Brooke hugged her arms to her chest and looked up at the ceiling where she spotted a series of hooks, tracks and pulleys. She followed the tracks to the other end of the windowless room where an ornate cabinet stood.
Brooke looked from the cabinet to Mia and raised her eyebrows.
“Go ahead, you can open it. I promise, nothing will jump out at you.”
She opened both doors and gasped at the contents. It was lined with rows of paddles, floggers, riding crops, handcuffs and more.
“I don’t know how you do this,” Brooke said. She shook her head and closed the cabinet.
“There are degrees of BDSM. Not everyone uses props. As well, not everyone in this scene is a sadist or masochist. Each relationship is unique. SRE is a place to play and explore without judgment.”
Brooke turned toward Mia. “I’m sorry. I hope you don’t think I was judging you.”
Mia smiled warmly and shook her head. “Not at all. It’s a lot to take in. Hey, do you have plans for dinner?”
“Yes. I’m changing into my pajamas, ordering room service and hiding right here,” Brooke said and laughed.
Mia stood and followed Brooke out of the playroom. “No, you’re not. You’re in the most exciting city in the world and I won’t allow you to hide in your room all night. Have dinner with Asher and me.”
“I couldn’t intrude.” Brooke shook her head.
Mia walked to the door and turned her head as she grabbed the doorknob. “I insist. Meet us in the lobby at seven.”
“Okay, as long as I don’t get flogged for not finishing my dinner.” Brooke giggled and noted the similarities between Mia and Pam. They both refused to take no for an answer.
Mia winked and swept out of the room, quietly closed the door behind her.
Chapter Five
After a long bath, a personal debate over her little black dress versus a pair of slacks and a sweater and a quick trip to the boutique on the corner, Brooke walked tentatively through the lobby in a new pair of platform stilettos and a neckline she didn’t recall plunged quite so low. Her heart raced as she scanned the busy lounge and caught a number of eyes on her. She covered her exposed cleavage with her purse and shifted from foot to foot backing slowly into a dark corner. Her fight or flight instinct kicked in and she was close to hightailing it back to her room where she would call in an emergency New York cheesecake order with extra whipped cream to be delivered to her room.
“Good evening, Dr. Allaire.”
A deep voice with a hint of southern charm rocked through her body. She turned to the source and gulped for air when she spied the tousled light brown hair she suddenly wanted to comb with her fingers.
Clearing her throat, she straightened her back and looked him squarely in the eye. “Good evening, it’s Ty, right?” she asked and looked toward the elevator. “I’m meeting someone for dinner.”
Brooke’s eyes flicked back to Ty’s face and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. He seemed to be studying her every move. Lacing her fingers with his, he lifted her palm to his lips and kissed her hand lightly.
“Asher and Mia met an unexpected delay so I’m your escort for the evening.”
Brooke opened her mouth to speak but closed it again. Her gaze danced over his body, allowing her eyes to linger a little too long on his chest and shoulders.
“Are you…you know?”
“A member here?”
Brooke nodded.
“Yes.”
“Oh geez. You mean Miahired you to take me out tonight? I can’t believe this. No. I’m going back to my room,” Brooke stammered and tried to shake the grip he had on her hand.
“Wait. Wait, Brooke. You have it wrong. Mia didn’t hire me. For one, I’m not ‘for hire’ like some clown at a kid’s party. Asher’s a friend of mine, and he asked me to dinner tonight. It was supposed to be the four of us. Asher and Mia got delayed on a conference call regarding the new Las Vegas SRE location. He asked if I wouldn’t mind taking you to dinner.”
“That’s nice of you but I don’t just go anywhere with strange men. Besides, you’re wasting your time, I’m not likeyou, I’m not likethem,” Brooke said and waved her hand toward the lounge.
Ty casually crossed his arms and Brooke couldn’t help but to stare at the definition of his biceps through the jacket.
“You mean you’re not some regular person who likes to have fun once in a while,” he teased.
“You know what I mean. I’m not into this kinky stuff. This is all a mistake.”
“Look, I’m kidding around. Asher explained your predicament. He said you’re off limits. Really, Ijust want to take you to dinner.”
“Why, wouldn’t you rather stay here and find someone to do whatever it is you do.”
“You know what? For a doctor you are really clueless. What do you think? We’re only here to have sex all day?”
“Well, yeah,” she sputtered.
“Is that what it looks like everyone is doing in there?” Ty asked and shifted his position to the side of Brooke so she could get a better look at the bar.
The lounge was crowded with people. Most of them were in business suits and dresses. There was a large group around the piano. A few other clusters of people at the bar and some couples and threesomes filled the tables. It looked like a regular bar setting at any lounge. It all looked very…normal. Brooke scanned the room once more, to be sure she wasn’t missing anything.
“Well?” he asked and grinned.
“Okay, this is not what I pictured a sex club would look like, I’ll give you that.” She narrowed her eyes. “How did you know I’m a doctor? I didn’t mention it earlier.”
“Asher referred to you as Dr. Allaire. Why don’t you allow me to take you to dinner and you can tell me all about your life. It’s just dinner. Really.”
His eyes sparkled mischievously as his thumb grazed her wrist.
“Okay, why not? I’m hungry. But there’s one condition,” Brooke said. She pulled her hand from his grasp and held up her index finger.
“And what might that be?”
“We eat at a restaurant in this hotel.”
“Deal. I have reservations at Chops on the Roof. You’re not vegetarian, are you?”
“Are you kidding me? There aren’t any vegetarians in St. Louis,” she said with a smile and wrapped her hand around the hook of his offered arm.
“St. Louis, huh? I’m there at least once a month on business. Ever been to the Tenderloin Room?” Ty asked as he pushed the “up” button on the wall.
“It’s one of my favorites.”
Chapter Six
Brooke leaned back as the server removed her dish with the last few traces of the most delicious filet that had ever passed her lips. She picked up her wine glass and narrowed her eyes at Ty.
“You sure know how to wine and dine a girl. If this is how you spoil your dates, why were you available tonight?” Brooke asked and swallowed the last sip of her Merlot.
Ty placed his elbows on the table-clothed surface and folded his arms. “Is that a roundabout way of asking if I’m seeing anyone?”
Brooke leaned into the table, fully aware of the effects the two glasses of wine were having on her confidence level. “Maybe.”
Ty smiled. “Believe it or not, I’m a one woman kind of man. If I were dating, I wouldn’t be enjoying your company tonight. How about you?”
A vision of the last time she saw Drake’s face entered her mind. A mixture of shock and distress skewed his face when she told him she was dead serious that it was over.
“Hey, hey. I’m sorry. This was supposed to be a fun weekend for you. I said the wrong thing, didn’t I? Oh, man. Mia’s gonna kill me.” Ty reached across the table and took her hand into his.
“No, it’s fine. Really. I recently broke up with my longtime boyfriend. We’d been together since freshman year at Washington University. It was a hard but necessary split. I should’ve done it a long time ago but it was just easier to stay
with him.”
“You deserve someone who treats you well, Brooke. You’re a brilliant, fun, drop-dead gorgeous woman with so much to offer. Don’t sell yourself short. When’s the last time you did something for yourself?” he asked and squeezed her hand.
Brooke looked at the table, liking the way his palm felt against hers. “Other than this weekend? Probably never.”
“So, tell me, what are your plans for the weekend?”
“Besides having dinner with a Dom?” Brooke asked. She shook her head and laughed. “I never thought I would utter those words before now. I have spa treatments scheduled at the hotel tomorrow then maybe a little shopping if I can stand the holiday madness for a couple of hours.”
“Other than the ‘having dinner with a Dom’ part, aren’t spa treatments and Christmas shopping readily available in St. Louis?”
“Yes.” Brooke rolled her eyes.
“Then why not use this once in a lifetime opportunity to do something you can’t do in St. Louis? You don’t have to answer this; I’m just giving you something to think about. You’re spending the weekend at a present day version of Fantasy Island. What’s your fantasy, Brooke? Everyone has one. This place can make it come true in a safe, secure and consensual manner. No guilt. No complications. Just sensory exploration with expert guidance.” His thumb stroked the side of her wrist.
Brooke swallowed hard. “Is that what you do there? Satisfy fantasies?”
“Sometimes.”
She pulled her hand away. “What about the other times? When you’re not making women’s dreams come true. Why do you go to SRE?”
“I had a hand in designing the club and suites. Asher and I’ve known each other since college. We actually developed the concept from our frat house days,” Ty said and smirked.
“You’re kidding me. That must’ve been some fraternity.”
“It was. In a way SRE is a fraternity but some of us continue the crazy lifestyle and some settle down, like Asher.”
“What about you? Is that what you want, too?”
“Yeah, I think so. I’ve never had much luck with vanilla relationships but I don’t think I’ll want to keep this up forever either. There has to be a middle ground. I just haven’t found it yet,” Ty said and grinned. “That’s enough about me. This weekend is supposed to be about you. Let me take you back down to SRE and maybe I can convince you to have a nightcap with me in the lounge.”
Chapter Seven
A sexually charged energy washed over Brooke as soon as the elevator doors opened on the twentieth floor. The dimmed lighting and flickering candles cast shadows around the club. Soft piano music from earlier that evening had been replaced by a low techno beat. It boomed deep inside Brooke’s stomach and contributed to the warming effects of the delectable dinner and fine wine. Ty’s hand nudged at the small of her back when she realized she was still inside the elevator.
“It’s okay. Let go of your fear and come with me,” he said huskily in her ear.
Brooke allowed Ty to lead her into the lobby. She left more and more of her insecurities behind with each step until she stood at the edge of the granite floor. A step forward would land her on the plush carpet of the SRE Lounge withthem. A step to the side would bring her closer to the solitude of her suite.
What’s your fantasy, Brooke? Everyone has one.
The tickle of Ty fingers traveled up her spine from the small of her back to the top of her shoulder blade. He tucked a lock of her straight blonde hair around her ear.
“It’s just a drink, princess.”
Brooke glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He grinned and raised his eyebrows in a silent challenge. Brooke accepted with a nod and a deep breath, which she blew out slowly through her lips.
“Okay.”
Ty escorted her to a table near the window.
“Sit here and I’ll get us a couple of drinks.”
Brooke scanned the lounge. She was relieved Ty found a table on the outskirts of the action. She wasn’t used to crowds. Glancing at the bar, she spied Ty talking to an impeccably dressed man in a black suit. Ty nodded toward Brooke, and the man followed his gaze in her direction. Her stomach fluttered as she looked from Ty to the man with dark mocha skin and a shaved head. His commanding stance and piercing stare left no question as to which side of the D/s equation he fell. Instinctively, Brooke looked away, pretending to be interested in something going on out the window in the street below. She willed herself to glance back and shrunk in her seat when Mr. Man in Black headed straight toward her with what looked to be a lavender colored martini in his hand.
“Dr. Allaire, my friend Tyler tasked me with the important responsibility of ensuring this drink was delivered safely into your hands.” He placed the drink on the table and Brooke glanced at his muscled forearm as it peeked out of his jacket sleeve. His hand slowly turned with its palm up as an offering. “I’m Jackson Reid, it’s a pleasure to serve you.”
Brooke’s stare inched from his palm, up strong arms to broad shoulders that seemed to strain at the confines of the heavy fabric of his jacket. She continued her visual journey to surprisingly smooth angled cheeks and light hazel eyes that both commanded attention and seemed to read her thoughts like a book. Her breath hitched when she reached out her hand to his and he grabbed it firmly, rubbing his thumb at the base of hers. The effect stoked an already kindled fire burning brightly in the pit of her belly.
“Thank you, s—”Holy shit, was I just about to call him ‘Sir’? “Thank you, Jackson. Please, join us.”
Removing his jacket, he slid it over the back of the chair next to Brooke. His shirt was perfectly tailored to fit his large, muscular frame. A silver cufflink and the initials JCR adorned his cuff. This man took great effort with his looks.
“What does the ‘C’ stand for?”
“The ‘C’?” he asked and followed the direction of her pointed index finger to his wrist. “Oh, the ‘C’,” Jackson laughed. “I’m almost embarrassed to tell you.”
“It’s for Clarence, because his mother was a huge Clarence Clemons fan,” Ty’s voice boomed from behind her. He slapped Jackson on the back as he walked by and took the third chair at the table.
“You’re so quick to give up my family secrets, Tyler. I’ll have to share a few of yours with Dr. Allaire.”
“Be my guest, my life’s an open book, man. You know that,” Ty said.
“So, I take it you’ve known each other for a long time,” Brooke said and looked at both men sitting at either side of her. Ty and Jackson had an easy camaraderie about them, which could’ve only been achieved as a result of years of friendship.
“Jackson and I go way back. What’s it been, Jax? Ten, eleven years? Asher, too. The three of us went to college together, then we got jobs as stockbroker trainees at the same company. We were all fresh out of school making our way in the city. Those were some crazy days, huh?”
Brooke couldn’t help but giggle. She looked from man to man. “You’re Doms in an exclusive BDSM club catering to the rich and famous andthose were crazy days?”
The men chuckled. “I like this one,” Jackson said to Ty and he reached over to touch her arm. His hand lingered and trailed up to her shoulder where his thumb worked its magic again.
Brooke swallowed hard.Don’t melt, girl. You’re a successful surgeon, you can handle this.
“Ty must’ve told you my predicament,” Brooke said in a matter-of-fact manner.
“You have to excuse my friend here, Brooke. He’s not too skilled in boundaries.” Ty addressed Brooke but stared at Jackson.
Jackson’s hand left her shoulder and she was shocked to admit she wanted it back.
“Ty’s right. I’m sorry, sweetheart. He told me about the misunderstanding. I’m sure your friend will get an earful when you get back to St. Louis.”
Brooke waved one hand in the air and took another sip of her drink with the other. “It’s fine. I needed the break and where else would I get the chance to have drink
s with not one but two sexy Doms?” Brooke covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. “Oh, my, I can’t believe I just said that. What’s this drink called?”
“It’s the Lavender Rose, named after Miss Mia,” Jackson said.
“Now that I’m on my way to inebriation thanks to Mia and her Lavender Rose, may I ask you two a question?”
Ty leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers together behind his head. “Of course.”
Jackson nodded. “Shoot.”
“Okay, do you two ever, you know, share?”
Ty answered with a question. “You mean, play out a scene together with one submissive?”
Brooke finished her drink and placed it on the table. “Yes, that’s what I’m asking.” Her eyes darted from one set of brown eyes to the other then holding Ty’s stare. His gaze added another log to the fire growing in her stomach.
Jackson was the first to break the silence at the table. “That’s our thing, sweetheart. We share.”
She turned toward Jackson and shook her head. “Why?”
“It’s a win-win. The submissive loves the attention and there’s no risk of becoming too heavily involved. Ty and I aren’t looking for anything long-term. Isn’t that right, Brother?”
Ty looked from Jackson to Brooke and lowered his gaze to the drink in his hand. “Yeah, whatever you say, Jax. Anyone up for another drink?”
Jackson rose to his feet. “Not for me. It’s a pleasure to meet you and I hope to see you again this weekend.” Her pussy flooded with heat when he captured her hand and brushed his soft lips across her knuckles.
Releasing her hand, he nodded at Ty before leaving the table.
“That’s Jax for you, always moving,” Ty said watching his friend make his way through the lounge.
Brooke followed Ty’s glance but was distracted by a woman’s laugh from across the room. Squinting through the crowd, Brooke spotted the source of the laughter. A tall redhead giggled while her hand caressed a man’s shoulder to her right. However, the woman’s attention laid with an older man to her left. She stroked his arm as she teased the younger man’s neck with her other hand. Neither of the men’s attention ever left her. They looked at her as though she were the only woman in the bar.
Brooke's Wish Page 2
