THE INVITATION (The Marriage Diaries, Volume 5) (5 page)

J
illian couldn’t remember feeling so excited and nervous at the same time — excited to see what The Players Club was all about, and nervous about what to expect once she and Dean arrived at the massive, sprawling mansion. Ever since accepting her husband’s invitation on their anniversary, her anticipation had grown, and tonight was finally the night they’d step outside the boundaries of their own personal playroom and explore more public, forbidden temptations.

Exhaling a deep breath to calm the butterflies in her stomach, Jillian glanced in the dresser mirror to check her reflection one last time. Per her husband’s request, she was wearing his favorite “little black dress” — a very form-fitting sheath made of shimmering black material that ended mid-thigh. The front had a high neck and long sleeves, giving the illusion of modesty, but the low-cut, backless design made it impossible for her to wear a bra, and the clinging material molded to her full breasts in a way he loved. The only thing she wore beneath were a pair of black lace panties.

As she waited for Dean to finish up in the bathroom, she slid her feet into a pair of strappy black stilettos then retrieved a velvet lined jewelry box from the safe in the closet and brought it back to her dresser. She opened the box, a reminiscent smile touching her lips as she viewed the long strand of pink-hued freshwater pearls that Dean had given to her a few months ago — and felt a flush of warmth cascade along her skin when she recalled exactly what he’d done with those pearls when they’d returned from dinner that long ago evening.

“Don’t put those on,” Dean said from behind her before she could lift the necklace from where it was nestled in black satin.

She glanced over her shoulder at him, her entire body going soft and warm as she took in her sexy, gorgeous husband in a tailored pair of black slacks and a black silk shirt that enhanced his dark, good looks. “Why not? This necklace goes so well with this dress.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I love that pearl necklace and its many uses,” he said, the heat in his gray eyes telling her that his memories of that night were just as vivid and erotic as her own. “But I have an anniversary gift for you.”

She frowned in confusion and turned around to face him. “I thought tonight’s invitation to The Players Club was my gift.”

“The invitation was for
us
,” he clarified, and handed her a flat, square jewelry box with a familiar jeweler’s name imprinted on top. His smile was boyishly charming. “I think after putting up with me for twenty years you deserve something special and just for
you
. I would have given this to you the night of our anniversary, but I had it custom made and it wasn’t quite ready.”

She absently caressed her fingers over the soft velvet lining the top of the box, certain he’d paid a small fortune for whatever was inside. “You didn’t have to do this, you know.”

He pressed his fingers to her lips, and she was glad she hadn’t put any lipstick on yet. “I wanted to, and not a word out of your mouth about the cost, either,” he added, seemingly reading her thoughts. “I can afford to buy my wife nice things, and I shouldn’t be denied that pleasure.”

Knowing he meant what he said, that spoiling her was something he truly enjoyed, she pushed the lid open and was nearly blinded by the brilliant sparkle of diamonds. Lots and lots of diamonds and way too many for her to even count. She stared in shock at the necklace — both dazzled and stunned by the three rows of high quality, flawless stones that would encircle her neck. An elegant design of a D and J intricately joined was at the center of the breath-taking piece.

“Holy . . .” she swallowed back the unladylike curse word and raised her wide-eyed gaze to Dean, her heart beating like a drum in her chest. “Dean, this is too much!”

He rolled his eyes at her protest, as if he’d expected it. “Too damn bad. It’s a custom design, paid for and non-refundable. Not another word out of you, unless you’d like to break in the new ball gag I bought but we haven’t used yet,” he teased in a soft threat as he lifted the piece of jewelry from the box. “Now turn around so I can put it on you.”

Even as she wondered about his ball gag comment, she did as he asked and lifted her hair so he could put the jewelry around her neck and secure the clasp. Standing behind her, he looked over her shoulder and into the mirror reflecting both of their images.

“It’s perfect, just like you,” he murmured, strumming the tips of his fingers down her bare spine.

His light caress made her shiver and her nipples tighten against the fabric of her dress. The look in his eyes was so tender for a man with such a tough facade, and that emotion completely melted her heart. She touched her fingers to the smooth diamonds, which fit closely around her neck like a choker. “I truly love it. Especially our entwined initials.”
Especially that.

“I designed it myself.” He smiled, clearly proud of himself. “I have one more surprise for you before we go.”

He went to his dresser and withdrew another box, this one small and white with no indication of what might be inside. A slight smirk canted the corner of his mouth as he gave her the gift. “I thought we’d make tonight more . . . interesting.”

His smooth, seductive drawl was like a caress in and of itself and her stomach suddenly tumbled with awareness as she opened the box, revealing a small, egg-shaped vibrator. The sex toy was compact, about two inches in diameter and length, and textured with at least two dozen nubs on the purple silicone sleeve encasing it.

“It’s a pleasure orb,” Dean said, his eyes twinkling wickedly. “It slips inside of you, it can vibrate, and it just so happens to come with a wireless remote. “Very clever and discreet, don’t you think?”

She swallowed hard, knowing exactly why he’d given her the present
now
, instead of surprising her with it one night in their playroom. “And you think I’m going to let you put that thing in me, then walk around with it buzzing inside me tonight?”

His grin turned positively sinful. “Of course you are,” he said presumptuously, before putting the remote in his pocket and plucking the toy from the box. “Now lift the hem of your dress so I can do the honors.”

“Your arrogance knows no bounds,” she grumbled, just because her husband was way too used to getting his way. “Fine, I’ll let you put the vibrator inside me, but do
not
abuse your power with the remote.”

He just smiled, oozing way too much bad boy charm. His non-verbal reply told her that he had no intention of following her orders, that he’d do
what
he wanted,
when
he wanted. The man was absolutely incorrigible, and goddamn irresistible.

Denying him was impossible, especially when she knew that what he wanted would turn them both on. Setting the box on the dresser, she pulled her dress up to her waist and he stepped closer, his gaze holding hers — brimming with pure alpha heat. He touched the egg to her belly, just above the waistband of her panties, and she shivered as the device started to hum very softly.

“Feet wide apart,” he commanded softly.

The assertive note to his voice made her melt deep inside, made her wet with desire, forcing her to admit just how much she loved this more sexually dominant side to Dean’s personality. She braced her stilettos apart, opening her legs and allowing him all the access he needed. She was already starting to pant, her anticipation so strong as she waited for the vibrator to make contact with her clit so she could come.

He slipped his hand, and that thrilling orb, into her panties and along her smooth, bare mound. Her thighs were shaking by the time he reached her soft nether lips, her sex aching with need.

“You’re already dripping wet,” he murmured, triumphant with the discovery. “You want to come, don’t you, baby girl?”

She nodded jerkily as he let the vibrator brush across her clit like a flickering kiss. “Yes, please.”
And what a lovely start to the evening that would be.

He sighed in disappointment, and deliberately kept the caress of the toy light and fleeting, which only served to make her even more sensitive. “There’s that impatience again,” he said, reminding her of times in the past when he’d chastised her for not having any restraint — for being greedy and wanting an orgasm
now
, instead of allowing the pleasure to build, which he preferred.

Knowing that Dean always got his way, there was no doubt in her mind that he was going to tease and torment her with the orb, and keep her climax at bay until
he
decided he was ready to give it to her — both a thrilling and frustrating prospect.

She gasped as he pushed the device inside her body and the oval object nestled right along her g-spot. The soft, pulsating sensation fluttered against the sensitive lining of her sheath, and even when Dean withdrew his hand and she was able to squeeze her legs together again, no amount of pressure could relieve the too elusive need for satisfaction, not unless he increase the speed of the vibrator.

And the rogue knew it, too.

She shoved her dress back down into place. Her body was cruising just below climaxing, like an itch begging to be scratch but was just beyond her reach. It made her nerve endings spark with heat, made her nipples tight and hard. She was tempted to touch herself and enjoy a quick orgasm — because if she didn’t, he was going to keep her completely distracted with his new toy.

Reaching out a hand, she cupped the hard length of his cock straining against the fly of his pants, gratified to see that he was just as affected. Then an idea popped into her head. “How about a quick blow job in exchange for my orgasm before we leave?” It seemed like more than a fair trade to her.

His gaze flickered with amusement. “Who knew you had such bartering skills?”

She was beginning to feel a bit desperate with the faint strum of the vibrator taunting her with what her body craved. “I just know that I’m going to be on edge all night if you don’t let me come now, at least once.”

He gave her a shameless smile. “That will make two of us, and just think how good it’s going to be when I finally do let you come.”

“Bastard,” she said, meaning it in the most loving way possible. “I should make you wear your vibrating cock ring so you know what this feels like.”

He chuckled. “Not gonna happen, sweetheart. Not tonight, anyways.”

“Then how about I just give myself an orgasm,” she said, and slid her hand back under her dress so that she could press her fingers against her clit. Relief was only a few strokes away.

He grabbed her wrist in a tight grip and jerked her hand away. “Don’t you dare,” he growled, his eyes turning a dark, threatening shade of slate. “If you do anything to make yourself come before I allow you to, your ass is going to be so pink and sore you won’t be able to sit for a week.”

She shivered, imagining how erotic it would feel for him to spank her while the orb thrummed inside her. The thought made her breathless. “Then turn the damn thing off and give me a break. I’m so freakin’ aroused I can’t think straight!”

His hand disappeared into his pants pocket, and second later the toy stopped vibrating,
thank God
.

“There you go, for now.” He arched a dark, mocking brow. “Better?”

She exhaled, grateful for the blessed reprieve, though her body was still humming deep inside, even without the constant stimulation. “Much better, you sadist,” she said, only half-joking.

“Oh, you have no idea,” he murmured, taking no offense to her comment as he strolled into the bathroom and washed his hands, then returned a moment later. “Ready to go?”

Jillian nodded, as ready as she’d ever be.

Five minutes later they were in Dean’s Aston Martin, with him at the wheel as he drove them toward their destination for the evening.

The Players Club was tucked away in the hills of Fallbrook and overlooked the city, the vast, multi-acre estate protected by an impenetrable iron gate that only opened after approval from one of the two guards on duty. From there, a long, winding driveway led the way even higher, the smooth, paved roadway fringed by impeccably landscaped grounds that were green, lush, and illuminated by low profile Malibu lighting.

The road came to an end at an enormous circular drive, where they were greeted by a valet who whisked away Dean’s car and left them standing in front of the monstrous, majestic mansion that was three stories tall and so incredibly wide it took up most of the mountainside. The architecture was Mediterranean in style, with arches and columns, and stone and tile detailing. From the outside, there was nothing to indicate that this gorgeous, luxurious house was a club that catered to all sorts of sexual adventures and taboo desires.

At the realization that they were actually about to step inside The Players Club and indulge in some of those kinks, her stomach did one of those slow tumbles that encompassed both excitement and a bit of nervousness.

As if completely in tune to her emotions, Dean took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Are you absolutely sure about this?” he asked, his voice low and rife with understanding. “Because if you’re uncertain about going inside, it’s not too late to change your mind.”