Hoss’s Limits (House of Lustz #2)

Hoss Chapter 5

Four damn days and I was losing my mind. I couldn’t wait any longer. The discussion on Saturday night in Mikhail and Tajah’s apartment hadn’t gone how I had hoped. Sure, we filled Cady in on what happened before she got there. She let it be known loudly and clearly that there was no understanding between her and Reid. She wanted nothing to do with him, which made me extremely happy.

What was less satisfying was that she wouldn’t tell us, or more like me, what he did to her when they were together. The way she avoided the questions and her taunt in the elevator told me he was likely one of more than a few who had gotten physical with her. I wasn’t talking about the mutually agreed-upon physical punishments and funishments I would do. Those men tried to outright beat the brattiness out of her. The thought of it made me see red every time.

Not everyone was equipped to deal with a brat like her. I got that. However, doing those things to try and stop it was ridiculous. I would never want to change her that much. If I did, it would eliminate a part of her that attracted me. Most people would say I was crazy to want her. If so, then I was crazy. In my book, it was stimulating and would keep things from becoming stale and boring. Again, my need to be stimulated most of the time was the likely culprit. Whatever the cause, I’d embraced that need years ago. I was who I was. I had to allow the woman I was with to be who she was.

And there was zero doubt that Cady was the woman for me. The kiss we shared in the elevator had blown my mind. It took all my strength not to strip her bare and take her there. Only my desire to show her care and, for our first or hundredth time, not to be rushed had stopped me. She broke our kiss, but I was the one to let it remain broken.

By the time we finished talking at the apartment, I had to get back to work. Cady insisted she was tired and wanted to go home. Tajah tried to convince her to stay the night, but she refused. While they were talking, Mikhail told me to follow her home. He would have me replaced at the front door for the rest of the night. He knew me well. The idea of her driving alone at night didn’t sit well with me. To do it without her knowing, I said goodbye and left before she did. Ten minutes later, when she pulled out of the private garage, I was waiting on the street to follow. I hung back, but I ensured she safely made it into her place. I scanned the neighborhood, just in case dickhead Flint Reid was lurking there. I had news for him. He didn’t want me to be his enemy.

My gut told me Reid wouldn’t stay away from Cady. Since I wasn’t able to be with her twenty-four seven, first thing the next day, I made a call to the guy who oversaw security for my business and home. I trusted no one to look out for her other than him and his people if I couldn’t. Iker Sullivan and I met by accident several years ago. We’d instantly hit it off, and after checking into and getting to know him, I hired his company to provide all my security. He did a variety of different kinds, including personal bodyguards. I typically didn’t need that. I was more than capable of taking care of myself. But I was glad he did so that he could put people on Cady.

Mikhail chuckled when I told him there was no need for Bratva soldiers to keep an eye on her anymore. Iker’s people would do that. I wasn’t forgetting about the break-in at the clinic. I thanked him for doing it, but it was my job. Of course, he had a few things to say about that, busting my chops for wanting Cady. He did the protective thing and threatened me if I hurt her. I assured him it wasn’t happening.

Iker was in my office now, sitting across from me. We were in the comfy visiting chairs, as I called them. He was giving me a personal update on Cady. Although, I knew his real reason was to tease me about her. It wasn’t as if he didn’t send me an update daily.

“Hoss, I get it. I saw her picture. Damn, she’s a fox. I wouldn’t mind following her everywhere, and my guys sure don’t either.”

“Iker, I swear to God. If you or one of your whorehounds try to make a move on Cady, I’ll rip your heads off, shit down your necks, and shove your heads up your asses,” I menaced.

His laughter was loud. A growl slipped out of me. Before I was able to stand up, he held up his hands in surrender.

“I’m just fucking with you. Christ, remind me not to do that with a territorial man. I swear. No one is after your woman. But to be clear, she is hot as hell, and if you weren’t staking a claim, I know others who would. My people said she’s feisty. The way she went after the delivery guy for throwing her package on the porch was a sight to see, they said. She had him running for his truck. She said if she caught him doing it again, she’d shove the box up his ass.”

I grinned. Yeah, that sounded like my Cady Cat. I might not know her exceptionally well yet, but I knew that was totally her. “She is feisty, and I found that men in her past haven’t appreciated her. They’ve been physically abusive to her.” My grin was gone, recalling that.

He frowned. “And the one you told me about, Reid, was he one of those?”

“She wouldn’t say, but I think so. I tried to get her to tell me names, but she clammed up on me. I’ll get it out of her someday. When I do, those bastards better watch out.”

“You know how I feel about abusing people, in particular women and kids. If you need or want some help, call me,” Iker requested.

“I’ll keep it in mind. Mikhail is right there with you. His woman and mine are best friends. He tried to get some details from Tajah about the men in Cady’s past, but she’s close-lipped. Either it’s girl code, or Cady never told her about the abusive shit. Was there anything suspicious at the clinic last night?”

“Nope. She did stay until about nine-thirty. Your girl kept the lights all on. When she left, it was straight home. My guy walked the perimeter after she was inside and settled to be sure all the windows and doors were secured. I know you don’t want her to know about us, but wouldn’t it be better? I’d hate for her to spot one of them and call the cops.”

“If I tell her, she’ll argue, try to run them off, and probably for sure call the cops. Mikhail had Bratva guys watching until you took over.”

“Christ, only you would have Bratva boyeviks watching over your lady.” He snorted.

I’d been around Mikhail enough to know that boyeviks was the term for gunmen, warriors, or fighters. In the Russian Mafia, they were soldiers.

“Believe me, I never thought about it. Mikhail isn’t officially a part of it, but his family does come through if he needs it.”

“Oh, I’m not knocking it. Only a fool would go up against any of those guys. Was there anything you wanted me to do differently with Cady’s protection detail? If so, hit me with it.”

“As a matter of fact, there is. I only want ugly, married men who’re impotent watching her. I’d say women are fine, too, as long as they’re not lesbians. I don’t need more people panting after her,” I joked, though if you listened to my tone and looked at my face, it would appear as if I was totally serious.

Iker burst out, guffawing. He slapped his thigh. “Good luck with that, buddy. It’s not fucking happening. It’ll do you good if you have to worry. It’ll make you bring your A+ game with her. From the sound of it, you’ll need it. Leave it up to you to find someone perfect for your desires.”

He was familiar with my lifestyle when it came to personal matters. I didn’t hide my membership to Lustz or what my kinks were from those I considered friends. He was one of them. He wasn’t vanilla either, although I hadn’t gotten him to come to check out the House of Lustz so far. He was intrigued, though, so I knew one day he would.

“So, have you had any success in nailing her down? I have to admit. I’ve never seen you so into a woman. This is a lot to go through for someone you want to have for a bit. I know you said she’s not just a plaything. However, the others you’ve gone after to be more than a plaything you’ve never done this for in the past. Is it because she’s the only one to resist?”

His assumption took me aback, but then it dawned on me. I never went into full detail about what I wanted with Cady. I told him I wanted her and that she was in danger, but that was all.

“Iker, Cady isn’t anything temporary. She’s it. I’m ninety-five percent certain she’s the woman for me. Yes, she’s resisting, but if what I suspect is true about the men in her past, then it’s no wonder. She doesn’t trust. Hell, she even lashed out at Tajah a few months back when she got with Mikhail, telling her he’d hurt her. Cady Anderson is going to be my wife.”

His mouth fell open, and he stared at me in shock. He was silent for at least a minute before saying anything. “Fuck, why the hell didn’t you tell me that!? I got you want her, and you’re worried. But to know you already think you’ll marry her shines a different light. I wouldn’t have teased you like I did. I’m lucky to be alive.”

“I thought I did, but I realized I didn’t. The only thing I can see ruining that is if she absolutely hates my lifestyle.”

“How likely do you think that will be?”

“Not very. I tested it out the other night, and she responded beautifully. She’ll have to get used to me, we’ll set up the parameters of our relationship, and she’ll have to discover I won’t deviate from what I promise. Once she does that, I can make her fall in love with me.”

“You seem so doubtless. How?”

“Because I refuse to let anything else happen. Short of Cady hating me, I can give her her heart’s desire, not just in monetary ways. I’ll give her love, security, peace of mind, and more. She’ll be the prima donna of my world.”

“Beware what you wish for. A prima donna can be very demanding,” he warned.

“They can, and she’ll learn how far she can push me on that front just as I’ll discover where the line is with her.”

“Well, I wish you luck. Keep me informed. Now, I’ve got to meet her. Tie her down soon so I can. And if she’s all that and has a single friend, tell her to introduce me,” Iker said with a wink.

After a few minutes more of idle chitchat, he informed me he had to get back to work. I did, too. Walking him out the door, I mulled over what he said and asked about Cady. I wanted to speed up the process. It was time to stop sitting back and waiting. I was about to begin the courtship of my Cady Cat.

My chance came the next night. Mikhail had a Halloween party at Lustz every year. People found it fun to dress up even more than usual. Costumes weren’t unusual to see at Lustz throughout the year, but this night, more people participated. The whole night wasn’t spent down in the club. For those Mikhail invited, they’d join him upstairs for a private party. I’d held out hope that Tajah would get Cady to attend. I knew Reuben, me, and a few others would be there. Carver and Tajah’s mom, Tamara, and her boyfriend, Gideon, were attending this year. I wasn’t sure who else. It was my night off, so I wouldn’t miss it no matter what.

I got the call I’d been praying for from Mikhail around three that afternoon. “Hey, what’s up?” I asked when I answered my phone.

“I thought you might want to know that Cady will be here in an hour. She’s helping Tajah get things set up for the party. She’s attending. Taj made her promise. Everyone else isn’t due until seven, but if you want to come over early, feel free.” I heard the teasing in his tone.

“Have I told you lately what a fantastic boss and awesome friend you are?”

He laughed. “No, but you can start bowing and kissing my ass daily to make sure I don’t forget it.”

“Hold on, ass-kissing is Tajah’s job. I’m not into that kind of kink,” I jested back.

We baited each other back and forth a few more times before I got earnest. “I’ll be over. I just need to grab my stuff, and I’ll be there. Do you need me to bring anything?”

“Not that I know of. Tajah insisted she has it all under control.”

“Then see you within the hour. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Later.”

Mikhail used to hire someone to decorate and prepare food for his parties. That was a thing of the past. Tajah loved to do it and had a knack for decorating and cooking. I knew if it was a huge party, he’d put his foot down and make her accept help, but they hadn’t run into that situation so far .

I’d brought my costume to work, intending to change before heading there. Since I was going early, I’d wait and change at the apartment later. Before leaving, I checked in with Alicia Ann in case something needed my attention. It didn’t, thankfully. I wished her and others I ran into a good night and to stay safe. Some had small kids and would be taking them out. Others had parties of their own to attend.

Most people would think I’d hate to give up Lustz and Mikhail’s parties to take kids trick-or-treating, but they’d be wrong. I looked forward to doing it with my children one day. It would be fun to pass out candy and help them figure out their costumes and all those great things.

The whole way there, I tried to picture what Cady’s costume would be. I asked Mikhail before we hung up, but he said he had no clue. I parked in the private garage and rode the elevator up to their apartment. I’d texted Mikhail when I got there to see where he was. He said to go straight up. As I walked to the door, I noticed my insides were quivering with anticipation. I was dying to see Cady and spend time with her. I only hoped she wouldn’t try to ignore me.

I knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. About thirty seconds later, it swung open. My heart jumped. It was Cady. She gave me a hesitant smile, stepped back, and waved for me to enter.

“Hello, Tiny,” I casually said as I passed her. The urge to reach out and touch her was almost overwhelming. I knew that by calling her Tiny, she’d have something to say, so I counted on it. She didn’t disappoint. Her slight smile changed to a frown.

“Why do you keep calling me that? It’s annoying. Not everyone can be a damn giant.”

“I’m not a giant, darlin’. I just ate all my veggies like a good boy growing up.”

She snorted. “You haven’t been a good boy a day in your life, Hoss.”

I leaned closer. “I can show you how good I can be, Cady. I promise it’ll change your world.”

There was the ever-slightest hesitancy before she rolled her eyes and smarted off. “Don’t bother to make promises you can’t keep. Men always say that, and they always disappoint me. I won’t hold my breath.”

She shut the door and walked toward the kitchen. I followed her, my bag thrown over my shoulder. With her back to me, she missed me checking her out. Cady was super petite compared to most people but minuscule next to me. I typically went for taller and larger-built women, but there was something about her I wasn’t able to resist.

She was maybe five feet two or three inches tall. I’d describe her as a pocket Venus. Despite her lack of height, she was generously curved in all the right places. Cady reminded me of the old movies with Elizabeth Taylor in them when she was young. Her hair wasn’t black but rather a chestnut brown. The kind that had a deep reddish color to it and it was thick. My hands itched to sink into it and hang on. I’d only seen it in a braid, but it was to her waist. Her face was a classic oval. Her skin was a warm ivory color. Her skin and hair set off her medium steel-gray eyes. The swell of her hips, an ass you could fill your hands with, and tits that I had no doubt would overflow my huge hands was irresistible.

I was snapped out of my contemplation when she abruptly swung around to face me. I hoped my expression was guiltless. “Why’re you here so early? The party isn’t for several hours.”

“I asked him to come and hang out with me. We’re at you ladies’ disposal if you need extra hands,” Mikhail chimed in from the other hallway.

“Oh, well, it’s your place, but I don’t think we’ll need help. Taj and I have it under control. Who all is coming to this thing, anyway?”

“Close friends and a few family members. Not a huge crowd. Most are the ones who come every year,” he added.

“I just don’t see you having a Halloween party, Mikhail. Dressing up in costumes and stuff seems, I don’t know, childish.”

“Dressing up can be fun. You should try it more often,” Tajah said as she entered the kitchen. She came to me and wrapped her arms around me. We’d become close. I squeezed her close and dropped a kiss on her forehead.

“What did I tell you about kissing my woman?” Mikhail asked in his growly tone.

“Hey, there was no lip contact, and my hands aren’t on her ass,” I reminded him.

Mikhail was possessive of Tajah, and I couldn’t blame him. However, he knew I meant nothing by it. He just liked to whip up an argument with me.

“Good thing, or you’d be dead,” he reminded me.

“Oh, stop it. You know Hoss doesn’t see me that way,” Taj objected.

“He’d be the first guy who didn’t think all women were fair game,” Cady muttered.

I wasn’t about to let that remark go unnoticed. “Cady Cat, you need to realize that not all men are bastards. If your experiences have been with guys like that Flint Reid, I can see how you would get the wrong idea. I guarantee you that when men like Mikhail and I find the woman of our dreams, we have no need or desire to look at or touch other women. We’re faithful.”

“So where is this paragon you’re in love with? Is she coming tonight?” she snarked.

“As a matter of fact, she’ll be here.”

My answer shook her. I saw uncertainty spark in her gaze, and then it was gone. I would wait to clue her into the fact that she was that woman. “Whatever. Taj, we have more stuff to get done if we’re going to have time to get dressed ourselves. Let’s finish this up.”

As they went to the fridge, Mikhail waved me to follow him. We ended up in his home office. Once the door was shut, he started to chuckle.

“When are you planning to let Cady know she’s the one you want? I don’t think she liked your admission out there about your woman being here tonight. I almost laughed.” He went to the cabinet where he kept a bottle of Scotch and glasses. He took them out and poured us each a finger of liquor. Taking mine, I raised it.

“Here’s to winning the woman of my dreams.”

He added to the toast. “And doing it without her killing you.” We both laughed before swallowing it down. I was ready for the chase and then the capture.

Mikhail and I did help with a few things, mostly reaching items too high for them to manage. He made Tajah promise not to climb on chairs or anything to get stuff. He was worried she’d fall and hurt herself. I was of the same mind when it came to Cady. So when I walked in and caught her standing on the counter to reach a bowl high in the upper cabinet, I expressed my displeasure. Tajah wasn’t in there.

I walked up behind her. She didn’t see or hear me coming. I grasped her hips, causing her to gasp and jerk. Her head spun to the side, and her mouth opened when she spotted me. She didn’t say anything. I picked her up and sat her on the floor. I didn’t let go of her.

“I catch you doing that shit again, and I’ll warm that ass in a way you won’t like, Tiny,” I vowed. The sight of her up there had scared me. All I could picture was her falling and cracking her head open.

“Hoss, you’re not my boss, and I’ll do what I want.”

“Then I don’t want to hear a bitch out of you when you get spanked. You’ve been warned. I don’t get it. Mikhail told Tajah not to be climbing. Why would you think it’s okay for you to do it?”

“Because I don’t belong to him. Taj might go along with his demands, but I don’t have to.”

“You do mine. No climbing. Ask.”

“If you say so,” was her bratty reply.

I didn’t bother to argue. I wanted Cady to defy me. She’d find out I didn’t say what I didn’t mean. I lifted the bowl down and left her to do whatever she was doing. That was an hour ago. Cady and Taj had gone to get ready in the master bedroom not long after that. I used one of the guest bedrooms, and Mikhail occupied a third. Being men, we didn’t take long to get dressed. Women loved to primp, although neither needed to do anything to enhance their beauty or sex appeal.

I was in the living room, and Mikhail was coming down the hallway when the doorbell rang. I was closer, so I moseyed over to answer it. It was a few minutes before seven. I tried to shut the door when I saw who it was. Reuben stuck his foot inside to block it. Behind him was Carver.

“If you make me get scuff marks on the door, Tajah will kick your ass,” Reub warned me. Sighing as if it hurt to do it, I eased it open.

“Fine. I don’t want Tajah upset. But I need to speak to her and Mikhail about their taste in friends,” I joked.

As he walked in, he punched me in the gut and then kept walking. Carver gave me a hesitant smile. I knew him from playing doorman, but he was quiet and didn’t say much. This was only the second time I’d be near him in a social setting.

“Ah, good. Someone is here. Welcome,” Mikhail greeted them. Before closing the door, I saw more people coming up the hallway from the elevator. I wondered who put them on the elevator since you couldn’t come up without a keycard unless Mikhail or Tajah had given them one. It was Tamara and Gideon.

“Hello, Hoss. It’s good to see you again,” Tamara said sweetly as they reached me.

I shook hands with Gideon and smiled at her. “It’s good to see the both of you again, too.”

Seeing no one else, I closed the door. Mikhail was playing host, getting drinks for everyone, while I was checking out how everyone was dressed. According to Mikhail, the plan was to have drinks and dinner, and then we’d go check out the club and see what it was like.

I was examining the costumes the others had on. Mikhail was dressed as a werewolf but not in a whole-body fur costume—no way he’d want anyone to mistake him for a furry. Mikhail was a primal, not into the furry kink, although some patrons were. He had a hood with ears, claw gloves, and tight pants. His chest was left bare, which I figured Tajah requested. Gideon was dressed like a man from the Roaring Twenties, and Tamara was a Flapper. Reuben was dressed as a pirate. In our cases, the costumes tended to lean more toward the sexier side. They would be nothing compared to some of the ones in the club.

Carver’s outfit was what I recognized as steampunk, with tight brown leather pants and a belt slung across his chest. He wore a shirt, but it was unbuttoned and tucked into his pants. I was impatiently waiting to see what Cady had on. Where were they? Mikhail got a call before I could ask him if we should check on them. I heard him saying to send them up, so there had to be more guests. I tried to listen to the others’ remarks about their costumes as he went to the door to wait.

“Hoss, I love your costume. You look like you’re ready to tame something,” Tamara said with a chuckle.

“Oh, I wouldn’t say tame—more like handle someone. Thank you. You and Gideon look great in yours.”

Voices drew our attention to the front door. Matvey, Mikhail’s cousin, the Bratva pahkan , boss, and his wife, Victoria, walked in. Mikhail chuckled at his second cousin’s outfit. He was dressed as a knight, and Victoria as a lady of that period. I went to greet them.

“Damn, if only I had the body to dress like you guys. Damn, that’s it, Vick, we’re leaving,” Matvey groused good-naturedly.

She was smiling at us. “If you try to leave and not let me innocently drool and see what Misha’s club is like, I’ll cut you, Mat. I’ve been dying to see it for so long.” Matvey rolled his eyes as he smiled at her.

“Sorry, we’re late. We had a costume snafu, but we’re here now,” Tajah called out behind us.

I turned, and when I caught sight of Cady, my breath stalled, and my heart skipped a beat. Christ, this had to be fate for her to be dressed the way she was. Standing there in a skintight black leather jumpsuit, with ears on her head and stiletto boots on her feet with cleavage to lead a man to sin, was my very own catwoman. Her hair was down in a thick wave to her ass. Her eyes were made up dramatically, and her lips were a shiny red. I dropped my hands so my erection, which was quickly growing, wouldn’t be noticed.