by Jan Bowles
That fucking cop. What was the prick’s name again? Yeah, that’s right, Detective Mitchell. He’d questioned them both for over an hour. His interview, such as it was. It was more of an interrogation, really, focused entirely on the consensual sex going down at Club Submission. He just wouldn’t let it drop. Zane reckoned the details about a D/s relationship really turned the sad bastard on. He knew the guy would head straight to the club once he’d finished with them, to see for himself. He’d probably be nursing a semi on the drive over there, too. So as soon as he could, he’d telephoned Matthew and Ethan, to keep them in the loop. They knew as well as he did that a cop snooping around a private sex club was bad for business. Most members fiercely guarded their identity, wanting to keep it secret. Some even kept their lifestyle secret from their husbands or wives. They did not want it broadcast to the whole wide world. Zane figured Club Submission was in for a bumpy ride.
After a quick glance at the four-story, smoked-glass building, he touched Emma’s shoulder, rousing her from her introspection. “Come in for a while, it’ll take your mind off things.” She forced a smile, but it was obvious her thoughts were completely elsewhere. He couldn’t blame her. What she’d seen at the morgue had been devastating. To find out her best friend was dead was bad enough, but to find out she’d been murdered must be tearing her apart.
Zane stroked her pale cheek with the back of his hand. “I know things are difficult for you right now. But it will get better, I promise you. What you’re going through at the moment is as bad as it gets.”
“I do hope you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. I’m always right.”
Emma nodded and couldn’t help but smile when she heard his tongue-in-cheek response. “Your ego knows no bounds, Master Zane.” Her words were lighthearted, but he could still detect excess moisture glistening in her eyes.
“I’ve just got some paperwork to see to. It shouldn’t take too long. Come on in, I’ll introduce you to the boys and girls who work for me.”
“You’ve been so good to me, Zane. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” He gently teased a wayward strand of her pretty blonde hair between his finger and thumb, before tucking it behind her perfectly shaped ear. He then looked right at her. “I feel…” He paused, trying to find the right words. “I don’t know what it is, but I feel an affinity with you. It’s as if…” He searched for the elusive words again. “Look, what I’m trying to tell you is…I really like you, Emma. I like you being around.”
Fearing he’d already said too much, he jumped from the car and walked around to open her door. As she stepped out, he looked up at the smoked-glass frontage. He wondered how many of his workforce had observed his arrival with the sexy blonde woman.
He glanced at his watch as they walked toward the impressive modern building. It was almost four. The important shipment would have already arrived. Lucy, his personal assistant, had been with the company for twelve years. She was virtually indispensable. He knew she’d be able to handle the delivery on her own. She was an extremely competent lady, and her attractive six-figure salary confirmed this.
As soon as they entered the building, Lucy breezed toward them, a genuine smile on her face. For a woman in her late forties she still looked fantastic. Catlike green eyes, enhanced by carefully applied makeup, gave her an exotic look. Her brown hair was neatly bobbed, and streaked with fashionable highlights. It was a crying shame that she remained divorced and single. He’d often thought about taking her out himself, but the eight-year age difference always stopped him. He figured he just wasn’t into cougar relationships at this time in his life. Maybe one day he should introduce her to Club Submission—that’s if she was so inclined. He felt sure she’d meet someone there, who could make her happy. Man or woman?
“Hi, Zane. No problems whatsoever. The shipment checks out exactly as it should. I’ve already had them graded, and even have some of the stones ready for the open market.”
“Good work, Lucy.” He placed a protective arm around Emma’s shoulder. “This lovely lady is, Emma. She’s staying with me for a while.”
Lucy smiled, her feline eyes sweeping warmly over Emma in silent approval. “Good, it’s about time you had a woman ’round the place. It’s far too big for you, rattling around all those rooms on your own.” She touched Emma’s hand. “Hi, Emma, I’m Lucy, the general workhorse ’round here.” She laughed out loud, and then added with genuine concern, “My, my, you’re shivering. I’ll bring you both a steaming cup of coffee to warm you up.”
“Nice to meet you, too, Lucy, and thanks, a coffee would be lovely.”
“You’re real welcome, honey.”
After pressing six digits on a pin pad, Zane led Emma through a double set of sealed security doors.
“I see you’re not taking any chances with your valuable stock.”
“Yeah, a guy can’t be too safe in this business, Emma. There’s plenty of very clever people who would like to get their hands on the rocks we keep here. I had extra security measures installed after an attempted break-in last year. It’s a precautionary measure really. Most of the time, the level of valuable gems stored here is pretty low. It’s just on days like today, when an expensive shipment arrives. Then we have to be extra vigilant.” He pushed open the door to his office. “Relax, take the weight off your feet, baby. I’ll be done in twenty minutes.”
“I’m in no rush, Zane. Take as long as you need. I’ve already wasted too much of your precious time today.” She sat on a comfortable chair overlooking the window, and silently stared outside. He knew she was grieving for the loss of her best friend. He’d give her as much time as she needed to come to terms with what had happened.
Lucy tapped on the door and brought in a tray loaded with fresh coffee, cream, and sugar, along with a few cookies. “You sure don’t look well, honey,” she commented as she started to pour the coffee.
Emma sighed. “I’ve just had some bad news, but I’m fine now, honestly.” She took a sip of her coffee. She raised her cup. “Mmm, Lucy, this is delicious. You make wonderful coffee.”
“Why thank you, you’re real welcome.”
When they were finally left alone, Emma spoke again. “What exactly do you do here, Zane? The security is amazing. This place is like a fortress.”
She’d appeared so deep in thought since leaving the morgue, he hadn’t thought she’d noticed much of anything. Instead, she’d taken everything in. He guessed it was her inquiring mind. After all, she was a lawyer. “Here at Anders Gems, we first buy in the raw stones. Diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires are the most popular. They are then graded according to quality. Some are sent to be cut, and others are put on the open market. It all depends on the inherent quality of the individual stone. Some gems have flaws, and their value is less. Superior stones are graded by color. White diamonds are the most sought after and valuable.”
She seemed a little surprised. “Color? I thought diamonds were just that, diamonds.” He knew she was asking questions to take her mind off things, but she didn’t know he had a passion for his work. He turned to his safe and unlocked it. “Here, it’s better if I show you.” Zane retrieved two small black velvet bags and placed them on his desk. He tipped the contents of one into his hand, and then arranged them on top of the velvet cloth. He pointed to the stones. “What do you think?”
Her lips pursed together as she studied them. “Not much. What are they? They look like cloudy chips of glass.”
He laughed. “Chips of glass? What you’re looking at here are raw uncut diamonds. The few you see here are worth more than a million bucks.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re joking, but they look so—”
Zane smiled as he looked straight at her. “Disappointing?”
A smile lifted her lips as she raised her eyes to his. “A little.”
The way she said those two simple words, a little, in that cut-glass English accent of hers, turned him on. At that precise
moment he felt their connection on so many levels. Without doubt they shared the same wavelength. Each seemed to know instinctively what the other was thinking. So he said, “I’m sorry you’re disappointed, baby.”
“Zane, you could never disappoint me, but I may end up disappointing you. I feel like a child in your presence. I know you have so much to show me, but I can’t help feeling that I can never match up to your expectations.”
“Come over here. There’s something I want to show you.” He circled his arm around her waist, and she willingly slid onto his lap. He held one of the raw diamonds in the palm of his hand. “See this? This is a rough, uncut diamond. As such, it doesn’t catch the light or shine brilliantly.” He tipped the contents of the other pouch onto the mahogany desk and six beautiful round cut diamonds scattered across the dark wood. Holding one up to the window between his finger and thumb, he said, “Now this is the finished article. See how the light refracts, emitting sparkle and fire from every facet.”
“It’s truly beautiful, Zane.” A sigh left her lips.
“But the beauty exists in both. It’s just the way the master craftsman makes his cut that allows the diamond to shine to its true, ultimate potential.”
Emma touched his jaw, and he looked down into her wonderful face. “I know you’re making an analogy between the rough diamond and me. Do you see beauty when you look at me, because I don’t?”
“I see a beautiful woman who longs to let go of her inhibitions.”
“I’m not sure if staying with you is a good idea, Zane. After today, all I want to do is curl up and cry. Besides, I’d be a kept woman. A concubine.”
“Is that what you think?” When she nodded, he continued, “Baby, of course I want you in my bed. What man with red blood flowing through his veins wouldn’t. But that doesn’t mean I expect anything from you. If you came to me, it would be because you want to. Because you want to learn from me.” He stroked his hand down her cheek. “There is such a lot I want to teach you.”
Emma smiled. She stared at his lips and then leaned forward to kiss him. “You’ve taught me a lot already. But I need time to make my decision.”
Chapter Fifteen
One week later
Emma stared once more through her bedroom window. The spectacular rolling countryside was finally starting to make an impression. She’d been so engrossed in her own grief, she hadn’t even noticed how beautiful and inviting the outside world appeared. A thick blanket of snow had fallen during the night, and dusted the fields and trees with a magical white carpet. The frozen landscape stretched as far as the eye could see. The early winter scene captivated her, reminding her of the image on a Dickensian Christmas card. Chloe wouldn’t want her shutting herself off forever. She really should make an effort to rejoin the world.
The police investigation into her friend’s death had expanded to include all the members of Club Submission. That’s if they could track them down. Apparently, around the time of Chloe’s disappearance, there was closed-circuit television footage of her friend leaving the club in the early hours of the morning. The footage had been obtained from a local garage that used the discreet cameras to protect their valuable stock of expensive automobiles. In so doing it had taken in the entrance doors to Submission, too. The image of Chloe and an unknown male had been circulated to the press and media. Emma didn’t hold out much hope, because the picture quality was extremely grainy. The unknown man could be just about anyone. Except Zane. No other camera footage of Chloe existed. Due to the secretive nature of the club, cameras of any description were strictly prohibited inside the premises.
Chloe’s body had finally been released. The autopsy had found traces of semen and evidence of asphyxiation. From the trauma marks around her neck, she’d most likely been strangled. Her friend must have suffered terribly. Emma comforted herself with the knowledge that at least they had the killers DNA. It was just a matter of time before they found him.
The funeral home had arranged a service for Tuesday of next week. She shivered. It would be hard saying good-bye, especially as the media was likely to be there in full force. Please, give me the strength to see this through.
Pain shot through her. Emma stared at her hands. She’d been squeezing them so tightly, her fingernails had actually made deep indentations in her palms. She shook her head. All this introspection wasn’t doing her any good.
In an attempt to breathe some life into herself, she grabbed her coat, and made her way to the impressive staircase that curved down to the large entrance vestibule below. She slowly descended, carefully taking one stair tread at a time before reaching the magnificent marble hallway. This decadent lifestyle was one she could certainly get used to.
After twisting the ornate handle on the heavy oak door, she swung it wide open. As she stood on the porch, she breathed in, filling her lungs with the chilled December air, clearing her mind of dark unwanted thoughts.
There was a biting wind, and she blew warm breath into her cupped hands as she stepped out onto the virgin snow. The satisfying crunch beneath her boots lifted her spirits, making a smile drift to her lips. A brisk stroll was just what she needed.
Zane’s footprints were still visible. Every morning at six, he would set off to his office in Boston, leaving her to her own devices. To her shame, she’d retreated from the world. Now, after a week of licking her wounds, it was time to move on.
Zane had been very supportive, giving her the time and space she needed to come to terms with everything. She had her own bedroom, and the freedom to roam around his beautiful home, but something was still missing. She needed that extra ingredient in her life. That special something she’d glimpsed when they’d spent that wonderful erotic night together, just a week ago. During that time with Zane, she’d never felt more alive. She knew he wanted to develop their relationship further, but he’d backed off completely, leaving her to decide. There was no pressure whatsoever coming from him. If she gave herself to him, mind, body, and soul, it would be entirely her decision.
After trudging through the virgin snow for forty minutes, she turned around and began making her way back to the house. The biting wind had certainly blown away the cobwebs. Now she could think clearly again.
When she saw Zane’s Mercedes turn onto the drive, she waved, feeling a big smile lift her lips. A nervous coil of energy centered low in her stomach, when he drew the car to a halt beside her, and lowered the window. Zane’s handsome, masculine face made her want to submit willingly and eagerly into his care. Just to see the subtle changes in his features as he dominated her again would be as breathtaking as the first time.
Yet the impossible situation she found herself in surfaced in her mind. There was no way around it. Just by being here, with no means of supporting herself, she was in reality, a kept woman. If she gave in to her carnal cravings and submitted to his will, wouldn’t she be making her situation far worse?
His eyes were warm and friendly as he studied her. “Good to see you taking the air, baby.”
“I’ve realized I can’t stay in my room forever. I have to rejoin the land of the living sometime, or I’ll go mad.”
“The fresh air has certainly brought the color to your cheeks.”
Just the way he looked at her sent even more heat flaming to her face. She knew he wanted to take her to bed, and master her the way he had before. The mental image of his hard, lean body servicing hers until she couldn’t even remember her own name filled her mind. Surely she wouldn’t be able to resist Zane for much longer? In truth, her panties were already wet with desire.
Thankfully, pride stopped her from blurting out, I want to be your sub, Master Zane. She simply refused to be a kept woman. With a quiet determination, she pushed the erotic thoughts away. It would be best if she stayed more formal and aloof with him. If she worked for her keep, instead of moping around in her room all day, she might be able to keep her self-respect. “It’s good of you to put a roof over my head, Zane. As a way of showing my apprec
iation, I’ll cook dinner tonight.”
Completely unfazed by her standoffish manner, a wicked grin slowly spread to his lips. Maybe he knew what she was trying to do? He stared at her for what seemed an eternity before saying, “Great, why don’t we cook dinner together? That way we can have a nice, long chat. Do you want a lift?
Emma shook her head. “No thanks, the fresh air will do me good.”
“Okay, I’ll drive back to the house. By the time you get there, I’ll have a few things ready.” He powered the window shut, and the silver Mercedes continued toward the impressive house.
She was in two minds about spending time alone with Zane. On the one hand she longed for his masculine guidance. On the other hand she was worried where it would all lead. Just being in his presence made her feel all warm and sexy inside. She hugged her arms about herself, thinking of his huge cock deep inside her pussy, satisfying her every need and desire. Oh, Zane, if only you knew how much I want you.
By the time Emma reached the house, Zane had already parked up the Merc. Fresh footprints in the snow led to the front door. After, kicking her boots against the wall to remove the loose snow, she pushed open the heavy oak door and stepped inside. She heard him moving things around in the kitchen, and she made her way there. The smell of his expensive aftershave lingered in the air, as she followed the metallic sounds coming from the kitchen.
When she entered, he turned, a beaming smile gracing his masculine face. He pointed to a fresh lettuce and a handful of cherry tomatoes that lay on the black granite work surface.
“If you prepare the salad, I’ll cook the steaks. Cooking steak is a man’s job. I can cook one to perfection. How do you like yours done?”
“Well done for me. I can’t abide bloody meat.”