I sighed as they bucked in tandem. Their climax built up, punctuated by muffled grunts. Clothing rustled as others pleasured themselves. Enthralled as I was, I never forgot his presence at my back.
It heightened the experience knowing he watched me.
As they shouted their release and I turned to find a more private area to recover, he followed me. He wasn't creepy and I didn't feel harassed. His presence was intense as we walked to a bench toward the middle of the room. He scanned everything around us, but I sensed his focus on me the entire time.
I liked being the center of this particular man's attention.
We reached the seat, and I slumped to the cushion before my shaky knees collapsed. I couldn’t believe I was near orgasm myself, and I hadn't even been touched yet. He stood at my side without speaking, but it wasn't awkward. He seemed to realize I needed a moment to gain my equilibrium. The minute I was ready to speak, he fixed his emerald eyes on mine.
His grin widened as he joined me. He examined my face as he lifted my hand, giving me plenty of opportunity to pull away. But I felt cherished and safe with this man, this stranger.
He used his finger to trace the letters on my key charm, circling until he brushed the inside of my wrist. The longer our hands touched, the more I realized the peculiar buzzing had intensified. I hadn’t consumed alcohol all night, so the feeling made no sense.
What was it about these men?
"Ryleigh. It suits you." His whisper was a lover's caress. I fought to conceal the shiver it gave me. Twice in one night, the sound of my name on a man’s lips made me giddy like a teen with a crush. Toby was right; I needed to get laid. His deep voice resonated somewhere south of my navel and it took a few seconds for me to answer.
"And you are?" My sharp tone betrayed my nerves.
His mouth quirked. "I’m Lukas St. James, but I’d be honored if you’d call me Master."
The low timbre of his words alone almost sent me over the edge. My panties, already wet from observing the scenes, dampened until they clung to my intimate flesh. His faint New York accent distracted me.
I pulled my fingers from his, not abrupt enough to offend him, yet I required distance to gather my thoughts. "Sorry, but what do you mean?”
"I’d like to introduce you to The Club. I could show you around, and give you a tour of the other areas.” Heat inflamed my cheeks as he took my hand again.
“It’s obvious you enjoyed Erick and Daniel’s scene, but there’s so much more than watching. The Galleria is a great place to experience exhibitionism and voyeurism. The rooms in the back vary in theme, technique, and intensity."
“Oh. Um… I’m looking for my friend Toby.” Reminded of my mission, I looked around in earnest, searching for the one person I was sure not to find. I saw a couple of familiar faces and a number of well- known individuals, but he wasn’t among them.
“I didn’t know Tobias had a girlfriend.”
His tone was questioning, and I smiled. “Oh no, I’m not. He’s my best friend. He tried to get me to come to The Club for months. Someone took him from the parking lot last night, but I hoped he’d be back here.”
Lukas appeared aware of the situation, but I expected it. I’d guessed he was involved with management from the moment I’d seen him with the earpiece. I wouldn’t be surprised if he owned the place; he carried himself as if this was his domain.
“He’s not on the premises, Ryleigh. We’ve been investigating his disappearance since he was taken. I’d be the first to know if he arrived.”
He tapped his ear and I nodded, disappointed.
"Oh. Okay."
“I’ll tell you if he arrives, the minute he walks in. Why don’t you let me show you around?”
He pulled me to my feet and led me to another curtained doorway. The hallway stretched far into the basement level. Doors lined each side, and he stopped at the first.
When he opened the door, he gestured for me to precede him. I walked in, uncertain what I might find. The unoccupied room was decorated with lavish silks and satins in multiple hues of blue and green. The furnishings had a definite middle-eastern flair. Drapes flowed along the walls and thick carpets spread over the floors. In the darkened corner, a few cushions sat behind a sheer curtain, where I presumed others could watch.
Lukas let me absorb the decor in silence, though he remained close enough for me to feel his warmth.
A discreet hand-carved wardrobe stood on one wall, and he motioned for me to open it. Curious, I peeked inside. Costumes draped over pegs, and accessories filled the drawers.
A dresser held various toys and things for which I couldn’t imagine their uses. His lips twitched as I tried to shut the toy drawer in embarrassment, and he stopped the latch from catching. He nudged me to the side and opened the doors wide.
Dildos, riding crops, and paddles hung from the sides or rested in neat rows on the shelves. Each had its own sterile container, similar to the bags used in tattoo parlor autoclaves to disinfect their tools. Several boxes of lubricants and a rainbow of condoms were nestled among other items I didn’t recognize.
He observed me as he showed me their contents. “You don’t have to be embarrassed by your curiosity, Ryleigh. If you let me introduce you to the lifestyle, you’d set the pace. At the same time, I’d test your boundaries and take you to new heights of pleasure.”
“I don’t know what this stuff is.”
“We could explore together.” His hands slid over my shoulders, and I leaned into his warmth. His arousal bumped my backside. Unlike my previous boyfriends, and half the guys I’d ever danced with, he didn’t make it a point to press himself into me. He kissed the nape of my neck, and my breath caught as desire flooded me. “I want to make your every fantasy come to life.”
There wasn’t a doubt about it; I wanted him. More than anything, I’d love to see where this would go, and what he’d do with me. But I’d been burned in the past. As his hand traced down my back, I shivered.
“Wait.” I whispered the word, worried he would feel rejected. Though I was afraid he’d ignore me, part of me hoped he would.
I was grateful when he pulled away. He didn’t act defensive or angry; both I had experienced in the past. Instead, he walked around to face me and gave me time to compose myself.
He didn’t guilt me into continuing. I’d felt the evidence of his excitement, but he’d listened, and it told me how much he respected me. Even in this new environment, I knew I was safe. It made me want to throw caution to the wind and go with it.
I almost did.
“What’s wrong, Ryleigh?” He had genuine concern in his voice. I took a step toward him and placed my trembling palm on his arm. He covered my fingers with his. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to rush you.”
“It’s going a bit too fast for me. This isn’t me.” I gestured to us and gave him a small smile. “I don’t do casual. One night stands aren’t my thing.”
“I want you for more than one night.”
Those words had been said so many times, I’d lost count. I swallowed hard as I found it difficult to keep my eyes on his. The depth of his sincerity floored me. I’d just met Lukas, but it seemed as if we’d known each other forever. His soul spoke to mine, and the intensity frightened me more than anything.
“Then you need to decide if it’s worth it to wait.” I sighed. “Get to know me better. Let’s see if this passion between us is deeper than lust and opportunity. I can’t begin a regular relationship without some level of trust, much less all this.”
He nodded and closed the door to the cabinet. I worried he’d escort me out and walk away. He wouldn’t be the first to leave after I stopped giving in to the lies and demanded respect.
“I already know you’re worth the wait. I want to get to know you, all of you, and I hope you feel the same way.”
“Thank you, Lukas. I’m sorry.”
He put his finger over my lips and slid the pad of his thumb to my chin. “Never apologize for telling me, or a
nyone else, to slow down or stop. You can always tell me if something makes you uncomfortable. Let’s go exploring, shall we?”
He showed me several rooms, all furnished according to a theme. There was a jungle room with a mock tree-house, an island with a hut, many bedrooms in multiple hues, and a medieval dungeon. This last area made me fidget. It was filled with odd shaped benches and whips and other things I had no ability to describe.
"We’ll save the rest of the tour for another time." I looked at him, and his smile deepened, exposing two dimples. "Some individuals crave more intense play. You were disturbed seeing the tools, but the exhibits further down are in use right now. If you want, we can continue."
“Maybe another day.” I wasn’t ready to try the basics of BDSM yet, and the sadism and masochism aspects weren’t ever going to happen.
He chuckled. "I didn't think so."
Before he continued, someone contacted him over the earpiece, and he sighed. “Dammit. I need to take care of this. Will you be around later?”
“Maybe. Is it Toby?”
Lukas pulled me into a gentle hug, and I felt comforted by his touch. “We’ll find him, Ryleigh. But no, this doesn’t involve Tobias.”
He guided me back to the Galleria, but stopped short of the curtain. "I know you're new to the scene, but I’ve enjoyed showing you around. I’d like to see you again. We can meet somewhere else, if it would make you more comfortable?”
I looked at him for a minute, taking in this masculine Dom. Maybe I’d never immerse myself in this lifestyle. My thoughts wandered back to Darian, right outside in the club proper. I had a difficult time relaxing with strangers. Yet tonight I’d met two very different men who’d made me feel cherished and accepted.
"I’d like that.”
We exchanged numbers, and as I tucked his card into my clutch, my fingers brushed against Darian’s. Part of me was thrilled knowing they were interested in me. The other was terrified. Who would I call first? Would I be able to call either of them?
“Is tomorrow too soon?” He asked. “Maybe we could get together for coffee.”
I fought a grin as I nodded. He didn’t bother hiding his smile as he lifted my hand and caressed it with his lips. I swooned a little; seriously, who does things like this anymore?
“Until tomorrow, then.” He whispered.
“Looking forward to it.”
I watched him as the crowd parted and flowed around him without seeming to be conscious of their actions. Lukas Mastered this domain and everyone here acknowledged it. He was raw masculinity personified, and yet so gentle.
And he wanted me.
Chapter Nine
Ryleigh
With Lukas and Darian preoccupied, and Tobias kidnapped god knows where, I headed home. All I wanted to do now was curl up with the only two guys I’d ever had at the same time. Ben and Jerry hadn’t let me down yet.
The parking garage connected to the hotel, but between the hours when people were coming or going, no one was around. The snick- snick of my heels echoed as I walked to my car. Before I let my overactive imagination turn the moonbeams into monsters, Lukas called out from the exit.
“Ryleigh, wait.”
I stopped, pleased he’d come to walk me out. I rarely gave in to flights of fantasy, but the shadows made me nervous tonight. Maybe it was my near-abduction, Toby’s disappearance, or my missing memories, but having him here chased away the creeping insecurities. When he reached me, I tensed.
Something watched us from beyond the puddles of light.
“Shit.” He rushed to my side. “Don’t stop and don’t ask questions. Run back inside. Now!”
He ran toward the door with my hand in his, tugging me alongside him when I struggled to keep up. I didn’t understand his haste until I saw several large wolves between the parked cars. One jumped through the vehicles and barreled toward us, spurring the others into action.
I screamed as the wolf missed. Darian appeared from the club with Erick and Daniel. The pack wove through the lot to surround us. Two leaped forward and knocked into me. I bit back a scream as my head hit the pavement.
The hairs on my neck prickled as they circled, and smoky figures crept into the periphery. The nearest mutt recoiled, and the rest skittered. “What the hell?” I whispered.
Something menacing surrounded me as we all stood still, waiting for the beasts to attack. Whatever moved in the darkness filled me with raw terror. The sensation grew, clawing at my insides, until Lukas grabbed my hand.
The moment we touched, the sensations and wisps dissipated.
Once I saw them up close, I knew these weren’t normal wolves. They were larger than the animals I’d seen at the zoo. Lukas led me to the center of the huddle as they corralled our group into a tighter circle.
Seven monsters against the five of us. Well, four, since I had no idea how useful I was in this fight. I bent and slipped off my high heels. While they’d looked fabulous, they were impossible to run in. I crouched to grab one as a makeshift weapon.
My fear spiked as a wolf broke through the men surrounding me. Its teeth tore into my left calf, and I stabbed the stiletto into the bastard’s face until it released me. The wound was shallow, but blood seeped down my leg. It turned to come at me again, but Darian tackled it before it reached me. My gaze met his as he twisted and snapped the beast’s neck, and I froze.
Darian’s eyes blazed with something inhuman.
The four of them worked in tandem. Their movements blurred, and the snarls of both man and animal echoed through the garage. Daniel used a gun with a silencer and a bowie knife, while Darian and Erick fought with their bare hands. Lukas refused to leave my side, though somehow he deflected any from getting too close.
Two of the beasts took turns trying to get past my guardians.
Our group drifted apart as everyone exchanged blows. I tensed as one jumped through the gap toward me. Darian put himself between us at the last minute, taking the monster down with him. It tore ribbons from his shirt and abdomen with its claws as it struggled to get its teeth around his throat.
Erick grabbed the beast and pulled him off his chest. The creature vanished. Wide-eyed, I gaped as he opened the hand which had held a snarling wolf, and released a bright yellow moth.
Noise from the hotel entrance scattered the creatures before I could question what I’d seen. Lukas stepped away from me to bark orders at the newcomers. They ran after the departing wolves, some of them on four legs. The largest bouncer, whom I recognized as the guy who’d interrupted earlier, changed into a massive black grizzly as he lumbered away.
Darian crouched and I flinched when he tried to touch my leg.
“I won’t hurt you, Lia. Please let me see if you’re okay.”
I couldn’t speak, in shock from the attack, but I nodded. He crept closer, and I watched, fascinated, as his skin rippled. It didn’t settle until he placed his palm on my bare feet.
What the hell was he?
He checked every inch of me, from head to toe. I sensed he was on the precipice of losing control and kept quiet. The others stood guard with their backs toward us, giving us the illusion of privacy. Lukas returned, but he didn’t interrupt Darian’s examination.
When he turned my face to the side and saw the bump on my temple, a deep growl escaped him. I flinched again. He held himself still with a curse, and lifted his apologetic eyes to mine.
“I would never, ever harm you, Ryleigh. I promise.”
Despite my fear, and a heavy dose of numb confusion, I raised my hand to his scarred cheek. My fingers trembled, but I nudged him and he followed. My embrace calmed us both.
“I know, Darian. Thank you for saving me.”
His blood soaked through my bodice, and I pulled away.
“Oh, god. You’re hurt!” When I tried to pull the tattered bits of cloth from his chest so I could see his ribs, he stopped me.
“I’m okay. Let’s get you inside first. It’s not safe.”
“But, Dari
an!”
Lukas knelt next to me as Darian stepped back, and I blushed when he scooped me up into his arms. He'd observed us with calm curiosity. It was a pleasant change from the intense jealousy I had experienced with prior boyfriends.
Wait.
When did I start considering him as a romantic partner? My gaze trailed back to Darian as we entered the building and took the stairs to the basement. If I chose Lukas, would these feelings I had for Darian fade?
The entire group moved down the hall. The hallway appeared empty, though I never looked away from Darian long enough to be sure. Lukas glanced at us with a curious expression. Was it hope?
I’d been caught fussing over Darian’s wounds after I’d encouraged Lukas. It wasn’t like me to react to multiple guys at the same time. I never ever thought I’d be in the middle of one of those love triangles. I almost groaned aloud thinking about it.
The motion of Lukas’ arms set off the throbbing in my head from hitting the ground. I saw spots at the edge of my vision, so I closed my eyes. As I drifted away, part of me worried I might have a concussion. Maybe when I woke, this would no longer be a nightmare with crazy wolves and strange creatures masquerading as men.
Chapter Ten
Darian
When we entered Thane’s underground apartment, I sighed with relief. Ryleigh was secure now, but I was still on edge. Lukas sat on the leather sofa and tucked her head under his chin, refusing to let her go. I could have lost her. Again.
And she wasn’t mine to lose.
The pain in my chest spoke of how deep into my heart Lia had burrowed in such a short time. Without looking at Lukas, I went in search of our first aid kit. I couldn’t handle his curious stares and speculating glances anymore. In the bathroom, I discarded my torn and bloodied shirt and wiped away the remnants of blood with a cold washcloth. The flesh had already closed, though the faint pink marks would remain for a day or two.
When I returned, he set her down on the cushions and stepped aside, content to allow me to nurse her wounds. It puzzled me, but I wouldn’t argue. My instincts itched beneath the surface. I wanted to keep her safe, even if she wasn’t my mate. The need for physical reassurance of her safety was tangible.
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