"I thought you'd have lost your touch by now, Tiff. You've been out of school for five years and you can still whip my ass on the court."
Markus wished Lukus had told him Aiden would be there. Having a Chicago police officer keeping tabs on the girls was a great idea.
"God-damn, I hate being beaten by a girl." The shorter, stocky man in the room leaned over with his hands on his knees as he gasped to catch his breath. It looked like Tiffany had been giving the men a workout.
Markus recognized the second man as Aiden's best friend and partner in the CPD, Josh. Tiffany had beaten Markus on the court more times than he could count, so he empathized with Josh's feelings.
Pushing the door open, Markus entered the gym. The second his wife saw him, she dropped the ball she'd been holding, taking off in a full-out run towards him. She didn't even slow down as she approached, launching herself into his arms with such velocity they almost crashed to the floor. Bri lifted her legs up to wrap them around his waist, pressing her sweaty body against his business suit while peppering his face with sweet kisses.
He chuckled, hugging her with all his might. "I missed you too, sweetheart." His hands were still trembling from his earlier worry.
She finally stopped kissing long enough to look at him. He saw both relief and lust in her deep, brown eyes. They'd been apart the night before, and he could see his wife had been as anxious for him to be home as he had.
"I was getting worried about you."
He had missed her sexy voice. "I tried to call. Your phone must have died," he said.
"Maybe, but I think the real problem is they made me play a stupid game of basketball. I suck at sports. I wanted to watch movies, but no... they had to make me sweat." She pouted.
"Well, for what it's worth, you look hot in your skimpy outfit."
That brought a grin to his wife's face.
The other occupants of the large gym had moved towards the door, as well. Markus put Bri on her feet, but she stayed close as he reached out to shake Aiden's hand. The two men hadn't seen each other in over a year, but Lukus had filled him in on how angry Aiden was that Tiffany was engaged to a Dom.
Aiden shook his hand firmly. "Hey, Markus. You look worried. I've been on watch."
"Yeah, well, I wish Lukus had told me that. I worried when I couldn't reach anyone and I got here to a dark loft."
When Aiden stepped back, Tiffany rushed forward to give him a surprise hug. The relief he felt coursing through her at his arrival betrayed her continued fear about Jake Davenport being on the loose, gunning for her.
"I missed you too, Tiff. I'm happy to see I'm not the only one you like to humiliate on the basketball court. It feels like you could use a hot shower."
She smiled shyly as she pulled away from him. Her quiet, "Yes, Sir," surprised him. It seemed Miss Tiffany was missing her Dom.
Rachel didn't even wait for Tiff to step away before she rushed in for her own hug, too. "Hello, Master Markus!"
"Hello, Rach. You make a beautiful cheerleader, little girl."
She beamed at his words.
He was struck by how all three women were looking at him. It only took a few seconds for him to recognize the unspoken desire in the air. He was happy to oblige them.
He delivered instructions in his best Dom voice. "All three of you girls need to go back to the master suite and take a hot shower. I want you in your jammies and ready for bed in twenty minutes. I don't want any hanky-panky either, do you hear me? It's past your bedtimes."
They stood stock still for the briefest of seconds before breaking out in matching smiles that lit up their sweaty faces. Rachel kissed his cheek, skipping off first.
Tiffany came next, placing a platonic kiss on his cheek. He could barely make out her whisper over the music. "I'm glad you're here, Markus."
"I'm glad I am too, Tiff."
Brianna lingered, unwilling to leave his side as easily. He had to prod her, turning her away and popping her ass with a loud slap that he knew would sting just enough to turn her on. "Go on, Bri. Twenty minutes."
The three men stood, watching the sexy ladies shuffle off arm-in-arm through the exit, giggling all the way. Josh moved to the nearby stereo controls to cut off the heavy beat, leaving them in a suddenly awkward silence.
Aiden filled it first. "So it's true. Tiffany told me you were a Dom like that asshole she plans on marrying." It was a statement, not a question.
Markus stared him down. The muscular cop didn't intimidate him. "Watch what you call my best friend."
Aiden's pupils dilated. He hesitated before asking seriously, "Markus, we've known each other for years. Tell me the truth. Is he hurting my sister? I worry she's been brainwashed by the guy."
He could have replied with a quick no, but decided someone needed to set Mr. Aiden O'Sullivan straight, and Markus suspected he was the perfect man for that job.
"I think we need some alcohol for this discussion, don't you? Let's go raid Lukus's fully stocked bar."
Aiden grinned. "Now that's a plan I can get behind."
Markus played bartender while Josh lounged on the couch and Aiden stood in front of the floor to ceiling windows, peering out into the Chicago night. Having drunk with the men in the past, Markus didn't need to take an order. He knew that mixing anything with Jameson Irish Whiskey would be a hit.
"I have to admit, the asshole does have an awesome loft and view of the city. A full gym—basketball court—theater. I never thought Tiff
