by Taylor Lee
Pulling her sweat-soaked halter over her head, she tossed it on the floor beside her gloves. Next to go were the boy shorts that cupped her ass and made her smile every time she looked in the mirror. She considered those abbreviated shorts one of her best weapons when fighting an unsuspecting male opponent. A couple of carefully choreographed warm up stretches ensured that any wide-eyed warrior got a teasing glimpse of her curvy bottom. The intentionally revealing shorts gave her at least a three move advantage. By the time the leering guy got his tongue back in his mouth, she usually had him on the floor—at least twice. If she was extra fast, she’d driven her knee into his unsuspecting and unlucky groin, leaving him bent over, clutching his jewels, and screaming at her for taking advantage of him. Sapphire would toss her head and smile. Hey, a girl needed to use every weapon she had.
Stripping off her sports bra and lacy thong, she strode naked to the shower, yanking the hair tie out of her hair sending a mass of golden waves tumbling over her shoulders. She couldn’t help glancing in the mirror as she reached for a towel and prepared to enter the sanctity of her elaborate shower. Her slim legs, curvy hips and full breasts triggered the unwelcome memory of the night before. She hadn’t run fifteen miles and spent two and a half hours in the gym for no reason. She’d learned over the years that grueling physical exercise was the one way that she could regain and maintain her equilibrium. And if she’d ever needed a stress reducer, and a way to dispel the torrid memories from last night, it was now. She groaned with frustration at the shivers that swept across her bare skin. It wasn’t fair that just a glimpse of her naked body filled her exhausted brain with panoply of unsettling images. Sapphire shook her head and ducked into the shower and turned the foot wide shower head to full blast hoping to literally wash the erotic memories out of her hair.
She’d spent the day riding a roller coaster of emotions. She tried to focus on her anger at Jase’s overbearing arrogance, to hang on to her anger. It wasn’t hard to do when she remembered Jase threatening to take her off the mission. But just when she’d worked herself up to outrage, she would remember the touch of his lips as he kissed her, softly, almost gently at first and then with a passion that demanded she respond. That was just it. How could she not respond, give in to him, when his roving hands found every erogenous zone on her body, including several she didn’t know she had? The memory of his expert fingers kneading her ass, then slipping inside her swollen folds elicited a flood of moisture that nearly brought her to her knees.
Pressing her forehead against the shower wall she tried to keep the images from further stimulating her overwrought body but it didn’t work. Unbidden she reached for her breasts, cupping the lush overflowing mounds in her hands. Shocked at the way her nipples tightened and swelled, she gave into her need to stroke them. She began tugging on the distended tips, mimicking the way Jase had played with them. Unfortunately, rather than fulfilling her desire, her tentative tugs only made her long for his expert tongue and teeth. She moaned in frustration, remembering how Jase suckled her taut nipples until she was begging for release.
Like the master manipulator that Jase was, he’d ignored her heated pleas and continued to torment her with his hands, his mouth and his outrageous words, holding her on the edge of an erotic precipice for what seemed like hours. When he finally allowed her to ride the crest to the top, the orgasm that swept over her was a wildfire of sensation burning through every last bit of resistance to him she’d had. Even now, the memory made her knees buckle. She leaned helplessly against the shower wall, not sure she could stand without support.
Discouraged that not even the blazing heat of the shower dampened her erotic memories Sapphire grabbed for a towel and fled to her dressing room. Scrubbing at her overheated body, she did her best to rub the troubling thoughts from her consciousness. She heard the ping from her cell phone signaling that she’d received a text. Grabbing her cell phone, she told herself she shouldn’t look at it in case the message was from him. She realized, with a frustrated pang, that she’d actually be more upset if it wasn’t. Punching up her messages, she saw the words and closed her eyes at the unbidden rush of sensation that charged her senses. She sank to the floor and rested against the cool wall. Good God, if just the sight of a message from him was enough to bring her to her knees, she was lost before she’d begun.
The message was all business. Not so much as a ‘hello’ or ‘good afternoon’ distracted from the clearly professional tone. It took her a minute to absorb the fact that in less than three hours Jase would pick her up and they would head for the Caligula Club. The rest of the message described what she was to wear—and not wear. The costume he specified was the gold sequined halter dress he’d bought for her at the Finery. Sapphire groaned, remembering how the scanty fabric had barely covered her ass. Apparently wanting to ensure that every inch of her long legs would be on display, he ordered her to add the matching five-inch, high-heeled, gold slippers and that she should wear her hair long and loose about her shoulders. Jase’s attention to detail went so far as to indicate the shade of eye shadow she was to wear. He finished by telling her not to worry about jewelry, that he would bring the required baubles. All of that would have been acceptable, if overbearing, if it were not for his order of what she was not to wear. Sapphire gasped and then flushed with anger at his concluding order: Underwear of any kind is forbidden.
When she finished dressing Sapphire stood in front of the mirror studying her reflection. Once again she admitted that Jase clearly understood fashion and had an unerring sense of what a particular outfit could do for a woman’s body. Or, she thought with an annoyed huff, he was an expert at women’s bodies—likely having dressed and undressed countless hundreds of them. Staring at her long legs and bodacious breasts unhampered by a bra, Sapphire made a decision. Yes, Jase did have the right to suggest a costume for the evening. After all, he knew Roberto Ventrilo and the kind of clothing that would pique his interest. But, dammit, she also knew men and what they liked women to wear. For God’s sake, she’d been front and center in at least a hundred missions in which her assignment was to “seduce” the target. And, dammit to hell, she’d been successful every time.
Chafing at his order that she was not to wear underwear, Sapphire tossed her head and began rummaging in her lingerie drawer. She knew what sexy lingerie did to men. It was why she had several thousand dollars of gorgeous lace, silk and satin frivolities guaranteed to arouse a man. Jase was just going to have to defer to her on this. Besides, she intended to keep her dress on, and in the horrible event that she was forced to take it off she did not intend to be naked. Besides, not wearing anything under the skin-tight dress made her feel more vulnerable, less in control. She snorted, thinking that no doubt that was precisely what her arrogant commander intended.
As she waited for him to arrive, Sapphire decided she needed a glass of wine, or, better yet, a heady dose of her precious Glenmorangie if she was to hold her own against the domineering Commander Malone. Just the thought of his flashing eyes filled with lust confirmed that the Scotch was her best bet. Throughout the day she’d done her best to forget Jase’s strange confession. No matter how many times she replayed his remarkable claim, she still didn’t know why he had said it. Or why he looked so frighteningly serious when he did. The idea that the stud of all studs was falling in love with her was patently absurd.
Sapphire knew it at the time and dismissed his ridiculous claim as one more transparent ploy to get in her pants. She admitted that the problem with that theory was that he’d already been in more than her pants. He’d insinuated himself into her very psyche. But at the same time that he was telling her he was falling in love with her he seemed to be telling her that he needed to leave before they went any further. Damn, it was so confusing. As if she wasn’t already at a serious disadvantage with the overwhelming man.
She forced herself to focus on the horrifying news that Noah and Grayson had brought. Sapphire knew all about white slave auctions; they were
yet another hideous component of the global human trafficking horror. She knew that some of the wealthiest men in the world participated in the debauchery, buying and selling young women as if they were prized horses or paintings. She’d also heard what happened to the women who were sold. Not that anyone had to tell her. She’d been part of too many missions in which she and the rest of the good guys had arrived too late. It was bad enough seeing how the women had been abused before they were left for dead. It was worse trying to deal with the ones who survived.
Knowing that her mission was to ensure that the women Roberto Ventrilo intended to auction off were somehow saved, it was a chilling thought that in order to do so, she needed to become a key part of the auction. At least that is what she, Jase, Noah and Grayson had agreed last night would be her role. First, she needed to find the women Roberto had sequestered, apparently preparing them for sale. Once she confirmed the details she needed to get that information to Jase and the team. And then she needed to allow herself to be part of the merchandise for sale. No, make that ensure that she was part of the human commodities that wealthy, soulless men intended to purchase at a modern day slave auction. Finally she had to pray that her team, under the leadership of the commander who had turned her life upside down, would somehow be able to crash the auction. Their goal? To do what countless numbers of other high level teams of hardened warriors had been unable to do. Take down the hideous Roberto Ventrilo while surrounded by the best security teams that money could buy—unscrupulous combatants who would give their lives rather than allow their wealthy patrons to fail.
A firm knock on her front door was quickly followed by the sound of a key in the lock. The door swung open to reveal the man who she hadn’t known she could ever face after what had happened the previous night. It took mere seconds for Sapphire to conclude that, if anything, this evening was going to be worse than she’d expected. It was bad enough that Jase might just be the most devastatingly handsome man she’d ever seen. His avant-garde tuxedo molded his strong muscular body as though it had been tailored for him and him alone. Sapphire thought, with a helpless shrug, that it no doubt had been. The crisp white pleated shirt, rakishly open at the neck, contrasted sharply with his tousled black hair and beard shadow. Sapphire decided, as she had before, that all Jase needed to underscore his wicked appearance was an eye patch. A pair of rugged Tom Ford leather boots confirmed that no fashion police could tell Jase Malone what to wear. The experts could only stand back and marvel at his audacity and the way he’d pulled off the impossible. He’d put together an outfit that every self-respecting designer would be trying to mimic come morning.
“Good evening, Sapphire. May I come in?”
Sapphire managed a sarcastic nod.
“It would appear that you already are.” Staring accusingly at the key in his hand, she added, “As if I could stop you.”
Jase’s eyes sparkled with humor.
“Good girl. I like women who are fast learners.”
Chapter 24
Sapphire bit down on her bottom lip. She was determined not to let him throw her. Which wasn’t easy to do given the way Jase was studying her, as if she were an objet d’art he was considering purchasing. Lifting her chin, she tried not to gasp when he made a circular gesture with his hand, indicating that she should turn around. She hesitated for a split second but something in his narrowed gaze made her question whether she wanted to disobey his silent order. Telling herself this was a small concession compared to the certain disagreements that were looming between them, she tossed her head and turned in a slow circle.
She watched him over her shoulder as he examined her. He let his gaze travel slowly over her body. His slight smile widened as he focused on her shoes and traversed up her long, toned legs to rest on her hips. After focusing on them for a lingering moment his eyes flashing wickedly, he moved to her breasts. Staring intently at her nipples, he slowly licked his lips. Sapphire startled when she felt the betraying nubs swell and tighten. Instinctively she reached up to cover her breasts to shield them from his audacious perusal. Before she could cover the offending tips that were hard as berries and sticking out through her dress, his sharp “No!” stopped her.
He advanced on her, his eyes gleaming with intent. Stopping in front of her he glared at her hands halting her attempt to cover her breasts in mid-air. His command was sharp.
“Don’t even think about it, Sapphire. Put your hands at your sides and look at me.”
When she frowned and started to look away, he shook his head.
“Uh uh. Look into my eyes, baby. And hear me out.”
Even to Sapphire, who was on the verge of shrieking at him, his firm command didn’t brook disobedience. Tossing her head she glared at him, her simmering anger threatening to flare. Jase emitted an audible breath and said in a more patient tone although the edge in voice was apparent.
“Listen to me, Agent Shaw, and hear me. We are about to enter a BDSM dungeon. The practitioners are hard core Doms and their Submissives. I have spent six months convincing Ventrilo and his asshole cronies that I am one of them. When I bring you into the dungeon tonight, I will introduce you as my submissive. Everything you do and say will reflect on me as a Master. One little tip of that saucy chin of yours could threaten the cover I’ve painstakingly built.”
He moved closer to her. He glanced at her body then held her gaze. His stern expression and commanding tone made it impossible for her to look away.
“Do you understand, Sapphire? From now on your body is mine. Mine to look at in any way that I choose. Mine to touch anyway and anywhere that I choose. If I want to share you, it is my prerogative to share you with any man or men I choose. And, God forbid, if I wish to give you to another man, that is also my choice. Even if that man is the most evil, despicable man alive.”
Jase’s jaw visibly clenched, the first indication of how challenging this perverse arrangement was to him. Sapphire knew that he would not do any of those hideous things to her as long as he held the cards. But the fierce gleam in his sea stormed eyes confirmed that he may not have a choice.
“Do you understand me? If you have any questions about where we stand, what your job is, what the team expects from you, then this is the time to say it. Because, sweetheart, once we walk into that Club tonight there is no turning back. The only way any of us can survive this hideous mission is if we all to our jobs and never waver.”
He was silent for a long moment. When he spoke the intensity frightened her.
“I will ask you one more time, Sapphire. Do. You. Understand. Me?”Sapphire slammed her eyes shut unwilling to let him see the fear and anxiety swirling in them. She took several deep breaths then opened her eyes and nodded.
“I understand.”
His response was as curt as hers.
“Good. I’m glad to hear that.”
Now that he appeared to be done humiliating her, Jase reached in his jacket pocket and retrieved a long, slender silver box and a smaller square one. Putting the rectangular box aside he opened the smaller one. Sapphire gasped when she saw the earrings inside. She knew enough about jewelry to know when stones were real. The large diamonds hanging from fragile silver loops were clearly real, and each had to weigh at least several carats.
Jase reached out and lifted her hair from her neck. Twisting the long locks around his hand, he tipped her head back forcing her to look at him.
“I’ve changed my mind. Rather than wearing your hair down, I want you to put it on top of your head. We want to show these gems to their best advantage.”
His eyes narrowed as he opened the larger box. At first Sapphire didn’t recognize the significance of the slender half inch gold band. For a fleeting moment she thought it was a necklace. Only when Jase took it out of the box and held it up to her throat did she realize it was a collar. Without question, it was as expensive a piece of jewelry as she’d ever had. But also, without question, it was a collar.
Jase’s lips quirked up in a quick smile
, no doubt enjoying her gasp. His smile died as quickly as it came. The flash of anger in his stormy eyes confirmed that she was in trouble. His voice was soft, but the dangerous undercurrent sent shivers up Sapphire’ spine.
“I’m eager to see how this collar looks on you, Sapphire. But before I put it on you, will you please do as I told you to do.”
When she frowned not understanding what he was referring to, Jase added sternly, “Take off your underwear, Sapphire.”
He held her gaze for a long moment and then stepped next to her, so close she could feel the vibrating anger coursing through his body. His voice was a low, crooning threat.
“Unless you’d like me to take them off for you.”
~~~
Sapphire stared at him in horror, then tried to pull away. Jase shook his head and tightened his grip on her chin. He huffed out a hard sigh. He knew they had reached a decision point. An Armageddon if there ever was one—at least for this mission. And, Jase acknowledged with a shudder, for his relationship with Sapphire. Even though Sapphire indicated that she understood his impassioned declaration regarding what they were facing at the Club, it all came down to this. Either she could submit, do as he ordered her to do, or the op was off. He had to be able to trust her. To know that when the mission went to shit, as it was guaranteed to do, that Sapphire would follow orders. Jase felt as though a giant anvil was squeezing his chest, making it difficult to breathe. Forcing his lungs open he sucked in barely enough air to speak.
“What’s it gonna be, Sapphire. On or off?”
Her eyes widened, indicating that she understood his purposefully mixed message. The color leeched from her cheeks and he thought for a moment she might faint. Within seconds however, the color returned full force, her face flushing a bright scarlet. She glared at him then twisted out of his grip and stepped back. Jase let her go, knowing that he had to let her make the decision. This was her call. He hadn’t realized how little air he had in his lungs until she spoke, at which point he took his first full breath since he arrived.
