Page 7 of The Reluctant Siren (Texas Sirens: Legacy #2)

Harlow was deeply aware that every eye was on her.

Like every single person in the damn club was waiting for them to stop watching and start playing.

Even her sister was back from dinner with Chloe.

She was still in street clothes, but she was up in the bar, a glass of wine in her hand as she looked out over the dungeon.

Ruby and Gigi were standing across the floor. Neither of them had played all night, just walked around watching scenes and talking quietly.

She was pretty sure they’d dealt with Leah, who was nowhere to be seen.

Niall stood behind her as Gabe took a flogger to a sub’s backside.

The young woman wasn’t familiar to Harlow, but Gabe often brought in women he met at other clubs.

Like her, Gabe held a Sanctum membership. Unlike her, he also played at his father’s club from time to time.

As her dad often hung out there, she avoided it as though she would die if she walked through the doors.

“Harlow, do you want to do this? I wanted to watch scenes with you so I would get an idea of what you enjoy, but you’ve done nothing but get more uncomfortable with every scene.”

Niall had his hands on her shoulders, a comforting warmth.

“I’ve never seen you play. I’ve heard you once did, but I haven’t witnessed it.”

Because she’d been so upset about Jensen. Was she going to allow that asshole to ruin everything for her?

Niall had been lovely. He was everything she wanted in a Dom. He was comfortable talking about his wants and needs and wanted to listen to her. He’d been patient, and she understood his issues. He was being careful with her. It felt nice.

Of course she’d also liked the rough way Jensen had barged in, shoving an asshole aside and telling him to get lost because she was taken.

It wasn’t feminist of her, but she’d been all over him that very night.

Was she holding back on Niall because of what Jensen had done? She wasn’t telling him what her problem was. She wasn’t asking him for what she needed. The truth was she wasn’t giving him a real chance.

She turned and took his hand, leading him away from the stage. When they were on the outer edges of the crowd, she turned to him.

“I haven’t played in a long time, and everyone is watching me. I’m nervous, and I hate to admit that. Honestly, I’m wondering if this isn’t a terrible idea.”

He took her hand and started to walk away, moving toward the locker rooms.

Was he done with her? Was he giving up the first time she had one worry?

She started to pull her hand away but he pulled her close.

“Go and get dressed. We’re going to my place. We’ll pick up some food on the way and we’ll talk in private,”

he whispered in her ear.

“You’re right. This is a lot, and we don’t need this kind of pressure. Not on our first night. Don’t take too long, princess.”

He kissed her forehead and stepped back, a challenging look on his face.

“You want to go back to your place?”

Harlow asked.

“If we go back to my place, I don’t think your family is going to show up. Even if they do, they won’t be able to figure out how to get up to my studio,”

he replied.

“I typically go through the gym. You can tell Ruby where you’re going if you’re afraid.”

That made her eyes roll.

“I’m not afraid of you.”

“Yeah, we’re going to talk about rolling your eyes at me when we’re in this place.”

He leaned in, his voice going low.

“I want you to keep doing it because I’ll spank that gorgeous ass of yours every single time.”

The thought sent a thrill down her spine. Damn it. Her long dead libido was starting to come back to life, and she did not want to stop it.

“I’ll be quick, Sir. Are we taking my car or yours?”

“Oh, I’m driving. It’s a piece of crap but I love that junker. I’ll be waiting right here.”

She hurried along.

An hour later Harlow was fairly certain this man had figured out the way to her heart.

French fries.

“So you had private tutors because no school wanted to deal with your dad?”

He seemed amused with her stories of Deranged Dad.

“Not really, but he was a pain in the ass. My dad is a genius. I mean he’s so smart his brain doesn’t function on the normal level, and that includes being able to handle things in a reasonable fashion. He has an eidetic memory.”

“Is that where he remembers everything?”

Harlow nodded.

“Everything. It’s annoying, and he loves to argue. But it wasn’t his fault we ended up with private tutors. My sister caught a lot of hell because of how odd our family was. There was a lot of teasing, and she was kind of an outcast.”

“I’m sure that was hard, but it would have been hard on you, too.”

She shook her head.

“Not the same way. Greer always wanted to fit in. Don’t get me wrong. She loves our parents. She would never be upset at our parents, but it had an effect on her when some mean girls put shit on social media about us. There were a lot of gang bang jokes and some guys who thought maybe if Greer’s mom didn’t mind a couple of guys, she wouldn’t either.”

His face flushed with obvious anger.

“Tell me your dad fucked them up.”

“Yeah, one of the girl’s fathers was involved in some business with my father’s friends. They have this investment group. The Masters Fund. The fund decided to sell their shares in her dad’s company, and they were bought in a hostile takeover shortly thereafter. They pretty much lost everything. He was kinder to the parents who were embarrassed. A couple of the parents apologized profusely. I took care of the kids, though. Their parents shouldn’t suffer, but they needed to pay.”

“Damn, but you are fierce, princess.”

He stared down at her like he was utterly fascinated. Not like her vengeance was something that was going to scare him away.

“But it had to bother you, too. I know you don’t care what other people think, but you were a teenager. I think your sister is softer than you are so you shoved your feelings down and concentrated on your sister. Was it hard to change your life so much?”

She nodded.

“I had to leave some friends, but I joined some others. We shared a tutor with the Lodges, and with our friends Aria and Dane Roberts. So we were our own class, I suppose. Sometimes we would spend a couple of weeks out at Aunt Dani’s spa. Most of the people who worked there were in the lifestyle, and they had a school. We would go for special classes. It was nice, but I always knew we weren’t normal.”

She sniffled. It felt good to get emotional. It had been a long time.

“You are a very therapy-forward Dom.”

He smiled and stroked her hair.

“I’ve learned that the hard way. First thing the board did when they were considering my application was send me to a psychologist. He offered some sessions. I still see him twice a month.”

“Did they make you see my Uncle Leo or one of the therapists from the Ferguson Clinic?”

They both did work with the different clubs, vetting new members.

“Ash Rycroft at the Ferguson Clinic. I think they’re sending everyone my age his way. He’s good at working with PTSD and complex family relationships,”

Niall admitted.

“I like talking with him. I’m about to be out of my board-mandated sessions, but I think I’ll stick with him for a while. I’ve got some things to work out. My father was abusive, to say the least. I’m no contact with him.”

Her heart ached for him. They were sitting on his couch, which might also be his bed. She wasn’t sure. There was a door and it might lead to a bedroom, but she hadn’t asked. She moved closer to him, putting a hand on his knee.

“And your mom?”

“Same.”

Niall huffed out a laugh.

“My family was pretty toxic.”

His gorgeous face went soft.

“I did not mean for this to turn into a therapy session.”

Oh, but wasn’t it always? “I feel connected to you. You have no idea how much I appreciate you being open to me. The last relationship I was in… It was passionate, but there wasn’t a ton of connection on an emotional level. It felt good at the time, but this feels better.”

“Don’t discount passion, Harlow.”

His eyes heated.

“I think you need both, and sometimes you have to go to odd lengths to get it. Like your parents. But that’s a discussion for another time. When are we going in? I’m talking job wise. Where are we going in to?”

“It’s a lifestyle club, but it’s more like a bar with BDSM elements, I think. I haven’t gone. Normally I would go in myself or with Ruby and do some recon, but I think I should go in with a partner.”

“Into a tourist lifestyle club when some Dom might get aggressive with you? Yes.”

He stroked his hand over hers.

“I know you can take care of yourself, but a gorgeous, single submissive is going to attract more attention than you want.”

He was so good at handling her. If he’d acted jealous or like she couldn’t take care of herself, she could get offended. But he was one hundred percent right.

So unlike Jensen, who plowed through without giving thought to how to phrase things.

She had to stop thinking about him because Niall was turning out to be perfect. Almost too perfect.

“Yes, hence me asking you. I considered asking one of the spy boys, but they’re mostly paired off now, and they could get a call in the middle of my op and have to leave to go save the world or something. The McKay-Taggart bodyguards would likely reach out to my dad and let him know what’s going on.”

“I do not have your father’s phone number,”

Niall pointed out.

“Which is why you’re perfect. I also wanted someone who I do have some chemistry with.”

It wasn’t the insane, off-the-charts, do-anything-to-get-into-his-pants chemistry she’d had with Jensen, but she liked it. It was softer, warmer. It felt like solid ground.

“But you know I’m truly asking because I’ve been interested since the minute we met. It’s an excuse.”

His lips curled up in the sweetest smile.

That was what time with him felt like. Sweet.

Would sex with him feel just as sweet? She was honest with herself. The chemistry between them wasn’t as moth to the flame as she felt for Jensen, but she wanted him. It hadn’t been the fall into bed the first night and start planning a life, but it was totally there. A slow burn might keep her warm and not torch her whole soul.

“Why do you think I haven’t gotten physical with a single sub the whole time I’ve been here?”

“Because you were waiting for me.”

The idea was like the man. Sweet. Filling a part of herself that had been empty for a long time.

“I wonder if I haven’t been waiting for you my whole life.”

He winced.

“That was probably coming on too strong. Let me rephrase that so I look way cooler and less available than I actually am.”

Nope. She so liked that he wasn’t a player. She leaned over and kissed him, a brief touch of her lips to his.

“Too late.”

“Good, because I don’t like to play games,”

he replied and kissed her back, his hand cupping the nape of her neck and holding her there while he explored her mouth.

The kiss left her breathless and more excited than she’d felt in forever. Like she was going on an adventure, but this time she truly trusted the partner she was taking with her.

“No games at all, Sir?”

It had been forever since she really played. Oh, she’d let her Dom friends spank her and flog her and get her to cry, but there had been no sexy touches. No fantasy play. She’d put herself in deep freeze after what happened with Jensen. It was past time to defrost.

“Emotional games,”

he corrected.

“There are other games I’m more than happy to play with you. Why don’t we start with you pulling those pants down and laying on my lap. I think we should train before we go in. We can certainly be a new couple, but we should look like we’ve spent some time together.”

He might be new to the lifestyle, but he’d already figured out some Dom tricks.

“And the only way to possibly look like we’re comfortable together is for you to spank my naked ass?”

His big shoulders shrugged.

“I know I’ll feel more comfortable.”

She had to be honest with him.

“I’m not ready for full-on sex, Niall.”

He showed no anger at all. He simply nodded.

“My cock can stay in my pants. How do you feel about fingers? Can I spank your pretty ass and then stroke your clit until you come?”

And there went all of her resolve.

“You know where that will lead.”

“Yes, it will lead right to my bed where we’re going to go to sleep and talk some more in the morning,”

he promised.

“There’s a great bagel place next door. They’re actually a donut place, but I’m supposed to be all healthy and shit.”

“Donuts,”

she said with a sigh and she stood.

“Niall, forget what I said. I want what you’re offering me. It’s not fair for me to get everything I want and you nothing because I’m wary.”

“Then why don’t you get out of your clothes. I’ll give you a T-shirt to sleep in after we’re done. And Harlow, I’m offering you everything I said I would. If I’m your partner, your needs come before mine.”

He winked her way, and the sexiest smirk came over his face.

“Unless you beg.”

She pulled her shirt over her head.

“I won’t beg, Sir.”

“Words to make you eat later, princess.”

His cock tented his jeans nicely, and she wondered if he wasn’t right. He was so gorgeous, and he made her feel safe.

She tossed her shirt aside and unclasped her bra, watching him watch her. One big muscular arm was around the back of the sofa and his body was relaxed, with the exception of his impressive erection. She’d seen the man in leathers, seen him dressed for the gym. Not once had that cock of his made an appearance.

Was he telling her the truth? Was she the only woman he wanted? The idea of having every ounce of this man’s focus on her made her nipples peak. He made all the right moves. He seemed to know exactly what she needed, and he made sure she got it. Oh, he would prove himself to be human, but for now there was a magical feel to being with this man. She’d hesitated so much in the last few months that it felt good to follow her instincts.

Which had her shimmying out of her jeans and undies and standing naked in front of him. She grew up in a family where shame wasn’t a word unless it had to do with missing the answer to final Jeopardy. She was comfortable in her skin, and sometimes she wondered if a part of that was because she was pulled out of school before she got hit with the mean-girl shit. Her sister had far more hangups than she did.

“Damn, you are gorgeous.”

She had to give him a saucy smile.

“It’s not like you haven’t seen most of it. Fet wear leaves little to the imagination. It’s why we enforce some strict rules since we’ve got so many siblings playing.”

“Is that what the zones are about?”

Niall asked with a grin.

“I can go wherever I want, but I heard someone saying he couldn’t enter zone three since it’s a Thursday. Also, you don’t even understand my imagination. It goes to some kinky places when it comes to you. Come here.”

She loved how husky his voice had gotten. She moved toward him.

“Yes, Sir. Things are carefully planned. Sometimes it’s about days. My cousin Gigi only plays on Thursdays or Fridays because her brothers play on Saturday. But Chloe and Gabe and their brother John don’t want to limit their days, so they have zones. John tried to tell Chloe she needed to wear a robe when she walked to her zone, and she punched him. I taught her how, so now John doesn’t mention robes anymore.”

“Blood-thirsty princess,”

he said with a grin.

“I’m glad you don’t have brothers so we don’t have to worry about zones. Lay on my lap. I want to get this over with. I want to cuddle. You’ll stay with me.”

Not a question, but still required an answer. He seemed to get more toppy the more engaged his cock was. She liked it. The truth was she enjoyed being dominated during sex. It was the one place she didn’t want to be in charge.

“Yes, Sir. But only for the donuts.”

She eased over his lap, her skin rubbing against the softness of his jeans. They were old and worn in, like he washed them hundreds of times and now they were perfect.

His hand cupped her cheeks, spreading a warm anticipation through her.

“Are you comfortable, princess?”

“Yes,”

she replied, her whole body softening in response.

What would he be like? Would he spank her softly so she wriggled and writhed and wanted more? Would he go so hard she called out her safe word? They hadn’t talked about safe words, but they weren’t truly playing. They were experimenting. If she said no, he would stop.

Would she want him to stop?

Her brain was going a million miles an hour. Her body might be ready but her brain was rebelling.

And then she wasn’t thinking about anything but the smack against her tender flesh. She heard it before it registered as pain. He’d gone for it but not too hard. Just enough to get her attention and focus it. On something other than anxiety. Heat flashed over her skin and then sank in.

“Tell me if it’s too much. We’re learning each other. I don’t want any of that silent submission right now. I want you to talk to me.”

“It’s good, Sir. My brain is whirling. I need this more than I thought I did.”

Another hard slap.

“I don’t want you thinking about anything but this.”

Three hard smacks and her eyes were watering, but it worked. She wasn’t worried about what might happen. She was completely focused on the here and now. As he continued, his hand smacking and then holding the heat in, she let herself start to float. She let go of worrying she would never get over Jensen. Stopped thinking about getting shot. Didn’t care that her deranged dad would likely put one of his employees on Niall the minute he found out she was seeing him. The case didn’t even matter in those moments when Niall’s big hand dispensed discipline. She let the pain flow over her and sighed as it morphed into something else. She didn’t even fight the tears. She might have with a different Dom, but he wasn’t going to use them against her. He wasn’t going to freak out and make this about himself. He would take them for what they were—much-needed release.

She wasn’t sure how long it had been when he turned her over, flipping her neatly like she weighed nothing. He cradled her in his arms, and she could feel his cock against her tender backside.

He brushed the tears off her cheeks.

“Feel better, princess?”

She felt a bit limp noodley. It was beyond nice.

“I do. I think I might be able to sleep.”

She should be honest if she was doing this with him.

“I have bad dreams sometimes.”

“Me, too. If you need me, wake me up and we’ll talk,”

he offered.

“Or I’ll simply hold you until you go back to sleep. But I think after all that harshness, you need some sugar.”

She lay cradled against him as his free hand found its way down her body and between her legs. He leaned over and kissed her, softly this time, with no real intent. But his fingers. Oh, his fingers were on a damn mission.

“You liked it,”

he whispered.

“You’re so fucking wet, Harlow.”

His fingers slid easily between the folds of her labia, foraging briefly before rubbing her clit and taking her breath away.

This was how he treated her in an experimental mini session? Oh, she could sub for this man. She let her head fall back, allowed him access to everything.

“You are so gorgeous,”

he whispered against her neck. The arm around her back cupped her breast, thumb playing with her nipple, and she wondered what it would feel like to have his mouth there, teeth rasping on just the right side of pain. He could spend hours keeping her on the edge, tormenting her, and she would love it.

The anticipation she felt for this man was hope after long years of wanting.

It didn’t take him long before those talented fingers slid inside her. His thumb worked her clit while he finger fucked her. One and then two and three, stretching her gently and stroking in exactly the right place.

It had been so long since she’d had this kind of orgasm. Oh, she’d touched herself a couple of times, but between getting burned so brutally by Jensen and then getting shot and nearly dying, she’d let go of this piece of herself. It slid back into place forcefully as Niall nipped at her earlobe and hit the perfect place, and she went off like a rocket, her body stiffening and relaxing, pleasure pouring through her.

She was a breathless mess when he shifted and stood, picking her up with an effortless grace she found deeply attractive. He walked the short distance to the door she’d noticed earlier. Sure enough, it was a tiny bedroom that contained a bed, dresser, and nightstand.

“So not a studio,”

she said as he laid her on the bed.

“I mean it’s as small as one.”

He turned and opened the top drawer, pulling out a big white T-shirt.

“I might exaggerate so no woman will pursue me for all my wealth.”

She did not need wealth. The circumstances of her birth had taken care of that. But she wanted everything else this man had to offer.

“Niall, what I said before…”

He gently put the shirt over her head.

“We’re sleeping, Harlow. Like I said, your needs are more important than my dick. Get in bed. I’m tired, and someone’s going to make me walk miles tomorrow to get her donuts.”

“It’s next door,”

she countered, but she was smiling as she slid her arms into the T-shirt and pulled the covers around her.

He got down to his boxers, and she wished there was more light. He slid into bed beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist and hauling her close.

“Good night, princess. I’m glad you decided to be brave.”

She cuddled against him and fell asleep far faster than she thought she would.