Innocent in New York

by Sterling, Victoria

  Sophia ducked down and twisted away from their nearing approach. A hand on her upper arm drew her right back in, and Lucas chuckled by her ear. She felt his nose run down her neck and up. She turned abruptly and held a hand up. The man smiled, showing pearly white teeth. Dark lashes half-shielded brown eyes that twinkled with mischief.

  "We'll take care of you," he promised, his gaze flashing to his brother behind her.

  "What? No," she laughed nervously, "I don't think so. You share?"

  Sophia's gaze flashed between them. Okay, she'd admit the two of them made her heart race, but sharing? The thought had never crossed her mind.

  "You're the first to express a complaint." He picked at a strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear. She shivered, stuck in his luring gaze, feeling immobilized. "When you go home with James tonight, and when he makes you scream your pretty little lungs out in a climax that that tense bod of yours is in desperate need of, you'll think of us," he said. He licked his lips, and her focus followed suit. A high-pitched laugh drew her attention away from them and she realized where she was and who she came there with. She stilled her rampant heart trying to break out of her chest.

  "Thank you both, for your, uh, offer, but I can't. Maybe some other time, huh?" she suggested, finally able to put up some distance between them. Their focus wasn't on her, and when she looked over her shoulder she met with James. His eyes settled on the twins. He grasped her arm and brought her closer to him in a firm, possessive tug.

  "Are they bothering you?" he asked, but his gaze didn't let go of the twins.

  "N-no," she stuttered, "I'm good."

  He nodded and led her away. Finally, his gaze settled on her. "I'm gone for five minutes and you already have the twins' attention? If I knew they were here I wouldn't have left you."

  "They wanted me to go with them both," Sophia confessed.

  "I don't think I could live with the idea of them sharing you."

  Sophia shivered visibly. "I can't believe they share. They're brothers!"

  "Women don't complain," he answered matter-of-factly. "Many like the idea of the duo servicing them." He looped an arm around her waist. "Though, I am glad you're okay with one person."

  "Damn," Sophia looked at him, "I'm boring for going after you, huh?"

  He gave a slow laugh, moving her so that her front slammed into his and then he slanted an arm across her lower back. He smoothed his hand downward and cupped an ass cheek, making Sophia's breath hitch. "I'll remember that when we get to Monroe," he said.

  Her heart fluttered. Back to beautiful Monroe? That meant no mysterious dark rooms, no audience, and no twins messing with her head. She could live with that.

  "Don't relax quite yet." His eyes gleamed when they reached the second floor. He brought her to a room draped with thick silken curtains in deep red and gold. Sophia met with a woman lying on a bed, her hands and feet tied with crimson ribbons to the wrought iron bedposts. She wore a black lacy corset with matching panties and a sleek blindfold covered her eyes. Pillar candles lit the room in a soft glow. Sophia watched as a man walked to the bed.

  "Imagine yourself in her place," James whispered, his words brushing her hair. His hands touched her shoulders, and then followed her arms until his fingers cuffed her wrists. His grip tightened. It wasn't painful, just confining and telling her to stay.

  Sophia watched the woman. The man next to the bed leaned in to whisper something in her ear eliciting a moan out of the woman, her back arching, her hands seemingly fighting the restraints, however it was far from a cry for help.

  "I'd have you climaxing without as much as a single touch."

  "James," she whispered, her heart fluttering by his close presence, by the scene in front of her, and by the thought of them switching places with the other couple. The woman's response was the way she reacted to James, by just his words, just his coaxing.

  "Could you handle it?" he asked, his rich voice a low melody to her ears.

  No, she couldn't; she was already feeling lightheaded. "Yes."

  "We'll see." He focused on the couple again. "He kidnapped her," he murmured by her ear. "Blindfolded her and made her succumb to his demands."

  Sophia turned toward him until his arms told her she wasn't allowed. A rough pull and she faced the couple again. During her focus on James, the woman's corset had been removed, her perky breasts pointing upward, begging for her kidnapper's touch — his mouth. Sophia's throat constricted.

  "She wished for it," he said in a whisper, gently letting go of her hands and moved to her hips.

  "They act out fantasies." Sophia nodded, flicking her eyes at James over her shoulder.

  "Yes. I want to know yours," he said.

  "What if I don't have any?" she asked after a couple of moments.

  "We'll find them together," he gave her hip a squeeze, "if you let me."

  She could say no, say no and go back to her old life as Sensible Soph — where work took up most of her mind and time, and where most days seemed alike, safe and repetitive — until she met James. He asked her to follow him into his world, and her response was —

  "Yes."

  With a finger beneath her chin, he steered her head to the side, and then his lips were on hers, demanding her attention, making her heart thump loudly. He'd barely given her a swift taste of his tongue brushing against hers when he ended the kiss and steered her head in the direction of the lovers again. The woman's body strained against her prison, pushing her breasts toward the man's mouth. He played with each, alternating using his tongue and fingers. Her knuckles turned white from grasping the silk, her body arched in a tight bow, her whimpers delicate in the dark room. She was close. The man stopped, denying her pleasure. He waited until the woman's back touched the mattress again before placing lazy kisses over her chest and smooth stomach. His kisses fell closer down her abdomen.

  Sophia jerked, almost forgetting she was an audience. She found this too personal, wanting to turn away but James held her tighter, anchoring her.

  "She's not allowed to come, not until he lets her."

  "I can only imagine," Sophia murmured and glanced at him over her shoulder. He smiled with humor flashing in his eyes before they flickered past her to watch the lovers. Sophia mirrored him. The man drew his hands up his lover's legs, parting them as far as the restraints would allow. The woman's hands tightened around her silky bonds, her mouth open, panting, waiting, wanting. The erotic nature of the scene made Sophia dizzy, fueled by James's constant touch, his constant reminder of how damn good he could make her feel.

  "You'll learn. You'll come apart so good," James assured her.

  Sophia trembled. She couldn't hide her reactions; he was so close. "Please," she begged, "take me home."

  James nipped her earlobe, his hold on her slowly withdrawing. He drew Sophia with him out of the room and in a different direction. A moment later, she heard a piercing scream coming from the place they just exited. James grasped her arm when she was about to head over there again.

  "That wasn't from pain," he said, holding her gaze.

  She looked toward the red and gold drapes, her heart in her throat still from the vibrant scream. She glanced around at the other people walking by, chatting as if they heard nothing out of the ordinary.

  "He's been denying her pleasure for a long while, far longer than what we saw, and once it hits," he paused for a moment, "it can be exceptional."

  Sophia nodded. She could understand that. James hadn't been that evil, but he had tried her patience, forcing her to keep from coming until he saw her fit for a reward, and it always left her dazed.

  "This is one kinky circus." Sophia clutched his hand while they walked.

  He quirked a smile. "The rooms with gold and red are free to visit, like the one we just saw. People either don't care about being watched, or they're driven by an audience."

  "Driven…" Sophia copied. "They seek an audience?"

  He gave her a peculiar stare, but didn't venture further.
"The rooms with black drapes are strictly prohibited," he continued as he motioned to one as they passed. "Here, people want privacy. As you might have noticed, there are few of them."

  Sophia nodded when he acknowledged her. "What happens to the rooms when they are…done?"

  James stopped and turned to her. "Every room is properly cleaned. The sheets here are cleaner than Monroe's."

  Sophia gaped. "Our rooms are the cleanest there is. We've run tests and everything."

  James chuckled at her, "Let's call it even. But yes, everything is taken care of after a visit."

  "Are you positive—"

  James grasped her elbow and tugged her smack against him, shutting her up with a firm kiss. Thank God. She sighed, melting against him. Sophia responded by opening her mouth to take his tongue. She eagerly kissed him back for a few slow seconds, and then protested as his mouth slid to her neck. "Germaphobe?"

  Sophia couldn't think straight when his tongue darted out to flick across a spot close to her ear, and then sucked on her skin. Warmth spread through her.

  "I'm," she mumbled, but her words twisted into a moan.

  He stopped, leaving her breathing harder and anxious for more. He watched her steadily, a deep reflection of dark humor embedded in his eyes. Winding her up and cooling her down.

  "You like games," Sophia murmured against his jaw before she kissed him there. And secretive rooms with more than she could ever imagine.

  "I like you." He brushed those God-given lips to her ear, giving more attention to a sweet spot that made her knees almost go out from beneath her. On the floor beneath them, she spotted a small group in the couch a few feet from the bar, watching James pull at her crumbling resolve. She gasped, straightened her posture, and released from James's touch. He flicked a look at the people below. "They're hoping we're heading for a red and gold room," he explained. "I think you're collecting followers." He took her hand and drew her closer to the rooms again.

  He was collecting followers more like it. On shivery feet, she kept up with him.

  He showed her to a new room where a man stood restrained to a tilted wall, with a ball gag in his mouth, completely worshipping a latex clad redhead holding a whip in front of him. She acknowledged Sophia with a wink, causing her to blush, and next the woman cracked the whip against the man's chest. He convulsed and moaned.

  "Oh," Sophia uttered, glancing at James over her shoulder.

  "Dominatrix, Sophia," James chuckled. "I'm sure Lana would love to teach you a few tricks."

  "Lana? You know her?"

  "Quite well, actually, as well as her husband," he said, his gaze moving to the couple. "She's gained great success in the floristry industry, owning a rising brand and several shops."

  Sophia looked at him in bafflement. "She's a florist? I wouldn't have guessed!"

  James smiled. "Here, people are encouraged to show their true selves."

  Sophia nodded, her gaze flickering to Lana to find the beautiful redhead wearing a big grin as she now let a sharp-pointed fingernail drag down her submissive's torso to his snug boxers.

  "Have you been in that situation," she wondered, "as a submissive?"

  James turned to her. "Nope. But if you'd like to dress up in liquid latex, I'd definitely consider giving it a try," he teased, and Sophia couldn't help but laugh.

  "Tempting." She stuck her tongue out at him, and he grinned in return.

  "Alright, enough."

  They turned to the approaching redhead.

  "You guys are cute and everything, but I'm trying to teach this man a valuable lesson." She nudged her head toward the man still shackled to that wall and he made some undistinguishable sounds. "And now he's all charmed and has gone all romantic. I don't work with that crap."

  James rolled his eyes. "Lana—"

  "— In here, I'm Ember."

  "Ember," he corrected impatiently. "We're just looking around."

  Her gaze fell on Sophia shortly before looking at James again. "Nothing wrong with window-shopping ideas, but make my man go aww one more time, and I won't get him off for a week."

  "Bitch," James said in a flat tone, followed by something sounding strangely like I know, right? from her husband.

  "I'm sorry," Sophia said to Lana, "it's my fault."

  "No," James said. "She's a newcomer. Have some patience."

  Lana flashed a smile. "When you're ready for some real fun," she looked at Sophia, "you two can drop by. Now, go visit the place two rooms down." A devious smile spread across her face.

  "What's in there?" Sophia asked reluctantly, watching the latex clad woman sway her hips as she walked back to her victim/husband.

  "Ideas, cutie."

  "Come," James ordered and took her hand in his.

  She swiveled toward him the second they were outside. "I've been kicked out of a sex room! I've never been kicked out of anything before."

  James kissed her head. "It was my fault."

  "Rebel," Sophia said, only to look toward a room they neared. The one Lana recommended. Whimpering moans seeped through the drapes, and James escorted her inside. Sophia sucked in a sharp breath. Instead of finding more lovers tying each other up to punish and please, she found a lounge setting and a small stage. The people there watched a woman being pleasured atop a man's lap, her legs spread for their view. She gripped James's hand harder, her heart pounding.

  9.

  BOUND

  JAMES'S POV

  James reeled back, seeing the tenseness cross her face. Something about that situation struck home. "Sophia?" Her blue eyes flickered to his, wide and confused. She took a step back. He wasn't going to let her leave, instead catching her arm and bringing her in front of him.

  "James," she pleaded, her voice sounding meek. She turned her head away from the moaning woman.

  He slid his hand over her chin and steered her focus back to the small stage in front of her. All around, there were heavy red drapes set with details of gold, and pillars of candles giving a soft, relaxed glow to the room. "Do you want to watch?" he asked, his hand on her ribcage, his fingers close to her heaving chest where he could feel her heart run quick, a hummingbird's flutter. "Or do you want to be in her place?"

  Her breath fell faster, her skin warming and teasing his fingertips.

  "I can make it happen."

  Sophia tensed. "No."

  "You will be blindfolded," he offered, "held in place with your pretty legs spread open for an audience."

  She sounded out of breath when she spoke, "I can't. I don't — I don't want to."

  "I'll be there as well. I'll hate every second of it because I can't stand the thought of someone else pleasuring you. But I will watch until you beg me to take you away from him, until you beg me to fuck you."

  "Oh, God," she moaned, body trembling.

  He nipped the skin between neck and shoulder with his teeth, just enough to make her gasp. "Are you watching her?" he asked, and after a moment Sophia nodded. "Good." His interest slid back to the woman inside that room, straining, trying to coax him deeper in but he held her pleasure an inch in front of her, always in charge. While he knew many fantasized about observers watching them being touched, he didn't expect it from Sophia. "Watch her," he commanded, his fingers inching down her thigh to the hem of her dress. Fuck, Sophia looked sweet in that dress, loose fit around her hips and thighs, tight across her stomach and chest. The neckline dipped low on her back, showing her soft, fair skin perfectly. He brushed her hair aside and kissed the nape of her neck, just as his other hand began traveling upward, pushing the fabric along. She placed her hand on his, but made no move to push him away.

  "You'll do as I say." His fingers reached the top of her thigh. Her legs were bare, so soft against the palm of his hand. "Are you wet?" She was so sensitive, gasping for breath when he touched her with his lips. He drew back, unsure how far she was and not wanting to stoke the fire. He knew he could get her off like this, but once she came, he wanted it to be blinding and he wanted he
r in his bed — bound and begging for sweet release. Some of the onlookers inside the room turned their attention to the pretty blonde he was with. He smoothed a hand atop her hipbone, but kept his other between her legs, barely grazing her underwear. He wasn't going to touch her yet.

  "I think so — yes," she said at last, voice hushed. He smiled.

  "Open your eyes, Sophia," he said, dimpling the flesh of her inner thigh, making her moan. So fucking sweet. He steered his eyes toward the woman inside the room again, finding her gasping for breath, her hips rocking unashamedly to reach her edge. The man in the dark suit and beaked mask removed his fingers from her wetness, making the woman cry out in utter desperation.

  She'd sell her soul right then for someone to push her over the edge, and James watched intrigued. One of the spectators, her boyfriend, knelt in front of her and buried his face between her thighs while the man behind her held her legs apart. A beautiful woman in sky-high heels joined them, and moved to remove her blindfold, revealing wide, fluttering eyes. A quick glance about her surroundings seemed to bring her more pleasure, and when spotting Sophia, she shuddered, arched, and screamed.

  Sophia tensed, and James glanced down at her, her skirt still bunched up at her thighs. "Let me go." She pushed his hand away and corrected her clothes. Shit. The stress that painted her sweet face got to him. He wrapped an arm about her waist and took her away from there. Half a minute later another scream followed them, and Sophia jumped. He chuckled at her.

  "This way." He motioned toward the direction they came from when they first got there, seeing Sophia wasn't in her right mind to think clearly. He noticed Eric and Lucas with a group, their gazes trained on her.

  Sophia noticed them too, blushed a pretty shade of pink when they smiled at her, and then she hurried her pace. He let her find distance to collect her mind, keeping his slow pace through the club. A few guests sent questionable looks her way when she stormed past them as if the hounds of hell were chasing her.

  "She fits in so well," Nicholas called from the couch when James walked past him. He had a beautiful woman atop his lap, his fingers grazing the nape of her neck and making her bend backward into his touch with a moan, jutting her chest out for him. He spent no time adjusting his attention to her body. James didn't bother responding to his sardonic jab. Sophia was the first to have run out of there and that was exactly what Nicholas wanted to talk to him about earlier. People always stayed. Maybe Nicholas was right, that James was out of his mind bringing Sophia there.