“A month is a long time to be away from my sister and our business, Mr. Reese.” Alayna hesitated, worrying her bottom lip. She twisted her hands in her lap. “I don't know if I can be gone that long.”
Dane stayed quiet, seeming to contemplate her plight. “How much time will you need to get your business affairs in order for an extended absence?”
“Well,” she said, shifting her backside in the chair. “It's not that easy. Ariel kicks ass in the kitchen, but if she gets her hands on the books, we're sunk.” Alayna laughed. “Don't get me wrong, she's not an idiot. Her IQ borders on genius. There are book smarts and common sense smarts, and Ariel's don't always see eye to eye at the same time. She has always given more than 100 percent to anything she enjoys. When it comes to cooking, she's in her glory. Her imagination works overtime at the thought of all the wonderful things she can create. When it comes to balancing the money at the end of the day or paying invoices and utility bills, she is useless. She panics, afraid she'll do something wrong, and because of that, won't do anything.”
“Is there anyone you can place in charge to handle the managing of the books?”
Alayna shook her head. “No one who would last more than a week.” At his questioning look, she continued. “Ari may not like to handle the books, but she's very territorial. She doesn't like strangers messing around in our business.” Alayna had to laugh at the antics of her sister as she explained. “It took nearly four months to hire an accountant to do our taxes. Ari had a tendency to cook dishes that had ingredients the people were allergic to. I had to promise the only accountant who stuck it out that we wouldn't hold meetings at the café.”
“Ah, a bit overbearing?” Dane grinned at the story.
“Not really. Just very intent on having her way. Is there any way to get around my having to stay in residence the full thirty days?”
Dane shook his head. “I'm afraid not. It's truly to your benefit, I assure you. But if you'd be willing to agree, I could personally see to the business aspects of your restaurant while you are here. I hold a bachelor's degree in business management—not quite your master's, but I promise your finances will be secure and safe from your sister.”
Surprise that he knew about her degree must have been evident by the stiffening of her body, as Dane was quick to add, “I didn't leave the card without knowing the person who would be accepting it, Alayna. It's my job to understand businesses and people.” His signature soft smile reassured her that no ill intent was intended.
“Does that help with your decision?” he asked after a moment of silence elapsed.
“If you think you can handle Ariel.”
“I'm sure I can, Alayna.” His smile was indulgent but confident.
“One more thing.” She leaned forward in the chair.
“Yes.” Dane nodded.
“Why me?”
“Elaborate,” he said.
“Why did you leave the card for me? Why did you want me here?”
A grin curled his lips. “I have a couple of reasons. One I will share with you now, the other, in time.”
“All right.”
“From the moment Logan and I laid eyes on you, your submissive nature shone bright. Only someone trained to see the signs will see that natural spark in a person. You will make a worthy sub for a special sort of master. And because training is what we do here, I know we can bring you all the pleasure and desire you can handle,” he said and then rose to his feet. Stepping around his desk, Dane leaned over to whisper in her ear, “And then some.”
A chill snaked its way up the length of her spine.
“W-where's that contract?” she asked, her voice dropping to a husky tone.
Dane walked across the office to a filing cabinet along the far wall. Opening the top drawer, he pulled out a large manila envelope, turned, and came back to where she was seated.
* * *
From his office down the hall, Logan heard Dane's office door open, so he stood up from his desk and walked across the room to catch him. His friend needed to be apprised that one of their clients had left the estate. Logan stepped through the archway but stopped when he heard her voice.
“Thank you again for seeing me, Mr. Reese,” Alayna said. Her soft voice moved through Logan, igniting something possessive deep inside him.
What in the hell was she doing here?
“It was my pleasure, Alayna,” Dane replied.
Despite the hard-on her voice alone stirred to life, anger at the fact that his friend was meeting with her simmered below the surface of Logan's patience. Hearing their footsteps as they walked toward the front of the house, Logan peered around the corner. His blood pressure rose at the sight of Dane's hand pressed against the small of Alayna's back.
“Keegan will take you back to your home so you can pack your things. He will pick you up at nine tomorrow morning and bring you here,” Dane said.
“All right,” Alayna replied.
Logan followed them from an undetectable distance and stopped at the front door after they exited. Leaning against the doorframe, he watched as Dane helped Alayna into the car. Once the car door was closed, Dane tapped twice on the roof, and Keegan drove off.
Sliding his hands into his pants pockets, Dane strode back toward the house. When he spied Logan in the open doorway with his arms crossed over his chest, a smug grin lifted the corner of Dane's mouth.
“Sheila received the call,” Logan said as Dane climbed the stairs to the porch. “She left half an hour ago.”
“We expected as much.” Dane gave a half nod. “She and Rick advised us of her responsibility at the hospital before they agreed to sign on.”
“And what the hell were you doing with her?” Logan demanded, thumbing toward the limo as it disappeared out of sight.
Dane shrugged and pushed past Logan's stiff frame. “I was interviewing a new client. A very pretty, natural submissive. A more than suitable sub for just the right master.”
“I told you she was to be left alone, Dane.”
“We offer a service to those with an interest, my friend,” Dane said over his shoulder as they walked down the hall toward their respective offices.
“You are sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong.” Logan's tone came out harsher than he intended, but he didn't correct it. Perhaps it would deter Dane from continuing to butt in.
“No, just doing my job.”
“I don't need or want your help,” he said through clenched teeth. They'd had this conversation more times than Logan cared to recall. Dane had made his disagreement with Logan's vow to never be someone's Dom again very clear. It was a futile test of wills. The outcome was always the same.
Dane spun around, nearly smacking into Logan. “Well you need someone's help. Are you ever going to move on? When in the hell are you going to allow yourself to enjoy life again, Logan? You were never responsible for Tasha's death.”
“The hell I wasn't.” A rumble of anger rolled in Logan's chest.
As expected, Dane held his ground against Logan's outburst. His friend's expression did not waver as he allowed Logan time to compose himself. After inhaling a steady breath to calm down, Logan exhaled slowly before continuing.
“As her Dom she trusted me to be there for her, keep her safe. Fulfill her every need. And I failed her.”
Dane shook his head. “You didn't fail her. Tasha let you down. You and your relationship. Everything the two of you had worked for. She didn't deserve to die, but it was an accident. You know that as well as I do. You were not responsible for her death.”
Logan had found their life together more than fulfilling. Tasha had been a challenging sub, constantly testing Logan's control. Nothing was off-limits when it came to their sex life. As long as both consented, anything went.
“We were together three years,” Logan reminded him.
“I know that, Logan, but she wasn't a true submissive; even you admit that much.”
“She was a challenge,” Logan excused.
Dane shook his head. “Tasha was delving into areas you had explained many times weren't of interest to you.”
Logan couldn't deny that. No, it wasn't him who had wrapped his hands about her slender throat, squeezing until she could no longer be brought back around.
What he'd done was much worse. “But as her master I should have—”
“Should have what?”
Logan fumbled with his thoughts.
Dane continued. “You were never going to give in to her demands. She knew that no matter how she pressed, you'd never cave. What you need to do now is decide whether you're going to continue to hide from life or if you're going to take the opportunity Alayna's presence here will offer.”
“I failed Tasha. I will not make that same mistake with Alayna. I've asked you to stay the hell—”
“You spend all fucking day in your office shuffling paper. At the consulting firm, Jordan has assumed far more than his share of responsibility. This house practically runs itself, if you recall. And when you aren't pissing around with nonsense, you're moping around this place feeling guilty—”
“Do not finish that sentence.” Logan's tone carried a heavy warning, and this time he didn't care if his friend took offense. Turning his back on Dane, he proceeded down the hall and into his own office.
From the first moment he'd laid eyes on Alayna Valerian, Logan had wanted her with everything he was. The Dom he'd spent years repressing tugged at the restraints he'd placed on himself, demanding release to exert control over Alayna. He needed to bind her and feast upon her until she submitted to him, body, mind, and soul.
Logan didn't have to test her physically to know she was a natural submissive. Alayna exuded it. He knew damn well they were made for each other. But, no matter how badly he needed her, desired her submission, Logan denied himself the act of pursuing her.
He refused to endanger her like that.
“The only time the man inside you comes to life is when you're around her,” Dane continued, following Logan into his office. “It's been years since you've actively participated in someone's training. Just how long has it been since you took a partner to your bed? It's time you moved on, Logan. For Christ's sake, come back to the land of the living.”
“Don't tell me what I need to do,” Logan snapped, dropping himself into the leather chair behind his desk.
“Fine.” Dane's tone was matter-of-fact. “I'll tell you what I'm going to do. Alayna was my invited guest today, and while we were speaking, she expressed an interest in experiencing everything we have to offer. I've decided to help her find what she's looking for.”
Logan stood up. Blood pumped through his body at a dizzying rate. It was all he could do to fight the urge not to launch himself across his desk.
“You know she responds to you, buddy, and the training of a submissive depends a lot on the dominant she chooses.” Dane's tone turned to taunting. “Up for the task? It's only proper to make you the first offer.”
“Not all submissives require a specific dominant,” Logan retorted. His fingernails dug into the wooden surface of his desk. “Merely someone with a stronger personality than their previous lovers.”
Dane grinned. “Are you saying you don't think you're strong enough?”
Logan growled and lowered himself back into the chair. “Fuck off.”
Sliding his hands into his pockets, Dane rocked on his heels. “So you're telling me to find another Dom to train Alayna?”
The temptation to give in to the Dom within Logan was strong. The need to be the man to test Alayna's limits and then take her beyond them to something greater burned deep in his core; it fired his blood.
He shrugged, not saying anything. He didn't trust himself to voice his present thoughts. Nothing but bad would come of allowing himself the pleasures of dominating another woman again. He couldn't put himself in the position of failing another submissive. Especially not her.
The expression on Dane's face made Logan's hackles rise. Why could he not leave things alone?
“Who would you suggest then?” Dane continued. “Keegan? He's exceptional with a whip and knows how to find the pleasure buttons on his subs.”
Keegan McAvoy had come to the mansion six years earlier seeking proper training in the Dominant/submissive lifestyle. On his way back from a research meeting in Colorado, Dane had crossed Keegan's path when Dane stopped in for a beer at his favorite watering hole. From two barstools away, Dane had watched the way the kid charmed and teased an older woman seated at the bar. Evident to a trained eye, the charm included hints at what the younger man wanted to do to her. Also evident was the fact the younger man hadn't a clue how to use the gift of his dominance effectively. He'd been an astute and eager protégé, studying mainly under Dane's tutelage, though Logan had offered a few of his own experiences and opinions to the other man's sessions. It hadn't taken Keegan long to hone his interests and skills.
Logan's right eye began to twitch at the thought of Keegan working with Alayna. He bit his tongue to silence the protest on its tip. Keegan had a reputation for getting submissives to fall for him while remaining completely detached. Logan didn't want that for Alayna. She deserved so much more.
“I could always call Dimitri.” Dane rubbed his chin. “He and his sub parted ways a couple of months ago, and I'm sure he's looking to find a replacement.”
“He's in Detroit. Alayna would never leave the restaurant and move out of state,” Logan countered.
Dane paused, then grinned. “It would take rearranging my schedule for the next month, but I would be willing to…”
Logan growled a warning.
Dane laughed. “No worries, my friend. I won't be participating hands-on in her training. Not that I wouldn't mind. Touching her soft skin, gripping those generous hips…”
Logan's heart pounded so hard in his chest he thought it would explode. It would take hours in the gym with the heavy bag to work out the tension building inside him. His expression must have said enough, because Dane continued.
“Well then, that leaves us with Rick.”
“Rick? He has trouble finding his own dick, and you're going to allow him control of Alayna's training?” Logan scowled, more angry with himself than anything else. He and Dane had been friends a long time, and Dane knew just which fuse to light to fire him up. “I still don't know why he's even here. And why would he stay now that Sheila's gone?”
“He's here because he loves his fiancée. She asked him to find and cultivate his inner Dom, and he has. He is a suitable choice for Alayna, and I've made my decision.”
Though Logan would never admit it to Dane, Rick had come a long way since arriving at the mansion. But the thought of him touching Alayna in any manner made Logan's blood boil.
“It is up to Alayna to choose a master, not you,” Logan said.
“I offered the responsibility to you at the beginning of this conversation. Would you like to put yourself up as a candidate, Logan? I'm certain you could find yourself in the running if the choice were up to Alayna.”
Logan recognized what Dane was doing, and he refused to take the bait. Though it took great pains, he brought himself back to some semblance of control and shifted in his chair.
“Rick will be fine,” Logan snarled. “It doesn't matter who you assign to work with Alayna; I'll oversee her training.”
“I don't think that's a good idea, Logan,” Dane said, turning to leave. “Might be a conflict of interest. I don't want anything interfering with the training of this sub.”
“She's not just a sub, Dane. I won't interfere, but someone needs to supervise Rick. After all, he's still in training himself.”
“Fine.” Dane shrugged
“Fine.” Logan snapped back. The amusement in Dane's voice infuriated Logan, but for now he'd refrain from reacting.
He was determined this would be the only victory Dane would enjoy where Alayna was concerned.
Chapter Three
Day One
The following morning, Alayna once again found herself seated in the backseat of the black stretch limo with Keegan behind the wheel. Again she was nervous, though her belly wasn't as uneasy as it had been the day before.
The scenery blurred as they traveled the stretch of highway en route to the mansion, and she thought of Ariel and their conversation the evening past. Ariel had been lying across Alayna's bed as Alayna packed.
Ariel had nearly turned as blue as her new hair color when Alayna told her she'd be gone a month. Her protests had gone nearly ballistic when Alayna told her no phone calls would be allowed during the training.
“I don't get why you're upset; you were the one who was so enthusiastic about me being invited to the mansion of 'ill repute.' Where's your enthusiasm from yesterday?” she'd asked Ariel.
“Oh, I'm thrilled for you, Al, I really am. But, I mean—I thought we were just bantering back and forth. I honestly didn't expect you to commit. That's all. It's a little freaky, you know. Not really you.”
“Maybe it is me. A 'me' I have yet to tap into. What happened to not settling for regular old vanilla sex and shaking the rafters?”
Ariel had shrugged. “Little jealous, I suppose.”
“I'll see what I can do about getting you an invite,” Alayna had said, grinning at her sister. Ariel was the more adventurous one of the duo. A stint at the mansion would be right up her alley. “That reminds me,” Alayna had said, zipping up her suitcase. “Mr. Reese will be here to help you.”
“Mr. Blond? Why? I don't need any help. The girls and I can handle things just fine.”
“He won't be in your way, I promise. He offered to see to the ordering, account payables, and payroll. That way you don't have to get frustrated with the money end of things. I thought you'd be excited to have his ass around to ogle?”
“How am I supposed to ogle it if he's sitting on it in the office?” Ariel had said with a smug grin. “Forget it. It's fine, Al. If you'd feel better having a stranger handle our finances for a month, so be it. Besides, he's already on my shit list for keeping you locked away from me for four weeks.”
An Invitation: Alayna's Training Page 5