Undercover Submission (2 page)

“It’s the best,” Cedric replied. “And I brought flowers for your beautiful wife, didn’t I?

You don’t deserve flowers.”

“Hey, respect your betters, buddy.” Toffer pushed on Cedric’s shoulder. Kennedy tried to hide a grin when Cedric pushed back.

“Betters? You? When pigs fly.”

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Their banter eased Kennedy’s nerves. She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting: maybe that they would demand she fawn all over them, the big movie stars. Instead, they were just like two regular guys, ready to enjoy a Saturday night with friends.

“Kennedy!” Grace’s voice drifted down from the balcony and Kennedy smiled up at her friend, who waved down. “Ignore them and get up here. Dinner’s almost done. We’ll eat, and then I’ll give you a tour of the house.”

Both men stepped back and waved her toward the stairs. “After you.”

She led them up the stairs, grateful she’d worn a skirt and not jeans that would hug her hips. At the top, Grace hugged her and they stepped into the house. Kennedy tried not to stop and stare. The house was stunning, a dazzling showplace that still seemed lived in.

“I made vegetable lasagna and some three-cheese ravioli,” Grace said, moving off to the left. “I love pasta. We do vegetarian every other night, so I hope that’s okay with you. We still do dairy, though. Come on into the kitchen and you can help me with the salad. I thought we’d eat outside and enjoy the summer air.”

The men followed them into the huge kitchen. “Kennedy, would you like to cut some tomatoes? Toffer, please open the wine. Cedric, will you get the glasses from the table?”

The three of them went about doing as she’d asked, and when Cedric came back from another set of stairs, he sat four wineglasses on the table. Toffer filled them as Grace pulled dishes from the oven. The heavenly smell of garlic, cheese, and tomato sauce filled the air.

“Yum,” Cedric said. “Grace, if you weren’t married to this lump, I’d snatch you up in a heartbeat.”

“Sweet talker.” Grace took the glass that Toffer offered her. Toffer playfully sneered at Cedric, who handed a glass to Kennedy. His fingers brushed hers, his warmth making her skin tingle. He winked at her, and the tingle spread through her body. Her nipples, unused for many years, tightened and Kennedy swallowed hard.

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The look he gave her showed he knew what she was feeling. Of course he does, you idiot. He’s adored by women young and old; he knows the effect he has on the fairer sex.

You’re just one more horny woman to him. And, of course, the best thing about him was he was dominant. Very dominant from the stories she’d read in the tabloids. Of course, they could be just that -- stories. He’d never denied them, and when a respectable interviewer had asked about it he’d just shrugged and changed the subject. That could mean the stories were true. Too bad my submissive side’s been on the shelf so long it’s growing dust. Maybe he could help me take it down.

Kennedy imagined herself on her knees, naked, her hands clasped behind her back.

Soft tendrils of a flogger trailed over her shoulders and breasts, which tightened almost painfully.

“Do you deserve a whipping from me?”

“Yes, Master Cedric. Please whip me; please, Master, I’m begging you.”

“Who do you belong to?”

“You, Ma

r

ste Cedric, only yo --”

“Kennedy?” She blinked rapidly, dragging herself back into reality as Cedric clinked his glass against hers, then took a sip, his eyes sparkling as he gazed down at her. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

“You too, Cedric.” She took her own sip, then held her glass up in salute toward her hosts. Toffer took a hearty sip and Grace gave her a sly smile over the rim of her glass. Oh good Lord, she meant this as a setup, as if a man like Cedric Da r

venport could eve be

interested in someone like me.

* * * * *

well into the second one. Kennedy knew she had to slow down so she would be able to drive home.

“No, just off the mark,” Kennedy replied, pushing her glass away. “I appreciate the thought; however, he’s way out of my league.”

“No, he’s not. He’s really a nice guy, and he just wants someone to like him for himself.

I think he likes you.”

“Right. I saw his last date, twenty-something bimbo with fake boobs and platinum hair.” Kennedy reached for her glass and took a huge sip; then, remembering she had to drive, she set it down and pushed it away again.

“He dated Missy Tompkins, and she’s not pencil thin,” Grace replied. “She’s at least a size fourteen. He does have dates to premieres and such, but he doesn’t really date those women.”

“Right. Tell me another whopper.” She reached for her glass, then caught herself and clasped her hands together.

“Drink up,” Grace said, taking a sip from her own glass. “You’re staying here tonight. I wouldn’t let you drive after we’ve had so much alcohol. And Toffer won’t let Ced drive, either. The four of us will have breakfast together, trust me.”

“Grace…”

“We have lots of room, really we do.”

“Did you read my manuscript?” Kennedy hoped Grace didn’t take offense at her avoidance of the subject. She picked up her glass just to give her hand something to do.

“Yes, I did. And I loved it. I have some suggestions and then, when my agent is here in November, I’m going to introduce the two of you.”

“What?” Kennedy’s hand stopped in midair, the wine in her glass sloshing almost to the rim.

“It’s really good. I’m serious. You don’t think so?”

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“Well yeah, I do. I don’t expect you to introduce me to your agent.”

“Why not? I say, ‘If you have connections, use them.’”

Kennedy’s smile faltered. “I don’t want you to think that’s the only reason I want to be friends with you.”

“I don’t think that at all.” Grace sighed heavily. “Listen, Toffer and I have been married for four years now, and I love him so much; he’s my world. And those same Hollywood bimbos you talk about, well, they accept me because they have to. Behind my back, I know they talk about my fat ass and how bad they think my dress looks because I have curves.

Toffer and Cedric are my only true friends here. Even my best friend from back home, Lindsey, used to live here, then moved to New York with her husband, Peter. And then I met you and I felt an instant connection. I’ve missed my friends back home so much, and you remind me of them.”

“Did you feel a connection because we’re both large?”

“Partly, and also because you’re smart, and you’re nice, and you can be yourself. That’s why I wanted us to be friends.”

“I like that,” Kennedy said. “Thanks.”

“Let’s go upstairs and get your manuscript. I’ll tell you what I think. You can look at the whole thing later, at your leisure, and ask me questions about what I marked. I know Toffer’s going to be up for a swim later.”

“I don’t have a suit.”

“We’re about the same size,” Grace said with a wink. “Although I think you might be a little smaller.”

“Not much.”

“Well, either way, we’ll have fun. Have another glass of wine, then we’ll eat the torte I made for dessert, take a swim, or watch a movie. And you can crash in one of the guest rooms. I’ll be sick with grief if you say no.”

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Kennedy laughed. “Sick with grief? Only a writer would say something like that.”

“Yeah, well you know what they say, ‘When you work with words, words are your work.’”

They both laughed as they carried dishes toward the house.

* * * * *

“Yummy,” Cedric said as he watched the ladies move toward the stairs.

“Grace is sure she’s submissive.”

“I think Grace is right. Her nipples are pierced.” Cedric gave Toffer an exaggerated leer.

“I noticed it right away. They got hard when I touched her.”

“Well, that doesn’t mean she’s submissive. I’m not surprised you noticed that, huh?”

“Among other things.” Oh yeah, he’d noticed. He’d loved her short-cropped dark hair, and her big hazel eyes, which at times seemed frightened of him and at other times perfectly relaxed. It was an interesting mixture. She had a luscious hourglass figure, with large breasts and full hips. All through dinner he’d imagined her as his table, lying still while he ate off her stomach, his hands tweaking those pierced nipples from time to time.

“I bet her clitty’s pierced, too.”

“Probably,” Toffer replied. “One way to find out.”

“Right, like I’m going to jump into bed with her and get burned again. I’ll feel her out, but I’m not going to fuck her tonight.”

Toffer laughed evilly. “Right. Tell yourself that again. You might actually believe it.”

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“I think we’ve had too much alcohol to be in the pool.” Toffer swallowed the last bite of his torte and exhaled loudly. “Extra crunches tomorrow.”

“Got that right,” Cedric said. “Worth every bite, Grace, as usual.”

“Thank you, Ced.” Grace winked at him. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

Kennedy took another bite, then sighed. She wanted to add something witty to the conversation, but words failed her. Her eyes drifted to her manuscript, lying on the counter not far from them. She wanted to tear into it to see what markings Grace had made, read what she’d thought of the plot.

“How about a movie? Or we could play some cards.” Toffer smirked at Grace. “Would you like that, Gracie?”

“Yes, Master, I would. Let me just clear these plates.” She grabbed dishes, refusing Kennedy’s offer of help, then walked through to the kitchen.

“What about you, Kennedy? Do you like to play cards?” Toffer’s smile was genuine.

Kennedy’s mind was still locked on the fact Grace had called her husband Master, like a good sub would. She cleared her throat, pasting a bright smile on her face.

“Yes, that would be fun.”

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“I agree,” Cedric said. “How about strip poker?”

“Why am I not surprised at your suggestion?” Toffer laughed as he stood. “How about we make it an adult card game, yes? However, not something that’s going to embarrass our guest. Before we start, I’m going to go have a chat with Gracie. I’ll be right back.”

Kennedy had long ago switched from wine to tea, but a dizzy feeling still came over her as she realized Cedric was staring at her like a hungry lion who’d just spotted his mate, sitting with her hips in the air in invitation.

“We’re all friends here,” he said, his voice deep. “As a submissive, I know you caught Grace’s little slip.”

“I don’t know what you’re -- I’m not a submissive.” She cast a nervous gaze at him.

There was no way she was admitting to it, not with him. Her heart ticked faster.

“A good Dom always knows.” His smile was gentle and she relaxed just a little. “There are subtle hints. The way you lower your gaze, your eagerness to please, to serve at the table, to help when things need to be done. It’s been a while, though, hasn’t it?”

“You’re wrong.” What was she doing? He was making a move, all but offering to top her, and she was being an idiot. Do it, Kennedy, do it.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” The hungry lion look was back. This time it came with a lustful grin. “Unless you want me to.”

I belong to you, Master Cedric, only to you. Whip me. Mark me. “Well, since I’m not a sub, that’s a good thing to know.”

He slid his hand slowly over the wood table and stroked her arm. “Relax. Nobody’s sceneing tonight. At least, not right now.”

His touch burned, the heat searing through her to center in her nipples. Her clit begged for attention as his thumb moved down to her hand. Another denial sat on the tip of her tongue, except it wouldn’t come out. There was no sense denying it, really, since he already knew. What would he expect of her? And could she scene with Cedric Davenport?

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“Take a deep breath. I’m not going to strip you and chain you to the wall.” Kennedy’s nipples tightened even more. The erotic image slammed into her body and her already-aching clit throbbed even more. Please do, I like being chained. His hand was still on hers, his touch gentle but firm. She focused on his hand, then lifted her gaze to Grace and Toffer as they came back in the room.

Toffer set down a deck of cards, then started to separate them into piles. “The name of the game is Truth or Dare. We each get a suit from the deck. We shuffle them, then lay them out one at a time. Winner gets to ask the loser a question. And, of course, the rules of Truth or Dare apply. If you don’t want to answer the question, you have to take a dare. And, if we think you’re lying…well, we’ll handle that situation when we come to it. Everyone game?”

“I’m in,” Cedric said. He’d moved his hand when their hosts came back, and Kennedy missed his warmth. Her subconscious was screaming at her to say it was late and ask which room she was going to sleep in.

Instead, she nodded. “Me too.”

“Good.” Toffer slid a stack of cards toward her. “And, for the sake of saving a question, I take it you’ve already established the fact Kennedy is submissive?”

“Yes,” Cedric said at the same time Kennedy said, “No.”

“That no sounded like a question,” Cedric replied as he shuffled his cards. “We already talked about it. Don’t be embarrassed to let people know your true nature.”

“Excellent,” Toffer said as he put a stack in front of Grace. “Then there’s no question about any of us. Two Doms. Two subs. One deck of cards. Let the game begin.”

Go upstairs, Kennedy. Go up now. She repeated the words to herself as she studied the cards in front of her. This was dangerous. Very dangerous. There’s no telling where it would lead. And if it did lead somewhere, was she prepared to follow through? It had been so long.

She missed submitting to a Dom so very much.

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The worst part of this was she was so frigging transparent he’d noticed her true nature right off the bat. She needed to learn to shield herself more, obviously.