Masterpiece (The Masters of The Order Book 1) Read Online Free

Professor.
    She was at least ten years his junior. Hands off, letch.
    She was a fixture in his life until spring. Hands off, Mr. Wham, Bam, Thank You, Ma’am.
    She was refined, classy and not a player. Hands off, playboy.
    She was innocent, and ah God, so sweetly submissive. Did she realize what the sight of her lowering her gaze did to a man like him? How the shy desire filled her eyes when he commanded her to look at him again? How deliciously shivery her body became beneath his probing stare?
    “Hands off, Dom!”
    Nicolai banged his head against the high back of the banquette and ignored his stiffening erection. This little X-rated thing he had going in his mind with his new apprentice wasn’t happening. He preferred sex hard and anonymous. That’s why he hung out at the Dungeon. A little fun and done. A fine creature like Julianne deserved better than that.
    Better than me.
    Even though love had no relevance to his life right now, a part of him, a small, very well hidden part, yearned for it. But he had no ability for love or commitment. His father made damn sure of that. Just thinking about dear old dad made him wince.
    He motioned to the waitress for another Martell L’Or as Jacques stepped into view.
    “Hello, gorgeous.”
    Nicolai slapped a mask over the brewing turmoil. Jacques knew him better than anyone, but he wasn’t in the mood for a soul-searching heart-to-heart. “You’re the second person who’s said that to me tonight.”
    “Only the second? You’re losing your touch, my cousin.”
    “Then it’s a good thing you’re here. Dressed to impress, I see.” He scanned the leather pants and black silk shirt that was unbuttoned to Jacques’s waist. “Very rock star for a business tycoon.”
    “In this place, leather beats Armani every time.” Jacques put on a pooh face. “Are we not in our happy place tonight, Nico?”
    “Don’t push me, man. It’s been a shitty day,” he groaned with a sharp tug on his tie.
    The playfulness fell away. “What?”
    “Nothing. Just a bad day.”
    He should have known the brush off wouldn’t work. Jacques pressed on.
    “Bad review?”
    “Like I would care.”
    “Stiffed by a client?”
    “My clients don’t stiff.”
    “Painter’s block?”
    “You’re kidding, right?”
    “A woman?”
    One look into those intense copper eyes and Nicolai huffed. It was like his cousin could see into his soul. Had been that way since they were kids. They shared everything, kinks and all, and God knew, Jacques’s kinks made him look almost tame.
    “It is a woman. I knew it. Who is she?” Jacques was gloating.
    “No one you know.”
    “Not yet, you dog."
    Flash the image of a naked Julianne locked between them.
    Nicolai shifted in his seat. “It’s not what you think. I’m interested in her professionally.”
    “Professionally. Really? And you’ve got that look on your face because you’re not hot for her.”
    He scowled at his meddling cousin.
    “You don’t want to tell me, fine. I’ll find out about this girl you’re not hot for soon enough. For the time being, anything good here tonight?” Jacques asked as he took in the crowd, not so subtly changing the subject.
    “The redhead we had last month mustered the nerve to show up. So brassy, that girl. Maybe we should teach her another lesson.” The comment was less than enthusiastic.
    “What, no mercy?” Jacques asked in his most innocent voice. As if he had any.
    He shot Jacques a dry look. “And now you’re some kind of a saint?”
    Jacques preened as he trailed a hand down his exposed chest. “I’m the fucking poster child for the Vatican.”
    Nicolai grinned. A little sin with Jacques was exactly what he needed to take his mind off Mademoiselle Giroux. “You game?”
    “You know it, brother, but you really are a selfish bastard to go after that girl again. Especially after what you did to her the last time.”
    Nicolai scanned the club until he met the hungry eyes of their redheaded friend