by Kelly Alexis
"What kind of medicine do you practice?"
"Research is my specialty. I'm on the verge of finding the cause and cure for Alzheimer's."
Joshua's eyebrows arched. "That's awesome. So, what's the problem with your employer?"
"The CEO is an asshole. But this time, I've got them over a barrel. They bought a drug I own the patent rights to, and if they fire me, they fire my drug." Adam's grin was smug.
"So, you're untouchable then. Cool," Joshua remarked.
"Not so much." He tossed another handful of nuts into his mouth and chewed them thoughtfully. "They sent my ass here for two days of executive coaching." Adam added air quotes for emphasis.
"Executive coaching?"
Adam sat silent for a moment, deep in thought as he remembered the humiliating moment in the CEO's office when he had been informed that his attitude sucked.
"That's okay, Doc." Joshua backed off and held the palms of his hands up. "It's none of my business."
"Okay, here's one of their examples." Adam roused himself out of his melancholy. "There's another doctor who's a real idiot, so I went into his office, shut the door, sat down and gave him his review. I told him he should be fired."
Joshua's eyebrows lifted. "What's wrong with that? You're his boss. You have the right to fire him, don't you?"
"Technically, I don't. He was just a co-worker, but I was so tired of hearing his whiny voice when I was trying to work. I guess his boss didn't appreciate my initiative."
"He didn't work for you?" Joshua laughed out loud. "You've got balls, Doc!"
"Apparently, that's not a virtue, in their opinion. But someone needed to light a fire under his ass. He had several projects go south because he didn't pay attention to the details. His incompetence affects the whole company."
"Okay, but that's just one instance. You acted out of an abundance of concern. That should be an asset."
"They were already a little pissed because I'd fired two of my own people at a meeting, that same morning. Both of my ex-techs bitched to HR."
"Why did you fire them?"
"Because they were careless idiots. One was a lab assistant. And she was an hour late to work. Something about her kid being sick. Again. If she can't find someone to take care of her kid, she shouldn't be on my staff. And then a researcher to whom I sent some emails over the weekend didn't look at them until Monday morning."
"You can fire someone for that?"
"Why not? He had a report due Monday morning, and without my input, it wouldn't be complete or accurate."
"I'm sure all of that was annoying, but I'm not sure it was justifiable."
Adam sighed and raked his fingers through his dark brown hair in frustration. "My work is critical. I take it very seriously, and I expect my co-workers to do the same." He looked up with real confusion in his eyes. "I never ask anyone to do anything I wouldn't do myself. That seems fair, doesn't it?"
Joshua continued to dry glassware and clean the bar area. "You'd think it would be."
"I guess I'm a little bit of a control freak," Adam admitted. "I'd rather do it myself than depend on someone else. At least, then, I'd know it was done correctly." He crunched on another handful of nuts. "So, they have me going to this sensitivity training class, starting tomorrow afternoon, so I can improve my people skills. What a waste of time. It's adult charm school! Like I need that!"
"It might not be so bad. Our instructors here are highly accredited. I think you'll be surprised at how much you'll learn," Justin commented. "Besides, no matter how disagreeable they are, you can't insult your coworkers. Just not politically correct these days."
"Well, I made an end run around my boss." Adam's smile was genuine as he thought of the deal he had worked out earlier.
"How's that?"
"Blake called me when he saw I had reservations. He had a special assignment for me, so, you might say, he upgraded my stay."
Blake Ryan was the owner of Breathless. Adam had met him years ago, when they were both backpacking around Europe after college. They had become good friends and stayed in touch through the years as Blake made his billions in a dot com business and Adam made his mark in medical research. When Blake opened Breathless, Adam had been one of the first guests to experience the luxury. During a night of alcohol-fueled confessions, Adam admitted that he had dabbled in BDSM. So, sometimes, when Blake had a female customer who wanted a special Dom/sub experience that fit Adam's skill level, he would give his old friend a call. It just so happened that this weekend coincided with Adam's required training class, which worked out well for both of them.
Joshua waited silently for the rest of the story.
Adam leaned over the bar. "I'm in the Master Suite for three nights."
"Mixing business with pleasure." Joshua nodded. He paused and studied Adam for a moment. "You don't have to answer, but I've always wondered what's it like?"
"What? Being a doctor?"
"No. Being a Dom."
Adam considered his words before answering. "For me, it's more of a hobby than a way of life. It's fun to play and be in total control of a beautiful, naked woman."
"No limits?"
"There are always rules and boundaries. But, most subs are open-minded and willing to experiment." Adam finished his drink. "While we're in the Master Suite, the rest of the world doesn't exist. It's all about pure, raw sexuality." He shrugged again. "It works for me because I'm all about the thrill of the chase. Like catch and release." Adam understood temporary. He was thirty-two years old and had never had a long-term relationship, or wanted one. He didn't have any trouble attracting women, but he didn't have a clue on how to keep from getting bored. Women were, as a group, not very bright or challenging. It was fun for a weekend, but he had no expectations that any woman would keep his interest for longer than that.
Adam stood and glanced again at his watch. It was time to go upstairs and get things set up before she arrived. He felt the familiar tingle of anticipation at what was ahead.
"It's show time." With a jaunty wave at Joshua, he walked out of the bar and headed upstairs to the Master Suite.
Chapter 2
"Can I get you anything else, Miss Grant?"
Whitney forced her attention from the stunning view outside the wall of windows to the server who was standing next to her table.
"Oh, sorry. Yes, I'd like another drink. What do you have that's stronger than white wine?"
"Our bartender is amazing. He can make anything with rum, vodka, tequila, or any other alcohol you can think of. Maybe something warm like an Irish Cream or refreshing like a cranberry martini? How about something sour like a Vodka Collins?"
"Actually, surprise me. I'm here to take a vacation from making decisions."
"I'll leave it up to Joshua."
Whitney nodded. "And could you bring some bar chow? I'm too nervous to eat a whole meal."
"Why are you so nervous?"
Whitney looked around the bar and noticed she was all alone. "Do you have a minute?"
The server smiled and sat down. "Friday nights are usually busy, but I guess everyone's getting a head start on Valentine's Day." The server held out her hand. "I'm Daisy, by the way."
"I'm Whitney." She shook the other woman's hand.
"Are you here with your husband or boyfriend?" Daisy asked. "This is a great place for romantic getaways or honeymoons."
"Nothing that sweet," Whitney admitted. "Do most people come here with someone?"
"About half."
"And the rest?"
"This is a place where people come to live out their wildest fantasies," Daisy explained. "That often doesn't involve someone they already know."
"Oh." Whitney paused, trying to decide exactly how to ask the question that was burning a hole in her brain. Daisy was a cute, petite blonde with a pixie hair-do that made her look like a wood nymph. Surely, she attracted a lot of male attention. "Can I ask you a personal question?"
Daisy shrugged. "Sure. Go ahead."
Daisy tried not to react, but several rapid blinks gave her away. "A submissive?"
"Yes. What do you know about being one?"
"Is that why you're here?"
Whitney felt a cold chill trickle down her spine. "That was my plan when I booked the weekend, but the closer it gets to actually happening, the more I'm wondering if I should have my head examined."
"Well, I'll admit, I tried it once." Daisy gave a playful wink.
"And?"
"It was interesting. I learned a lot about myself."
"But?" Whitney sensed there was more to the story, and she wanted to hear it.
"I sort of enjoyed it, but I wasn't with the right Dom. It's a little like dating. There has to be a certain level of attraction, and you have to completely trust the other person. I guess my Dom just wasn't my type."
Whitney thought it was funny that not all Doms were equal. She sort of thought there was some sort of Dom code, where they all did things the same way. She'd seen a couple of movies and read a few books, but apparently, everyone's experience was unique. This wasn't the first time in the past few weeks that she wondered if she really wanted to try this.
"I've talked with women who love it, though," Daisy continued. "They say they'll never go back to regular sex again. I just know that if you decide to go through with it, you've got to give it one hundred percent. All new experiences seem odd at first, but if you don't try something, you'll never know what you're missing."
That sounded logical, and Whitney was, if nothing else, a logical person.
"If you don't mind my asking, why are you considering being a sub?" Daisy inquired.
"I'm a pediatrician, and I make life and death decisions every day. It seems like all I've done in my life is go to school and work. I've achieved a lot for my age. I work for a highly respected medical research facility, and I'm the head of my department. Everyone comes to me whenever there's a problem. It's a lot of pressure and responsibility, and I need a break. I can't remember the last time I relaxed and just had fun."
"Sounds like you need a week in the Caribbean," Daisy commented. "Being a sub is a pretty major decision. Why that, instead of getting a massage and facial in the spa?"
Whitney considered that question. All those thoughts had occurred to her, too, but this was more about experiencing something completely new. "I've never done anything wild and crazy. I thought it might be a good experience to let someone else call the shots, and I just want to not be in charge for a while. You know, learn to let go."
Daisy looked closely at Whitney, then she nodded. "I can see that. You're a beautiful woman, and with all that accountability, well, why not? By the way, I like your wig."
Whitney automatically reached up and stroked the long straight strands of the platinum blonde wig she had bought just for this trip. It was dramatic and very different from her real plain brown hair. Wearing the wig made her look and feel like someone other than herself. Besides, she was a highly respected pediatrician. She couldn't afford to have anyone recognize her. "Thanks. I wanted to look the part." She chuckled and glanced downward. "If I had any carpet left, it wouldn't match the drapes."
Daisy laughed. "Not many women's do." She grew serious. "Mr. Ryan is really good at setting these things up. What's going to happen this weekend will be the real deal."
Whitney swallowed hard and gulped down the last of her glass of white wine. What's going to happen this weekend will be the real deal! echoed in her mind. "That sounds so final."
"Don't let it frighten you, Whitney. Mr. Ryan has an amazing record of fulfilling people's fantasies. I don't know anything about your Dom, but I can assure you that if Mr. Ryan picked him, he'll be perfect for you. You just have to be ready to submerse yourself in the fantasy."
In some ways, that was reassuring for Whitney. It sounded like she wasn't the first newbie to want a Dom/sub experience. "Thanks, Daisy."
"Oh, you're welcome." She stood and picked up the empty wine glass. "One bartender surprise on the way."
Whitney sank back into the comfortable, high-back chair and closed her eyes. She'd never done anything like this before, except… No, she didn't want to think about that experience, or it would ruin the weekend. Focusing first on school, then on work, had left her very little time for dating. She wasn't a virgin, but she had made love to only two men in her life. One had been when she was in college and completely unsatisfying for her. The other had been more recent and much better, but, again, she stopped herself from thinking about it, because it wasn't a good memory.
"Miss Grant."
The man's voice wasn't familiar, but the accent was pure sexy Irish. Her eyes popped open. She glanced up at one of the most attractive men she'd ever seen. Tall and lean, he looked amazing in a navy-blue suit, crisp white shirt and perfectly knotted tie. His hair was almost coal black and combed back from his tanned face. Brilliant blue eyes watched her, and she felt like he knew exactly what she'd been thinking.
"Mr. Ryan?" she asked hesitantly.
"Blake, please. May I join you?"
She noticed he held her drink and a bar napkin. "I never turn down a man bearing alcohol. Please sit."
Blake set the napkin and the drink on the table in front of her then sat on the chair next to her.
"I was deep in thought when you walked up. Sorry."
"Don't apologize, Miss Grant. Welcome to Breathless, where you have the freedom to do everything you want or nothing at all."
She took a drink from the martini glass in front of her. "This is very good. What is it?"
"Joshua is a bloody wizard. He uses magic to create drinks." Blake picked up her drink and examined it as he twirled the glass and studied the contents. "He made you a Ginger Cosmo. Three parts vodka, two parts cranberry juice, one part each lime juice and Triple Sec and four pieces of ginger. It's the latest trend. Enjoy," he said with a charming smile as he returned the glass to the napkin.
"He's going to spoil me."
"Everyone needs to be spoiled. You're here for a weekend of exploring your submissive side. Very bold, but it can be extremely enjoyable, Miss Grant."
"I've never done anything like this before. I admit that it is way outside my comfort zone. I'm not sure I'm able to let go. In fact, my first kiss was one I initiated." Her smile was wry.
"So you were the dominant, albeit for a fleeting moment. I'm sure he never forgot it."
"I doubt it made much of an impression, even for a twelve-year-old." She sighed. "I'm just ready for a change. I need to let someone else take the lead for a while." She was nervous but anxious to get this waiting over and begin the process.
"Tell me about your typical day, Whitney. Not the details of what you do at work, but what happens before and after work."
"Nothing special," Whitney admitted. "Every morning, I get dressed and stop for a large cup of coffee on the way to the office. Two sugars. And maybe a Danish or a bagel. Then, as I'm driving home, I decide what I want to eat and either get takeout or pick something up at the market and cook it at home. Sometimes, when I'm too tired, it's just wine, cheese, and maybe some fruit."
"Alone or with someone?"
"You mean like a man?"
"Or a woman."
"No, not usually. My days can be long and unpredictable, so I don't usually date during the week."
"And on the weekend?"
She sighed. "I don't usually date on the weekends, either. If I'm on call, I hate to interrupt someone's dinner, so I just eat alone. I usually bring work home and then just fall into bed after the news. Alone." She shook her head. "Sounds kind of boring, doesn't it?"
He answered her question with one of his own. "Would you say you are a prude?"
Whitney was so startled that she stuttered. "P-prude?"
"Do you like men, physically? Do you enjoy sex?"
&n
bsp; "Yes, I guess." She could feel her cheeks burn hotly. "I don't really know," she admitted. "I've only had sex twice, and neither was like I imagined it would be. Why do you ask?"
"You should be the type of submissive who best fits your personality, your natural tendencies.
"What does that mean?"
"Submissives are usually sexual, service, or masochistic." He sat back and waited to see her reaction.
She leaned forward and started to speak then stopped. This could set the tone for the whole weekend, and she should be honest with Blake and herself. Her medical training had taught her to think things though, considering all the symptoms and possible solutions before speaking. Mentally, she ran through the options. "I'm pretty sure I'm not a masochist. I'm looking more for pleasure than pain."
"Ah, but there is often an element of pain in pleasure," Blake pointed out. "And vice versa. Besides, how will you know your limits until you push them to the edge?"
"Maybe in the future, but for now, I think I'll take it slow."
"You're not going to be here long enough to properly experience being a service submissive. So, if it's pleasure you're after, then you shall be a sexual submissive."
"Sexual?" It was what she had expected and what she wanted. Right?
Blake sat and thought for a moment before answering. "For a successful and honest experience, you must be willing to do three things." He counted them off on his long fingers. "Obey your Dom and do whatever he wants. Decide how far you're willing to go, which is probably limited, since you're not going to be here very long, but don't be too hasty to set limits. Be adventurous. And enjoy yourself."
"That sounds like four things," she pointed out.
His handsome face softened into a smile. "I just threw the be adventurous part in to see if you were listening. The fact that you're here shows that you've got a bit of explorer in your soul."
"What does how long I'm going to be here have to do with anything?"
"Suffice it to say, there are physical things you would have to do to prepare yourself for more extreme sex. It doesn't sound like you've experimented with it, but I'm sure you're heard of such things as butt plugs."