RequiredSurrender

by Riley Murphy

  “Let me go.” She struggled but it was no use. In two seconds flat she was slung over his lap. Head toward the floor and ass in the air. “Don’t.”

  Too late, he spanked her with three hard smacks. She squirmed and tried to use the one shoe she still had hold of as a weapon, but he wrestled it from her grip and gave her another smack as he ordered, “Stop.”

  She didn’t halt because he sounded mad—it was more because he sounded amused. She hated to think he was getting a kick out of this when she was close to dying inside.

  “That’s better. Now, do I need to remind you about your hell?”

  Blood rushed to her head while she admired the make of his shoes. The bastard. He had great taste in footwear. “What are you saying?”

  “Feeling any kind of pleasure is hell to you. Face that and you’ll do okay.”

  “I don’t want to do okay.” He was inching his hand up her thigh. Slipping his fingers under her skirt. Oh God, he was going to make her melt again and she panicked. “I only have until Saturday night. I need the wall. It’s my only protection.”

  His hand stilled and he hauled her up. She was seated on his lap, but facing him now when he asked, “Saturday night?”

  She focused in on the flaw of his she loved, on his scar, and had a powerful urge to trace her finger over the fine white line, but held back the action when he asked, “What’s happening on that night that has you worried?”

  The way he spoke made her gaze drop. Dammit. She eyed her hands and admitted, “I’m going to see Anjay for the first time in three years. He’s back and now my dad wants me to go with him to the convention center to see Anjay get his award.”

  He hooked a finger under her chin and lifted. “Anjay is the bastard who took advantage of you?”

  Uh oh, the softness in his eyes had her getting all weepy again. Too afraid to speak, she nodded.

  “Is your mother going too?”

  She nodded again.

  “Why are your parents still friendly with him after what he did? Why would your mother allow this?”

  “It’s complicated. My father’s sick. He has been for a long time and we don’t like to upset him. Anjay is like a son to him.” She didn’t add that he was the person her dad had chosen over the women in his life. Nor was she going to be telling him the long, sordid tale of everything that had happened. It was enough that they’d suffered through it. It may have cost her her relationship with her mother but that was to be expected and now that she’d come to believe the only reason Anjay had pushed the old-world betrothal angle with her father was to pay both she and her mother back? She didn’t see the need to disgrace her family any further by sharing the whole truth. Hopefully Anjay had done some soul-searching while he was away. Maybe grown up and moved past his vindictiveness. He better have. Otherwise more than her heart would break when she had to deal with the real truth.

  “And the award? What kind of award does a bastard who takes advantage of children get these days?”

  “He’s been working with Doctors Without Borders for three years. He’s a very talented surgeon.”

  Ted’s eyes darkened, becoming hard to read.

  “I don’t want to bother you.”

  That got his attention. He frowned and some of the light returned to his hazel eyes. “How do you mean?”

  “This problem is mine. I know that. It’s just that I’ve done everything you asked. I’m doing the karate lessons. I’ve done the half hour a day of meditating about positive stuff and I’m even eating right and still it won’t go away.”

  “The painful memory?”

  “No.” She eyed her hands again. “You were right about hell and heaven. The memories were a hell I could live with, but it’s this new-found heaven of aching for you I can’t take.” She looked up and stared directly in his eyes. “It’s a physical pain low in my belly and between my legs that I can’t get rid of. When you walked into that room earlier, I was so relieved I almost passed out. I can’t focus on anything but thoughts of you. It’s killing me.”

  She fully expected him to laugh at her or make a joke so when he pulled her in for a hug and whispered, “Thank you for your honesty,” she was blinking back freaking tears again.

  “I never cry.”

  “I know, princess. I know.”

  After a moment she sniffled. “You really don’t want me?”

  He sighed and tilted his head. Her big eyes were glassy and uncertain. He needed to give her a bit of closure here. She’d just admitted that she was in some phase of sub-frenzy for him. He couldn’t just slam the door on her without giving her a modicum of power in the process.

  “Like I said before, this is not about me not wanting you. This is a situation I’m not ready to entertain at the moment. Unless…”

  “Yes?”

  “I could be sure you’re ready and really serious to take on this kind of commitment. I’m a demanding Dom.”

  “I know.” She snuggled up against him. Not the reaction he was going for. “They call you the disciplinarian.”

  “There’s a reason I acquired that name. Keep in mind you’ve only seen the good side of me. There’s another side you may not like.”

  She sat up. “Maybe I will though.”

  “All right. Why don’t we see how well we suit each other. Meet me Wednesday afternoon at—”

  “I can’t on Wednesdays. Evening is better. Thursday?”

  “Fine, I’ll send the car for you. You can hang out in my world for the night, but I’m warning you now. Any defiance, any negative behavior and the deal’s off.”

  The moment she left he turned on his laptop and accessed client data files. If he was going to turn her off him so she’d be the one to make the decision not to be Topped by him, he needed the means. And buried in the customer surveys he had it. Everyone was required to outline the likes and dislikes section of the profile sheet. This was going to be like shooting fish in barrel. He’d simply make her do everything she disliked and before the night even started he was sure she’d see what a bad choice of Dom he’d be for her.

  While he was at it he pulled up the convention center’s venue for Saturday night. And there it was under reward recipients, Doctor Anjay Patel. “Got ya.”

  He picked up his cell, pressed two on his keypad and leaned back in his chair. By the time he got through to his attorney he had his feet up on his desk and a plan already well on its way to be formulated.

  “Hey, Alistair, I need you to contact someone for me. I’m thinking about making a sizable donation and I need to know the particulars. Sure. It’s Doctor Anjay Patel. That’s A…”

  Chapter Five

  Ted checked his watch. Two thirty. Fifteen more minutes before his appointment.

  “Cam, do a turn around the block. I don’t want to appear too eager.”

  “Sure thing, Sir.”

  Ted watched the raindrops erratically skate down the passenger window of the limo while he concentrated on this evening rather than what was to come before it. He had his appointment with Patel all plotted out so there was no thinking to be done. There’d be no mistakes. But later tonight after meeting the bastard he had his date with Jo. He’d figured it out to perfection. It would be a challenge. One he knew would be too difficult for her to complete. It was probably unfair, but he didn’t want her getting hurt in the long run. He wasn’t the guy for her. A Dom like Blake was better for her. Maybe he should have invited him tonight too.

  He examined the back side of Patel’s digs. Not too shabby for a doctor just starting out. Doctor Patel, he mentally scoffed, a veritable genius with a scalpel was one great guy. He’d done his internship at Duke University hospital then he did three years in the trenches with Doctors Without Borders. Cowards always ingratiated themselves mainstream. It seemed he was no exception to that rule because now he was back in their community to pick up his humanitarian of the year award. Screw that.

  The man was an opportunist who certainly had some great connections. Startin
g with Jo’s family and try as he might, Ted couldn’t get his head around the mother’s behavior. Race, creed or color didn’t sway the point that Patel was a rapist who should have been prosecuted for what he’d done to her daughter. Why hadn’t he been held accountable and worse still, why was Jo’s mother letting him maintain a relationship with her husband, which meant that all of them had to share the same air space.

  He sighed.

  If Jo was forced to spend time with the guy for whatever reason, the guy was going to know that she had friends who wouldn’t take too kindly if he thought to lay so much as a finger on her.

  The car stopped at the lobby and Ted waved Cameron off. “I got the door. Park up the street for ten and then do two turns around the block. I should be done by then.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Well, hello there, darling.” He turned on the charm. Vanilla and over fifty was his easiest feminine mark. “The doctor’s expecting me. Ted Basel.” He patted the breast pocket of his Armani and grinned. “The guy with the heavy checkbook, looking to lighten its load.”

  She giggled and blushed. “I’ll tell him you’re here.”

  “You do that, darling. You surely do.”

  He pretended interest in the pictures hanging on the wall. Although why anyone would give them more than a cursory glance was a mystery. There was nothing of interest in any of them. A pile of endless scenery and fathomless seascapes. For a guy who was into improving the human physical condition he had no people in his pictures.

  “Mr. Basil. Welcome,” Patel swept an arm in a flourishing gesture from the open door of his office. “Welcome. Please.”

  The guy went the extra mile and pressed his palms together as if in prayer, bowing as Ted passed by him.

  “I was so pleased when your representatives called me. My foundation is still in its infancy and getting someone of your stature interested. I’m fortunate indeed.”

  “Yes, I was looking for a cause and there you were.”

  Ted saw the large eight by ten photograph on the counter behind Patel’s desk and tried not to scowl. It was a picture of Jo when she was much younger. Early teens or there about. The inscription on the bottom in thick adolescent-type lettering read, “To my pal, my friend, my hero! Love you, Boo Boo”.

  If he’d had any doubt before that this fucker had it coming there wasn’t a doubt in his mind now. Jo had trusted this guy with her heart and the bastard had ripped it out of her chest and stomped on it.

  “Sit, sit.” Patel waited for Ted to sit in one of the two wing chairs opposite his desk before he sat himself. “After corresponding with your attorneys, I’m excited to have this opportunity to meet you. What would you like to know about the foundation? I sent them all the information. The pamphlets and the financials. Were they able to speak to any of the other donors?”

  Ted didn’t have a fucking clue, but he nodded anyway. “Of course. Now, I have a tradition, Anjay, can I call you that?” He didn’t wait for an answer and continued. “Where I come from, when my lawyers say it’s on the up and up I say okay. The only thing left to do is drink to it.”

  He let Anjay get his head around the concept for a second and then said, “I’m a simple man and as such I believe when a guy decides to donate a hundred thousand dollars to another man’s pet project they should have a drink together.” He pulled the small, limited-edition bottle of Patron out of his coat pocket and placed it on the desk between them. With a smile he said, “I won’t take no for an answer.”

  “A hundred thousand?”

  “Yes. Do you have any glasses around here?”

  Anjay’s brown eyes widened and he jumped all over that. “Yes. Yes, right here.” He produced two tumblers, pushing them to Ted across his perfectly neat desk.

  “Great.” Once he’d poured a couple of fingers in each glass he slid Anjay’s back to him. “Here’s hoping you get everything that you deserve.” He toasted and leaned forward to clink glasses. When he put his glass to his lips he was careful not to get any liquid near his mouth. He just held the glass there until Anjay swallowed.

  Then he slowly put his glass down and eyed the smiling bastard until the bastard’s smile wavered and confusion donned in his rapidly hazing-over eyes.

  “Huh,” Ted reached across and took the glass from his hand. “I bet you’re feeling a little funny right about now.”

  Anjay tried to speak but couldn’t and when he made a sloppy grab for the phone Ted pushed it aside.

  “It’s really not nice when your control is taken. I mean, personally I’m all about a woman giving up control to me, but that’s different, isn’t it? I work hard to earn that right. I don’t steal it from her.”

  Anjay’s head lolled so Ted leaned over the desk and helped him keep his jaw steady. “I want you to pay attention. That hundred grand? I’ve decided I don’t want to donate it to your cause after all.”

  He tried to shake his head but Ted wouldn’t let him. “How does it feel, you fucker? To have something you were looking forward to, something that excited you, turn to shit? That’s what happens when someone you trust steals your innocence. It takes a toll and leaves a mark. I don’t like you, Patel, so be warned. I’m watching you.”

  He gave him another shake to get him focused. “Trust me, you don’t want to piss me off. And upsetting any woman you know will make me mad, you understand? Upset Jo or tell anyone about my little visit with you today and I’ll gladly tell the world what you did. They’ll deport your sorry ass so fast you’ll be back in your mother country operating by candlelight. No more state-of-the-art digs for you. I heard about the complex you’re trying to buy. Great location. Too bad you’ll be turned down for that grant you were hoping to use as your down payment. They seem to have lost the paperwork. I guess you’ll have to find the cash somewhere else if you don’t want to lose what you’ve already invested.”

  Patel’s eyes fell shut and Ted tapped him hard on the cheek to make sure he stayed awake long enough to hear these last words. “Go to sleep, you rapist, motherfucking bastard, and know that when you wake up this time, you’ll have to do a little accounting to keep your head above water and your ass out of court.”

  Ted fished through his coat pocket. Taking out the folded papers, he held them up. “Those loans you were hoping to pay off over the next ten? They’re now due. Oh, and that line of credit you’re schmoozing the bank for? Could be held up if I don’t get my money. Jerry Teft is a close personal friend of mine. It’d be a shame if I forgot myself and mentioned the deadbeat doctor who owes me a boatload of cash.”

  Patel tried to hang onto consciousness. He did a damn good job too, but eventually his body gave in and when it did, Ted smiled. There was just one small detail left. He didn’t consider it gathering blackmail material, instead he thought of it as insurance. Yeah, the start of a fucking ironclad policy.

  * * * * *

  Five hours later, Ted sat in the lounge area of Crystal’s Storm, the first of the three clubs he and his partners had opened. Aside from the newly established resort, this place was his favorite. It was large, but not too large and unlike the other clubs around, including theirs, Crystal’s greeting area was open and airy. High ceilings, bamboo floors and light-colored walls. The theme was somewhat nautical in nature with rich blues and reds that played off crisp white trim and walls in places. It wasn’t until you went through one of the twinset French doors at the side of the room that the lighting became more subdued and the place was compartmentalized.

  Crystal’s was unique in another way too in that the majority of play took place behind the French doors. This lounge with the surrounding clusters of seating that wrapped around the bar was mostly deemed a traditional meet-and-greet setting, but tonight he was going to break with tradition and give the lucky patrons a show. If Jo was up to it. He was hoping she’d balk right at the beginning so that they could get the inevitable over with quickly. The sooner they did the sooner he could find her a Dom.

  “Good evening, sir.
May I get you some lemon water? Or ice tea perhaps?”

  “Water would be fine, thanks. And would you turn up the lighting over this section? Just until I’m done here then you can dim it again.” Ted had reserved the sunken lounge for the express purpose of dealing with Jo and with that in mind, the more light the better.

  “Certainly, sir. Right away.”

  His phone vibrated. It was a text from Cam telling him he’d just dropped her off at the door. He leaned back in the overstuffed leather chair and smiled. Game time.

  He saw her before she spotted him and when the server arrived with his water he looked away. He was glad for the distraction because she looked great and he didn’t want to be caught staring. Clearly she had dressed for the occasion. Didn’t she know that was pointless? If she managed to get through the paces he was going to put her through she’d be wearing an outfit of his choosing—he eyed the suit folded on the table—and sighed. There was no way she was going to do what he intended and that would be his out with her. Wasn’t this the whole point of the exercise?

  “Thank you.” The server left and Ted watched him head up the four steps while Jo came down them.

  She walked around the couch and gave him a half smile. “Hi.”

  Picking up his glass, he eyed her over the rim. “You’re a little overdressed.” She really wasn’t. Her short skirt and tight shirt were skimpy enough, but he didn’t want her comfortable. She needed to be off-center right from the start if he was going to scare her away.

  Her eyes narrowed but her tone was even. “I’m sorry. If you wanted me to wear something specific you should have said so.”

  He put his glass down and straightened a sleeve. “Don’t tell me what I should have done. I’m well aware of what I desire. In fact I’m well aware of what you desire. Check your attitude tonight, Jo. Remember, one denial. One action contrary to what I want from you and it’s done between us.”

  “I understand.”

  He looked up. “Do you? Give me your purse and your sweater.” She handed them over. “Now take off your clothes. Everything.”