Shiver

“Four years ago.” Before I’d promised myself no more one-night stands.

“Did he go to your place last night for sex?” There was a dark edge in those words that made my hackles rise.

“No.” Again, music filtered into the lounge as the door on the other side of the space swung open. “Seriously, what’s through there?”

His lips twitched. “So curious.” He sipped his wine. “Private rooms, and the dome.”

I tilted my head slightly. “The dome?”

“A large dancefloor.” He drained his glass and then set it on the table. “I’ll give you a tour.” Rising to his feet, he offered me his hand. “Come.”

Putting down my half-empty glass, I placed my hand in his and let him lead me across the lounge. People nodded his way or raised their glasses in greeting. I avoided their eyes, keeping my focus on the door. Blake pulled it open and ushered me into a long, dimly lit hallway. Looking at the row of doors, I said, “I’m guessing these are the private rooms.”

“Many of them are themed.”

I blinked. “Themed?”

Cupping my hips, he drew me close. “Let’s say your fantasy is fucking in a library. Well, there’s a room that will cater to that. Or maybe you want to know what it’s like to fuck in a public restroom. There’s a room that caters to that too.”

Wow. That was kind of … cool. My imagination was seriously impressed. “What other fantasies do you cater to?”

He skimmed the pad of his finger along my lower lip. “If you say yes to my offer, you’ll find out.”

At the far end of the hallway was a set of ornate doors. Through the glass, I could see strobe lights flickering. The music was muted yet still loud. “I take it that’s the dome.”

“It is.”

“I want to see inside.”

His mouth curved. “Thought you might. It works to my advantage that you’re so inquisitive.” Interlacing our fingers, he guided me down the hallway. Some people lingered here and there. They each greeted Blake, but he didn’t break stride or give them anything other than a brief nod in response. Finally reaching the glass doors, he gently steered me inside.

The dome was very much like a grand ballroom. The black marble walls were as glossy as the checkered floor that made me think of a chess board. Red velvet drapes framed the fake French windows, and beautiful tiered chandeliers hung from the ceiling.

The room was full. People sung, danced, and whooped. Others leaned against the fluted columns or stood within the small arched hollows near the long mirrors.

Blake’s mouth grazed my ear. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s seriously fucking impressive.” Noticing that there were two other sets of ornate doors, I asked, “Where do they lead?”

“To more private rooms. I guess you could say the dome is the heart of the basement.” He linked our fingers again and drew me through the crowd to the doors on our far left. As we stepped into yet another hallway, he said, “I booked us one of the standard rooms.”

I arched an imperious brow. “Very sure of yourself, huh.”

“No. Hopeful.” Finally coming to a halt, he unlocked a door with a keycard. Eyes on mine, he let the door swing open, but he didn’t usher me inside. He was leaving the choice up to me, I understood.

No coward, I walked in, stepping onto a lush carpet. It looked like a luxury hotel suite, complete with an en suite bathroom. It even had balcony doors and coffee amenities. Seriously, I could honestly believe I was in a hotel.

“I’ve given you a lot to think about,” said Blake, moving to the center of the room. “I know that. There’s nothing romantic about what I’m offering you—I know that too. But give this a try, Kensey.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. There was definitely nothing romantic about it, but I’d never been big on romance. I didn’t mind that he wasn’t offering me hearts and rainbows. But, well, I hadn’t exactly foreseen myself having such an odd ‘arrangement.’

I doubted it would last long—Blake Mercier struck me as the kind of guy who got bored easily. That didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy it while it lasted, right? But was I daring enough to give it a go?

One thing I knew for sure was that if I walked out of this room right now, I’d always wonder if sex between us would have been as good as all that chemistry promised. If I stayed and agreed to his offer, I’d later walk away with some super fun memories—where was the harm in that?

His hands framed my face. “What’s making you hesitate? I can’t make it go away until you tell me what it is.”

I sighed. “There’s only one thing holding me back, but I’m not so sure it’s something you can fix. I mean, it’s a big problem.”

“Try me.”

“The fact is … I really doubt I can afford the membership fee.”

He smiled, sensing my surrender, and skimmed the tips of his fingers down my arm. “No charge for you.” He took my purse and dumped it on the desk. “There are perks that come with belonging to the owner of the club.”

“Belonging?”

His eyes glittered at the note of challenge in my tone. An intensity gathered behind those eyes, and the air charged and snapped taut. He snaked one hand around my throat. “When we’re here, I own you,” he said calmly but with a silky menace. “From the moment you step through the doors of the Vault, you’re mine. Understand?”

Fighting my defiant streak, I gave a curt, begrudging nod.

“Say you understand.”

“I understand,” I bit out.

“Don’t forget it.” He grabbed my chin and yanked my mouth to his, sinking his tongue inside. The kiss was hard, wet, and rough. I sucked on his tongue, knowing it would make him imagine me sucking his cock.

He twisted my hair into a ponytail and snatched my head back. “I can’t look at your mouth without wanting to fuck it. I will have it. I’ll do a lot of things to you. Fuck you. Tease you. Use you. But never hurt you.” Then he was kissing me again. Harder. Deeper. Practically fucking my mouth with his tongue.

I slid my hand down to snap open his fly, but he pinned my wrists behind my back and shook his head. With a frown, I wriggled, fighting to be free. He didn’t say a word; just watched me, letting me struggle, showing me how much stronger he was … and sending the message that I wasn’t in control.

I finally stopped struggling and snarled, “Let me go, asshole.” He did, but I felt no victory because his mouth curved into a smile that caused the hairs on my nape to rise. He began to circle me like a predator surveying its prey. He made me think of a jungle cat toying with a baby gazelle; letting it free just to humor it and see what it would do, so sure he could catch it again whenever he pleased.

“You know what I think, Kensey?”

“What?”

“I think defiance is in your very bones.” He moved to stand in front of me and lowered the side zipper of my dress. “And I think …” He drew the thin straps over my shoulders and let the dress puddle at my feet. His eyes blazed as he stared at my breasts spilling out of the black, lace bra. “I think I’m going to enjoy breaking you in.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “Breaking me in?”

“Not breaking your spirit. Not training you to blindly obey me.” He rubbed his nose against mine. “Gaining your trust. Making you see that you’re safe with me. Getting rid of that skittishness.” He flicked open the front hook of my bra, brushed the cups aside, and filled his hands with my breasts. I groaned as he squeezed them just hard enough to hurt in a good way. “You have a phenomenal body, Kensey.”