Hold Me: Club Surrender, #2

1

Dorian

Three weeks without asking if her scumbag of an ex-husband was still breathing—that must be some kind of record.

Yeah, I’m a sick bastard, but I wanted to see how long she could hold out. Eventually, she’d run into him on the street. Chicago isn’t that big of a town. Even better, I hoped she’d learn she wasn’t a widow when she received her divorce papers, which better show up soon, otherwise, his status would change quickly.

Yes, I—Dorian Zuba—was an asshole.

I turned my laptop off and spun in my chair to appreciate the view of Lake Michigan. The grin arrived unbidden, and fuck it, I let the happy escape. How could I not? I loved my life.

Now, I had to try not to fuck it up.

Forget work. My girl Ryann was at the pool rocking a bikini. Funny thing women—she balked about it not covering her ass, about the little swell of her stomach, and a few other things, until I got tired of her bullshit and made love to her for so long she forgot her complaints. Once she could walk again, she tried it on, and learned once again—I was right.

How surprising.

Now she and the bikini the color of a candied apple lay outside for all the world to see. I should be jealous, but hell, they could look as much as they wanted. Unless they learned how to fly, they’d never have the opportunity to touch. My building, my gym, my woman.

No one had to die today. No problem.

The last couple of weeks since Ryann and I decided that there was going to be an us, little pieces of her slipped into my office, just like she slipped into my heart. Prior to Ryann, my office was sleek, cool, and modern, and completely dull. Decorated in blacks, whites, and grays, I thought it looked classy, and elegant. I had no idea. First, she slipped a picture of us in a small bright red frame in my briefcase. When she saw it on my desk, I treasured the joy in her eyes as much as the picture.

Almost.

Every time I considered the we-just-had-the-best-sex-of-our-lives gaze in our eyes looking back at me, I remembered what I had to lose. Money was nice, I’m not going to lie. If something happened to my millions I wouldn’t be happy—but I’d make it back. If something happened to her, to us....

My partners took great joy in teasing me about that shit. You would think they had work to do, seeing that we ran a corporation worth more than half a billion dollars. Who would have thought a middle class Pollack that lost his football scholarship would come this far? Sure as fuck not my pops.

Eros Incorporated, the name said at all.

Making money giving pleasure was what we were all about. Nightclubs, restaurants, and bars made up the fun part of our extensive portfolio, and real estate the rest. For now, we’re just in the United States—Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Boston, and Dallas. Next stop, Eros Inc. takes on the world.

Are you leaving for the day? Amanda Morgan, our secretary/girl Friday/person that kept us on our toes, asked with a raised eyebrow.

I smiled again. Yeah, me—smiling. The zombie apocalypse was about to happen any day now. Because along with leaving work early, I usually left the grins and chuckles for my partners Carmine and Sterling. I have my phone.

No problem, boss. Tell Ryann I said hello.

Maybe I should add mind reader to that list.

If you want my opinion—

No, I don’t.

I like her, she said anyway, ignoring the fact that we paid her six figures a year, keeping her in those expensive ass shoes.

Did you not call the cops on her the first time you met?

If I’d have known why she wanted to lynch you, I might have handed her the rope. She grinned again, then her face grew soft. You two are good for each other. A twinkle lit her eyes. I take that back; she’s good for you, but you’re probably ruining her.

Thanks. I turned and walked away.

Don’t fuck it up, she yelled behind me.

You’re fired. She laughed. We both did. Because we both knew if she tried to leave, it wouldn’t end well.

I chuckled as I made my way to the elevator to find my woman. I didn’t have far to go since she relaxed four floors up at the swimming pool and gym level.

Did I mention how much I love my life? The set up was pretty sweet. Perfect for workaholic hedonists. The fifty-story building consisted of twenty-five floors of office space, which stayed at a ninety percent occupancy level, condominiums and an athletic club above that, and then our private floors with an elevator only accessible by the four of us in this office.

All of that was nice, but it didn’t matter how much money I had, or how many women I fucked in the past—nothing made me feel as good as sliding my arms around my woman. Well, the first million? That came damned close.

But like horseshoes and hand grenades close doesn’t count. I entered the upper floor of our private fitness area and looked down at everything that belonged to me, focusing on the wide swath of reddish brown skin the color of burnt umber begging for me to take a taste.

The laughter of two women so different I had no fucking idea how they were friends made me shake my head. Even their laughs were disparate. Ryann’s low sultry sound made a man’s dick hard—sight unseen. I know that shit, because every time it happened at Club Surrender, I watched the reaction. Some of the men were those that swore they’d never date anyone darker than a paper bag—assholes—and not all of them were white. But watching and listening to her, she became their exception, until they realized they’d take their final dirt nap if they even thought about it.

She would have made a fortune as a phone sex operator.

And then there was her friend Lisa. Dear Lord, the woman looked like a Chinese Tinker Belle, except bat shit crazy. She always had my girl’s back, so I could overlook a lot.

I grabbed a bottle of sparkling water and watched her roll onto her stomach, exposing that exquisite ass. It was well past time that sweet ass and my cock became intimately acquainted.

Man, I never thought I’d see the day.

What? I took another sip of my water and frowned as Sterling Warner grabbed a seat at the table.

You are so sprung it’s terrifying. It’s like watching a shark adopt a kitten.

She’s no kitten. I glanced at him and he seemed to be enjoying the view—too much. Tell me you’re not looking at her ass.

Ah, how could I not? She makes me want to take a nibble.

Can’t stop you from looking, but might be hard with no teeth. Sterling snorted, and I went in for the kill. Besides, I think it’s a certain crazy doctor you’re wanting to do a house call.

She petrifies me—no thanks.

Bullshit. Chicago’s most sought after Dom scared of little Lisa? Considering the first time we met her, she pulled a gun on us—he should be nervous if he decided to tap that.

Speaking of which...

Don’t. Fuck, I knew where this was headed, and I didn’t want or need to examine my relationship. Things are good in the bedroom—trust me.

But are you getting everything you need? People like us—

I shook my head. Don’t need the lecture. I got this.

You’re selling her short if you don’t share all of you. Sterling’s gaze returned to the view, and he groaned.

When I turned to discover what had distracted him from his lecture, I had a quick reminder that the front of Ryann’s body was just as impressive as the rear. What if my kink rather than my crimes ultimately drove her away?

2

Ryann

H e’s driving me crazy . And treating me like a queen . I could never work another day in my life and he’d take perfectly good care of me. But I wanted to contribute. I didn’t have much money, thanks to my ex removing my name from our accounts. Not that Dorian would take it. And since he had a woman to come in and do the cooking and cleaning, that didn’t leave much for me. I didn’t want Ms. Mariam to lose her job.

I’ve seen how he looks at you. I’d pay to have someone drive me crazy like that.

You’re already cracked. It would be a short trip.

All of this genius—she tapped her temple—needs an outlet. It’s hard being me.

And it’s exhausting loving you. I have no idea how Mama Chen dealt with your ass.

Do you think there’s someone else? The grin faded, and her dark eyes held a look that threatened repercussions. Because, I’ll help you hide the body.

I wondered if she was a mobster in a past life, because her ferocity didn’t match the diminutive package. Thank goodness her heart was as big as her brain when it came to the people she cared about. No, nothing like that. The way he lays it down when he gets home, I’m certain that’s not the problem.

That’s just cruel. I’m going through the world’s worst dry spell.

Carmine is single. I loved teasing those two. The way they bickered and poked at each other, they’d either kill each other or set the sheets on fire.

"He makes it so easy. He doesn’t comprehend he is resistible. I’m living proof. My mission to womankind is to deflate that giant ego."

Girl, Mama Chen would love it if you brought a millionaire home.

Only if he’s Chinese. Anyone else would have to at least be a billionaire to placate the Dragon Lady.

We both laughed, because she wasn’t lying. Then my laughter died in my chest as I remembered the reason Lisa returned home. How is she? My friend might jokingly tease her mother, but there was nothing she wouldn’t do for either of her parents. I envied their closeness, but not too much, because I was actually one of the few friends of Lisa’s Mama Chen tolerated—even liked.

She’s hanging in there. Thanks for sitting with her.

Oh honey. I extended my hand and gave hers a little squeeze. I’m here; for all of you. You would think because we’re both in healthcare—Lisa a pediatric surgeon and me a nurse—we’d be used to death and illness. Unfortunately, when the Grim Reaper knocked, no one was immune from bargaining.

We sat holding hands, lost in our thoughts of life and loss. At least I was, when I felt it. A frisson of awareness made me shiver. I’m not sure if it was pheromones, or just all of that sex appeal in Dorian’s perfect body needed some place to go. I’m just glad it always chose me.

I released her hand and rolled onto my stomach, glancing inside over my shoulder. Yup, he and Sterling sat at one of the poolside tables. That killer mojo of his reached me through three inches of glass. I swore his gaze felt like a heated caress against my skin as it traveled up my thighs and settled on my ass. I had to turn away before I did something completely wicked and shocked the hell out of the conservative Sterling.

I knew I needed to get on with my life, to reclaim myself after my disastrous marriage, but Dorian made it so easy to succumb to the pleasure of his touch, and allow myself to be wrapped up in him and lose myself in us. The sun of the perfect summer afternoon warmed my body and eased the uncertainty intensifying in my soul. As much as I’d love to hand over the reins of my life, I couldn’t afford to let that happen again. I regulated the speed of my descent if Dorian and I fell apart, and I had to ensure if it did, I’d land on my feet.

Soft footsteps approached, then paused beside my lounge chair. Find your own woman, Lisa. Dorian leaned over and placed a kiss on my lower back, the spot where he said he’d like his name, so everyone would know who this ass belonged to. This one’s taken.

I saw her first. She rolled over onto her stomach and undid her bikini top. Lucky for you, I’m strictly dickly, or you wouldn’t stand a chance.

I know I must have looked like a complete goofball grinning up at him, but I couldn’t help it. No, he didn’t have what most women would consider classical good looks. And if the average person compared him to his partners, he’d be the ugly duckling of the crew. But to me, he embodied sheer perfection. I adored every inch of him, from the slightly crooked nose to his impeccable feet. How the hell did a man have sexy feet?

I’m still not understanding how you need a tan. He tossed his jacket on one of the chairs and motioned for me to sit up. After he slid in behind me, he kissed the side of my neck, then gave it a little nip. I’ll take my chocolate anyway I can get it.

You two are going to make me barf. Sterling sweetheart—

No.

What? I haven’t even asked for anything yet.

That’s the problem—the yet. Sterling slapped Lisa on her ass and grinned at me. Nice bikini, sweetness.

Thanks. Dorian, I really like your friends. He growled and trailed his hand up my side, brushing the side of my breasts with his thumbs. Thank goodness I just left the pool, or my bikini would be wet for a different reason.

Don’t get too attached, he might not be alive much longer, Dorian said.

The soft cotton of his shirt brushed against my back, and I shivered. From his masculine chuckle, he knew exactly what he did to my body. It’s my heart I worried about.

Lisa reached behind her, fixing her top, then sat up. I have to split, thanks for the sun time. You were getting a little pale. She grabbed her tote and slid her oversized sunglasses on, pausing to appreciate Sterling, and shook her head. Pity.

Miss Chen. Sterling stepped into her space and ran a finger across her collarbone. I would suggest you use the utmost care.

Or? Her usual sass sounded a little breathy.

Let’s just say, I’m not sure you could handle the types of games I play.

Holy crap.

I’ll take that under advisement, Mr. Warner. She gave him a nod and stepped away, fanning herself once she left Sterling’s sight. See you tomorrow, sweet pea. She waved, and just like that, she was gone.

Always a pleasure, Ryann. Sterling’s gaze traveled down my body, chuckling at Dorian’s protective snarl. I’ll ensure Miss Chen makes it out without causing too much damage.

Interesting... I turned so I straddled Dorian’s lap. Now I have you all to myself.

And what are you planning to do with me?

He leaned back and slid his large hands up my inner thighs, pausing and running his fingers along the edge of my bathing suit. Have I told you how hot you are in a suit?

I trailed my finger across his lip, pausing at the faint scar. Maybe once or twice.

Sometimes I looked at him and wondered how I got so damned lucky. Oh, I remember, when I finally worked up enough nerve to ask him out, he left and proceeded to get shot and kidnapped me. Toss in a few orgasms, another death threat, and a shredded check, and we decided to try this thing. Although I have a sneaking suspicion he wouldn’t have allowed me to go too far.

Everything was mostly great. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I knew there’s something he wasn’t telling me. Considering the rumors, and the things I already know as truth, I’d admit to a complete lack of curiosity.

I can’t testify about things I don’t know.

What’s going on in that brain of yours?

Well, since he brought it up...

I’m glad you asked. Nerves made me forget everything I planned to say. My thoughtful and concerned speech dissipated. What’s going on with you? Okay, I lied. I did want to know. In this case, ignorance may come back to bite me in the butt.

The corner of his mouth lifted and I couldn’t help myself, and I leaned in and kissed it. And he chose that opportunity to tug my bikini bottom aside and circle my opening. I shivered against his lips, and he retreated half an inch, tilting his head to the side as two of his thick fingers filled me.

I’m going to need you to be more specific, I have a lot going on. He slowly withdrew his fingers, curving them, controlling my body and the conversation.

That’s not fair. I need to talk to you.

He slid the fingers of his free hand into my curly hair, which he loved, and threatened to spank me if I ever thought about getting a relaxer. He could be so sweet when he wasn’t being an asshole.

And I need to watch you come all over my fingers. It wouldn’t take much, not the way his thumb pressed against my clit. Kiss your man, and let me see that beautiful face as you orgasm, so I can go back to work.

I wanted to argue, to fight the manipulation, but I couldn’t. I fell captive to the sensation. The fact that we were outside meant any drone in their cubicle or boss in his corner office could see if they bothered to look. I didn’t care, especially when he claimed my lips as well as my body.

He swallowed my moan as my body exploded in an orgasm brighter than the July sun. His grip on my hair gentled as I came down from the heights he’d taken me. The high that didn’t allow me to acknowledge