Perhaps it did.
Wanting a better view, I moved closer until I could see every glorious inch of the goddess in bronze.
She was tall. Much taller than most women, in fact. With my height of six foot two, we would be almost eye to eye. She had nice shoulders, smooth and tanned, her breasts the perfect handful. With her shiny dark hair, sleek, trim physique, and golden skin, she could’ve been a model. Perhaps for Victoria’s Secret or even Sports Illustrated—the swimsuit edition. But her legs were what captured my attention most. I could practically envision those mile-long limbs wrapped around my waist, riding me like a prized stallion.
Since Edge and Jamie were watching a scene, I sauntered up and stood quietly behind the big man I hadn’t seen in three months. We talked on the phone at least once a week, traded texts far more than that, but I hadn’t actually laid eyes on him in far too long. He looked good, smelled even better.
While I was tempted to tap him on the shoulder, I wasn’t about to interrupt. It was rude and it pissed me off when others did it to me. So, I took a step to the side, which gave me a much better view of both of them together. They fit. Like puzzle pieces. With her beauty and his brawn, I’d say they complemented one another rather well.
My gaze strayed to the female and once more that heady feeling—anticipation laced with lust and adrenaline—fizzed in my veins.
I was rather eager to see how this night would play out.
TWO
EDGE
THE SCENE I’D CHOSEN FOR JAMIE TO observe took roughly ten minutes to play out. Nothing overly complicated or particularly unique. Submissive strapped to a spanking bench, Liam Murphy—a popular, unattached Master—using a crop and his fingers to bring her to orgasm.
Once Liam accomplished his goal, people began dispersing but I hesitated. Since Chris Cavanaugh was standing not two feet behind me, I had good reason.
It’s only appropriate he shows up. You’ve been thinking about him enough lately.
I ignored the voice even if he was correct. I had been thinking about Cav, wondering when he’d grace us with his presence.
For the record, he had the worst fucking timing.
As if I needed something else to deal with right now, Cav had to make an appearance tonight. The last time I’d talked to him—two days ago—he’d said he wasn’t sure when he would be back in Chicago. I should’ve known he’d pop in at the most inconvenient time.
For you, maybe. Looks like he’s got other thoughts on his timing.
While I could’ve easily acknowledged him, then come up with some excuse as to why Jamie and I had to go, I knew Cav would see right through it. Considering I’d known the guy since college, considered him my closest friend, not only would he see through my lies, he would call me on them, too.
Taking a deep breath, I prepared for the inevitable, then pivoted around with my hand on Jamie’s back, guiding her to do the same.
“Cav,” I greeted, my voice stern, ensuring he knew I wasn’t in the mood for his games tonight.
“Edge.” He shook my hand as his gaze slid to Jamie, then back to me.
“Jamie Lautner,” I said—stressing her last name—“I’d like you to meet Chris Cavanaugh. Here he’s referred to as Master Cav.”
“Or simply Cav,” he noted.
Jamie’s smile lit up the entire fucking room and I could tell Cav was instantly taken by her. Not that I blamed the guy. She seemed to have that effect on people. Including me. In the few minutes I’d spent with her, I was almost certain I could feel her beneath my skin, burrowing deep, threatening my hard-won control.
To be clear, it was a foreign sensation, one that took me off guard. Almost as much as seeing Cav tonight.
“It’s nice to meet you, Master Cav,” she said sweetly.
“The pleasure’s all mine,” he replied, tipping his hat like a perfect gentleman.
The fucker.
Jamie’s dark eyes glittered as her attention bounced back and forth between me and Cav, clearly waiting for me to say something.
A million memories flashed through my mind, faceless women he and I had shared before. None of them holding a candle to the woman standing by my side. I had to fight back the urge to imagine how perfectly she would fit against us, how incredible it would feel to have her pinned between us, to taste those sweet lips—
For fuck’s sake. Undress her already.
Stupid voice.
Knowing I had to shut this down now, I glared at Cav. I doubted Jamie understood the silent conversation currently taking place between me and the cowboy plenty of submissives hoped would allow them to saddle up and ride. It went something like this:
Me: Don’t even think about it.
Cav: Too late for that. I’m thinking of nothing else.
