Page 26 of Playing By His Rules

“Give me a few minutes,” he said, heading into the living room. “It’s my boss, so I should take his call so there won’t be any other interruptions tonight.”

“Go ahead. I’m going to use the restroom.”

He connected the line, and as she strolled into the bedroom, then the en suite, she could barely make out him talking about a contract, and something about a meeting and lunch tomorrow with board members before she enclosed herself inside and then heard nothing at all. She used the facilities, then washed her hands and sent her sister a quick text letting her know that she was staying the night with Rick again, and she’d explain everything tomorrow.

Andrea replied withhave fun, followed by a devilish emoticon.

Now that she knew what she’d agreed to, and sort of what to expect, Madison planned on doing exactly that. Enjoy her time with Rick and whatever he had in mind. Tonight, she was giving herself to him with her eyes wide open—so to speak.

She left the bathroom, and still hearing his voice and assuming he was still on his call, she set her purse down on a club chair, then found herself strolling toward a closed door against the wall next to Rick’s side of bed, which she’d noticed last night and had assumed was either a separate closet, or another adjoining room of some sort.

Curious, and figuring she was killing time until Rick finished on the phone, she turned the handle. Finding it unlocked, she opened the door to another room that was completely dark since it didn’t appear to have any windows, and when she drew in a breath a warm, light cinnamon scent filled her senses.

Confused, she felt along the wall, and finding the light switch she flipped it on . . . and blinked in shock at what she’d found. Reminiscent of a dungeon type setting, scones on the wall dimly lit up the room, but it was enough for her to see the red painted walls, and the large mattress covered in a black silk sheet. The bed was framed by an ornate rod iron headboard, and against another wall was an armoire.

Fascinated, she strolled further inside, trying to wrap her mind around what she’d stumbled upon as she took in the mirrors that were strategically placed on the walls and ceiling, and other benches and contraptions she assumed were pieces of furniture for various sex positions.

Instead of being appalled or intimidated, she was completely and utterly enthralled and mesmerized. To the point that her nipples puckered into tight points and moisture soaked her panties as she imagined being at Rick’s mercy in this dungeon-like setting.

“Ahh, you found the playroom.”

Startled by Rick’s sudden appearance, and the fact that she hadn’t heard him enter, she spun around to face him. There had been amusement in his voice when he’d spoken a second ago, but that lighter tone completely contradicted the darker heat and desire sparking to life in his green eyes as she stared at her.

“Playroom?” she echoed, surprised that a hotel would have such a thing available to their guests. Then again, Reign offered their elite members escorts, so why not add to the experience with a playroom to enhance an evening with a client?

“Some of the more exclusive suites come with the adjoining rooms, and clearly my bosses, when they booked a room for me, made sure I got one with a playroom just in case I wanted to have some fun.” He smirked at her, making her realize that she was now the source of thatfun. “It’s very similar to a lot of the playrooms at The Players Club.”

“Did you tell your boss about me?” she asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable at the thought. “That you . . . that I’ll be with you for the week while you’re here on business?”

“No.” He strolled toward her, the low lighting from the sconces glinting off his dark hair and accentuating the strong line of his jaw. “They knew I was at The Penthouse last night and spent an exorbitant amount for a night with a woman since they paid for it, but I’d like to keep our arrangement, and what’s between us, private.”

Appreciating him being more discriminating about them, she skimmed the tips of her fingers along the smooth, polished wooden door of the armoire. “What’s in here?” Everything else was out in the open, but she was dying to discover what was hidden inside this cupboard.

“Open it and see for yourself,” he said, stopping beside her, his warm, male scent encompassing her like an addicting drug she wanted to inhale on a regular basis.

She pulled both doors open and knew her eyes had gotten as huge as saucers as they took inventory of all the captivating items she’d revealed. She felt as though she’d just walked into a well-stocked adult shop that offered every kind of sex toy imaginable. There were shelves lined with a mind-boggling assortment of newly packaged vibrators that did different things, along with lotions and lubes and other devices. There was bondage gear, floggers, paddles, gags, cuffs, and so many other things she’d never seen this up close and personal before. A frisson of excitement went through her when she wondered at their purpose—pain, pleasure, or both?

She glanced at Rick, who was still standing by her side and watching her intently, as if gauging her reaction to the multitude of toys. “Is this the kind of stuff you use when you’re at the club?”

“Yes.” He reached out and let his fingers sift through the leather strands of a flogger that had little glass beads tied off on the ends—for added stimulation, she assumed. “Most of these items look more intimidating than they really are.”

She bit her bottom lip. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”

“I think you’re about to find out for yourself,” he retorted, as the atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted to something a little darker and edgier and more potent. “Remember that punishment I’d mentioned down in the lobby, for you sneaking out on me this morning?”

“Yes,” she said, not at all surprised by the breathless quality of her voice.

His own voice lowered to a seductive, controlled level. “I think now would be the perfect time to teach you a lesson.”

Oh, yes, please, she thought, her body already buzzing with anticipation.

Somewhere between the living room and the playroom he’d taken off his jacket and unbuttoned the collar of his shirt, and now he began rolling up his sleeves, looking every inch the man in charge.

“Safe word?” he asked.

Remembering how adamant he’d been last night about her having a way out at any point, she gave him what he wanted. “Red.”

He nodded succinctly to acknowledge her reply, before his gaze flicked down the length of her body, then back up to her face. “Take off your dress, Madison.”

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