“Yeah, it is.” She raised her hand and studied the ring on her finger. It actually looked good against her skin. “It’s beautiful.”
She lowered her hands and stood before she started envisioning the two of them walking down the aisle. She moved to her own seat across the aisle from him and fastened her seatbelt. Sitting on his lap had felt way too right and left her feeling off kilter. Not sitting there didn’t leave her feeling any better. She just couldn’t win for losing.
“I’ll take care of it,” she said as she leaned her head back against the seat and smiled sadly at him across the aisle. “I promise.”
“I know you will,” he replied, then turned to the flight attendant, who watched them a bit impatiently from the galley. “We’re ready now.”
The flight attendant nodded and lifted a phone, alerting the pilots.
Chapter Four
Karina stepped into her hotel suite and glanced around the small, two room pad where she would spend the next few weeks. First thing to the left was a small kitchen with a table and two chairs. Not much in the way of cabinets and dishes, but it would be enough for the short amount of time she would be here.
Next was a living area with a love seat and recliner. On the wall to her right were the television and a DVD player, as well as the door to the adjoining suite. Separating the living area from the bedroom was a bathroom with a large shower and vanity, then in the bedroom sat a king size bed, a dresser, and another television.
Karina dropped her bags at the foot of the bed and glanced at her watch. It was now almost three. She and Brayden were supposed to meet with the manager of Club Fetish in ninety minutes to take a look at the club and go over the rules.
She walked into the bathroom and stared at her ragged expression in disgust. At least the puffiness in her eyes had gone down. She walked back into the bedroom and grabbed her make-up bag. She felt much better after refreshing her mascara and powder, then running a brush through her hair.
Grabbing a clip from her bag, she lightly pinned her strawberry blonde locks to the top of her head. Her hair was so thick, and it was much cooler to wear it up, especially since she couldn’t bring herself to cut it short. Her hair was the only thing about herself she liked.
A soft knock sounded at the adjoining door, and she quickly opened it. Brayden’s smiling face stared back at her from the other side, and she was once again struck with just how handsome he was. She’d always been a sucker for dark haired men with just a smattering of gray at the temples. And the way those blue eyes of his crinkled at the corners made her heart skip a beat in excitement.
Why had she never met a sub that could make her feel like this?
“So you snookered your way into the adjoining room, I see,” she drawled and stepped aside so he could enter.
He shrugged casually. “I thought it would be a good idea if we were close. Are you ready to head to the club?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she said. “Just let me get my purse.”
She grabbed her purse off the bed, then followed Brayden to the lobby. “My car or yours?” he asked, since they’d each gotten a rental car.
“Yours, since you already have your keys out.”
Brayden grinned and jiggled the keys in his hand, making Karina shake her head. They climbed into the car and headed down the road.
“When we’re done, do you mind making a stop at the grocery store?” she asked. “I could use some things.”
“No, I don’t mind. I could use some stuff, too. Since we may be here a while, we should probably pool together. There’s no point in each of us cooking separate meals all the time.”
She tilted her head in acknowledgement. “True.”
“I like Italian, just so you know,” he said.
A devilish light sparked in his eyes as he glanced briefly at her across the car.
“Pizza it is,” Karina drawled. “I don’t cook well, just so you know.”
Brayden smiled. “I do.”
“Well, then. Guess we know who the chef’s going to be.”
“So does that make you the clean-up crew?” he asked.
“I’ll tell you what,” she replied. “I’ll help cook if you help clean.”
He chuckled. “Sounds fair. We should probably go over what we’re telling this guy.”
“We’re engaged. You’re an experienced Dom, I’m a novice sub, not a complete idiot in the lifestyle, but not experienced, either. That would explain some of my hesitancy.”
“I’m guessing you’re a sassy sub?”
Karina grinned. “Most likely.”
“Figures. I need to know your hard limits, Kay.”
Karina’s whole body tensed. All of it. “Can we discuss that part later?”
“Why later?”
She turned back to him and watched how the late afternoon sunlight highlighted the silver at his temples. Brayden had gone gray early. A hazard of the job, but on him it looked really good. “There’re some things I need to tell you, that…now’s just not the time.”
Brayden frowned over at her before turning his attention back to the road. “All right,” he said quietly. “Is this going to affect the investigation?”
Karina bit her lower lip before answering. “No. Just how you deal with me.” She hoped, anyway.
Brayden nodded, but didn’t say anything else.
Once outside the city, they drove down a long two-lane road deep into the country. Karina spotted a massive house in a distant field. It was surrounded by large trees, manicured lawns, and fountains. The grounds in front of the house and on either side of the driveway were roped off for parking, which now sat empty. The only cars currently were two sedans and a black convertible Jaguar parked directly in front of the house.
Brayden turned down the driveway, then stopped halfway. Both of them stared at the massive three-story rock mansion with gothic features and accents, including gargoyles now visible through a part in the trees.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Karina murmured.
“Talk about intimidating,” Brayden said, then turned to her with a grin. “The damn thing looks like something out of a horror movie.”
Karina smiled. “Well, some people see BDSM as horror.”
“And the image that place brings to mind doesn’t help.”
He continued down the driveway.
“Maybe it’s run by a vampire,” she said softly, then giggled at the amused look he shot her way.
“Do you like vampires, Kay?”
“You’re my fiancé, Brayden. You should know these things.”
Brayden snorted. “Then I say yes.” The light in his eyes turned wicked. “Maybe one night while we’re here, we’ll play vampire and victim.”
Brayden brought the car to a stop, and she stepped out, laughing softly. She smiled coyly at him across the roof of the car. “I didn’t think you liked playing the victim.”
“Victim, my ass,” he growled. “If anyone is lying flat on the table getting bitten, it’s you.”
Karina shut the car door and turned toward the front of the house. A tall man dressed in a tux, of all things, stood in the open doorway, watching them. She came to a startled stop just as Brayden reached her side.
“Jeez. Where did you come from?” she asked the man in the door.
He bowed slightly. “From inside, madam.”
She looked over at Brayden and mouthed, “Madam.”
Brayden snickered and with a hand at the small of her back, ushered her forward. He kept his hand there as they walked through the lobby of the main floor, and Karina didn’t try to move it. For some off reason, it felt right resting there.
The house was as dark and gothic inside as it was out. The place gave her a creepy feeling, and she was grateful for his touch at her back.
She’d never seen a place like this—marble floors, oak paneling, black chandeliers.
“Vampires, I’m tellin’ ya,” she whispered in Brayden’s ear.
He smile
d and lifted his hand to lightly pinch the back of her arm. They followed their guide past the wide staircase and through a set of double doors, which opened onto a massive playroom spanning the entire main floor of the house.
It had numerous roped off areas for scenes, two bars, and even a couple of pool tables took up a corner at the far end. The massive floor to ceiling windows were covered with black plantation shutters that, right now, were open and allowing late afternoon sunlight to streak across the marble floors.
Shandra had been right. This place was incredible.
“Good evening,” a man said.
Karina jumped in surprise and turned to stare at the man who’d joined them.
“You must be the agents,” he said.
Karina frowned at the stunningly gorgeous man before her. He had wide shoulders and a deep tan, which the white of his shirt set off to perfection. With his shoulder length black hair, and light brown, almost golden eyes, he reminded her of a vampire. A thin beard and mustache that more resembled thick stubble covered his cheeks, giving him a serious bad-boy look.
He tilted his head slightly and watched her with amusement. “You seem a little surprised, Agent Jeffries,” he purred.
“Well, yeah. They told you?”
“Up until about three years ago, I was an FBI agent. Even though I’m no longer at the agency, I can still be of help.”
“You gave it up to run a BDSM club?” Karina asked.
“Got tired of it and decided to put my trust fund money from my father to good use.” He waved his hand around the playroom. “No better way to get back at the conservative old fart, in my opinion.”
Brayden choked on his laughter, and then coughed to cover it up. “Sorry,” Brayden mumbled behind his fist.
Their host smiled. “No need to be. My name is Nathan Delacroix, or Master Delacroix. The club is yours. Come as often as you need, so long as we’re open. The main playroom takes up the entire first floor, except for my offices, which are at the far side of the house. While here, you’ll have to participate. Club Fetish is not a voyeur club.”
Brayden nodded. “We understand and are prepared for that. I’m going in as the Dom, Kay the submissive.”
“Good,” Nathan said. “The rules here are pretty much the same as everywhere. Club safe word is red. If you don’t heed that word, you’re out. If you touch another Dom’s sub without his permission, you’re out.”
Brayden nodded, as did Karina.
“Now, let’s go to my office and talk about this case, because I definitely don’t like the idea that a killer is roaming around my club.”
Chapter Five
Brayden stood back and allowed Karina to enter Nathan’s office ahead of him. They each took a leather seat facing the desk as Nathan took the one behind it. Over Nathan’s shoulders was a massive window, which overlooked the manicured gardens and huge pool out back.
“Nice place,” Brayden said.
“Thank you. The contractors were a little, shall we say, intrigued when I started this project. Both are now members here. During the summer, the playroom extends to the patio and pool area, as well.”
Brayden grinned and glanced over at Karina. This club might well be worth moving to Atlanta. Karina appeared relaxed and confident, but Brayden knew her well enough to notice the tight lines of tension around her mouth and eyes.
“Have you ever been a submissive, Agent Jeffries?” Nathan asked, casually.
“No.”
Nathan raised an eyebrow. “I thought they were sending two agents with experience.”
“Karina has experience…as a Domme,” Brayden replied.
Nathan frowned. “And you’re going to play a submissive?”
“Didn’t have much choice in the matter,” she grumbled.
Brayden’s lips twisted. “She’s going to be a sassy one, would be my guess.”
Karina glanced over at Brayden, a look of censure darkening her eyes. “You have no idea,” she murmured.
Nathan smiled slightly. “I like sassy subs myself, but a Domme trying to pass as a submissive will be interesting.”
Karina started to say something, but Nathan pointed at her, and she immediately closed her mouth, surprising Brayden.
“Something to consider while you’re on the floor. Get to know the subs, especially the males.”
“Why?” Karina asked.
“Think about it. What better place for the unidentified suspect, or unsub to hide? You’re looking for a Dom. Masquerading as a sub allows him to hide in plain sight and also allows him to get to know the subs better. I can tell you most anything you want to know about the subs sexually. What they like, what their hard limits are, which ones are the screamers, but nothing about them personally. This guy went after subs who were visiting the area, which means he had to have talked to them. It’s a long shot, I know, but…it’s a gut instinct.”
“It could be possible a Dom might ask a question about where she’s from,” Karina argued.
“I don’t. Do you ever ask your sub questions like that, Karina?” Brayden asked.
Karina pursed her lips in thought, and then she sighed. “No.”
“There’s a catered luncheon once a month for the submissives and a poker night for the Doms. I would recommend you both attend.”
“Of course,” Karina replied.
“I wish I could help you more, but… Your agency tried to subpoena my records, but I told them if they did, I’m legally bound to alert my members, which would tip off your unsub if he’s here. So you’re going to have to dig the old fashioned way. I’ll help as much as I can, but in all honesty, I know very little about most of the members, other than no one here has a record. Anyone who’s been arrested for assault cannot have a membership here. Unfortunately, the background checks are hired out through another company, so I never even see them beyond the approval or the decline.”
“Understood,” Brayden said with a nod.
“I understand the FBI is handling the other clubs in the area. Why did NCIS get mine?” Nathan asked.
“This is the last place the lieutenant was seen before she disappeared,” Karina replied.
Nathan nodded as he leaned over and grabbed a small vanilla envelope. He passed it across his desk to Brayden. “Here are your membership cards. You must have them in order to get in, so don’t forget them.” He looked over at Karina. “Sorry, sweetheart, but dress code for the subs is anything goes, except no panties and no bra unless it’s part of the costume. If your Dom catches you with underwear, then he is allowed to remove it any way he chooses.”
Karina wrinkled her nose in disgust. “No underwear? Ever?”
“Ever,” Nathan replied, a spark of mischief in his eyes.
Brayden hid a grin at Karina’s obvious discomfort. Karina had never been naked in the club, even during a scene. If she did allow a sub to fuck her, she either had on a skirt or a pair of pants that opened at the crotch.
Matter of fact, now that he thought about it, Brayden wasn’t sure Karina had ever let one of the subs touch her…anywhere on her body. But he didn’t think that was her issue.
Brayden believed her discomfort had more to do with the fact she would no longer be the one in control. He would be able to touch, play, and lick anytime he felt like it. And Brayden had a feeling he would feel like it quite often.
Karina set the grocery bags on the small table and sighed at all the crap she’d bought. They had no idea how long they would be here, so she’d bought plenty. She wasn’t much for eating out, although she and Brayden had stopped to get hamburgers before shopping. Now all that was left was to unpack and put away.
Karina began putting stuff in cabinets and the fridge. Once the final bag had been unloaded, she glanced around for the ice cream. She could’ve sworn she’d gotten some. After all, she couldn’t grieve for her friend without a healthy dose of chocolate chip cookie dough.
“Looking for this?”
She spun and saw Brayden standing in the doorw
ay that separated their two suites. With a sexy grin, he held up the container of ice cream.
“Yes, thanks.”
She took it from him and set it in the freezer.
“Planning on wallowing all alone, or can I join in?”
Karina smiled sadly at him over her shoulder as she shut the freezer door. “All wallowers are welcome.”
Brayden snickered and leaned casually against the doorjamb with his hands in his slacks pocket. “Are you ready to discuss what it was you wanted to tell me?”
Karina sighed and leaned her hips against the counter. She needed to tell him this stuff, despite how uncomfortable it made her thinking about talking about it. Even with Brayden. She gripped the edge of the counter and drew in a deep breath for courage.
“We’re going to be playing at the club together, so I need to know if you have any issues,” Brayden said softly.
“I know.”
“Is it the submissive thing that’s bothering you?”
“Partly.”
With a look of understanding, he walked over and took her hand in his. He pulled her over to the couch and tugged her down so she sat next to him. Their thighs touched, and her whole leg tingled. She shifted slightly, trying to put some space between them. She leaned forward just a bit and buried her hands under her thighs to keep them from trembling.
“Do we need to get the ice cream?” he asked.
Karina looked up at him and smiled slightly. She knew he was trying to ease the tension that had made her entire body go taut.
“Might not be a bad idea,” she drawled.
Brayden snickered and rubbed his palm up and down her spine in a soothing motion she’d seen him use often with nervous subs. Brayden had a way about him that put women at ease. Even her.
“Can’t say as I’ve ever seen you so uptight about something,” Brayden murmured. “What happened to you?”
Karina kept her gaze on her knees, not wanting to look up and see the pity she knew would be in his eyes. “When I was seventeen, I was raped and tortured.”
The movement of his hand slowed, but didn’t entirely stop. Karina could swear she felt his body stiffen, and definitely heard the soft curse that escaped his lips.
Topping the Domme (Crime and Punishment) Page 3