through the dark of night toward new sexual experiences, that she understood his denial, even agreed with it.
He’d made her beg and then turned her down.
You don’t have any idea what it means to call me master yet, but you will .
He couldn’t make her do anything against her will. Of course, he couldn’t. Although she didn’t know Jordan very well, she’d come to know his partner, Marcus, over these past months. She’d always appreciated the man’s warmth, kindness and gentle spirit. He was one of those rare, precious people who had a servant’s heart, a genuine desire to serve other people, see to their needs and comfort.
She’d felt a kinship with him at first meeting, because from the time she’d turned ten she’d become a caretaker of sorts for her grandmother.
Chastity blinked, the thought a strange one, but now that she’d entertained it, she could see the truth of it. Needing a sense of stability and security after her dreadful loss, she’d sought to meet those needs by forming herself into what she’d decided would be the perfect granddaughter for Gertrude.
“Deep thoughts?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll share them. Later. For now, we’re home.” Home . It occurred to her she hadn’t had a real home, not a home-is-where-the-heart-is kind of home since her parents died.
Reckless Abandon
43
Jordan swung his Jaguar into his parking spot, right between Chastity’s BMW and Marcus’s Mercedes.
“Good thing this lot is under twenty-four-seven guard. Between the three of us we have a rolling candy store for car thieves.”
“I’ve never thought of that. I’ve never had a car stolen. Have you?”
“No, but I’ve boosted a couple.”
Chastity knew she stared at him with shock in her eyes. She couldn’t help it. He waited a couple of minutes before he grinned at her.
“In my wild and misspent youth. I had just turned nine at the time.
Tall for my age, so I had no trouble reaching the pedals.”
“Nine? Where the hell was your mother?”
“Zoned out on crack with her dealer rutting between her legs, most likely.”
If he’d meant to shock her again, he’d hit the target. She thought she read a trace of defiance in his eyes. Was he daring her to condemn him? Or feel sorry for him?
“Well, it’s good to know if I lose my keys you can hot wire my car for me.”
After a moment of silence he exhaled on a chuckle.
“You’ve just been full of surprises tonight, Ms. Sawyer.”
“Have I?”
“Most definitely. I think it’s time to turn the tables, don’t you?”
* * * *
“There you are.”
Marcus greeted them as soon as they stepped inside the penthouse.
He wore a dark brown robe. Chastity’s eyes went to the collar around his neck. She’d never seen it on him before. She recalled then the one Jordan had brought into the room with him at the club.
She smiled at Marcus then looked at Jordan.
44
Morgan Ashbury
“You have to earn the privilege of wearing my collar, Chastity.” Remarkable that he knew her mind so quickly when no one else ever had. She must have looked lost, because Marcus came up to her and stroked her hair lightly.
“Everything is going to be fine.” Then he kissed her.
His tongue moved in and out of her mouth with a seductive rhythm, his lips moist and warm. Mindful of the spanking she’d received earlier, she held her body perfectly still. But her mouth was avid in returning his kiss, her tongue eager to taste and explore. His taste differed from Jordan’s. The tone of his kiss felt almost worshipful.
Chastity felt Jordan move behind her and reach around her. She gasped when he pulled the coat away.
“Mmm, delicious,” Marcus whispered. He stepped back, his eyes glittering as he looked his fill of her. She could do nothing to prevent the heat that washed her face. Jordan chuckled. He stepped forward and tenderly stroked one finger along the collar the other man wore.
Then he leaned forward and kissed him.
Chastity had never seen two
Learning to Kill: Stories