Bliss

by Opal Carew

  Two hundred. She bit her lip. As tempting as the beautiful fans were, that was more than she could justify for such a decadent item. Especially one she’d never actually use.

  “We have kits, too, so you could assemble one yourself. You save anywhere from fifty to a hundred dollars, depending on which fan you choose.”

  That meant that the two-layer one—because she would not settle for the almost straggly-looking single-layer—would still be more than three hundred dollars. And she couldn’t imagine how it would look after she tried to put it together. Probably like a mangy sheepdog during shedding season.

  “Thank you for your help,” she said, and grabbed Quinn’s arm and tugged him away.

  “I take it the fans are out. I guess we better find a costume, then.” He followed her around the corner into the next aisle, then grabbed her hand. “Over there.”

  She paused at a table covered with dazzling rhinestone jewelry, but she barely got a look before he tugged her on.

  “We’ll come back, I promise. I just want you to look at this.” He led her to a booth a couple down from the jewelry. More leather.

  She glanced at a black velvet mannequin sporting a leather . . . uh . . . whatever it was, it was made of leather straps and chains that didn’t even attempt to cover the parts of a woman’s body she’d want covered.

  “What do you think?”

  She crossed her arms. “About what exactly?”

  “What’s more appropriate to wear to a masquerade with a sex theme than black leather?”

  “I’d be arrested if I showed up in public in that.”

  He glanced at the mannequin and laughed. “I wasn’t thinking of that,” he leaned in close to her ear, “but I would love to see you in it.”

  She trembled at his closeness, then her gaze caught on a male mannequin wearing a silver studded leather thong. She could just imagine J.M. wearing that, with his superb muscular butt totally on display.

  He pointed at a mannequin a little farther down wearing a sexy leather bustier, a short black skirt, and spike-heeled boots.

  “That’s what I had in mind.”

  “Okay, sure, but I don’t have the budget for that any more than I did for the fan.” And if she did, she’d rather have the fan.

  “Budget concerns, eh?”

  He scanned the table and picked up a black leather collar with pointed studs.

  “You could wear this.”

  She stared at it dubiously. “And what else?”

  “Whatever you want. Black would be good. Low-cut would be exceptional.” He winked. “But not necessary.”

  “And I’m going as what? A dog?”

  “No.” His eyes glimmered in the sunlight.

  At the devilish glint in his eye, a quiver danced down her spine.

  He leaned in and his lips brushed her ear.

  “You’ll be my slave.”

  J.M. noticed Grace waving at him as he glanced around the ballroom. She sat at one of the round tables near the dance floor. He smiled and nodded, noticed she had a drink in front of her already, then went to the bar to order one for himself. He sat down beside her and set his beer on the table.

  “You didn’t come down with Kara?” he asked.

  “No, she didn’t answer when I knocked on her door. I thought maybe she was already down here, but I haven’t seen her. You two didn’t go to dinner together?”

  “No, I haven’t seen her since lunch.”

  “Maybe she and Quinn went to dinner after the Sex-a-la-Gala show.” She sipped her wine spritzer. “How is it going with you and Kara?”

  “I’ve been helping her explore fantasies for her column for the past two nights. Quinn’s been helping, too.”

  “Ah, no wonder I haven’t been able to make any headway with the man.”

  He nodded and swirled the beer in his glass.

  “The problem is, I’m not getting any alone time with her. If I did, I’d spend some time showing her more about Tantra and energy work. I don’t think she’ll recognize what we have until she can look beyond the physical.”

  “Do you have another fantasy planned for tonight?”

  “No. I haven’t had a chance to talk to her.”

  “Well, maybe I can distract Quinn so the two of you . . .” Her words trailed off as she gazed over his shoulder.

  He turned around. Kara walked toward them looking stunning in a black leather bustier that pushed her breasts upward in a scintillating swell of flesh, with slim-fitting black pants, black high heels, black leather studded wristbands, and a matching collar around her neck . . . with a leash attached. Behind her walked Quinn, wearing black pants and a black leather vest, holding the other end of the leash, smiling.

  “Actually, it looks like those two have devised their own fantasy for tonight,” Grace said.

  As soon as Kara saw Grace and J.M., she headed toward them. The leash tugged at her collar as she walked a little too fast in front of Quinn, so she slowed down again, yet still the collar pulled at her neck. She slowed down even more and realized Quinn was shortening the leash. A quiver ran down her spine at the control Quinn exerted over her movements. What would it be like to play this scenario out with more than just being on the end of a leash?

  Quinn coiled the black leather strap around his hand and held it a couple of inches from the back of her neck, keeping her by his side.

  “Good girl. Let’s play this up.”

  She’d left her long, dark hair flowing loose over her shoulders. Quinn stroked it behind her ear, giving a better view of her swelling breasts, leaving her feeling very exposed.

  His gaze lingered. “I’m glad you decided to buy the bustier after all. It’s very becoming.”

  Second thoughts about wearing the daring garment quickly faded with his heated stare and the simmering heat of J.M.’s gaze as he watched her approach. Wearing this, she felt wicked and sexy.

  As she glanced around the ballroom, she noticed that only about a third of the people wore costumes. Not all that many, but enough so she didn’t feel totally ridiculous. Of course, it helped that Quinn had donned black jeans and a studded leather vest. They were obviously a pair.

  When they arrived at the table, Quinn released the coils of leather from his hand, but the leather loop remained around his wrist.

  “Well, that’s a different look for you, Kara,” Grace said.

  Kara sat down beside Grace, and Quinn settled beside Kara, across from J.M.

  J.M.’s gaze glided over the leash to her tight-fitting bustier, then lingered on her breasts as they swelled above the leather. Her breath caught in her throat at his stark male scrutiny. “So why aren’t you two in costume?” Quinn chided.

  “I guess we’re just not as fun-loving as you,” J.M. said.

  “So, Quinn, you have a slave. What kind of commands do you intend to give her?” Grace asked.

  “I don’t know.” He winked at Kara. “We’ll see as the night unfolds.”

  Her stomach fluttered as she wondered what type of mischief he might have in mind. He reached for her collar and released the leash, then handed her two drink tickets.

  “I’d like an imported beer,” he said. “Get something for yourself.” He glanced at Grace. “Would you like something, Grace? Or J.M.?”

  “Sure, I’ll have the same as Quinn,” J.M. told Kara.

  Grace laughed. “All right. Make mine another wine spritzer.”

  J.M. and Grace each handed her a ticket. Kara stood up, realizing she’d probably be the waitress for the rest of the evening. And providing whatever other service Quinn would require. As she stood in line at the bar, the man behind her kept glancing at her cleavage. She had to stop herself from crossing her arms over her chest. She ordered the four drinks, making hers a screwdriver, then realized she couldn’t carry them all.

  “Here, you can use this,” the bartender said as he grabbed a round tray from the table behind the bar and set the four glasses on it.

  She took the tray, balanc
ed it on one hand, and steadied it with the other as she walked across the crowded ballroom, trying to avoid being bumped and spilling the drinks. When she arrived at the table, she set down the tray and passed each person a drink, feeling every bit the serving wench.

  “Good girl,” Quinn said as she sat down.

  She almost expected him to give her a treat to nibble.

  Then he leaned in and kissed her. As his lips pressed against hers, she did nibble a little, then dove her tongue into his mouth. Good heavens, could the idea of being his slave be turning her on?

  He nuzzled her ear. “You know, I think J.M. is feeling a little lonely,” he said. “Why don’t you go over and give him a kiss, too? In fact, I think you should sit on his lap.”

  She stood up and walked around the table to J.M., settled her hand on his shoulder, then sat on his lap. She felt wicked and . . . controlled. She stroked her hand across his cheek, then kissed his lips. She continued to stroke his face as she nibbled his lips, then flicked the tip of her tongue into his mouth. His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her close, then his tongue dove between her lips as he consumed her mouth.

  After a long, fervent kiss, he drew back.

  “So, you’re Quinn’s slave.” He hooked his finger in the loop at the front of her collar and tugged, pulling her face closer to his. “Do you obey only his commands?”

  A slow smile spread across her face as she gazed into his simmering chocolate eyes.

  “I . . . think with two such commanding men, I might find myself serving two masters.”

  He tugged harder on the loop, drawing her closer, then he captured her lips. The feel of his firm, masterful tongue invading her mouth sent shivers through her body.

  He kissed her ear and murmured, “I can hardly wait to get you back to the room.”

  Her gaze locked with his and she wanted to go right now.

  “Kara, time to dance.” Quinn stood beside her, his hand extended.

  She smiled at J.M., then took Quinn’s hand and stood up. Quinn attached the leash to the ring on her collar, then led her to the dance floor. He coiled the strap around his wrist as he drew her into his embrace.

  After two dances, J.M. cut in. Quinn handed him the leash and J.M. drew her close, then his strong arms slid around her and he guided her to the music. A few moments later, Quinn and Grace danced past them. Grace smiled brightly at Quinn and Kara felt a little guilty that she’d been monopolizing Quinn for the past few days when Grace clearly would like a go at him.

  “You’ve been enjoying your fantasies?” J.M. asked.

  “They’ve been very exciting.” She smiled. “You and Quinn are extremely . . . talented.” She gazed into his eyes. “It’s quite something how you two are so willing to . . . share.”

  J.M.’s mouth twitched a little. “As long as you’re enjoying it, that’s the main thing. So you and Quinn decided on a little dominance and submission fantasy for tonight?”

  “Well, it was just an idea we got for the costume while we went around the Sex-a-la-Gala show today, but . . . if you like the idea . . .”

  He drew her close and nuzzled her ear. “I think it’s an extremely sexy idea.”

  The song ended and the band announced that they’d be taking a break. J.M. escorted her back to the table, where Grace sat waiting for them. J.M. sat down between Kara and Grace.

  “Quinn’s gone to get another round,” Grace said.

  Kara glanced toward the bar and saw Quinn in a long line, chatting to a trio of very attractive men who were also in costume, though more elaborate than Quinn and Kara’s. One wore a gladiator costume and the other two wore black leather with bare chests, crisscrossed with leather straps and chains, revealed from under their black leather vests. They glanced her way and Quinn smiled. The others gazed at her with melting hunger in their eyes.

  Fifteen

  Kara watched as Quinn and the three strangers progressed through the line, then her eyes widened as the strangers strolled back to the table with Quinn.

  “J.M., Grace, Kara . . . this is Lou, Trent, and Jeff.”

  Lou wore the gladiator costume that consisted of a white tunic overlaid with brown leather armor, which covered his chest with leather strips hanging from below a wide leather belt to cover his groin area. Leather gauntlets drew attention to the bulging muscles of his arms and legs.

  Trent and Jeff wore black leather. Both men had incredibly well-defined chests and arms. Trent had leather suspenders with chains linked across his chest. Leather straps strained across Jeff’s chest.

  “Hi,” Grace said, eyeing Lou with a smile.

  “Do you mind if the fellows join us?” Quinn asked.

  Kara glanced at J.M., who shrugged. “Sure,” she said.

  Trent sat beside Kara, with Jeff beside him. Three of the eight chairs from their table had been borrowed and taken to other tables, so Quinn and Lou retrieved a couple from a nearby table where the occupants had left. Quinn set his beside Grace, and Lou sat down between Quinn and Jeff.

  “Trent and Jeff are both doctors and Lou is a hypnotherapist.”

  “Really?” Grace said, smiling at Lou. “J.M. does hypnotherapy, too, and he’s told me a lot about it. There seem to be a lot of fascinating applications. I find it quite intriguing.”

  Lou nodded. “There are.” He leaned forward and began chatting to Grace.

  The music started up again and Kara couldn’t hear most of what Lou and Grace said. Quinn stood up and gestured for Lou to switch seats, since clearly Grace and Lou had a lot to talk about.

  “How about you?” Trent asked Kara. “What do you do?”

  He gazed at her with striking brown eyes, and she shifted in her chair.

  “I . . . write a column for a magazine.”

  Quinn crouched beside her. “A sex column.” He smiled as she glanced at him, her cheeks heating. “What? You do.” He took her hand. “Let’s dance.” He turned to Trent and Jeff. “Excuse us.”

  Quinn led her to the dance floor. “Sorry if I embarrassed you. I didn’t think you were embarrassed about your job.”

  “I’m not really, I just . . . I guess I’m never quite sure how a man is going to react and I’m . . . careful.”

  “You’re worried he’ll make a pass at you?”

  “That type of thing.”

  “Trent and Jeff won’t make a pass at you . . . but they would like to have sex with you. Lou, too, but it looks like he might be distracted by Grace and, unless you actually want five men rather than just four, I think we should let them distract each other.”

  Her eyes widened. “Five men?”

  His eyebrows arched up. “So you do want all five?”

  “No . . . I mean . . . I just want to know what you’re talking about.”

  “Okay, so I was talking to the guys in line and—I didn’t just meet them, by the way. I’ve sat with them in a few of the conference sessions over the past few days and we’ve chatted. They’re all really nice guys. Very respectable, too.”

  “But they want to have an orgy with me?”

  “I’m not sure it’s an orgy with just one woman and five men.”

  “What is it then?”

  He grinned. “A woman’s dream come true?”

  She paused.

  “Well, isn’t it? Five men who find you so attractive they’re willing to share you just to be with you. And they all want to satisfy your every whim.”

  Her heart fluttered and she glanced at Trent and Jeff. All muscles and good-looking masculinity.

  “On the other hand, if we keep with our theme of the night, you might be satisfying their every whim, which ultimately means them giving you intense pleasure.”

  She shook her head. “This is a crazy conversation.”

  “What if I were to order you, as your master, mind you, to go and kiss each of the men passionately?”

  She trembled but shook her head.

  “Ah, that would be too public, wouldn’t it? I could order you to slide under the
table and unzip those leather pants of theirs, then . . .”

  Her mouth went dry and she shook her head. “I couldn’t do that.”

  He leaned in to her ear. “Last night you experienced a ménage à trois, and I take it you enjoyed it. You didn’t know me at all, other than having had anonymous sex with me the day before, while blindfolded. You had never even seen me before.”

  Her cheeks burned at his words.

  “You trusted J.M. to bring me into your fantasy,” he continued. “Why not trust me to introduce you to an incredible experience with four men? You’d be making their fantasy come true, too. You see, Trent and Jeff are a couple, but they’ve wanted to try being with a woman. You have definitely struck their fancy. Think of it, you are so alluring, you’ve actually turned the heads of two men who usually aren’t attracted to women.”

  She pursed her lips. “So they’re really bi, right?”

  He grinned. “Maybe a little bit. But they have been exclusive to each other since they started a relationship, and Jeff has never actually been with a woman. Trent has wanted to have the experience of sharing a woman with Jeff for a long time. Now it seems they’re both intrigued by you, and we all thought experiencing a joint fantasy would be pretty sensational. Since they’re a couple, there’ll be no complications later. And they totally respect you, just as they hope you’ll respect them.”

  Somehow he made the whole thing sound like a reasonable proposition . . . but . . . living out a fantasy with four men? At the same time?

  She glanced at Trent and Jeff again. Trent’s charismatic smile, paired with Jeff’s slightly shy one, charmed her completely.

  Oh, God, she could feel her barriers crumbling.

  “I don’t know that J.M. will like the idea.”

  “Are you kidding? If you like the idea, I’m sure he’ll love the idea.” He loosened his arms around her and stepped back. “Let’s go ask him.”

  He led her back to the table and she sat down next to Quinn as she watched him lean toward J.M. and whisper in his ear. J.M.’s gaze locked on her. She couldn’t read anything from those dark chocolate depths, but she felt her breath stop as she waited for the decision.