“Yes, we stayed at a hotel and did a lot of swimming and walking,” replied Grace, grateful that at least the swimming part was true.
“He looks fit. Presumably he’s good in bed? You have a different look about you today,” she added. “I’m trying to work out what it is.”
“It’s called exhaustion!”
“So, he’s not way out but he wants you to do something you don’t want to do,” mused Fran. “That sounds like a good premise for a play.”
“Don’t you dare!” exclaimed Grace. “Anyway, it was a hypothetical question, not a personal one.”
“Right, and my name’s Albert Einstein! If you want to talk about it, then I’m willing. We’ve got the whole morning, and I can drink coffee until it’s coming out of my ears. I could do with coffee stations, like petrol stations only cheaper, where I could fill up for a day!”
“It’s all right, I’d rather we talked about the play,” said Grace, wishing she’d never asked the question in the first place.
“Fine, but seriously, as your friend, I have to say that I think it would be a big mistake to let anyone persuade you to do something you didn’t want to do just because you were afraid of losing them if you didn’t do it. That’s not how relationships work. You know that. If your financier is trying that kind of blackmail on you, then you should cut and run.”
“I would,” lied Grace. “Hypothetically though, don’t you think that sometimes we don’t try things because we’re afraid, but if we can overcome that fear then…”
“ ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway,’ as that self-help book says? Maybe, but it depends on how it makes you feel about yourself afterwards, don’t you think?”
Grace nodded. Without realizing it, with that one comment Fran had answered her question, because Grace was surprised to realize that she felt very good about herself indeed and it was only while they were talking that she’d made that discovery.
Furthermore, she only had to think back to the events of the weekend to become aroused once more. When she remembered the way the crop had stung her flesh and how the red-hot pain had changed to a type of pleasure deeper than any she’d known before she could feel herself growing damp between her thighs.
“I’m sure you’re right,” she said briskly, dragging herself back from her arousing daydream. “We’ve got to sort out casting now, because we need to find out who’s free and who isn’t. Have you still got the list we drew up last time?”
Fran had, and soon they were deeply immersed in their work, and for a time Grace was able to forget the Dining Club and all she was learning there.
Afterwards, when she was back in her apartment that evening, her mind returned to the conversation she’d had with Fran, and she realized she’d been stupid to talk about it, even obliquely. What was happening to her was far too personal and complex for anyone else to understand.
Too tired to make herself a meal she settled for cheese on toast, then sat down in front of the television to watch the news. It was nearly over, but as she went to switch channels her hand froze over the remote control as she saw David appear on the screen.
Astonished, she turned up the sound, just in time to hear the reporter saying that David had made a “rare public appearance” at a dinner for one of his charities, accompanied by his personal assistant, Louise Penfold.
Dressed in a black three-piece dinner suit with a white shirt and black, flower-patterned bow tie, David looked devastatingly attractive. His thick brown hair had been slicked back, emphasizing his cheekbones, and contrasting sharply with his blue eyes. He was smiling the half-smile that always made Grace’s stomach turn over, and although he didn’t linger for the photographers his personal assistant was clearly happy in the limelight.
She was tall, almost as tall as David, and her mass of tumbling blonde hair reminded Grace of Amber, while her elegant gray dress with red beading around the low-cut neckline was stunning. With her arm through David’s she was obviously relaxed in his company, and Grace saw him smiling at her as they moved away.
She felt as though someone had hit her in the solar plexus. It was hard for her to breathe, and she realized that her hands were trembling. Although he’d spoken about his personal assistant, and even had to call her sometimes when he was with Grace, she had never expected her to be so beautiful. She’d imagined her to be middle-aged, very efficient and slightly masculine looking. Now she realized that she’d had no basis for this assumption, which had probably been born out of hope.
Rationally she knew it didn’t mean anything. David liked beautiful things, and would therefore want an attractive woman as his PA. All the same, Louise Penfold wasn’t just attractive, she was stunning, and yet he’d never said a word about her to Grace.
She wondered if Louise was the second woman he’d taken to the Dining Club before Grace, but even though that would mean she’d failed, it didn’t lessen Grace’s rising jealousy, which she realized was based on fear. She wondered why David hadn’t mentioned the charity dinner to her and, even worse, hadn’t invited her to go with him.
She felt as though her world was collapsing. None of it made any sense. Why would he be taking her, Grace, to the Dining Club if he was close to another woman? Or was this Louise, rather than someone who had failed the tests, actually a replacement he had waiting in the wings in case Grace should fail?
It took her a long time to calm down enough to pull herself together. She’d overreacted, and she was honest enough to admit to herself that the reason for this was twofold. In the first place, she was so in love with David that even the sight of him with a beautiful woman was enough to make her jealous, which wasn’t the way she wanted to be, or had ever been before. In the second place, and possibly more disturbing still, she was in thrall to the thrill of the Club.
No matter how difficult she found it, or how far down a dark path the trials were leading her, she wanted to go on. She needed the monthly visits, because it was only then that her body became totally alive. She loved having David watch her as her body was satisfied in so many perverse ways, and she knew the reason for this too. Afterwards he was always emotionally closer to her than at any other time.
The slight barrier, the withholding of himself that she sensed at other times, vanished when they were at the Dining Club. When he had made love to her the last time, after everyone else had left the room, she had never known him to be so tender.
“Forget Louise,” she told herself sternly. “She isn’t the person you have to worry about. The only woman who can ruin things for you and David is Amber.”
When she’d started out as a theater director a much older, wiser director had watched her at work and afterwards had said that the one thing she should remember when dealing with playwrights and actors was to choose her battles wisely. In a moment of clarity she knew that this applied to her fears about Louise and Amber too, and the battle she was choosing was with Amber, because Amber ran the Dining Club. By running it, and catering to all his sexual needs as well as her own, she held the key to keeping David. Worryingly, this meant that she was also in a position to make things very difficult for Grace.
* * *
Amber walked briskly into her office and found that Andrew was there before her. He was sitting with his back to the door, so engrossed in what he was watching on the computer that he didn’t even hear her come in.
Looking over his shoulder she saw that he was watching the tape of Grace pleasuring herself by the swimming pool, rewinding to the moment of her orgasm time after time. Realizing what this meant, Amber decided that she could use the information to her own advantage.
“Enjoying yourself?” she asked sweetly.
Andrew jumped with surprise. “I’m watching David’s face. I don’t think he’s ever been as keen on anyone he’s brought here as he is on Grace,” he explained.
“Right, so it doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that you fancy her yourself then?” she asked dryly.
“Maybe,” he admitted.
“There’s something about her that makes me want to get to know her better, but she’s David’s, so I don’t know why I torture myself.”
“I wonder how she’ll enjoy her next visit?” murmured Amber, her eyes fixed on the screen at the far end of her office, where the swimming pool scene was still running.
“She’ll probably enjoy it more than her last one,” replied Andrew. “I always think the pleasure pain session is a tricky one. It seems David has chosen better this time.”
“Much better, and far too well for both of us, it seems.”
“Maybe so,” agreed Andrew, “but there’s nothing we can do about it. The game has to be played to the end.”
“And what if the end comes when she decides to challenge me for the top table?”
“Why on earth would she do that? She’s only interested in keeping David. She already has a good career ahead of her. She wouldn’t have time to run this place.”
“You’re falling for her, that’s why you’re underestimating her. Yes, she wants to keep David interested in her, but if she passes all four trials and learns about the fifth one, she’ll go for it. She won’t want me in his life if they become a couple, living together full-time. Beneath that wide-eyed air of innocent fragility she’s a very determined character.”
“I think you’re seeing a problem where there isn’t one,” insisted Andrew. “She’s in love with David, that’s all that matters to her.”
“Quite, and as she’s in love with him do you honestly think she’ll want him coming here once a month playing sexual games that involve us? No, she won’t.”
“Surely David isn’t going to change his ways for her, no matter how fond he might be of her?”
“Exactly! That’s why her only way of stopping him being with me will be to take my place. I know I’m right, and I know what I can do to stop it happening, which would suit both of us very well, because it would leave you free to try your luck with Grace.”
Andrew leaned forward in his chair. “What can you do?” he asked with interest.
Amber smiled at his eagerness. “I’ll make sure she fails before the end, preferably next time. That way, should it go wrong, I’ll still have another chance of stopping her.”
Andrew frowned. “How? You can’t change the rules. David would twig what you were playing at, and he’d be furious with you. You’d end up out on your ear due to your own stupidity, and I wouldn’t be any further forward with Grace.”
“I won’t change the rules, but I can change the players. That’s allowed. I shall put her in competition with Amy, and Laura and I will do the pleasuring. You know how insatiable Amy is, she can go on all night!”
“Grace might not be turned on by other women touching her.”
“That’s why I shall bring you in at the end, after spending most of my time with her. I don’t think I’ll have any problems. She’s extremely receptive to pleasure.”
“Possibly not to you, though,” remarked Andrew.
Amber smiled at him. “You really do like her don’t you? Well, if she fails she’ll be free. I’m sure you won’t have any trouble getting her to go out with you. You’re not as obsessed with the Dining Club as David is. I expect you’d be happy to settle down with a nice young woman!”
“There’s nothing wrong with that. I do like it here, but I don’t intend to spend my life having sex with strangers, exciting though it is at the moment. I’ll leave when I meet the right woman.”
“Which is Grace.”
Andrew’s face flushed. “Yes, but she belongs to David and he’s my friend.”
“Hopefully she won’t be his for much longer. I think you’d make a good couple.”
Andrew shook his head. “I don’t know if I can do that to a friend.”
“You’ll be doing him a favor. If she’s not able to complete the trial, then she’s not right for him. It’s up to you though. You’ll have to be there anyway. You and David will be in charge of the toys.”
Andrew’s face flushed with excitement. “Of course, it’s meant to be the toys—if Grace chooses the right card.”
“She’ll choose it,” said Amber confidently. “ ‘Playful Profiteroles’ sounds quite a gentle evening, don’t you think?”
Andrew laughed. “It’s meant to be a more subtle evening,” he pointed out.
“With a little competition too. All the games have to have some element of competitiveness. You know that. Amy never loses at games of this sort.”
Andrew nodded. “That’s true.”
“I can see it’s turning you on just thinking about it,” laughed Amber.
“Does it turn you on too?”
“Not yet, but it will do when I watch her struggling with her own sensuality.”
Andrew nodded. “All right, you’re on. I’ll help you.”
Amber smiled. “You won’t regret this; and we’ll both get what we want.”
Once Andrew had gone she let out a sigh of relief. With him on her side, she had nothing to fear.
Sitting down at the computer she started to outline Grace’s next trial, and when she’d finished she could hardly contain her excitement at the prospect of Grace’s next, and almost certainly final, visit to the Dining Club.
Chapter Three
As David drove them to the Dining Club for the third time, Grace thought how quickly the two months had passed since her first visit. Watching his long hands on the steering wheel, the light hairs on the backs of his fingers catching the June sunlight that was coming through the car windows, she felt a rush of desire for him.
They’d only been out three times together since her last visit here, mainly because he’d been in America on business. Each time they’d ended up back at his flat, and the sex had been fantastic. As usual he’d been the perfect lover, but when she tried to talk about some of the things that had happened at the Dining Club, he’d changed the subject. Now, wanting him and wondering what lay ahead of her, she wondered if this was a better time to discuss it.
“Why don’t we talk about the Club when we’re not there?” she asked.
“Because at the moment it’s not an integral part of your life, my darling. You’re still trying to complete the course. I might accidentally say or do something that would help, or even hinder, you. You have to complete the trial on your own.”
“But discussing things that have already happened wouldn’t affect me,” she protested.
“It’s the way it always has to be. I’m only following the rules,” he said regretfully. “How are you feeling this time?”
“Excited and nervous,” she replied truthfully.
“The perfect combination,” he said with a smile as they arrived at the now familiar high-gated entrance.
Slowly some of her excitement began to dissipate, and by the time they were inside the Dining Club and being escorted up the stairs to their usual suite, Grace was growing increasingly nervous, wishing that she had some idea of what lay ahead of her.
“How long has Amber worked here?” she asked, unpacking her suitcase.
“Five years or more. Why?”
“I want to know more about her I suppose. She’s very beautiful.”
David nodded. “Yes, she is. You’ll learn more about her when you’ve completed the trials, assuming you do complete them of course,” he added.
“Don’t you think I will?” she asked, her already fragile confidence draining away.
David put his arms round her and kissed the top of her head. “Of course I do, darling. I certainly hope you do. Always remember, you’re doing this for both of us. It matters to me as much as it does to you.”
Encouraged by his words she relaxed a little. “Are we going to have a swim before lunch?” she asked, remembering what had happened the last time, and hoping he’d say yes, which would help distract her and calm her nerves.
David shook his head. “I had something rather different in mind for us today,” he responded, drawing her toward the bed. “You know that you’ll have
unimaginable pleasures of one kind or another tonight, but what I’d like right now is for you to pleasure me.”
Grace was very surprised. He’d never wanted her to take the lead in their lovemaking before. “Start by undressing me and then do what you think I’ll like best,” he continued, his breathing starting to quicken.
Because he’d always been in charge before, their lovemaking had flowed seamlessly under his skillful hands. Faced with his request, Grace was uncertain as to exactly what he’d want her to do.
“Don’t you enjoy giving me pleasure, Gracie?” he asked quietly.
“Of course I do!”
“Then show me.” He was watching her closely now, and she still didn’t know what to do.
She realized it was ridiculous to feel shy after the things he’d witnessed happening to her here in this very house, but he wasn’t making any move to help her. He was still standing by the bed, waiting.
After a few seconds’ hesitation she walked up to him and started unfastening his belt. Her fingers were clumsy, and it took her far longer than she’d expected. Then, as she undid his trousers and slid them down over his hips, she began to feel more confident.
He still wasn’t moving, but remained totally compliant under her hands. Next she pushed him until he was sitting on the bed. She fully expected him to protest, but he didn’t. Instead he continued to watch her with a steady gaze.
The room was filled with an air of almost electric eroticism, and Grace wanted him like she’d never wanted him before. She tore at his shirt buttons, and then when he was totally naked pushed him until he was lying widthways, facedown across the bed.
Opening the bedside cabinet she took out the massage oil that she knew was kept there, poured some into her hands and began to knead the tight flesh of his firm buttocks, squeezing and then releasing it.
He sighed with pleasure, and with rapidly growing confidence she massaged the backs of his thighs with long, sweeping strokes before turning him over. As their eyes met his sharp, bright gaze pierced right through her. It was as though he was looking into her soul, and was amused by what he saw there.
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