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Sensing his intentions, Tiff dug in her heels, trying to stop their forward movement. Despite her resistance, they made it to the elevator. Before Lukus pushed the call button, the doors opened, and a hulking Derek loomed before them. Time stood still as the two men shared an intense stare.
Lukus broke the silence. “Get out of my way. Tiff wanted to see the club so bad, I’m gonna take her downstairs and introduce her to a few of the toys we keep in the backstage dungeon.”
Derek didn’t budge. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Let’s go back inside.”
“I don’t remember asking you for your opinion. You handle your woman the way you want to. I’ll handle mine.”
“She’s not ready for that, man, and you know it,” Derek said calmly.
“She should have fucking thought of that before she defied me—before she did the exact opposite of what I told her to do. Get lost. This doesn’t concern you.”
“Like hell it doesn’t. You’re my best friend. I took one look at you and knew you were barely holding it together. We talked about this today. She isn’t a normal club sub. You need to take this slow. You haven’t even gone through a contract with her yet. Look at her, man. She’s scared half to death, and you’re about to break the cardinal rule I’ve heard you spew a thousand times to other Doms—never punish when you’re angry.”
Holy fuck. What the hell am I doing?
Lukus’s anger doused slightly. His fear of losing control was now front and center, with guilt piled on top.
I’m turning into a fucking emotional basket-case.
Derek stepped out of the elevator and walked to Tiffany. He didn’t ask, he just took her in his arms, and she dissolved into a mass of tears. “I’m so sorry, Derek. I was so stupid. Lukus is right to be mad at me. I knew this was never going to work,” she sobbed.
Her last sentence sounded ominous.
“I’m sorry, but can you please bring my car back around? I need to go home.”
Those words sounded worse.
Derek pulled out of the hug to look at her. “Sorry, Tiff, but you’re not getting out of this that easily. I need to talk to Lukus. I want you to take your bag back to the bedroom and lie down for a little bit. Lukus will be back to get you after he calms down.” When she didn’t move, Derek switched to his Dom voice. “Go. Now.”
For the first time since she got there, Lukus smiled. The surprised look on her beautiful tear-stained face was adorable. Yet the thought that he was about to lose her was a sucker punch to the gut. She finally looked his way. He could see her confusion, and that was when it hit him. She was floundering right along with him.
Lukus forced down the emotions rumbling through him. “Derek is right. Go back and splash your face, then lie down for a bit. I’ll be back in a while.”
Tiffany looked conflicted. Derek spun her around and smacked her ass. “Go on. Get going.” She finally shuffled off, with one last pitiful look over her shoulder at Lukus.
The second she was out of sight, Lukus was up in Derek’s face. “What the fuck? Don’t touch her ass. Who the hell do you think you are?”
In typical Derek fashion, he didn’t back down. “I’m the asshole who just stopped you from making the biggest mistake of your life, that’s who. I’ve been waiting for this. I thought we’d have a little more time, but hey, no time like the present.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You. Losing your shit. I knew it was coming. So, let’s deal with it.”
Lukus had had enough. He moved around Derek to beeline it to the bar and pour himself a tall shot of whiskey. The burn flamed on the way down. He downed one more before walking to the floor-to-ceiling wall of windows facing east. The familiar Chicago skyline greeted him like an old friend. He was relieved. Finally, something in his life that was steady, that wasn’t out of control.
He didn’t know how long he stood there before Derek joined him, handing him a cold beer. They remained silent, looking out on the city together. Lukus appreciated the fact that Derek seemed to be waiting until he’d pulled himself together before continuing.
“So, you ready to talk about it yet?”
“No.”
“Too fucking bad,” Derek said.
“Fine. What the hell just happened?”
“You lost your shit. That’s what happened.”
“I don’t lose my shit.” Lukus was adamant.
