by Avery Gale
While it was easy to get lost in her physical beauty, it was the core of her that attracted him the most. She was intriguing and appeared whip smart. He could see the intelligence dancing in her eyes as she watched him. She was trying to calculate the odds of coming out of this unscathed. Hell, it was almost fun to watch. Finally, she took a couple of steadying breaths, and then it looked like someone had let the air out of her. She sagged forward and said, “My kid sister’s tuition is due in a month. My boss knows I need the money so he’s holding this over my head. If I don’t get this story, I’ll be out of a job, my sister will be out of school, and I’ll likely end up out of my luxurious studio apartment. And quite frankly, it’s a real testament to how rotten my financial situation is that I should actually care about that place. Hell, I haven’t had heat or air conditioning for two years. Most of the electrical outlets don’t work, and the hot water heater died a week ago. The shower I took a few minutes ago was the first time I have been able to bathe in warm water in days because it takes forever to heat water on the stove for a bath. Gives you new respect for the pioneers, I tell ya. Have you ever tried to actually heat up enough water to warm a tub full of cold water? Well damn, of course you haven’t. What the hell am I thinking? Well, I’m here to tell you it just is not possible. You can check it if you want to, but I wouldn’t recommend it, your dangley parts would probably retreat so far you’d have to call in a search-and-rescue team.” She looked up just as a single tear breached the edge of her eye and trailed down her cheek and he could tell she was shaken by the feelings of vulnerability her honesty had only served to highlight.
Dangley parts? What the fuck? Had she really just said that? Ian couldn’t remember another time when he had wanted to laugh out loud during an interview with a submissive. When he looked up at Jace, he was surprised to see his friend’s face was purple, literally. The ass was trying to hold his breath to keep from bursting out in hysterical laughter. Ian mentally shook his head. It would serve the prick right if he caused himself brain damage from oxygen deprivation. And speaking about missing out on a few doses of O2—how the hell had she managed say all that without stopping to take a breath?
Then it was as if the spell of openness and exposure had been broken, and Callie seemed to pull herself together and, grasping her hands in her lap, she just looked at him for long seconds before adding, “You can check my story, hell, that file on your desk probably tells you everything but my shoe size anyway. I might not be the best investigative reporter, well, not the sneakiest anyway, but I’m honest, Mr. McGregor. I don’t lie…ever.”
Leaning back in his chair, Ian just waited. He had to give the little pixie credit, she was brave. And he didn’t doubt that she was honest—at least with everyone but herself. But her sense of self-preservation certainly needed work. He doubted she’d use a safe word when she should, and that was something he’d have to correct very quickly. He’d always been a big believer in safe words, and they were absolute law at Club Isola. When he finally leaned toward her, he almost smiled when he saw her muscles tense and her eyes dilate. Well, well, the little sub isn’t as unaffected as she’d have me believe. How interesting—and convenient.
“Let me tell you what I see, Callie. I see a beautiful woman who has taken on more responsibility than she should have to. I see a woman who honors her commitments, often at the expense of what she believes is right. I see a woman of integrity who prides herself on telling the truth to others, but who often lies to herself. I see an amazingly curious soul buried in the body of a very bright woman who struggles with her sexuality because she can’t ever seem to get to the level of pleasure she is sure exists.” He’d watched her eyes get wider with each statement he’d made and heard her gasp at the last one, so he knew he’d nailed it.
“Now, my question is—how brave are you, Carlin? Are you brave enough to seek that which eludes you? Do you want the story badly enough to explore your own desires?” God, he loved watching her eyes dilate even further with desire. She squirmed in her seat, and he knew she was trying to relieve the pressure of her swelling sex. He also knew exactly what she was not wearing under that shirt, so he’d be able to smell her arousal in a minute or two.
Chapter 5
Callie had nearly stroked out when Ian McGregor had started telling her what he “saw” in her. Pickle fudge, what was in that damned report anyway? How did he find out that much? No way in hell he could have just guessed so accurately. Now he’d thrown down a major challenge, and damn if that wasn’t one of her biggest weaknesses. Damn it all to hell, she’d started getting in trouble with dares in kindergarten. Sure, she shouldn’t have cut off that chunk of Julie’s ponytail, but that stupid Joey kid had dared her, so what else could she do? No big surprise when she’d heard he’d wound up in prison. Served the little weasel right after he ratted her out. The bully had seen Callie’s dad leaving the local bar and been all too happy to fill him in on her latest escapade.
She’d missed several days of school because she had been unable to sit down after her dad had used the buckle end of his belt to “teach her a lesson” or at least that was what he’d been screaming all the while he’d been lashing her. As usual, her mom hadn’t been home. And when she’d seen Callie’s battered body the next morning, she’d been more worried about her social standing than she had been about her five-year-old daughter. So, Callie had been forced to at stay home, pretending she’d been sick. She had hated lying, and she had steadfastly refused to ever do it again. Her dad had still beaten her, but he’d been a lot more careful to keep the bruises hidden when he’d realized she wouldn’t lie for him.
Callie froze when she suddenly realized she’d been muttering out loud. Christ, save me from myself! Could I possibly fuck this up any worse? She looked up to see that Ian had moved out of his enormous leather chair and had knelt in front of her. He framed her face with his hands and used his thumbs to wipe away tears she hadn’t even realized had trailed down her cheeks. Just as she took a breath to speak, Ian growled, “Don’t you dare apologize, Carlin. I can’t begin to tell you how sad it makes me that your childhood was so difficult. Know that ‘punishment’ is far different than ‘beating’ and alcohol has adverse effects on people’s ability to make the distinction. But most importantly, I want you to remember, each and every experience—good and bad—makes us into the people we are today. You must be a very strong woman to have survived all of that. But, are you strong enough to challenge yourself? To seek what will fulfill you?” When he stood up, he brushed his hand lightly over her hair before returning to his seat. Looking up at her, he asked, “Are you ready to hear your options, pet?” Oh, I had to poke the Universe by asking if things could get any worse, didn’t I? I am so screwed.
Callie stole a glance at the huge man sitting next to her only to see a look of compassion in his gaze she hadn’t expected. Looking quickly back to Ian, she slowly nodded her head. “Okay, listen carefully. Option One is that we return you to the mainland and turn you over to the port authorities tomorrow morning. Since you had to cross the bay to get here, we’d contact the Coast Guard, and that is a different playing field, pet. You’d likely spend a couple weeks in jail before seeing a public defender thirty seconds before you appeared before a federal judge who might or might not release you until your trial, that is assuming you could come up with a minimum ten-thousand-dollar bond. Of course by then, your small apartment will have been stripped clean by the vultures in your neighborhood and your boss will have fired you and your sister will have been removed from her classes.”
She didn’t doubt any of what he’d just said was true, and the worst part was she had no one but herself to blame for the mess she was in. Sighing, she looked up at him and asked, “And what is Option Two?” Honestly, it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t have a choice…not really. She’d have to do whatever he said because she had painted herself in a proverbial corner. Damn, why didn’t I get a freaking boat with a motor?
Callie wasn’t complete
ly clueless about the types of things that went on at Club Isola, she’d done her homework for this assignment after all. She wasn’t going to even get into how many panty changes that research had entailed. Some of the things she’d seen online had frightened her, but most of it had ignited feelings she hadn’t been able to get out of her mind, because try as she had, the images just wouldn’t leave her head. She also knew The Club’s name was a nod to his mother’s Italian heritage and translated to The Island Club. What she didn’t know is where the damn club was hidden, because she’d studied every aerial map she could find, and it just wasn’t there.
Even with all her BDSM research, she had been totally unprepared for the complete metamorphosis she watched take place in Ian McGregor as soon as the question had crossed her lips. The man had gone from cavalier disinterest to focused predator in the time it took her to blink. She watched as eyes transitioned from casual disregard to lust-filled desire, and the effect was mesmerizing. She had never seen anyone with eyes as dark as his, there didn’t seem to be any color to them at all. His dark skin tone and jet-black hair seemed at odds with what was certainly a very Irish-Scot-sounding last name.
Everything about him seemed to shift, he leaned forward with obvious intent, and his eyes flashed with arousal so obvious she felt herself draw back. “Option Two is that you belong to me for a month.” When she started to protest, he stopped her by simply raising his hand. “You will stay here on the island. You will submit to me and do exactly as I command while you learn about all things BDSM. You will be given a period of free time each day to make notes, but you will not have internet or cell-phone access unless I am present. Club Isola caters to a very distinguished clientele, so you will not be allowed to have your camera, we fiercely protect our members’ privacy. You’ll get your story, Carlin, but I’ll have the opportunity to approve and edit everything before the copy goes to print. You’ll have the exclusive of a lifetime.”
She could only stare at him, dumbfounded. When she finally managed to find her voice, she asked, “What about my sister? She can’t wait that long for tuition money…and…well, why? Why would you want me? You are a great-looking, very wealthy from the looks of things, fellow. I’ll bet women fall at your feet, literally, begging to be your submissive. I’m not anyone special, if you don’t believe me ask my editor or my last boyfriend…although his current boyfriend might get pissy with you. See the last guy who was with me decided I was so frigid he liked guys better…so, why me?” Shit, she hated that she rambled on when she was flustered. She always said the stupidest things—not that they weren’t all true, but still.
He leaned back in his chair and smiled. “It speaks highly of who you are as a person that your first concern is for your sister. I assure you, her tuition will not be a problem for you. I’d be interested to speak with your former boyfriend if he blamed you for your inability to climax by his hand. And if you think you are the reason he’s chosen a male companion, you aren’t nearly as bright as I’d thought you to be. And finally, I will answer your last question when the time is right. Now, do you know what hard and soft limits are, pet?”
“Well, I think so, but wait a minute here. What do you mean about Chrissy’s tuition? I’m responsible for her. I can’t just disappear for a month. She’ll go crazy if I don’t call her every week. She depends on me to help her out, I mean, I know she needs to be more responsible sometimes, but she’ll get there…eventually…I hope. And, well, you didn’t answer the other question. Oh fuck! You aren’t planning to sell me or something are you? Oh damn, I have to get out of here.” Callie felt her heart rate speeding up, and her breathing getting too shallow, but she couldn’t seem to pull herself back from the edge. And damn it to hell she hated those dancing black dots crowing her vision again. And just as she tried to get to her feet everything went black.
* * * *
Ian was amazed that concern for her sister was Callie’s primary challenge to spending a month with him, or at least it had been until she’d talked herself into the crazy notion that he was some white slave trader or some such insane thing. Jesus Christ, she’d gone into a complete panic and dropped like a fucking stone. Thank God she’d been within Jace’s reach. If there was ever a woman who needed guidance and discipline, it was Callista Reece. Oh, indeed, little one, I know your full name and that your shoes are a size six. She’d been wrong about that, too—her shoe size had been in the report Jace had managed in less than fifteen minutes.
As Jace had transferred Callie into his arms, he’d given his friend a short list of calls to make. He would make sure Chrissy Reece’s tuition was never a problem for Callie again. Jace smiled and said, “Did you look at the picture of Chrissy? Your sweet woman makes it seem as if Chrissy is a twenty-year-old struggling newbie to the college scene when that is not exactly the way I’d view it.” When Ian shook his head, Jace flipped the file open and slid it closer to reveal a woman who looked like the polar opposite of Callie. Chrissy Reece had emerald-green eyes framed by long bangs. Her hair was the color of dark mocha and fell in a straight silk sheath to the middle of her back. But the kicker was that Callie’s younger sister wasn’t turning up on any college registry in Florida. Ian would also bet that Callie wasn’t aware that Chrissy was, in fact, making a small fortune as a stripper. And while Callie had been living in poverty to help out her sister, the minx in Florida was enjoying all the perks of a two-bedroom luxury apartment complete with twice weekly maid service, twenty-four hour access to a health club to rival any Ian had ever seen, and a full-time doorman and other security measures. When Ian raised his eyebrow, Jace merely nodded.
“I want you here for the first two weeks, but then I want you to fly to Florida and make sure ‘Cut Crystal’ knows we’ll be holding her accountable for every cent her sister has sent her, including interest. She should also know that as of this moment, the First National Bank of Callie is forever closed to her. We’ll decide later what to do with her, in the meantime, get it all.” He didn’t have to elaborate. Jace Garrett knew he was to find out everything about both women. “Also, have her apartment packed up and everything shipped to the secured storage below the office. Send people you trust, have them send anything she might need here. If Daph goes, make sure she is well protected.”
Daphne Craig had worked for Ian since the beginning, the second day after his college graduation, in fact. Her first year salary had been paid for by the Chairman of the Board of Directors for McGregor Holdings, Inc. and Ian had teased her ever since that she was the mouthiest gift he’d ever received. She was also the most valuable gift he’d ever received or at least had been until earlier this evening. His gut was telling him he’d have to rephrase that claim from now on.
“I’ll make sure Callie is assigned to this story for the foreseeable future and make sure Daph gets her some different clothes—you wouldn’t fucking believe what’s in her bag. I want to paddle her sister’s ass for taking Callie’s money while she’s been yucking it up in the lap of luxury. I had already sent two of our guys to secure her apartment, and the pictures they sent confirm everything she told you about the place, it’s a dump but neat and remarkably clean. Tyler said it was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen.” Jace shook his head before he pulled his phone from his pocket and showed Ian a couple of pictures.
When Callie started to stir in his arms, Ian nodded to the door and said, “I’ve got this, if you’d take care of the things we talked about I’d appreciate it. I have a punishment to administer, and then we’ll need to feed her before putting her to bed. I can hear her stomach growling for Christ’s sake.” When he looked down into her sweet face, her eyes were open and she had the saddest expression it tore at his heart.
“Why the sad face, pet?”
“I am just so embarrassed…I have been working so hard to do everything right, and it just seems like the harder I try, the more disastrous things become. And you know I don’t have any choice, not really. I have to do the second option, and I’m so afr
aid you’ll send me to some horrible place and my sister won’t ever know what happened to me and she’ll get kicked out of her dorm, and I haven’t seen her in so long and I don’t have much in my little apartment, but it’s all I have, you know? And I fell down all those times, and you saw that, I know you did, so now you know why the kids in high school called me Calamity Callie. And if I don’t return that stupid boat on time, I lose my two-hundred-dollar deposit. And just look at my hair…I look like I stuck my finger in a light socket for Caesar’s sake.” By the time she’d taken a breath, Jace had turned and was striding down the hall, laughing out loud. Ian smiled and shook his head, hell, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard Jace’s full-belly laugh.
“Pet, first of all, I am not selling or otherwise getting rid of you. I fully intend to enjoy your company myself. That’s not to say Jace will not be joining us regularly, but you will belong to me, make no mistake about that. Now, we’ll be beginning your training tonight, right now as a matter of fact. Stand up. There you go. Now, look at me and tell me why you are going to be spanked, pet.”
Watching as her surprise changed to arousal was one of the most interesting emotional plays of expression he’d ever seen. “Um, well…oh…hey! Did you say spanked?” Her attempt at outrage was nullified by the full dilation of her beautiful eyes. There was only the barest hint of their violet still visible.
