The Night Off Read online

  Synopsis

  Emily Parker has a busy life over which she maintains iron-clad control. Raised by drug-addicted parents, she’s used to taking care of the people around her, to the exclusion of her own needs. But not tonight. After years of celibacy, she’s ready to pay for exactly what she wants: to surrender control, by having it taken away.

  Having worked as a high-priced escort for years, Nat Swayne not only enjoys her job—she’s damn good at it. Dangerously sexy, she knows precisely how to fulfill the fantasies of women who enjoy her special brand of make-believe—all without ever becoming emotionally involved.

  When their night of intense play turns into something more, Emily and Nat can’t help but pursue a connection in the real world. Unfortunately, old habits die hard, and love isn’t always enough.

  Or is it?

  The Night Off

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  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  The Night Off

  © 2012 By Meghan O’Brien. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-60282-714-1

  This Electronic Book is published by

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, New York 12185

  First Edition: July 2012

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editor: Shelley Thrasher

  Production Design: Susan Ramundo

  Cover Design By Sheri ([email protected])

  By the Author

  The Three

  Infinite Loop

  Thirteen Hours

  Battle Scars

  Wild

  The Night Off

  Acknowledgments

  I want to thank the entire Bold Strokes Books family for their friendship and support. And specifically, thanks to Radclyffe for all she does for her authors and LGBTQ fiction in general; Shelley Thrasher for her incredible editing assistance; and all the designers, editors, and web/marketing gurus who work so hard to package my words in the best way possible.

  I also need to thank my partner Angie for all her support and for giving me the time and opportunity to write despite our parental responsibilities and generally chaotic life. Thanks to my friends and beta readers, Ty Justice, K.E. Lane, and Sandy Lowe, for their support and feedback. A shout out to my sister Kathleen for being awesome, and for my parents for always being proud of me even when I’m writing books I forbid them to read (like this one…seriously. Shut the book now, Mom and Dad. There’s nothing else for you here.)

  Finally, thanks to all my readers. I do this for you, and you make it so very worthwhile!

  Dedication

  To my readers—especially the ones who like dirty books.

  And to my partner Angie, who definitely likes dirty books.

  Chapter One

  Emily Parker nearly dropped her car keys when a strong arm caught her around the waist and a hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her surprised yelp. Heart hammering crazily, she struggled to reach her driver’s side door handle, then froze when her attacker’s lips brushed against her ear.

  “Unicorn.”

  The nonsense word immediately turned her body to jelly as fear of real injury dissipated. Anxiety and anticipation remained. She had known to expect that this could happen at any time, and now that the big night had arrived, she hoped she could go through with it.

  The woman behind her spoke again. “Unicorn, darling.” She removed her hand from Emily’s mouth.

  “Unicorn,” Emily repeated in a voice that quavered more than she preferred. “Understood.”

  “Good.” The arm around her waist tightened, jerking her back against a body that felt taller, leaner, and stronger than her own. “Now we’re going to get in your car and you’re going to drive us where I tell you to go. Then we’re going to have some fun together.” The woman moved the hand that had covered Emily’s mouth to her breast, kneading her roughly through her shirt.

  Her heart rate, which had steadied somewhat, took off again. It had been more than four years since anyone had touched her so intimately. The caress felt foreign and almost unbearably personal. But this was her fantasy scenario down to the most exacting, minute detail—exactly as she had described it to Janis at the Xtreme Encounters agency. She was about to live out her dirtiest, darkest desires with a stranger, to give up the control she held on to so tightly in her daily life.

  It was one thing to masturbate to this fantasy and another to actually experience it. She hadn’t known how she would react to this brand of real-life make-believe, but she couldn’t deny the flood of arousal that her pseudo-abductor’s hands had unleashed.

  The woman seized her nipple and twisted sharply. “Get in the goddamn car.”

  Gasping, Emily stepped forward and opened her driver’s side door. She eased onto the leather seat, grateful that none of her colleagues had stayed at the office late enough to witness this scene. The last thing she needed was to have someone call the police. She couldn’t imagine being forced to explain that this was consensual—that she had, in fact, paid for the privilege of being accosted. Choosing to be abducted from her workplace had been a risky decision, but the heightened sense of danger sharpened her arousal.

  The passenger door opened and her abductor folded herself into the seat. Nervously, Emily chanced a sidelong glance, curious about the woman with whom she would be spending the night. She had requested a butch, if possible, definitely someone tough—a woman she could honestly believe might steal her away for an evening of rough, dominant sex. A woman confident enough to say the crude words Emily knew would make her wet.

  This woman looked to be all that and more. With dark hair shaved close to her head, she wore a form-fitting T-shirt that showed off her defined arms and the bottom half of a pinup-girl tattoo. Butch was an understatement. Tough—maybe even a little dangerous—those words also described the woman sitting next to her.

  She was perfect.

  Emily inhaled sharply when the butch gripped her upper thigh, squeezing hard. “Start the car, sweetheart.”

  Hands shaking, she fitted the key into the ignition and turned it to bring the engine to life. “Where are we going?”

  “Don’t worry about that for now, good girl.” The woman moved her hand between Emily’s thighs, cupping her gently through her pants. “Go ahead and get on 101, heading north. I’ll tell you when to get off.”

  Emily eased out of her parking spot without looking over at the woman who touched her so possessively. It took every ounce of her concentration to drive them out of the lot and onto the freeway. Teasing fingertips played along the seam of her pants, making it hard to concentrate on navigating through the dark. She had no clue where they were going, but she had a very good idea what would happen when they got there. Janis at the agency had asked her to write out the sex acts and dirty talk she wanted her escort to include in their encounter. Emily squirmed as she mentally reviewed that list.

  Eager to see what the butch would say, she asked, “What are you going to do to me?”

  “Make you beg me to fuck you.” The hand between her legs retreated, leaving her cold with its absence. She tried not to let her face give away her disappointment.
Chuckling, the butch said, “Tell me the truth—does that frighten or excite you?”

  Emily didn’t want to answer. Admitting her excitement would work against the nature of her fantasy. Instead she said, “What’s your name?”

  “Nat.”

  She snuck another glance at the gorgeous butch. Nat. It suited her. “How do you know that I don’t have a husband at home waiting for me, who’ll call the police when he realizes I’ve gone missing?”

  Clearly amused, Nat forced two fingers into Emily’s mouth. Startled, Emily pulled away, but Nat gripped her arm with her free hand, keeping her still. “Concentrate on the road,” she commanded.

  Emily tightened her hands on the steering wheel and stared straight ahead, mortified by how much Nat’s rough handling turned her on. The fingers in her mouth swept over her tongue, then retreated.

  “To answer your question, I refuse to live in a world where this beautiful mouth of yours is used for anything except eating pussy.” Nat dropped her hand to fondle Emily’s breast, pinching and twisting her nipple hard enough to force a whimper from her throat. “So no, you don’t have a husband at home waiting. You’re all mine tonight.”

  Emily swallowed, amazed by the wetness soaking her panties. She hoped Nat wouldn’t make her drive too far. The sooner they could find a bed, the better. After four years without sex, she felt as though she couldn’t wait another five minutes. Still, her fantasy required her to be a not-so-willing participant, at least at first. “If you wanted me, you could have just asked.”

  Nat grinned. “More fun this way.” She continued to caress Emily’s breast as though she owned her. “So have you eaten pussy before? Or will tonight be your first time?”

  Emily’s face burned—part embarrassment and part arousal. “That’s none of your business.”

  “Oh, I think it’s very much my business.” Nat moved her hand back to Emily’s mouth, tracing her lips as Emily pulled away in mock anger. “I need to know whether I’ll have to teach you how to pleasure a woman, or not.” She seized Emily’s chin firmly. “So tell me, are you a good little pussy-licker?”

  Emily kept her attention locked on the road and didn’t allow her gaze to stray to Nat. She had nothing to fake now. Her humiliation was real. “Yes.”

  Nat released her chin. “Good. You have no idea how badly I need to come.” She pointed at the exit sign. “Get off here and take a left.”

  That Emily knew what would happen tonight didn’t diminish her excitement in any way. The memory of her written fantasy made her so eager for the first touch of Nat’s hand on her bare skin that it took all her willpower not to just ask for it. She gripped the wheel tightly and followed Nat’s directions as she navigated them into the parking lot of a Spanish-style building.

  “Turn off the car,” Nat said after Emily pulled into a marked spot.

  Emily did so, then withdrew the key and moved to slip it into her pocket.

  “No.” Holding out her hand, Nat said, “Give it to me.”

  Emily blinked in surprise. “My car key?”

  “Don’t want you going anywhere, do I?”

  This wasn’t part of her script, but Emily appreciated the improvisation. It worked well with the overall tone of her fantasy. She handed her keychain over. “Fine.”

  Nat pocketed the key, then released Emily’s safety belt. “I want you to hold my hand as we walk inside. Can I trust you to behave?”

  “Yes.”

  Sitting back, Nat grasped Emily’s chin and stared into her eyes. “You’ll address me as mistress from now on.”

  Emily fought against her instincts, which urged her to yank away from Nat’s grip. That was her need for control coming to the front, and tonight she’d promised herself that she would surrender completely. Besides, Nat’s forcefulness had all but destroyed any notion of feigning resistance. “I understand, mistress.”

  “Good.” Nat ghosted her lips over Emily’s, drawing a whimper from deep in Emily’s chest. She sounded so wanton and needy she didn’t even recognize herself. When Nat abruptly released her and got out of the car, Emily had just enough time to take a few measured, calming breaths before the driver’s side door opened. “Come on.”

  She took Nat’s hand, grateful for the support as she clambered out of her car. Her legs were shaking so badly she had to lean against Nat to stay on her feet. Without missing a beat, Nat pressed the key fob to lock the doors, then led them across the parking lot toward the building’s entrance. Emily stayed close to her side and said nothing, focused only on the sensation of Nat’s strong fingers curled around her own. Soon those hands would take her places she’d never been. Her stomach fluttered in nervous anticipation.

  The trek into the building seemed to take forever. Relieved that they didn’t pass anyone on the way, Emily schooled her breathing and tried not to stumble over clumsy feet. She didn’t want Nat to know just how anxious she suddenly felt. It didn’t matter that Nat was a professional—Emily wanted so badly to satisfy her, and she was scared to death that she wouldn’t.

  Nat tugged Emily into the lobby elevator, then pushed the button for the penthouse. She shot Emily a cool smile when the doors slid shut. “Tell me your name.”

  “Emily.” She kept her gaze downcast, sensing that eye contact wouldn’t be encouraged.

  “Emily,” Nat repeated, in a low rumble. “And what do you want?”

  Uncertain how to answer, Emily lifted her eyes and searched Nat’s handsome face. “Uh—”

  “You want to please me.”

  She understood. “Yes, mistress.”

  “Tell me.”

  “I want to please you, mistress.” Face on fire, she tried not to fidget beneath Nat’s heated scrutiny. Nobody had ever looked at her the way Nat was doing now—like she was a particularly savory treat.

  “How?”

  Emily’s cheeks burned hotter as she remembered Nat’s words in the car. “Eating your pussy.”

  Nat’s hand shot out and tweaked her left nipple. Hard.

  “Mistress,” she gasped, correcting her lapse.

  The elevator doors slid open and Nat stepped out, dropping Emily’s hand as she let them into the penthouse. Nat nudged her forward, encouraging her to enter first. Emily took a few steps inside, then strained to peek into the large room just beyond the front hallway. She’d nearly reached the end of the hall when Nat closed her hand around her upper arm, dragging her back a few steps.

  “No,” Nat said simply, then folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Take off your clothes.”

  Despite the fact that this was her fantasy, Emily blanched at the thought of willingly baring her body to a complete stranger. Nat stared at her with dark, predatory eyes, making her feel vulnerable in a way that bordered on uncomfortable. Swallowing, Emily shook her head. “I can’t, mistress.” She made sure to address Nat properly, aware that her refusal would be considered transgression enough. “I’m sorry.”

  Nat tilted her head, but otherwise betrayed no reaction. “You can’t?”

  Eyes tearing up, Emily studied her feet. For a moment, she considered using the safe word. To hell with the money she’d spent on tonight, which had taken months to set aside. Now that the moment had come to truly surrender control, she couldn’t seem to do it. Perhaps her fantasies were meant to stay safely within the realm of make-believe.

  Nat’s work boots came into view, then her slightly spicy scent filled Emily’s nostrils as she brushed her lips against Emily’s ear. “You’re a beautiful woman. That’s why you’re here. And this is the honest truth, Emily—I want you so badly it hurts.” A beat. “Now take off your clothes so I can admire what’s mine.”

  It was as though Nat had known exactly what she needed to hear. The words triggered a welcome burst of confidence, chasing away her doubts. She wanted this. Hell, she needed it. And she’d never been so wet. If she gave herself over to this experience, it could change her. At the very least, it would provide her an escape from the burden of always feeling res
ponsible for everything around her. That’s all she wanted. A night off.

  Emily nodded, determined. “Yes, mistress.”

  Nat drew away with a gentle kiss on her cheek. “That’s my girl.”

  Emboldened by Nat’s praise, Emily brought her hands to the hem of her shirt and, after a brief hesitation, pulled her top over her head. She watched Nat’s gaze sweep over her chest, glad that she’d worn her lacy black bra. It was a favorite, and the hunger in Nat’s eyes made it clear that she liked it, too.

  “Show me your tits.”

  Biting her lip, Emily gave up her fight against her embarrassment. She’d told Janis that dirty talk was essential for this fantasy, the cruder the better. Now she couldn’t believe she’d helped write this script. Couldn’t believe it, but for the fact that she was dripping with excitement. With a meek nod, Emily reached behind her back and unclasped her bra, then shrugged it off and let it fall to the ground.

  Nat’s quiet inhalation seemed very real. “Gorgeous.” She met Emily’s eyes. “Pinch your nipples for me. Nice and rough. Get them hard.”

  Emily stared at a spot on the wall over Nat’s shoulder as she complied. She groaned at the pressure of her fingertips squeezing her nipples, then hissed as she tugged them sharply. Seeing approval in Nat’s eyes, she kept up the harsh treatment until Nat held up a hand to stop her.

  “Now your pants. Go slow.”

  “Yes, mistress.” Still trembling, Emily unbuttoned her pants, then slid them down her legs as slowly as she could manage. She doubted she looked very sexy. More likely just scared.

  “Perfect.” Nat waited until she’d kicked her jeans to the side, then gestured at the lacy black panties that matched her bra. “Very pretty. Slutty.”

  Emily said nothing. Standing almost completely naked in front of a woman she’d just met, she couldn’t disagree with Nat’s assessment.