Licorice Whips (2 page)

“So that means if I’m in here now, I must have something to say.” Sweet planted his feet on the floor and leaned forward so that his brother could see the full intent in his eyes. “It’s time for Decadent Treats to expand.”

Masaun blinked. “Really? As in another location?”

Sweet shook his head. “Not exactly. I mean delving into something that we really know about.” He wiped his hands over his jeans and took a breath before he continued speaking. “I’d say we open up a Decadent Treats Two and sell fetish toys and clothing.” As soon as Sweet saw his brother shaking his head, he continued to talk before he got shut down. “Our current location is good.”

Masaun nodded. “Yeah. Plenty of parking. Close to the mall. Near restaurants so we get the patrons who want something different for dessert.”

Sweet bit his tongue, knowing what Masaun wanted him to say. His brother wanted Sweet to thank him for finding the spot.

Sweet gritted his teeth before continuing with his pre-planned speech. “I found a better spot in downtown Virginia Beach. Actually two side by side. I was thinking we get them both, close this location, and set up at the new place. Then we’ll use the other location to stock our toys. You know. The whips, chains, handcuffs, corsets.” Sweet felt tingles over his body. He loved sharing his ideas. This one would put their business on the map as the top candy
and
fetish shops in Virginia Beach.

Masaun shook his head. “No.”

Sweet’s heartbeat slowed but he tried to remain encouraged. “Why not? If it wasn’t for you, people would care less what we do on our spare time. Now we have customers whispering about us in the store. People know. So why not profit from it?”

His brother leaned back in the swivel chair. “That’s not fair. How everything got revealed was an accident. Kindle and I didn’t plan for our–”

Sweet cut him off. “It doesn’t matter how it got out. The fact of the matter is that it is out.
I
wanted to shout it from the rooftops for years.”

“I know. That’s the impetuous side of you that I so enjoy.”

“We’re Doms, for Christ’s sake. We should be masters of our own destinies. Nothing should happen by mistake. We should have said something first.” Sweet sat up taller.

“It didn’t happen that way. We had to improvise.”

Sweet cleared his throat with a low growl. “I improvise all the time. It works during play.”

Masaun shook his head. “Play? You haven’t done that in a while.”

Sweet swallowed hard as he glared at Masaun. After releasing his last submissive, he had no desire to resume all of his Dom duties, a strange response considering how much he loved playing. He loved seeing the shocked expression on a submissive’s face as soon as he inflicted the first hit.

Before Sweet could defend his actions, or lack thereof, Masaun continued. “Let’s finish talking about your plan.”

“What I’m proposing would make sense. Have a Decadent Treats original and a Decadent Treats Two next door. The kids will get candy while mommy and daddy explore the strap-on aisle.”

“There are several problems with your plan.” Masaun rested his hands on his stomach.

Sweet glared at his brother. “What are those?”

Masaun chuckled. “Are you serious? We’re doing fine here because we got in at a good time and our rates have been reasonable. We’re beyond profitable now. It wouldn’t be a great time to get rid of this place and get on the hook for not one but two new spots in a pricey area of the Beach.”

Sweet’s eyebrows furrowed. “It would work if you would just see the bigger picture.”

Masaun’s eyes widened. “If
I
saw the bigger picture? You’re kidding, right?”  He gripped the end of the desk as he faced Sweet. “I’m the one crunching the numbers, making sure to check the prices on our suppliers and balancing the books.
I’m
seeing the big picture. I know if we continue at this rate, we’ll be an even bigger success than what we are now. You just have to stay the course and not be so quick to change scenery when the mood hits you. I offered to show you our numbers but you never want to see them.”

“I’m busy at the front of the house. Since business is up, I’ve adjusted my schedule to work more during the day.” Sweet pointed to the store area. “When I’m not there, I’m in the kitchen creating more candies and chocolates for us to sell. Throw on top of that
our
time at The Dollhouse, my day is full.” Sweet raised his eyebrows to his brother who understood what the BDSM dungeon meant for the two of them.

Masaun shook his head. “Don’t even mention that place like it matters to you anymore.”

“What are you talking about? I’m there three or four nights a week.” Sweet felt his temperature rising. He balled his hands into fists, trying to contain his anger.

“Yes, you are there. But when was the last time you threw a whip at someone? I think it was a couple of years ago when you were with–”

“Don’t you mention her name.” Sweet’s heart thudded in his chest just thinking of Melinda and her pale skin that marked up so easily. “As far as I’m concerned, that was a clean break.”

“Bullshit.” Masaun snickered. “Any other man would have gotten right back on the horse. You didn’t. Any other Dom would have played with a willing submissive or slave. You haven’t.”

“At least I’m at The Dollhouse.”

“Did I hear someone mention The Dollhouse?” Kindle, looking more like a commonwealth attorney now rather than a video vixen, sauntered out of the bathroom.

She pulled her dark hair up into a sleek bun. The pink color of her silk blouse popped against her understated gray suit. As soon as her gaze fell on Masaun, she lit up like Las Vegas.

Sweet loved seeing that initial glint of lust. Too bad the feeling never lasted...at least for him it didn’t.

“Are you working late tonight?” Masaun asked Kindle.

“Not if The Dollhouse is on the table.” She framed his face in her hands. “I’ll be sure to be home for that.” She planted a sensual kiss on his lips.

When the kiss seemed to be leading to other wanton acts, Sweet cleared his throat. Kindle pulled back but kept her stare on her man. Masaun definitely trained her well.

“See you tonight.” She picked up her purse and briefcase, then strolled to the door.

“Can’t wait.” Masaun beamed as he watched her leave.

“Lust looks good on you.” Sweet stood.

“It’s more than lust. It’s love. It could look good on you, too, if you just let Kindle hook you up with some of her single friends.”

Sweet shook his head. “I’d like something permanent. I want a lover
and
a submissive. I can’t seem to get those two together. Just owning a submissive or slave isn’t enough for me.”

“No, you don’t think you can keep any type of permanent relationship. There’s a difference.” Masaun pointed at Sweet. “You can own again. You can love again.”

Easier said than done. Some breakups couldn’t be overlooked.

“So you and Kindle don’t keep a twenty-four/seven relationship?” Sweet stared at Masaun who rutted his eyebrows in confusion.

“What do you mean?” Masaun regarded his brother with his standard judging stare.

“I know your playing style. I know what you demand of your slaves and submissives.” Sweet eased back on the couch. “Why didn’t Kindle come back into the room on her hands and knees? Why didn’t she call you by your scene name? Was she wearing underwear?”

“You’re out of fucking line.” Masaun pointed at Sweet.

Had his brother’s finger been a gun, Sweet would be dead.

“I’m just saying if I had someone, I would want her to call me Master Sweet all day, every day. I would want her to show her obedience to me.”

Maybe if Melinda had done that, she wouldn’t have wanted to be released. Then again, maybe if he had recognized the fact that she hadn’t shown any obedience to him, he would have released her sooner.

“Fine. You find your own submissive. You treat her how you’d like. Stay out of my relationship.” Masaun drummed his fingertips on the desk. “Let’s get back to talking about business before this conversation goes too far. I think what you’re proposing is a stupid idea, but I’ll entertain the notion.”

Sweet wiped his brow in an exaggerated motion. “Whew. Glad I got your blessing.”

“Funny. So do you have a business proposal for your idea?” Masaun faced his laptop and started typing. When Sweet didn’t answer right away, Masaun brought his gaze back up to him. “You did write one up that shows the cost benefits of expanding, right?”

“Of course there will be benefits to having another type of business. You talk to the people at the club. You’ve heard them all complain that there’s not any place around here to buy good, quality toys and not gimmicky crap that breaks after one hard play session.” Sweet braced his hands on his knees. He felt grounded that way.

“You think the world is in the lifestyle. They’re not. Some people may want those less-expensive toys for parties. The real thing may intimidate people.” Masaun exhaled. “I just don’t see where spending money to, one, get two new spaces, then two, stock one with quality fetish materials, and three, put employees in there to run it for us is a good move for us right now. Contract time is coming up for lease renewal. Let’s hope they don’t jack up our rates.”

Sweet felt the headache coming on as he marched toward his brother. He slammed his hands on the desk as he stared at him. “We’ve been called the ‘Best at the Beach’ for three of the five years we’ve been in business. We’ve been featured in
The Virginian-Pilot
and on the local news a few times. Things are looking up for us. Trust me. This will work.”

Masaun rolled his eyes. “A candy store and a specialty fetish store are two separate things.” He shook his head. “If you had proposed a candy store and a full-on bakery, I would be more on board with that.” He rocked back and forth in his swivel chair. “Yes, we’re out now as far as our lifestyle. But you damn near dangle the fact that we’re in the Lifestyle in front of people almost daily.”

Sweet stood tall. “I’m not ashamed of being a BDSM Dom. I didn’t think you were, either.”

Masaun could be considered more of a dungeon master than just a Dominant who played at The Dollhouse. For the past fifteen years, he trained almost all of the new Doms and Dommes in the establishment as well as many of the new submissives. From aftercare to whipping and everything in between, Masaun taught it all. Sweet had learned about the Lifestyle along with him, but preferred playing than teaching.

“I love the Lifestyle, too. So does Kindle.” A sly smile cocked at the corner of his mouth. “But that side of us is private. We don’t have to label ourselves.”

“What do you mean?” Sweet crossed his arms over his chest. He hated feeling defensive with the one person he thought had understood him the most.

Masaun scanned the desk and picked up a bumper sticker that Sweet had been handing out to customers. He read the front of it out loud. “Decadent Treats. Bouquets, delivery, sweets and more.” He dropped his hand back to the desk and glared at Sweet.

Sweet shrugged. “What? We do all of those things.”

“What are the initials?”

A smile almost crossed Sweet’s face knowing that Masaun had caught on faster than he thought he would. “So what? So the initials come out to BDSM. Just a coincidence.”

“Coincidence my ass. You are right about one thing. We have more customers in here because people want to take a gander at the Dom brothers running a candy shop.”

“I have no problem playing with anyone who wants to step into a dungeon with me.” Sweet shrugged.

His brother’s questioning glance didn’t escape Sweet’s notice.

“We should be known for selling great products and having excellent customer service.”

Sweet waved his hand at him. “Sure. That’ll keep the customers in the store. Seeing us will get them coming
into
the store.”

Masaun shook his head. “You’re all about the immediate reaction, aren’t you?”

“What can I say? It’s my drug.”

Masaun sat back in the black leather high-back swivel chair. “It’s your excuse to not open up again.”

Before Sweet got into the same argument he’d had with his brother for the past two years, since Sweet and Melinda had broken up, he turned back to the door. “I’m open. I’m going to check out what’s going on in the store before I head to the kitchen.”

“Hey, while we’re on the subject of changes, are you still looking for a new place to live?” Masaun pointed at him.

Sweet shook his head. “I like living upstairs in the apartment.”

Masaun released an exasperated sigh. “You’re using this place and The Dollhouse to hide.”

“I’m committed to the business
and
the Lifestyle.” Sweet shook his head. He had to count to ten in his head before he continued speaking. “When I presented you with the idea of us owning this candy shop together, I did it without a business plan, and you jumped on the idea, right?”

“Right, but–”

“And when I said I would make some of the candies, you trusted me, right?”

“I knew you would do a–”

Sweet cut him off again. “It seems like my instincts have been pretty dead-on as far as our business. Why don’t you trust me now?”

Masaun sighed. “It’s not that I don’t trust you. You get these romantic notions in your head without fully thinking things through. You’ve entrenched yourself in this business as though you’re hiding away from something. You’re great with the creative, but you have nothing to keep you grounded to reality.”

“Except you.” Sweet pointed at him. “Is that what you were going to say?” He raked his fingers back through his hair. “I know it’s going to hurt you to say it, but you can tell me that I’m right sometimes.”

“Even when you’re wrong?”

Sweet shook his head. “Fuck you.” He grabbed the doorknob. “As always, thanks for the support. I see I’ll have to do this my way as usual.”

Before another word could be said, Sweet stormed out of the office and slammed the door behind himself. He tried showing a pleasant appearance before getting to the main store area but even Sweet couldn’t fake the expression.

Sweet went behind the counter as his employee, Hanson, checked out the purchases for a mature African-American woman. Hanson had been an employee for the last three years, coming on when business really started booming. The tall, lanky African-American man proved to be a great asset to their business.