Her Surrender (Irresistibly Bound 2)

Vicki’s phone pinged in her jacket pocket. She pulled it out, glanced at the screen, then slipped it back into her pocket without looking at the message.

“Saving it for later, are you?” April asked.

Vicki shot April a blazing look. “Oh, the things I want to do to you,” she said softly. Then without another word, Vicki left the room.

April blew out a breath. She didn’t know what she was thinking, provoking Vicki like that at work. Their pretense of keeping business and pleasure separate had been thrown out the window in Vicki’s office the other day. However, that didn’t mean it was a good idea to ignore the lines they had wordlessly drawn.

A few minutes later, Lexi returned to the room. “Did you and Vicki have a nice chat?” she asked.

“It went about how you’d expect,” April replied.

“I wish you hadn’t kicked me out. I would have loved to watch you take her on.”

April remembered the glare Lexi gave Vicki on her way out. “You really don’t like her, do you? What did she ever do to you?”

“Nothing. I just don’t like her or the way she treats people, that’s all.” Lexi said hurriedly. She sat down at her desk. “I better get to work. I have a bunch of calls to make about the charity ball.”

That was one part of April’s old event coordinator job that she didn’t miss. Every year, the library teamed up with a local literacy charity and a private association made of wealthy old ladies to throw a fundraising ball. And every year, it had gotten more and more extravagant. It was a nightmare to organize. To top it off, the event coordinator had to attend the ball to make sure everything ran smoothly. April was just glad she didn’t have to go this year.

Still, April sympathized with her friend. “Let me know if you need any help,” she said.

Lexi muttered a thanks. “I’ll be glad when it’s over. Then I can go back to organizing author visits and poetry nights.”

April had just as much to do as Lexi. Although Lexi had done most of the work setting up the library’s viral campaign, April had taken it over. And it had blown up to the point where it was becoming unmanageable. The library’s social media accounts were abuzz with activity. The library had its own hashtag, and

people were sending messages of support. It was encouraging to see the community rallying around the library.

Well, most of the community. Apparently, April’s campaign had caused a stir in city hall. According to Lexi, who was on top of all the gossip, the Mayor wasn’t too happy about how April’s campaign made the Mayor and the rest of the city council look. After all, they supported the Oakmont Street development, and had made no effort to help the library. April had about as much sympathy for them as she did for Oasis.

She spent the rest of the day responding to emails and inquiries about the library. Journalists were calling her for quotes, and she had been asked to write an editorial for an online newspaper. A national news station wanted to interview her for a piece on the corporate takeover of historic neighborhoods all over the country. April hadn’t meant for things to blow up this much, but she was glad they had. Maybe it would actually make a difference.

By the time five p.m. rolled around, April was wiped out. She could deal with the rest at home. As she got up to leave, her phone buzzed. She unlocked it and read the message. It was from Vicki.

Tomorrow night. 9 p.m. My apartment.

Chapter Fourteen

April knocked on the door to Vicki’s apartment. She’d barely had time to go home between finishing work and coming here. Today had been as busy as the day before.

April couldn’t help but feel smug. She had finally gotten one up on Vicki. But she may have taken things too far in her office yesterday. That look Vicki had given her before leaving made her wonder if Vicki was finally going to do something about April’s misbehavior. April’s mind raced with possibilities, each more deliciously twisted than the last.

April knocked again. What was taking Vicki so long? It was just past nine p.m., so April wasn’t early. She waited for a few more minutes, then tried the door handle. It was unlocked.

April stepped inside, shutting the door behind her. “Vicki?”

She was met with silence.

April looked around, frowning. A few lights were on, but Vicki was nowhere to be seen. Sebastian sat on his perch on the arm of the couch, nothing more than a silhouette in the dim light.

“Where the hell is she?” April asked. Great, now I’m talking to a cat.

In response, Sebastian gave her a disdainful stare before slinking off into another room.

April made her way to Vicki’s bedroom and poked her head through the door. “Vicki?”

Vicki wasn’t in the bedroom either, but it was clear that this was where April was supposed to be. The room was almost completely dark, but the doors of the large closet were flung open, the built-in lights illuminating Vicki’s collection of BDSM equipment and toys. And in the center of the rug in front of the bed was a single chair.

April walked over to the chair. A strip of dark red fabric hung over the back, and there was a piece of paper folded in half on the seat. April picked it up. It was a handwritten note with three instructions.