Not a second after ending Rob’s daily call the phone rang again. This time Daniel looked serious as he talked. He listened for what seemed like the longest minute in human history and then glanced at the clock hanging on the cabana wall. “Okay. I’ll stop by this afternoon and check on him.” Putting the phone down, he spoke to Alyx, “I need to stop by the hospital and check on a patient. Want to go for a ride? Technically it will be on your time, so if you’d rather stay here that’s fine.”
The thought of him being gone for a few hours left her bereft. What to do? Her body-mind-spirit yearned to be with him, which was exactly why she must stay here. Time away would prove smart. A little detox never hurt anyone.
She’d reached a decision. She shouldn’t go with him. Definitely not.
But her mouth had a brain of its own. “Sure,” she heard herself saying, “Taking a ride will be fun.” What? Good God, this was the same thing she’d done when Rob asked for volunteers to work this assignment. Why did she keep snubbing her better judgment? Especially after she’d just called out Daniel about them behaving in ways that had nothing to do with training a submissive. She was as guilty as he was. Guiltier, maybe. Yet she couldn’t stop herself.
“We’ll leave around one,” he said, too enthusiastically. “And let’s get lunch while we’re out. A change of venue.”
“Fine.” Except nope, it would be too much like a date. Well, maybe not. She had lots of guy friends that she went out to lunch or dinner with. No biggie. Actually, all of her friends had a Y chromosome. Mostly she considered it a result of her job; too few females in her office. Ten to be exact; the seven and a half brunettes who’d been recruited for BDSM duty and two blondes, not counting Rob’s boss who was a hotheaded carrot-top.
Alyx threw her white jean jacket over the pink tee and denims she’d arrived in. Daniel wore a long-sleeved white linen shirt tucked into belted pressed khakis. He opened the door for her and she slipped into his black Mercedes. He hadn’t put on cologne but in the confines of the car, something about him smelled delicious. Pheromones?
Arriving at the hospital, he parked in a “Doctors Only” space and switched off the ignition. “Want to come in?”
Alyx shivered. “My last hospital trip was when I got shot.” She hadn’t even recalled that tiny detail when he’d invited her. Another sign that she was in way, way over her damn head.
“Then I truly don’t want to leave you here alone. In fact, I won’t.”
That settled, without her input, they entered the hospital and Daniel nodded to numerous greetings from staff members. The elevator landed at the cardiac unit and he placed his hand on the small of Alyx’s back and ushered her to a door emblazoned with his name. He directed her to the chair behind his desk and booted up his computer. “This might help pass the time until I’m done. I don’t anticipate this taking very long, but you never know.” Daniel gazed down at her, placing his warm hand on her shoulder. “You okay? You’re kind of quiet.”
“I’m fine. I’ll catch up on my emails and Facebook while you’re gone.”
He headed for the exit, then faced her and winked before shutting the door behind him.
How could he have become so attentive in the short time they’d shared? She’d spent years with boyfriends and never reached this level of intimacy. Scanning her emails, she found messages from her hometown buddies telling her how much they missed her this weekend. And how the surfing had been awful on the too-calm ocean.
Before she knew it, Daniel returned. “Ready for lunch?”
“Yes. Is your patient all right?”
“He will be. Just needed to adjust his medication. Should be home in a few days.”
* * *
After pulling into a parking space on Main Street, Daniel escorted Alyx out of the car. The sign above the restaurant read Café Jax and the hostess ushered them to a small table near the back. Daniel pulled out a chair and Alyx settled into the seat. Sitting opposite her, he watched as she opened the menu, her long black eyelashes shading her bright eyes, her cheeks pink with pouty lips to match. He thought of their playtime last night and again this morning. Twice. Could she be talked into a third time right on top of this tablecloth? His dick hardened in response to the mental images. Jesus, she was living-breathing, walking-talking Viagra. He’d never expected she’d get under his skin, not like this. Serious misgivings regarding her following through on this assignment troubled him. Not only her participating in scenes at the club knotted his stomach, but the idea of her actually being kidnapped by these sadists, for even a split-second, constricted his throat.
Two separate nightmares haunted him last night and he’d roused in a cold sweat. Luckily, she hadn’t noticed. The first had her suspended from the ceiling while a horrid, beastly brute bullwhipped her mercilessly, bloody welts across her back, buttocks and thighs. She silently endured the pain; teeth clenched, jaw firm. In the next bad dream, an ogre strapped Alyx to a bondage horse and then raped her anally, gore everywhere. Daniel swallowed back his revulsion, trying to erase the vile images.
He should talk her out of this mission. Yes, get her to quit before she wound up hurt, or worse, dead.
“Earth to Daniel,” she said, waving her hand in front of his stare.
He refocused, but his eyes quickly darted to the right. “Shit,” he mumbled under his breath, rising from his seat.
“Vi,” he said, leaning in so she could kiss his cheek.
“Daniel, how are you? It’s been forever.” Vi regarded Alyx with a smile. The woman’s green eyes proved dazzling and her skin glowed, although it bore the wrinkles of wisdom and age. Her sleek silver pageboy fell almost to the shoulders of her tailored ebony sweater.
“Vi, this is Alyx Cameron, a business associate,” Daniel announced. Then to Alyx, “This is Violet Soderhouse, she and my mother are in practice together.”
Alyx extended her hand to Vi and she accepted. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Soderhouse.”
“Likewise, and please, call me Vi. Oh, by the way, Daniel, we’ll see you tomorrow night?” He narrowed his eyes. “The hospital fundraiser? Oh, tell me you haven’t forgotten. Your mother is receiving her award.”
Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose. “Slipped my mind, Vi. Not sure I can make it.”
“Daniel, whatever it is I suggest you reschedule. Don’t you dare disappoint your mother.”
“I’ll see what I can do, Vi, but no promises.” Daniel dug his hands into his khakis’ back pockets and sighed.
“I know you were raised better. Anyway, I’ll leave you two to your lunch. Ta-ta, darlings.” She gave Daniel another peck on the cheek.
The waitress came over and they ordered. Daniel placed his cell in front of him, drumming his fingers on the table. He stared at the phone.
“Two spankings for your thoughts?” Alyx said.
Daniel held up his index finger. “Wait for it.” The phone rang and Daniel grunted. “That would be my mother.” He picked up the phone, winked at Alyx and said, “Hi, Mom.”
“Of course, it was great to see Vi. Uh-huh, uh-huh. Actually, I did forget and I’m not sure. Yes, Mom. I’ll make every effort but extenuating circumstances may prevent… Okay, Mom. I will. Love you too.” Daniel replaced the phone in his pocket and leaned his head into his palms. “Damn.”
“Hey. Go, please go. I’ll be fine for a few hours alone tomorrow night.”
Attending some boring hospital event featuring pompous assholes in self-aggrandizement annoyed him on a regular evening. He’d much rather send a generous check and skip the schmoozing. Not to mention trading a night with Alyx in his rec room made it a hundred times worse. Alyx needed all the time he could give her. But he loved his mother and he should be there.
The waitress arrived with a Cobb salad for Alyx and Daniel’s Reuben sandwich. They both had iced tea.
He wondered if Alyx was relieved that he might leave her alone for a few hours. Maybe she was sick of him. Although, if he had to judge by the recent festivities,
she certainly seemed into it. And he? Well, he’d never enjoyed himself with a woman more.
Alyx stabbed a ripe piece of avocado and pushed it past her full lips. Daniel stopped breathing. Those fucking lips. He wanted those lips on him, everywhere. His pulse quickened and his dick hardened. Which happened more and more often whenever he was near this incredible woman. Hell, even when he wasn’t. All he had to do was picture her slowly undressing.
It’s only sex, he reminded himself. He’d have it out of his system by the end of the week and then his life, and hers, would return to normal. He’d forget all about her. Maybe.
“I repeat,” Alyx said, interrupting his musings. “Go to this event for your mother. You must. Won’t she be horribly disappointed if you aren’t there?”
Daniel bit into his sandwich and then sipped iced tea. “Okay. As long as you’re my arm-candy.”
“What? That’s ridiculous.” She shook her head and ate a forkful of salad.
“I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ll say that I’ve been working as a consultant for your company and you don’t know anyone because you’re from out of town and I didn’t want to leave you bored.” Daniel hoped he could pull this ruse off. His psychiatrist mother could be a pain in the ass with her unsolicited insights and advice, but he didn’t care. He wanted Alyx with him. “By the way, you’ll need something to wear.”
“Did you hear what I said? I’m not going with you.” Alyx said, her eyes going wide when she realized she held her fork in the air, almost like a threat. She quickly laid the utensil down.
“I’m the Dom and you do what I say. The nights are my time and if I want to bring you someplace, you’ll go.”
“Not our agreement,” she said quietly. “We can trade the four hours in the afternoon for four hours at night. What’s the difference?”
So sensible. Using her fucking FBI brain to solve his problem. However, the real issue was: he wanted her by his side and he didn’t care what anybody thought. Shit. Two minutes ago, he’d convinced himself that he only cared about her for the sex, and now he wanted to bring her out in public? He wondered if it would be a problem on Rob Scarborough’s end. How could it be? It’s not like anybody connected with these slavers would be anywhere near the hospital fundraiser clientele.
“You’re coming with me,” he said flatly, “and that’s the end of discussion. As soon as we finish lunch we’ll go pick out your dress.”
Alyx leveled her glare at him. “Who died and made you King?”
“Me, of royal blood?” he feigned innocence.
* * *
Daniel towed Alyx through Cashmere Shores’ doors and accosted a saleslady. “Dr. Taylor,” she exclaimed. “What a pleasure.”
“Hello, Tory,” he said gruffly. “This is Alyx Cameron, a business associate who’s visiting me. She’s attending an unexpected social event tomorrow night and didn’t bring any formal attire. Please take good care of her.”
“She’s in good hands,” Tory said, giving Alyx the once over. “What size, darling?”
“Six,” Daniel said. Alyx’s jaw dropped. “And she’ll need shoes, also size six, and the appropriate undergarments.”
“Exquisite,” Tory said. “Any particular color?”
“Pink, she looks good in pink.”
“I know just the thing.” Tory sashayed off to the racks.
Alyx leaned in close to Daniel. “What the fuck? Me, in a pink dress? I’m not going to prom.”
“Let me guess. Your FBI uniform is a dark business suit and you haven’t worn anything terribly feminine in a while. I want to make you feel as beautiful as I know you are. And I love you in your little pink tee.” Daniel tugged on the hem of her shirt. This was the only pink item in Alyx’s entire wardrobe and she hadn’t given much thought to her attire the night she’d arrived on Dr. Taylor’s doorstep. But what he said was kind of sweet. He was correct, too. Other than her workout clothes, neutral colors filled her dresser drawers and closet.
“I can’t believe you remembered my size in, in everything. And won’t this whole affair, or situation seem a tad odd for two business associates?”
“Let them talk. Gossip. I would, if I were them.”
Tory returned, carrying a sleek pink cashmere dress featuring a low-cut neckline and spaghetti straps. The material felt like velvet.
“I like,” Daniel announced. “Go try it on and come out and model.”
Tory ushered Alyx into the dressing room and zipped her into the luscious creation before telling her to wait. She reappeared with black patent leather stilettos and a pale satin string panty. She knelt at Alyx’s feet to slip on the pumps. “I think you should probably remove your underwear for now. I brought a nude thong.”
Alyx cringed. She’d tried thongs occasionally but didn’t find them particularly comfortable. If she wore them exclusively would she eventually get used to the dental-floss-in-her-butt-crack feeling? But then – shit! She still wore the butt plug. Tory stretched open the tiny string bikini as an offering. Alyx snatched it from Tory’s hands a little too quickly. “I’ll take it to go, thanks.”
“Okaaay,” Tory said, eyes wide. She arranged Alyx’s hair stylishly, tucking one side behind her ear. “There you go. You’re very stunning, you know.”
Alyx blanched. She’d always considered herself second-rate. She was first runner-up to prom queen, vice-president of her senior class, ranked number eleven in her graduating class when only the first ten got to sit on the stage with special honors. One time in college her sorority had submitted her picture as a contestant for the basketball tournament queen. She’d won but only because her boyfriend enlisted his entire fraternity to vote for her. She’d never considered herself particularly attractive and not even remotely beauty queen material.
“Come, let’s show Dr. Taylor, I think he’ll be very, very pleased.” Tory nudged Alyx out of the huge dressing room. Daniel sat in a Queen Ann chair with his legs crossed, frown lines crimping his brow. As soon as his eyes fell on her his expression brightened.
“Perfect,” he said, glancing briefly at Tory. “Turn around.” He made a twirling motion with his finger. The dress had a huge V in the back, nearly to her butt crack, with a string of rhinestones connecting the two sides. She couldn’t wear a bra. That should please the oversexed Dr. Taylor.
“On you, it looks like a million bucks,” he said. “And the shoes are fit for a princess.”
“Thank you, Sir.” She flushed crimson. Had she really called him Sir in public? Daniel seemed not to notice, but Tory winced, her eyes a little too wide. Alyx decided to ignore her embarrassing blunder.
Daniel walked over to her, sliding his finger under the thin strap of the dress. “We’ll take it. And pick out a handbag and a pair of earrings. Something in silver or white gold. Nothing too gaudy.”
“Daniel,” Alyx whispered, for his ears only. “The dress and shoes are enough, I don’t need jewelry. It’s too much.”
He put his lips close to her ear, his breath warm on her neck, and ticklish tremors ran down her spine. “No topping from the bottom, little subbie. In case you’ve momentarily forgotten, I’m in charge.”
Well, technically no, she thought. It wasn’t four o’clock yet. But somehow, she had no will to fight him about this.
Tory laid everything out on the counter and carefully wrapped the items in bright yellow tissue paper, depositing them in a shiny black shopping bag. The dress remained on its hanger and Tory covered it in a large plastic bag.
“Alyx, go wait in the car,” Daniel instructed, his stare narrow, stern. For some reason, she felt compelled to obey.
“All right,” she said, accepting the keys. On her way out, she peered over her shoulder. “Thanks for your help, Tory.”
“Certainly, please come again.” Her too-white smile seemed unconvincing.
Minutes later, Daniel returned, packages in hand. He stowed them in the trunk. Settled into the driver’s seat, he paused, gazing through the windshield. Alyx follo
wed his line of sight across the street. What had caught his attention?
“That James Bond movie you wanted to see is playing.” The small-town theater’s show times were listed under the title. Just like her hometown theater, it had probably been built in the 1950s with shabby red-velour seats and an outdated projection system that occasionally didn’t make it to the ending credits. The one in Westhampton even closed for two months in the winter.
Alyx’s face pinched. What the hell? Taking her to work, insisting that she attend the fundraiser at the hospital, buying her expensive clothes she could never afford, out to lunch, to the movies? Too much.
“Uh…” Before she could utter a single intelligible protest he had her out of the car and walking across the street to the theater.
Alyx loved the movies. Most of the guys she’d dated weren’t all that fond of films and she’d been forced to nudge more than one of them awake after the snoring became overly embarrassing.
They snuggled into the rickety seats, Daniel’s shoulder pressed against hers.
It ended too quickly and Alyx wished she could see it all over again. “Wouldn’t you just love to be James Bond?” she exclaimed as they returned to the car. “The excitement? The danger? It’s positively exhilarating.”
“At the risk of sounding like a total wimp, no. Plus, it’s totally Hollywood hype. I’m sure the life of a real spy is nothing even close to what the Bond man’s life is like.”
Alyx settled. “I guess. But it’s fun to think about.”
* * *
Returning home at around seven o’clock, they agreed they weren’t hungry after such a late lunch. Alyx carried her packages up to her room and hung the dress in the closet. With the price tags removed, Alyx could only imagine the ridiculous amount of money Daniel had probably spent. She had no need for anything lavish and no intention of taking them when she left. The movie Pretty Woman came to mind and a surge of disgust swarmed within. A prostitute. That’s what Tory probably thought.
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