STORY EXCERPT

“They’re just jealous. People who react that way wish they were sitting around laughing and talking with friends. Ignore that crap, okay?”

Marisol was too stunned to do anything other than smile at him. He had such a different way of looking at her social life than she’d been used to hearing from her parents and the men she’d dated. Both men with whom she’d had semi-serious relationships had constantly told her to be careful when she was out with her friends and not to be quite so gossipy and obvious. Even Rafe had passed judgment on the group, as Ria had often told her.

Guilt washed over her at that thought. She didn’t want to compare Rafe with Ellis. It wasn’t fair. Ellis didn’t have parents who’d turned inflicting guilt onto their children into an art form. Her own parents and Rafe’s could easily win awards in that category.

Then again, when she tried to imagine what it would have been like to grow up without a mother, she couldn’t. Ellis’s life wasn’t something she could relate to, and to compare the man he was now with the one Rafe had grown into wasn’t fair or relevant. They were so different from each other, but both were sexy handsome men, and each possessed qualities she admired.

“Speaking of friends,” he said, “I didn’t realize you and Rafe were still so close.”

Oh shit. She forced herself to meet his gaze. “Well, I’m not sure where things stand, to be honest. His parents pretty much still hate me.”

Ellis frowned. “Because of what happened when he was a senior?”

“Ellis, nothing happened. That’s the point. Rafe and I never had sex back then. I swear it.”

His sudden glance toward her was sharp but more surprised than doubtful, and Marisol exhaled the breath she’d been holding. “Now it’s my turn to be embarrassed. I’ve always assumed the rumors were true.”

She sighed loudly. “Everyone has. That’s the problem, apparently. Even my own parents refuse to believe me.”

“Why? That seems kind of rigid, no?”

“I agree.” She gave him a drool look. “But you didn’t grow up in an Hispanic Catholic family, did you?”

He grinned and shook his head. “No, I certainly didn’t.”

“My parents will concede the point that perhaps we didn’t actually go all the way, as they put it, but they still refuse to believe that an eighteen year old boy didn’t take advantage of my lovesick fourteen-year-old self and talk me into doing something. And apparently his parents feel the same way.”

“Well, not to play devil’s advocate or anything, but you just hit the nail on the head, Marisol. You were fourteen and he was legal.”

“I know. I get that. But to hold a grudge for all these years? And to be so obstinate that you flat-out refuse to believe your own son or daughter is telling you the truth?”

“I don’t know Rafe very well, but from what little I saw when were in school together, his parents run a pretty tight ship. It probably has less to do with you, per se, than with the way they act toward all their children.”

She glanced out at the trees, finally turning green with new growth, and thought about what he’d just said. “You’re probably right. Ria is always bucking them on something. The only reason she was allowed to live above Luke’s Bar is because she moved in with Pep. And now of course they’re both back home.”

Ellis nodded. “I had a long talk with Luke the night of the tornado when I came on scene to view the damage. He was pretty emotional because so many of his friends had been in his bar that night, and because it had taken a while before he’d heard from Chase and Alexa and knew that they were all right.”

Marisol nodded, remembering the short phone call between Rafe and Luke while she and Rafe were at his parent’s house. It sounded as though Luke had opened up more to Ellis that night than he had to his own brother.

“Luke told me his parents still haven’t accepted his relationship with Chase and Alexa. He said they were fine with him dating Alexa, but when they found out that Chase is with her, too, they went nuts. They’re convinced that he and Chase have sex with each other as well as with Alexa, and nothing he’s said has changed their minds. He’s never even told them that he’s in the lifestyle now and that he and Chase are actually her Doms. They’d go ballistic.”

“Ria said something about that once, but I guess I never thought about it from Luke’s point of view, or from Chase’s or Alexa’s for that matter.”

“When Luke told them he was moving into the house above Tye Me Up with Chase and Alexa, they didn’t speak to him for days.”

“Then I guess it’s just who they are. They treat Luke the same way, apparently.”

“That’s right. It’s who they are.” He gave her an appreciative glance that included his gaze roving over her entire body from head to toe. Shivers ran up and down her spine. “But I still can’t imagine anyone not liking you, Marisol. You’re fun and easy to be with. As for your situation with Rafe, I wish I had words of wisdom but I don’t.”

They reached the Racy town limits, and when Ellis stopped at a red light, he gave her a searching look. “But I do want to know one thing, if you’ll please be honest with me about it.”

“Okay.” Her pulse raced at the serious tone in his voice.

“Are you and Rafe back together?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Because I would love to see you again.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Rafe released the kiss, and Ellis pulled her close, kissing her with wild abandon and such skill that Marisol actually became dizzy. As Ellis’s tongue teased moans from her throat, Rafe unzipped her dress and unhooked her bra. By the time Ellis finally released her, she knew she’d do anything either man asked of her.

“Stand up,” said Ellis.

She did, and he and Rafe both slowly removed her dress and bra, stepping back to admire her body. Her arms started to cross over her breasts but a warning look from Ellis had her dropping her arms next to her sides.

“From now on,” he said, “this is how I want you to present yourself to us, clothed or not, when we’re alone with you. I want your hands behind your back and your eyes on your pretty feet. Do you understand, Marisol?”

“Yes, sir,” she whispered. She’d do anything he wanted just to hear that sexy, commanding tone in his voice.

“Good girl. Now come with us.”

She followed them into Ellis’s bedroom. They each carried the toys and other items Rafe had taken from the cabinet. When she entered the room, she tried not to gasp. A leather bench with fittings for what she assumed were cuffs and other bondage apparatus had been placed in the center of the room, and next to it stood a large, padded X, also equipped with fittings. It was attached to a frame with a wide base, she assumed so that it couldn’t tip over.

“Don’t be afraid,” said Ellis. “They’re merely used to secure you so that we don’t accidentally strike a part of your body we don’t want to hit, okay? And so that you have the experience of being completely under our control.” He caressed her hair. “It’s no different than the wedge I had you tied to, Marisol.”

“Okay.”

He glanced at Rafe. “What do you think? The Saint Andrew’s cross first?”

Rafe shrugged. “You’re the pro here. As long as I get to paddle her ass I’m happy.”

Marisol had to bite the inside of her cheek because an unexpected giggle rose up at the look on his face. She cast her eyes to the floor and silently prayed they wouldn’t notice. Ellis led her to the X and told her to turn around and place her arms and legs against the pads. When she did so, she was spread-eagled and her arms and legs rested against soft leather. He and Rafe secured her wrists and ankles to the cross with bondage cuffs. Ellis adjusted the pad behind her until it rested comfortably in the small of her back.

The men stepped back to admire her, and Marisol tried to stay calm. Ellis was wrong. This was much different than being restrained on her knees against a wedge. This was a more open and vulnerable position, and she could see both of them. She could watch their faces and look into their eyes.

“Marisol, you’re beautiful.” The admiration in Rafe’s voice helped her relax a bit.

“She really is,” said Ellis. He picked up the tickler and handed it to Rafe, and then Ellis scooped up the paddle and slapped it once on his open palm. The sound it made against his flesh caused her to flinch.

Ellis noticed her reaction. “Yes. It hurts that much. But the tickler will help balance that out.” He advanced slowly toward her. “As will our tongues.”

Marisol closed her eyes but Ellis told her to keep them open. “We want to watch your reactions.” He gently caressed her cheek. “It will help us to determine when you’ve had enough.”

“Okay. Yes, sir.”

He grinned. “Good girl.” His tongue traced a line from her collarbone down between her breasts, and then back up again to her left nipple. He licked it a couple of times, and then Rafe did the same to her right one. Marisol whimpered softly as her arousal built. Maybe they were only teasing her by letting her think they were going to use the paddle on her?

As her climax built, both men straightened up and Rafe brushed the tickler over her breasts, then across her wet pussy lips. His eyes were filled with animal lust, and Marisol couldn’t help but remember how hard he’d spanked her on Friday.

Ellis stayed slightly in front and to her left as he tapped the paddle against her nipples. So much for her theory they were only teasing. She cried out softly as he increased the speed and strength slowly until each tiny swat sent a shock wave of desire straight to her clit. Rafe continued to tease her upper thighs and pussy with the tickler, and just when Marisol didn’t think she could take anymore, the men switched places.

She moaned loudly as the tickler brushed across her breasts and over both sore nipples. When Ellis swatted between her legs with the paddle, he wasn’t gentle. It stung her pussy lips and her clit at the same time, and Marisol cried out at the combination of pain and pleasure it produced.

She soon felt like she was floating above the scene, watching it play out instead of experiencing it firsthand. The burning melted away into a throbbing touch that had her close to an orgasm with each strike, but never quite over the edge.

Marisol tried to struggle against the cuffs, but it was pointless. She was completely vulnerable and at their mercy, and she realized that she loved it. She wanted more. When Rafe started to suck her nipples and knead her breasts in his strong hands, Ellis knelt between her legs and shoved two fingers into her swollen pussy. He clamped his mouth on her clit and sucked hard.