Four of Hearts

  Table of Contents

  Four of Hearts

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  About The Author

  Red Sage Publishing

  An eRedSage Publishing Publication

  This book is a work of complete fiction. Any names, places, incidents, characters are products of the author’s imagination and creativity or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is fully coincidental.

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or any portion thereof in any form whatsoever in any country whatsoever is forbidden.

  Information:

  Red Sage Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 4844 Seminole, FL 33775

  727-391-3847 eRedSage.com

  Four of Hearts

  An eRed Sage Publication All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2011

  eRedSage is a registered trademark of Red Sage Publishing, Inc.

  Visit us on the World Wide Web: http://www.eRedSage.com

  ISBN: 9781603107341; 1603107347 Four of Hearts Adobe PDF

  ISBN: 9781603107372; 1603107371 Four of Hearts MobiPocket

  ISBN: 9781603107365; 1603107363 Four of Hearts HTML

  ISBN: 9781603107358; 1603107355 Four of Hearts ePub

  Published by arrangement with the authors and copyright holders of the individual works as follows:

  Four of Hearts © 2011 by Roz Lee

  Cover © 2011 by Lynn Taylor

  Printed in the U.S.A.

  ebook layout and conversion by jimandzetta.com

  Four of Hearts

  ***

  By Roz Lee

  TO MY READER:

  When I first began writing the Lothario series, I knew, ultimately, I would write this book. As much as I loved telling the stories of these two couples in THE LUST BOAT and SHOW ME THE ROPES, I knew there was much more ahead for them. I know some of the themes in FOUR OF HEARTS skirt the edges of what society deems moral, but I ask you to reserve judgment to the very end. Everyone knows it’s possible to love more than one person in our lifetime, but society dictates we love in a linear fashion, one after the other. We see it all the time following the death of a spouse, or divorce, but what if you found the other love of your life while in a committed relationship? My two couples weren’t looking for love outside their marriage, but as you know, love finds you, usually when you least expect it.

  Welcome aboard the Lothario once again, where anything is possible.

  READER ALERT!

  Ryan Callahan can’t deny his wife Candace anything, even if it means asking their friends, Richard and Fallon, to help him tie her up. That first encounter opens the floodgates, and the four friends can’t keep their hands off each other! Open your mind and your heart to a love that pushes the boundaries in every possible way!

  Chapter One

  Ryan froze with his lips against the pulse in Candace’s neck. His erection surged with new vigor against her stomach. Why couldn’t his wife ask for something easy for their anniversary? Something like diamonds, a villa in France, hell, even an expedition to the North Pole? The image in his brain coalesced, and he knew he would give her whatever she wanted.

  “You want me to tie you up?” he asked as soon as he found his voice.

  “Don’t even try to tell me it doesn’t excite you.” Candace wiggled her soft mound against his cock. “I felt that.”

  He had no intention of denying his interest. Only a fool would, and Ryan Callahan was no fool. He continued his exploration of his wife’s creamy soft skin, all the while forming and reforming the new image in his head. His lips left her neck, slipped to her shoulder where he tasted every inch of skin, before angling lower toward the perfect swell of her breasts. His hands held hers pinned flat on either side of her head. He’d tied her hands once, when he’d spirited her away from the Lothario and onto the Vixen, but that had been role-playing more than anything else. He was pretty sure she had something more in mind. He hoped to God she did.

  Her request shouldn’t have been a surprise. She’d spent a lot of time lately talking to his best friend’s wife. Rope bondage was Fallon’s new research topic, and a passion shared with her husband Richard. Ryan inched his way lower, and teased one nipple to a marble hard peak with his tongue, before taking it in his mouth. Candace drew in a sharp breath and arched her back, encouraging him to suck harder. He obliged his wife.

  His wife. The moniker still sent a thrill through his body every time he thought, or said the word. Candace Callahan. His wife. God, what a wondrous thing that was. For nearly a year, she’d been his constant companion, his lover, his…everything. Before he’d met Candace, he’d been lost and alone, searching for something he couldn’t name. Now it had a name. Love.

  “Well?” Candace prodded on a gasp as Ryan switched breasts, sucking the poor, neglected one in his mouth without preamble.

  Surely, she knew the answer. He couldn’t deny her anything. Still, he made her wait for his reply. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t given it any thought himself. There wasn’t much he hadn’t imagined doing with Candace.

  He released her hands and slid lower until he lay pillowed between her thighs. He brushed his thumbs over the neatly trimmed auburn triangle that drew him like a compass needle to magnetic north. The scent of her arousal filled his nostrils and fueled a primal need. He swept his tongue through her juices. She ground her swollen flesh against his face, and he knew she’d forgotten everything but this. He dedicated himself to keeping the status quo for the foreseeable future.

  * * * * *

  The tender was empty as it made its way back to the Lothario for another load of passengers eager to sample the delights of a Caribbean island. Ryan sat alone on the upper deck and as the island grew smaller, he turned to face the ship. He missed it on occasion. Not that he ever wanted to live onboard full time again, but there was a freedom there he’d never felt anywhere else, except where ever Candace was. With Candace, he could be himself. There were no pretenses between them.

  Richard would be waiting for him to go over the latest construction reports for the resort they were building on a nearby island. After that, he’d broach the subject that hadn’t been far from his mind since Candace had whispered her wish in his ear. After he’d given her pleasure, and taken his own, they’d talked about her anniversary gift.

  Ryan tucked the rolled up blueprints under his arm and made his way across the gangway, past the line of waiting passengers. He was well aware of the curious stares and whispers and pointing fingers, but he chose to ignore them. Wearing jeans and a Dallas Cowboys T-shirt, he couldn’t look more out of place among the passengers wearing their Lothario issued white bathing suits. Bikinis for the women, Speedo style for the men. A few of them probably knew who he was, even though he’d been out of the tabloids since his marriage last year. Seems, once a celebrated playboy marries, he’s of little interest. Ryan couldn’t have been happier with the situation.

  Richard was waiting for him in his Owner’s Suite, across the hall from Ryan’s empty one. Ryan shook hands with his friend and business partner. “How ‘ya doing? It’s good to see you.” They shared a one shouldered, slap on the back, man hug. “How’s Candace?”

  Ryan smiled. Richard was a change
d man since he’d convinced Fallon to marry him. This was the exuberant man Ryan knew from their college roommate days. Like Ryan, Richard had gone through some tough times following the multi-million dollar sale of the internet dating site they’d built as a class project. “It’s good to see you too. Candace sends her love. Is Fallon going to get to the island to see her today?”

  “I don’t know. She’s in her office, writing up her notes from the last few sessions.”

  Ryan produced a folder from his briefcase. “I have the financials on your new venture. Looks like the gamble paid off. I wasn’t sure how the public would go for monogamous couples coming aboard, but it seems to be working out well.” He handed the folder over. “How is Fallon’s research going?”

  “She seems happy with it. Most of the couples she’s booked have had prior experience with bondage play, if not rope bondage specifically. That’s what she needs for her research.”

  Ryan wanted to explore that further, but business was business. He rolled the blueprints out on Richard’s coffee table. “We’ve made a few changes I think you should see.” For a couple of hours they poured over blueprints, construction estimates and interior design layouts for the new island retreat.

  “It all looks good to me. You’ve been busy. I don’t feel like I’m holding up my end of the business.”

  “Don’t say that. You keep this ship afloat, you and Fallon. I haven’t forgotten how much work this is, and believe me, I’d rather build a dozen resorts as deal with the headaches you face every day.”

  “It’s not so bad. By the way, Drew is doing a great job. He’s taken over a lot of the day to day things you used to do, and Bree Stanton is as diligent of a Chief of Security you could want.”

  “Maybe I’ll have time to see them before I leave today. If not, I’ll make a point to see them next week when you drop anchor.”

  Richard pulled a couple of sodas from the refrigerator in the suite’s kitchen and held one out to his friend. “So, tell me what really brings you here today. As much as I appreciate you wanting my opinion on the construction plans, you and I both know it wasn’t necessary.”

  Ryan sat on the curved white leather sofa and propped his elbows on his knees, dangling the soda can between his legs. “I need your help.”

  Richard sat across from him, mirroring Ryan’s posture. “Name it, and it’s yours.”

  “Candace wants to take one of Fallon’s classes.”

  Richard stood and paced to the open balcony door. He stood a moment, looking out at the distant beach dotted with sunbathers. “You know they’re couples classes, and I’m as involved as Fallon is.”

  “I know.”

  Ryan waited for his friend to say what was on his mind. He knew Richard would have reservations. He had plenty of them himself. “Look, Ryan, its one thing to show a complete stranger how to tie up his girlfriend or wife, but it would be something completely different if they’re friends of ours.”

  “I know. Believe me. If I thought there was another way to give Candace what she wants for our anniversary, I’d do it. But she wants me to tie her up, and not playfully. She really wants to be bound, and all that goes with it.”

  “How much does she know about it?”

  “Too much. You can blame your wife. Fallon has been filling her head with stories. Candace wants to give it a try, and I haven’t ever been able to tell her no.”

  Richard turned around. “Tell me what she expects.”

  Ryan went into detail about his wife’s expectations, as well as his own. “I want her to experience as much pleasure as she can stand, and I’ll do anything to make that happen. Anything, Richard.”

  “Let me talk to Fallon. If she’s okay with it, then I’ll email you. You can come aboard next week when we drop anchor, and stay for the week. That way, if there are any issues, Fallon can help the two of you work them out.” He handed Ryan a folder. “Look at these photos. Show them to Candace. Be sure this is what she wants, and be damned sure you can handle it. There isn’t any way I can show you how to do this without touching your wife. We’ve been friends for a long time, and I don’t want to fuck that up because your wife wants to dabble in bondage play.”

  Ryan took the folder, added it to the stack of papers in his briefcase. “Thanks, Richard. I’ll take a look. I honest to God don’t know if I can handle this, but if Candace wants it, then I’ll figure out how.”

  “You could pick up some ropes from the gift shop, or some handcuffs. Maybe a little fantasy play would be enough to satisfy this urge of hers.”

  “Maybe, but I don’t think so. She’s not one to do anything halfway.”

  Richard gestured to Ryan’s briefcase. “Well, look those over and talk to each other. If she still wants to try it, we’ll figure out a way to get through it.”

  Ryan stood and shook hands with his best friend. “Thanks, Richard.”

  He had the tender to himself returning to the island. This time, he chose a seat on the lower level, as far from the small crew as he could find. He slid the folder Richard gave him from his briefcase. The session photos were graphic, and knowing the model had been paid for her services didn’t make them any less erotic. It didn’t take much imagination for his brain to replace the model’s image with his wife’s. His cock responded to the imagery, and he shifted on the hard plastic seat. Yeah, he wanted to do this with Candace, but the step by step photos clearly showed Richard’s hands as he secured the ropes, as well as Fallon’s, stroking, soothing, assuring.

  The engines slowed, and Ryan stowed the folder. Candace would be waiting for him at the house. Maybe after dinner he’d show her the photos. He wondered if she understood how hands-on the class was, and if she did, how she felt about it.

  * * * * *

  Candace gripped Ryan’s hand tight. Fallon’s office was small and windowless. Nevertheless, the four of them crammed into it—Fallon behind her desk, Richard leaning against the credenza, his legs crossed at the ankles, his arms crossed defensively over his chest. She and Ryan occupied the Parson’s style chairs facing Fallon’s desk. Excitement skittered across her skin. This was the first step toward her goal. Fallon studied their faces, her fingers steepled over her lips. Candace understood that the counseling was part of the process, that Fallon wouldn’t proceed until she was certain the participants were fully aware of the process, and all its implications.

  The air grew thick with their combined body heat. Her skin was on fire, and judging from Ryan’s palm pressed against hers, his was too. Richard looked like a volcano, ready to explode any minute. Only Fallon appeared cool and collected.

  “So, Richard said he gave you the session photos to look over. What did you think?”

  Ryan answered before Candace could find the words to describe her reaction. “Is it necessary for Richard to touch her?”

  Richard shifted uneasily. Fallon dropped her hands to her lap and looked Ryan in the eye. “Yes. I’m usually the one being bound, so I’m not proficient in the knots, nor do I have the skill to make sure the ropes aren’t too tight, or too restricting.”

  Ryan nodded. “Okay, but why can’t he just tell me how, and let me do the work?”

  Richard answered him, “You’ll do your share. She has two arms and two legs, and two breasts, if she wants to go that far. I’ll demonstrate first, and supervise as you learn on the other one.”

  “Ryan,” Fallon drew his glare away from Richard. “Richard has done this many times. He isn’t going to grope your wife. If it will make you any easier, he’ll wear his cock cage.”

  Richard shifted again, casting a murderous look at his wife. She smiled at him, and his face eased into something more civilized. He turned to Ryan. “I can do that, if it would make you more comfortable, but you can trust me, Ryan. I won’t attack Candace.”

  Candace squeezed Ryan’s hand, and saw some of the tension leave his body. “I know you won’t attack her, Richard. I’m sorry. This isn’t easy for me, but it’s what Candace wants, so I’ll deal wi
th it.”

  Richard nodded. “I understand. Fallon wears her ropes to these sessions. It helps demonstrate the total submission aspect of bondage. Even though she is technically in charge, she will do as I say. She’ll assist where necessary, and provide emotional support for Candace at all times.”

  Fallon had been watching her husband as he spoke. She turned to Candace. “Candace, all you have to do is use your safe word and we’ll end the session, right then, no matter what. Don’t use it unless you want all play to stop, for good. We won’t go back and try again if you stop the session. It’s natural to be uneasy, but there’s a difference between unease and terror.”

  “I understand. I trust Ryan, and I trust you and Richard. I know you won’t hurt me.” Ryan squeezed her hand and brought it to his lips. His gentle kiss on the back of her hand made her heart flip. He always knew what she needed. She glanced at his eyes over their clenched hands. His lips curved into a smile against her hand and she smiled back. She was the luckiest woman on the planet. Ryan might not be sure about this, but he’d do anything for her and she for him. “Ryan, we don’t have to do this. We can try something less intense at home if you’re uneasy about it.”

  “No. I’ll deal. It’s what you want, and to tell the truth, I want to see you bound. I want to have you totally at my mercy, but I want to do it right. I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt you.”

  “Then we’re doing this?” Fallon asked.

  “Yes, I guess we are.” Candace said.

  “Okay then. The ship sets sail in an hour. Why don’t you two go find something to eat. Light fare, nothing too heavy. I’ll see that you have a proper meal afterward, you’ll need it. Richard and I will meet you in the classroom in say, an hour and a half?”