Page 1 of Relentless Pursuit

Chapter 1

Julian Anders sat at the cool, gray granite bar sipping his scotch. He’d taken a seat by the window overlooking the Manhattan skyline. The autumn sun had set hours before, allowing the bright lights of the high buildings to illuminate the dark night. The bar was quiet, but it was only Thursday. Sapphire did most of its business on Friday and Saturday evenings, when its patrons were looking for companionship. The trendy nightspot was known in certain circles as the place to go when a person sought out something particular in a date. It wasn’t your average dating service. Sapphire catered to the more specific palate.

When his cousin, Blake, came up with the idea a few years ago, Julian had been intrigued. Online dating sites were exploding onto the scene, so how could an erotic matchmaking club fail? Blake put together a business proposal and Julian invested. He had been a silent partner, more interested in partaking in the matchmaking services himself than the day-to-day operations. Perhaps he had found his cousin’s idea so appealing because it came at a time when Julian was unsatisfied in his personal life.

As he gazed across the bar, observing a couple getting to know one another, he took comfort knowing he wasn’t the only one who needed something different in the bedroom.

Blake stepped out of the elevator and joined his cousin at the bar.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Blake sat down and placed a file on the bar. “I wanted to make sure I had all the applications.”

“How many are there?” Julian glanced down at the manila folder.

“Eight.” Blake sipped the drink that had been waiting for him since Julian arrived.

“I don’t want to sift through eight. I thought we agreed to four at a time.”

“We did, but you’re quite popular, and we’re getting at least fifteen requests a month for you. We’re going to have to hire someone just to go through the applications that come in for you.”

“I can do my own screening.” He finished his drink. “I don’t want other people involved in matching me.”

“You can’t do it on your own.” Blake pointed at the pile. “You only want four. Who do you think weeds it down to that?”

“You gave me eight.”

“I’m busy.”

“So am I.” Julian held his hand up to signal to the bartender that he wanted a refill. “That’s why I use your services.”

“You use my services because you’re a freak in the bedroom and like to tie women up.”

“Only women who want to be tied up.” A disadvantage of having his cousin manage his dates was that Blake knew every detail of what Julian liked and didn’t.

“Hey, I’m not judging.” Blake laughed. “You’re tame compared to some of the things I’ve seen on those applications.”

Julian opened the file and thumbed through, not really taking the time to read. He’d had a hectic week at work. Since making partner at his law firm a few years ago, he hadn’t had time for much of anything else. His weekend explorations were a welcomed outlet, but now that he’d been participating in the dating service for a couple of years, he was getting restless.

Anything that happened in the club was confidential, but word among the clients traveled and he was in high demand among women who were seeking to be dominated. He’d dabbled in the BDSM lifestyle, but wasn’t interested in becoming anyone’s full-time Dominant. He liked being able to play in a relaxed environment.

Some women he’d met over the years were more than just a weekend affair. He’d met several he’d been compatible with, but no one he wanted to pursue a meaningful relationship with. That wasn’t in the cards for him. He had come to accept that his career came first and everything else was secondary.

“See anything you like?” Blake asked. “I have a few more potential applications upstairs, but I didn’t want to overwhelm you.”

“You drew the line at eight?”

“You haven’t played in weeks and you’re starting to get grumpy. Well, more grumpy than usual. In my professional opinion, you need to get fucked.”

I don’t get fucked. I do the fucking.“Work has been brutal. I haven’t been in the right frame of mind for casual play.” When Julian got caught up in work and pushed himself to the edge, he often became more dominant than usual, and it took a special kind of woman to keep up with him in the bedroom during those periods. “I haven’t come across any candidates that can satisfy the mood I’m in.”

“So, self-depravation is your answer?”

“It’s only been a few weeks.”

“There are two in that pile who might work.” He motioned toward the applications. “One just came out of a full-time situation with her Dom. She might be who you need for a month or so.”

“I’ll consider it.”

Julian looked up as two women entered the bar. One he recognized as a regular, but the other had her back to him. He noted her slender form and flawless, olive complexion in a backless, black top that revealed her smooth skin. She filled out her tight, gray jeans in all the right places. For a moment, visions of his palm striking her perfectly round ass crossed his mind. When she draped her sweater over the barstool, he caught a glimpse of her stunning face.

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