by Leah Brooke
She’d never be satisfied until she knew for sure.
Just when she’d started to investigate how to go further, Eugene Donner had begun stalking her. After that, what she’d yearned for seemed too dangerous to pursue.
Until she met Royce and King.
They seemed to be the answer she’d been looking for.
She just hoped her obsession to learn more about what she needed, and why, hadn’t made her jump into something that could prove to be more than she could handle—something even more dangerous than dealing with Donner.
* * * *
Royce stood back and studied the mirror, finally satisfied with the angle.
“I’m looking forward to this more than I thought I would. I think Brenna actually thinks we believe that she’s only interested in learning how we train Doms. She’s so curious about surrendering to a man that she might as well have it painted in neon on her forehead.”
He’d seen it in her eyes—the combination of excitement, fear, and curiosity nearly driving him mad to have her.
King nodded, frowning as he adjusted the light. “She is. I’d bet money on it. She just needs to be treated with kid gloves after that shit with Donner. I still wish I’d beaten the hell out of him when I had the chance.” Dropping his hands to his sides, he cursed. “He couldn’t have taped that note to her door.” He lifted his head, his eyes pure fury. “I’m sure as hell looking forward to getting my hands on the person who did.”
Royce clenched his jaw, feeling much the same way. “I agree, but he’s got to be behind it somehow. Nothing else makes sense. Even if Donner gets out, everyone knows who he is. He wouldn’t dare show his face in Desire again.”
Pushing thoughts of Donner aside for now, he made up his mind to spend the rest of the night focusing on a stunning redhead with the most expressive eyes he’d ever seen. “I’m very much looking forward to see the shock and pleasure in Brenna’s eyes when some of that curiosity is satisfied.”
King lifted one of the small whips from a shelf, his expression thoughtful as he ran his fingers over it. “She doesn’t understand why a woman would consent, hell, beg to be whipped or spanked. We’re going to have to go slowly with her, but that excitement and arousal in her eyes is damned near irresistible.”
He looked up, his eyes glittering with the same anticipation that ran through Royce’s veins. “I wonder how long she’ll last before she asks us to take over.”
Royce grinned, his cock pressing insistently against his trousers. “I don’t know, but I can’t wait to find out. She needs this, especially now. It’ll get her mind off of that note, and that fucking Donner.”
“I can’t believe I lost the coin toss and you get to have her tonight.”
Slapping his friend’s back, Royce started for the door. “Too bad. You get to be with her tomorrow night, though. After that, we’ll work with her together. I just think that being with both of us at once might be too much for her this soon.”
He found himself almost yanked off his feet when King grabbed his shoulder and whipped him around. Shocked at the anger in his friend’s eyes, he broke King’s hold, finding it more difficult than he’d expected. “What the fuck?”
King surprised the hell out of him by getting in his face, his eyes full of fury. “You scare her off tonight and I’m going to kick your ass.”
Royce shoved him back. “What the hell’s wrong with you? I have no intention of scaring her.” Eyeing his friend thoughtfully, he grinned, the anticipation of being with Brenna growing.
“You’re thinking that someone like Brenna would be perfect for us, aren’t you? You’re scared to let her see how much she’s gotten to you already. You’ve always been a sucker for a damsel in distress, and you’re afraid you’re going to get attached to her, and when the danger’s over, she’ll leave us.”
King turned away, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck. He didn’t speak for a while, staring at the chair they’d set up for Brenna.
“She’s scared already and I don’t want to run her off before we’ve had a chance to show her how we do things around here.”
Royce crossed his arms over his chest, watching his friend closely. “You and I have known each other a long time. I’ve got to say, I don’t remember ever seeing you like this. I know you worried about the woman Donner was after, but I didn’t realize you’d become so obsessed with her.”
“I’m not obsessed with her.” King started for the door. Opening it, he turned. “I’m just concerned. I’ll be in the bar. Come find me when—later.”
Royce could only stare as King walked out, slamming the door behind him. He’d seen his friend in a lot of moods, but never anything like this. With women King was usually very playful, devious even, pushing their limits until they became putty in his hands. A lot of the submissives that came back here vied for his attention, flocking to him, begging him to master them that night and even fighting each other for him.
His cell phone rang, distracting him.
“Royce.”
“I’m just calling to let you know that Miss Nelson called down, requesting a glass of wine. I thought I’d check with you first.”
Royce had already started for the door. “No. Don’t bother calling her back. I’ll take care of it. I’m not taking any more calls.”
Disconnecting, he started down the hall toward Brenna’s room, grateful that he and King shared a private floor.
His cock jumped at the thought of what he had in store for her tonight, and if his earlier reaction to her meant anything, he knew he’d be pushing the boundaries of his control by the time he finished with her. The anticipation of seeing the surprise and delight he knew would be sparkling in those beautiful blue eyes quickened his step.
Pausing to take a deep breath, he knocked on the door to Brenna’s room, anxious to get started.
* * * *
Startled out of her musings by the knock at the door, Brenna gasped and spun toward it, pressing a hand over her pounding heart. With shaking hands and rubbery knees, she tightened the belt of her robe and made her way to the door.
Pausing with her hand on the doorknob, she wondered which one of them stood on the other side. Surprised at the realization that she couldn’t decide which one of them she wanted it to be, she pressed a hand to her stomach and opened the door, sucking in a sharp breath at the sight that greeted her.
For some reason, Royce appeared far more dangerous than he had sitting next to her at dinner.
Dressed entirely in black, he had an aura about him that screamed with a threatening sexuality far more potent than any she’d ever encountered. His hair had been loose when she’d met him and in the restaurant, but he’d tied it back since then, which only served to emphasize his good looks.
He was even more beautiful than she’d remembered.
His deep green eyes sparkled with male interest and purpose, a look so sharp it stole her ability to breathe and sent a shiver of apprehension through her. Filled with confidence, as though he knew all of her innermost secrets, his eyes held hers.
“Hello, Brenna. Are you ready to begin?”
His voice dripped with sex, a low intimate tone unlike anything she’d ever heard, the cool timbre of authority in it unmistakable.
A sharp awareness washed over her, awakening every erogenous zone more effectively than any intimate touch she’d ever received.
He raised a brow at her continued silence, his faint smile making her even more nervous. He didn’t rush her, as calm and patient as if he had all night.
Of course he would have to be patient in order to get a woman to submit.
The reminder of the kind of man he would have to be, a man who knew so much about pleasuring a woman that he could convince her to do anything, had her shifting restlessly.
She hadn’t anticipated the power emanating from him, much stronger now than it had been before, as though he’d turned a switch. Even on her trip to the club in Virginia, she hadn’t experienced anything so intens
e.
“I don’t know if I’m ready. How the hell could I know that?” Wringing her hands together, she took a step back. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I don’t know what you’re going to do to me. I want to make sure you’re not teaching men like Donner to abuse women, but how can I be sure you’re going to be honest with me about what you’re teaching? I don’t know if—”
The finger he placed over her lips effectively silenced the rest of her babbling, the stroke of his finger over her lower lip sending sharp, sizzling heat from her lips to her nipples.
In a slow move, he gripped her shoulders, his expression softening.
“Stop. You’re getting yourself all worked up because you’re afraid of the unexpected. Is that why you asked for the wine?”
She had to swallow before speaking, the slow glide of his thumbs over her collarbones sending a wave of longing through her that weakened her knees.
“Yes. It should be here soon. Maybe after I have a glass—”
“No.” Royce shook his head and took her hand, leading her out into the hallway. “I don’t want anything to dull your senses, and I want to make sure your head is clear tonight.”
Holding the robe closed at her neck, Brenna looked around, worried that someone might see her.
Royce squeezed her hand, leading her to a heavy, ornate wooden door at the end of the hallway. “Don’t worry. No one will see you. This floor belongs to King and me. The only other person that comes to this floor is Sebastian, and he knows I don’t want to be disturbed.”
Nodding, Brenna held her breath as he pushed the door open, shaking so badly she had trouble walking.
To her astonishment, the only light she saw came from directly above a leather chair placed several feet just inside the door. In front of the chair sat a full mirror, one that would reflect every inch of the person sitting in front of it.
Something told her it would be her.
She stopped abruptly, disconcerted by the fact that she could no longer see Royce very well.
“What’s going on?”
Moving to stand behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders and guided her to the chair, bending to meet her eyes in the mirror. “As a Master, you need to see your submissive. You need to focus on her.” Lifting his hands from her shoulders, he stepped back, the low light making it impossible for her to see him. She couldn’t see anything but herself.
Pulling together a gap in her robe, Brenna curled her toes against the hard wooden floor. Feeling stupid and uncomfortable, she squinted, searching for Royce in the darkness.
“I don’t understand how this is supposed to work. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
“I’ll tell you everything you need to know. Are you comfortable?” Royce’s voice came from behind her and a little to the right.
Nodding, she fisted her hands in the robe. “As comfortable as possible. Royce, I—”
“Quiet, Brenna. When we’re in this room, I’m the teacher, and you’re the student. Now, before we begin, there are a few things I think we need to discuss. We’ve bypassed the usual application and interview for this…unusual arrangement, so while you’re here, you’re not permitted to mingle with our other guests. Unless King or I take you to another part of the club, you’re confined to this floor while you’re here. Do you understand and agree to that?”
Brenna nodded, the fluttering in her stomach becoming stronger. “Yes.”
“You’ll be permitted to go out whenever you want, except for the times that King and I will be working with you. While you’re our guest, we’re responsible for you and you’ll follow our rules. Do you understand and agree to that?”
“What kind of rules?” She wished he would just get on with it. With her nerves stretched to the breaking point, she didn’t know how much longer she could sit here. Tapping her feet, she fought the urge to jump up and run from the room.
Royce’s tone seemed to become firmer and colder each time he spoke, adding to her nervousness, but effectively keeping her in her seat.
“You will not give yourself to any other man, and you won’t do anything that might put you in danger. You’ll have to be careful because we have no idea who sent that note. You’ll only be permitted to go out when it’s safe. Are we clear?”
Brenna nodded, trying to see him in the darkness. “I have no intention of endangering myself and I’m sure as hell not planning to go looking for a man.”
She jumped as Royce suddenly appeared in the mirror.
With an efficiency that impressed her, he fastened a silver choker around her neck. “This tells the people of Desire that you belong to the club. No one from the town will attempt to proposition you as long as you’re wearing this. It’s locked, and can only be removed by King or me. You will not, under any circumstances, leave the club without wearing this. Understood?”
Moving her neck experimentally, Brenna grimaced. “It’s heavy.”
“It’s worn to remind a submissive that she’s owned, but in your case, it’s to keep you safe. Now that we’ve finished with the preliminaries, let’s begin. Look at your sub. She needs your attention.”
Brenna jumped at his demand and stared at her reflection, her eyes going to Royce at yet another abrupt shift in conversation.
Royce stepped back, once again disappearing from view. “Don’t take your eyes from her. She needs you. She’s learning something about herself, something that’s been missing from her life, and she needs your guidance. She’s depending on you to keep her safe. She must trust you implicitly. Are you ready for that kind of responsibility?”
Brenna blinked, searching desperately for a glimpse of Royce in the mirror. She’d been expecting nothing more than fun and games, but Royce sounded far more serious about this than she’d expected. “I don’t know what to say. I thought you were going to show me what kind of things men did to make women obey them. I thought it was just sex.”
“No, Brenna. It’s more—much more. Don’t look away from her. She’s the most important thing in your world right now.”
Trying not to let him see how much the silkiness in his tone affected her, Brenna once again stared at her reflection. “Okay. I’m looking. I look like me. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be seeing.” She glanced up, meeting his eyes in the mirror. “Damn it. I knew I would suck at this.”
Royce chuckled softly. “You’re doing fine. You’re two different people now, Brenna. The Dominant you is sitting in the chair.” He trailed a finger just inside her robe to stroke her collarbone, his touch sending tingling waves to her nipples. “The submissive you is in the mirror. Try to separate the two.”
Brenna nodded, not understanding how she could do that. “Okay.”
“What do you see in her eyes?”
Brenna blinked at the question, and studied her reflection, not quite sure what she was supposed to say. Surprised at the emotion swirling in them, she spoke without thinking.
“Fear.”
Royce’s reflection appeared in the mirror again, directly over her shoulder, his devastating good looks made even more intimidating by the hard glint of authority in his eyes. “Yes. What else? You must be able to read her eyes, Brenna. You must be able to read her body language. You have to know what she’s thinking and feeling if you’re going to please her. She needs you to understand her, to understand things about her that she can’t even voice.”
His voice lowered dangerously.
“If you’re going to get her to submit to you, to your every whim, you have to know her more intimately than she knows herself. What is she feeling, Brenna?”
She hadn’t ever considered it that way. The thought of him having that much control over her scared her so much she almost walked out.
In her fantasies, she’d never lost control of what he did to her.
Stiffening, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, reminding herself that he couldn’t have what she didn’t give. She opened her eyes to study her reflection again, shivering a
t the feel of Royce’s warm breath against her neck. “Um, confusion.”
Damn it. She was supposed to be learning how they trained Dominants, and already she found herself giving in to the urge to submit.
Straightening, Royce remained standing behind her, his hands curled around the back of her chair.
“Very good. Your sub is confused, which can sometimes be a good thing. You want to keep her on her toes, but you have to be careful with that. She has to know what’s expected of her. It’s all right for her to be confused this early, but you have to make sure she understands what’s going on.”
Brenna hoped that part of it would come soon, because panic kept creeping in. To her surprise, though, focusing her attention on the mirror had reduced some of her nerves.
“What’s next?”
“We’re going to have to give your sub a safe word—a word she can use whenever she’s in trouble, or when she feels she can’t get past whatever she’s being subjected to. Since you’re her Dom, it’s your choice. Do you want to pick a safe word for her, or would you rather let her do it? It has to be a word that wouldn’t normally come up in conversation.”
She caught his faint smile in the mirror, and relaxed a little more. “I’ll do it. It’s crystal.”
Royce nodded once. “Crystal it is. There’s something very important you need to explain to her about her safe word.”
“What’s that?”
Royce’s eyes hardened. “As soon as she uses it, it’s over.”
A cold knot formed in Brenna’s stomach. “Over? You mean that you’ll move on to something else?”
Royce shook his head. “I mean, over, Brenna. Like I said, it takes a lot of trust to have a relationship such as this one. You have to be sure that your sub is able to handle whatever you have planned. In return, she has to agree to have her limits explored. The only way to do that is to take her deeper. Now, if you’re sure that she tried, it might be something she just can’t handle, but using her safe word just because she feels uncomfortable won’t be tolerated. If that’s the case, she’s not really interested in exploring that part of herself and is a waste of your time.”