Page 85 of The Capo

I had the distinct feeling he would. In the next few minutes, he dragged me off Duval Street, taking me several blocks into what appeared to be a residential area. When he stopped at a gate in front of a well-lit house, I was confused as to what he was doing. But something told me this wasn’t just someone’s home.

“What is this place?” I asked, although I knew he wasn’t planning on telling me.

“You’ll see.” His laugh was almost evil, sending a series of icy chills down my spine. “You’ll need to trust me.”

“Said the spider to the fly.”

His laugh continued as he pulled us onto the porch, immediately ringing the front doorbell. I wasn’t certain what or who I expected to answer but the person in a colorful getup wasn’t it.

“Please, come in. Everything had been prepared as requested, sire.”

Sire? It was a man hiding behind all the garish makeup.

“Thank you very much,” Francois told him.

Before I had a chance to ask anything else, the man had disappeared and I had no idea where he’d gone. The house was gothic in nature, every piece of furniture as if placed here decades before.

He led me to a set of ornate, curved stairs, taking his time walking us both to the second floor.

“What is this place? Who lives here?”

“All I will tell you is that this is an artists’ studio; a friend of mine owns it.”

“Ah. Okay. A single clue. What does that mean?”

He led me to an oversized location that appeared as if two rooms had been made into one. There were blank canvases propped against the wall, cans of paint positioned on a table. I noticed a bucket of ice, a bottle of champagne, and two glasses as well as a bucket holding paintbrushes. There were sponges and towels, and an entire wall full of equipment, including what appeared to be an old-fashioned stereo. There was also an area in the room that held what appeared to be props. Whips. Chains. Small benches. I was thrown into a moment of dark fantasy, my nerves kicking in.

“Okay. You have me thoroughly confused.”

“As I said, you’ll need to let go of every. Single. Inhibition. Can you do that for me? Can you allow the inner wild child out to play?”

I wasn’t entirely certain, but I refused to disappoint him. “Yes, sir.”

“Good girl. Do you see that doorway?” he asked, the coy tone to his voice driving a hefty dose of adrenaline through me.

“Uh-huh.”

“You’ll find a changing room and a shower. Please go remove your clothes. You’ll find a robe for your convenience. When you return, everything will be ready.”

“Ready for what?”

His grin was infectious. “You’ll have to trust me.”

I had no idea what was about to occur, but I was excited, more so than I’d been in a long time. “If this is your idea of a first date then I can’t wait to see our second or third.”

“First date, huh?” He headed toward the bucket holding the champagne, throwing me a dominating look over his shoulder as he pulled the bottle into his hand.

“Yes.” I backed away, teasing him by brushing my hand down my neck to my breast, rolling the tip of my index finger around my cloth-covered nipple.

“Be careful providing me with any lewd ideas.”

“I doubt you need them, bad boy.” I headed into the room, finding the light switch, surprised that it was set up like a commercial shower room, complete with a sauna and two huge showers. There were also four lockers and a bench along with a dressing table and massive granite sink. And there were fluffy terrycloth robes hung on hooks.

What kind of artistry was performed in this location? I could only imagine given it was Key West. Hmmm… As I started to undress, I realized I was tingling all over. While the man I adored hadn’t been specific in what I removed, I had a feeling he wanted me completely naked underneath the soft material.

I grabbed a robe, sliding into it, marveling at the way it felt. Such softness. As soon as I started to tie the belt, I heard pulsing music, the choice similar to what I’d heard at the club in New Orleans. I bit back a moan and moved to the doorway, hesitating before turning out the light.

Gone were the harsh lights from before, replaced with strobes and shimmering pinnacle lights from the ceiling. The effect was fantastical, providing another magical atmosphere. He’d draped huge drop cloths on the floor, one piled on top of the other, covering almost the entire floor surface. And he’d opened and brought paint cans closer onto the floor, brushes and sponges placed strategically next to them.

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