VelvetValentines

by VJ

  The soft click of the office door closing jolted Elise out of her musings. Oh. My. God. The man who moved behind the desk was…imposing. And by imposing, Elise meant terrifying. His bald head gleamed in the watery sunlight that filtered through the skylight and illuminated the tattoos winding down both arms.

  Elise could make out a dragon’s tail coiling below the sleeve of his black T-shirt on one arm. The other arm was decorated with what looked like a complete sleeve of Asian art and Chinese script. His ears were triple pierced, and on any other man the small diamond-and-silver hoops would have looked ridiculous. On him they were both threatening and sexy at the same time. He wore a plain silver band on his right thumb and another on his middle finger. His left ring finger bore a stark barbed-wire tattoo.

  It took all her courage to accept the hand he offered her, but when his long fingers wrapped around hers she was surprised by the gentleness of his grasp. His appearance was menacing but his touch was so soft it only proved that you can never judge a book by…in this case, by its leather and tattoos.

  “So you’re the reason we haven’t seen Derek in almost two years,” he commented as he sat down, facing her across the scarred desk. His voice was a low rumble that went well with his forbidding appearance.

  “I’m Elise Sanders,” she replied, forcibly keeping her voice level and meeting his eyes.

  “And why are you here, Elise Sanders?” There was nothing unfriendly in his voice or expression, but Elise somehow got the feeling she was being weighed, judged and found wanting. For some reason it bothered her, though there was no reason for her to care what this Hell’s Angel stand-in thought about her. It made her more determined than ever to follow through with her plan. If she couldn’t face this stranger, how would she ever be brave enough to give Derek what he needed? What she suspected they both needed.

  “Two nights ago I discovered an invitation to Velvet Ice’s Valentine’s party buried in Derek’s desk. When I asked him about it, he claimed that part of his life was over, he didn’t need that aspect of his sexuality anymore.”

  “You don’t believe him.”

  “No. I don’t.” Elise took a deep breath and took the plunge. “I love Derek and I want a future with him, and I know the only way we can have that future is if he shares this part of himself with me.”

  “And you think you’re strong enough to handle what he needs to dish out?” Again his voice and expression were perfectly bland, but she somehow knew that he didn’t for one second believe she could handle Master Derek.

  “I know I can,” she insisted. “Maybe not from any other man, but I know Derek would rather die than hurt me, so I’m ready for whatever he has to offer.”

  “Oh, but Elise, hurting is what it’s all about. Inside these walls, the Doms’ and Dommes’ entire reason for existence is to portion out the pain that leads to their lovers’ pleasure.” Sea-green eyes raked over her dismissively. “You’re a pretty little thing,” he conceded in his low, gravelly voice, “but you’re light years too soft for what Derek needs.”

  Light played tricks with the black ink scrolling up the back of his skull as he shook his head. “Go home, Elise Sanders,” he said, his words like a slamming door. “Take what Derek gives you and be grateful he cares enough to protect you.”

  “I won’t do that.” The man’s words played on her insecurities, but more, they pissed her off. “I can’t do that. You don’t get to decide what I can or can’t take. And you don’t get to decide what sort of relationship I have with the man I love.” Those intent, sea-colored eyes narrowed on her. “The only thing you get to decide is whether or not Velvet Ice will be a part of our relationship.” She raised an imperious brow in his direction. “I suspect I could give Derek what he needs in the privacy of his own home, but this place was important to him once, and I don’t want to rob him of that.”

  “You may not like who he is with a whip in his hand.” He leaned forward. Elise knew he was playing the intimidation game. She’d witnessed it every day at her job—as a prosecutor she’d used that same face countless times in court.

  “I assure you, Mr. Ryder, there is no part of Derek that I don’t love. I just have to show him.”

  Brady Ryder wasn’t going to talk her out of what she needed to do. Like Derek, he thought she was too soft for the D/s lifestyle. Brady didn’t know her well, but Derek did, and he should know better. She hadn’t become one of Detroit’s most successful prosecuting attorneys by being soft.

  And neither man knew how she’d reacted to her research. The more she’d read, the more intrigued she’d become. She’d even browsed the Velvet Ice website. Of course, she hadn’t been able to access the private, members’ only forum, but just imagining it left her breathless and aroused. The final push to make this appointment had come when she’d found the online diary of a submissive.

  The woman wrote about the sex games she and her lover engaged in, and the stories had left Elise’s pussy wet and aching. But what left her heart aching were the thoughts the submissive shared about the depth of her relationship with her Dom. The depth of the trust between them.

  Elise wanted that relationship with Derek. She needed it. And she would face down Brady Ryder and ten more like him if that was what it would take to get it.

  “So you’re determined?” He still looked skeptical but Elise thought she saw a hint of resignation in those cool, emotionless eyes.

  “Very.”

  “All right, then.” He leaned over and picked up the phone. “Get me Sin,” he rasped into the receiver. After a brief pause he scowled and snapped, “You’re on my time, Sinclair.” Another pause and he gave a pained sigh. “I don’t want to hear it. I do not want to know. I have a job for you.” Those assessing eyes roved her face again. “Master Derek’s…girlfriend,” he said the word in the same tone Elise might have said “pet gerbil”, “Wants to arrange a Valentine’s surprise for him. Talk to her and set it up.”

  He hung up the phone without waiting for a reply and focused all his attention back on Elise.

  “Master Sin will take care of any arrangements you need to make. I trust that you will keep to the non-disclosure policy and that you will remember the liability waiver you signed and just who instigated this whole experiment when you get more than you bargained for.”

  Brady Ryder leaned back in his chair and watched Elise follow Master Sin from the office. Brady glared at the door, brooding. He didn’t know Derek well, but the Dom had always struck him as a good man. Brady knew better than most how a good man could be twisted when his sub was too weak for the games they played. He hated to think of that happening to Derek, but as he watched Elise sway out of the room he couldn’t help but compare her to another beautiful blonde submissive who’d thought she could handle what her Master brought to the table—or to the bed.

  Elise’s hair was more fire than sunlight, but she had the same elegant, well-bred air that had surrounded Grace. Brady only hoped she didn’t share the other woman’s fragility.

  Brady closed his eyes on a vicious curse. No doubt he’d just made a huge mistake.

  * * * * *

  Valentine’s Day

  Derek paced restlessly around the first floor of his home, feeling claustrophobic and trapped in spite of the large, airy rooms. He hadn’t drawn a deep breath since Elise had walked out on him three nights ago, and he was very much afraid that if she didn’t come back, he might never draw a deep breath again.

  He was fucking suffocating without her.

  She’d called on Saturday morning while he was at the gym. The damn woman knew his schedule better than he did—she’d deliberately called when she knew he wouldn’t be home. Her message had been brief and to the point. She loved him, didn’t want to end things between them, but she needed time to think, time to accept that he’d kept important secrets from her.

  Dammit! Why couldn’t she realize that his so-called secrets weren’t as important as she was to him? Nothing was as important as her.

&n
bsp; Derek prowled his house like a caged animal, pausing from time to time to pull the black velvet box from his pocket and look at Elise’s ring.

  He’d dressed up for the evening, calling himself all kinds of fool for it. Elise wasn’t coming back—there was no reason to make the effort. Still, he’d deliberated over elegant black trousers and a cream button-down of such fine cotton that it felt like silk against his skin. Elise liked the shirt, purred in his arms as she stroked her palms over his chest, savoring the rich fabric. He’d chosen his tie with her in mind as well. The deep burgundy and pale gold silk was patterned with a tapestry of hearts and fleur-de-lis, and had been an early Valentine’s gift. She’d teased him that the judges he faced in his work as a criminal lawyer would be so overwhelmed by his romantic presentation that they’d instantly dismiss any case he brought before them.

  Derek tried not to imagine how the rich colors of the tie would make her ivory skin glow as he wrapped it over her eyes, an impromptu blindfold.

  He was reaching for the phone—again—to try to call her—again—when it rang. He snatched it up, glancing at the caller ID. He froze, glaring at the number displayed as if it were a striking snake.

  “Derek Thomas.” He could barely force the words from his tight throat and the buzzing in his ears almost obscured the voice on the other end.

  “Master Derek.” The ball of barbed wire in Derek’s gut tightened. “This is Sinclair Martin, with Velvet Ice. A woman named Elise Sanders used your gold coin tonight to gain admission to the Valentine’s Bacchanal.” Oh no, she didn’t. “She spent a short time on the third floor in the public areas before accompanying someone into a private room.” Oh hell no, she didn’t.

  “Because she’s not on your approved guest list,” Martin continued, “Master Brady thought you should be informed of her presence.”

  “Master Brady was entirely correct,” Derek gritted out. “How long has she been in the private room?”

  “Less than ten minutes.”

  “I’ll be there in five.” He already had his coat and shoes on and was reaching for his keys.

  “Good luck, Master Derek.” The amusement in Martin’s voice almost sent Derek over the edge.

  “Fuck luck,” he growled.

  * * * * *

  Elise looked in the mirror for the tenth time. Her hands were shaking as she checked her hair again. She’d managed to curl the strawberry-blonde mass and pile it atop her head, leaving soft tendrils to frame her face. She pulled at her red velvet skirt trimmed in gold lace, which just barely covered her ass. She’d never worn such a short skirt in her entire life. The matching red velvet bustier pushed her breasts together and up, giving her more cleavage than she really owned. On her wrists were matching velvet cuffs. Her legs were encased in white stockings and three-inch white ankle boots.

  Oh yeah, she definitely looked like a naughty Ms. Cupid.

  There was a brief knock on the door before it opened. A gorgeous redhead dressed in white came through the door.

  “Hi, Elise. My name is Ty and I’m here to help you with the rest of your preparations. Derek is on his way.” She approached Elise, looking her up and down with a discerning eye. “That man is going to go crazy when he sees you,” she murmured with an infectious laugh.

  “I hope so. I’ve never worn anything so…revealing.” It was true. Elise wore business suits to court all day and when she was at home she preferred jeans and a T-shirt.

  “I understand. Before Sin I never would have dressed in anything that revealed any part of my body.”

  Elise couldn’t imagine the woman dressed in something plain. Her outfit hugged her ample curves, emphasizing a lush, sensual body. Her confidence was apparent in the way she carried herself.

  “Now, let’s see. Where should we pose you?” Ty murmured aloud. Elise watched as the other woman explored the room. “Ah, I have an idea.”

  Ty crossed the room. On the wall was a small panel. She opened the door and pushed a button. From the ceiling a long, black bar attached to chains descended. With a naughty smile, she moved to the bar and beckoned Elise to join her.

  Elise followed her, trying to still the butterflies in her tummy. She couldn’t quite tell if they were caused by nerves or arousal. Both, she thought.

  “Okay,” Ty directed. “Arms up. When he sees you dressed like this, stretched out for him like a belated Christmas present, he’ll pass out for sure.”

  Elise moved her hands over her head. She really liked the idea of Derek passing out at the sight of her. She liked the idea of him not passing out better, though.

  Using a discreet loop on Elise’s velvet cuff, Ty attached her right arm to the bar. She repeated the process with Elise’s right wrist. She moved a small triple step platform in front of Elise and helped her to straddle the bottom two steps. The width of the steps spread her legs wide and Elise felt the cool air in the room skim her thighs. Ty went back to the wall and pushed another button, and the chains holding the bar rose, stretching Elise upward. The position pulled her to the balls of her feet. It wasn’t uncomfortable, exactly, but it did make her very aware of her body, and of the air currents stroking over every inch of bare skin.

  Ty stepped back and crossed her arms. “Nice. Very nice. Okay, we’re close to passing out, but I think we need a few little touches.”

  Elise didn’t respond. She was too bemused by the dual reactions coursing through her. There was fear, of course, but there was even more arousal. Both emotions surged almost unbearably at the thought of what Derek would do once he walked through that door.

  Ty moved gracefully around the room, lighting a multitude of scarlet and white candles. When Elise had met with Sinclair Martin, she’d given a detailed description of how she wanted the room to look. She’d wanted a gothic, romantic chamber, and that was exactly what she’d gotten. The bed was decorated with a thick down comforter covered by an ivory and burgundy duvet. The deep red of the walls was emphasized by ornate brushed brass candle sconces that featured a heart motif. A thick golden-brown bearskin rug dominated nearly half the room.

  Ty came back to Elise with a bottle of oil. “May I?” she asked.

  “What is it?” Elise’s voice was nothing more than a whisper as a cloak of sensuality surrounded her.

  “It’s only a light body oil. When he touches you it will give you a small tingle, and when he looks at you your skin will be glowing and luminescent in the low lighting.”

  Elise nodded her head and closed her eyes as the other woman gently rubbed the oil over every inch of her exposed skin. The oil did feel warm and she felt her skin grow flushed and sensitive as it soaked in.

  “If you like this,” Ty commented, obviously noting Elise’s reaction to the oil, “you might like Indian Tobacco Oil.” The redhead gave a reminiscing smile. “It’s much more intense. Positively sinful,” she added with a low laugh.

  Ty backed up and flicked off the overhead light. “Oh my goodness! Girl, you’re gorgeous. You have to see yourself.”

  She moved to the wall directly across from Elise, which was covered by a long gold velvet curtain. When she pulled back the curtain, it revealed a mirror-covered wall.

  Elise gasped as she caught sight of her reflection. Her hard-assed prosecutor image was gone as if it had never existed, and so was her comfy at-home look. In their place was naughty minx ready for some serious trouble.

  Her flesh was dewy from the oil. The slight flush gave gentle color to her normal ivory paleness. Her breasts looked fuller in the bustier, her nipples clearly visible against the stretchy velvet. Her skirt had risen to just below her mons, bearing what looked like miles of smooth, bare leg. The woman in the mirror was seductive and looked ready for what was coming for her.

  “Thank you.” Elise felt a lump in her throat, nearly overwhelmed at the thought of what she was about to do, what it meant.

  “Don’t you dare cry now. Your man is coming and it’s time for you to teach him a lesson.” Her smile warmed Elise, and two women w
ho would do anything for their men came to a silent understanding.

  Ty moved to the door. “Good Luck, Elise. Merry Christmas.”

  Chapter Three

  It took every ounce of Derek’s will power to keep from pushing every single person in Velvet Ice out of his way the moment he entered the place. His single focus was on getting to Elise before she did something they would both regret.

  Damn, his woman was as stubborn as hell. He didn’t really believe she’d give herself to anyone but him. But he knew she was out to prove a point, and his lawyer lady was relentless when she believed she was in the right.

  In the midst of all his anger, he was agonizingly hard.

  The club was decorated for a very boisterous Bacchanal. The normally dark club was awash in glittering snow covering most of the walls and even part of the floor. Crystal hearts were strung with invisible wire from the ceiling at various heights. Red and white twinkle-lights climbed the walls. The wait staff was wearing what could only be described as very tiny Cupid costumes, complete with glittering gold wings and arrows. He might have enjoyed the spectacle if he hadn’t been so desperate to get to Elise.

  He took the stairs two at a time until he reached the third floor, where a bouncer stood with his arms crossed. A red security shirt took the place of the normal black ones.

  He held out his hand. “Coin.”

  “Fuck,” Derek growled as he realized that Elise had his coin.

  “Listen, man, my girlfriend is up there and using my coin. She’s a total novice. I have to get to her before she gets in over her head.”

  The bouncer raised a questioning eyebrow at Derek and asked his name. Still eyeing Derek doubtfully, he spoke into his radio. The answer came back after endless seconds and the bouncer moved to the side to allow Derek to pass.