California Crush: Tender Tarts, #2

Prologue

Please, Sir. I-I can’t take it anymore.

Aaron Cope looked down at his sub for the night and suppressed a sigh because he knew just how true Gabi’s words were. He, too, felt as if he couldn’t take it anymore. He loved being a Dom and thought he loved the idea of no commitments. He was known around the club as a hard ass who didn’t put up with shit, which meant he usually had subs vying for his attention—a fact he generally reveled in. But he was quickly discovering that more often than not, he felt alone even when he was fucking a woman. A sub for a night wasn’t a true possession… She was a distraction. Not that the feeling stopped him from exerting his dominance and engaging in hot sex with a willing sub. He wasn’t crazy. But lately when it was over, he tended to feel unfulfilled on some level. He had hit a proverbial brick wall in his sex life. No more progression, no more discoveries.

He ground his teeth. Regardless of how he felt, there were rules, and he would not tolerate a disobedient sub, no matter how new to the lifestyle she might be … or how tedious it was all feeling to him of late.

He stepped around the St. Andrew’s cross she was strapped to and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him. Gabriella, you are not to speak until I ask you a question unless it is to use your safe word. Do you wish to use it?

She squirmed, and fuck, looking at a beautiful woman bound and marked by him never failed to make him harder than steel, which made him both hot and irritated at the same time. Why couldn’t he just embrace his lifestyle like he always had? Aaron clenched his jaw and fisted his hands. He had a fucking sub to discipline. He’d deal with his emotional shit later.

I-I’m sorry, Sir.

I asked you a question, Gabriella.

No, no, Sir. I don’t wish to use it.

Aaron nodded at Gabi and caressed her chin where he’d been holding it. Very well. That’s ten more for speaking out of turn. Count them off and thank me for them.

Aaron walked around and grabbed the flogger he’d been using. He took position behind her again and drew back, landing exactly where he’d aimed.

One, she gasped. Thank you, Sir, for disciplining this sub.

Before she’d finished the last word, he’d swatted her again, and again, until her punishment was complete and her ass was bright red. She was moaning and wiggling, obviously aching for him, and he was ready to put an end to her torture. His too, because no matter how he’d been feeling, he was still turned on and ready to fuck.

He was shirtless already, so he unbuttoned his leathers and donned a condom. Before plunging into her, he grabbed her hair, yanked her head back, and put his mouth at her ear. Gabriella, you’ve done well tonight. I’m going to fuck you now.

He didn’t wait for a response, not that he expected one. He hadn’t asked her a question, and if she spoke out of turn again, she’d just be prolonging her sexual release. Oh, he’d whipped other subs before until they’d come without him ever fucking them, but Gabi hadn’t let herself go completely, hadn’t experienced that subspace of euphoria that’d allow her the ultimate gift of submission. Though he hoped she would in time. Maybe when she found a Dom she wanted permanently. In the meantime, he’d enjoy her tonight like he did many others, and let her go when their scene was over.

Maybe it was time for him to think about finding a permanent sub of his own. The thought of that scared him, though he’d never admit it to anyone. He loved being single—well, at least he had loved it.

He took her forcefully, holding her naked hips as he plowed into her from behind.

Oh, god, Sir. Gabi moaned and writhed what little she could move, her pussy like a vise around him as she came. And soon enough, he was digging his forehead into her shoulder and coming into the condom. He could’ve prolonged it, made it last for hours more, but he was ready to be finished with her. With this. Whatever that meant.

He slowly pulled out, discarded the condom, and unbound her from the contraption that he’d so loved to use.

You pleased me tonight, Gabriella.

Thank you, Sir.

He gathered her into his arms and sat with her on his lap, coddling her like he did every sub after conducting a scene. It was important to make sure a submissive felt that connection with her Dom in order to help her—or him, as the case might be with others—feel grounded, appreciated, nurtured, protected after giving that gift of submission.

Aaron loved this life. He only wished it fulfilled him as it had before.

Fucking brick walls.

I’m liking my new digs, Sasha said as she unboxed some office supplies she’d gotten earlier. Then she sighed happily as she gazed out the window. And this view is to die for. How was I lucky enough to land this office?

Cassie Tucker—soon to be Cassie Cope—snorted as she grabbed a box of pens to help. That window overlooks the server room, you goob.

I know. Isn’t it breathtaking? She made no bones about her love of computers. She was in her element when she was around them, and she was glad she got to continue working for the same company she’d grown to love … as much anybody could love work.

Sasha transferred to the office in San Francisco with Cassie when their office back south had closed. It had been a major ordeal, especially for Cassie, since her colleague and friend had been working with Ian on what she thought was a typical project, but it contained an underlying, secretive objective. Ian had been tasked with formulating an office consolidation plan without letting anyone know. But some kink and love had gotten mixed in. The office did close, but now Cassie and Ian were engaged to be married. Several people had lost their jobs, but offers had been extended to many to relocate to other branches. Sasha had jumped at the chance to come out west. Not only would she get to continue working with her office bestie Cassie, but some distance from Dwight would be good.

Even with the man in jail, she still hadn’t felt completely safe being in the same town as him.

Uh-oh. Two seconds ago you were eye-fucking those computers, and now you’re frowning. What happened? I know nothing’s wrong with your little babies in there because one of these complicated alarms would’ve been screaming.

Sasha smiled as she looked at the wall containing the sophisticated system that helped monitor the servers. She imagined it rivaled what a space shuttle’s dashboard resembled. Different objective, but a similarly complicated look. In reality it probably had the design used at top-secret federal agencies since their company did get federal contracts at times. She wasn’t here when it was installed, but she’d bet they used some of the same federal contractors. It was state of the art regardless. If I had a penis, I’d so get a boner looking at this.

You need help. Cassie giggled, which was the effect Sasha was going for. Shock value to get the subject changed. No way did she want to talk about Dwight. It was a subject that was off-limits to everyone. Even Cassie didn’t know the full extent of what had happened between Sasha and her ex. Technology was a much safer topic.

Hey, I’m proud of my geek status. Sasha put a hand over her heart and faked an affronted look.

Cassie rolled her eyes. Only those who know you are aware of the nerd badge you cherish. To everybody else you’re just a hot chick, not afraid to express yourself.

Oh, she was terrified now, but she did her best to hide it. She’d always been bubbly, so she couldn’t let what had happened with Dwight change her outward affect. Inwardly? That was an entirely different story.

Not to everyone. Sasha smirked as she grabbed her wireless mouse and wiggled it to disengage the screensaver that had popped up, blocking her view. She’d need to change the settings to delay it. She looked up from the side and winked at Cassie. I don’t get hit on by women.

"Oh, please. I’ve heard people comment about your lesbian haircut."

Ha! Sasha stood straight again and touched her pixie cut. "Yeah, from men. And only when they’re verbally hoping I play on the straight team."

Cassie laughed softly. Okay, that’s true. Then she sobered. But you’re doing your damnedest to avoid the subject.

Sasha’s heart raced, but she did her best to keep a calm outward appearance as she grabbed the empty box off her desk and tossed it with the rest to be recycled. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

It’s time to move on.

Sasha’s spine stiffened as it always did when she was backed against that wall, feeling cornered and forced to talk about something she’d prefer to forget. She couldn’t help her reaction, but she also knew there was no way out of this conversation, no matter how much she wished to avoid it altogether. Her best course was to limit it as much as possible. I know that.

Do you? Cassie gently asked. Because I can see right though what you’re doing. What you’ve been doing for months.

Sasha whirled. What the hell does that mean?

Cassie smiled crookedly at her, paying no attention to her outburst. It means you’re hiding behind what he did to you. You’re using it as an excuse not to move on.

How did she figure that? She didn’t know the half of it. You don’t know what you’re talking about.

"I know you pretend everything’s okay, but you haven’t dated since you broke things off with Dwight. I know he stalked you, and I know he’s in jail but only got a year. I think you had proof to put