Ella Williams seemed to be part of a threesome and stood next to a couple he recognized. He’d known Bill and Sara for some eight years. They weren’t exactly close friends, but they knew each other by name. He hadn’t thought Ella would be interested in fetishism, let alone take part in a threesome.
His gaze swept from her calf leather boots, up her long legs to her short leather miniskirt. She certainly looked part of the scene. Max licked his lips as he focused on her breasts held tightly in a leather bra, showing her womanly cleavage to perfection. He’d never seen her look so f*ck
ing sexy. When she was married to his best buddy, he never allowed himself to dwell on her beauty. A smile formed on his mouth. Was Ella into BDSM after all, or was this just a curiosity visit? He hadn’t seen her since his secretary, Becky, had driven her home. Quite frankly, he couldn’t face her. Guilt overwhelmed him. What exactly would he say to her?
Max felt himself stiffen when another guy he recognized joined them. So it wasn’t a threesome after all. But that was little consolation. Just what the hell was she doing with Kevin McCreedy? He was well known for taking things too far. Many of his subs had left mid-contract, thoroughly disillusioned by his attitude. Word around the fetish scene spread quickly. Apparently, he was well known for being a selfish prick who took but never gave. That was the thing about BDSM. If all you gave was punishment, then you could never win a sub’s complete trust. Control a slave with both pleasure and pain and you could have them eating out of your hand, day and night.
Ella’s group moved over to the bar. He took immense pleasure when her eyes widened as she recognized him. She seemed slightly agitated and on edge. He figured she didn’t want him to know she frequented places like this.
She cleared her throat. “Hi, Max.”
He leaned back against the bar as she stood waiting for Kevin McCreedy to order her drink. He smiled and raised a brow as he took in her sexy clothes once more.
“I didn’t know you were part of the scene, Ella.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Max.” Her clipped answer caught him a little off guard, and he wondered if she was still pissed because he hadn’t been in contact with her.
“I meant to call you,” he offered, popping a peanut into his mouth.
“That’s, okay. There’s no reason to now. Your best friend’s not here anymore.”
Her flippant remark made him feel even guiltier. “It’s taken me a while to come to terms with everything, Ella.”
“Poor, Max. I sure hope you can cope.” Sarcasm dripped from her voice. He watched her turn away and accept the large glass of white wine handed to her by Kevin. She gave him a weak smile and said, “Guess I’ll see you around,” and with that began moving away.
Something didn’t sit right with Max. Just what was Ella doing here anyway? And why was she so hostile, especially as so much time had passed since her husband’s death. Perhaps he was just losing his touch with the opposite sex. f*ck
.
You’re losing your touch all right, buddy. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and act on instinct. It’s what you do best.
He watched her walk from the bar before acting on impulse. He caught up with the group. “Excuse me. I’m just gonna borrow Ella for a minute. I’ll bring her right back.” He took the glass of wine from Ella’s grasp and placed it on a nearby table.
“You better, Max. I’ve spent a long time setting up this blind date,” Sara called after them.
“f*ck
ing hell, we’ve only just got here.” Kevin sounded pissed by the unwanted intrusion.
He began leading Ella across the room. She didn’t resist until he’d almost gotten her to the door. “What do you think you’re doing, Max? I’m not one of your subs. Take your f*ck
ing hands off me.”
“You’re coming with me, Ella.” He took hold of her arm more firmly, and pulled her into the corridor.
“Let me get back to my friends, Max, please.”
She went to move away, but he braced his hands against the wall, blocking her path, corralling her in place. In frustration she leaned back, and sighed loudly.
“Believe me, Ella, those people are not your friends. How well do you know them?”
“Not very well, but I needed some company. Is that okay with you?” she added bitterly.
“I see.” Max placed two fingers under her chin, and tilted her head back. Ella closed her eyes as he angled her face to the overhead light. “Look at me,” he ordered.
“Why?”
“Just do it.”
When she opened her eyes he had the distinct impression that Ella was scared. But of what? The club scene, or something else?
“What do you want from me, Max? How I live my life is none of your f*ck
ing business. I don’t hear from you from one month to the next. So butt out, and stop interfering, mister.”