by Zara Chase
“Exactly,” he said smugly in response to her wide-eyed expression. He bent his head and gently bit on one sizzling nipple, sending her body straight back into sensory overload. “Do you start to understand yet?”
“That was certainly wild.”
“Let’s get you out of this PVC. You look kinda hot.”
He unzipped the dress, she lifted her hips and he pulled it free. Then he returned with a towel, dried her body off with it, and threw it on the floor.
“Better?”
“Yes, much better thanks.”
“Good.”
He joined her on the bed, and pulled her into his arms. She rested her head on his chest and finally got to plough her fingers through the hairs on it.
“I can’t believe I enjoyed being spanked.” Darcy shook her head. “And I did enjoy it. I enjoyed it because I knew you wanted to do it to me, and I wanted to please you.”
“And just so you know, you did please me. You did real well for a first time.”
“Is that because you went easy on me?”
“You think that fuck was gentle?” She sensed him hoisting a brow. “I don’t know how to fuck any harder than that. I sure as hell wasn’t holding back. Your cunt was so damned tight, it drove me insane. You obviously bring out the worst in me.”
“No, it wasn’t gentle, but I liked it. But I also think there’s a lot of other stuff you like to do.”
“Sure, but unless you plan to leave the area anytime soon, we can work up to them.”
She snuggled a little closer. “I’m ready to start now.”
Ross chuckled as he leaned down to kiss the end of her nose. “Allow me to be the judge of that.”
“Sorry, Sir.”
“Have you any idea just how fucking sexy you looked?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then let me show you.” Ross picked up the camera he’d used during their fuckfest. “Not quite up to your professional standards, but still pretty damned hot.”
Darcy looked, and gasped. “Is that really me? I look totally wild. I never would have known myself.”
“Oh, it’s you, babe. You were pretty turned on.”
She blushed, embarrassed by her abandon. “I guess so.”
“What will you do with the pictures?”
“Keep them, and look at them when I’m feeling horny.”
Darcy laughed. “Which seems to be all the time.”
“That’s what I serviced you with, if you need reminding.”
She gulped when she saw a close-up shot, slightly out of focus, of his erect cock. “Wow,” was all she could think to say.
“Wow about covers it. That’s what you do to me, sweet thing.” He closed a possessive arm around her shoulders. “Okay, darlin’, are you ready to tell me why you don’t like being in the dark?”
Was she? It was something she had never told anyone, mainly because no one had bothered to ask her, but also because it was so personal. Still, perhaps it would help to ease the blow when Ross found out who she actually was.
“It’s no big deal.”
“Hey, you had a major panic attack there. I’d say that was a pretty big deal. I’m still trying to decide how to punish you for not warning me about your fear of the dark.”
“The first time it happened, I was a kid, about three,” she replied turning her head away from him.
“What happened, honey?”
“I was locked in a cupboard all night.”
“Shit!” He sat bolt upright, pulling her with him, and glowered at her. “Who the fuck did that to you?”
“My mom’s boyfriend at the time.”
“What happened to your dad?”
“I don’t remember him. He and Mom separated when I was still a baby.”
“And he had no contact with you?”
“No, he didn’t want to know either of us. Not that I really blame him. My mom can be a bit neurotic, to put it mildly. She can’t live alone, so she goes for all the wrong sorts of guys. Anyone who’s prepared to give her the time of day really. I’ve never really understood why, because she’s still very attractive, and was even more so when I was little.” Darcy shrugged. “Still, that’s the way she’s always been.”
“Has she ever looked for professional help?”
“No. She doesn’t think there’s a problem.”
“She locks a child in a cupboard all night, and doesn’t think she has a problem.” Ross’s face had grown dark with anger. “Geez! Did you ever find out why she did that?”
“No, I was too young to ask at the time, and whenever I’ve tried to raise the subject since then, she’s always found a way to change it. My mom has mastered the art of only hearing what she wants to hear.”
Ross’s large hand gently caressed her torso. “How often did it happen?”
“Several times. I don’t know exactly. The guy Mom was with didn’t like kids. If I woke up and tried to crawl into bed with Mom and he was there, he went crazy. Mom just thrust me into the wardrobe to keep the peace, then forgot about me, I think.”
“You must have been scared shitless.”
“You have no idea.” Darcy shuddered, surprised the memories still affected her so profoundly, but determined to finally talk about it to someone who would empathize. Who knew, it might even help to rationalize her fear. “She opened her closet in the morning, not to let me out but to find something to wear. She saw me there, curled up in a ball in the corner, and made out she didn’t know what I was doing there. Young as I was at the time, I remember her reaction quite clearly.”
Ross flexed his jaw. “I’m sure you do.”
“Her guy had gone to work, Mom cuddled and made a fuss of me, but I couldn’t stop trembling. It taught me never to go into her room again when he was there, but I tend to walk in my sleep, and obviously did it again, because I woke up in the closet another time. I screamed so loud they had to let me out. Mom’s relationship with the guy came to an end, and she moved on to someone else. Someone who didn’t hate kids, I guess, because the wardrobe episodes came to an end, but I’ve been scared of the dark ever since.”
“I’m not surprised.” Ross leaned up on one elbow, then lowered his head and kissed her with infinite gentleness.
“What was that for?”
“For telling me. I figure it’s not something you often talk about.”
“No.” Darcy forced herself to laugh. “It’s hardly dinner table conversation.”
“So, my earlier question stands. Why the hell didn’t you warn me?”
“I’m not sure. I suppose I wanted to see if I was over it. Besides, although you said blindfolding might be part of the game, I didn’t know you intended to do it right away.”
“Even so, you should have mentioned it.” He sent her a severe look. “Is there anything else I need to know?”
“Absolutely nothing,” she replied, a little too quickly because the reverse was actually true. Don’t let him find out quite yet, she prayed. Was it so bad of her to want to spend just a little more time with Ross, learning as much as he could teach her about the games he liked to play, and which she clearly enjoyed taking part in?
“And yet you want to work in Nevella to be near your mom in France.” A sigh rattled through the chest she was using as a pillow. “No wonder you don’t want to be too close. I just wonder at you wanting to be anywhere near her.”
“Our relationship is better now. There’s no point in bearing grudges. Mom is what she is, and there’s an end to it.”
“We can choose our friends, but not our families.”
Darcy needed to get off this subject. It was a little too close to home, in all respects. “What about you?” she asked.
“What about me?”
“What brings you to Nevella? You said just this morning that it’s a pretty small, quiet place. I should have thought your talents are wasted here.”
“You don’t know anything about my talents.”
“Oh, I think you just gave me a p
retty good insight,” she replied laughing. “Seriously though, all of you, including Leo, seem like you’re too big for this place. It makes you kind of mysterious.”
“No mystery involved. Leo came here first. We all knew him in different capacities back in the States, came to stay, and never left.”
“You’re all running away?”
He sent her a sharp look. “Why do you say that?”
“I’m not sure. It’s just the way it seems to an outsider.”
“We all have our reasons for being here, but we tend to keep them to ourselves.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”
“Aw, honey, you’re not prying, but I can’t speak for the others. I respect their privacy too much. Well, I guess I can tell you about Ward since he’d no longer keeping his background to himself.” Darcy clapped a hand over her mouth, appalled when Ross explained Ward had been a journalist on a big paper, got the wrong end of the stick about a child porn case and nearly beat an innocent guy to death. “He came here to lick his wounds, met Tanya a month or so back and she’s helping him get back on track.”
“What, he’s writing again?”
“Yep. It wouldn’t surprise me if he went home again sometime soon, and took Tanya with him. He’s a good ski instructor, but he’s capable of a lot more. “
“That would be great.”
“Yeah, I guess, but we’d miss him.”
“No, you’re right. We’ve all gotta move on at some time.”
“Don’t think I don’t recognize diversionary tactics when I come across them.” She licked the tip of her index finger, trailed it across his chest and around one nipple. “You got me interested in Ward and Tanya, hoping I’d forget you haven’t told me what brought you here.”
“Nope.” She could tell from the way his expression closed down that he didn’t intend to say much. “I was bored out of my brains, playing corporate politics in a big multinational company I worked for in Denver. I guess you could say I burned out.” She sensed she was getting a very abridged version. “Like Ward, I came to visit Leo, and never got around to leaving.”
“You don’t have a wife or family.”
“You think I’d be here if I did?” But he looked away from her as he spoke and she knew she’d hit a nerve.
“No, sorry, of course not. But there’s something that binds you guys together, I can sense it. Something other than just being American.” She pushed herself up and looked directly into his eyes. “Am I right?”
* * * *
Ross had been debating whether or not to tell her about the BDSM side of Hadleigh’s. If he wanted to move this thing between them along, then she would need to know all about his proclivities so she could make an informed decision. But was it too soon to tell her? Would she freak out and run a mile? He thought about the way she’d taken to her first lesson with such unbridled curiosity and enthusiasm. He had spanked her pretty damned hard, clamped her tits, shackled her wrists, taken her to the brink and then forbidden her to come. Far as he knew, she hadn’t done any of those things before, but had loved every minute of it.
She had even been prepared to face up to her worst nightmare for his sake. A virulent rage ripped through him when he thought of the way her selfish mother had allowed her to be treated. It was child cruelty in its purest form, and yet she still made excuses for the woman and had come to Nevella because she wanted to be close to her. Remarkable.
Her ability to forgive neglect that still gave her nightmares and move on with her life made Ross’s mind up for him. She deserved to know.
“We’re all into the scene,” he said casually.
“What, BDSM?” Her eyebrows shot skyward. “All of you? Even Ward and Tanya?”
“Yep.”
Darcy shook her head. “She doesn’t look the type.”
“Really.” It was Ross’s turn to raise his brows, but in amusement rather than shock. “What does the type look like?”
“Well, I don’t precisely know, but—”
“We don’t go around with our sexual preferences tattooed on our foreheads. We’re just normal, run of the mill people.” Ross chuckled. “Well, most of the time.”
“Do you have group sessions, or something?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then what?”
“It might be easier if I showed you.”
Ross checked his watch. The dungeon would be in full swing right about now. She’d either be fascinated or appalled. Might as well find out which way she jumped before he got too involved with her. Ross wasn’t aware he had made a conscious decision to forward his relationship with Darcy, but then he hadn’t exactly pondered upon the wisdom of taking her to bed this evening, either. It really was a hard and fast rule with him not to mix business with pleasure. Still, rules were made for breaking in exceptional circumstances, weren’t they? On a visceral level he had known this was one of those situations the moment he set eyes upon her. She was more than just a pretty face and great body. He saw enough of those in this place—ones who were passing through and didn’t want anything more taxing than a holiday fling. In Darcy’s case, there was something about her that went beyond her physical attributes that fascinated him. Hell, he’d known her for less than twelve hours and had already broken just about every self-imposed rule simply because he couldn’t help himself.
Ross had been drawn to her in a way he hadn’t been attracted to any woman since…well, since a hell of a time ago. He didn’t want to think how badly that had finished. He was older now. Older, and hopefully not so idealistic, or motivated solely by the dictates of his cock.
Yep, Darcy had sneaked through his defenses, no question. Still, Ross wasn’t about to give up his Dominant persona, not even for her. If they weren’t singing from the same song sheet in that respect then he’d just have to get over her fascination with her and move on. He stood up and pulled on his jeans. Bare-chested and barefooted, he threw Darcy’s panties at her, and then his T-shirt. She pulled them on, her expression intrigued.
“Where are we going, half-dressed?”
“You’ll see.”
He took her hand and led her back downstairs, their bare feet sinking into the thick carpet. This time Ross headed toward a different corridor which took them to another door controlled by a keypad. He pressed in the numerical code, it swung open, and Ross stepped back to let Darcy precede him through it.
“Welcome to my world,” he said with a theatrical bow designed to disguise his nervousness.
Ross so wanted her not to be appalled by what she saw. Ward was the only person to have brought anyone here who wasn’t already into the lifestyle. He understood now why he’d been so worried about Tanya’s reaction. Ross knew he was taking a risk in bringing Darcy here before he really knew her, but his instincts told him he could trust her to keep her mouth shut. The place wasn’t exactly a secret but it was strictly invitation only. If the punters in the bar got to hear about it and somehow found their way inside, it would become the sideshow Leo was at pains to avoid. That’s why he was very selective about whom he allowed in.
“Whatever is this place?” she asked, her head swiveling from side to side as her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting.
Ross said nothing, flinching when a small exclamation of surprise slipped past her lips. They were on the walkway that surrounded the action taking place in the dungeon below them, but her attention still appeared to be on the crimson walls with the old-fashioned sconces lighting it. It was almost as though she knew what she would see if she looked down and was trying to delay the moment. She viewed the frescos depicting highly erotic scenes with a reckless giggle. The glass showcases holding an array of sex toys made her gasp. Several casual subs were draped across settees, waiting to be picked up. Ross acknowledged one or two, who sent him hopeful looks, but didn’t allow his attention to be deflected from Darcy for long.
“Your very own dungeon.” She shook her head. “Well, I didn’t see that one coming.”
Ross grinned, glad that she was taking it in her stride. “Hang about for a minute or two longer and you’ll see all the coming you can take.”
“It’s a huge turn on,” she said in an awed tone. “Who would have thought it?”
“Now you’re starting to get it. Look down properly.” Ross stood behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist and held her firmly against his groin. He ignored the abrasive rub of his erect cock against his jeans when her near naked butt landed against his arousal.
“Oh good grief!” Ross looked at her face and saw her eyes widen with astonishment, or was it excitement? A dozen or more people were in the dungeon, in various stages of giving and receiving punishments as they fucked one another’s brains out.
“Welcome to the private side of Hadleigh’s.” He kissed the top of her head as his hands massaged her tits through the fabric of the T-shirt he’d loaned her. The moment he felt her nipples harden he was no longer satisfied with the barrier of cotton and slipped his hands beneath the shirt. “You wanted to know what bound us guys together,” he said softly, increasing the pressure he was putting on her nipples. “Now you do.”
“You’re all into this? Including Leo?”
“Especially Leo.” Ross chuckled. “Trust me, he’s the ultimate Dom.”
“Are you usually in here?”
“I was in here most nights, up until about a month ago.”
“Why did you stop coming?” She put a hand over her mouth, but a nervous giggle still escaped. “I really must stop saying that, especially given the…er, circumstances.”
“No problem. Coming is what we all do best.” He kissed the top of her head. “My regular sub left Nevella.”
“Oh, I see. Are you Doms in monogamous relationships then?”
“Yeah, pretty much, it’s safer that way. Some have signed agreements with their subs. Others have less formal arrangements. Either way, we like to have unprotected sex, and you can’t risk doing that if you’re not sure your partner’s clean.”