by Blake Hudson
“You fell asleep on the bed and I wasn’t going to sleep in a bed next to someone with blood stains over their jeans. So, I took them off,” Dani said as if it was completely normal. Knox raised his eyebrow as he looked at her.
“You didn’t stir at all, and well whatever else happened is between me and the bedsheets, now isn’t it?” Dani teased as she couldn’t hold in her giggle. Knox laughed and he knew it was a testament to Dani at how relaxed she made him feel. This was the kind of trouble she was to him, how he could easily lose his edge. No harm came of it this time but thinking about it now, Knox realised he didn’t even check who was at the door when the knock came earlier.
Yes, it was only room service that Dani expected and not some goon squad sent by God knows who. But still, he should have checked and Knox mentally scolded himself. This is what he knew would happen if he let Dani get close to him and his world.
They carried on eating and talking, and no matter how he tried to contain himself he couldn’t help but tease her, enjoying her reactions too much to stop. She teased him back of course which only made it more torturous to Knox, as this only managed to imprint images of her bent over his knee and receiving punishment for being so outspoken, in his mind. Of course, he liked her this way, giving her spirited nature the perfect excuse for some Dom/Sub fun.
It came naturally to them and both used it to avoid the elephant in the room, which of course was the kiss last night and where he was nearly desperate for it to lead to. The hardest part of it all was that knowing Dani’s secret submissive desires, he could have stood right now, thrown her over his shoulder and down on the bed without a single uttered word of protest.
Once there he could command her obedience, hold her down and demand her come for him over and over until begging him to stop. Only then would he take his own pleasure from her willing, wet body.
“So, it’s time for me to get ready,” Dani announced as she got up from the table and started to walk off. Knox looked at his watch and secretly adjusted himself thanks to where his thoughts had led him.
“We have at least four hours till the Gala,” Knox said as Dani looked back at him with shock.
“Only four hours, it takes a lot of effort to look beautiful for you Mr Knox, I don’t just wake up this gorgeous." He doubted this considering she would look stunning if she came back out here wearing only his shirt and nothing else. In his opinion, she didn't need makeup, or hours of hair styling, as in his eyes she was a natural beauty, through and through.
“Will you have time to sort out a tux, that’s one thing I didn’t get you?” Dani asked with a playfully dramatic tone.
“I’m sure I will manage the task, Lassie," Knox replied making her fight a grin.
“Good boy,” she said patting him on the chest before she left the balcony. She then walked into the bedroom and picked up her bags off the bed so that she could lock herself in the bathroom for god knows how many hours, Knox thought, half annoyed that she wouldn’t be in his company.
Three and a half hours later, Knox stood in front of the mirror over his side of the ‘his and her’ sinks in the luxurious marble, glass rich bathroom. Dressed in a full tux, minus the jacket which was still hung on its hanger on the door. He fiddled with putting in his damn cufflinks. Knox thought to himself, a shave and a tux and he didn’t look too bad at all, even if he did think so himself. Knox walked into the sitting room and caught sight of Dani in the bedroom struggling to zip up her dress.
“Unless you are a contortionist Lass, please let me help you,” Knox called over to Dani. Dani stopped dead at the realisation that Knox could see her. She took a deep breath and turned and walked over to Knox holding her dress up with her arms crossed over her ample chest. Knox was transfixed, Dani was gorgeous. The way she moved, slightly coy not wanting to make full eye contact as she bravely tried to show confidence. Okay, so Knox had to take it back, hours of hair and makeup certainly made what was always beautiful into something breath-taking.
“Dani, you look…” Knox started saying but Dani quietly interrupted.
“Hold on, wait until you can fully see me,” Dani said over her shoulder as he moved the long waves of hair out of the way exposing her naked back. Knox stood and admired it, and felt a tiny bit of sadness that he was about to cover her up. He rested both his hands on her hips, Dani took in a breath as she felt his touch.
Then a startled breath escaped just as quickly as his hands touched her bare skin for the first time. He gathered a small amount of the satin material around the zipper, positioned at the small of her back. He also couldn’t help but take notice of the black lace top of her panties. Knox pulled the zip up as slow as he could possibly get away with, running the knuckle of his first finger up the ridge of her spine as he went. Once reaching the top of her neck he rested both hands either side, not yet wanting to let her go. He felt the hairs on the back of his own neck stand on end and all he wanted was to taste her skin as he watched her pulse beat out the faintest of ripples just below her ear.
Dani let go of her hair which swept across like a curtain on a grand stage. Knox fought back his carnal thoughts of what he would want to do to her on that stage. Dani stepped forward and braced herself and turned around giving Knox a spin.
“Will I do, Mr Knox?” Dani said trying to sound playful and not showing how she really felt, a girl that wanted to hear she looked pretty.
“Dani… you look truly beautiful. Honestly Love, I will be the envy of the Gala.” Knox said as he looked Dani up and down in the figure enhancing, black, floor length fishtail dress that complimented her hourglass shape to perfection. Applique flowers wrapped around her breasts, snaking up to her neck over a fine black mesh. Knox was taken back as he stood and admired, but the one part he couldn’t get enough of was Dani’s sapphire blue eyes.
“Thank you, you look very dashing yourself, Mr Knox,” Dani said with a delicious blush across her cheeks, one that Knox knew had nothing to do with makeup. Dani gave Knox a little-embarrassed smile at the look he was giving her.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Dani said as she picked up a small clutch bag and went over to her laptop case and pulled out some small USB device.
“We won’t be hacking anything without this little bad boy,” Dani said pulling a face as she slipped the device into her clutch.
“That reminds me,” Knox said as he walked over to his jacket and after putting it on he pulled out a box from its pocket.
“I…well, it’s just a little something as a small thank you,” Knox said as he opened the box to reveal a bright sparkling diamond encrusted bracelet.
“Oh…my… Lucas, I can't… honestly, you know you didn’t…” She started to mumble her protests but Knox stopped her instantly by stepping right up to her and placing a finger at her lips, shocking her to silence. He also gave her no choice but to arch her neck to look up at him, she gasped at the sight of this side of him. He leant down a little and whispered,
“Do you like it?” She started to nod and he couldn’t help his tone slip into the realms of demanding,
“Words sweetheart, I want to hear the words.”
“It’s…it’s beautiful,” Dani said in such a way, Knox was once again fighting with himself and his arousal.
“Here, then let me help you,” Knox said, happy that he had now got the response from her he wanted, liking even more that he had to demand it from her. He granted her a smile and took the bracelet out of its box and clipped it around Dani’s wrist.
“Perfect, just like its new owner is… shall we?” Knox held out his arm for Dani to take.
“Do we even have an invite to this Gala?” Dani asked after clearing her throat and trying to get past the feelings Knox’s dominating side had brought out in her. She hoped for a half joking tone to help ease the sexual tension that she could feel electrified the air around them.
“Thankfully Carter organised something.”
“Something?” Dani questioned,
raising a perfectly sculptured eyebrow.
“In other words, someone is going to miss the party but we will gladly fill in the position for them and take their place. Details are waiting for us,” Knox replied putting Dani at ease but at the same time giving her more questions to ask.
“What kind of details, waiting in a car?” Dani looked puzzled as she spoke, walking into the elevator after leaving the suite.
“Yes, Harris is driving us. And he has the details of our new identities.”
“Who are we going to be?” Dani asked excitedly.
Knox smirked at Dani as the doors to the lift closed, that was something Dani was going to have to wait and… find out.
Chapter Seventeen
Fine Dining
Knox and Dani pulled up at the end of the cliché long red velvet carpet. Flanked by red ropes linked to gold stands behind which photographers stood. Harris got out of the car and opened the door for Dani, taking her hand as he helped her out of the Jaguar to a mass of flash photography. Everyone from pop, rock and film stars to royalty, politicians and public dignitaries would be at the Gala and the paparazzi didn’t want to miss anyone.
“You look wonderful,” Harris said with a smile as he saw Dani’s discomfort at all the attention. He then walked her around to an expectant Knox and she linked her arm with his.
“Do you mind if we go straight on board?" Dani asked after she gave a little tug on Knox’s arm so that he would know she was whispering to him.
“I want to make a grand entrance and enjoy the moment as much as anyone, but the truth is I hate all the camera attention,” Dani said clinging onto Knox’s arm tightly.
“Of course, let’s go straight in, Lass. We’ll have a glass of wine before we order our dinner,” Knox said placing a hand on hers. She gave him an amused glance and he thought for a moment then corrected himself.
“Or a cocktail, if you prefer.” Knox winked as Dani’s face lit up with a big smile, for a moment distracted from the attention. They walked up to the two commissionaires stood at the foot of a grand gangway. They stood beneath a tall gateway which was illuminated with delicate, bright white fairy lights, so many it was impossible to count. They looked at the closest man who asked to see their invitation. Knox hid his surprise when he saw Gregory stood before him who looked over their invite and waved them through with a telling smile.
Knox handed the invite to Dani which she read as they walked up the steep gangway.
“Prince Georg von Habsburg and Duchess Eilika of Oldenburg?” Dani said utterly amazed and laughing.
“And how come you get to be a Prince and I’m only a Duchess?” Dani tried to keep a straight face. Knox shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
“Now you see why I didn’t show you before we got out of the car,” Knox said will a telling look and they both laughed.
“The food here should be the very best,” Dani said as she pointed to a large picture of a chef placed on an easel with a statement that welcomed them to the charity Gala dinner signed by Alain Passard. Knox gave Dani a blank look.
“He is one of the best chefs in the world right now,” Dani whispered in his ear. However, Knox wondered if he should have eaten more back at the hotel, knowing how small these posh portions could be.
They walked up to a small crowd of other glamorous guests as they bottle necked at the entrance to the Gala. Then Dani’s eyes looked on in awe as they both reached the semi open air space. It was a mass of lavish decorations, large bouquets of flowers and large round tables set out with the finest silver tableware.
Waiting staff with drinks and canapes almost floated in between the crowd, as if trying to offer a service without being seen. They were met by the maitre d’ who led them through the crowded deck. Knox watched the heads of the diners turn to look at Dani in their wake. The fashionable elite showed their approval with smiles, open mouths and stares and he couldn’t hide how proud he felt that she was attached to his arm.
Their table was beside an impressive ice sculpture, one as beautiful as it was large. Two bulls locking horns in a dramatic clash, Knox was not happy.
“Please move us to somewhere over there.” Knox pointed to a table that was a bit cosier and closed in by its decorations, which made for a more private setting.
“Is there a problem, Sir?” The maitre d’ asked.
“Yes, my beautiful wife will catch her death of cold,” Knox said sternly at being questioned, leaving all traces of his easy-going nature behind. Then he rubbed his hands on the tops of Dani’s arms as she felt the chill of the massive piece of ice. Dani was frozen in her movements, not at the cold, but from the statement Knox just made. As false as it was, she liked the sound of him calling her his wife, almost as much as she enjoyed the feel of his hands caressing her bare skin.
As they both sat, Knox tried to decipher not only the wispy scroll of gold lettering which covered the double folio menu but the whole menu that was all in French. As Knox beckoned to the waiter he turned to Dani.
“Have you decided… on a cocktail?” Knox asked Dani.
“I would love a Green Ghost, please," she said simply, and went back to her study of the menu.
“A bottle of red, cold,” requested Knox, to which the waiter looked at him oddly and Dani raised an eyebrow. After their drinks arrived Knox held up his glass and Dani did the same.
“I can’t drink to you and your beauty without knowing your Christian name,” Knox said as he had always known that ‘Dani’ was short for her surname Daniels. She looked to Knox with a little embarrassment and disbelief.
“And how do you know Dani isn’t my first name?” she said shocked that Knox knew it wasn’t. Knox gave her a look of enquiry.
“It’s my job, I know a lot of things about you.” Knox smiled over the rim of his glass as he thought about all the erotic depictions on canvas stored in his lockup. Now they gave Knox his biggest insight to the mind of the stunning woman who sat before him, one he couldn’t keep his eyes off.
“Well, it is also my job to hide and keep secrets. So, you’re out of luck there Lucas, but don’t worry, I may tell you one day. Here's too handsome dates in tuxedos." Dani smiled as she clinked her glass to Knox’s, not realising that by that statement it was like waving a red flag to a bull. ‘Game on’ Knox thought with a hidden smirk.
“Have you decided what you would like to have for dinner?” Dani asked as she tried to change the subject, beating him to saying something that would no doubt take her to an uncomfortable place. A place Knox sadistically wanted to take her, loving that blush of hers. But instead of the sexual come back he had really wanted to say, which included something like ‘Torturing that name from her screaming lips’, Knox smiled and silently thought to himself ‘I will get it out of you one day.’
“No, I haven’t and if I am totally honest, I am not sure what everything is, my French isn’t the best.” Dani’s eyes lit up, and she jumped at her chance.
“Please, let me help you, it would be my pleasure,” she said with clear excitement as this was Dani’s other passion in life. Fine food and drink. A passion she didn’t get to indulge in as often as she would like, due to the cost, but she read every book and watched every cookery show going. She even made notes and had a full wall dedicated to them in her kitchen.
So, like a child at Christmas, she sat and explained in great detail the menu, origins of certain dishes, how the flavours worked together. Knox loved to listen to her speak so passionately.
“Let’s go all out, pick whatever you like,” Knox added as he sensed Dani’s hesitation in ordering something too expensive.
“I mean it, Dani, pick the most expensive thing on there if you like," Knox told her and before she could speak, as it looked as if she was going to protest again, he took her hand and said,
“When you look a million dollars, sweetheart, it’s time to eat like you own a million dollars. Plus, getting to behave like millionaires occasionally is a won
derful treat and if you know what you want, then go for it.” Knox finished, kissed her hand and looked up to enjoy that blush of hers once more.
“Well, I’m struggling between two choices, and either would have been delicious, but … well, I’d like to start with caviar and then have a plain grilled rognon de veau with pommes soufflés. And then I’d like to have fraises des bois with a lot of cream.” Dani placed her order to the waiter.
“Is it shameless to be so certain and it be so expensive?” She smiled at Knox inquiringly.
“It’s a virtue, and anyway I admire a woman who knows what she wants.” He turned to the waiter.
“And bring plenty of toast,” Knox said looking at the waiter as though he didn’t want to be short changed, before turning back to the menu.
“I will have the caviar too with extra toast also, but then I would like tournedos, underdone, with sauce Béarnaise and a coeur d’artichaut and I would like to add queue de homard au beurre galique. And while you enjoy the strawberries, Dani, I will have the Canelés. Thank you.” Knox delivered eloquently, to which the waiter nodded and walked away.
“Do you approve?” Knox smiled at Dani before taking a sip of his chilled red wine, which was a no, no in the wine world but he didn’t care he liked his red wine cool.
