Crack the Whip by Desiree Holt

ridden fence so many times I think we can all count the fence posts in our sleep. And that’s a lot of damn acreage.”
    “They get paid to work hard,” he growled.
    “But not ridden into the ground. Shit, even the cattle complained the other day when you pushed so hard to move that one herd to a different pasture.”
    “Yeah,” Mark grinned. “I actually heard one of them ask what got your shorts in such a twist.”
    “I think it’s because he hasn’t gotten laid,” Vince told his brother.
    Mark lifted an eyebrow. “You could be right. His truck’s been parked here every night. Our big brother hasn’t been out doing his usual tomcatting.”
    “You two leave my sex life alone,” Reece snapped and tried to push his way past them.
    Vince put a hand on his shoulder. When he spoke, his voice has softened. “We’re just concerned is all. This isn’t like you. If something’s wrong, you know you can talk to us about it.”
    “Nothing’s wrong. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need a shower.”
    “And an attitude adjustment,” Mark called after him as he stomped off toward the house.
    As soon as he was inside Reece headed for the bar in his den, pouring two fingers of his favorite bourbon into a glass and downing half of it in one swallow. He didn’t need his brothers riding his ass. Not this week. And Clint had managed to add his two cents worth when Reece checked in with him during the week. Ostensibly, he’d called to check on some minor things but actually to check on how Katie was doing.
    Clint knew exactly what he wanted.
    “I think this is a big mistake,” Clint told him. “And if you screw up the situation at the club, I’ll be forced to beat your ass black and blue. But I know you’ll do what you want anyway. Just try to use what’s left of your brain. And yeah, I’ll keep an eye on her when you’re not here.”
    He wondered what they’d all think if they knew about his date with Katie on Sunday night and what the real purpose was. He was having plenty of second thoughts about it himself. He knew his own personality, alpha born and alpha bred, with the genes and desires of a full Dom. But Katie needed to know he would give over the same control to her that he was asking her to give to him, and he loved her enough to make the effort. He just hoped he didn’t screw it up.
    By the time Sunday rolled around his nerves were so raw he had to make a conscious effort to keep himself together.
    He allowed himself one small drink before he left the house, sipping it slowly. Alcohol and BDSM play didn’t mix in his book, and the club had strict rules about it. People lost control, lost their rational self, and bad things could happen.
    He didn’t plan for that to be the situation tonight.
    Katie’s car was already in the parking lot when he let himself in the back door. He walked slowly down the short hallway to his private room, assuming that’s where she wanted to play. And was surprised to see her standing outside the door, waiting for him.
    “I didn’t want to do this where you take your subs.” She handed him a key card. “Room five. I’ll give you a few minutes to get ready.”
    His nerves were jittering again as he let himself into the room. He loved her. He could do this.
    He’d taken a long time showering and preparing his body at home. Now he stripped off his clothes, laying them neatly over a small chair in one corner, and lifted the bottle of oil she’d left on the table next to it. While he rubbed it everywhere on his body, including his balls and cock, he looked around to see what she might have chosen for tonight’s play, but everything was still put away. Did she want him to imagine? To anticipate? Well, he damn sure was doing that.
    Finally he capped the bottle, set it aside, and stood beneath the spotlight, waiting as so many subs had waited for him. The heat of the light activated reagents in the oil and a layer of warmth spread over his skin. His cock and his balls