by Zara Chase
“Who were those people back there then, lounging on the couches?”
“They’re subs who have access to the club, but who aren’t currently in relationships.”
She laughed. “Ah, so that’s why they were looking at you so hopefully.”
“Hey, a man’s gotta live, but like I said, I don’t often get involved like that.”
“Why did your regular sub leave? I can’t believe you didn’t…er, come up to expectations.” Darcy bit back a laugh. “Sorry, couldn’t resist that one.”
“When she saw Ward and Tanya get together, she decided that was what she wanted for the two of us.” Ross shrugged. “I didn’t.”
“Oh, I see.” She winced when a whip came down over a woman’s backside particularly harshly. “Is it legal, to do that in public, I mean.”
“They’re consenting adults. Besides, this isn’t public. It’s a very exclusive private club.”
“Private yes, but is it legal? Nevella’s reputation might be tarnished if word got out. It’s such a small place, not so easy to keep things quiet.”
Ross chuckled. “You’d be surprised. Besides, half the clientele are local politicians who spend their public life pontificating about family values. Others are in law enforcement, some are teachers, and…well, I’m sure you get the picture. I think we even have a couple of members of the local clergy in here from time to time.”
“Oh my goodness.” Ross looked down at Darcy’s face, which was burning crimson.
“What is it?”
“That’s…er, Ward and Tanya waving up at us.”
“Oh, so it is.” Ross waved right back to them, resigned to the fact that Ward had noticed Ross’s hands on Darcy’s tits, to say nothing of their half-dressed state. Ward flexed an enquiring brow, then got back down to business. “I did tell you Tanya had turned Ward around. Well, he’s returned the favor. She had issues about her body shape when she first got here.” They watched as Ward threw aside the flogger he’d been using on Tanya’s bare ass, and slid into her from behind, slamming his engorged cock all the way home with one mighty thrust of his hips. “As you can see, she no longer does.”
Darcy moistened her lips. “Quite so. But won’t they mind us watching them?”
“Darlin’, that’s the whole point. We all get off on having an audience.”
“Yes well, Ward seems to be enjoying himself.”
“So is Tanya. You can count on that.”
“What do you enjoy most about being in here?” she asked.
“See that trapeze?” He pointed upward. Darcy followed the direction of his finger, and nodded. “I love fucking up there.”
“Heck, it’s miles above the ground. Is it safe?”
“Honey, that’s the whole point about trusting your Dom. I’ve had a special harness made for my sub so she’s elevated above the swing, spread-eagled, while I fuck her. Trust me enough to let me do that to you, and it will literally make the earth move for you.”
She opened her eyes very wide. “You want me to go in there?”
“The thought crossed my mind,” he replied carefully.
“Naked, where anyone might see me?”
“Ashamed of your body?” Ross grinned down at her. “Let me tell you, babe. You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.”
She fixed him with a wary gaze. “Why did you bring me here, Ross? Are you asking me to be your new sub?”
Chapter Eight
“Come and sit over here. We’ll talk about it in the lounge.”
Ross led her out of the dungeon, back to the guys’ private lounge. Darcy hoped it would be empty. She had noticed Ward’s amused expression when he’d seen her with Ross, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready to face him and any intrusive questions he might have quite yet. Ross seemed to think nothing of walking around this place half-naked, or completely naked, come to that. Given his proclivities, that didn’t come as a big surprise, but she wasn’t quite so liberated in her ways. It was silly to be so self-conscious, she supposed, but Darcy wasn’t a great one for exhibitionism. Having said that, it had been a real turn-on watching the action in the dungeon. Ross had been as aroused as she was and she was surprised he hadn’t taken her back to his room to carry on where they’d left off.
Surprised, and disappointed.
The lounge was empty, the fire burning low. Ross threw a couple of logs on it, sending a shower of sparks shooting up the chimney. He pushed them into place with the poker, then went straight to the bar in the corner.
“Glass of wine?” he asked. “I’m guessing you could do with it.”
“Yes, please.”
Ross opened a new bottle, poured Darcy a glass of chardonnay, and uncapped a beer for himself. He handed Darcy her drink and then joined her on a settee, but didn’t touch her.
“Cheers,” he said.
She clinked her glass against his bottle, and took a healthy sip of her wine, feeling awkward and unsure of herself. If she’d read Ross right, he wanted her to get into a kinky relationship with him—a relationship that called for trust and discretion—and yet she was here to undermine what Leo was trying to do in Medina valley. In short, she was a spy, so how could she possibly commit to Ross? It wouldn’t take long for him to find out who she was. When leaks about Leo’s plans got out he would want to know who had blabbed, and inevitably the finger of suspicion would be pointed at her. She would be better advised to walk away from him now, while she still could.
Except she couldn’t.
She had no choice but to stay and complete her assignment. When she’d first been asked—no, make that forced—into this position, it hadn’t seemed like such a big deal. Business rivals sent in moles to spy upon one another all the time, didn’t they? Unfortunately, she hadn’t factored in the possibility of falling for Ross, which is precisely what had happened in just a few short hours. She never would have had sex with him otherwise. And now that she’d had a small taste of him, she wanted a hell of a lot more. He obviously felt the same way, because that’s what he was offering her. But he would despise her when he learned the truth about her.
Shit, what a mess!
Part of her wanted to throw herself on his mercy, confess the truth and ask him to help her. If it was only her welfare she had to consider then she wouldn’t hesitate. But then, if it was only her own welfare at stake she wouldn’t be here.
“You’re quiet, babe.”
Darcy jolted back to the present, blushing when she found Ross’s gaze fixed squarely on her profile. Thank heavens he couldn’t read her mind.
“Sorry. It’s a lot to take in, that’s all.”
“Well, at least you didn’t run off screaming.” He reached forward and touched her face with surprisingly delicate fingers. He sent her a devastating smile, looking relaxed, in control, and totally gorgeous. “So what are you initial thoughts?”
“Well, I liked what we did upstairs, which surprised me.”
“You enjoyed being spanked, and didn’t expect to?”
“Right, but I’m not sure about going in that dungeon. It’s a lot to ask.”
“I’m not asking—”
“Oh, but I thought—”
“Not yet, at least.” Ross ran a hand through his hair. “You have to understand, this is new ground for me, too. I’ve never done this with a woman who wasn’t already into the life, so I’m nervous, too, because I want you to take to it and don’t want to spook you. What I do know is that I want you as my permanent, exclusive sub.”
She widened her eyes. “You do?”
“Yep, no question. I think you’re another Tanya, and you’ll take to the life like a natural.” This time his smile was hot and needy. “What do you think?”
“Are you saying we can play in the privacy of your room?”
“Absolutely. I won’t ever ask you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. On that you have my word. I’m not involved with another woman, and won’t become so all the time we’re together. I expect similar mo
nogamy from you.”
“You’re not married?”
“Not anymore,” he replied curtly. “Are you?”
“No.” Darcy wanted to ask what had happened, but it seemed clear he didn’t want to speak about his marriage so she let it ride. “I never have been.”
“Good. That makes things less complicated all round.” He raised both arms above his head and indulged in a long, feline stretch, showing off his toned abdomen in the process. “So, what are your thoughts, babe?”
“I never imagined I would say this but you’ve made me curious, to say nothing of…err, excited.” She laughed to cover her embarrassment. “There’s not much point denying it. I figure it must be pretty obvious.”
Ross’s eyes burned with desire. “I was hoping.”
She met that burning gaze and held it, thinking she’d probably lost her mind, but helpless in the face of her growing need for him. “I think I’d like to try,” she said.
Ross’s smile was broad and infectious. It occurred to her then that he’d been nervous, too, unsure of her reaction. That surprised her, and gave her confidence a timely boost. She shut her mind to all thoughts of his reaction when he found out the truth about her. Live for the moment was her current mantra.
“You would?” he asked. “Are you sure?”
“Hmm.”
Ross leaned forward, snatched the glass from her hand, and placed it on a side table. He then pulled her into his lap and a deep, passionate kiss.
“What about Fiona?” she asked when he allowed her up for air.
“What about her?”
“She’ll make trouble for us if she finds out.”
He nuzzled her neck, his voice muffled as he nipped his way down it. “Then we’ll just have to make sure she doesn’t find out.”
“Easier said than done. Women can always tell these things.”
“How many times do I have to tell you, I’m not interested in Fiona?”
“No, but she looks upon you as her personal property. I don’t want to be bad friends with her.” I need her on my side.
“Let me worry about her.”
Ross kissed her again, and this time his hands wandered all over the place, coming to rest on her backside. Her arms wound their way around his neck as she kissed him back, powerless to help herself. Longing flowed between them, as rich and deep-bodied as vintage wine, and just as addictive. Darcy was simply too weak to fight against it. Not that she wanted to. She had never felt like this before—ever—and she would take as much of Ross as she could get before he found her out and his desire for her turned to repulsion. She hadn’t known him for long, but already understood he was fiercely loyal to his friends. He would never countenance her excuses, even though she had the most powerful reason in the world for what she had to do.
The door opened behind them, but Ross carried on kissing her for several more seconds. It was Darcy who broke the kiss, embarrassed to be caught in such a compromising position, even though the residents of this house probably wouldn’t turn a hair. She glanced up, conscious of heat invading her face, and saw Ward and Tanya standing hand in hand, wearing minimal clothing and identical grins. They both had that flushed, just-fucked look about them, but then Darcy reckoned she and Ross probably did, too.
“Not interrupting anything, are we?” Ward asked, winking at Darcy.
Ross flipped him off, but didn’t put Darcy from his knee. “I guess not.”
Ward got drinks for himself and Tanya and took the settee opposite theirs.
“Since you’re here,” Ross said, indulging in another casual stretch, “you can do me a favor and get lost again. Only you, Ward. Darcy and Tanya have things to talk about.”
“Ah, like that, is it?” Ward chuckled. “Okay, buddy, I guess you and I can put some clothes on, go down to the bar, and leave these lovely ladies to themselves.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Ross lifted Darcy from his lap, pausing only to give her a brief kiss before standing up. “Talk to Tanya, babe, before you make a final decision. She’ll set you straight. I’ll see you back in my room in half an hour.”
“Play nice without us, girls,” Ward said, kissing Tanya and following Ross through the door.
The room seemed quiet and…well, empty without the two hunky men filling it. Darcy smiled at Tanya, unsure what to say to her. In the end, it was Tanya who broke the silence.
“Ross wants you to be his sub.” It wasn’t a question, so Darcy merely nodded. “We had a feeling he might as soon as we saw you together in the bar. He’s been pretty unsettled since Monique left, so we were glad to see him coming back to life.”
“Was it that obvious?”
“To us it was, especially to Ward. They’re always at each other, but they’re also pretty tight. All the guys here are. Hurt one and you hurt them all.” Shit! “Ross doesn’t commit easily, so we were surprised to see you in the dungeon earlier.”
“But he was in there with…what was her name, Monique?”
“That’s different. It was a contract, no emotion involved.”
Darcy flexed a brow. “And you think it’s different with me?”
“We know it is.” Tanya smiled. “According to Ward, Ross doesn’t make snap decisions about women.”
“Do you mind if I ask you about Fiona? She seems pretty hostile toward me, and it’s obvious she has her sights set on Ross. I tried to tell him earlier, but he won’t have it.”
Tanya pulled a face. “She does a pretty good job of the admin at the ski school but, if you want my opinion, I think she’s trouble. You’re right to be wary of her. If I were you, if you do decide to hook up with Ross, you’ll play it down in front of her. All the time she thinks Ross doesn’t mix business with pleasure, she’s manageable. But…well—”
“Does she know about the club here?”
“Probably.” Tanya shrugged. “She’s related to the Padron family who own this valley, and half their men are members. That’s one of the reasons why Ross couldn’t get it on with her, even if he wanted to. He can’t live without the club, and if he took a Padron female in there, her male relatives would relieve Ross of his testicles.”
Darcy elevated both brows. “That rather smacks of double standards.”
“What can I say? The Nevella males are very old-fashioned, and very protective of their females.”
“Apparently.”
“Still, let’s not talk about her.” Tanya reached for the wine bottle and topped up both their glasses. “I take it you want to know how I could do what you saw me doing just now, and not care who was watching.”
“Well, yes.”
“Let me ask you a question first. What did you think while you were watching? How did it make you feel?”
“Honest truth, it turned me on, but it also seemed so harsh, so violent.” Darcy frowned. “Didn’t that flogger thing Ward used on you tear your flesh?”
“Hell no, I loved it.” Tanya shifted her position and laughed. “I have a permanently sore butt nowadays, but it’s a small price to pay for the pleasure I get from it. Besides, it’s Ward’s responsibility to ensure he doesn’t do any permanent damage, which makes it pretty liberating for me.”
“But he’s the one in charge, and you have to do as you’re told.” Darcy frowned. “How can that be liberating?”
Tanya laughed. “Not a bit of it. As Doms, the guys have a responsibility for our welfare, and our complete satisfaction. Once you understand that, and learn to trust them, you’ll also realize it’s us subs who wield the ultimate power.”
“Oh.” Darcy shook her head. “Ross did keep going on about trust. Now I start to understand why.”
“At first I was like you probably feel right now, equal parts turned on and horrified. But Ward eased me into it gently, a bit like Ross would with you, I’m sure. Now half the time I see stuff going on with other players in the dungeon and it’s me who suggests to Ward that we try it.”
“Does it ever get too much? Don’t you worry about being
hurt?”
“I did at first, but you learn to deal with pain and pleasure, and make them work for you. Ross understands all that, and he’ll teach you.”
“He’s already started,” Darcy said, shifting her own backside.
“I figured as much. Don’t worry about exhibiting yourself in the dungeon. If I can do it,” she said, looking down at her body and grimacing, “anyone can, certainly you. As you’ve already seen, it takes all shapes and sizes, and no one judges. It’s worked wonders for me. I had real problems with the way I looked, and couldn’t believe Ward wanted to spare me a second glance.” She laughed. “Now I know I’m all he’ll ever need, and I would go after him with a big knife if he looked twice at another woman.”
Tanya came across as confident, happy in her own body, and very clearly in love with Ward. Well, that was easy for her. All she had to worry about was negative self-image. Darcy pushed aside thoughts of her reasons for being in Medina valley, and focused on Ross’s proposition. She was damned if she did, damned if she didn’t. If she rejected him, there would be tension between them and, perversely, Fiona would side with Ross, making it harder for Darcy to befriend her. If she did, it would make it that much harder to withstand Ross’s contempt when the shit hit the fan.
“My advice,” Tanya said into the silence, “for what it’s worth, is to take it a day at a time. You’re here to work, so you don’t have time constraints like I did. I was on holiday, you see.”
“Yes, there is that.”
“From a selfish point of view, I’d love it if you and Ross got together. I sometimes feel a bit outnumbered, being the only woman living here.”
“What’s the collar for?” Darcy asked, pointing to the pretty leather collar circling Tanya’s neck.
“Oh, that’s a basic piece of kit any self-respecting Dom has in his toy box. He puts it on his sub to show she’s spoken for. I’m only supposed to wear it when we play, but I sometimes forget I have it on.”
“I see,” Darcy replied weakly.
Tanya giggled. “Sometimes Ward attaches a leash to it and makes me go into the dungeon on hands and knees, like a dog.”
