Page 7 of High Roller

“Are you going to just stand there, or are we going to do this?”

I shrug out of my suit jacket and lay it on the back of the couch in the living area. “Why don’t we have a drink and talk?” I suggest as I make my way to the bar.

“A drink would be nice. Scotch please.”

I open the minibar and select the most expensive brand, assuming that she wants to spend more of her husband’s money.

“No ice,” she says as I pull down glasses.

I empty the small bottle into the glass before snagging another for myself and repeating the process. I turn on the tap and add a few drops of water to mine.

“Do you really believe the water makes it taste better?” she asks as I hand her the glass.

“I know it does.” I take a sip. “Have you ever tried it?”

She shakes her head. “It’s never made sense. Why would you water down something that already has good flavor?”

I shrug. “You would be surprised.”

She looks at her glass and back at me. With a smirk, I hold my hand out for the crystal tumbler. When she hands it to me, I set mine aside and walk back to the bar and add a few drops to open up the flavor.

“What would you like to talk about?” she asks when I return.

“Is there anything off-limits? Anything you don’t want me to do tonight?” Instead of sitting, I lean against the bar making direct eye contact with her.

“I’ve already told you. Don’t treat me like a damsel in distress.”

I laugh. “I have no intention of treating you that way. You’ve made it clear you’re capable of taking care of yourself. But I have very… intense tastes, and I just want to make sure I don’t overwhelm you.”

She takes a deep breath and looks around the bright room. “I want to keep the lights on,” she says matter-of-factly.

I furrow my brow. Most women who have requests around the lights want them off, or at least dimmed. Lili’s request is refreshing.

“We can do that. I like to be able to see my canvas anyway.”

“Your canvas?” she asks.

“I’ve always viewed sex as art,” I admit, as I finish my drink and set it aside.

“Art. I like it.” She swirls the whiskey in her glass before taking the last sip, emptying the expensive liquid into her throat.

I find myself wanting to watch her swallow something else.

“Tell me about these intense tastes. Do you like tying naughty girls up to punish them or something?”

I loosen my tie and pull it free, tucking the black silk into my front pocket.

“I enjoy testing limits and finding out where I can blur the lines between pleasure and pain. It is intoxicating to prove to a woman that the pain itself can be the pleasure.”

“So… you’re a sadist?”

“That’s one word for it,” I agree.

Her gaze drops. “I’m no stranger to pain, Victor.”

I don’t like the tone she uses, and I get the sinking suspicion that this is a terrible idea.

“Look at me.”

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