Leave Me Breathless: The Black Rose Collection

by Dakota Willink

  “Klein.”

  I offered him my hand. “I’m Eloisa Benz.”

  A slight smile touched his lips as he slid his palm against mine, engulfing my hand in his large one. “Baz Klein.”

  The next hour was easier than I expected. We ate, laughed, and got to know each other. Our conversation never stopped and flowed from one random topic to the next. There was no touching on the subject of my upcoming marriage or the fact we shared a crazy attraction. It was almost like the conversations I had with Lilly.

  I learned he was in shipping and a real-estate investor specializing in international projects, that he traveled a lot, and he’d had a tumultuous relationship with his father following his mother’s death.

  I told him about growing up an only child to overprotective parents and grandparents. And the story of how I ended up in the nightclub business because of a suggestion from Penny and Hagen.

  By the time our date ended, we had another coffee date set for the coming week, and I had a comfortable feeling that a friendship between Baz and me was something very doable.

  7

  One Week Until the Wedding

  Isa

  “So, are you going to tell me more about this guy you’re seeing other than his name?” Lilly glanced at the calendar. “Isn’t today your regular coffee date?”

  I looked up from a painting I was examining and glared at her.

  “I’ve already told you. He’s just a friend. We have great conversations. There isn’t more to tell.”

  “I need more details. None of my searches has come up with anyone named Baz Klein.”

  “You investigated him.” I couldn’t disguise my annoyance with Lilly. “I didn’t give you permission to do that.”

  What I had with Baz was like nothing I’d ever had with any man before. We were real friends. He listened, gave advice, and took mine in return. We never crossed any lines. Although the underlying attraction seemed to be growing more intense.

  “You’ve been so vague. I had to find out more about him. Especially with who you are and who you’re about to marry. The last thing you need is someone taking advantage of you.”

  “I’m not stupid. I never go anywhere without protection.”

  “That’s not what I mean, and you know it. I’m worried about your heart.”

  “For my heart to be involved, it would mean we were meeting to do more than food and conversation.”

  Now if only it didn’t feel as if I was lying. I’d grown attached to Baz, and admitting it to anyone would hurt more than when I told him we couldn’t meet anymore.

  Something I’d have to do sooner rather than later.

  I was on a deadline, and it was a matter of days until my life changed forever.

  “You know I’m not going to judge you if you decide to move it to a different level and have a fling before you’re shackled to Weber.”

  “I adore you for saying that, but I’m not going to start an affair with a man I can only be with for a week. I just want us to keep it in the friend zone.”

  “And I have a bridge to sell you.”

  “You’re such an ass.”

  Lilly blew me a kiss and went back to studying the sculpture she’d spent the morning examining.

  “Yes, but I’m not keeping things from my best friend.”

  Setting down the magnifying glass I was using to inspect the painting, I said, “Fine. Ask me what you want to know.”

  “How about what does he do?”

  “He works in shipping.”

  “That could mean anything.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Does it really matter? It’s not like I’m marrying him. I probably know more about Baz than the man I’m actually marrying.”

  She shrugged her shoulders as if agreeing with my statement and then continued her questions. “How old is he?”

  “Twenty-nine.”

  “On a scale of decent to scorching, where does he fall?”

  I paused, thinking about his dark eyes and the sexy tattoos that covered his arms that I’d gotten glimpses of during our last coffee meetup. We’d been debating the perceived value versus the actual value of an art piece that had made worldwide news for the exorbitant price a collector paid.

  Baz had insisted the buyer had gotten a bargain and I’d insisted he’d paid too much, when Baz had rolled up his sleeves and set his elbows on the table to make his point. I’d lost all train of thought outside of how sexy Baz was. How he was way too built to be a man who worked in a corporate-type job. It had taken me a full minute to bring my head back into the conversation.

  “I take your silence and the pinkish tint of your cheeks as on-fire scorching.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Does he know about your marriage?”

  “Yes.”

  “Really?”

  “Why would I lie about that? It’s not like I can pretend it’s not happening.”

  “Point taken.”

  “Does he know who you’re marrying?”

  “No. We haven’t touched on the subject since that day at Dimitri’s.”

  We may not have spoken about it, but it lay like a heavy weight between us.

  Lilly tapped her lip, lost in thought.

  “What else?” I asked, knowing if she got all her questions out that she’d leave me alone and let me finish my work so I could get home with enough time to take a nap.

  I had to make plans for the management of the clubs, and I knew it would take me all night to get everything organized with the staff.

  “Is he tall?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is he built?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is he smart?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you want to sleep with him?”

  Before I could censor myself, I said, “Yes.” I covered my face with my hands. “Forget I said that. It doesn’t matter anyway.”

  “Yes, it does.” The adamancy in her voice surprised me. “You’re in an arranged marriage to save your family. You’re allowed to have some fun.”

  “I’m not a cheater.”

  “It’s not cheating, and you know it. You haven’t even met the man. Hell, you’ll meet him at the same time I will. Live a little, Isa. You push the line in all aspects of life but the personal.”

  “And if I get caught?”

  Lilly glared at me. “You know as well as I do that the only way anyone will catch you doing anything is if you let them. You’re a sneaky-ass bitch.”

  “I’m sure that was meant as a compliment.”

  “I’m serious. Go on a real date with the man, have an affair, make memories you can take into the farce of a marriage your family is forcing on you.”

  “I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

  “Of course, it is.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Of course, you can.”

  “No, Lilly. I won’t hurt him like that or hurt myself. It’s going to be hard enough as it is.”

  “So, it is more than just friendship?” Lilly gave me a smug smile.

  I sighed. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  She really was like a dog with a bone. Before I thought twice about it, I grabbed my phone and sent Baz a text.

  Isa: I can’t see you today. Actually, it’s better we don’t see each other again. I’m getting married in a week and it’s only prolonging the inevitable.

  Immediately a response came, but I set the phone on the counter, not wanting to look at it.

  Lilly grabbed my phone and read the message. “Why would you do this? He wants to see you. You have a week more with him.”

  “I’m not with him, dammit.” I snatched my phone back from her, when it began to ring.

  The call was from Baz. I ignored it, set the ringer to silent, and shoved my cell in the back pocket of my jeans. “Let it go. I can’t discuss this anymore. It’s like we’re going around in circles. Why don’t you worry about your love life and that guy you’re seein
g?”

  Lilly frowned at that. For the last few weeks, Lilly had been seeing this guy she’d met at a party. They had this relationship that blew hot and heavy half the time and cold and distant the rest.

  “Don’t try to deflect on me.”

  “Lilly, please.” I hadn’t expected my voice to quiver.

  All of a sudden the weight of everything that was happening in my life hit me. I had no idea what the future would hold for my friendships, my family, my businesses. Everything in my carefully controlled life was in turmoil.

  I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.

  Lilly’s arms came around me. “I’m so sorry, Isa. I didn’t realize he meant so much to you. I won’t bring it up again. I promise.”

  Dropping my head to her shoulder, I let a tear fall.

  “Can we do something tonight? I don’t think I have it in me to plan for the clubs. I just need something that will take my mind off everything in my life.”

  “Are you sure you want to venture into my type of fun?”

  “Your version of wild is going bar hopping and getting in bed by one in the morning. I think I can handle it.”

  Lilly shook her head. “I feel like you don’t know me at all.”

  “Okay, I challenge you to a night on the town where you don’t head home the second the clock strikes midnight.”

  “Challenge accepted.”

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” Lilly asked as we waited for the crowd to quiet.

  “When you said you were going to show me a good time, I never expected you to take me to a kink club.”

  “Disappointed?”

  “No, not in the least.”

  In fact, I was fascinated. This was a world I’d never dared to explore. A world I knew existed but never wanted to risk seeing for fear of knowing I couldn’t be part of it. It was probably why I’d gotten so upset with Baz that day at the bar.

  “I’m so glad. Stay here—my favorite couple are about to go on. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To find Kane. This is one of the businesses he manages. He wants to meet you.”

  “I’ll be here when you get back.”

  At that moment a couple stepped down into a sunken stage with a St. Andrew’s cross set in the corner. The crowd went silent and all attention went to the people onstage. The Dom and his submissive were beyond gorgeous. The petite female wore a light pink robe and had her long golden-blond hair tied in a ponytail atop her head. The man was tall, over six feet, and built like a wrestler. His clothes were simple: jeans and a button-down shirt, rolled at the sleeves.

  When they were in the center, they stared into each other’s eyes, as if the world started and ended with their partner. There was love there and trust, complete trust.

  He untied the belt of his submissive’s robe and then helped her out of it. She wore a black leather bra with straps that crisscrossed her ample chest and a thong made of the same material.

  After throwing the robe on a nearby bench, the Dom kissed his submissive and then walked her backward until her back hit the soft cushion attached to the St. Andrew’s cross. He stroked her with light caresses as he fastened the cuffs to her ankles and wrists.

  Her breath grew ragged and arousal flushed her skin. The adoration she had for her Dom made something ache in my heart.

  I’d never experience this, this kind of affection, this type of pure need.

  I’d marry Sebastian Weber and enter the role of the respectable wife, whatever that meant. I could only hope he was kinder and less self-centered than his father and we learned to accept each other.

  Maybe I should have dug deeper to learn as much as I could about Sebastian. Instead, I’d essentially stuck my head in the sand and pretended nothing in my life was going to change.

  I was an idiot, who needed to get my act together.

  I had only a few days left to figure out how to keep my secrets from the Webers. I wouldn’t put it past Jonas Weber to somehow use it against my family, if he got even a small inkling about my clubs.

  Would Sebastian be like Jonas? Cold and egotistical?

  Would he treat me as if I were a commodity, to parade around to increase his standing?

  How would Sebastian react when he found out what I did outside of art appraisal?

  God, my mind swam with so many unknowns.

  I hated to even entertain the idea of having to sell the clubs to fit into a role that I’d never wanted in the first place. But I had to be prepared.

  Lilly would help me keep things quiet, but she knew nothing about the nightclub business to help me operate them. There were only two people I could call on and no one could ever find out our connection: Ana and Penny. They, with their families, understood the business and would manage everything for me. Hell, Penny’s husband Hagen had offered to buy all my clubs a while back when he wanted to enter the nightclub market in Germany, but I’d refused. He’d made me promise that if I ever decided to sell, I’d contact him first.

  The slap of a flogger on the Dom's hand snapped me out of my thoughts and brought my attention back to the couple.

  The Dom circled his lover twice, whispering things I couldn't make out and then when I least expected it, he smacked the wide leather tails against her breast.

  She arched into the strike, begging without words for more.

  Over the next ten minutes, the Dom worked every inch of exposed skin on his submissive, bringing forth a light pink flush of color to the surface of her body.

  Arousal pooled between my legs, and my nipples beaded.

  What would it be like to be the one on the cross, the one to feel the bite of the flogger, the one to be lost in sensation?

  I pushed the thought back. There was no point in going there.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat.

  I shouldn't have come. I should have taken the night off to plan the next months at my clubs.

  I had to get out of here.

  I scanned the crowd to find Lilly. I couldn’t just leave without her knowing. She’d understand. She always did.

  “Oh dear God. This can’t be happening.” My breath caught as my gaze landed on Baz.

  He watched me with an intensity that had me shifting where I stood.

  What was he doing here? And why did he have to look so good? Or look at me the way he did?

  He wore dark jeans with a fitted T-shirt molding to his honed arms. His tattoos weren’t covered as they usually were, giving him a dark and dangerous aura and making butterflies scramble in my stomach.

  Even that night at my club, he hadn't seemed like such a predator.

  And I knew I was definitely prey.

  My heartbeat pounded in my chest and the arousal from watching the scene intensified.

  Baz mouthed, “Don’t move.”

  Goosebumps prickled my skin as did anxiety. He worked his way around the crowd watching the couple until he came behind me.

  His body heat was a brand on my back.

  He didn’t touch me but leaned down and whispered in my ear, “You stood me up.”

  “I sent you a text.”

  “A text isn’t good enough. Especially if you’re going to tell me we can’t see each other again.”

  I licked my lips. “It’s better that way. I’m getting married in a week.”

  “I thought we were friends.” His breath on my neck was more erotic than the scene unfolding in front of us.

  “We can’t be friends anymore.”

  His hand settled on my waist, and a tingle shot down my spine. “Why not?”

  “You know why.”

  “You want more.”

  I kept quiet and clenched my fists, resisting the urge to set my hand over his. If I touched him, I’d want everything I couldn’t have.

  “I want more too.” His fingers flexed on my waist. “I want it all.”

  "It's not possible."

  “What if I say I’m keeping you even if you hate me.�
��

  “Please, Baz. Let me go. I should never have agreed to see you again.”

  “Just as I should never have walked into your club that night.”

  It would have been better if he hadn’t. I wouldn’t have ever met him and wouldn’t know what I was missing when I married.

  Before I could say anything in response, he added, “But fate brought us together.”

  “Fate fucked up. You came too late.”

  “Maybe, but then again she did guide you into my club tonight.”

  I stilled, glancing over my shoulder. “This is your club?”

  “Yes.” His black eyes bored into mine.

  That meant Kane worked for him, and it also meant he had ties to my world.

  This was bad. If anyone found out about us, it could mean his life.

  “Why didn’t you ever mention you owned a kink club?” I shifted my attention to the couple, not wanting to let Baz see my vulnerability.

  He cupped my jaw, shifting my face until I was looking at him again, and ran his thumb over my lips. “Because you told me to never have another conversation like the one we had at Dimitri’s or you would end our relationship. I wasn’t going to risk that and lose my chance to be with you.”

  “Baz, I can’t.”

  “Can’t what?”

  “Can’t be with you.”

  “You’ve said that.” He dropped his hand and turned me to face the couple. “Watch them. This is what I meant when I spoke of relinquishing all control. Kiera trusts Liam enough to put her pleasure and pain in his hands. Isn’t that what you want, Isa?”

  Baz slid his palm across my abdomen, drawing me against his front. I closed my eyes, loving the possession of his touch too much.

  I needed to tell him to let go, to not make me want things I wasn’t allowed to have.

  I searched the floor for any sign of Lilly, with no luck.

  “Watch. I want your attention on them. Your friend is with Kane. He’ll take care of her.”

  “Did you know Lilly was my friend?”

  “No. Kane said his girlfriend was bringing a friend tonight. Luck had it that the friend was you.”

  I wasn’t sure I’d call it luck but kept that view to myself.