Chapter 3

Knocking on the door to Olivia’s office, Luke braced himself when he heard her call out to come in.

The rest of the class had left, in a more or less orderly fashion. The Doms were making the subbies skittish and yet bratty too. Olivia had given Kincaid a look, and Kincaid had immediately taken over making sure all of the ladies had a Dom walking her to her car. Then Olivia had headed through to the back of the restaurant area, and Luke had known she was probably going up to her office on the second floor. She’d had a strained look around her eyes and mouth and had been pressing her fingers to the sides of her head in a manner which suggested she had a headache.

So he’d grabbed some of the painkillers from Michael’s office on the way to hers as a peace offering. Since Luke was a silent partner he didn’t have an official office, but Michael had told him to use his whenever he was on site.

He entered, closing the door behind him, trying not to think about how good she looked seated behind the desk with her hands laid one over the other in front of her. Like a teacher waiting for a naughty student.

Which was kind of exactly what was going on right now.

Not that he needed any additional fuel for his fantasies.

“Yes, Mr. Davis?” she said. To his disappointment she used her professional ‘talking to the boss’ tone she often whipped out just for him, instead of the disciplinary teacher tone he was half-hoping to hear.

Striding forward, he reached across the desk, holding out the bottle of painkillers.

“Peace offering,” he said blandly, waiting for her to take it before he sat down across from her, leaning back in the comfortable leather chair. Olivia had picked out everything in her office and it had quickly become clear that she liked all her seating very comfortable and preferably in leather. Did he see a slight softening in her expression as she opened the bottle of painkillers? He hoped so. “I wanted to apologize.”

“What for?” she asked dryly, shaking out two pills. She held them up as if toasting him with them. “Thank you by the way.”

“You’re welcome. I want to apologize for blindsiding you with my presence in the class. Before I actually did it, it seemed like it might be fun, even funny.” He shrugged, making a moue of distaste. “I regretted it almost immediately and wish we hadn’t.”

“I don’t blame you entirely,” she said, her voice still dryly wry. “I’m sure Patrick was especially convincing in how amusing it would be. Rather hypocritical of him, actually. He also hates surprises.” The way she said it made Luke think she was already planning on getting back at the other man. Which was merited; it just also made him worry about what she might do to get back at him. Or would she consider having blindsided him by pairing him with Kincaid tonight to be enough of a reprisal?

“I still shouldn’t have done it and I apologize.” He looked her directly in the eyes, meeting her gaze and holding it. After a moment, he was sure her expression did soften.

“I appreciate that.” She cleared her throat a little. “I’ll get another Domme to attend the classes as soon as I can to work with you.”

Luke raised his eyebrow. “Why can’t you do it?”

Was he imagining things, or did a small blush bloom in her cheeks?

“I need to focus on the class as a whole,” she said smoothly. A little too smoothly. 

He tilted his head, studying the bland poker expression on her face. The blankness in her gray eyes. She was covering something up. Holding back. Luke spent a lot of time watching her and he’d learned the signs. “What were you going to do if it wasn’t me?”

“What?” She blinked, looking almost taken aback that he was questioning her.

“If I had been someone else, someone you hadn’t met before, coming into the class, would you still be looking for another Domme to come in?”

Her lips pressed together as she looked back at him, hands folded back in front of her, obviously not happy to have the question posed to her. If Olivia was anything, she was honest, aggressively so sometimes. 

“No,” she finally said reluctantly. 

“So why are you now? Why can’t you just dominate me yourself?” The smile he gave her was flirtatious. Charming. Everything he wanted to show her he could be. 

The forefinger on her topmost hand began to tap. As much as he’d hated talking to other men Olivia had played with at Stronghold, Luke had done it, so he knew it was a sure sign she was wishing she had a paddle at hand… Olivia liked to spank. Which, of course, made him wonder if he could push her that far.

“You’re my boss. It would be inappropriate.” Her words were clipped. Civilly cold. Back to the professional voice she used with him.

“I don’t mind, ma’am,” he said with the same lazy, inviting smile he’d kept pressed on his face, refusing to use the same kind of tone with her.

Her tapping finger tapped a little faster. Luke wondered if they were both thinking about the same thing—him bent over her desk while she punished him for thwarting her. And then making it up to her with his mouth… maybe even his cock, which had been slowly growing as they’d faced off. The flinty eyed glare she was using did absolutely nothing to deflate his erection.

“You will do better finding another Mistress to offer your attention to,” she responded finally, with maybe just a hint of jealousy? He hoped.

“But I’m only interested in ‘offering’ it to one,” he said smoothly, flirtatiously. If anything, knowing she wanted him and her only concern was their work relationship made him determined to show her she didn’t need to worry about their respective positions at Marquis. Maybe it was a long shot, but it would be worth it.

Standing up, he didn’t bother to hide the bulge at the front of his pants. It was nearly at her natural eye level, and her gaze dropped for just a moment to the front of his pants. Luke rapped his knuckles on her desk.

“You can bring in another Domme for the class, Scarlet, but you’re still going to be the one I want to submit to. I’ve met the other Dommes already, remember? The only one I’m interested in is you.”

Having thrown down his gauntlet, enjoying the look of surprise and desire—yes, desire for sure—Luke made a strategic retreat. Not waiting for her to respond or try to tell him his chances weren’t good. Never tell me the odds.

He’d done all he could here, now he needed to go home and plan.

******

Olivia didn’t know if she was more turned on or pissed off.

She wanted to order Luke back into the office, put him on his knees, and maybe torture his balls for good measure. The man was mouthy. Which, of course, got her motor running. Although he’d been obedient to Kincaid today during class, they hadn’t been doing anything which challenged him.

She wanted to challenge him.

To push him.

To see the moment when he submitted his will to hers.

Strong, confident men who struggled to give up control were much more her cup of tea than men who immediately begged for her favors. What could she say? She liked the hard cases.

Luke was definitely a hard case, no matter how big a game he talked.

Which was exactly why she needed to keep her distance. She could only imagine how complicated things could get if they became involved in any way. Sex and emotions messed with things, especially when she was a manager and he was an owner. She needed to be able to speak her mind and know her job was secure. Which meant no fooling around with the boss. Even if he did have a damn fine ass and was already trying to serve her by noticing her headache and bringing her pain killers, and giving her a completely sincere apology without her even asking for one.

Groaning, she dropped her head into her palms, elbows propped on the desk. This was definitely not a problem she would have ever guessed she’d have when she’d quit her job at Boyds.

Then her phone made a sound she never thought she’d actually be happy to hear. A little popping noise, like a bubble being burst. Followed a few moments later by multiple bubbles bursting.

No matter what she’d threatened, what she’d promised, she hadn’t been able to make the other women start a different group text chat which didn’t include her. They’d nod their heads, say no problem, and then she’d keep getting their messages all together anyway. Finally she’d changed her text notifications on just that message so that her phone didn’t drive her up the wall whenever someone started a new conversation in the group chat.

Right now, however, distraction sounded wonderful.

Sharon: I need a night out! Girls only! Who’s free Saturday for dancing?

Hilary: Me! I’m free!!!!

Maria: I can’t, I’ve got plans with the family :(

Sharon: :(

Kate: I can come!

Angel: Adam says no. Butt face.

Despite Angel’s ire, that was probably for the best. Angel was eight months pregnant but honestly already looked like she could pop at any moment. She’d even had to stop teaching the self-defense courses she loved.

Lexie: Patrick says I can come!

Leigh: I’m in!

Ellie: Me too!

Jessica: I’m having date night with my guys, but have fun!

Despite herself, Olivia couldn’t help but smile as she typed into her phone: I’m in too.

Sharon: DOMME IN THE HOUSE!!! SHE ANSWERED!!!!

Hilary: Woo-hoo!

Angel: Fuck it! I’m talking to Adam, maybe he’ll be less of a butt face if he knows Olivia is going to be there.

Leigh: I’m going to tell him you keep calling him butt face.

Angel: Good, then maybe he’ll stop being one.

Lexie: Unlikely.

Angel: What’s he gonna do? Put me over his knee? My stomach is the size of a beach ball, good luck to him!

Snickering, Olivia put down her phone as the conversation devolved into Angel’s pregnant snarkiness and discussions of where to go exactly. She didn’t have an opinion on any of it. Angel was in for one hell of a red bottom after her pregnancy was over and she’d recovered from giving birth and they all knew it. That didn’t stop her from mouthing off, especially now when she was often physically uncomfortable and had a harder time getting around due to the size of her stomach.

Wherever they wanted to go dancing was good with her; she didn’t care about the location, but she’d be there keep an eye on everything. Especially if Angel managed to get out to dance. 

Olivia could definitely use a ladies’ night out. Especially on a Saturday. Luke had become a regular at Stronghold, hanging out with her group of friends, which had made things a little weird for her. She felt bad playing with someone else when he was there.

Worse, she often didn’t even feel like playing with anyone at all when he was there. She’d rather hang out in the bar area with her friends, and Luke, the entire evening, pretending she wasn’t all that interested in his conversations. Which wasn’t an easy thing to admit to herself but it was true.

And now he’d come straight out and said he wanted to scene with her.

That he wasn’t interested in training with another Domme.

Yeah well, she wanted to be attracted to a man who didn’t own the club she was managing.

Gritting her teeth, she picked up her phone and started scrolling through her contacts. She’d call Lisa first, to see if she was available. 

That Lisa was the only Domme whom Olivia knew in a long-term, exclusive relationship had absolutely nothing to do with her being Olivia’s first choice. Really.

******

Sitting on his couch, feet propped up on the sturdy top of his coffee table, Luke was munching on popcorn and having a text conversation with Adam Rawn, one of his new friends from Stronghold. There was something about the group which had drawn him in. It was kind of nice to have a social life again. His own best friends were all scattered around the U.S. now, and even though they got together at least once a year to reconnect and spend a weekend together, he hadn’t really had anyone other than his brother to just hang out with regularly. He’d made himself busy with work, which was great, but now he was having a good time slowing down and getting to know the Stronghold group. They’d even invited him to their weekly workout, Wednesday night at Liam Brock’s Kung-Fu dojo.

As soon as he’d gone into business with Michael and Patrick, it was like they’d decided—as a whole—that he was part of them. Well, everyone except Olivia, but even she didn’t try to remove him. She just wasn’t as warmly welcoming as everyone else.

His phone started to buzz in his hand and loudly blare Papa Roach’s version of Alien Ant Farm, making him jump a little, scattering some of his handful of popcorn. Still, he couldn’t help smiling as he pressed the green ‘accept call’ button. 

“Hey asshole.”

“Hey bitch.” His brother’s deep voice was cheerful. “How’s tricks?”

Luke groaned, leaning his head back. He’d told his brother what was going on. Nick was basically his best friend as well as being his sibling. “It backfired. Sort of. I don’t know.” He paused. “Instead of pairing herself with me for the class, she put me with a bisexual male Dom.”

“I cannot wait to meet this woman.” Nick chuckled, sounding almost gleeful. He was going to be the executive chef at Marquis (not because Luke was an owner; Nick had earned the position on his own) but so far had yet to actually be in the building at the same time as Olivia. Of course, now that the upstairs was complete, Olivia would be on the premises a lot more, and even though she wasn’t going to have much to do with the first floor where the restaurant was, a meeting was inevitable.

The smile on Luke’s face turned into a grin. “She’s pretty amazing.”

Upsetting each other’s expectations was fun. He definitely hadn’t seen Kincaid coming. But she hadn’t seen him choosing to submit to Kincaid so easily either. Granted, she made it easy for him. He honestly wasn’t sure what he would have done if she’d asked for an actual spanking demonstration. Taken it, probably, to prove to her he would… but he couldn’t imagine it being particularly enjoyable. 

Instead, she’d backed off.

Although, he didn’t feel like she’d retreated. Just that she wasn’t going to push for something he might actually be uncomfortable with. Everyone knew Olivia took care of the people under her care, and that now included him. Which was a nice feeling. He liked the idea of being under her care just as much as he liked the idea of taking care of her needs. 

Symbiosis was sexy.

“So what now? Are you going to have a big, beefy man dominating you for the rest of the class?” teased Nick. To his credit, Nick hadn’t teased Luke too badly about any of this. Luke had been a little worried his brother might not be understanding about Luke wanting to be bossed around in the bedroom, about being sexually submissive—hell, he didn’t understand it himself and he was living it—but Nick had just listened and said Luke should go for whatever would make him happy.

“No, she says she’s going to find another Domme to come in and work with me.” He couldn’t quite keep his disgruntlement out of his voice.

Nick just laughed again. “She’s really good at thwarting you, isn’t she? So what are you going to do now?”

Because Luke wasn’t the type to give up and they both knew it. He might be submissive sexually, but he definitely wasn’t anywhere else. If he really thought Olivia didn’t want him, he would back off… but she’d admitted her hold up was his position as part-owner in the club. Luke couldn’t give that up at this point, he had too much money invested and there was no one else in a position to buy him out, but he could show her it didn’t matter. Find a way to convince her the attraction they felt was worth exploring.

“I’m working on that right now,” he said.

“Well when I meet her, I’ll put in a good word for you,” his brother joked.

“Thanks so much,” Luke said dryly.

He and Nick chatted for a few more minutes, so Luke could tell his brother about Michael and Patrick’s reactions to seeing the whole club finally finished. Luke was already pretty sure his brother was going to end up going to one of the newbie classes. He tried not to think too much about what that would mean, since Olivia taught both the newbie Doms and the newbie subs. From what he understood, the new Doms had to experience every single thing they’d marked an interest in on their survey before they were allowed to do it to someone else.

Which made sense.

But Nick was a total ass man and he really didn’t need to think about how Olivia would teach that portion of the class with his brother as one of the students. 

After hanging up, Luke checked his text messages again. He knew Adam had texted him back several times because he’d heard the distinctive beeps.

Sure enough, the other man had come through for him. 

Luke grinned.

Round one… well, he’d probably count tonight as a draw.

Round two was going to start tomorrow.

******

When Olivia arrived at Marquis at nine o’clock on the dot Wednesday morning, she was surprised to walk into the door and see Luke standing there in a chef’s coat, talking to several others who were similarly attired. It only took her a couple of seconds to realize the man wasn’t Luke at all, he just looked a hell of a lot like him. All of them looked up when she came in and she smiled, trying not to show how unnerved she was by how much Luke’s brother, because he had to be Luke’s brother, looked like him. Same broad shoulders, although a slightly less muscular build than Luke, a similar haircut but more clean-shaven on his face, and the same bright blue eyes. 

“Hello,” she said, smiling and moving towards them, her hand already lifting to shake. “I’m Olivia Williams, I manage the upstairs portion of Marquis.”

All of them would have a vague idea of what that meant because they’d all signed non-disclosure agreements. Unfortunately, Patrick hadn’t been able to find any kinksters who wanted to work in the kitchen area—plenty of the servers and busboys and one of the managers were kinky, but there were a lot of newbies signing NDAs too.

“Well hello,” Nick Davis said, his blue eyes lighting up as he stepped forward to take her hand. “I’m Nick Davis. I believe you know my brother Luke.”

Olivia didn’t bother to tell him that she already knew exactly who he was—and had read through his background check. She did fight down a smile when he immediately brought up Luke, realizing he must have mentioned her to Nick at some point. Which definitely did not make her feel all warm and kind of fluttery inside. Nope. Definitely, definitely not.

De Nile was a river in Egypt and she wasn’t just swimming in it lately, she was drowning in it.

“Yes, we’ve met,” she said, as coolly as she could without being rude, pulling her hand back and preparing to turn and greet the woman standing beside Nick.

The man dropped her hand, but immediately spoke again, still grinning as he studied her. “I told him I’d put in a good word for him. I know as a younger brother I might have a slight case of hero worship, but he really is a great guy.”

Well that was just too cute for words, and Olivia was having an even harder time with the smile threatening to curve her lips. Nick had the same charm as his older brother and just as much confidence, even if he was lacking the immediate mutual attraction she’d felt with Luke.

“Yes he is,” she agreed, and Nick’s eyes lit up for a moment before she turned away from him and shook hands with the woman beside him—Avery Kzmarscki, sous chef.

She was perfectly willing to agree Luke was a great guy. It just didn’t change anything when it came to a personal relationship between them. Still, as she met the rest of Nick’s team, she could feel his blue eyes on her, studying her the same way his brother did.

Patrick had mentioned Nick might turn out to be a Dom. Right now, Olivia was inclined to agree with him. He didn’t like that the conversation was no longer under his control. Hiding her smirk, Olivia finished up talking with them and headed to her office. Nick would learn. He was even more unseasoned than her Baby Doms right now though, no matter how much innate confidence he had. His particular brand of brash, blunt charm would work well on subbies—not so well on Dommes.

Opening the door to her office, Olivia flicked on the light, took two steps and came to an immediate halt.

Blinked.

Her lips parted.

It wasn’t quite a jaw drop but… close.

There was a red glass vase full of long stemmed red roses and baby’s breath sitting in the middle of her desk. Her favorite kind of flower in her favorite kind of arrangement. Olivia liked the classics. Approaching with slow, even steps, she tried not to let the warm feeling in her stomach and the fluttering of her heart affect her. There was no card, but she didn’t need one to know who it was from.

He might not know how much she liked red roses, it might have just been a guess or laziness to go with the classic standard.

A lot of people considered red roses overused for a reason.

But sitting on her desk beside the vase was a raspberry chocolate bar of her favorite brand.

Someone had been telling tales to Luke.

Olivia pursed her lips.

Definitely not feeling touched or softened or any kind of emotional response right now. Nope.

Picking up the chocolate bar, she unwrapped it as she sat down at her desk, taking a bite and moaning a little as the decadent flavor exploded on her tongue.

Well played, Davis.