The Braille Club (The Braille Club #1)

by J. A. Kerr

  Siena had never wanted to be involved in Nick’s business, but she was content to scout for locations with him. She oversaw some of the financial aspects, but was more than happy to hand it over to his competent team. She eventually turned down the job with her father’s company, feeling she should move on. They told her she would always have a job with them should she reconsider, but for her, the timing was wrong.

  One of her contacts called about a property just on the market in an exclusive location, sadly a repossession, but as soon as she saw it she knew it was perfect. Nick had his new project, and now she had hers. Recently though, she sensed something was missing in her life. Thirty this year, her mind kept wondering about kids. Was her biological clock on overdrive? She’d taken lots of risks with Nick during their marriage, but had never fallen pregnant, so why the tinge of regret lately?

  She had told her parents there would be no children, and they had accepted this and her reasons with quiet disappointment.

  Her phone started to ring again and this time she answered it.

  “Can I speak with Mrs. Waters?” said Benedict coolly and her heart began to race. So he knew…

  Taking a deep breath, she replied “Benedict, it’s Siena. We need to talk.” She sensed his hesitation, his reluctance, but most of all his anger.

  “Yes, I’m just calling to say under the circumstances I can no longer work on the villa,” his voice was cold.

  “I’m very sorry to hear that,” replied Siena just as coolly. “I would be grateful if you could confirm this in writing and if you could recommend a suitable replacement.”

  Caught off guard, Benedict was silent for a moment.

  “Yes, of course. My colleague James would be suitable, or if you prefer I can recommend several other firms.”

  “No, James sounds fine.” She hesitated before saying in a softer voice, “I wanted to thank you for everything you did for me.”

  “Siena, I got you to the hospital that night, do you not think I deserve an explanation?” Benedict exclaimed.

  “Yes…” her voice trailed off, and she jumped when she saw Nick standing in the doorway. “I’m afraid now’s not a good time; I’m just home, can I get back to you?”

  Benedict heard the change in her tone; she sounded anxious, like someone had walked in on her.

  “Of course, you have my number,” he replied and ended the call.

  “Who was that?” Nick’s voice whined.

  “God, I wish you wouldn’t creep up on me,” Siena said, annoyed.

  Nick stood in front of her and repeated his question.

  “I asked you who that was.”

  “Our architects,” said Siena, annoyance in her voice.

  “You know I spoke to the hospital, and they said a man accompanied you in the ambulance, Siena. Who was it?”

  “For God’s sake, Nick, for the hundredth time I don’t remember. Will you stop this constant interrogation?”

  “Please don’t raise your voice,” he said calmly, and Siena immediately wanted to scream.

  “I’m anxious to thank this hero of yours; he was in the right place at the right time, such a coincidence. He saved your life, after all. Why wouldn’t I want to speak with this mystery man?” he said calmly but Siena knew Nick was angry.

  “Nick, please, we have been over this,” Siena sighed.

  “Was it Mr. Harrison you spoke to?” asked Nick, changing the subject.

  Alarmed, Siena tried to remain unaffected as Nick observed her closely, his psychologist’s eyes searching for those tell-tale signs Siena knew only too well. It’s how he determined someone was lying.

  He would establish a line of questions to build-up a patient’s trust, noting their eye movements, asking their name, age, etcetera, building up a rapport, watching their eyes slide to the left as they answered these basic facts. When his questions became more probing, he would often see his patient’s eyes slide down and to the right, a direct indicator of a lie. He would quietly note these down before moving on to the next question. He would then return to all the questions he decided were lies and try to establish the truth. It was his job, and he was very good at it.

  “Yes,” Siena whispered.

  Her mind went into free fall and then the phone started to ring again. She saw it was a private number, and her heart almost stopped. Nick snatched it up and answered it.

  “Yes,” he barked.

  “Can I speak with Mrs. Waters?” Benedict asked, his voice firm.

  “I’m sorry, she’s not available,” snarled Nick.

  “Is that Mr. Waters?” Benedict persisted.

  When Benedict didn’t get a denial, he plunged ahead.

  “Mr. Waters, I think we were cut off yesterday; I’ve been trying to contact you.”

  “Really,” said Nick sarcastically. Benedict ignored the barb.

  “Yes, I do apologise; I told my secretary to hold all calls, things were a bit backed up, and I didn’t realise you were still on the line.”

  “I found your wife unconscious; we had an early breakfast meeting that day. Siena had invited me to a meeting the previous evening, but I was unwell, so I re-scheduled. I knocked and got no reply, so I looked through the side window and saw her lying in the hall. Fortunately, the door was unlocked.” Benedict’s lies sounded convincing, and Nick was beginning to relax as he pictured the scene.

  “It was pure chance I spotted her bracelet,” said Benedict, which was the truth. “I’ve had some experience with diabetics in my family.”

  “Yes, I kept telling Siena that charm bracelet wasn’t obvious enough, that more traditional medical bracelets would do a better job,” said Nick, his voice calmer.

  “I went with her in the ambulance and well, you know the rest,” finished Benedict.

  “Yes, yes,” replied Nick. “That all makes sense, Mr. Harrison; I can’t thank you enough for helping my wife.”

  “I was glad I was there to help,” he said quietly.

  “Look, I’d like to take you to dinner…as a thank you,” Nick said.

  “Mr. Waters, I don’t really do dinner and I feel bad for turning you down under the circumstances, but I won’t change my mind. Your thanks are enough. Now I must get back; I have a busy day, I’m afraid. If you have any queries regarding the villa, please don’t hesitate to call, goodbye.”

  Siena had been hovering nervously throughout the entire conversation and could tell from Nick’s voice that Benedict had put his mind at rest, but she had no idea how.

  “Why didn’t you say you had a breakfast meeting with Mr. Harrison,” Nick demanded.

  Siena turned on Nick furiously. “Do you know what, Nick? I’m sick of this and your accusations. I forgot, okay? I was a bit confused having woken up in a hospital, so what’s it going to be? Either you drop this or we are in serious trouble, again! I will not spend another moment discussing it, do you understand?”

  Nick put his hands up. “Okay, point taken. Look, we’ve got a table to fill for the charity ball, why don’t you invite Mr. Harrison as a thank you and we’ll pick up the bill.”

  Siena smiled at Nick, while inside she was screaming.

  “Of course I’ll send him an invite, but didn’t you ask him about dinner already?”

  “Yes, but I’m sure he’ll make an exception for The Diabetic Fundraiser. Got the impression it’s in his family. I’ve got to run; I’ve got a patient this morning.”

  Nick turned and left the study, popping his head round the door two minutes later to tell Siena he wouldn’t be back till five.

  When Siena finally heard the door shut, she put her head down on the desk, her nerves shattered. She couldn’t go on like this; she should come clean and take the consequences. Speaking to Benedict had unsettled her again, but more than anything she realised she wanted him, and she wanted him badly. Just hearing his voice sent shivers of desire racing through her body.

  Siena jumped as the house bell rang.

  “What now?”

  She peered
through the peephole to see a courier on her porch with a large tube. Puzzled, she signed for it and took it inside. Going to her study she opened it, removing the drawings and a compliment slip. It was signed by James with his direct dial telephone number. Something at the bottom of the tube caught her eye. Tipping it out of the box, she realised it was the card she had given to Benedict in Marbella. She fingered the dots as she read the words on the card, ‘It’s over,’ and felt her heart fracture as she angrily ripped it up.

  Chapter 25

  THE BRAILLE CLUB

  Braille Club, London, Present Day: The game begins as the sensory suits tighten around Assignee’s bodies, the first fifteen minutes more relaxed before the tension increases. Little murmurs escape as the temperature in the room rises. Breathing is more laboured as gasps turn into moans. Agitation grows and heart rates increase until the first bell rings. It shatters the silence, momentarily disrupting the rhythm of the room before the chair starts to slide back and disappear from the zone.

  Abbey

  Abbey was completely caught up in Steve. They’d been inseparable these last few days, and it felt strange when he left for training on Monday. She reluctantly checked her diary, surprised she’d almost forgotten the booking at The Braille Club for her second partnered lesson. She immediately felt guilty; things had been so good between them. But she only had to think a few weeks back, she’d need more than great sex for her marriage to work in the long run. She needed to trust Steve again, something she couldn’t even contemplate at the moment. The old anxieties started to surface again. Cocooned, she’d experienced happiness for the first time in months, but she could now sense the bubble bursting again.

  All her wounds started to open as she made herself coffee; she couldn’t go on feeling this way, could she? Looking at her watch, she knew she would have to hurry. As she arrived at the club, she thought she spied Luke’s girlfriend, Lucy, just inside. When she got into the foyer, she was nowhere to be seen, so she was probably mistaken. In her hand, her phone vibrated with the code as she made her way into the elevator. She inserted her card in the slot below the buttons. Anyone could use the lift to the club’s upper floors. Braille Member Cards accessed the floor below while Elysian cards accessed all.

  Glancing down the corridor, she saw Grace sitting at a small desk. Her lesson was being held in a zone, and she was curious about it. She wasn’t disappointed, her stomach was in knots as the chair glided through the door. She was alarmed and entranced in equal measure as Grace showed her the ropes.

  Abbey had opted for a partnered session, and on a whim had decided she had no preference to it being male or female. When informed the person with her today was extremely skilled, she felt a little thrill. This lifted her mood, although she was still subdued. Grace offered her the new cuffs, but Abbey shook her head, preferring the originals. Grace reached for her arms, and she tensed as she snapped them on, the bells tinkling. The music was slow, soothing, and her shoulders started to relax then tense again as the suit tightened around her body. A gorgeous smell was in the room, of musk, spice, and orange. She heard a series of bells ringing and knew from what Grace had told her that her partner was now in the room. Her face flushed, and she was glad the hood was there to hide her embarrassment. Fingers light as a feather touched the skin on the side of her neck, and she flinched in surprise.

  Her head pushed forwards as she experienced a thrill of excitement. She sensed the warmth of a body near her, hands pulling her hair to the side and then lips on the back of her neck. It was shocking and wonderfully erotic, and she felt herself shiver in response. Fingers moved to her shoulders, massaging and stroking in a hypnotic rhythm as the lips explored her neck. She gasped as the chair and her suit connected powerfully, the slow pulses resonating deep inside her as they steadily increased. She experienced a touch on her arms different than the finger pressure as it traced its way down to her wrists and up again. The kisses on her neck had been passionate and had aroused her. But the tracing sensations up and down her body were incredible, and she was finding it harder and harder to keep still. Panting now, she murmured as the pulses in the chair switched positions, and she realised she was close to losing control. This guy was good, her mind conceded. When the nip came on the back of her neck she groaned, and when the lips sucked at her earlobes she shivered. She wanted more; she thought of Steve and smiled. Her head was pulled to the side; a tongue grazed her lips, sending a shock of ripples through her.

  The clever tracing seemed to be all over her body, touching, caressing, and she was awash with desire. It felt like it was touching her bare skin, of course she knew that wasn’t possible, but still it felt very real. A fingertip caressed her lips, it was slippery and tasted delicious, the graze on her lips light and teasing. Kissing was personal, and she was uncertain, afraid she’d feel like she had betrayed Steve. She’d compromised by saying she would try it once, and then decide if she wanted to do it again.

  The kiss deepened quickly, and the intensity took her body to new heights. On and on, their tongues entwined, the pulses in the chair reaching their peak, making her forget she couldn’t move her body, her hands jerking to be free…to touch. The bells didn’t even register as her release crashed through her. Dazed, she struggled to bring her breathing under control. Her partner stood frozen, equally stunned by the passion of their encounter. Slipping through the open back door, Lucy wondered if she might be in love…

  Chapter 26

  THE BRAILLE CLUB

  Braille Club, London, Present Day: Elysian guarantees member anonymity; there will be twenty famous and influential guests in the room, their faces instantly identifiable due to the work they perform. Whether that be in the entertainment business or on the world stage makes no difference; when they enter Elysian they are equal. They may or may not know each other; the blindfolds keep them guessing, their silence preserving their identity. Many members are recognisable by their voice alone…pop stars, politicians, comedians—the list is extensive. This is the Elite of Benedict’s membership.

  London, 2012

  Benedict

  Benedict saw the large cream envelope propped up on his desk when he got into work. It was heavy, and he turned it in his hands for a second, wondering what it was. He’d instructed Trish to leave any personal mail unopened on his desk, but being estranged from his family he never had much. Except for Matt, his other friends were business acquaintances, but that’s how Benedict liked it. Happy in his own company and consumed by work he wasn’t lonely; the thought never entered his mind. Slipping the letter opener through the heavy envelope, he pulled out the rich vellum card and realised from the dots on the card the sender was Siena. He’d had the decency to squirm during his conversation with Nick Waters but now this invitation. Hadn’t he been clear enough? Inside the layers of card was a written script inviting him and his partner to attend a diabetes fundraiser as the guest of Mr. & Mrs. Waters.

  Benedict felt the familiar twist of pain, having lost his mother ultimately through diabetes. She had loved her boys and spent every minute she could with them until her illness had cruelly stolen her away. It was Benedict who found her…how quickly those memories came to mind.

  He’d spent his early childhood in the leafy suburbs of Surrey, first born of a set of twins to proud parents Katherine and James. It had been a high-risk pregnancy due to type 1 diabetes. Having always longed for a child, Katherine ignored the medical advice of her doctor and reassured her husband everything would be fine, but even she was shocked by the news she was expecting twins and by her doctor’s worried expression. He patiently explained her unborn babies had a higher risk of birth defects, not to mention the dangers to herself further complicated by her carrying twins.

  This news terrified Katherine, who immediately burst into tears. Although unwell throughout her pregnancy, she safely delivered her twin boys. Benedict was always the stronger, even as a baby, and soon became protective of his twin, Alexander, their mother often finding one of Benedic
t’s limbs touching his brother’s or vice versa. Benedict was a lively toddler, but his brother Alexander remained sickly and unwell. A rough and tumble boy, Benedict somehow sensed Alexander was more fragile.

  His parents couldn’t help but compare them. Despite being identical in appearance, their physical abilities and personalities remained polar opposites. Benedict continued to thrive, highlighting the differences between them. Alexander, underweight and smaller, was much slower in achieving those first milestones of crawling, walking, and talking.

  Worried, they took Alexander to doctors, where he underwent a battery of tests. When he was diagnosed with a heart condition, Katherine blamed herself, she had been selfish, not appreciating the possible abnormalities that could be passed on to her sons. Alexander had surgery at eighteen months. The trauma of the operations bound the brothers even closer together, Alexander often restless and crying until his mother put Benedict on the hospital bed, and the toddlers would snuggle in and be asleep in seconds.

  His operation was successful, but he would always have a weakness in his heart. The boys, almost inseparable, adjusted, and although Alexander was unable to participate in sports, he attended to cheer his brother on. His mother was always anxious about Alexander’s health and constantly worried. Things were touch and go when at the age of nine his cold turned into pneumonia, and he spent three weeks in hospital. The stress of her son’s ongoing illness overwhelmed Katherine’s already fragile health, and she became gravely ill, her organs eventually failing until her body could fight no more.

  The loss of his mother had a profound effect on Benedict, aged only eleven. Grieving, with his emotions in turmoil, he bottled everything inside. From the outside, he appeared calm but emotionless as he tried to support Alexander, who relied on him. On the inside, Benedict was just a little boy, shattered by the loss of his mother. Unable to express his feelings, he coped by shutting down his emotions, his only solace and comfort, his twin. But grief would come between them, as Benedict was horrified when his father became involved with another woman. In contrast, Alexander responded to her and in doing so, alienated his brother.