I averted my gaze from the sight of Derek Carter carrying off my friend. He might be an exhibitionist, but I wasn’t about to be a voyeur in the scene he had planned for Sharon. I knew she would rather I didn’t watch her having sex with her boyfriend. We were all at Decadence together, but there were still certain unspoken rules to abide by.

I glanced over at my best friend to find him grinning at Sharon’s predicament. He didn’t share my sense of decorum.

“Hey, asshole,” I snapped my fingers in front of Smith’s face to call his attention back to the group. “Don’t you have your own sub to ogle?”

He shrugged, his smile staying firmly in place. “Stop being such a stick in the mud, Clayton. I’m not ogling. I’m just happy Derek is helping her deal with her issues.”

I frowned at him, but at least his silver eyes returned to me rather than staying fixed on Sharon.

“I’m not a stick in the mud. I’m at a goddamn BDSM club,” I pointed out.

Smith’s smile widened. “Took you long enough. Maybe in another five years you’ll actually learn how to let go of the rulebook and live a little.”

“Oh, he plays by different rules now.” Rose’s tinkling laugh sounded behind me as she sidled between Reed and me. Her arm wrapped around my waist, and she rested her head against my shoulder. I looked down into her remarkable ice green eyes. Her full pink lips tugged up at the corners. “I like your rules, Master,” she told me breathily.

“Thank you, sub.” I placed a kiss on her forehead and shot a triumphant grin at Smith. “You see? Rose thinks rules are fun.”

Smith’s eyes sharpened on my girlfriend. “Don’t encourage him. You’ll undo all my hard work.”

She sniffed at him. “Your work here is done. I really don’t think I want you tutoring him anymore.”

I laughed and pinched her ass. She yelped when my fingers bit into her lingering bruises. “You earned that paddling, gorgeous. Smith had nothing to do with that.”

“He told you about paddling in the first place,” she grumbled.

“If you hadn’t seduced me, I never would have thought to ask.”

Her eyes flashed, but before she could say something snappish, Dexter Scott joined our little group. I gave him a nod of recognition. His pale blue eyes met mine and he returned the respectful gesture.

“Dex,” Reed greeted him with a tight smile. “I didn’t know you would be here tonight. What are you doing in New York?”

“I’m in town to meet with Kennedy. Clayton picked me up at the airport and we started talking in the car. He was kind enough to invite me to the party.”

I didn’t understand why Reed’s dark eyes flashed with resentment when he turned them on me. “That was very polite of him,” he remarked. He turned his head to look for his sub. Katie was leaning against the bar by herself, a sad twist to her red-painted lips. Reed gave an irritated jerk of his head. “Excuse me.”

“What’s up with Miller?” Smith wondered aloud once Reed was out of earshot. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so serious.”

Dex shifted, and I noticed his eyes lingered on his former partner.

“He’s just worried about Katie,” the big blond agent said after a moment. “She’s still really messed up about The Mentor case. He doesn’t like leaving her side for more than a few minutes.” His square jaw hardened to granite.

Pure rage flashed across Smith’s features at the mention of The Mentor. He quickly smoothed the emotion away, but it left him grim. All the lighthearted joy he had shown seconds earlier was effectively extinguished. His gaze swept the club, searching for his fiancé. It was only when he spotted her sitting on one of the leather couches that his fists unfurled at his sides. He took a deep breath, and some of the wildness left his eyes.

He glanced at Dex, Rose and me. The shadow of his smile flickered. “Well, this has all gotten very blond. I’ll leave you to it.” He clapped me on the shoulder as he passed. “You’re turning into an excellent pervert,” he informed me. “I’m proud of you.”

He was gone before I could tell him to stop being a patronizing ass.

“What’s he talking about?” Rose’s voice was a touch higher than usual. “Did you tell him you’re planning something? You’re not going to paddle me again, are you? Because I told you I was sorry. I really, really am.”

I touched two fingers beneath her chin and gently lifted her face to mine.

“I know you are,” I assured her. “And I know you won’t walk home alone from the library at two AM again. Will you?”

“No, Master,” she whispered. I watched her pupils dilate as I held her in my steady stare. Even though she remembered the pain of the punishment, I could sense her desire rising. She really did enjoy it when I enforced my rules. Sometimes I suspected she committed infractions on purpose. Smith would accuse me of allowing her to top from the bottom, but I had too much fun disciplining her to call her actions into question. If we both got what we wanted, where was the harm? Smith always griped about me being a stickler, but he was the real hard-ass when it came to D/s.

I traced the line of Rose’s red leather collar. “No punishments tonight, beautiful. It’s Christmas.”

She kissed my cheek sweetly. “Thank you, Master.”

I took her delicate hand in mine. “Come on. I have something for you.”

“It was nice to meet you, Dex,” she said over her shoulder as she followed me toward the back hallway. I smirked. She had no idea what she was in for. She would see him again soon enough.

“I don’t trust that look,” she said, studying my expression.

I shrugged and closed the door of the private room behind us. “What can I say? You’ve turned me into a proper pervert.”

She shook her platinum blonde head. “Uh-uh. That was all Smith’s doing. I didn’t teach you these things.”

Closing my arm around her lower back, I pulled her body up against mine. “But you love it all, really.” Before she could protest, I pressed my lips down on hers, catching her soft gasp of surprise.

Her mouth was sweet and giving under mine, opening in offering to me. I took every inch she gave me and then pressed for more, claiming her with my tongue in the same way I planned to use my cock soon. She melted in my arms, her fingers curving into my shoulders for support as her body melded into mine.

I grasped at the tie at the back of her green velvet corset, loosening the knot before tugging at the laces.

“Hey!” She cried against my lips. “I spent ages getting into that!”

“Well, I want you out of it.” I applied pressure at the front of the garment until the hooks separated. She shivered when I pulled it from her body, exposing her breasts.

“This has to go, too,” I told her as I grasped the elasticated top of her skin-tight sparkly red skirt. As I pulled it down her long legs, I eased down her body, kissing the column of her neck, between her breasts, across her taut abdomen. When I reached her clit, I traced around it once with my tongue before pulling back to blow cool air over it. Her thighs trembled, and I could smell her arousal.

Looking up, I found her staring down at me with wide, hungry eyes. Her chest rose and fell in shallow, rapid pants. She wanted me to suck on her clit. She thought I was going to.

But I had other plans for her, and I stood. She let out the sexiest little whine. I pressed my lips to hers briefly so I could taste the needy sound. I loved working her up like this, making her desperate for me. The knowledge that she needed my touch more than anything else made me feel ten feet tall.

She stood before me in nothing but her sheer white stockings and matching white lace garter belt. Bright red stilettos were the one remaining token of her festiveness. Her Christmas outfit had been cute, but this was so much better. I hoped the fashionista in her wouldn’t be too offended at how quickly I had stripped her.

Just to be safe, I kissed her harder to make her forget about it. Rose sometimes got fired up about the respect I should show her clothes.

By the time I pulled away again, she was thoroughly under my power. I could read it in her parted lips and her lust-filled eyes. She looked up at me as though I was the only man in the world. The sight of her devotion got me hard, and I knew I stared down at her with similar wonder. At times like this, I could hardly believe this perfect woman had given herself to me.

I sucked in a deep breath and gathered my focus. It was my role to be in charge, to take care of her, and I fully intended to see to her more depraved needs tonight.

“Master?” She asked, her voice quaking slightly. I realized my smirk had returned, and it was setting her off-balance.

Good. I wanted her worried and wet and wanting. A touch of trepidation always got her hotter for me.

Saying nothing, I grasped her hips and directed her toward the spanking bench. My smile widened when she mounted it almost eagerly. Despite her griping about the paddling, she was excited by the idea of a spanking. She always did enjoy the feel of my bare hands on her ass.

Again, I refused to do what she anticipated. When she was draped over the bench, I quickly used the built-in restraints to cuff her wrists and ankles in place. She tugged against them, showing further signs of nervousness.

I kept my silence as I crossed the room to where I had placed my kit bag earlier in the evening. She tried to crane her head back so she could see what I was retrieving, but her long hair fell across her face, and she couldn’t use her hands to brush it back.

“What are you doing?” She asked, the words trembling slightly.

My hand cracked across her ass, and she let out a satisfying squeak. “Whatever I want.”

I placed the small butterfly vibe against her clit and secured it in place with thin straps around her thighs. When I brought my hand down on her a second time, I turned the vibe on its lowest setting. Her sharp cry filled the room. My dick jumped against my slacks.

But it wasn’t time to fuck her. Not yet.

I traced the line of her wet folds, teasing my forefinger inside her up to the first knuckle. She squirmed and tried to push back into me, but her restraints kept her in place.

“You’re evil, Master,” she accused.

“That’s not very nice,” I chided, pulling my hand away completely. “Would an evil Master give his sub her Christmas presents early?”

“Your gift to me is erotic torture? Did Smith tell you I would like this? He’s such an asshole.”

I spanked her more sharply. “Don’t be rude, sub. Otherwise, I’ll have to send your present back, and you wouldn’t want that.” I pushed two fingers inside her and found her g-spot. I stroked against it carefully, not applying enough pressure to make her come. She wiggled against the bench and moaned her frustration.

“Please!”

I chuckled. “You’re very greedy. Maybe I should have put you on the ‘naughty’ list. Naughty girls don’t get what they want.”

I removed my fingers from her and stepped back.

“No!” She cried. “I’ve been good! I’ll be good!”

I massaged the red marks where I had struck her ass, and she groaned.

“I know you will. That’s why you get such nice gifts.”

I stepped toward the door.

“Where are you going?” She asked, alarmed.

“I’m going to get your first present.” I remained purposefully enigmatic, allowing myself a few seconds to enjoy watching her squirm before I stepped out into the long hallway.

Dexter Scott was waiting at the end of it, leaning against the wall. I grinned and waived him down.

“You still good with this?” I asked in a low voice so the words wouldn’t carry through the door to Rose.

The man’s smile was wicked. He had seemed so serious earlier in the day, almost sad. Now his features had transformed into something more jovial. Well, maybe that wasn’t the right word. There was something fierce about his intensity.

I wavered. I didn’t know Dex like I knew Smith. But Kennedy had vouched for him, and I really wanted to give Rose something I knew she wanted. And fuck, the memory of her ecstasy when she had been with Smith and me still got me an instant hard-on whenever it crossed my mind.

“Yeah,” Dex said, his grin widening. “Thanks for the invite.”

I studied him, taking in his kinky attire. He dressed like the other guys, wearing leathers and going bare-chested. He knew his way around the lifestyle, and he was a good agent. If Kennedy trusted him, then I did, too.

“Is she ready for this?” He asked, true concern bleeding through his cocky anticipation. That swayed me more than anything. Rose was his top priority, as she should be. I had chosen a good partner.

Her throaty moan drifted through the door. The butterfly vibe was driving her crazy.

My own grin returned. “More than ready.”

My smile turned a touch predatory as I eased the door open. Rose turned her head to the side, and her eyes widened when they slid past me to find Dex.

An orgasm instantly rolled through her body. Just the thought of taking both of us at the same time had her so hot that she climaxed. I had definitely made a good decision.

“Yeah, you’re right. I think she’s ready for us,” Dex said in a deep, approving rumble.

I prowled toward her, loving the way she shivered under my scrutiny. When Dex shut the door behind him, she let out an adorable whimper. I reached out and tenderly traced the line of her jaw, lifting her head so her back arched slightly.

“I’ve always wanted to watch your expressions when I fuck your ass,” I informed her calmly. “Dex agreed to help me with that.”

“Master…” My name was a desperate whine. She wanted this badly. She was already coming undone from my words alone.

I brushed a kiss over her lips. “Merry Christmas, gorgeous. Do you like your present? Or should I take it back?”

“No!” She gasped out, jerking at her restraints. Dex laughed, and her cheeks turned the loveliest shade of pink.

“Don’t worry,” I told her. “You’re definitely on my ‘nice’ list. You’ve been very good for me this year. Are you going to be good for Dex, too?”

She nodded weakly, her eyes fixing on the other Dom. I glanced over to find that he was already freeing himself from his leathers and rolling on a condom. He was holding a bottle of lube.

Damn, the man really was ready to go.

But Rose’s tongue darted out to wet her lips, and I knew she didn’t need any more preparation. Her body was aroused and ready to take both of us.

Dex squirted some lube directly on her waiting asshole, and she cried out, squirming at the cold. He laughed again, obviously delighted at her reaction. He was enjoying her erotic torment as much as I was. We exchanged savage grins, each of us falling into a more primal headspace.

He slowly penetrated her ass with two fingers, preparing her. She pushed back into him with a moan, wordlessly begging for more.

“That’s right,” I encouraged, my voice coming out rougher than usual. “Invite him in.”

Her eyes locked on mine, and the delicate lines of her face drew tight with need. She sucked in a sharp breath. Dex had pressed his cock against her. He was big, but she was accustomed to taking me, so I knew she would be all right.

My fingers slid up into her hair on either side of her head, holding her so I could watch her expressions. For a few seconds, her eyes darkened with discomfort. I knew when his cockhead had breached her ring of tight muscles, because her lips popped open in a soft O. I barely resisted driving straight into her waiting mouth.

Just a minute longer, I told myself, trying to ignore the ache in my balls. I wasn’t done enjoying her reactions.

A moment later, I didn’t regret waiting. Her expression lit up with pure rapture, and a raw cry left her open lips as Dex slowly entered her.

“That feels good, doesn’t it?” I wanted to hear her admit just how much she loved being with both of us. It would embarrass her, which would only heighten her arousal.

She flushed a deeper shade of pink and nodded mutely.

“Say ‘thank you,’” I ordered. “Thank Dex for fucking your ass.”

“Thank you, Dex,” she whispered.

My fingers tightened in her hair, pulling in reprimand. “Louder. And address him properly.

Just then, he drew out and drove back in to the hilt.

“Thank you, Sir!” She cried out in wanton abandon.

I couldn’t hold back any longer. Keeping one hand in her hair, I unzipped my fly with the other. It took effort to stop my fingers from trembling as I withdrew myself from my slacks.

“I love the sounds you make when I fuck your ass,” I told her roughly. “I want to feel you whimper around my cock while he fucks you.”

Her hungry gaze fixed on my dick, and I tugged on her hair again to call her attention back to me. I wanted her staring up into my eyes while I fucked her mouth. The worshipful light I found in them as I eased my dick between her waiting lips made me groan. She was hot and wet, and her tongue immediately began dancing across the underside of my cock in just the way I liked best.

Dex gave her another sharp thrust, and her sound of lust vibrated along my shaft.

“Fuck!” My fingers twined in her hair, and I slid all the way into her, hitting the back of her throat. She took in all of me with a low hum, and I cursed again.

I pulled back and then rocked in, taking her in short, even thrusts. She continued to cry out each time Dex drove into her, and the feel of her cries wrapping around my cock almost drove me over the edge. I gritted my teeth and held back. I wasn’t ready for this to end.

Seconds later, Rose came hard, driven to climax by the constant stimulation of the butterfly vibe and the harsh pleasure of Dex pounding into her. She screamed around me, and the feel of the sound of her ecstasy pushed me to the breaking point. With a rough shout, I came down her throat, and she eagerly took everything I gave her.

Dex came almost simultaneously, driven over the edge by Rose’s orgasm as well. There was only so long a man could last in the wake of her raw lust. She was breathtaking in her unashamed abandon.

I withdrew from her and gently guided her head down to rest against the bench. She let out a final shuddering sigh as Dex pulled out. Then her eyes closed, and she sagged against the bench, her body limp and utterly sated.

My eyes found Dex’s, and he gave me a wink and an exhausted smile, allowing Rose to rest in the quiet afterglow of her intense orgasm. He cleaned up quickly and then left the room, giving me time alone to see to my sub’s aftercare. The man really was decent.

I stayed silent as I removed my clothes. I liked fucking her when she was naked and I was wearing my suit – the power dynamic was obvious. But now I wanted skin-to-skin intimacy with her.

I gently unbuckled her restraints. She let out a low sound of sleepy satisfaction when I lifted her up into my arms. She pressed her cheek against my chest, snuggling into me. I loved how soft and sweet she was when she got like this. She entrusted her entire being to me, and I became completely absorbed in the heady sensation of caring for her.

I laid down on the bed and draped her body across mine. For a long time, I simply stroked her soft skin and silky hair, reveling in the feel of her. Her breathing turned from ragged to deep and even as she relaxed into her happy sub space.

After a while, she stirred, breaking into my lust-drunken exploration of her soft curves. I could touch her like this every day for the rest of my life and never tire of it.

“Thank you, Master,” she slurred slightly, a lazy smile curling her lips. “That was the best present ever.”

I returned her smile. “It was a gift for me just as much as it was for you. Do you have any idea how fucking gorgeous you are?”

She flushed pleasurably at my praise. “Thank you,” she said again, this time a bit shyly.

I placed a doting kiss on the top of her head. “So sweet. You are definitely on my ‘nice’ list for the next year or ten.” I decided I couldn’t wait one more second to give her the next gift I had planned for her. “Sit up. I want to get your other present. Well, it’s another one for both of us. I’m a selfish bastard, really.”

A small line of worry appeared between her brows, but she shifted off me compliantly. “I don’t know if I could handle another present, Master,” she admitted.

“You’ll like it. Trust me.”

“I do,” she said sincerely.

I reached into the pocket of my suit jacket and retrieved the small white envelope I had hidden there. I sat down beside her and pulled her into my arms again before offering it to her.

“Open it,” I commanded.

She complied, tearing it open and then unfolding the piece of paper inside. It was a printout of an email confirmation.

She let out a little shocked gasp. “Is this for real?” She said, awestruck.

“Yep,” I beamed. “Two tickets to Milan. I thought you might want to spend New Year’s Eve there. We’ll be back in time for the start of the semester, and you can brag to all your friends about the awesome fashions you saw.”

“You didn’t have to do this, Clayton,” she said softly, but her eyes remained fixed on the paper. “It’s too much.”

I traced the line of her cheekbone, enjoying the delicate feel of it beneath my fingers. “For you, nothing’s too much, beautiful.”

A delighted laugh suddenly bubbled up her throat, and she threw her arms around me. “I love you so much,” she said with the fervor of a prayer.

“I love you too,” I chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Am I allowed to propose to you yet? I don’t want to wait until you finish school.”

She drew back from me enough so I could see the happy tears sparkling in her lovely green eyes. “Is this a proposal?”

I shook my head at her. “I keep telling you; I can do much better than this. But I’m taking that as a ‘yes.’”

I wouldn’t have to wait much longer to see my ring on her finger. We would be in Milan in a matter of days. I smiled to myself and pulled her in for a branding kiss.