” she asked.

He shook his head, trying to get his thoughts back in order. “Yeah. Yeah, sure.”

She smiled. “That’s good because I’m looking forward to tonight.”

Every bit of his Dom wanted to say no. Fuck, he wanted to scream it, then take her back into his bedroom and spank her ass red for suggesting it. He wanted to deny her time in Rough ‘n Ready. He wanted her in his room, on his bed and screaming his name.. He wanted to spank that magnificent ass until it was red and He wanted to fuck her until she couldn’t walk straight. Hell, until he couldn’t walk straight either.

Eli rolled his shoulders trying to ease the tension. It didn’t help much as he watched her step into the four-inch heels. He was so used to seeing her in jeans or casual clothes. Dressed up for a night of submission…that was different.

She grabbed her purse and smiled at him. “Ready?”

In his mind, he saw himself stepping forward, slipping his arm around her waist, and pulling her against him. He wanted that right, wanted to be able to choose to keep her all to himself tonight.

But, she wasn’t his anymore than he was hers. He stepped back and motioned with his hand.

“
After you.”

She smiled at him as she walked by. The citrus scent he always associated with her filled the air around him. His head spun, his cock twitched and his body yearned.

Drawing in a deep breath, he called on his legendary control and followed her out the door.

* * * *

Crysta was impressed by Rough ‘n Ready. The club was packed. It wasn’t odd seeing that they were the only club on the island open during the week. She knew there was an offshoot on the side of the island, but it was only open on the weekends. Still, the size of the crowd was impressive. She knew they had a reputation throughout the Pacific for being one of the best clubs in the US.

Dee smiled at her as she led them up the stairs to the office. “I’m so glad you’ve made it in tonight. It’s kind of crazy, but that’s summer.”

She stepped into the office, holding open the door for Eli and Crysta and shutting it behind them. Crysta looked around the spacious office. One side of it was filled with monitors. She could see the entire club from where they were. The door opened on the opposite side revealing Micah. He was wiping his hands on a towel.

“
Holy cow, you have a secret room.”

Crysta walked over and Dee followed. “We practically lived here when we first got married, but now, with Lizzy, we stay home more.”

The room was a simple bedroom with a massive bed in the middle of it. The sheets were messed up and it was pretty obvious something had been going on earlier—something other than sleep.

She slid a glance to Dee who was blushing.

“
Really? You’re blushing over this?”

Dee rolled her eyes. “I’ll tell you a secret. Micah was my first, so while I’m not ashamed of my sexuality, I’m not like May. It’s still new to me.”

“
He was your first Dom?”

She shook her head and looked behind her. When she was apparently sure they were alone, she leaned forward and said, “My first everything.”

“
Oh. Ohhhhh. Wow, you picked
that
to be your first sexual experience? You’re braver than I am, girl.”

Dee laughed. “Yeah, well, you should have seen his reaction when I told him.”

“
I would have paid for that. So, where is that sweet baby girl tonight?”

“
Uncle Devon is babysitting. He can’t get enough of her. I was hoping it would make him want to be a father, but you’re about the only one he’s shown interest in and believe me, I’ve dangled a lot of women in front of him. For awhile I thought maybe he was gay.”

“
You thought your brother was gay?” Crysta asked. “No way.”

“
That’s exactly what Micah said. And he has pretty good gaydar. But the truth is, he’s young and he, you know, never gets it on.”

“
I have a feeling your brother keeps himself busy with women more than you know.”

“
You’re probably right. Truth is, it doesn’t matter because Eli would never let it happen.”

It was her turn to glance toward the door. “I told you, one night.”

Dee smiled. “I’ll reserve judgment on that one. Come on, let me show you our shop.”

* * * *

“
Brave man letting that woman walk around dressed like that,” Micah said.

Eli glanced at him, then back to the monitor. “Not my woman.”

Micah stacked his booted feet up on his desk, as he sipped some water. “Yeah, sure. Gonna look for a sub tonight?”

When he didn’t say anything, Micah chuckled. “I didn’t think so.”

“
We can’t…the ranch, all that. We just can’t.”

“
Understandable. Of course, you shouldn’t have slept with her last night.”

He turned around and frowned at the club owner. “What do you mean by that?”

“
You slept together last night, St. John.”

Then, he remembered who Crysta had gone to lunch with. “Damn women.”

“
They didn’t say anything to me; although, I am pretty sure you were the subject of much gossip at lunch. No, I could tell.”

“
Just by looking at us?” He hated that he was that easily read, but he knew he had been a bit territorial about her since they arrived.

“
I work in a club that involves sexual behavior and I teach classes in it. Of course I picked up on it. I’m saying though, if you had gotten her to submit, you wouldn’t be here.”

“
We…with the ranch, we just can’t do that right now. With the issues we’ve been having, I would rather not complicate things.”

“
Take some friendly advice.”

“
Do I have a choice?”

He smiled. “Complicate things. She’s worth it.”

He glanced at the screens and saw the two women walking out of the store. “I guess we better get down there.”

* * * *

As they walked through the club, Crysta couldn’t fault the women who turned their heads to look at Eli. When he had shown up in her room dressed in leather pants, she was ready to sign over her body to him. She had been right. He was gorgeous in leather. In fact, it took all her control not to take a bite out of that perfect ass of his. And she knew what it looked like up close and personal.

Trying to ignore him wasn’t doing any good though. Just being there beside him as they walked through the crowd had her body humming. She wanted to feel his hand on her waist. Hell, she wanted to feel it slip up beneath her mini skirt and she had never been one for public play. At this moment, she wanted to do anything to have his hands on her.

To try and take her mind off it, she looked out over the crowd. They were standing on a platform above most everyone else. It was an eclectic group and she really liked that. She spotted the locals right away. It was funny after only being in Hawaii less than three months, she was starting to identify with them.

“
You know, Micah must really like you,” Eli said, his breath feathering against her earlobe. “This place is expensive.”

She didn’t say anything. It was hard to talk to him. To steady her libido, she continued to look out over the crowd. It wouldn’t do for her to beg him to spank her. And that’s just what she wanted. Then, two women moved apart and she saw someone she recognized. It was dark in the club, but she recognized the dimples and the easy smile.

She glanced at Eli. “Isn’t that Sean Kaheaku?”

Eli’s eyes narrowed. “Looks like him. I didn’t know he was a member here.”

“
I guess he does have more money than his stepfather.”

“
Sam kept him around for awhile, but when his mother died, he disowned him. He allowed him to keep the name, but well…he took all the money that came into the marriage and kept it.”

“
What an ass.”

Eli nodded but his attention was still on Sean. “I really had no idea he was a member here.”

“
Eli,” Evan Chambers said as he walked forward. “And of course, Crysta. I understand May was a little rude to you today.”

She laughed and accepted the kiss on the cheek. She thought she heard something from Eli but when she looked him, he was just staring in their direction. When she turned back to Evan, he was smiling.

“
May was fine. I taught high school so she only scares me a little. I thought she was going to come by tonight?”