Page 5 of Enticing Kane

If her question had shocked her brother, he didn’t let it show. “No. It’s a violet wand. And that spider-like webbing he’s spreading over parts of her body? That’s flash cotton. He’s going to use the wand to set it on fire?”

“Won’t she get burned?” Maggie asked as she leaned forward.

“No. That’s kind of the point. Kane says as long as you make sure the flash cotton isn’t bunched up anywhere, it’s actually pretty safe. The sub gets all the adrenaline rush of something dangerous and painful but everyone I’ve ever talked to has described it as exhilarating and deeply arousing.”

Maggie was fascinated. What looked like violet sparks arced from the head down to the spiderweb material and lit it on fire, making flames of yellow, orange, and red. Maggie watched with a mixture of fear, fascination, and arousal. The woman shivered in response, but not in pain or fright. No. That was the shudder of a majorly turned on woman.

Kane spread the flash cotton in interesting patterns up and down the woman’s body, and Maggie noted that a kind of languid stupor seemed to settle over her. “Is she okay? She looks really out of it.”

Matt chuckled. “She’s in subspace. It wouldn’t take much for Kane to take her to orgasm, but he won’t.”

“Why not?”

“See that collar?” Maggie nodded. “She’s in an exclusive relationship with another Dom. She wanted to experience fire play, which her Dom isn’t cleared to do, so he asked Kane if he would do it. This is right up Kane’s alley. He gets to get off on the control but doesn’t have to get involved enough to have sex with her or provide her with aftercare. Her partner will take her up to one of the private play spaces and take care of her.”

As the demonstration ended, Maggie could see the room erupt in applause. Maggie remained silent as the woman’s partner came up on stage, shook Kane’s hand, and then unbuckled the woman’s bindings, wrapped her in a blanket, scooped her up, and left the stage. Maggie was dumbstruck and couldn’t seem to look away, her thoughts a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She had never been interested in the D/s lifestyle, but watching Kane, she couldn’t help but feel a spark of curiosity—of what it might be like to surrender to that kind of power, to trust someone with that level of control.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” Matt’s voice broke through her thoughts.

Maggie blinked, turning back to him. “Yeah,” she said slowly. “It really is.”

Matt studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Don’t get any ideas, Mags. Kane’s not the kind of guy you want to get involved with.”

Maggie frowned, feeling a flare of irritation. “I wasn’t planning on getting involved with anyone. I’m here to do my job, Matt. That’s all.”

“I’m serious,” Matt insisted. “Kane’s… different. He’s been through a lot, and he’s not exactly looking for a relationship. He doesn’t get involved. Stay away from Kane and be careful in Syria.”

Maggie rolled her eyes. “I can take care of myself, Matt. You don’t need to worry about me. Your friend seems to have left the building, and my plane leaves before the sun comes up tomorrow.”

Matt didn’t look convinced. “Just promise me you’ll be careful out there. Syria is no joke, and neither is Kane.”

Maggie sighed, knowing he wouldn’t drop it until she agreed. “Fine. I’ll be careful. Happy?”

Matt nodded, though his expression remained troubled. “Yeah. I just want you to be safe.”

The flight to Syria was long, but Maggie didn’t mind. She spent most of the time poring over her notes, going over the details of the dig site again and again. The ruins they were excavating were ancient, predating most known civilizations in the region. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and she was determined to make the most of it.

But as the plane descended toward the small, dusty airstrip that served as the nearest airport to the dig site, a knot of anxiety tightened in her stomach. The reality of where she was going, and the dangers that came with it, were becoming all too real.

Stepping off the plane, Maggie was hit by a wave of heat and dust. The air was dry and harsh, nothing like the cooler, humid summers of Kansas. She squinted against the glare of the sun, pulling her hat down lower over her face as she made her way across the tarmac to the waiting Jeep.

The drive to the dig site was bumpy and uncomfortable, the roads little more than dirt tracks winding through the barren landscape. Maggie clung to the side of the Jeep as they bounced over rocks and ruts, her excitement tempered by a growing sense of trepidation.

When they finally arrived, Maggie’s heart skipped a beat. The site was more impressive than she had imagined—an ancient city half-buried in the sand, its crumbling walls and broken pillars a testament to a time long past. She could barely contain her excitement as she climbed out of the Jeep, her eyes wide as she took in the scene before her.

“This is incredible,” she murmured to herself, her fingers itching to start exploring.

“Dr. Dillon? I’m Sara Al-Rashid, your interpreter. Let’s get you settled in your tent. It isn’t much, but you have a private, composting toilet and a double bed. I’ll make sure someone checks it before you return each night.”

“Forgive my asking, but why?”

“Just to make sure nothing that can kill you has taken up residence.”

Maggie smiled. “Don’t add to anyone’s workload. I’ve worked in desert digs before. I can assure you I can take care of myself, but I do appreciate your concern.”

“You are not what I expected. Forgive me. You should do fine, Dr. Dillon.” Sara showed her into her tent. “Welcome aboard.”

“It’s Maggie, and thank you, Sara.”

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