by Kailin Gow
Only now, she couldn’t help wondering what part Willow had played in Price’s devious plot. Could he even be behind Willow’s insistence she marry Sebastian?
“What games are you playing now, Price?” she muttered.
She closed the agenda and opened his email account hoping to find out more. Aside from a few legitimate business messages, and some junk, all his emails had been deleted. She rummaged through his junk mail, deleted messages, and various files, and found one recent message from Willow.
Don’t try to look for me for the next little while. I’m heading out to the family winter home for a change of pace. I need to clear my head. I’ll contact you the minute I get back.
Willow.
Winter home? What winter home?
If she were to get any answers about all this, she would have to talk to Willow herself, in person, but a winter home could be anywhere.
She picked up the phone on the desk and dialed. “Laura.”
“Huh?” came the groggy response.
“Laura, it’s Serena. I need your precious help again.”
“Huh? Serena? What time is it? Oh, shit, it’s barely seven… and you’re up already?”
“Not already… still. I haven’t gone to bed yet. I have too many things to take care of, and right now I’m at a dead end. Can I come over?”
“Sure, honey. I’ll start a pot of coffee.”
Serena hung up with the fervent hope Laura would be able to help.
After closing the email account and shutting down the laptop, she put everything in its place. Price would never know she’d been there.
Standing, she took a final look around. “This is it, Price. I’m really doing it this time.” Proud and smiling, she walked out of the office.
“Leaving already?” Penelope said. “I am so very sorry. Mr. Turnsby seems to be running a little late. Won’t you wait a bit longer?”
Serena smiled, amused by the professional reputation Price had among his employees. They all thought he was simply a handsome and very successful businessman. He was perfectly charming, perfectly respectful, and perfectly professional. No one would ever guess his high status in the BDSM world. No one would ever imagine he was a master. They would never suspect he was the insatiable and sexually driven young man that he was.
No. All they saw was the perfect golden boy.
“You know what, Penelope?” Serena said. “I’m so confused these days, I got my dates mixed up. We’re the fourteenth, right?”
Dumbfounded, Penelope nodded.
“I’m supposed to meet up with him the morning of the sixteenth. Silly me.”
“Don’t worry about it. These things happen.”
“Besides, it seems I left my lubricating gel at home,” she added. “Can you imagine my showing up here without any lubricating gel?”
Penelope blushed once again.
It was naughty of Serena to tease the older woman, but she couldn’t resist. “Please don’t tell Mr. Turnsby about my snafu. I wouldn’t want him to think I was an airhead.”
“Of course not.”
Chuckling to herself, Serena boarded the elevator and hummed a pleasant tune all the way down to the parking lot. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so spry and lively… not the sexual, lustful liveliness she usually felt, but a new vitality that had always eluded her; a profound sense of contentment.
In Laura’s car, she turned on the radio and sang with the happy pop tune that came on. Life was good… and life was going to get better.
Moments later, she arrived at her good friend’s place and sat down to a luxurious breakfast of scrabbled eggs, sausage, baked beans, golden potatoes and fresh squeezed orange juice, all with yet again another cup of coffee.
“I don’t get it,” Serena said. “I called you fifteen minutes before arriving… even woke you up, apparently, and you still manage to welcome me with a spread like this. You're too much, Laura.”
“Hey, I know you’re going through a lot. Can’t a friend do all she can to help a friend out?”
“When this is all through, Laura, I’m going to treat you to something special. I don’t know what yet, but…”
“Don’t worry about it. Now tell me, what kind of help do you need?”
“Actually it’s your father’s help. I need to talk to Willow Brooks, but apparently she’s left for the family winter home for the next little while.”
Laura nodded. “Yeah, I think I heard my dad talk about the family spending their winters at this cabin they have. Great skiing, if you're into that sort of thing. Personally, I don’t get it. All that clothes just to ride up a slope and then zip back down.”
Serena snapped her fingers. “You're losing me here, Laura.”
Laura grinned. “Sorry. All these rich people and their rich people activities… drives me nuts sometimes.”
“So does that mean you know where this winter family home is?”
“I think it’s in Colorado… Aspen probably.”
“Could you get me the exact address?”
“Sure. Dad would know. He’s the one who negotiated the sale.”
Serena stared expectantly at Laura a moment. “Think you could ring him up to ask?”
“Oh, right. Sorry. Looks like I still have a bit of my morning daze on.” She gulped down the remainder of her coffee, clapped the crumbs off her hands and reached for the phone with one hand, while she grabbed a notepad and pen with the other and handed them to Serena.
She dialed her father’s number and clicked on the speaker phone. As the third ring went unanswered, Serena began to wonder if her search was going to end right then and there.
“Yello,” the older man’s voice grunted.
“Dad, it’s Laura.”
“What’s up, pumpkin?”
“I need a bit of insider info.”
He grunted.
“It’s for a very good reason, and I promise it won’t compromise your position.”
“What is it?”
“The Brooks winter retreat… it’s in Aspen, right?”
“Brooks? Hold on, there.”
The sounds of movement crackled in the phone followed by the flipping of sheets of paper.
“Brooks. Brooks. Brooks. Oh, here we go, Brooks. Majestic and luxurious twelve thousand square foot log cabin nestled on a hundred and thirty acres of luscious meadows and gentle slopes. Seven bedrooms, each with their own baths, sauna, spa, indoor pool, spacious kitchen, formal dining room, large breakfast nook and a sprawling outdoor patio.”
“Sounds great,” Laura said as she eyed Serena, silently begging for her patience.
“Cost a pretty penny, too. For a while there the owners thought they’d never sell, but… Well, the Brooks like their homes expansive and expensive. And talk about a view. You can’t beat this. Everywhere you look… magnificent.”
“And do you have the address, Pops?”
“Well, let’s see here. Yeah, that’s what I thought. Winter Lane. Twenty-one Winter Lane.”
“You're the best, Dad.”
“Now, what you got planned? You heading out to Aspen?”
“I figure I can use a getaway after taking the bar exams. The stress of finding out if I passed or not, it’s killing me. Yeah going for a short visit, Dad.” She quickly hung up and grinned at Serena. “Another second on the line and he’d be asking way too many questions.”
Serena nodded.
“I imagine you want to leave now,” Laura said as she started dialing another number.
“Who you calling?” Serena asked.
Laura held up a finger. “Ally? It’s Laura.” She looked knowingly at Serena. “Can you have me in Aspen this afternoon?”
Serena could have kissed her.
“A nine-thirty flight?”
Serena nodded.
“Great. I’ll take the private jet service. It’s discrete. Want to surprise the guy I’m dating. Right. Yep. I’ll make sure to be there in twenty minutes. Thanks girlfriend.”
She hung up.
“Oh, my God, Laura. You’re a Godsend.”
She smiled. “Well, I want to make sure when this thing is all settled and you treat me to something special, it’ll be really big.” She grabbed the keys to her car. “Come on. Let’s get you to Aspen.”
Chapter 18
The rental car drove like a dream and the winding roads were a pleasure to meander on. As Serena passed before one luxury home after another, she marveled at their rustic beauty and natural settings. Every home blended in perfectly with its surrounding, bringing a harmonious charm to their elegant grandeur. Though incredibly large, some almost looking like small inns, none were bold and ostentatious. Not one of them stood out like a glaring monstrosity amidst the subtle beauty of the mountains, forests and streams.
Turning onto Winter Lane she read each address on each post. The homes were no longer visible from the road and many were gated. She also had several miles to drive between each gate. When she reached twenty she slowed down. The next entrance would be it.
The next entrance turned out to be the last. Twenty-one was the last home of the dead end street, and it was gated.
Serena got out of the car to take a look. “Please don’t tell me I’ve come all this way just to be refused at the gate,” she muttered.
There was an intercom, but she had no idea what she’d say once she pressed the button. She wasn’t exactly a friend of Willow’s, nor was she friendly with the family.
But as she neared the intercom, she noticed the gate was left slightly ajar. With just a tap of her toe, the gate opened.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
She hopped back in her rental and slowly drove down the long drive that led to the incredible cabin. It was a luxury home in every sense of the word. Laura’s father hadn’t been kidding. The two-story home sprawled out and seemed to go on and on.
Parking the car, she stopped for a moment to consider her next move. If Willow was here with the entire family, she’d have to find a way to get her alone. Though there was only one car, a black Porsche, in the drive, the multiple door garage probably housed the rest of the family’s vehicles.
Serena got out of the car and pulled down the short skirt of the minidress she’d bought at boutique at the airport. The bright and bold patterns made it whimsical and fun, perfect for an afternoon visit, while the short and snug cut made it alluringly sexy. She dabbed on a bit of lipstick, ran her hand over her long auburn-colored hair, a wig she had used to look like Laura so she could get on the private jet and finally let out a long breath.
Satisfied, she headed to the large double doors. Taking in another deep breath, she knocked. No doubt a servant or butler would open the door, but it was taking him forever. She turned to admire the view. Again, just as Laura’s father had said, the view from every angle was spectacular. Even standing on the front stoop she could see majestic peaks piercing through the sky as far as the eye could see.
“Why hello,” a smooth male voice called.
Startled, Serena turned to him. “Michael?”
“Serena? I thought you were someone else at first…the red hair. But this, this is beyond expectations. Serena Singleton. Here. With me. Tell me I died and went to heaven. Luscious girl, what are you doing in Aspen?”
“I… I’m sorry,” she blubbered. “I’m so surprised to see you.”
“Not as pleasantly surprised as I am. What brings you to beautiful Aspen this afternoon?” Michael repeated, his eyes moving all over her.
Serena’s brain quickly shifted through possible answers. “A while back I told Willow how I loved to ski, and she said your family had a place near Snowmass. I’ve heard so many great things about it and really wanted to see it. Willow said I should pop over some time and have a visit, and well, I was in town, trying to get inspired to write a new composition and…” She saw the look in his eyes, a hungry look that devoured her, ate her up whole. He wanted her.
She’d play along with it. “Since things aren’t going so well with Sebastian these days, I needed a little getaway, so this was the perfect time.”
Her story made little sense, but judging by the look in his eyes, he wasn’t really listening anyway.
“Perfect indeed. I was just about to go for a dip. Why don’t you come in and join me?” His voice was like thick honey, smooth and sickly sweet.
She followed him in and held back on the gasp of awe that gripped her as she entered the huge and inviting home.
“I’m sorry if the place looks a bit of a mess, but I’ve been in and out of Aspen these past days, and I’ve given the caretakers the week off.” He glanced at her and winked. “I needed some time alone.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I guess I really should have called first. I just assumed Willow would be here.”
“And here I was thinking you had come here hoping to find me.”
She smiled. “I’d heard Willow was staying here for the next little while.”
“Turns out she decided to stay in California with the rest of the family. Aspen is known for its winters and great skiing, but off season…it’s a great place to get away from the social norms.” He shot her a charming glance. “But now tell me, why would you want to see her to begin with? She’s hardly any fun...unlike me.” He smiled.
He reached the pool area and he tugged off his shirt and hopped out of his pants, briefs and all. His growing erection was already promising and he glanced down at it with an amused grin. “I guess I can’t really hide just how happy I am to see you.”
“If you’ve been here alone a while, I guess you're happy to see anyone.”
“Not true. I am specifically happy to see you. You're the one woman I never even dared dream I’d get my hands on.” He dove into the water and popped his head out a moment later. “You coming in?”
“I’m not really sure I feel like getting wet.”
He leisurely treaded water as he contemplated her. “So, you didn’t tell me why you wanted to see my sister. Are you going to heighten my fantasy of you and tell me that you’re into women, too? Cause you know, even if she’s my sister and all, I really wouldn’t mind. I mean watching the two of you get it on… man. I would sure go for that.”
Although she’d never felt that kind of attraction toward women, she decided to go along with the game. “I guess I can be a bit fickle sometimes. I’m hard to please and it takes a lot to satisfy me. Every once in a while a woman’s touch is just what I need.”
“Don’t tell me old Sebastian Sorenson hasn’t been keeping you satisfied.”
“I think I may have proven to be too much for him. I mean, it was fun at first, and he really made an effort to please me, but in the end, it just wasn’t what I needed. He wasn’t willing to put himself out there enough.”
Michael swam to the edge of the pool and crossed his arms on the ledge as he watched her with keen interest. “If you think you need someone who’ll dare go where he refused to go, I might just be your man.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Michael. You're a Brooks; all prim and proper. You probably do it under the sheets with the lights off.”
Pulling himself out of the water, he walked up to her. Water glistened on his exquisitely sculpted frame, collecting in small rivulets that trickled between every precisely cut muscle.
And the cool water had done nothing to calm his growing erection. It still pointed up with eager anticipation.
“Don’t let the size dissuade you,” he said with a crooked grin. “The cold water shrivels it up a bit.”
Shriveled up? It seemed quite healthy and large from where she stood.
“You have no idea just how far I’d go,” he whispered, his voice deep and raspy, as if the very thought aroused him to no end. “I’m willing to do what it takes to satisfy your needs. Oh God, Serena, how I’m willing.”
He took a step closer and lightly pressed his chest against her breasts, soaking the front of her dress. Licking his lips, he glanced down at the nipples that now stood erect i
n the damp fabric.
“I can’t believe I have the delicious Serena Singleton here in my house… all to myself. No Price to control you. No horny old men to ogle you. Just me.”
Serena’s eyes narrowed. Price? Old horny men? Had he been…? No. He couldn’t have.
“You seemed surprised.” He brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek. “I’ve been receiving Price’s invitations to his gatherings for a while now. Of course, I’ve always been discrete, always hugged the walls. I don’t need to tell you the scandal that would erupt if anyone ever found out.” He gazed down at her heaving breasts. “I was there at the opening of his new building complex… the night he ate sushi off your exquisite body. It was incredible, Serena. You were incredible. I was so fucking hard, I had to find a corner by myself and get some release before I went nuts. I still fantasize about it.”
“And you were on Price’s yacht last night?”
“A masquerade ball. How could I resist? I was ecstatic when I learned I could go to the ball and be free to roam. I could finally mingle and join the crowd… get up close to you as Price fucked you.”
She clearly remembered everyone who’d written out their fantasy, every horny old man who’d signed over his silence. She would have remembered Michael. Few of the men at these parties were as young and good looking as he was.
“No,” he said with a slow whisper. “You didn’t read my fantasy last night, at least not all of it. I might have been as eager and horny as every other man in there, but I knew better than to put anything in writing and attach my name to it. As a teaser, I did write down a hint of what I’d like to do to you.”
“When Sebastian exposed himself, I cursed the bastard for having the luck to be with you, but I cut my losses. I discretely headed to the deck for a smoke, then strolled off the yacht before things really turned nasty. And believe me, I know how nasty they went.”
“You impress me, Michael. Most men with a hard on can’t think straight… lack of blood running through the brain and all. But you're able to think clearly even when…”