Taking Chances Read Online Free Page B

and
help. God help him, he wanted to touch her again. His rules demanded he rein in
exactly those kinds of thoughts.
    While she was gone he’d take advantage of the quiet
space and lock his rules in place. He made each rule for a specific reason.
Women shouldn’t find their Dom at work. Even if a fire had ignited in Lydia with
his dominant nature at a low hum, it didn’t mean she would desire it at a
higher level. Surprise wiggled its way past his frustration at the tick of
disappointment.
    Curious.
    Any chance of Jake having a vanilla life got left
behind long ago. The string of failed relationships in his early twenties had each
ended when he pushed the girl too far. Lucky for him, he worked for Keller. The
man had a talent for helping you get out of your own way. Once the boss tested
the water and found you open, he wasn’t shy in talking about his needs, which
helped Jake to talk about his own. Thank God, he’d passed Keller’s little test.
Having the flood gates open had released the bar weighing him down.
    During Jake’s second month working for Keller he was
taken to Club Voyage. Keller practically held his hand in explaining the life
style, but it only took one look to know it was where he belonged. The instant
connection took self-doubt from his shoulders. Now he understood he was not a
cruel man. His needs made him different, not cruel. In the club, he found women
who craved his domination. He would always be grateful for the acceptance he
found at the club.
    He loved the club and the safe place it provided those
desiring a kinky lifestyle. He could be himself and not worry about shocking
the women he approached. Sure, he wanted to dominate them, but he didn’t want
to hurt or scare them.
    He used to have dreams of finding the one, the one
who understood him, the one who would crave his
domination, and be strong on her own. She existed, but did he deserve that kind
of happiness? He doubted it. He’d inevitably destroy it anyhow. He made his
third rule to spare them any pain he’d inevitably cause.
    Friday nights at the club fulfilled his needs. A different sub each week, no strings, no commitment, simple. The third
rule had a problem he hadn’t been expecting. Simple could become boring. Taking
on a woman, like Lydia, and teaching her the lifestyle could be a thrill. He
could train her to be his. A soft spot tingled to life in his chest. He used to
want one woman in his life. One he could love. One he could adore. One he could
share a life. Was he ready to change his rules?
    His father had married too young, and Jake and his
mother paid for the mistake. Boredom wouldn’t be Jake’s reason for settling down,
or he risked it also being the reason he tore his family apart.
    His thoughts were madness. Lydia couldn’t be the one
for him.
    He knew just how to prove himself right. His dominant
side itched to get out anyway. He would ease off on the reins and give her a little
scare. Seeing Lydia scared by the very thing he desired would kill him and
drive the woman clear of his fantasy. It was a desperate man who willingly
tried to scare a woman, a decision he feared he’d regret.
    Lydia’s vanilla nature would help prove him right, and
then he would let go of his fascination. The plan was simple and fool proof, as
well as quite possibly, stupid. He couldn’t wait to get started.
    ****
    She rushed down the hall. What was she running from? Certainly not Jake. She stormed into the community bathroom,
grabbed hold of the counter and stared into the bottom of the sink. Big gulps
of air were yanked into her lungs, and she tried to calm her body and ultimately
her nerves.
    With her body relaxing, she dragged her gaze to her
reflection in the mirror. She refused to see a scared little girl. She wouldn’t
back down from the intensity racking her body. The emotions felt loose and
exotic, but no one ever got through her shield. Strict control was her pattern.
She had been around attractive men before, so she knew it