Well, looks like Kathryn isn’t happening. Stephanie is here instead.

I move away from the door so she can enter. The door closes, and there’s Stephanie, pushing herself up against my wall in the most tantalizing way. I’m not dumb. This woman came here for one thing. I guess even me calling her the wrong name while fucking her couldn’t override the power of other things.

I know what things.

“Can I get you a drink?” I hold up my brandy. “Or should we cut to the chase?”

Stephanie approaches, her long, thin legs a treat to behold. She plucks my glass from my hand and sips it, sure to wash her tongue all over the rim. I’m suddenly reminded of the fantastic way she sucked my cock… what was it? Two? Three weeks ago? I can’t keep track of the time.

You know, this might not be a boring night after all.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been very… reachable recently.” Stephanie rubs her hand on my chest, plucking apart buttons before I have the chance to touch her at all. “Busy, you know. Been filming a movie out of state. But I’m here now.”

Her voice sounds so sweet. So approachable. So… submissive.

I guess she liked the taste she got after all. I flash my best domineering smile, my thumb wiping some liquid from the corner of her mouth.

“You’re a surprise.” I walk away, taking my now empty glass to the kitchen. Stephanie’s eyes follow me. “Didn’t think I would hear from you again after what happened.”

That rattles her a bit. “Don’t worry about it. You’re not the first man to do that.”

Women say that a lot. I’ve been saying that a lot. Damnit, Ian, what is it with you and fucking up during sex? And why does it always come back to Kathryn?

Don’t do it, man. Don’t think about her right now. Remember what happened last time? Yeah. Yeah.

“It was rude.” I approach her, my hand dusting her bangs out of her face. She really does have a superstar’s visage. Beautiful jaw line. Wide eyes. Cheekbones to die for. Her glistening browns will often get covered up with blue contacts, but right now I’m enjoying how lovely she is just as she was born. Classic beauty. Don’t think she’s had any work done – yet. And I hope it stays that way. “It’s rude for any man to do. I’m sorry that happened. Willing to give me another chance, are you?”

“About that.” She’s smiling, blushing a little. Stephanie thinks she’s playing coy, but she’s a terrible actress around me. That’s fine. I don’t want an act. I want the real thing, real reactions. That’s especially important to me in a sub. “I’ll give you another chance, but only if you do something special for me.”

“Oh?”

Her bashful smile turns into a look of sheer determination. “I want more of what you were offering me that night. I think I like it.”

“You make a beautiful, natural submissive.” I’m not lying. I’d love to see her obey my commands. Not just suck my cock and bend over for me. I want to hear her call me sir and respond to the way my hand smacks her skin.

And so much more.

“You think so?” She flutters her eyelashes at me. “I think I’d like to try it out… sir.”

Ah, there it is.

I put my hands around her cheeks and go in for the kiss. This will be easy. She walked right into my place and is practically throwing herself at me. Everything I want.

Almost.

The door buzzes again, and we’re interrupted. Stephanie implores me to not answer it, but once again, if someone made it to my door, it means it’s probably important.

I tell Stephanie to hang tight. Hopefully this will only take a minute.

No.

It will take all night.

Because it’s Kathryn Alison, looking at her feet and squaring her shoulders for a fight.

Chapter 22

IAN

“We need to talk.”

No man likes hearing those words, under any situation. Even if he’s the one uttering them himself, he still doesn’t want to have to say them. Those words? They don’t mean anything good.

Especially coming from a woman who turns your heart upside down when you see her.

I’ve almost forgotten about Stephanie. She’s leaning against my couch, buffing her nails and probably thinking about work and my cock. I’m too distracted right now to fantasize that it’s 100% my cock.

“Of course.” I open the door wide, catching Stephanie’s attention. She frowns as Kathryn shuffles in. Does Katie realize how submissive she looks right now? Downcast eyes. Slouched back. Hair hanging limp from her otherwise tight bun. Most people would still think she looks impeccable, but I know the difference between the usual Kathryn… and this one.

“Oh,” she says, meeting Stephanie’s gaze. “I didn’t realize you had guests.”

“You and me both,” Stephanie mutters. She puts her buffer away and crosses her arm. “Who are you?”

Kathryn is taken aback. Now, the Katie I know would start swinging her balls all over my apartment, putting this woman in her place once and for all. She’s a Domme. That’s what they do. Except this Katie is looking at Stephanie with the saddest eyes I’ve ever seen. No, not sad.

Scared?

“This is Kathryn Alison,” I say, knowing full well what spot I’ve put myself in.

Stephanie knows it immediately. Her eyes widen, staring down Kathryn as if she’s an interloper come to destroy half the clan. “That’s Kathryn.”

Katie sucks in her lips. “Yup,” she says. “I’m Kathryn. That Kathryn.”

Fuck. Now we all know it, and Stephanie is looking none too pleased about it.

“I think it’s best if you leave,” I tell Stephanie. Nope. She’s really not pleased about a damn thing.

“Me? I was here first.” Yet she’s off my couch, clutching her purse to her side and looking like she’s ready to take off at a moment’s notice. “Tell her to wait in line.”

“I’ll go.” Kathryn turns around too eagerly. Without thinking, I wrap my arm around her front, my fingers digging into her back as I tuck her safely into my embrace. She shudders.

This is the first time we’ve touched since we last had sex. And so much has happened since then.

“No. Stephanie was seeing herself out.”

I say it softly to Katie, but Stephanie hears a certain tone in my voice. It makes her bristle, and I know I ruined any chance of seeing her again like this.

That’s fine. Not like I knew there was another chance until she showed up tonight. Life goes on as it has before.

Except not really. Kathryn is in my arms, tiny convulses spreading into me from her wary body. I don’t know what’s going on with her, but I know this isn’t a pleasure call.

I tighten my grip on her. Both to keep her here and to reassure her that she’s safe.

“Fine.” Stephanie stops, her lips curling into a menacing smile. “See you. Farewell, Kathryn. You don’t have to worry about this guy forgetting your name.”

I don’t turn to watch the door close. I hear it, and that’s enough.

“Katie.” I loosen my grip, hands going to her shoulders. I’m already taller than her – barely – but she feels so much frailer and smaller tonight. Has something happened? Is someone hurt? “What’s going on?”

A spark erupts in her eyes. Just like that, she’s looking at me, her back straightening and her forehead reaching up toward mine. There she is. That’s the Kathryn I know.

“I’m sorry about the other night. I should have told you I couldn’t make it.”

“Don’t worry about it.” My fingers graze her chin. She does not shudder or sneer. “But I somehow doubt that’s your whole reason for coming here. You would’ve called me just for that.”

“You’re right. I came here for another reason. The real reason we have to talk.”

I gesture to my couch. Saoirse scrambles out from beneath and trots into my guest room turned library. She has a bed there she likes to curl up in around this time of night.