Rapid Pulse: A Limited Edition Spicy Romance Collection

by Gina Kincade

  Wendy landed a peck on Maggie’s cheek. “Perfect. I have no idea how long I’ll be tonight, but breakfast I know I’ll be free for. I’ll ring in the morning. Have fun.”

  Maggie climbed back into the car. Her seat was almost still warm the tour had been that quick. Wendy instructed the driver on the scenic tour must sees and said she’d call when she was close to ready for him to return. They were off.

  ‘You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em...’

  Maggie sat down with her plate loaded. She’d been unable to decide between the Belgian waffle with fresh berries and the scrambled eggs that had everything in them but the kitchen sink. She’d landed squarely on both. Wendy nearly spilled tea across the white linen cloth when she noticed.

  “A bit hungry Mags?”

  Maggie blushed but shrugged, trying to seem indifferent. “They didn’t have half a waffle as an option.”

  Wendy’s plate was equally full, but with better choices; poached eggs, toast points and oatmeal with brown sugar and syrup. Maggie didn’t do the big meals often anymore; she couldn’t bring herself to feel bad about this one though, especially after the lick of fresh whipped cream. Wendy interrupted her food-gasm.

  “I need to go to Boston.”

  Maggie remembered to swallow before responding. “Oh?”

  “As long as I’m this close, it would be odd not to go. You’re welcome to come. It’s a few hours by car, so up and back with the visit will probably mean we’d have to re-visit The Rack tomorrow. Actually, we’d have to anyway even if you elect to stay here. I mean, you can go by yourself if you want, but...”

  Maggie interjected. “I know what you mean. Boston sounds fine to me. You sure it’s okay?”

  Wendy rolled her eyes laughing, “Says the woman who asked to come to New York.”

  Maggie snorted.

  “The club there will feel more familiar I think, bring a change of clothes and we can maybe catch a scene.”

  Maggie wasn’t quite ready to share her reasons for making the trip as they rode north. Wendy had eyed her but not actually asked instead asking about the trip so far.

  “Is New York meeting your expectations?”

  Her question was tricky to answer. “It’s the farthest east I’ve ever been. It’s not as similar to Chicago as I’d expected, but that’s okay.”

  Wendy eyed her waiting but Maggie didn’t offer more. Deftly, the subject was changed. “I was impressed to see you throw the other night. We all were.”

  Maggie beamed trying not to think of the conversation that may have been held in the hallway. Wendy interrupted her thoughts. “It was obvious you’ve been practicing, but I think you may be a natural. Your placements were near perfect.”

  “Do you think so? I want my long tail to be as good.” Maggie bubbled.

  Wendy nodded knowingly. “If you work it like you did that Cat, I’m sure it will be.”

  They talked technique and general subjects the rest of the ride. Wendy needed to see the junior partners once they were there, but expected it to be a short chat.

  Walking in, it had a similar vibe to The Brickhouse though aesthetically it was different. The Chicago club felt more blue collar does BDSM sex club where Boston had an air of elegant tradition. Wendy had left her in the main area to do her own sleuthing before heading off through a door behind the bar. From the street the club looked like a row of Brownstones. Once inside, high beamed arches off the main room led to formal sitting areas with ornate glass doors. It was as though it once had been a row of houses that had been brought together.

  Once again, notably missing was a pit. Maggie couldn’t bring herself to feel badly about it. It was her least favorite room and the one she avoided passing by. Beyond the initial appearances, the playrooms were all similar to those at home. As predicted, Maggie was easily more comfortable here than at The Rack in New York. Still, New York had her thoughts for a specific reason she hoped to disclose soon.

  By the time Wendy re-emerged, Maggie had peeked in all of the rooms and sat in most of the sitting area chairs. She had a favorite in each area. From her chosen spot, she could see into most of the adjoining rooms without having to do more than turn her head. She decided that beyond the playrooms themselves, Boston’s club was a voyeurs dream.

  They went out for dinner and a tour of the area, returning later to change clothes and take in the club. They had agreed to leave by ten to return to New York, so they had a few hours to play. They chatted with several people in the main bar area before, closer to nine, they came across a male with a dual fantasy.

  A room was rearranged. They removed the traditional cross, replacing it with suspended shackles. Aaron’s request was to be long tailed and Cat tailed simultaneously. Wendy and Mags were happy to oblige. Having worked together already, Maggie had a pretty good sense of Wendy’s rhythm. Wendy took the front thankfully as Maggie was not yet comfortable to face a person as she threw.

  Once they had paced out their distances, Wendy nodded to Maggie to start. As she let the first curl fly, she was surprised to hear the twin cracks of the Cat and long tail. Wendy matched her timing nearly perfectly. Over and over again the short and long tails flew. Seeing only Aaron’s backside, Maggie was going off of sound as to his state. Wendy began nodding, increasing the pace as they increased the tempos of the throws. Six or seven rapid rolls later, Wendy held up her non-throwing hand as the lashes landed to stop.

  Aaron pulled up hard on the manacles, froze tight through what Maggie was sure was an impressive release before dropping to hang by his hands. They helped him completely down, dropping him to his knees before cleaning him up and wrapping him in a warmed blanket. It was well after ten-thirty before he was recovered enough to be led from the room. A large group of observers were waiting when they emerged. There was no ovation, but the message was clear, it had been impressive.

  Aaron was handed off to a host for some hydration as the ladies moved to the bar. Wendy introduced Maggie to Remy one of the junior owners as they sipped their drinks.

  “You ladies work well together. Is that a common request at home?”

  Maggie blanched and Wendy giggled as she responded.

  “Nope, never done that before with Mags here. Might need to add it to the menu though. Aaron seemed to approve.”

  Maggie felt eight shades of red but elated too at the assessment.

  Remy chuckled, “Yeah, I’d say that was a big thumbs up.”

  As they finished, Remy was signaling for refills but Wendy stopped him. “We need to get going.”

  His frown and pout was childlike and genuine. “But Wendyyyyy, you hardly ever come to visit me anymore.”

  She played along with a pout of her own. “But Jeremyyyyyyy, with the changes you’ll be sick of seeing me soon.”

  He batted his lashes at her. “You’re probably right now that Drake, the big fink is ditching me. I’ll be over-full of estrogen around here with you babysitting me.”

  “He isn’t, you know he isn’t. You had the same choice. You chose differently.”

  With that the pouty and playful was gone. “I know. Just promise me you’ll get me someone good. No part time or ‘I’ve got my spy’ like someone else we know...or, you know that I know about.”

  Wendy was nodding. Maggie was confused.

  Wendy stood, patting Maggie’s hand, “We need to go.”

  She hugged Remy and promised to be in touch soon. They stopped to change in a private area in the back before leaving through the employee entrance where the car was waiting, gassed, and ready, with finger sandwiches and bottled water for the trip.

  Maggie initiated the conversation this time once they were out of the city and on the highway. “That club is really beautiful. Is that more like the others?”

  “It is and it isn’t. As you know, New York and Chicago were already established when we bought them. Boston was built around the building. Each club has a difference here or there. Boston’s is the more upscale looking of our properties but
we couldn’t pass up the space when we saw it.”

  “I can see why.” Maggie took a sip. “Why is Remy talking about finding someone and Drake being a deserter, who’s Drake?”

  Wendy downed her water before replying. “Drake and Remy are the junior partners over Boston. With Clifford leaving New York and it being a bigger club, we gave them the choice of changing to be a partner over New York. Drake said yes.”

  Maggie held up a finger to get her to pause. “But didn’t you say there were partners over multiple locations? Why change? Why not just add?”

  Wendy was nodding at the questions. “Yes, I did say that. But to be over them, you buy into a partnership for each one. I would imagine Drake’s decision was financial.”

  The missing piece clicked into place. “So now instead of short in New York, you’re short in Boston.”

  “For now yes.”

  “So who goes to Boston?”

  Wendy exhaled hard shaking her head. “That I don’t know.”

  Maggie hemmed and hawed in her mind. It wasn’t what she had thought to do, but it seemed things moved fast and changed even faster. In some ways the change was better for her. “So what’s the buy in?”

  Wendy spluttered on a drink of water, having grabbed a new bottle while Maggie debated. “What?”

  “What’s the buy in?” Maggie repeated quietly before she lost her nerve.

  Wendy blinked several times. “For...Boston?”

  Maggie nodded.

  Wendy drew her head backwards on her neck. Her surprise at the question was obvious. “I’d have to double check but I want to say two hundred fifty thousand.”

  Maggie could only get out “Hmmmmm” for a few minutes before getting the next question out. “And New York is more?”

  Wendy’s brows were drawn in confusion. Her answer came out like a question. "Yes, by almost double...”

  Maggie drummed her fingers against her top lip, a very Mack thinking activity. Wendy reached up and pulled them back to catch Maggie’s eye.

  “Want to tell me what you’re thinking?”

  Maggie took a deep breath.

  “Given that things have changed, I guess I better.” She started. “When I asked to come, I was entertaining the idea of buying into the New York club after I had a chance to see it. That option is no longer available. Having seen it, I like the idea of my own room there, but I don’t know that I would have wanted the buy in after all.

  Having also seen Boston, I love the look and feel of that club. You said yourself you don’t know who will go to Boston. I think that, short of someone you already have, I’d like to put my name on the list if the terms are right.”

  Wendy’s eyes were wide. “Terms such as?”

  Maggie ticked off her immediate thoughts on her fingers. “Well, price obviously, being able to play elsewhere, time commitment since you said they have to be on property...I’m sure there are others, but off the cuff there’s a few for you.”

  Wendy stared gap-mouthed, finally speaking just above astonished whisper. “Maggie I had no idea.”

  Mags waved her off. “No, no. I know you didn’t. I had thought to come on my own and check it out, but I never would have gone to Boston. Mama always said things happen for reasons. I just needed them to play out before I showed my hand.”

  “You know I have to ask you, because I just have to. Are you serious?”

  Maggie shrugged. “I want to sleep on it, but I think I am. Ideally, I want to contract a room in New York to play, but the Boston buy in, yeah I think so.”

  Wendy was astonished. Her eyes were wide and her jaw was slack for a solid minute before she righted herself.

  “I tell you what. You sleep on it then. I have a conference call with my partners in the morning about Drake’s move. I’ll catch up with you at ten-thirty for brunch and you can fill me in on where you landed. Deal?”

  “Deal.”

  ‘It’s hiding the words that don’t come out...’

  Wendy was already seated when Maggie walked in. Maggie giggled at the waffle with berries and scrambled eggs with everything on the plate in front of her. Wendy giggled back when she looked up and caught Maggie laughing at her plate.

  “What? You made it look and sound so good yesterday. Besides, it’s brunch not breakfast now.”

  “Mmmhmm. Rationalize away Wendy. I saw you raping my plate yesterday with your eyes as you enjoyed your oatmeal. I’ll be right back.”

  Maggie returned with carved ham, hash browns and mixed fruit. She sat down and glanced between the plates before speaking, snickering to get it out before diving in. “Guess it’s my turn to have the more reasonable plate.”

  Wendy snorted. “Whatever lets you sleep at night Mags, looks good though.”

  They tossed general subjects for most of the mouth full portion, getting to business when they were down to coffee. Wendy lobbed the opening volley.

  “Do we have a verdict?”

  Maggie didn’t hesitate. She’d been awake most of the dark hours debating, drifting off only after she had decided.

  “I do actually. I want the Boston buy in if you don’t have someone from within the organization who wants it. I am guessing there isn’t an outside waiting list or you would have mentioned it.”

  Wendy was nodding as she sipped at her freshly refilled cup. “You’d guess correctly. Your terms?”

  Maggie stirred cream into her cup, took a sip and looked up before speaking. Daddy always said you transact business with the hands and eyes, not the mouth alone. Maggie made sure her face matched her words.

  “My terms are mostly the same as last night. Price obviously, ability to scene elsewhere and time on property. I would add that I want to lease a room at The Rack without them knowing I’m a partner in Boston, or my real identity. I don’t want the partners in Chicago to know where I went either.” When Wendy looked like she was going to interject Maggie added, “Yes, I’m pretty sure I know who the second is. I’d need time to move of course, and from what I understood Remy to say, you’d need to visit more.”

  Wendy held her cup in front of her mouth waiting to sip until after her question. “Is that it?”

  Maggie shrugged. “You tell me. What have I forgotten?”

  Wendy shook her head slightly as she returned her cup to the saucer. “I’m not sure that you forgot anything. You have a couple I’m curious about though.”

  “Such as?”

  “The anonymity for a room at The Rack for one, what’s that about?”

  Maggie grinned. “That’s about two things actually. I want to develop my persona and guests without there being expectations by the property partners there for one. Second, I want to scene as me and feel like I’m free to do so. Just another whip in the crowd so to speak.”

  Wendy stared at her. “It was nice last night wasn’t it? Just doing what the person wanted because we could and chose to, not because they expected that we were able and willing because of the role. I forgot what that freedom feels like, to have someone reveal their wants and extend that blind trust with no other thoughts. It’s raw.” She paused for a few minutes sipping thoughtfully.

  “Thank you Maggie. We all come to this life for the outlet, the release, the primal beauty and eroticism of it. From the business side, it’s hard to see it that way after a while. Being just another person in the crowd would preserve that a little maybe, and keep you grounded to being on the other side. I like the idea. I wish I’d had the foresight.”

  Maggie signaled for refills as Wendy had finished speaking. “The question then is how much do my terms matter? Am I even a consideration?”

  Wendy grinned. “Not so fast. I want to know about the veil of secrecy for Chicago, I mean it’s not like we have a big Christmas party or anything for the partners and dish everyone’s secrets in a game of truth or dare, what’s with the hush-hush?”

  Maggie groaned a bit sighing before answering, but trying to be delicate. “I believe, and I could be mistaken, but I believe that Bar
t is your other junior partner in Chicago. If I’m right, he already knows more than enough about me. Where I’ve gone, and what I’m doing, doesn’t need to be the latest info on the list. That, and let’s just say the club scene in Chicago has a small town telephone feel. There are some in the scene who also don’t need to know where I am until I’m ready to share it. If no one has the scoop, they can’t share the news.”

  Wendy’s face said she understood without her saying a word more about the why. “I commend you for being so self-aware and forward thinking to protect yourself, so many in our world could use the lesson. Are you done with your coffee?”

  Maggie mentally stuttered at the change. “Ye-es.”

  “Good. If you can give me about thirty minutes and then join me in my rooms I’d be grateful. I’m on nineteen, The Edwardian Suite.”

  Maggie was a little confused, but went along with it. “Okay.”

  ‘And she’s cliii-ming the stairway, to...’

  Twenty-nine minutes later Maggie stood outside the suite on nineteen. When her watch clicked over, she knocked. Wendy led her into an elaborate suite complete with a breath taking view of Central Park out the window. Her 58th Street view felt suddenly dingy. Motioning the phone, Wendy grabbed her attention.

  “Errador, Terrance and James this is Margaret. Maggie, these are my partners.”

  As Maggie turned she caught the videoconference in progress on the laptop with three faces in little screens on the monitor. “Good morning gentlemen.”

  She suddenly felt underdressed. The sound of their return greetings didn’t sync up to the video feed. Maggie clicked her back teeth together to bite back the giggle that had sprung up. Without nametags she had no idea who was speaking. A fair-haired, tan male in a light colored suit appeared to be the source after the video caught up.

  Wendy tells us you would like to buy in at Boston.”

  Maggie reached deep for professional. “That has been our conversation, yes.”

  “She has also apprised us of your terms. We see no reason for any of them to be a problem.”