Perception (Club Destiny #6)(106)
Author: Nicole Edwards

“No, it doesn’t mean we can’t pick up in the future at some point,” Mercedes explained gripping Clarissa’s chin more forcefully this time. “But I want you to know who I am, Rissa. You have to understand that I’m not a pushover, and it’s my job to push my subs as far as they can handle and then some.”

“I understand, Mistress M,” Clarissa answered, her eyes locked on Mercedes, her tongue darting out to lick her lower lip.

“I will say this,” Mercedes began, inching just a little closer to Clarissa. “If I feel as though you’re holding back, not using your safe word if it is too much for you, then that’ll be the end. I won’t engage with you ever again like this. This is something I take very seriously. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Mistress M.”

“Very good,” Mercedes said, her head tilted slightly as though she were trying to read something in Clarissa’s gaze.

Xander hoped like hell she found what she was looking for because he was rapidly losing his patience. His mind was already halfway home and Mercedes was naked. Beneath him.

“I want you to undress Xander,” Mercedes instructed Clarissa and Xander’s gaze slammed into Mercedes’s.

Really?

She was going there?

Instead of speaking out, he swallowed his retort.

If Mercedes thought she could put distance between them by using Clarissa, the woman had another thing coming.

Chapter Thirty Three

Shane stood near one corner of the room, trying to stay out of the way as Mercedes took control of the scene that would play out before him. It was harder than it looked, especially being a bystander while a Domme directed Clarissa.

He liked where Mercedes was taking this though. He definitely agreed with introducing Clarissa to Xander. It was a nice visual. Xander with his overbearing personality and his massive body, Clarissa so petite and sweet looking… Definitely hot.

It did not, however, look like Xander was fully on board with the idea. But Shane would give the man credit – at least he kept his mouth shut.

For now.

It was rather intriguing to see Mercedes direct Clarissa, to instruct the woman to put her hands on Xander. But he noticed that Mercedes did not instruct Xander to touch Clarissa.

And that wasn’t an accident, he knew.

Although, personally, he wasn’t as impressed with Clarissa’s hands on Xander as he would be if Xander were touching Clarissa at the same time. More so if he were the one doing the directing of the two of them. Hell, just the thought of it even made his dick hard.

God, the woman was so fucking hot. And he knew she was generally game for anything. But he hadn’t played with her much. It had just been recent when they had started down this path. Friends with benefits, they had agreed. Multiple benefits.

As he watched the three people across the room, Shane was impressed that Clarissa didn’t say anything, nor did she look his way. She just turned to face Xander more fully, staring up at him. Way up.

Having played with Clarissa multiple times at Kink, Shane knew what to expect from her. Being that she probably felt incredibly safe with the three of them because they were all friends, although Clarissa had the least amount of interaction with Xander, she was likely going to go with the flow easily.

That was one thing about her that he had a love/hate relationship with. Although she was nervous, Clarissa tended to do exactly as she was told. She had no problems handing over the reins completely. If he said crawl, she’d crawl. And he had definitely pushed her limits a time or two.

But for tonight, Shane had zero expectations. He truly hadn’t anticipated engaging with Mercedes and Xander. And damn sure not with Xander as a fucking sub. Shit, just looking at him was difficult. Even if, as a sub, he still exuded that overwhelming presence that people strayed to.

The man was not a sub. You could dress him up and make him do whatever, but he still wasn’t a fucking sub.

Shane wondered just how long Xander was going to play along tonight.

Turning his attention back on Clarissa, Shane watched as she moved closer to Xander. Even with her heels on, Xander was significantly taller. And probably at least twice her width.

The man was built like a brick shithouse. Granted, Shane wasn’t a pushover in the size department, but he’d be the first to admit, he had never broken six feet. But he did have a muscular build, not even remotely close to what Xander was packed with, although he wasn’t a lightweight either. But truthfully, Shane wasn’t sure he’d ever met anyone quite as big as Xander.

When Clarissa’s hands flattened against Xander’s stomach, Shane’s dick pulsed again. Her pale fingers against Xander’s tan skin were a vibrant contrast. The dim lights in the room helped to accentuate the planes of Xander’s chest and stomach as Clarissa roamed up and over the ripples of muscle.