Perception (Club Destiny #6)(10)
Author: Nicole Edwards

Oh, shit.

The knowledge that he was physically reacting to this – to her – made a zing of pleasure ricochet through her. Never in all the time that she’d known him had Xander shown any interest in her.

Or had he and she just missed it?

No. No, definitely not.

Seriously, they were good enough friends that she could walk around her house half-naked when he was there. Not that she did, but if she wanted to, she would’ve never worried about offending or enticing him.

Considering their dominating personalities were in direct conflict, Mercedes had considered Xander off limits. After all, one plus one certainly did not equal two Doms. That equation didn’t work in her lifestyle so she’d never worried about it before.

She was certainly worried about it now.

Remembering Xander’s question, Mercedes swallowed hard. “Yes, Master X,” she answered diligently, referring to him as he preferred to be called in the club – for Samantha’s and Logan’s benefit only. Master was a sign of respect, and even though she wasn’t his sub, Mercedes wouldn’t disagree that he’d earned that respect.

When Xander’s palm flattened on the inside of her thigh, slowly moving upward, Mercedes bit the inside of her cheek. When the tips of his fingers grazed the curls at the apex of her thighs, she sucked in a sharp breath.

“Are you wet?” he asked, his tone authoritative, his gaze still locked with hers.

He was putting on a show, and she knew it was her turn to flip the switch on her acting skills. Not that she would be entirely acting.

Dammit.

“Yes, Sir,” she said, proud of herself for getting the words out.

As though he didn’t believe her, his hand continued to roam higher until he was reaching between her legs, cupping her mound. He rested his hand there for a moment before he curled one finger under and slid it through her folds.

“So wet,” he growled, the sound incredibly sexy. “So fucking wet.”

Mercedes wondered whether he was just as shocked as she was by how turned on she was. Both by him and the situation.

Xander leaned forward, his chest pressing against her. She felt the heat of his breath on her neck, the rise and fall of his chest against her back. “Fucking hell, M. You’re gonna kill me here.”

She wanted to return the sentiment, but clamped her mouth shut instead.

His words were merely a whisper, yet they sounded as tormented as she felt. Mercedes had no idea whether she should be pleased or worried. This was quickly getting out of control. More importantly, this wasn’t supposed to be about her. Or Xander, for that matter. This was supposed to be for Samantha’s benefit.

Briefly, Mercedes glanced back at the couple through the mirror, noticing that their eyes were focused on her and Xander.

Mercedes had come to terms with giving Samantha a glimpse into the infamous world of BDSM by acting as Xander’s sub for a short scene, but her body’s reaction was belying her demand that this was only a demonstration.

When he finally took a step back, Mercedes inhaled deeply, but then she suddenly missed the warmth of his body against hers.

Wait. No. No, she didn’t. This was a demonstration. Not the real thing.

The flogger tails trailed over her skin lightly again, causing her body to tense with anticipation once more. By the way that the leather consistently brushed over her skin, she knew Xander was focused. It wasn’t long before the soothing stroke was replaced by a soft sting that began as he flicked his wrist, the heavy leather strands making contact over and over again. With every additional slap, her body was warming and her pussy throbbing.

She could think of only a couple of occasions when she’d been on the receiving end of those tails, and those instances were purely learning opportunities for her. She had to learn how to use one in order to ensure she didn’t hurt anyone. But this, this was vastly different.

Never had she actually started to enjoy it. Not like this.

Sure, she had always admired the way Xander used the tools of the trade, and she had to admit, he was incredibly sensual in his movements, but she’d never felt the effect firsthand.

With her eyes closed, the images that floated through her mind lined up with the stinging blows that began across her ass, on her upper thighs, and Mercedes worried that she was going to lose control.

“Is that what you want, pet?” he asked her softly, pulling her back from the brink as his hands traced the heated lines he’d created on her ass.

“Yes, Master X.” Shit, that had been an honest answer and calling him Master hadn’t seemed all that strange either.

She was definitely losing control.

“Good girl,” he soothed her. “Do you want me to continue? Do you want me to make you come?”