Seduction in Black and White

Chapter 1 Jesse knew the penthouse was equipped with a so-called dungeon, but he hadn’t been expecting an actual dungeon. The room was large enough to shelter a small family, and it almost put Gideon’s collection of floggers, whips, chains, bars, knives, candles, and other assorted toys to shame. Almost. But combined with the collection Gideon brought with him from Chicago, it was almost frightening. Well, it could have been frightening. For Jesse Madding, it was just very, very exciting. He heard Emma moving around in the bedroom, methodically unpacking her clothes. He didn’t know what Gideon was up to. Securing the perimeter for all Jesse knew. Even though Gideon had spent the last month contacting old friends in New York and looking for the best possible location for their vacation, he was still nervous. Well, Gideon claimed he was just nervous. Jesse thought he was paranoid. But Jesse didn’t say anything about it. He was just happy Gideon had ultimately agreed to a vacation at all. Three weeks in New York City. Three weeks without clients breaking down their door at all hours. Three weeks of shows, fine restaurants, and sightseeing. And, oh yeah. Three weeks of the dungeon. Of uninterrupted time with Emma and Gideon. It was his first vacation since he began working for Gideon, and it was probably Gideon’s first vacation ever. The vampire had seemed a bit unclear on the concept the first dozen times Jesse broached it, first avoiding the subject, then outright refusing, and then finally letting Jesse sway him into agreeing. Jesse took a step into the room, and his skin already felt a bit tighter. He didn’t even dare imagine the things Gideon would do to them in this room. The way he would make them bleed, and scream, and cry, and beg for more. He set the bag containing his most personal items on a high bench. The collar Gideon liked to see him wear, its matching leash. The c**k ring that always pinched just a little, just hard enough to remind him it was there. The silk scarf Gideon used as a blindfold. The gag that fit between his teeth and held his mouth open. Gideon was in charge of the other items in their collection, but these small objects were his, and his responsibility. The leather collar fit snugly around his neck as he secured it. Gideon hadn’t told him specifically to put it on, but Jesse knew he’d like to see it. Emma had her own collar she kept with her, and Jesse thought she’d probably slip it on before she finished unpacking her clothes. She enjoyed Gideon’s small smile of satisfaction—the one you’d almost miss because it was just the upturn of the corner of his mouth—as much as Jesse did. “Well?” The single word drew him around to see Gideon in the open doorway, one broad shoulder leaning against the jamb. Half his face was in shadow, his dark eyes hidden, but the cant of his mouth was hopeful. “Does it pass inspection?” “Yes. It’s…rather surprising. I hadn’t expected anything quite so big.” “Funny what you can afford when you don’t take a vacation in…forever.” Jesse smiled. “I suppose it helps that you’re the stingiest vampire on the planet.” “I’ll remember that next time I look the other way on one of your book buying fiestas.” Entering the room, Gideon wandered along its borders, stopping once in a while to inspect a fixture attached to the wall. Though the drive had been long and arduous, forcing them to travel at night over the course of two days, he looked as polished as he always did. His dark trousers were impeccably cut, barely a wrinkle where they molded over his powerful thighs and tight ass, and his pullover only made his broad shoulders seem even broader. In this environment, with these accoutrements surrounding them, the effect made Jesse’s c**k thicken. “Odessa’s got better taste than I remember,” Gideon mused. He’d stopped and was testing a hook on the wall, its mate strategically passed several feet away to allow for a body to be chained in place. “Remind me to send her a thank you gift after we get back to Chicago.” “I’ll make a note of it.” Jesse crossed to Gideon’s side. “I can definitely imagine spending hours and hours in here.” Looking down at obvious bulge in Gideon’s pants, he added, “And I guess I’m not the only one.” “Because I haven’t had the chance to touch either of you the way I want since we left.” The glance he cast at Jesse was knowing. “Unlike two people I know who came back from their so-called picnic smelling like come.” Jesse knew they hadn’t fooled Gideon, of course. He had hoped since Gideon hadn’t said a word about it before, he wasn’t going to say anything about it at all. But apparently, he had only been waiting for the right opportunity. “It was just a quickie. To blow off some steam.” “Well, I’m glad somebody got blown.” He leaned back against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. His gaze flickered for a moment to Jesse’s collar, and his mouth curved again as he said, “I don’t suppose you took that chance to try and work on Emma some more about moving in.” “I asked her if she had reconsidered her decision. She said she’s happy in her apartment. But, you know, we have three weeks to change her mind.” He paused. “Or convince her she’s insane for spending time with us.” Gideon rolled his eyes. “I am not going to scare her away. I wouldn’t have agreed to this vacation if I thought I’d f**k it up by making her run in the opposite direction.” Jesse touched his arm reassuringly. “Just don’t come across as too strong. You know you can be a bit…intense.” He didn’t say a word. The subject of Emma’s living arrangements had been an increasingly common one over the past month, always ending with Gideon’s request she do so and then her polite demurral. Jesse understood her need for some independence, but it was a disappointment, nonetheless. He loved both of them; having both of them all to himself under one roof would be heaven. “Do you think that’s why she’s fighting this? Is it me?” “No. It’s not you. But moving in with somebody is a big step, even when the relationship is completely normal. Our relationship is far from that, and our lifestyles aren’t exactly compatible right now. She’s…she’s still living in the regular world. We’re not. I think that worries her. Just give her a bit of time, Gideon.” “This would be a hell of a lot easier if I could just f**k her bloody like I did you.” He rubbed a weary hand over his face. “Fine. Time. I’ve got lots of that. Three weeks of it, even. Unless Emma’s serious about seeing the town as much as she is. I can’t believe she packed so many clothes. I should’ve given her the same memo I gave you about clothes being optional for this vacation.” “You’re kidding, right? There’s no way she packed more clothes than you did. I’m surprised there was even room in the car for my bag.” He moved closer to Gideon, eliminating the space between them. “It would be easier if you could treat her the same way you treated me, but unfortunately, she insists on being her own person. What can you do?” His eyes were dark, his gaze heavy, especially when it returned to the strip of leather around Jesse’s neck. Gideon lifted his hand and ran his finger along the edge, and though he barely touched the skin, a thrill of anticipation slithered over Jesse’s flesh. “Be grateful I’ve got you.” His voice was rougher, rich with promise. “Though I’d be more grateful if you were naked.” “I can do that.” Gideon didn’t have to tell him twice—in fact, Gideon usually didn’t have to tell him once. If he had given Jesse a few more minutes before following him into the dungeon, Gideon probably would have found him in nothing but his collar. Within moments, his clothes were discarded, and he was standing in front of Gideon, visibly calm, though he knew the vampire heard his heart racing. Gideon didn’t touch him. He didn’t have to. A flicker of his gaze downward was enough to get Jesse’s c**k at full attention. “Oh, sure, I get all dressed up, and the first thing you do is strip Jesse out of his clothes. I should have guessed it.” The amused glint in Gideon’s eyes was all Jess needed to know he’d known Emma had been standing in the doorway the entire time. He glanced over, a comment ready on his lips, only to have it fade away when he saw her. In the process of unpacking, Emma had changed for the fancy late dinner Gideon had promised them. Normally, she wore comfortable clothes, flowing skirts or jeans, soft sweaters or loose blouses. There was the odd occasion when they got the chance to dress up, but not nearly enough for Jesse’s taste. Her attire now only proved him right. A sleeveless black dress flowed over her lush curves, highlighting her porcelain skin, and she’d pulled her dark blonde hair up, off her neck, exposing the black collar Gideon had given her the first month the three of them had been together. In this ensemble, it looked like a simple choker. Only they knew the significance of it. But what surprised Jesse the most were the heels on her feet. Emma had gorgeous legs, but she rarely wore shoes to highlight them. While changing, she’d slipped on a pair of black patent pumps, with a thin, nearly four-inch heel. They heightened the promise of taut legs wrapped around his hips as he drove into her. “You probably should have guessed. But I hope he doesn’t strip you just yet. You look…amazing.” She did a quick pirouette. The dress hugged her ass, molding like a liquid skin over the ripe swells. “Is it okay? I wasn’t going to get the shoes, but the girl at the mall said they made the outfit.” “They do,” Gideon said. “In fact, I might make it a vacation rule that you’re not allowed to wear any other shoes.” “I like that rule.” Jesse’s eyes were drawn to her legs again. “Those shoes, that collar…the dress wouldn’t even be necessary.” “You heard the man, Em. The dress isn’t necessary.” Her brows shot up at Gideon’s almost order. The sudden wave of desire flowing from her was dizzying, but Jesse was riveted by the deliberate lift of her arms, the thrust of her breasts as she reached behind to unzip the garment. “I’ve got my chains on,” she commented as the dress fell away. It exposed the silver links hanging from the center of her collar to each bare breast, attached to her n*****s by small clamps. “Jesse looks naked without his.” “Hmmm.” He glanced back in time to see Gideon assessing him carefully. “I think she’s right. Where’s your leash, boy?” “It’s still in my bag.” Jesse nodded at the bench, but didn’t take a step toward it. Gideon caught Emma’s eye and inclined his head. That was all she needed. She crossed the room, her heels tapping against the floor, and pulled out the long chain that acted as his leash. Jesse kept his gaze locked on her as she threaded it her through her fingers. Each fine, silver link reflected the light from overhead. She walked deliberately across the room, her hips swaying, her n*****s tight peaks. Emma paused when she reached him, looking at him with half-lidded eyes. He offered her a small smile before she snapped the leash into place. The immediate weight around his neck made his balls ache. “On your knees,” Emma said, her voice husky. Jesse immediately obeyed. Emma did not often take the dominant role, which made the times when she did even more thrilling. He watched her coil the leash around her hand, tugging until it pulled at his neck, and he fell forward onto his hands. “I brought a few special toys for our vacation. Let’s get Jesse as pretty as you are, shall we, Emma?” Lifting her foot, Emma slid the toe beneath Jesse’s chin and nudged his head upward. The heel scraped across his throat below the collar, and his c**k jerked at the slight sting. “I’m not sure he deserves it.” He loved how she threw herself into Gideon’s games without blinking an eye; she’d done it like that almost from the start. “Do you think you deserve it, slave?” Jesse didn’t answer with words. He lowered his head slowly, but watched her through his lashes, keeping his gaze locked on her face. Jesse’s throat felt tight as she watched him with unwavering eyes. He didn’t know if Emma had ever imagined herself in this role, but he thought it was a part she was born to play. He didn’t look away until his mouth was less than an inch from her shoe. His tongue darted out, and he ran the tip of it over the toe of her pumps.