by Leah Brooke
The first woman came up on stage, a blonde beauty wearing a skimpy top and short skirt that left little to the imagination.
Her breasts could be seen clearly through the black see-through shirt, and when she turned, she lifted the skirt several inches, giving bidders a tantalizing view of her ass.
Her flirtatious smile begged for a Master’s attention, and judging by the fierce bidding, most of the Doms in the room felt the same.
She looked as if she’d done this several times and therefore would be well versed in what he was looking for.
Other men moved closer to the stage, making it more difficult for him to see.
He’d always had a weakness for blondes—until he’d first laid eyes on Veronica.
Her effect on him staggered him.
If he took a dark-haired woman to the island now, he would constantly think of Veronica.
“Why don’t you have a girlfriend to take on vacation with you?”
Irritated that he couldn’t seem to focus on the stage, Sin snapped at her. “None of your business. Shush.”
The blonde had been sold before he could even bid.
Another woman was led to the front of the stage, her dark hair and eyes drawing his attention briefly, but she didn’t have the exotic beauty of the distracting woman standing next to him.
Regardless, she would do nicely for tonight and could very well prove a delightful companion who could give him countless hours of pleasure and allow him to relax on his highly anticipated vacation.
He started to raise his hand when Veronica tugged his sleeve and leaned close. “Are they really going to have sex with the highest bidder?”
“Yes. They want to play and fulfill a fantasy. They’ll be given a playroom and know they’ll be safe. Gabriel is very committed to keeping everyone safe.”
He’d started to raise his hand when she grabbed his arm and pulled him closer.
“What if they don’t want to do something?”
Sin would have brushed her off, but she seemed genuinely concerned. Bending close, he pressed his lips against her ear. “Their Masters will give them a safe word, which they can use to stop everything. Besides, all the women on stage have signed contracts, which spell out in explicit detail what they will allow and what they won’t.”
Straightening, he smiled down at her, all anger slipping away at the concern in her eyes.
It became obvious that, although the idea of submitting seemed to arouse her, she had no experience at all in the lifestyle.
“Honey, all of the Masters and subs have been vetted. Gabriel doesn’t want any trouble in his club, and he makes sure that everyone knows the score. Most of these people have been doing this for years. Newcomers always have someone watching them.”
Stiffening when the auctioneer announced that the bidding was over and that the sub had been sold, Sin looked down again at Veronica, not as disappointed in losing the bid as he’d expected.
Watching Veronica gave him more enjoyment than watching the auction, but when she looked up at him with her wide eyes, he forced his attention back to the stage.
Another woman came forward, Tanya, a blonde that he’d been with several times in the past.
She was enthusiastic, but there was something about her that grated on his nerves.
Despite her attempts to catch his attention, he didn’t bid on her.
Veronica sipped her drink and turned to him again. “There are men up there, too.”
He couldn’t help but smile at the wonder in her tone. “Yes, there are. Men can submit, too, sweetheart.”
Veronica nodded, frowning as she looked back to the stage.
“You’re really going to bid on one of those women up there?”
His enthusiasm for the auction had waned, but he couldn’t allow himself to be deterred.
“I am.”
It had been a long time since he’d found the time to give in to his baser needs and to enjoy the pleasure of earning a woman’s submission.
Tanya had never been much of a challenge, but she’d given him hours of fun.
It surprised him that he didn’t feel the slightest disappointment that she was sold to someone else.
Turning on the stool to face him, Veronica touched his arm again. “I don’t understand why a man like you would have to come here to buy a woman to go on vacation with you.
Sin couldn’t ignore the tinging awareness where she touched his forearm. Intrigued, he took her hand in his.
“I don’t plan to buy a woman to take with me. I just plan to offer someone a chance to go to an exclusive island with me for a vacation. No strings. Just a week of fantasy and relaxation.”
Another woman was brought forward, a redhead that quickly drew a lot of attention.
Sin started to release her hand to lift his to bid when Veronica tugged it back down again, her tug much harder than before.
“Why are they wearing different colored arm bands?”
Narrowing his eyes at her, he gave her a look designed to intimidate her, hiding a smile when she lifted her chin, a show of defiance even as her blush deepened.
“Are you purposely trying to make me lose every bid? There aren’t that many more women left to bid on.”
To his surprise, she had the grace to blush again and averted her gaze.
“Why would I try to make you lose a bid? I’m just curious about things.”
Frustrated to see that he’d lost another bid, Sin blew out a breath and turned to face her, his cock stirring again at the hunger in her eyes.
To tease himself, and intimidate her, he turned her until her back was against the bar and, with a hand on either side of her, braced himself to lean over her.
Hiding a smile when her eyes widened and her breath caught, he let his gaze lower to her breasts.
“The subs wearing a black band only want to be sold to a man. The ones with the red bands want to be sold to a woman, and the ones wearing gold bands are open to being sold to either, or a couple.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she took a shuddering breath, her gaze on his lips.
“They’re very beautiful.”
Lifting her chin, he smiled down at her. “Yes, they are. But every time I try to bid, someone interferes. Now, stop tugging at my arm when I try to bid and sit quietly, or I’ll call for Tom to escort you to the door.”
She laid a hand on his chest, immediately yanking it back as if burned. “Please don’t. I really need your help.”
The heat from her hand lingered, and he found he wanted more. Smiling, he lifted her hand to his chest again, a thrill going through him when her fingers clenched. “You’re interfering in my bidding and you want my help?”
She blushed again, lowering her gaze and slowly lowering her hand, catching it in her other. “I’m sorry.”
A man was brought forward, causing a flurry of activity, and sold right away.
As the assistant brought another woman forward, Veronica lifted her hand to his chest again, gripping the material of his shirt.
“Are you bidding because you want someone experienced?”
Something in her voice caught his attention—a hesitancy that told him she had something on her mind.
“I thought I did. I want a nice relaxing vacation, not a lot of drama. Now I’m not so sure.”
Seeing the combination of hunger and hesitancy in her eyes, he lost all interest in the auction.
Christ, he wanted her.
“You’re ruining my plans for the night. You realize that, don’t you?”
Surprised that he wasn’t even angry, he listened with half an ear as the auctioneer announced that the woman on the stage had been sold.
The intimacy between the woman auctioned off and the man who’d bought her was obvious, a sign that the two of them were playing a game that they both seemed to enjoy.
Lifting her gaze to his, Veronica glanced at the couple she’d noticed at first, swallowing heavily when she saw that the Dom had left the woman�
�s breasts bare and had his hand up her skirt.
“So you wouldn’t care if a woman had no experience in something like that? Oh God. She’s coming. Right in front of everyone. God. He looks so proud of her.”
“He is.” Looking down at the small, elegant hand against his chest, Sin took it in his, closing his around it when he felt her tremble.
He watched her fascination with the couple now cuddling before turning her attention to the woman draped over her Master’s lap with the other man kneeling between her spread thighs. “You’re aroused. Does the idea of submitting like that excite you?”
He knew it did but wondered if she would admit it.
Her eyes filled with tears. “The way he looks at her…”
Veronica shrugged and looked away. “I don’t understand why both women would let them do such things to them.”
Sin took her hand in his as he lowered himself to the stool next to her. “Yes. I think you do. You see the pleasure on their faces. The man holding her on his lap is her Master. She’s his possession.”
Her hand clenched in his. “Possession?”
The word came out breathless and almost inaudible, but Sin heard it.
“Yes.”
The threesome sat behind him, but he’d remembered the Dom’s expression. It held the same pride, affection, and possessiveness as the Dominant who held his sub on his lap, caressing her as she came down from her orgasm.
He smiled at the look of confusion on Veronica’s face.
“He couldn’t own her if she hadn’t given herself to him, and she can end it at any time.”
Veronica lifted her gaze to his again, her eyes wide again. “Really?”
Sin signaled for two more ginger ales. “Of course. The submissive has all the power.”
Veronica frowned again, but her attention remained on him. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. She can stop everything just by using her safe word. Believe me, that’s not a word a Dominant wants to hear. He’ll do everything in his power to keep that from happening.”
She took another sip of ginger ale, licking an errant drop from her lips. Staring down into the glass, she blew out a shaky breath.
“I’ve heard about this lifestyle, but I’m not sure I understand it all that well.”
Sin would love to be the one to introduce her to a world that clearly enthralled her but doubted very much that she would have the courage to embark on such a journey with him.
“A safe word is a word a submissive uses when she can’t take whatever her Master is doing. Of course, safe words aren’t used much. A good Dominant knows just by looking at her if he’s pushing her too hard.”
She pursed her lips, making him desperate to take them with his. “So a submissive doesn’t have to do what she doesn’t want to do?”
Sin smiled and shook his head. “I didn’t say that. Sometimes what a submissive is asked to do might be very embarrassing or uncomfortable for her, but she’s expected to obey. A good Dom will push his submissive out of her comfort zone.”
“Why?”
“Do you like ice cream?”
Veronica frowned at the change of subject. “I love ice cream.”
Releasing her hand, Sin reached for his drink. “What’s your favorite flavor?”
Closing her hand to hold in the warmth from his, Veronica smiled. “Chocolate.”
He smiled at her again, the teasing arrogance in his smile sending another rush of moisture to further dampen her already wet panties. “Before you tried chocolate ice cream for the first time, did you know you would like it?”
Veronica blinked, her gaze going to his hands and imagining them on her nakedness. “Of course not. How could I know if I liked something I never tried?”
“Exactly.” Sin’s eyes narrowed, raking over her breasts again, the hunger in his eyes making her nipples tingle hotter. “When you try something new, it can be scary, but it could turn out to be something that gives you a great deal of pleasure.”
She leaned closer, wishing he would just reach out and cup her breasts. Her breathing became even more ragged as she lifted her face to his and breathed in his warm, masculine scent that had tantalized her since she’d approached him.
“The thought of being with a man who can do whatever he wants to you is kind of scary.”
Sin smiled faintly, his brow going up. “And yet the thought of it arouses you. It’s all a matter of trust.”
What she wouldn’t give to have Sin show her that world—to look at her the way those other men looked at the women with them. “But it’s just sex—right?”
To her surprise, Sin’s smile fell, his eyes cold. “It can be.”
Enticed by the sadness she thought she heard in his voice, she sucked in a breath and placed a hand on his forearm, wishing he would look at her again.
When he did nothing more than stare at her hand, Veronica gulped.
“I think that would be difficult.” She couldn’t help thinking about the evil intent in Robert’s eyes and her fear of him.
His gaze lifted to hers, searching.
“Why would you think that?”
Veronica’s cheeks burned, and she would have looked away, but Sin gripped her chin, preventing it.
“I just don’t think that kind of trust could be established in one night.” Pulling away from his grip, she waved a hand.
“Oh, I’ve read about contracts, and I know that things are spelled out, but to have a total stranger—someone who has no emotional connection at all…” Shaking her head, Veronica trailed off, chilled at the thought of having Robert touch her.
Sipping his drink, he stared at the now empty stage, his expression thoughtful.
“You’re right, of course, but that kind of relationship isn’t always possible for some people.”
Whipping his head around, he stared at her, his gaze laser-sharp, as if he could see into her soul.
“What do you know about that kind of contract? Have you ever signed one?”
With a gasp, she shot to her feet. “No!”
Gripping her upper arms, he bent until his nose nearly touched hers.
“Then how the hell do you know about contracts?”
Shivering at his icy tone, a tone she didn’t understand, Veronica tried to pull away, very much afraid that his sharp eyes would see way too much.
“I told you. I read. Information about this lifestyle is all over the place.”
The ice disappeared, his gaze narrowing as if trying to sort out some sort of puzzle.
“So you read about the BDSM lifestyle?”
Realizing what she’d given away, Veronica fought for nonchalance.
“It’s hard to miss. It’s everywhere. No big deal.”
Sin sat back, eyeing her steadily for several long seconds, a faint smile tugging at his lips when she shifted in her seat. “You’re right, of course. A night is one thing. A permanent relationship of that kind is something else altogether.”
Rising, he held out his hand. “Let’s go. Do you need a ride?”
“No. I have my car.” She tugged his hand when he started to turn away. “So, will you help me with my grandmother?”
He seemed in a hurry to rush her out.
“I’ll think about it. Come on. I’ll walk you to your car so you don’t get into any trouble. Several Dominants have been checking you out since you got here.”
Veronica blinked. “What?” Gripping his arm tighter, she moved closer to him as they walked out the door. Pausing when the door closed behind them, she turned to him.
“What can I say to get you to help my grandmother?”
Keeping her hand in his, Sin led her to the well-lit parking lot.
“You can come see me tomorrow at the hotel and we’ll talk about it.”
Veronica paused, tugging her hand from his, immediately missing the warmth and comfort of having her hand held in his.
“I can’t.”
Sin’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Can’t what
?”
“Tomorrow’s Sunday. I take my grandmother out.”
Taking her keys from her hand, he unlocked the door, but instead of opening it, he leaned back against it, his gaze raking over her body, leaving a trail of heat in its wake.
“What time will you get home?”
Wrapping her arms around herself to hide the fact that her nipples beaded again, Veronica glanced at the limousine that pulled up behind her car.
“We have an early dinner and I’m usually home by five thirty. Six at the latest.”
“I’ll pick you up at six thirty. We’ll talk at the hotel.”
Something in his tone had her whipping her head back around.
“Can’t we talk now?”
“No. I’m still too mad at you to talk.”
Veronica blinked, wondering if she’d heard him right. “What? Did you say that you’re mad at me?”
Sin’s lips thinned. “Yes, but I’m afraid mad is an understatement. I think furious might be a better word. I stayed awake most of the night thinking about you leaving the hotel in tears, and I had no idea how to find you. I’ve had people looking all day, and the only other thing I could do was leave you a trail of breadcrumbs and hope that you’d follow.”
“I don’t cry. I was mad.”
She thought she’d been so savvy in finding him, but it turned out she hadn’t been so smart at all in wheedling the information from the desk clerk.
Raising a brow, Sin nodded once, his eyes knowing. “My mistake.”
He opened her car door for her and stepped aside. “We’ll follow you home. I’ll see you tomorrow night at the hotel.” He pulled out his wallet and handed her a card. “My cell phone number is on there. Call me if there’s a problem.”
With a nod, Veronica glanced at the limo. “You don’t need to follow me.”
“And let you drive home at night by yourself? No. Get in the car, Veronica.”
The hand at her back burned through her clothing, the underlying thread of steel in his tone sending a thrill of feminine intrigue through her.
Her skin tingled and warmed, despite the chill in the air. “Okay.”
She started to get into her car, gasping when Sin wrapped a hand around her upper and yanked her back against him.
