Page 29 of Chandelier Sin
Eventually, having no choice, I returned to the sixth floor.
In the corridor, I was hit by the stale scent of Cuban cigars. I mouth breathed as though the smoke could stain my soul, pressing my hand against my chest to suppress the ache caused by missing a man I didn’t even know.
“Where were you?”
The familiar voice made my skin crawl.
I pivoted to face Jewel Delaney. She’d entered the hallway at some point—always creeping around, watching everyone and interfering when she saw fit.
She wore that long navy-blue robe to prove she was ready to step inside the lair as their equal.
The daughter of a media mogul, she was used to wielding power outside these walls. None of us knew if her daddy had any idea of her fetishes—they made ours look tame.
“Where did you go, Eve?”
I thought quickly. “I’d left the cellar door open.”
“You were gone a long time.”
“I took stock of the wines. We’re out of his favorite.”
She looked thoughtful. “I’ll talk with our sommelier.”
“I’ve taken care of it.”
She frowned. “Lovely dress.”
Permission had not been granted for me to redress; more alarming still was her showing an interest in this detail.
I’d clearly defied the order to entertain passers-by with my nakedness. “I was cold.”
“I can see that.” She lowered her gaze.
Glancing down, I saw my nipples were pert and beaded and showing through my gown.
Because ofhim.It was my body’s reaction to seeing a man I probably would never cross paths with again.
I shuddered. “What do you need?”
“I’ve selected submissives forthecoming event,” she said. “They’re ready to meet you. As you’ll be hosting, I thought it best.”
“I haven’t met them yet?”
“Not these.” She motioned toward a room. “Come.”
I’d never trusted her but was wise enough not to show it.
I followed her and we stepped inside the lavish changing room reserved exclusively for submissives.
An opulent setting created just for them, it featured blue and yellow velvet-covered furniture within a space of crisp white walls, accentuated with faux fur throws casually draped here and there to provide warmth when the air conditioning chilled the surroundings.
Though, for some reason, no one in here had touched them.
Had they been forbidden to cover themselves?
With a wave of Jewel’s hand, twenty young ladies knelt before us. Like dancers, they leaned forward to prostrate themselves, their hands stretched out in front of them, locks of perfectly styled hair tumbling over serene expressions and eyes focused downward.
Even now I watched in awe at the display of control Jewel had over them—like she’d cast a spell and they’d succumbed to her presence.
