Seduction in Black and White

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

Emma was the first one awake.

Gideon was spooned behind Jesse, his face buried in his neck, while Jesse had his knee sandwiched between her thighs, pressing just lightly enough against her wet p***y to make her squirm. She glanced back at them over her shoulder, smiling softly at the look of contentment on their faces, and eased out from Jesse’s arms. Sometimes she couldn’t do it without waking one or the both of them; Gideon had the uncanny knack of knowing exactly when either of them left his bed. But this time she got lucky. She slid off the side of the bed and stretched, sighing at the soft ache in her n*****s from the clamps.

Vacation was good. Showering was better.

Being as quiet as possible, she padded out of the room, waiting until she was in the bathroom before removing the chains and collar. She loved to wear it for Gideon, but it was leather and would get ruined in the water. Of course, he’d use that as an excuse to get her a new one, but she didn’t want him to have more reasons to lavish her with gifts. He’d use it as bait in trying to tempt her into moving in with them, and Emma was having a hard enough time keeping him at bay on that topic. Gideon was very persistent when he got stuck on something. At least, Jesse was respecting her wishes.

The water scalded her when she stepped inside the shower, and she ducked her head beneath the spray, relishing the sting of it against her skin. She hated saying no to Gideon. She knew he wanted this—though why, she wasn’t entirely sure—but no argument she posed against it seemed to make a difference. Something was worrying him. She knew that much. Without directly asking, though, all she could gather was vague impressions. Being with him and Jesse made it both easier and harder to read Gideon. Easier, because she became more intimate with his body language in order to interpret what she got. Harder, because he got better at blocking her empathic attempts.

She heard the faint click of the bathroom door before Jesse said, “I thought something was missing.” He pulled the curtain back a little and smiled at her. “Mind if I join you?”

Just the sound of his voice was enough to make her heart leap. Pushing her wet hair out of her eyes, Emma returned his smile and held out her hand, the warm spark jumping between them when he took it and climbed in. Though four months had passed, it still felt wondrous knowing she was his. Jesse had changed her life. Saved it. She’d thought nothing could be better than his friendship. She’d been wrong.

He had taken off his collar prior to coming into the bathroom, but his neck was still slightly chafed from its edge. Emma leaned in and skimmed her tongue along the redness, savoring the saltiness of his skin. “Not too sore, I hope.”

Jesse sighed, tilting his head back and wrapping an arm around her waist. “Sore in all the right places. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I’ve been sore like this.”

He gripped her chin gently with his free hand and forced her to look up before claiming her mouth in a slow, deep kiss. It was almost sleepy, like he wasn’t quite awake yet. Water sluiced over their faces, the drops mingling where their lips met, warming her mouth and tickling her sensitive skin. There was an unmistakable flare of lust coming from him, but it was muted by something sweeter.

Emma let the kiss slow even further, reluctant to break the enchantment. Her fingers toyed with the hair at his nape, missing the curls that always came when he let it grow long. It would happen again soon enough, and she would relish it when it did. She cherished every second she had with him.

“We’ve still got three more weeks,” she said against his mouth. “Lots of time to make plenty of memories.”

“Honestly, I’m still surprised Gideon agreed to a full three weeks. I was almost willing to settle for three days, if he kept being so stubborn.”

She pulled back, twisting around to reach for her sponge and shower gel. “Don’t let him know that. He’ll drag us back to Chicago.”

“No. He promised three weeks, and I’m going to hold him to that. Chicago won’t burn to the ground while we’re gone.”

“Maybe that’s what happened the last time he took a vacation.”

Jesse snorted. “Maybe.” He gently took the sponge from her and worked it between his hands into a full lather. He didn’t speak for several beats as he washed the sponge over her chest, scraping her skin clean. “Did you want to go out tonight?”

“I’d like to try.”

Though she was still relatively new at it, Emma had gotten better about blocking out unwanted emotions from others. She kept her walls down around Jesse and Gideon because it was safe, because it drew them closer as a threesome, but it hadn’t always been like that. Once, she’d been ruled by the feelings she soaked up from others. Not anymore. And she owed that completely to Jesse. He had saved her from being auctioned off as some collectible and made it possible for her to have a life of her own. A real one. Nothing she ever did would repay him for that.

“Do you think I can handle it?”

“Well, the night is still young…ish. And it would be a terrible shame to keep you locked up…as tempting as it is to keep you locked up.” He rinsed the soap from her chest before cupping her breast, massaging her n****e with his palm. “On second thought, there’s a set of chains in the dungeon that I’d like to see you modeling.”

Her eyes fluttered shut, a soft sigh escaping her throat. “I suppose I can always drag you out with me tomorrow while Gideon’s asleep. He won’t mind if we go out during the day, will he? I can’t tell anymore.”

Jesse’s hand paused. “What do you mean?”

She opened her eyes again to see his blue gaze fixed on her in concern. “I just mean, he’s been really closed off lately. Haven’t you noticed it?”

“No…” Jesse frowned, his eyes growing thoughtful. “I mean, this last week has been a bit busy, while we’ve been getting ready. And I know he’s had some things on his mind. But I wouldn’t say he’s been really closed off.”

“Oh. Well. It’s probably nothing. I guess I’m just getting spoiled, being able to feel you whenever I want. I expect the same thing from him, and I just…forget I can’t.”

“How long has he seemed closed off to you?” Jesse asked, as though he didn’t hear her dismissal at all.

Emma paused to think about it. It had been so gradual, she hadn’t considered it before. “A month maybe?” She nodded. “A month. At least. Ever since you found the girl in the s*x shop.” Her eyes pricked at the memory. Jesse had carried the guilt of being too late to save Deacon Gowdy’s assistant like a shroud.

“A month?” Jesse wiped his other hand over his face, clearing the water from his eyes. “That’s about when he started his current campaign to get you to move in with us.”

“Started?” Emma snorted. “He’s been on my case ever since we got together.”

“Well, yes. But it’s definitely been on his mind more in the past few weeks.”

“But why would he push me away if he wanted me to move in? That doesn’t make sense.”

“No, actually with Gideon, it does make sense. He wants you physically close, he just doesn’t want you inside his head, for whatever reason. Gideon is a pro at this particular mixed signal.”

Her mouth slanted. “I suppose you’re the expert on his sort of signals.”

“I have been studying them for years now. But to get back to your original question, I don’t think he’ll mind if we go out tomorrow while he sleeps. That way, we won’t be taking any time away from his entertainment.”

Taking the sponge from his hands, she added more soap to get fresh lather. “You don’t have to go with me to the museums if you don’t want to. They probably all start to look the same to you after awhile.”

Jesse moaned softly as she ran the sponge over the red mark on his neck. “Well, I’ve seen your itinerary, and I do want to go to a few of the museums. Why don’t we meet for lunch, and hit a few tomorrow afternoon?”

“I like that. We’ll do the Frick. That’s probably more your style than the Guggenheim.”

“Sounds good. Why don’t we finish up in here, and go out to get a late bite to eat? Gideon is probably awake by now.”

She didn’t want to escape the water yet. The trip had been long, and her senses were drowning. Being with Jesse was a balm to the overload, but the intensity of being with both of them at the same time could weigh her down when she wasn’t careful. It was one of the reasons she still fought Gideon’s suggestion to move in. Sometimes, she simply needed to escape from all of it. Gideon didn’t understand.

“Do you mind if I stay in here a little longer?” She smiled, hoping he’d see it as the tease she meant it. “I don’t have the practice you do in recovering yet.”

She didn’t feel anything except understanding coming from him. Gideon may not get it, but Jesse did. He tilted his head, brushing his lips across hers, his tongue darting out to lick the drops of water from her mouth. “I don’t mind a bit.”

Her arms went automatically around his neck, her soapy body pressed as close as she could get to his. She loved Gideon, yes, but this with Jesse had always been different. Nobody ever made her feel as safe or treasured as he did; nobody else understood.

“You can always stay until he comes in and drags you out. That would be fun.”

Jesse’s fingers moved down her spine in a light caress. “That would be fun. Unfortunately, I don’t think my recovery time is quite what you think it is.”

“Even more reason to stay.” She knew she was pleading, but she looked up at him anyway. “Just for a few minutes.”

“How could I say no to that?” His lips moved to her forehead. “Turn around, and I’ll get your back.”

The smile she shot him was brilliant, her relief palpable. Turning in his arms, she deliberately wiggled her ass against his semi-hard c**k before pulling her wet hair out of his way. “This is always my favorite part.”

“Just because you know you’ve got me wrapped around your finger.”

She sighed and closed her eyes as his hands slid around to her breasts again. Apparently, her back was going to have to wait.