Page 45 of Royal Pain

“Are we getting closer?”

“I would like to hope so,” he answered in his gruff voice. Now his eyes were shimmering like pools of lust.

“Then yes. You won’t allow anything or anyone to hurt me, including you.”

“Well, I am going to tap that bottom of yours a few times since you can be a bad girl.” His laugh was genuine and it gave me an entirely new round of shivers. He had a powerful hold over me and it wasn’t like Joseph’s in the least. It wasn’t forced or by the use of coercion or threat. It was simply allowing me to form an opinion, become comfortable, and make my own decision.

Why was it that it seemed this man was trying very hard to make me fall for him?

The truth was that he didn’t need to in the least. His eyes alone had captured a portion of my soul.

I had to wonder if and when he might capture at least a portion of my heart. “I can handle it. You’re right. I am a very bad girl.”

CHAPTER 13

Gage

I’d never considered myself a teacher by any means. I’d certainly never spent so much time with a woman trying to help her become more comfortable with the notion of either being tied or flogged, but as far as dates went, it was one of the most enjoyable periods of time I’d had in a long time.

I was leading her toward one of the private rooms, one of the few I’d used very early on. Sure, I’d taken some classes over the years, including with Master Zane, but that had been for appearances more than anything. Same with Valerio and Braxton. It was better for our guests to think we were highly trained than barely having any interest.

One of the other girls, a switch had alerted me to the benefits of a sex swing. I hadn’t fully understood until she’d demonstrated with a partner with me watching like a voyeur.

I smiled to myself as I used my keycard to open the door. Evangeline wasn’t ready for anything like that. Then again, I hadno desire to share her, not even a glimpse. Now that made me highly possessive.

Evangeline had the best reactions to everything, but this time she laughed. “Okay, that has nothing to do with Shibari. Does it?”

“Good instincts. Not a thing. I guess you could do something like that, but that’s not what it’s intended for.” I closed the door behind me, ensuring it was locked.

She walked around the contraption hanging from the ceiling, finally daring to reach out and touch the leather seat. When she pulled her hand away, it was like her fingers were seared. I didn’t mind if they were, but I wanted it to be for an entirely different reason. The touch of our naked bodies.

“What do you think it is?” I removed my jacket, placing it across one of the three huge leather chairs in the room. This spot wasn’t meant for pain as much as it was for pleasure. The swing had been slightly altered from some time in use. It had the ability to shackle both the wrists and ankles of the seductive subject.

It would all depend on her reaction. I had a feeling Joseph had tied her up before and not for a good reason. I’d even made a call, trying to find out where the bastard was. From what I’d learned, he had enough ‘boys’ and money at his disposal to keep himself in the shadows.

He was also more dangerous than I’d fully anticipated. His father owned a dozen companies, five of which Joseph was responsible for running. During his term serving as CEO, he’d destroyed relationships with his employees as well as crushed other fledgling businesses. I was a ruthless businessman andcould recognize all the tactics used, including those that were less than scrupulous.

The man had used extortion and blackmail to get what he wanted, since he and his family owned half the police department. It was funny that the area where Evangeline had lived was inhabited by what I’d call the fabulous six. They were more like cult leaders in my opinion, not mafia exactly but just as powerful. Hell, there seemed to be zero mafia connections in Connecticut and beyond until you got to New Jersey and New York.

They appeared to have the approval on who could purchase a house in the community, who could work in one of their companies or marry one of their children. I could be stretching the limited information I’d discovered, but I was astute and had dealt with people like them my entire life.

They truly thought they were rulers of the world.

If I was right to any degree, any offspring would be an extremely valuable commodity. Perhaps her father had made a promise regarding heirs, even allowing the arranged marriage. Without knowing how they got together I would never know for certain, although if I had to guess, I’d say Joseph could turn up the charm when he wanted. Plus, if I discovered her father had a part in her life in any way, and not in a loving manner, it would crush her.

The other question I couldn’t wrap my brain around was why both she and Joseph hadn’t lived in the community. My guess was a house had been made available to him. Maybe part of the deal, the father knowing his daughter wanted to get out? I needed to stop forming conspiracy theories. Not until I knewmore. And that would be tough, although Valerio was like a dog to a bone.

Which had led me to another conclusion. The man owed the cult something. Living in the house? What? That was the ‘if’ that continued to trouble me.

She even tested the seat since the contraption was hanging from thick silver chains in the ceiling. “Where did you get this, Adam and Eve sex shop?”

I had to laugh, happy she was being playful. “We have all our apparatuses specially made. They are significant finds at locations we’ve done business with. Often out of Denmark as they do fine craftsman work. This piece has the leather reinforced, the chains as well, and the bolts holding it to the ceiling aren’t going anywhere. Plus, there are added comfort points so the lovely submissive can thoroughly enjoy being fucked without worry.”

“A fucking chair?”

“Absolutely.”

“Believe it or not, I’ve heard of one. Don’t look so shocked,” she mused, lifting her gaze toward me. Now it was entirely too seductive. “The girls and I enjoy some wicked time together. We talk. We read romance. What now?”

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