A Shot in the Dark

Chapter Three




The music was as loud as Paige remembered and no less annoying. She sat at the table closest to the bar and did her best not to watch the Domme going to work on the male sub strapped to the St. Andrew’s Cross. The moans that undercut the music practically screamed out to Paige, making her skin tingle with every crack of the riding crop against his ass.

It had been far too long for her.

The damp glass in her hand was slowly growing warm. The rye and ginger burned down her throat, her current buzz more the result of her nerves than the alcohol. Carter’s return message had been nearly as brief as her own. He had to do something special at the station, needed at least an hour to go home and change before he would meet her at Mavericks.

“Make sure you wear something nice. And don’t put any panties on,” he’d said off-handedly before hanging up.

It would have been easy to dismiss his comment as a smart-assed remark, something he threw out there to try and ease the tension. Paige knew better. Because if there was one thing she’d learned early on, it was that Doms didn’t say anything they didn’t mean.

It was a test, one Paige had to think long and hard about while she was getting dressed.

The table, while giving her an excellent view of the cross, was also in a direct eye-line with the main entry. Refusing to check her watch, she kept her gaze down and did her best to ignore the men and women who approached her. Only when Josh slid into the seat next to her did Paige acknowledge him.

Josh pushed her unbound hair off her shoulder, the strands kissing the middle of her bare back. “I didn’t think I’d see you in here again.”

She snorted, ignoring the way he cocked his eyebrow. “It hasn’t been that long.”

“Three years.”

“I’ve been…” She couldn’t find the right word. Shrugging, she took a sip of her drink. “Preoccupied.”

“I’m glad you made the time.” Josh trailed his fingers down her shoulder and along the line of her biceps. “Who are you meeting?”

“What makes you think I’m meeting anyone? Maybe I decided I wanted to have a night out on the town.”

Josh chuckled. “I’ve known you too long to believe that. Plus Paul might have mentioned that Sadie said something about you meeting someone here tonight and hoping you’d get laid so you wouldn’t implode.”

Paige did her best to relax her clenched jaw. “I’m going to kill her.”

“She didn’t mean anything by it. I think it was her way of asking if I’d come check up to make sure everything is okay.” He stood and righted his black silk dress shirt. “But I can see you’re fine.”

The music quieted as the DJ switched beats, letting the unrestrained cries of the sub on the cross fill the space between. Paige’s gaze was drawn to where he was spread out and helpless, exposed for the entire club to see. The Domme twisted the nipple clamps, wrenching another cry from him.

Josh started to walk away when Paige grabbed his hand. “Do you know Carter West?”

A sly smile crossed his face. “Yes, been coming here for a couple of years now.”

“Is he…” She licked her lips. “Do you trust him?”

“Yes.” Josh didn’t miss a beat. “He’s one of the best Doms I’ve seen in here. Doesn’t mind-trip on anyone, and the women he does play with always leave satisfied.”

That was something at least. “Thanks.”

Josh squatted in front of her and placed a hand on each of her knees. “If I had any suspicions of a potential problem, I would say something. If you’ve caught Carter’s eye, then I know you’ll be fine. He’ll treat you right.”

“If he ever shows up.” Paige hated feeling like an insecure twelve-year-old. Hell, she hadn’t felt like this even when she was twelve. “He’s twenty minutes late.”

All Paige could picture was Carter sitting at the coffee shop having a drink with his friends while she sat here alone like a dumbass. It would be a shitty way to start her return to social circles.

“He could have had a late call. I assume he was working today.”

“Yeah, he said they asked him to come in for a special event. I didn’t think about there being a fire.”

“I can check if you want?” Josh took Paige’s hand and pressed a kiss to her wrist.

Heat spiraled its way through her body. She had to be hard up if a chaste kiss from a friend could get her worked up. “I’ll give him a bit longer.”

“Okay. Come find me if there’s a problem.”

Paige didn’t watch Josh disappear back into the crowd. Her eyes might have been fixed on the table, but she was aware of every person who walked inside. It was hard to relax her body, her mind refusing to go to that place she desperately wanted it to be. There had been a time before Rick when she’d needed more than a break. Wanted someplace where she could melt into the background and let every compounding concern dissipate.

Closing her eyes, Paige took a shallow breath through her nose and let it out through her mouth. The music rose louder, surrounding her as she breathed in and out. She ignored the sounds, the moans and laughter—the only thing that was a concern was how big a breath she could manage. In and out.

Time began to melt away as she waited, breathing. The knots in her shoulders and neck screamed out. Paige acknowledged the pain, relaxed into it, and let it go.

In and out.

“Now isn’t that an attractive image.”

Paige opened her eyes slowly to see Carter standing over her, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Attractive?” She squeezed her hands together.

It was odd how everything slotted into place, Paige sitting here waiting for Carter and the way his gaze took in everything about her the moment he arrived. There was none of the agitation she’d experienced with Rick, the shame and embarrassment at being turned on for wanting a spanking. She knew what she needed now, what she craved from a man.

Carter lacked the edge that was apparent in Rick. She had no misgivings that he would be easy on her, but she didn’t think he’d be cruel. Paige didn’t have an urge to be abused, simply controlled.

Her tongue darted out and wet her lips. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to come.”

“We had a school visit that ran a bit long. We were late starting because of a call. Hard to show them the truck when it’s not there.” He pulled out the chair Josh had vacated earlier, spun it around and straddled the seat. The sleeves pulled up, revealing his firm forearms, and Paige wanted to push the material up higher. “Can I get you anything?”

She held up her still mostly full glass. “I’m fine. Thanks.”

One of the waitresses came by and tried to flirt with Carter. He smiled but barely acknowledged her beyond a simple, “Water, please.”

Paige waited until the woman was gone before meeting his gaze. “It’s been a while since I’ve done this.”

“Had a drink? You need to get out more.”

She didn’t want to smile but couldn’t help it. “No, do a scene.”

“I got that impression. I also suspect you haven’t taken a lot of time for yourself recently.”

It wasn’t much of a stretch as far as assumptions went, but Paige found herself stiffening. “I don’t have time for luxuries these days. Our business is in a critical stage and I need to make sure I’m there doing what I can.”


Carter shifted forward until his hands hung in the space over the table. They were large hands, with long thick fingers that would cover half her face if he cupped her cheek. “Taking time for yourself isn’t a luxury. What will your business do if you’ve burned out and refuse to get out of bed one morning?”

“I would never—”

He held up his hand and Paige snapped her mouth shut without thinking. “You’re wound so tight, I’m surprised you haven’t exploded yet. Relax.”

The muscles in the small of her back protested as Paige tensed. Her stomach churned, and the tightness in her chest returned once more. She knew he was right, knew if she didn’t do something soon everything she’d worked to rebuild would fall apart. “I can’t.” Somehow her whisper reached him over the noise in the room.

“Yes, you can.”

“I can’t.” The tightness in her chest crept upward to strangle her throat. “I’ve tried hard to be what everyone needs. It’s like my head spins and spins and I can’t figure out a way to slow things down so I can breathe.”

There were tears in her eyes, yet she couldn’t make herself care enough about what Carter would think of her to stop. He was right—the world had been pressing down on her for ages and she needed it to stop.

Carter continued to stare at her for a few minutes. The silence between them should have been awkward, seeing as she hardly knew him. But it wasn’t. Rising to his feet in a single, fluid motion, he held out his hand for her to take.

“I think you know exactly what it will take to make things better. I’m not sure what happened to stop you from getting what you need, but I’m offering to help.”

Paige bit the inside of her cheek and stared hard at his hand. Josh trusted this man. She was attracted to him, which was a bonus. Things didn’t have to be about sex and if she said no, she got the impression Carter wouldn’t push things.

Safe, sane and consensual.

A relief.

Paige put her hand in his. “I have rules.”

“I would imagine you do. Let’s go somewhere to discuss them.”

She gave his hand a squeeze and tried not to think too much about what the hell she was about to do. The contact of skin on skin brought a rush of noise. She hadn’t even realized the absence until the sounds descended on her awareness again.

People around them laughed, the sound punctuated by the continued slaps of leather on skin. Paige shivered, her body craving the thing that terrified her the most, needing to give in to it. Carter didn’t release her, keeping her hand close to his side as they threaded through the crowds to the metal staircase that led to the upstairs rooms. It had been years since she’d walked this path, each step one farther away from the woman she no longer wanted to be.

When they’d reached the top, Paige caught sight of Josh waiting by the hall. He’d obviously been watching their ascent, waiting for their arrival. He nodded their way. “Carter, I assume you’d like one of the equipped rooms tonight?”

“If that’s what Paige would like.”

It was odd having a Dom ask her opinion, but since they hadn’t worked out any of the basics, she appreciated that he was taking things slow. Nodding, she stepped closer to Carter. “Thanks, Josh.”

“I’m happy to help.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a black key and tossed it to Carter. “Third on the left. No two-way.”

Thank God for that. The last thing she wanted tonight was to be the main attraction for a bunch of voyeurs. Her feet took a bit of convincing to move once Josh walked past them. She was going to do this? Voluntarily going into a room with a Dom, one she barely knew?

Carter glanced her way and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “Any time you change your mind, you say the word and we’re back to coffee.”

This time the nod she gave him was a bit shakier. “Let’s go where it’s quiet.”

Walking was much like breathing. Once step at a time. In and out. Her boots pinched her feet, and her ankles ached as she moved quickly to keep pace with Carter. People moved out of their way, but several cast curious looks in their direction. There was no one she recognized, even though many of the people she’d hung out and played with still came to Mavericks. As long as she kept her head down, she should be able to avoid drawing attention to herself.

The key slid easily into the lock, giving way with a soft click. Carter held the door open for her and stayed where he was, giving Paige the freedom to explore. Things weren’t too different from how she remembered.

On a table along the side wall was a long, low chest. Paige walked the length of it, touching the various instruments laid out for inspection. A paddle, riding crop, soft leather cuffs and lengths of nylon rope, all there waiting to be used. The polished silver knobs on a series of drawers shone out from the black wood. Paige let her hand drop to the closest one, circling the cool metal with her fingertip.

She cast a quick glance over to Carter, who remained still by the door. Taking a breath, she pulled the drawer open. The dull shine of the red butt plug seemed ethereal against the black cloth. It wasn’t too intimidating in size, though it had been a while since she’d used one. Closing the drawer, she went to the next and found a glass dildo. The blue and green cascading swirls could have belonged in an art show, not trapped in something that would hide them from sight.

“See something you like?”

Paige jumped when she realized Carter had shut the door and finally joined her in the room. “Yes.”

“Show me.”

She held it up without hesitation, her body relaxing as she let the power of his command wash over her. Carter walked over, reached out and held her wrist. It would have been easy enough to pull away from his grip, but surprisingly she didn’t even have the urge. Instead, she found herself watching as he pulled her hand in to better examine the dildo.

“This could be fun.” He fingered the smooth surface. “I approve.”

The air in her lungs grew heavy and it was suddenly hard to swallow. “Rules.”

If her sudden change in conversation bothered him, Carter didn’t show it. “Tell me.”

Shifting her gaze to his hand once more, Paige tried to remember all the feelings that had exploded inside her years earlier. She didn’t need the same things now that she had back then. Her emotions ran deeper than they had when she was twenty-five and discovering these things about herself.

“No scat, golden showers, blood or breath play. Orgasm denial is fine. Pain is fine. I prefer to be bound, blindfolds are fine, but gags are hard for me. If there is sex, condoms are a must.”

He nodded. “Any limitations on toys?”

“No.”

“I expect to be referred to as Sir while we’re in this room.”

Paige sighed, unanticipated relief flowing free. “Yes, Sir.”

“Safe word?”

“Let’s stick with basics, Sir. Red stop, yellow slow.”

Another nod. “I want you to get on your knees in the middle of the room.”

Paige had to let the breath she’d been holding go before she could move. Her steps grew even more uncertain as she moved to the place he’d indicated. The rational part of her brain couldn’t believe she was doing this. She knew nothing about the man. They were only supposed to be here for coffee, not bondage.

Bullshit.

It was hard to still her body and fight off the urge to squirm as she lowered herself to her knees. Not sure what to do with her hands, Paige laced them behind her back and did her best to clear her head.


Minutes silently ticked off and she knew Carter was letting her mind do its thing. He was far quieter than Rick ever was. While Rick would boss and yell from the moment they started a scene, Carter hardly twitched. It made Paige nervous, anxious and excited all at once.

Carter finally moved to stand behind her, depriving Paige of even her cursory glances. When he finally spoke, his voice seemed to seep beneath her skin, calming her.

“I think it’s time we got to know each other a bit.”

The impulse to respond nearly won over her common sense. She wasn’t being asked to become an active participant in the conversation. Not yet.

“I have a bit of a confession to make. The reason we came into the store the other night was because I’d seen you before.”

Paige sucked a breath in and squeezed her fingers together hard to keep from moving.

“It was after a call we had down the street last month. At Wilson’s Jewelers. I’d come out of the back, stinking of smoke and plastic, wet from head to toe, looked up and you were there. You went back into the coffee shop shortly after that.”

She remembered watching the aftermath of the small fire, finding the scurrying of the firefighters almost hypnotic. After a few moments, she’d lost interest and went back inside where business had picked up as a result of the extra pedestrian traffic.

“I’d figured you might’ve been a customer and that I’d have to ask around before I’d figure out who you were. Imagine my surprise when I showed up at the shop and there you were, bursting with indignation and wearing a prickly shell.”

Carter’s footsteps echoed in the small room as he approached her from behind. When he pushed her unbound hair to the side, exposing her neck to him, Paige shivered but didn’t try to stop him.

“You looked tired and lonely that night.”

“I wasn’t—”

He quickly drove his fingers into her hair and tipped her head back at an awkward angle. Paige snapped her mouth shut.

“Not yet,” Carter whispered. “I get the impression you do an awful lot of talking and not as much listening as you should.” He rubbed his thumb across her cheek and eased up on his grip.

Paige sighed, hating how her body responded to his firm hold. Heat was building up low in her p-ssy. Her * tingled from wanting to be touched. Still, she didn’t move to relieve herself of the pressure.

“Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” Carter released her hair, letting his fingers comb through the strands. “As I was saying, you looked lonely when we came in. You covered it up pretty quickly with that smile of yours and a little eye roll. But I still saw it.”

Because he hadn’t said she couldn’t, Paige watched Carter walk over to the corner of the room and grab the sturdy chair sitting there. The heat from her p-ssy rose up through her torso to make her nipples hard. When he placed the chair about half a foot away from her and sat down, legs spread wide, Paige thought her world would explode.

“Stand up.”

Paige got to her feet, the rush of blood sending painful prickles through her legs. The long leather skirt she’d put on hung heavy on her hips, hugging her ass and making her feel like she was overdressed. The hunter green corset was looser than it had been three years ago, but still did the job of thrusting the tops of her breasts up for Carter’s inspection. He made a spinning motion with his finger and she had to fight a sigh as she complied with the request.

“Stop.” The second she had, Carter’s hands were on her ass, squeezing. “This is a sight I could charge admission for.”

This time Paige couldn’t stop her dismissive snort and was rewarded with a sharp slap to her ass. The contact wasn’t muted by the leather and had her gasping in surprise.

“Behave.” Carter resumed his inspection. “I bet you would be stunning in PVC. It would cling to you and I’d be able to see every curve of your body.” Another slap, but this time with less force. “Now, I want to see if you listened to me. Bend over and touch your toes.”

Her p-ssy clenched in anticipation. This was what she’d been thinking about all evening while she’d waited. God, she wished she could see his face, but it would be impossible with her skirt. Still, as Paige leaned over and wrapped her hands around her ankles, keeping her legs as straight as she could manage, she tried to catch a glimpse of Carter.

“Eyes on the floor,” he snapped.

Dammit. “Yes, Sir.”

His hands never left her body as he slowly pulled up the leather. “Your legs are shaking. It must be hard for you to stand there like that in those boots. I noticed you were a bit unsteady walking on them. Maybe I should make you walk around in nothing but them until you’re more comfortable. Then I’d be able to fully appreciate your legs.”

He stroked his fingers down the backs of her thighs. Paige had to hold her breath to keep from moaning out loud. This was too much, too gentle. She needed more than this, and if he wasn’t going to act soon, she’d walk away.

Liar.

There was a brief pause when he got her skirt to the edge of her ass. “Sweet Paige, did you do what I asked? Will I be pleased with what I see when I lift this up?” He teased her, jiggling the fabric until the edge tickled her sensitive skin.

Not bothering to wait for her response, Carter finally flipped up the skirt to reveal her bare ass. His low moan was all the response Paige had hoped for.

Running a finger first down one cheek, then the other, Carter leaned forward so his breath ghosted across her skin. His second hand began to explore the sensitive dip above her ass, teasing but not going any further.

“Thank you for this, Paige. I promise I will be good to you.” A single kiss placed to the small of her back was followed by a two-hand squeeze. “Now whatever will I do with you?”