Siren Enslaved

Chapter Four

Dani sat on the sofa and looked between the two men who were carefully studying her. She decided she’d been more comfortable with her boss’s husband when he had a baby attached to his chest. He’d seemed far less dangerous with a toothless infant dangling in front of him. Now little Josh and Olivia had been put down for naps, and she was the object of both men’s attention. She tried hard not to feel like an insect they had carefully pinned and made ready for dissection. Jack Barnes and Julian Lodge seemed perfectly comfortable with the silence that hung heavy in the air.

“Thanks for the clothes.” She had to say something. She smoothed down the cotton T-shirt Jack had found for her. The jeans were slightly too big, but a belt had taken care of that. She glanced at the clock, wondering if there was any way she could get out of here before her boss came home. Abby Barnes was away this afternoon attending a wedding. Her wedding. But where was she going to go? A part of her wished she was still in that car with Julian, just driving. She hadn’t had to face reality while she was in that car. Well, she had to face it now. She wasn’t some dreamy-eyed teen. She had to take her medicine. She would have loved a day or two to sort things out, but she wasn’t going to get it. “If I could just use a phone, I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Who do you intend to call, little one?”

Dani sat up straighter. God, couldn’t the man ask a simple question without the words going straight to her crotch? And why did he have to call her little one? She obviously wasn’t little. Val was the slender one. Maybe he wasn’t as nice as she thought he was. He wouldn’t be the first person to make fun of her. She crossed her legs and gathered her last shred of dignity. She should never have gotten in the car with him. She shouldn’t have run in the first place, but getting into a stranger’s car was ludicrous. If she couldn’t handle Jimbo Smart, she had no idea how she was supposed to hold her own with Julian Lodge. Perhaps it was time to grow a backbone. “That is none of your business, Mr. Lodge.”

One elegant eyebrow arched, and the room seemed to get cold.

“Sir.” So much for a backbone.

Jack Barnes laughed sharply. “Well, that was inevitable.”

Julian slid a glance Jack’s way. “Any possibility there’s someone I can pass her off to?”

Jack shook his head, crossing his booted foot casually over his knee. He made the leather chair he sat on seem like a throne. “Here? Not a chance. And it’s worse than you think. If she really ran out on her wedding, those old biddies in town will make life hell on her. They can’t take her job, but they can isolate her. Do you know what that will do to her?”

“If this is what being a part of the community has done for her, then perhaps she should try isolation,” Julian murmured. “Any chance you need a fourth?”

Emerald green eyes rolled. “Yeah, I’ll get right on that. Let’s just say I would like to keep all of my man parts in their current position. If you don’t want her, call Leo. Hell, look at her. Just walk her into The Club, and you’ll have to beat the Doms off her.”

Dani had no idea what they were talking about. She didn’t know a Leo or a man named Dom. Anger started to build in her gut. She was used to people talking about her behind her back, but at least they didn’t do it while she was sitting right in front of them. There was such a thing as common courtesy.

A slow smile spread across Jack Barnes’s face. “You don’t like that idea, do you, Julian?”

“I didn’t say that.” He sounded like he was gritting his teeth.

“You didn’t have to. Fine. I’ll call Leo myself. He’s been looking for a permanent sub for awhile now. It will be my pleasure to get him down here. Maybe once he takes a look at her, he can forget about Abby. I swear I’m going to kick his ass one of these days.”

“Don’t you call him, Jackson. She’s my problem, and I’ll take care of her.”

The words hit her like an out-of-control train, slamming into her, making her sick with shame. Problem? She was starting to process his words, though they didn’t all make sense. Julian Lodge thought she was a burden and was trying to foist her off on someone else. She wasn’t a burden. She never had been. She’d always been the one to take the load off someone else. She was the one who never complained and never argued. Until she’d run out of that church, she’d never caused a single scandal, with the exception of being friends with Finn. Dani had given up her whole future to take care of a sick mother and put her little sister through school. She did not deserve their scorn. She stood, sick to death of people who didn’t value her.

“Don’t talk about me like I’m not here. If you won’t let me use your phone, then I’ll just walk, but I won’t stand here while you two jerks make fun of me. I don’t know about this guy.” She gestured to Julian, whose face had gone stony cold. “But I thought better of you, Mr. Barnes. I didn’t think you were the type to kick a person when she was down. I guess I was wrong. Please tell Abby that I won’t be in to the clinic anymore. I’ll find something else.”

God, she’d just quit her job. She loved her job. It was the one bright spot in her dreary life. Why had she done that? But there was no backing down now. She turned to leave. She would mail Abby her clothes later. Right now, it was a long walk back to town.

“Danielle!”

Julian’s sharp bark caused her to stop in her tracks. She turned almost unwillingly.

He hadn’t moved from the couch, but she felt the will pouring off his body. “You will come back in this room, and you will stop behaving like a brat.”

She felt her eyes widen. No one had ever called her that. “Brat? You’re the one acting like a bully, Sir. I mean Mr. Lodge.” She had to stop calling him that.

He moved gracefully off the couch, stalking to her. He towered over her, six foot four inches of pure intimidation. He invaded her space, and her heart started to thud in an unfamiliar rhythm. “You were right the first time, Danielle. You will apologize to Jackson, and then we’re going to have a private talk.”

The front door opened suddenly.

“Damn, Jack, you missed a hell of a show. Dani finally got a lick of sense and motored herself right out of that church. It was the best show this town has seen in a long time.” Sam Fleetwood strode into the living room with a broad smile on his handsome face.

The wife he shared with Jack followed behind, though she was frowning. “We need to find her, Jack. She’s in trouble.”

Jack simply pointed.

Abby sighed. “Thank God. You scared us, Dani. Not that I don’t absolutely support your decision to not marry that man, but you shouldn’t have run away. You got into some stranger’s car. Anything could have happened to you.”

Abby’s eyes moved between Dani and Julian, who, despite the addition of two new audience members, hadn’t once moved those cold eyes off her. Dani wanted to run, but she’d done enough of that for one day.

“Jack, what’s going on?” Abby put a hand on Jack’s arm, concern plain on her face. She started to walk toward Dani, but Jack held her back.

Sam threw his head back and laughed. “Can’t you tell, baby? Damn, Dani, of all the cars in the world you could have hopped into, you got into Julian Lodge’s. That man is a sub magnet. I’ve always said it.”

Julian growled just a little. “Your sarcasm is duly noted, Samuel. Now, may I have a moment alone with Danielle?”

“Are you sure about this?” Jack was holding Abby’s hand. He sent Sam a look that had the blond man getting very serious all of a sudden. “If you aren’t, then I’ll take care of her. I can get her a job in another town and see that she’s all right.”

“Why does she need a new job?” Abby asked, her voice rising.

That scenario didn’t seem to satisfy Julian. “She doesn’t need a new job. She needs a new life. If you simply move her somewhere new, she’ll get in trouble again because she is untrained.”

“I’m not a dog, you jerk!” Her fists were clenched at her sides. Humiliation washed through her.

He turned quickly. “I didn’t say you were, Danielle. And, as I have been nothing but polite with you, I expect a modicum of courtesy. I understand that you have been through a lot today. I understand that you require some tenderness. None of that gives you the right to belittle me and our hosts.”

Tears were threatening again. She hated him a little in that moment. He made her feel like a child. “Then I wouldn’t want to force you to be around a brat. Like I said, I’ll just get out of your hair.”

He ignored her. “I’ll deal with her, Jackson, and if you question my rights again, we shall have trouble.”

Jack’s mouth thinned, but he nodded.

“Jack, what’s going on?” Abby asked. She attempted to pull away.

“No. This is between Julian and Dani. Abigail, go to our bedroom now.”

“But, Jack.”

Jack Barnes stared down at his wife, his face colder than Dani could ever remember it being. “I said now, Abigail. Do you want to test me?”

“No, she doesn’t.” Sam slipped his hand into Abby’s. “Come on, baby. Let’s go check on the kids. Julian isn’t going to hurt your friend, and you know it. You also know exactly what she is and what she needs. We’ve talked about it before. It’s why you practically cheered when she ran away. Now she might figure a few things out. Don’t take that from her.”

Abby nodded, and with one last look Dani’s way, she walked out with Sam, leaving Dani alone with Jack and Julian.

Dani shuffled nervously, wondering exactly what Sam had meant and what she was supposed to figure out. Julian’s eyes were still on her.

“Do you have something to say, Danielle?”

“I want to leave. I want to go home.” She wanted to get away from him. The very fact that she felt a desperate need to apologize and do anything it took to get his approval made her want to flee in terror.

His jaw tightened, but then he took a step back. The iron will on his face turned to a mask of smooth indifference. “Of course. Do you have someone to call, or would you like me to drive you? If you feel uncomfortable with me, I am sure I can find someone else to take you wherever you would like to go.”

She didn’t like the way he looked through her as though she was something he’d already dismissed from his life. He was giving her what she wanted. He was being polite, nonthreatening, and utterly distant. She hated it. She had spent so much of her life feeling invisible, the thought of this man looking through her made her eyes water. She nodded, unable to speak.

His hand came out and slid over hers. The touch of his skin sent tingles across her whole body. “Don’t cry, Danielle. I promise I’ll make sure you get home. Jackson?”

“I can have one of the hands take her home. She knows Ricky and Tom. She should feel comfortable with them.”

Panic threatened again. Home? She’d moved all of her clothes and things into Jimbo’s house. She could go home to the house she grew up in, but Val was there. The thought of listening to her baby sister rage about how she’d screwed everything up was more than she could handle. And Finn could find her there. She couldn’t stand the thought of seeing pity on his face. She also couldn’t stand the thought of never seeing the man in front of her again. It was stupid. She’d just left her groom at the altar. She wasn’t in Julian Lodge’s league. She should have Ricky or Tom take her to the church, and she could figure out what to do from there. Her hand curled into Julian’s large one, and she shook her head. “Please let me stay the night.”

His mouth turned down. “That is up to Jackson.”

Jack Barnes watched the scene with his arms crossed over his solid chest. “I don’t think that’s what she’s asking, Julian.”

“Then she needs to have the courage to ask me for what she wants.” His foot tapped against the hardwood floor.

Dani swallowed as she looked up at Julian. His perfect face was staring down at her patiently. He really was going to make her ask. “May I please stay the night?”

He stilled his foot and focused that intense attention on her. “You have to be clear, Danielle. Are you asking for a room for the night, or are you asking to spend the night in my bed?”

Damn him. Why did he have to put it like that? It was so very blatant. And she wasn’t thinking that way. Well, she was, but she wouldn’t go through with it. She was insanely attracted to him. Any woman with eyes would want him. But she knew she wasn’t a sexual person. As much as she wanted him, she would only be disappointed in the end. “You’re safe from me, Mr. Lodge. I promise not to attack you. I’m not…interested in that kind of thing.”

That was a lie. She was beyond interested. She just wasn’t any good at it. She lacked something. While she heard other women boast about their sex lives, Dani just didn’t get it. She’d had three lovers her entire life and not one of them had managed to get her to that magical place other women talked about. After Jimbo failed, she had to wonder if the problem didn’t lie with her.

He snorted regally. His lips turned down in an expression of complete disbelief. “Really? You have no interest in sexual intercourse?”

“None. Consider yourself safe.”

“You have no interest in a man, a dominant man, bending you to his will? No interest in pleasing him? Let me tell you how it would go, little one. You would do it on your knees, on your back, however he wanted you. You would kneel before him and trust him to give you the discipline you require to come to orgasm. And you would come, Danielle. This man would make sure of it. You would come many times. He would train you to accept pleasure and that edge of pain that enhances it. He would train you to pleasure him, and in giving him pleasure, pleasing that part of you that needs to give. You would be tied up, tied down, forced to accept a crop’s sting across your flesh. He would bind your arms and legs and whip your backside when you displease him. You would learn to love the lash, because it takes you someplace special, someplace where only a person like you can go. After, you would be worshipped, with his hands, his lips, his tongue, his cock. There is no piece of you this man wouldn’t claim. He would invade your pussy, your mouth, your tight little ass. You would belong to him, and in exchange, he would protect you, cherish you for the gift you have given him. He would see to your comfort, your peace of mind. You have absolutely no interest in such a relationship?”

Her mouth had gone dry a long time ago. She forced herself to swallow. His words had gone straight to her pussy, and she shifted, feeling an odd softness at the juncture of her thighs. She should definitely run now, and she knew she wouldn’t. She’d spent twelve years giving to others. She’d given up her dreams for her sister. She’d been the doormat of Willow Fork. Today was about what she wanted. It wouldn’t last. She wasn’t foolish enough to believe that Julian Lodge would sweep into her two-stoplight town and carry her away. But, if he could make her feel something just for a day or two, that would be worth it. The heartache would come, and strangely she welcomed that, too. It would mean that something had happened to her, something she chose.

“I would like to spend the night with you.”

A slow smile spread across his face, making her heart clench at the thought that she had put it there. “Excellent. I would enjoy that as well.”

“I thought you were on vacation.” Jack was shaking his head.

“Yes, and now I am taking a vacation from my celibacy.”

“Celibacy?” A distinct note of incredulity seeped into Jack’s tone.

“Later, Jackson. For now, Danielle and I need to work out her punishment.”

She forced herself to breathe. “Punishment?”

“Yes, you were rude to me and our hosts.”

She really liked the way he said “our” far too much. She was getting in too deep and couldn’t seem to stop. She was sure of one thing. He hadn’t been teasing her. He seemed to really want to be with her sexually. She wasn’t sure why, but she wasn’t going to get stubborn now. She had been rude. “I am sorry, Sir.”

“I do not require your apology, little one. I require your submission. Five swats over my knee, right now. And then you may apologize to our host.”

Dani felt herself flush. Julian walked to the sofa, sat down, and patted his knee. She turned to Jack, who simply nodded as though giving his assent to the proceedings. Julian wanted her to lie across his lap and allow him to spank her? A vision of the way she would look spread out across his lap assailed her. She would be helpless. He would be utterly in control.

“It’s up to you, Dani. If you’re really scared, then you can talk to Abby and figure out what you want.” Jack sounded imminently sensible.

“You do this to Abby, don’t you?” She’d known that her boss’s marriage was odd to say the least. From the lunches she’d had with Abby, she’d started to see that she was very freethinking in her sexual beliefs. It didn’t put Dani off. It just made her think that Abby Barnes was a woman to admire. Abby loved and was loved and didn’t apologize for it.

Jack’s lips quirked up. “Yes, I do. But I understand that it might be intimidating to a newbie. If you’re scared, know that I won’t toss you aside. You’re my wife’s friend. I will take care of you.”

That was the easy way out. That was the way “careful Dani” would go. This Dani wanted to know what it felt like to be with Julian. This Dani wasn’t backing down. She walked to Julian. She started to lean over him. His hand came up, stopping her.

“Pull the pants down, little one.”

She hesitated. Julian simply waited. His face was open and showed no signs of intimidation. He was waiting to see if she complied. Why did he leave it up to her? She cast a glance at Jack, but he didn’t seem to be leaving.

“She should have a safe word,” Jack murmured Julian’s way as he watched them.

“Fine. Danielle, select a safe word. This is a word you say if you wish for everything to stop. If you say this word, I will stop what I am doing and walk away. It should be a word that you wouldn’t normally say during intercourse, so try to avoid yes, no, god, and please, please, please.”

She laughed at his unwavering confidence. It lifted her spirits and made him even more attractive. “How about hippopotamus?” She hoped that word wouldn’t float through either of their heads when they had sex.

“Excellent.” He patted his knees again.

No more procrastination. She was either in or out. She really wanted to be in. She could lie to everyone else, but her pussy wasn’t lying. It was throbbing in a completely foreign way at the thought of Julian’s hand striking her ass. She undid her belt. Her fingers went to the fly of her borrowed jeans. She wished they were alone, but it was obvious this was a test of sorts. She meant to pass it. She shoved the jeans down past her hips and quickly lowered herself over Julian’s lap, hoping Jack Barnes didn’t get a view of her cootchie.

Julian’s hand smoothed across the flesh of her ass. She felt him start at her waist and trail all along her skin down to her thighs. Every nerve stood at attention, as though waiting for his further consideration.

“You are lovely, Danielle. I can’t wait to see you naked.”

That deep, dark voice was completely serious in its intent. He wasn’t teasing her. He really wanted to see her naked. He wanted to see her without her bra or panties. He wanted to see her breasts and her pussy. No one had ever simply said he would like to see her. She wiggled her ass, unable to remain still.

She felt his cock get hard against the side of her torso. “Yes, that’s what I want, little one.”

She squealed as his hand struck the fleshy part of her ass. If he was holding back, she couldn’t tell. It stung harshly. Her eyes watered, her breath hitched.

“I need you to count, Danielle. I wouldn’t want to lose track.”

Bastard. “One.”

Immediately she felt the second blow. She hissed as her other cheek went up in flames.

“You’re doing very well for a novice, little one.” His soothing tone slid across her.

“Two.” She wasn’t about to disappoint him now. She could handle this. The fire that started on her cheeks had warmed to a deep heat that sank into her flesh. It felt almost pleasurable. He struck again, and her eyes watered. “Three.”

His hand struck again, merciless in its intent. She felt her head sag. She gave over. She’d made the decision not to give in to the pain, and now that pain was turning into something else. She allowed her whole body to relax. Her knees softened, and she felt boneless against him. Her hands found his ankles, seeking something solid.

“Four.” Her voice was the only thing with a lick of will now. Her ass was on fire, and damned if that didn’t feel interesting.

His final blow landed along the crease of her ass. She simply sighed and waited for the pain to turn to something more. She let the rest of the world go and concentrated on what she felt. This was a special place. Nothing existed here except her feelings.

“Little one, I need a count.” Julian’s amused voice pulled her out of her warm, safe place.

She stiffened. “Five.”

Strong arms pulled her up. Gray eyes looked into hers. “I am so proud of you. You did very well.” He kissed her soundly. “Now pull up your pants and apologize so we can go and have dinner. Tonight I will thank you properly for your very good behavior.”

She managed to force her way up to standing and quickly rearranged her jeans. Blushing furiously, she turned to Jack Barnes. “I am very sorry, Mr. Barnes.”

Jack was flushed. He nodded shortly. “Apology accepted.” His eyes shifted to Julian. “Dinner should be served in thirty minutes. I might be late, you bastard.” He practically ran from the room.

Julian was grinning broadly. He sat back, not bothering to hide the enormous erection he was sporting. “Sit down beside me, little one. I believe our host will be awhile. We can sit and cuddle.”

She sank down next to Julian Lodge. His arm came around her shoulder, and she leaned into his heat. She let her head rest against his chest and felt safer than she had all day. She fell asleep to the steady beat of his heart.

Finn sat in the bridal room with his head in his hands. The air conditioner came on, filling the room with cold air that didn’t penetrate his body. He couldn’t seem to make himself care about what was going on around him.

He didn’t even know where she was or who she was with. A slow anger started to build, pushing through the sadness. She’d run. She’d jumped into a stranger’s car and fled as he called out for her. That idiot fiancé of hers had stood back, but Finn had sprinted, trying to catch her. Finn could understand her leaving Jimbo behind, but he couldn’t fathom why she would leave him.

She’d never left him. Not even when they were kids. Not even when she’d found out just how different he was. She’d been the first one he’d come out to, when he was so confused he wasn’t sure what he was. She’d stood by him when everyone else turned against him. Why had she run today?

With a bitter feeling in the pit of his stomach, he gathered her things. No one else would do it. They were all too busy gossiping and eating pie. It was what these people did. They had started whispering the second it became apparent the wedding wasn’t going to go as planned. The buzzards had started to circle. Those old ladies who moaned about their hips had moved pretty damn quick to get a good view of Dani’s escape. He’d had to make his way around them to follow her. By the time he’d gotten back to the church, they were all sniping about how they knew she wouldn’t come to anything. After all, she was thirty and only had a job because That Woman took pity on her.

He hated them. Not all of them, of course. It wasn’t like he’d never found a moment’s kindness here. There were teachers who had encouraged him. The town librarian had always given him a place to hide when the bullies got to be too much. But through it all, Dani had been his anchor.

When they had graduated from high school, he’d been the one who had left her behind.

Finn shoved her sneakers into the small travel bag they had prepared the night before. She and Jimbo hadn’t planned much of a honeymoon. They were supposed to spend the weekend at a casino in Shreveport. He’d shuddered when she’d told him. A couple of nights in some smoke-filled casino wasn’t his idea of a romantic trip. If he’d married Dani, he would have taken her to Europe. He would have let her plan the trip of her dreams. Italy, France, England. He would have taken her to all the places they’d dreamed of visiting when they were kids.

This was his fault.

“It’s your fault, you know.”

Finn turned at the sound of Val’s voice. Dani’s sister was seven years younger, but had ages of conniving bitch experience on her. “Thanks for your input, Val. Feel free to go back and gossip to your heart’s content. I’ll clean up in here.”

It would give him something to do. He couldn’t imagine that he would get a wink of sleep until he figured out where Dani was.

He sighed as he found her cell phone. There went one shot at reaching her.

“They’re starting to clean up in there,” Val said with a sniff.

No wonder she’d come looking for him. Val had always managed to get out of any kind of work. Finn couldn’t stand the sight of her. She was almost sickly thin. Though both she and her sister were natural blondes, Val had bleached out the honey color to a full platinum. Both women had green eyes, but somehow Val’s were harder, colder. Finn didn’t like Val, never had. Even as a small child, she’d been deceitful and cruel. She’d taken everything Dani had to give and, as far as Finn could see, gave nothing at all back.

“I’ll just take Dani’s stuff with me. She’ll call me when she’s ready to talk.” Finn wasn’t about to leave it up to Val. Val would sell Dani’s things if she thought she could make a buck.

Her eyes went wide, and she bit into her bottom lip. Finn immediately went on high alert.

“Please tell her to call me. I’m so worried about her.” Her voice hitched as though she was about to cry.

This was the time when the man was supposed to get all soft and willing to listen to her bullshit. Finn was not that man. “What do you want?” She always wanted something.

Her arms crossed defensively over her chest. “She’s my sister. Can’t I be worried about her?”

If she had a heart, maybe. Val had gotten rid of her heart long ago in an attempt to get back to her birth weight. “No. You have an angle. I want to know what it is.”

She dropped the innocent act. Her lip snarled briefly. “You’re an asshole, Finn. I don’t care what you think. I need to talk to my sister. If you find her before I do, tell her to call me. We need to figure out what we’re going to do with the house. She was supposed to sell me her half of the house. I can’t have a damn roommate forever.”

He would have said Val couldn’t shock him. He’d been wrong. “That is the house she raised you in. She gave up her whole future to keep that house so you had a place to live. She didn’t go to college, so you wouldn’t go into foster care. Do you have any idea how hard that was for her?”

Val shrugged and flicked her nails. “I’m offering her a good deal. She can find someplace else. She’s lived there all her life. You would think she’d be sick of it by now. I’m doing her a favor.”

He huffed and zipped the bag closed. He didn’t want to spend any more time in Val’s presence than he had to. “Some favor. I bet you’ll try to cheat her somehow. I will take a look at any paperwork you want Dani to sign.”

She paled a bit, but her voice was filled with malice. “Why don’t you just take her back to the city with you? Don’t you need a hag or something?”

“Fuck you, Val.”

“Only a real man could do that.” She rolled those cold eyes. “That’s why you’re perfect for Dani. She wouldn’t know a real man if one tried to marry her. Oh, yeah, she fucked that up, too. She has pissed off a bunch of the women in this town. Trust me, she’ll be damned grateful I’m willing to buy her out. She is not going to want to live in this town after her stunt.”

Val turned on her stilettos and slunk off.

A slow heat started to spread through Finn’s body as Val’s words sank in. Dani had stayed for Val. After Val finished college, Dani had stayed because she didn’t know anything else. What if she had to leave? What if the town became completely unbearable? She would need a friend. She would need him.

Once he had her on his home turf, he would show her that they could make a relationship work. She would be surprised at first, but she would come around.

He slung the bag over his shoulder. He would make it work.

He just had to figure out where she was.