Embarrassment clung to me as I power walked down the hall toward my room. The serenity prayer ripped through my mind over and over again. By the time I reached the end of the corridor, I felt calm and eager to get ready for my date with Reed.
Turning the corner, I ran right into a hard chest. “I am so sorry,” I gasped and patted the chest before looking up to see its owner. Max!
“You’re just the girl I was thinking of.” Max drawled and clutched my wrists. Swiftly, he brought one of my hands up to his mouth and kissed the back it.
After making a total ass of myself at the foam party, part of me hoped I could avoid seeing Max for the rest of my stay. Since running away was out of the question, I rallied my manners. I didn’t know if I should hug him or shake his hand, so I ended up breaking free of his grasp and awkwardly patting him on the shoulder. “Hey Max. How’s it going?”
“It’s going well.” He grinned and looked out the windows toward the cabanas. “I have something I want to talk to you about. Are you in a hurry?”
“I was just going back to my room. To shower.” Under the scrutiny of his baby blues and lopsided grin, the heat began to rise up my neck and set my cheeks on fire. I couldn’t stop myself from rambling. “I’m all sweaty. Just finished a class. Chair dancing.” I shut my mouth abruptly before I shared another trivial detail.
He took a stop closer and slid his hand around my waist. “I wanted to talk to you in private.”
I stepped out of his grasp, not wanting to lead him on. “Okay.” I drew out the word, hoping Max wouldn’t share any embarrassing details from the other night.
“Can we go sit down somewhere? There’s a great view of the ocean from the turret.”
“Sure. Lead the way.” I walked beside Max in silence for a few feet before deciding to face my worries head on. “About the other night. I don’t remember much, but I understand that you helped me. I want to thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I wish I had realized that you were drugged earlier. It makes me sick to think that some bastard could have taken advantage of you.”
“I know. I can’t help but wonder who did it and how many girls have been drugged without even knowing it.”
Max’s voice took on strong and assured tone. “I’ve talked to some of my friends and they’re on the look out for anyone selling E. If we find the source of the drug, maybe we could find out who drugged you.”
“Thanks. It means a lot that you would do something like that for me.” I followed Max up the last step and entered a small circular room lined with giant curved windows, all of which were open to allow in the cool ocean breeze. I gravitated to the window directly in front of us and enjoyed the ebb and flow of the tide.
Max joined me by the window, his cologne washed over me along with the breeze. I looked up at him and couldn’t help but notice how cute he looked in surfer shorts and a white tee. “So what’s up?” I asked.
His grin disappeared and his face took on a sternness that I hadn’t seen before. “I wanted to talk to you about Reed.”
“What about him?” I nervously fiddled with my charm bracelet, caressing the tiny golden Eiffel Tower. I finally found the perfect guy and wasn’t sure if I wanted to hear anything bad about him.
“I didn’t like the way he appeared out of nowhere and took over the other night. I’ve asked around about him. Eva, he’s got a reputation —“
I cut him off. “Max, Reed has been nothing but nice to me. I don’t want to hear any gossip about him. Only tell me something, if you know with utter certainty that it’s true.”
Max took a step back, his face filling with dejection. “Fine. I’ve only heard rumors. I can’t verify if they’re true or not. Just be careful okay? I like you and don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Thank you for looking out for me, but I can take care of myself.” I needed to get ready for my date. Turning abruptly, I made my way to the door. “I really have to be going. I have a busy afternoon planned and need to shower after my class. Maybe I’ll see you around?”
“Yeah.” Max ran a hand through his blonde hair. “I’ll be here all week. Our paths are bound to cross again.”
I turned to go, but Max caught me by the arm and spun me around to face him. “Eva, when Reed screws up, I’ll be here. We had chemistry on the boat. I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to get to know you better.”
In the split second before it happened, I knew that it would, but I did nothing to stop it. The momentum was too much to fight. Max’s lips met mine, soft at first, asking permission. Since I didn’t back away or slap him in the face, it deepened as our tongues explored new landscapes. A gratuitous sigh of pleasure escaped my mouth as I let my body take control. The sound of footsteps coming up the stairs did what I couldn’t – interrupt the kiss.
Max took a step back, apparently not much of an exhibitionist. “I’ll see you around.” He winked at me and fled down the stairs.
I leaned against the wall and let out a long breath. What had I gotten myself into?
Chapter 9
The Eros Restaurant and Bombar was the place to grab lunch at Club Voyeur. Asian themed with a giant Buddha and koi pond, Eros was packed full of beautiful people dining on dim sum and cocktails. While I learned on my first day that the pool area was clothing optional, there was definitely a dress code for meals. Everyone was dressed to the nines in cocktail attire. Wearing a black leather bustier and tight white leather pencil skirt, I fit right in.
Having arrived a few minutes early, I enjoyed a low-calorie watermelon vodka concoction at the bar. I adjusted my top and shifted in my seat every few minutes. I couldn’t wait to see Reed. Still unnerved from Max’s warning and his unexpectedly delicious kiss, I let my nerves escape through my jittering feet on the bottom of the bar.
Part of me felt guilty about letting Max kiss me and then returning the kiss with gusto, but I wasn’t beholden to Reed, even if he had given me four amazing orgasms. We didn’t discuss exclusivity or anything other than a desire to see each other again. So until we had the talk, I was a free lady.
After glancing at my watch at a least ten times, I ordered another drink to calm my nerves. Reed was probably just running late and not standing me up. Still, I could play it cool all I wanted. He had snuck under my defenses and now I couldn’t get him out of my mind.
After kissing Max, I had fit in a Brazilian wax and vajazzling. I hoped Reed could appreciate how much work went into my lady bits today. I had never been vajazzled before and could only imagine Reed’s reaction to the tiny rhinestone heart where my pubic hair used to be. I shifted in my seat trying to attain a modicum of comfort without losing any rhinestones.
The bartender set a gold envelope in front of me and pointed to a man across the bar, “From the gentleman.”
I looked at the man, not bothering to hide my obvious appraisal. He was older, perhaps in his early fifties and had a clean-shaven head and a killer tan. Still keeping my eyes on him, I tore open the envelope and removed a shiny black card from inside. In gold letters, the card invited me to an Eye’s Wide Shut party hosted by Cole Xanthis.
Being only vaguely familiar with the Tom Cruise movie, I could imagine the type of party I was just invited to. I grinned at Cole and contemplated asking if I could bring a guest. Thinking better of initiating contact with yet another man, I returned to my drink.
Ten more minutes passed. With each one, my self-esteem took a jab to the gut. Pernicious thoughts crept into my head, causing my breath to catch in my chest, inflating it until I couldn’t breath.
Maybe it wasn’t as good for him as it was for me.
I took and took and didn’t give anything in return.
He wouldn’t even let me see him naked.
I was an idiot.
Propelling myself out of my chair, I downed the rest of my drink and looked at my watch again. The bartender gave me a sympathetic gaze. I smiled in his direction, trying to cover up my mounting panic attack.
&nbs
p; Throwing enough money on the bar to cover my drink, I turned to leave and bumped into an Armani clad chest.
“You look stunning!” Reed’s husky voice sent shivers through my body and eased my anxiety.
I reached out and touched the lapel of his jacket, partly to steady myself and partly to see if he was real. “You’re late,” I murmured into his chest.
“I’m sorry. I was counseling a couple on the verge of divorce. I can’t really say anything else, due to patient therapist confidentiality. I got here as soon as I could.” He stopped talking and tipped my chin up so that he could claim my eyes with his. His lips followed suit, devouring my mouth with tenderness and passion. “I’ve been thinking of your lips all day.” He rubbed his thumb over my bottom lip. “You look absolutely amazing.”
Reed’s presence had every molecule of my being at full attention. He was in front of me, around me, and behind me all at once. The room faded to black. A single spotlight shown on him. I wanted to stay in his life indefinitely. “I’ve been thinking about you too.” I bit my lower lip and leaned in so that my mouth hovered by his ear. “I have an idea.”
Reed’s breathing quickened. “Let’s hear it.” His smooth voice was as affective as a finger stroking me between my legs.
“Why don’t we skip lunch and go back to my room?” I ran my fingers down his chest to his belt and tugged it toward me.
“As amazing as that sounds, I wanted to talk to you about some things first.”
Some things?
He was backing out.
I couldn’t believe it - after that kiss.
“Okay.” I focused on Reed’s tie. If I looked at his eyes, I might start crying.
“Hey.” Reed gently pulled my chin up with the crook of his finger.
I kept my eyes cast down and bit back tears.
“I want you. Badly. I just want you to know what you’re getting in to before we get more involved. Full disclosure.”
Reed’s words took some of the edge off, but my thoughts were all over the place. I needed to quit jumping to conclusions and listen to the man. “Let’s talk then.” I took his hand and let him take the lead.
We took our seats at a reserved table in a part of the restaurant I hadn’t notice before. Behind the giant Buddha, there were several private dining rooms. Our room had giant stalks of bamboo near the entrance serving as a privacy screen and the table was set into the floor. I made myself comfortable on an orange satin cushion and tried to occupy my brain by browsing the twenty-page menu.
It didn’t work.
What could Reed possibly have to tell me?
What was his deep dark secret?
A waiter interrupted my worries with an expectant look. Holding a pen and little notebook, he was ready to take my order.
Reed nudged me with his leg. “Do you know what you would like or should I order for you?”
“I’m feeling adventurous,” I lied. I really felt like my world was going to be flipped upside down any moment. “You order.”
I watched as Reed ordered without looking at the menu. His self-assuredness was probably the most attractive quality about him. I was used to being the one in control at work and when Marlowe wasn’t fulfilling the role of nurturing Mom to me, I was her de facto parent. I appreciated Reed taking control. I just hoped he wasn’t planning on letting me down by convincing me that he wasn’t right for me. It’s not you baby, it’s all me.
I stared blankly at the bamboo and barely registered when the waiter took his leave. Reed’s soft skin against mine, caressing my hands in his, brought my eyes into focus.
“You look so hot in this skirt.” He rasped into my ear. “It’s taking all of my self control not to fuck you right here on this table.”
“I like that idea.” I panted and squeezed his hand tighter.
He couldn’t dump me after saying that, could he?
“There’s more.” He traced a line along my jaw, tantalizing my skin with the skim of his finger. Grasping my hair at the nape of my neck, he continued his onslaught of my senses by running his tongue along the skin below my ear. “When I’m done with you, you’re going to feel me for days. Every time you move will be a reminder that I was there. That you belong to me.”
I leaned into his caress, wanting more, needing it. But no matter how heavy the spell he cast, my brain refused to turn off. I interrupted him. “Reed, is this what you wanted to talk about? Because when I first saw you, I got the distinct impression that you were going to drop a bomb.”
“About that.” Reed sighed. “I want to bring you to heights of pleasure you’ve never experienced before, but I don’t want to do it in the bedroom. I have a little bit of an unusual sexual proclivity.”
“Wait a second.” I pulled back, to get a clear read on his face. “I thought you were here on a work capacity?”
“Eva.” Reed’s hand reached for mine, but I pulled back. I needed to be clear and objective when he dropped the bomb on the tip of his tongue.
“I’m an exhibitionist.” The words sliced through the air and cut me.
Exhibitionist.
The cabanas.
The bathroom.
I couldn’t help but recoil at hearing that word come out of Reed’s mouth. I stared at the table, trying to make sense of things. My mind ran rampant, jumping to conclusions, but maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt. Up until this moment, I would have never imagined him as a sexual deviant. He was a psychologist. An intelligent man who helped people.
“What exactly do you mean by that?” I said cautiously, meeting his eyes for the first time since he broke the news. His dark eyes narrowed with hurt. He wanted a different reaction, I could tell, but what did he expect?
“Eva, please hear me out.” He took my hands in his, and I didn’t pull away. “Whatever you’re thinking right now, I guarantee it’s at least partly wrong.”
“Okay.” My whisper was barely audible over the pounding of my heart.
“Most people have a kink or fetish. Something they like that isn’t exactly mainstream. For me to get the most enjoyment out of sex, I need to do it in front of other people or in a place where I could get caught. I’m also a bit of a voyeur.”
I winced. “Does that mean that you didn’t enjoy our time together on the beach, because there wasn’t a crowd there?”
“No. I enjoyed every minute with you.” Reed cupped my face, trying to pull me in, but I was lost at sea.
How could I be so wrong about the men in my life?
“But you would enjoy being with me more if other people were watching?” I asked.
“Sometimes. Let me explain and then I’ll answer all of your questions.”
“Wait,” I blurted out. “Do you have sex with other people? You know, orgies and stuff?”
“No, nothing like that.” Reed ran his finger along my jawline, and I softened a bit under his touch despite my best efforts to remain hard. “Have you ever touched your boyfriend’s cock at the movie theater or kissed someone on a crowded street?”
“Yes to both of those,” I answered honestly.
“Okay. So why did you do those things?”
I thought about it for a moment. “I guess I got a thrill out of it,” I admitted. “But, I’ve never actually had sex in front of anyone. Movie theaters are dark, so no one could really see what was going on. And kissing in public is fairly normal.”
“What I like is not much different than what you’ve already done.” Reed licked his lips and continued. “I’m not a swinger. I don’t want to have sex with random women. I want you and only you. But, I want you in a cabana by the pool, in a sex dungeon, in a room with a one-way mirror. I would love to take you in the bathroom right now and fuck you with the door unlocked. I need this type of sex. If you agree to be with me, I’ll introduce you to my lifestyle slowly. It sounds crazy, but I’m sure you’ll love it after you’ve had a taste.”
Could I really do all the things he was asking?
I wanted to be
with Reed, but I didn’t know if I could be that woman. “Do you ever have just regular old sex in private?”
“Yes of course. But, I crave more. Let me show you what I’m talking about this evening. I’ll reserve a room with a one-way mirror for us. We’ll start slow by watching another couple that wants to be watched. If you like it, we’ll go from there.”
“Reed…” I paused, trying to put my objections into words. “I don’t know.” I sighed. “I just don’t know.”
The waiter chose that moment to serve us lunch. My appetite was decimated by the unease of being in a relationship largely defined by exhibitionism, something I had never even thought of trying before.
I looked at Reed, who eyed me expectantly. He wasn’t just offering me sex, he was also offering a relationship. A relationship that I wanted very much an hour ago.
“Say yes.” Reed’s husky voice combined with his fingertip trailing down the bare skin of my back clouded my judgment considerably. “Say you’ll try it with me.” His hot breath on my ear had me on the edge. “Say it.”
“Yes.” I whispered and closed my eyes tightly shut.
I said yes.
I agreed to have sex while watching another couple go at it in an adjoining room.
What the hell was I thinking?
Reed’s face morphed from dark and intense to sheer joy in a nanosecond. “I’ll pick you up at eight o’clock.” He said before I could change my mind.
***
Reed showed up at my room promptly at eight. Dressed in trendy tight fighting grey denim jeans and a black t-shirt, he looked edible, as usual.
I didn’t know what to wear for such an occasion, so I borrowed a black leather strapless dress from Marlowe that hugged every curve of my body. A pair of fire engine red Louboutins completed my sexy ensemble and gave my confidence the boost it needed to enter an unknown world with my dark suitor on my arm.
After fretting about the unknown for the rest of the afternoon, I felt surprisingly calm. Part of me couldn’t wait to finally see what Reed’s kink was all about? Another, much larger part of me, was dying to see what he had in his pants.
Coming Undone (Club Voyeur Book 1) Page 11
