His to Take (Wicked Lovers #9)(60)
Author: Shayla Black

“April Fool’s . . .” Callie smiled, but reached to clasp Sean’s hand for moral support.

Thorpe didn’t say anything for a taut moment. “My unfortunate birthday has somehow led you to believe that my wishes were a joke?”

The stunning brunette looked uneasy. “It’s kind of a big deal, Mitchell. Please be happy. This weekend will be so focused on Sean and me with the wedding.”

“As it should be.”

“I didn’t want your big day to go by uncelebrated.”

Thorpe turned that penetrating stare on Sean. “You’re in on this?”

“Guilty.” Sean shrugged. “We’ve been planning this occasion for a couple of months.”

The dungeon owner almost managed to appear impatient and displeased, but a smile lurked under it all and gave him away. “So you encouraged this?”

“C’mon, man. She’s right; it is a big deal.” Sean shrugged. “You can handle being the center of attention for one evening.”

He crossed his arms over his chest, looking unmoved. “Just remember that paybacks are a bitch.” Then he turned to Callie. “And you, my sweet little pet . . . prepare to have a red ass. Every one of my forty birthday spankings will be for you tonight.”

Bailey stiffened and edged away. Joaquin let her go, lamenting her loss. She trusted him to keep her safe but not to touch her. He’d really fucked up and didn’t know how to change that.

“I figured.” And Callie didn’t look too distressed about it.

Now Thorpe appeared downright eager, and Joaquin totally understood. Bailey stood barely two feet away from him. As he raked his stare down her back, his gaze settled on her pert ass. He hardened, then cursed. That gap between them might as well be two continents because he didn’t know when—or even if—she’d ever let him touch her again.

And he had no one to blame but himself.

“But first . . .” Callie bustled across the room and grabbed a margarita rimmed with salt from Axel and put it in Thorpe’s hand. She held up a bottle of water of her own. “A toast to the birthday boy. You’re a great friend, protector, partner, and person. I got so very lucky when I walked through Dominion’s door. I don’t know if I’d be alive without you. I certainly know I wouldn’t be this free or happy. I hope this is your best birthday so far.”

“Here! Here!” Sean raised his own brew. “We might not have gotten off to the best start”—Sean grinned, and everyone in the room chuckled— “but there’s no man I’d rather share my days and my wife with. Salud.”

The man was surrounded by the family he’d chosen, by respect, devotion. Love. Joaquin listened with increasing discomfort. Blowing out a breath, he realized he had no idea what any of that felt like. In that moment, he wanted to.

He glanced again at Bailey, who looked at all the proceedings with longing on her face. To a girl who had been orphaned twice in her life, no doubt the lure of attachments and people who cared would be attractive. Logically, he knew why she didn’t want to have anything to do with him. Hooking up with the guy who kidnapped her when she was running for her life wasn’t the best move. But did she also shy away from him because she knew on some instinctual level that he wasn’t the kind of man who could give her what she sought?

Gritting his teeth, Joaquin jerked his gaze to Thorpe again, who looked suspiciously moved as he pulled Callie against him with a hard kiss. “This is probably one of the most amazing things you’ve ever done for me. I’m touched.” Then he scowled. “But I’m still going to spank you.”

She groaned, and Sean slapped him on the back. “We’ve got a few gifts for you first.”

Tara and Kata both grabbed their presents off a nearby table. London and Morgan followed with theirs and a few from others who’d been unable to attend. The birthday boy opened bottles of finely aged booze, cuff links, driving gloves, and a handmade deerskin flogger.

Finally, when the table was empty, Callie swallowed nervously. “Sean and I have two gifts for you.”

Axel disappeared, then returned a moment later with a big blow-up doll that looked like a drag queen in tacky lingerie. Painted on the plastic abdomen with red lettering were the words “poke me.”

The entire room dissolved in uproarious laughter. Even Joaquin grinned, because there was no way someone as sophisticated and obviously adored as Thorpe would ever resort to sex with an inanimate object, especially such an ugly one. Joaquin’s smile became a laugh when he even tried to picture it.

“Going for double or nothing on those spankings, pet?” Thorpe drawled.