by Leah Brooke
Veronica spun to stare at her, her heart sinking. “You’re kidding.”
Her plan to talk her way backstage went up in smoke.
The other woman sighed again, her features lighting up as she stared up at the stage. “Yeah, as soon as the show’s over, his bodyguards rush him out the back door and into his limo. He’s gone and on his way back to his hotel before you know it.”
Pursing her lips, Veronica nodded, her mind racing.
She didn’t know which hotel he would be staying in. If he left the building before she did, she’d lose him.
For all she knew, he could be on his way to the airport when he left.
She had to follow him, which meant she had to get to her car and find his limo before he could make his escape.
His voice, strong but with a sensuous cadence that rippled through her, came from the stage again, drawing her attention. “And now ladies and gentlemen, something that I saved for last because it’s very possible that I may not survive it.”
“God forbid.” Veronica tensed while he explained that he would be shackled inside a tank filled with water, the only way out locked with a padlock, which was on the outside of the tank.
“Don’t worry. Sinclair Majors can escape from anything.”
Hearing the tension in the other woman’s voice, Veronica glanced at her, not wanting to look away from the stage. “You don’t sound so convinced.”
“It’s just that he’s been performing more and more dangerous illusions. Now he’s retiring. This is probably his most dangerous one yet.”
Veronica stiffened, her heart in her throat as she watched his assistants putting him into a straitjacket. “He can get out of this. Right?”
“Let’s hope so.”
Knowing that she’d have to be outside as soon as the show ended, Veronica got to her feet and made her way down the aisle.
Unable to take her eyes from the stage, she walked backward toward the exit, her breath catching when the devastatingly sexy magician met her gaze again.
He saw her. There was no mistaking it.
He was looking right at her.
A hood was placed over his head, and the moment was gone and she could breathe again.
Her backward steps slowed, and she found herself breathing in gasps as they began to lower him into the tank by the chains attached to the belt around his waist.
She realized how ridiculous it was to worry.
He did this for a living and had for several years.
She was acting like a silly schoolgirl when she had a mission to accomplish.
She turned and rushed toward the exit, a collective gasp from the crowd stopping her in her tracks.
He was underwater.
Dear God.
They were locking the padlocks in place.
He struggled, frantically trying to get free, but his assistants seemed unconcerned.
What if something was wrong?
Why didn’t they pay attention to him?
His feet were still shackled securely to the bottom of the small tank, despite his struggles.
He had to be out of air.
He couldn’t breathe.
Dear God, he was dying.
“No!”
The excitement level rose, the panic cries from the audience drowning her out.
Her own panic had her running for the stage just as a man wearing a soaking wet hood appeared from a door to her left.
He moved swiftly down the aisle just as his assistants revealed that the tank was empty.
Whipping off his black hood, he revealed gleaming blond hair, and a confident smile that both relieved her and pissed her off.
Amid the applause and shouts of astonished relief, he turned, his smile falling as he looked directly at her.
He frowned as if confused by something, his eyes narrowing again when she mouthed asshole.
Turning, she ran up the aisle and through the door to the lobby, angry at herself for worrying about him when he clearly enjoyed scaring the hell out of his audience.
Shit.
She still had to ask him for a favor.
Pausing, she looked back at the closed door, wondering if she would just be wasting her time.
Then she thought of her grandmother.
For her sake, she had to ask, even if it meant groveling to make up for calling him an asshole.
Damn it!
Her furious strides took her across the lobby, and ignoring the admiring looks from the staff who worked there, she shoved the door open before any of them could reach it.
Once outside, she paused, the cold Annapolis air a shock to her senses.
Taking a deep breath, she started down the steps, pulling her wrap more firmly around her shoulders.
Forcing a smile, she handed her ticket to the valet, glad that she’d managed to be the first to leave the theater.
She just had to get around the building and follow him.
Once she found out where he was staying, she’d find a way to get to him.
* * * *
Sliding into the backseat of the limo, Sin reached for a bottle of water, uncapping it as the door closed behind him. “Let’s get out of here.”
His longtime bodyguard, Sam Walsh, turned from the front passenger seat. “What the hell happened in there?”
Looking out the side window, Sin lifted the bottle. “Nothing. Just tired.”
He took a long swallow, unable to get the vision from the third row out of his mind.
“Bullshit. I’ve seen you tired a million times, but you lost focus right before you went into the tank. It took you too long to get out. Seventeen seconds too long.”
“I got out.”
“No thanks to that woman.”
“What woman?”
Closing his eyes, Sin envisioned the dark-haired beauty dressed in red.
When their eyes met the first time, he felt as if he’d been punched in the gut, and each time their eyes had met afterward had only strengthened it.
Dark exotic eyes, slightly almond shaped had gone wide and then narrowed when their gazes met, her full lips, stained dark red, parting.
He could see the red dress and the full breasts while she’d been seated, but it wasn’t until she stood that he saw her body, a body he’d kill to possess.
The thought of wiping the garish lipstick from her lips and kissing her until they became the same color distracted him during his show, something that had never happened to him before.
When she’d turned, he’d gotten a glimpse of her well-rounded ass, an ass he’d readily imagined draped over his lap.
Still frowning when Jack Rockland, his other body guard and driver, started the engine and pulled away from the curb, Sam all but snarled.
“You know damned well what woman. The woman in the red dress. She distracted you.”
Sin allowed a small smile, still slightly stunned at her parting shot that he’d been able to read on her lips before she’d turned and stormed out.
“She looked pretty worried. She was rushing toward the stage when I came out. She even called me an asshole.”
“You watched her all through the show.”
Sin opened one eye, glancing at Sam. “She’s beautiful. I wonder why she rushed out.”
Sam chuckled, folding his massive arms over his chest. “I don’t know, but she looked mad as hell.”
“Hmm.”
Her flashing eyes had made Sin hard as hell, her effect on him instantaneously—and lasting.
Sam ran a hand through his short brown hair, the military cut, his rugged features and imposing height making him a menacing sight. “You were great tonight, but I’m glad you’re done with all that now. The thought of busting you out of that tank nearly gave me a heart attack.”
Sitting up, Sin smiled and looked out into the night. “You worry too much.”
“You pay me well to worry.”
Sin tuned him out, not wanting to think about anything except his upcoming vacation.
<
br /> He would be leaving soon for a week on Rapture Island, a vacation resort that catered to Dominants and submissives.
He was leaving in a week and still hadn’t found anyone he wanted to take with him.
The woman in the red dress came to mind, the mental image of her in one of the outfits required by submissives on the island making his cock even harder.
Hell, he’d been hard since the first time their eyes met.
If only he could find her.
None of the women he’d dated over the last two years seemed particularly suited to his plans, and he’d hoped that he’d find someone interesting in Gabriel Durand’s club.
He wanted a week of nothing except surf, sand, sex, and a submissive.
The problem was now all he could think about was her.
Despite her sexy red dress, a dress that emphasized a body worthy of dark fantasies, her eyes held an innocence that intrigued him as very little did.
Still thinking about her, he got out as soon as the limo stopped, striding through the lobby to the elevator that would take him to the penthouse.
Leaning against the back wall, he glanced at Sam. “I hope they already delivered the food. I’m starving.”
“They did.” Sam pushed the button to the top floor, glancing at Sin. “I told them that you weren’t to be disturbed for the rest of the night.”
“Mr. Majors! I need to talk to you.” The feminine voice held a hint of panic that had Sin straightening, looking out just as the elevator doors started to close. “What the hell?”
To his stunned amazement, the woman in the red dress appeared, two security guards holding her back.
For a split second, their gazes met, and he knew he had to meet her.
It had been a long time since he’d been hit with such need.
He leapt for the door, his heart pounding when the elevator closed and started to move. “Fuck! Call and tell them to hold her. Get this fucking elevator back down there!”
Sin paced the small elevator, the ride to the top seeming to take forever. “Damn it.” He stopped in front of Sam, not liking the look on his bodyguard’s face as he kept the phone held to his ear.
Sam sighed. “Okay. Thanks.” Disconnecting, he shook his head, putting a hand out to keep Sin from pushing the button to go back down again. “Sorry. They had her, but she got away.”
Sin blinked. “Got away? From two security guards?” Intrigued, he stepped out of the elevator and crossed the hall to his room. “How the hell did she manage that?”
Sam grinned. “Because they’re not me and she obviously knows how to use those high heels for more than showing off those gorgeous legs.”
Inordinately proud of a woman he’d never met, Sin smiled. “Good for her.”
He shot Sam a glare. “You shouldn’t be looking at her legs.”
Her escape meant that he’d lost his chance to meet her.
Staring out the window of his hotel room, he thought back to her words. “I wonder what she wanted to talk to me about.”
Shaking his head, Sam smiled.
“She’s got grit. Something tells me that she’ll be trying again.” Sam paused, something in his expression knotting Sin’s stomach.
Turning, he went to the small refrigerator and retrieved a bottle of water. “What? What aren’t you telling me?”
Sam gulped, obviously recognizing Sin’s cool tone.
“They said she was crying when she left.”
Sin rose, stiffening. “Crying?”
The thought of her crying created an odd feeling in the pit of Sin’s stomach.
Sam checked the lock on the sliding doors before dropping into one of the chairs facing the sofa.
“You know how some of these groupies get.”
Sin crossed to the small table, uncovering the food he no longer wanted, dropping the lid back with a clatter. “She didn’t seem like a groupie to me.”
“Well, she’s gone now.”
“So she is.” His appetite gone, he rose. “I’m going to bed.”
“But you haven’t eaten! You’re always starving after a show.”
Not feeling the need to explain himself, Sin headed for the bedroom.
“I don’t want to be disturbed—unless she shows up again. If she does, I want to know about it immediately and I want her brought up.”
Lying in bed several minutes later, he remained awake, despite his fatigue.
Unable to stop thinking of her, he rolled to his back, willing his cock to behave.
She was beautiful, but he was used to beautiful women.
There was something about her that gripped him and wouldn’t let go.
Jesus, he was in a mood.
He’d been working too long without a break, and he was bored out of his mind.
Frustrated.
Restless.
And he didn’t know why.
He just hoped like hell that a week’s vacation with a submissive was all he needed to get back to normal again.
But sleep wouldn’t come.
The image of the sexy woman in red looking up at him with tears in her innocent dark eyes haunted him for the rest of the night.
Chapter Two
The erotic beat of the low background music in Gabriel’s club and the sight of several Dominants with their submissives, usually a familiar and welcoming atmosphere, began to grate on his nerves.
Sipping ginger ale, Sin sighed, irritated that he couldn’t get the woman in red out of his mind.
“Sin!”
Turning, Sin smiled at Gabriel Durand, the owner of the club and several more like it.
Rising, he held out a hand. “Gabriel. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Chuckling, Gabriel lifted a brow, appearing more relaxed than Sin had ever seen him. “No?”
“I heard you got married. Congratulations. I figured you’d be too busy with your wife to show up here.”
Gabriel smiled, his eyes warming. “Kelsey’s in the apartment upstairs.”
Irritated and more than a little surprised at the pang of jealousy at his friend’s obvious happiness, Sin nodded. “Keep her with you, do you?”
Inclining his head, Gabriel looked around. “Always. I’m not about to let that woman out of my sight. Luckily, she seems to feel the same way.”
Sin watched Gabriel, fascinated when his friend paused and stiffened, narrowing his eyes at something across the room.
Suddenly, two of the men who worked for him moved from opposite ends of the room toward a man who had his hands all over an obviously unwilling woman.
Once the man had been escorted out and the woman taken aside, Gabriel turned back to him, and despite his smile, anger still shimmered in his eyes.
“My wife says she’s the one not willing to let me out of her sight. I think she’s afraid I’ll lose my head over someone else.”
Not missing the possessive emphasis on my wife, Sin gestured for another ginger ale.
“I have to admit I was surprised. I never thought you would settle down. I envy you.”
Gabriel’s eyes sharpened. “I never thought I would find the right woman. I knew Kelsey was the woman for me as soon as I met her. It took me a while to convince her, but she was worth the wait.” He scanned the club again, apparently satisfied with what he saw. “You look tired. I’m sure you’re ready for your vacation on the island before Jordan starts cracking the whip.”
Lowering himself back to the stool, Sin nodded and took another sip of his drink. “Yeah. I’ve been looking forward to it for quite some time. I want to look at the condos. Jordan’s interested in buying one, too, but I have no idea why. He rarely takes any time off. I’m hoping that by taking over more of the business responsibilities, I can give him that time. I owe him.”
Gabriel smiled. “I don’t think he minded a minute of it. You’re family to him, probably more than you realize. You going to the island alone?”
With a shrug, Sin averted his gaze, knowing that his friend saw far too
much. “It might just turn out that way. I thought I’d come to the auction tonight and see if I could find someone who might want to accompany me.”
“You don’t sound too enthusiastic about it.” Gabriel’s eyes narrowed. “The subs going on the auction block have been roaming the floor all evening, several trying very hard to get your attention. For a man looking for a particular type of woman to take to the island, you don’t seem to be looking very hard.”
Sin shrugged, glancing around with the hope that one of the submissives would catch his attention.
The mental image of the dark-haired beauty in the red dress rose again, making him hard in an instant.
“There’s a woman.”
Gabriel frowned, ignoring the looks of interest from a woman who worked her way steadily closer. “I’ve seen you in the papers with several different women. Which one?”
Allowing a small smile, Sin glanced around the club, his gaze settling on a Dom and his sub who’d caught his attention when he’d first sat down. “Several because I only dated each one of them once. She’s not one of them.”
Lifting a hand, Gabriel sat on the stool next to him.
“Who is she?”
Fisting his hand on the bar, Sin blew out a breath, but it did nothing to relieve the tension inside him.
“I have no fucking idea.”
He explained briefly, having no idea why he did, but Gabriel had always been a good listener.
Wincing, Gabriel sipped the club soda the bartender placed in front of him. “Sorry to hear that. I know the feeling well. Still there are times when Kelsey looks up at me and I feel like I took a punch to the gut.”
Sin eyed the woman who moved in various poses in an attempt to gain his attention.
She had dark hair, but it wasn’t long like his mystery lady’s.
He couldn’t stop thinking about it spread over his pillow.
Or wrapped around his fist.
Gabriel sighed.
“It’s hard enough to find an emotional connection with a woman, but finding that connection with a woman who can embrace our lifestyles is even more difficult.”
“And yet you did it.”
“I did.” Gabriel smiled and looked up at the ceiling as if he could see his wife in the apartment above. “Best damned decision I ever made. I thought I was happy, but she showed me just how much I was missing. Like you, I thought love was an illusion—a combination of hunger and curiosity that slowly dims. Love—it just seems to make all that stronger.” He took a sip of his club soda he always drank when in one of his clubs, shaking his head as if coming out of a trance. “I’d kill for that woman. Just hope you find the same. I’d hoped that one of the women I see you with in the society pages—”