Nicole Edwards - Perception

“Since you’re clearly having problems understanding who is in control, we’re going to do this the hard way.”

Holding the bag out to her, he waited until she reached for it. When she looked back up at him, he gave her a wicked smile.

“Go change. I expect you back here in ten minutes. Not a minute longer. Understand?”

“Yes. Sir,” she said, tacking on the “Sir” at the last minute.

“Hurry up, your time starts now.”

Xander watched Mercedes, the bordering on indecent, yet fucking sexy as hell way her hips swayed, as she headed toward the changing rooms closer to the main doors. Part of him expected her to sneak out through the main entrance and never return. That’s probably why he kept an eye on her until she disappeared into the first room.

“Please tell me you know what the fuck you’re doing.”

Xander turned to see Shane glaring at him.

“I thought you were going to do your own thing,” Xander retorted, suddenly wishing he had another drink.

This was going to be a long night and as much as he anticipated it, he was already getting worked up.

“Do you really think she’s up for this?”

Xander stared back at his friend, irritated by the fact he was being questioned, but understanding Shane’s reason all the same. They’d both always looked out for Mercedes. Even if she was capable of taking care of herself, she’d come to mean so much to them that they made sure she was never hurt.

“I won’t hurt her,” Xander told Shane now, fury igniting just beneath the skin at the implication.

“Whoa, hold up. I know that. I never thought you would, but seriously, X. She doesn’t look comfortable with this.”

Xander laughed, his anger slipping out on his exhale. “Are you fucking serious right now? When has it ever been about comfort? The whole point is to push them out of their comfort zone.”

“By ‘them’, I assume you’re referring to subs,” Shane stated angrily. “She’s not a sub.”

Xander inhaled deeply.

It was true, he respected Shane. Hell, he even respected the man’s opinion, but he was seconds away from losing his shit.

“If I thought she couldn’t handle this, I wouldn’t have made a deal with her,” Xander finally said, holding on to his control with a tight grip.

“A deal?” Shane asked.

Xander noted the incredulous tone to his friend’s voice.

“Yes. Five days. She’s giving me five days.”

“For what? For you to dominate her. Are you serious?”

“Yes,” Xander answered bluntly.

“Is that all you want from her? To play a fucking game of who can top who first?” Shane asked, his back going ramrod straight.

Xander lowered his voice and looked Shane directly in the eyes. “No, it’s not a goddamn game. Not for me at least. I want every fucking part of her, goddammit. You should fucking know me better than to think otherwise.”

“Son of a bitch.” Shane exhaled, his defensive posture softening. “You lov –”

“Don’t even fucking say it,” Xander bit out. The time for talking was over. He wasn’t one to explain his reasons, but he understood Shane’s need to protect Mercedes, so he was making an exception, but he could only be pushed so far. “This conversation is over. You let me handle this.”

Shane thrust his hand through his blond hair, making it even more unkempt than it already was and still the man looked like it’d been done on purpose. “Fine. Just…” Shane stopped abruptly and glanced behind Xander, his eyes widening.

Xander steeled himself and turned around. “Son of a bitch,” he breathed out heavily.

“My sentiments exactly,” Shane said, a low whistle escaping him.

If Xander had thought for one minute that Mercedes looked hot in that dress she’d had on, well, he clearly didn’t know the definition of hot.

The woman had just managed to steal his breath.

And that was something not many people had the ability to do.

Mercedes felt naked. Well and truly naked.

Granted, she didn’t have much covering her, so it only made sense.

As she made her way across the club, it felt like she had to walk a mile to reach the spot where Xander still stood, and all the while it seemed as though everyone’s attention was on her. Although she knew that wasn’t the case.

Or at least she hoped that wasn’t the case. She didn’t have enough nerve to look around to find out for sure.

With the way Xander’s intense gaze raked over her as she closed the distance between them, she felt like she was standing there without a stitch on. Then again, the outfit he’d asked her to change into had fit into a tiny bag, so it went without saying that she was rather underdressed.

“You look fucking amazing,” Xander breathed out roughly, reaching out and taking her hand as he pulled her close.

She was tempted to curl up in his arms so that he could shield her from the eyes that were boring holes into her much too exposed skin.

The skimpy, purple baby doll nightie was quite impressive. The expensive silk was softer than anything she’d ever felt. Had she been in the comfort of her own home, she probably would’ve admired herself in the mirror, but here, standing in the middle of Devotion, she felt her anger building.

If Xander hadn’t been so involved with his conversation with Shane, he would’ve realized she’d taken more than the ten minutes he’d allotted her to change. In fact, she’d redressed once before finally succumbing to her punishment.

And here she was, dressed in her heels, a barely there thong and a wisp of a top that showcased every one of her assets.

Including the clamps that pulled at her now beaded nipples.

“Excuse us,” Xander said to Shane, never taking his eyes off of her.

Xander studied her blatantly for another moment before linking their fingers together and leading her away from the bar.

Crap.

She followed Xander, knowing full well he intended to take her somewhere so that he could dole out his punishment for her defiance earlier. Part of her was anxious to get on with it because she needed something to take her mind off of the fact that she was practically naked.

They didn’t make it far before they had company.

Logan and Samantha.

Mercedes stopped, doing her best to remain at Xander’s side as he had instructed earlier. From this point on, she was going to make a point to do as he asked. Since she’d already defied him enough to earn a severe punishment, she was hoping to earn back a few brownie points. Even if it killed her.

Had she been her own sub acting out like this, she knew for a fact that she wouldn’t have fared nearly as well. Xander was being way too tolerant. It made her feel good, but that’s only because she felt as though she still had the upper hand. It made her want to push him at the same time.

She’d committed herself to this – no holds barred. And he’d done the same. So why did he seem to be holding back as much as she was?

“I hear this was your suggestion,” Logan said as he approached them, nodding toward the open space, apparently referring to the themed play going on around them.

“It was,” Xander agreed, his fingers tightening around hers, adding a level of comfort she hadn’t realized was missing. “I’m rather impressed with the turnout. Glad you could make it.”

“We are too,” Logan added, pulling Samantha to his side gently. “I think my brother’s even more impressed. Sounds to me like Sierra has taken a particular interest in some of the equipment.”

Xander grinned as he glanced across the room. Mercedes followed his gaze, noticing he was looking at the Sybian saddle machine. She fought the urge to smile.