What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 7)

by Lexi Buchanan

  “I pushed her too fast.” He kicked the spanking bench, and it slid a few feet. “You forget I’m not that experienced as a Dom.”

  Melissa stopped swinging and held out one of the floggers to him. “Here. Practice. I’ll work with you. Then you can show Zoe.”

  He rubbed his forehead, trying to avoid the headache building. This would never work. “I should check on her.”

  “No, she’s fine. She never reached subspace because she was analyzing everything you did. You made progress, though. She did come. If she wasn’t into the submissive role, she never would’ve responded so well.” Melissa dropped the floggers on the table. She placed a hand on Jason’s shoulder. “There could be another reason for her apprehension.”

  “What’s that?”

  “She’s conflicted about you training her, how it’ll affect your relationship.” Melissa paused for a moment. “You’re sure you two didn’t practice a little BDSM when you were dating?”

  “Mild role-playing, tying each other up and some other kinky stuff.”

  Melissa grinned. “Really? I’m intrigued. What kinky stuff?”

  Jason glared at her in silence.

  “Seriously, tell me. It might help. Maybe we can use that somehow.”

  He gave a long sigh. “Fine. When we were on a long stakeout, watching a house where there were known drug cartels, she liked to get busy. We could be in a car, a van, an empty building. If we were alone and the element of danger was there, she was horny.”

  “Sounds like she or both of you are addicted to sex.”

  “That might be true if we’d continued to do it when we were home,” he said. “I think it was more of an adrenaline rush and fear that we might not live to see the next day. Emotions run high when you think this might be the last time.”

  “All the more reason to keep emotion out of this and have Tyler train her.” Melissa was back to her uppity attitude.

  “No fucking way.”

  “How are you going to handle it when Kadir or any other target is controlling her, mastering her, flogging her?”

  Jason bit his lower lip until he tasted blood. “That’s different. It’s a job, a mission. She’ll do what she has to. Tyler’s only interested in another sexual conquest.”

  “Stop worrying.” Melissa handed him a spray bottle of disinfectant and a roll of paper towels. Then she straightened the items on the table for the next presentation. “She needs some time alone to acclimate. Call her tomorrow.”

  Jason took a breath. “I don’t know if she’ll be convincing. What if Kadir suspects?”

  “He won’t. She’ll be fine.”

  What choice did she have? Or he?

  “The problem isn’t whether she can handle Kadir,” Melissa said. “The problem is whether she can respond properly as a slave if he gets intense. She can’t break her submissive role. And you can’t interfere.”

  “I’ll work with her, and I won’t interfere,” he said as he neatly arranged the items on the table, as careful as a surgeon setting up a tray of surgical instruments. The sex toys he’d used on Zoe were wrapped in a towel. He’d take them to the restroom to clean and sterilize in a minute.

  Melissa crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head. “You shouldn’t be dungeon master on this one,” she continued, her voice lowered. “Not even to observe. Your relationship with her complicates this program and can compromise it.”

  “That monster is not getting his hands on her without me close by to protect her.”

  “Which is exactly why you shouldn’t be in the room. You’re too close to her. Maybe even in love with her?”

  No, he wasn’t in love with her. Was he? He glared at Melissa. For a petite woman, she had balls. He wasn’t budging on this. He could be as bullheaded as she was.

  Her body relaxed, and her sudden smile didn’t look forced. Jason didn’t trust her change in attitude. The woman was a trained Domme and knew how to use psychology, emotions and subtle manipulations to leverage her control. “We’ll talk more about this later. I have to prepare for a presentation tomorrow night. I need to walk Alana through a few things.”

  “The Red Tape Room is getting popular,” he said.

  “It’s about to get even more so.” Melissa squeezed Jason’s arm. “Don’t worry, Zoe will do fine. She did great for her first time as a sub. I think she has submissive tendencies.”

  He gave a hoarse laugh. “I doubt that.”

  Melissa shrugged. “Then she better be good at faking it.” Her phone buzzed. She checked it and frowned.

  “Everything okay?” Jason asked.

  “Alana. She’s asking to see me right away in Rowland’s office. It’s urgent.”

  Crossing the room to grab her purse and jacket, Melissa continued to text. Then her phone buzzed again and again.

  “Sounds serious,” Jason said.

  “Eric Rowland. And he just ordered me to get to his office.” Melissa texted a message back. “What the hell is going on?”

  “Isn’t the president attending a function at the Capitol Building? Shouldn’t Rowland be with him?”

  “You’d think.” She put her coat on as the phone rang. “Hello, Melissa Tadeshi.” She stood straighter. “Yes, ma’am. I just got the text. I’m on my way now.”

  Jason waited for her to speak, if she could fill him in. “What’s up?”

  “Got to go. We have a problem.”

  Zoe marched so fast out of the White House, she got a few strange looks from the guards at the exit. If she hadn’t been so sore, she might’ve walked all the way to her Georgetown townhouse. After Jason had worked her over with the flogger, she had a tender behind and back, and her muscles ached, more from tension than from the flogging. During the drive home, she could hardly keep her eyes open and it was only eight o’clock. By the time she got home, she was exhausted, and her ass burned. Anal play had never been a big thrill for her.

  A hot bath and a cup of tea sounded like a good plan. She hadn’t eaten yet. But when she got to the porch of her townhouse, Mrs. Snyder called from her door.

  “Zoe. Hold on.” She crossed her small yard and ran up her steps. She was wearing a yoga outfit. “Just getting home from work?”

  “Yes, Beth. Long day. I’m ready for a bath and bed.” She hoped her nice neighbor got the polite hint she was too tired for an evening of neighborly gossip.

  “I just wanted to let you know the FedEx guy was here with a package. I let him in only so he could leave the package inside. I signed for you.” She handed her a paper. “It’s from your dad.”

  Zoe smiled. “How did you know?”

  “Because the return address is from a John Summers in Ohio. I know you have family in Ohio and only have one brother, and he’s in Afghanistan. So it must be your father.”

  “Good guess. You’re right. You could’ve been a spy.” Zoe laughed. “I bet it’s apples and cider. My dad said he was going to visit my uncle in Pennsylvania. He lives near an orchard and cider mill.”

  “Mmmm. Fresh apples,” Beth crooned.

  “I’ll bring you some tomorrow. Better yet, I’ll bake a pie later this week.”

  “Thank you. I’d love either. Go inside and get some rest.” Beth waved and jogged back to her house.

  Inside, Zoe found the large box in her foyer. After she let Dexter outside to pee, she picked up the box and carried it into the kitchen, placing it on her island and her purse on one of two barstools. With a knife in her hand, she cut open the box as her cell phone buzzed.

  Putting the knife down, Zoe dug in her purse and checked her phone. Her brother had posted another word to their game. She checked the update. DEATH was placed across the word TEAL, which she’d played.

  A chill crept up her back, and her heart pounded so loud it reached her ears. In a rush, Zoe raced through the first floor, her kitchen, dining room, living room and turned on all the lights. Then she picked up the cell phone and sent a text to her brother.

  Damien? U ok?

 
She stared at the screen, expecting an answer instantly but knowing he wouldn’t. She turned on the tea kettle for tea. Her hands shook. While the water heated, she picked up the knife again and finished slashing through the clear strapping tape. Then she removed the bubble wrap. She got a whiff of fresh apples, and the tension in her body eased.

  Inside were at least eight quarts of two different types of apples—large golden skin Mutsu and smaller red Romes. Both were great for eating or baking. Also in the box was a gallon of cider. She grinned. She could hug her dad for going to the trouble.

  She rinsed off one of the large apples and bit into it. Sweet and tart, the juice ran down her chin. Her phone buzzed again. She snatched it up and read the text from Damien.

  Fine, why? Don’t like getting beat again?

  She sent a text back.

  You scared me. Don’t use words like death. Sure you’re ok?

  I’ll be home soon. Having a party. Can’t wait to see Ohio. Don’t worry.

  Having a party was his way of telling her things were bad. And Damien hated Ohio. He was saying they were really bad. Now she was worried. The first lady had said she’d see about trying to get his team out, but if the fighting was bad, Zoe doubted Damien’s team would leave.

  Be careful. Love you.

  L U 2

  She let Dexter back inside and gave him a big hug. The dog licked her chin, then squirmed to be released and charged for the living room to play with a toy. Zoe turned off the tea water and poured a small glass of apple cider instead, adding a shot of cinnamon schnapps. Dropping down on one of the barstools, she took a sip. Whatever happened, she’d do this FLC thing with Kadir even if he beat her to a bloody pulp.

  Her doorbell rang, and Zoe reached for her gun, then realized she wasn’t carrying one. Reflexes and old habits never die. Damn, she was jumpy. Acting like she was on a mission.

  She was, if they hadn’t fired her. Right now she’d prefer the West Bank and Gaza Strip during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the Red Tape Room.

  Dexter raced to the door, barking. Peering through the peephole, she saw Jason, holding two large paper bags. Her body heated from lust and embarrassment. Her nipples still felt raw and sensitive, her butt tender and her cleft slick with desire. Her lesson had riled her up and irritated her at the same time. How could they possibly have a sexual relationship, any kind of relationship, when they planned to use sex as a weapon for blackmail and manipulation?

  She opened the door, her jaw tight. “If you have floggers, dildos or any other similar devices of torture in those bags, turn around and leave.”

  He held up one bag and smiled. “Subs from Bozzelli’s Deli?”

  Her mouth twitched in a grin, and the tension in her body eased a little. “Bozzelli’s?” She opened the door wider. “Get in quick before someone mugs you.”

  He strolled inside. “You live in a nice neighborhood. It looks like a Stepford Wives neighborhood, where the yards are small but neat, the houses freshly painted, and the wives are baking cookies all the time.”

  “Funny. There isn’t much upkeep for the yard, but I do bake cookies sometimes. Pies this week, since my dad sent fresh apples. Want one?” She pointed to the box on her island as she brought out plates for the sandwiches.

  “Later. Apple pie sounds good.”

  “I’ll make one right now,” she said sweetly, teasing him. “I’m not a Stepford wife. Not happening.” She grabbed the bag of sandwiches. “I’m starved. What kind did you get?”

  “Prosciutto and mozzarella for me and turkey and Havarti cheese for you.”

  “Ah, I love a man who can order deli. Cider, beer, wine?”

  “Beer.” He studied her while opening his sandwich and taking a bite. “Are you okay?” His voice was gentle now.

  She took a bite. “Mmmm. Let’s take these in the breakfast room.” He left the other bag on the kitchen island, and she didn’t ask about it yet. The sandwiches smelled too good, and something told her she didn’t want to know what was in there. Had he cleaned out her desk? Had she gotten fired and kicked out of the FLC?

  They grabbed their plates and sat down at the dinette table off her kitchen. Wide windows looked out onto a small private garden lit by small solar lights. “I’ll be okay. I needed to catch my breath.”

  Jason sighed as if he was relieved. “We thought you were going to back out.”

  “I thought you came here to tell me I was fired.”

  “No. Just checking in on you. I also have some intel to share.” He took a guy-size bite of his sandwich and smiled.

  “Is that what’s in the other bag?”

  He nodded. “After we eat. Right now, it might spoil your appetite.”

  “It won’t bother you watching these monsters do this bondage stuff to me?”

  He stopped eating and put his sandwich down. He took a sip of beer. “It bothers me a hell of a lot, but it’s the results that matter.”

  “I don’t understand the psychology. What if this Kadir realizes I’m not a true submissive? How can I possibly be good at this in a few days?”

  “You’re playing a role, just as if you were working undercover on any other mission. Except in this one, there’s sex involved. BDSM is about trust, but also about a power shift, surrendering control.”

  She covered her face with her hands. “That’s the problem. It’s against every natural instinct to give over my power, surrender control to an evil person who murders to advance his position and wealth and claims to have God’s blessing.”

  “The war on terrorism is being fought in unusual, subtle ways. You’ll be a hero, but the world will never know. Do you know how many heroes there are in the world that the general public doesn’t know about?”

  “I don’t want the glory. I want to stop the bad guy.” She pounded her fist on the table.

  “Let me help you.”

  “All right.” She leaned back in her chair and stared into her antique light hanging over the table. Her thoughts were in a tailspin. “What about my brother? I just got a text. His code says it’s bad over there.”

  Jason made a face. “It is bad, and it might not be a good idea that’s he’s texting you.”

  “I know.” He didn’t press it, and she was grateful. “Promise me we’ll be okay when it’s over.”

  He got to his feet and pulled her up. His hands held her face as he looked intensely into her eyes, his brows furrowed in deep lines. “This is a mission against terrorism and a means to prevent wars, to at least maintain some element of stability in the world. It has nothing to do with our relationship, as complicated as it becomes. You mean everything to me. I won’t let any harm come to you.”

  She smiled and nodded, although her smile felt a bit weak. He hadn’t said he loved her, never had. Even though they weren’t working CIA anymore, relationships hadn’t gotten any easier. “I think I can do this if you’re present.”

  He made a face again. “They don’t want me in the room.”

  “Too bad. I want you there.”

  “They feel it will distract you and Kadir will sense our connection.”

  “I’ll tell them you have to be there.” She sat back down and picked up her sandwich.

  He sat. “We’ll talk to them.” When he finished his sandwich, he got up and placed his plate in the sink, then grabbed the other bag. He took out a manila envelope and opened a folder that contained photos and a printout of information. “Intel collected on Kadir.”

  Zoe picked up photos of a man with two women who were naked and lying at his feet. The man held a bullwhip high in one hand. He was bare-chested and had on a pair of loose-fitting pants. His feet were bare.

  “How do you know this is Kadir?”

  “It was taken by cell phone at a distance, so the photo isn’t clear. The computer printouts are of a number of hard-core S&M sites he’s visited recently on his laptop, home and work computers. We confirmed his IP addresses.”

  She flipped through twenty pages of URLs and IP ad
dresses. He used a number of computers and his cell phone to search and download photos from these sites. “I see a few kiddie-porn sites. Now I hate this guy even more.”

  “There are thousands of these sites, but many are tracked. It’s not hard to pick out which foreign dignitaries are potential targets for the FLC by monitoring these sites. We like to have numerous criteria met before we make a decision. A lot of men search porn sites, not a big deal. We want the world leaders who are sexually obsessed with a particular lifestyle that their people and peers would find extremely offensive.”

  He shoved the photo of the two women back to Zoe. “Study that photo and tell me what else you see.”

  She looked closer. “Oh God. There are crisscrossing lines of blood all over their backs. He was whipping them that hard?” A shiver went through her as she imagined the severity of that pain.

  “What else?”

  “Oh no. Is he standing in a pool of blood?”

  Jason’s expression grew grim, and his voice lowered. “Yes, blood from the two women. He slit their throats. See the knife sheathed at his hip?”

  “Yes.” Zoe felt sick.

  “One more item to notice in this photo. Look closely.”

  She studied it again, then threw the photo onto the pile. “He has a fucking hard-on.”

  Jason collected the folder and stuffed it back into the envelope. “Ready to meet me tomorrow for another lesson?”

  “No. I’m ready now.”

  “I had a feeling.” He reached inside the bag and slowly pulled out a long rope. After seeing those women tied and murdered, Zoe felt a wave of nausea pass through her.

  “What are you going to do with the rope?”

  “Give you a lesson in power exchange and surrender. Do you trust me?”

  Melissa heard the shouting coming from the office of Eric Rowland, chief of staff. Rowland’s voice bellowed at an unknown victim. She was smart enough not to walk in on that. “What the hell is going on?” she mumbled to Alana, whose doe eyes had widened. “Who’s in there? Doesn’t Eric know we have a presentation in a half hour?”