Chapter Ten
Aurelian
MARC HAD not taken much convincing to be on his way.
“No one argues like that if they are not in love with each other.” He had chuckled, as he stood in the entrance hallway to Aurelian’s apartment.
“Behave yourself,” mumbled Aurelian.
Marc slipped his arms into his jacket. “It is not my behaviour that should concern you,mon ami.” Marc’s expression turned serious. “Aurelian, I should tell you I work for certain…interests, within the House. I will need to tell them about these developments. Discreetly, of course. I think they will be useful allies in thisaffaire.”
Aurelian nodded. “I trust your judgement, old friend. Do what you think is best.” He said goodbye to Marc and closed the door.
What a mess. Was there ever any way this would turn out well?
A murder motivated by misguided passion or anger, a crime easily solved, and Kait in my bed.That would have been preferable.But here we are.
Aurelian walked into the open area, where Kait was waiting for him. “Well,cherie, if we want you to be ready for the Rites, we should continue your training,oui?”
She stood up. “Aurelian, I need you to be honest,” she said. “Do you have any intention of allowing me to go undercover in the House?”
Well, there was the question.I do not wish to lie to this woman. But if I tell her how I truly feel, will she leave?That thought was unbearable. He must keep her safe. If she left or tried to do this on her own, that would be like abandoning a doe to a pack of wolves. Somehow, the gap must be bridged.
“Kait, with all my heart, I do not wish you to enter the novice program,” he answered, “but I think at this point, we should not close off any options.”Half true.“Do you wish to continue the training?”
“I do,” Kait said firmly.
“Then, go to your room and change into your robe and meet me in the playroom.”
She nodded and went off.
Aurelian opened the playroom and gave it a quick scan. Marc’s “assistants” had done a superb job, and there were no indications anything out of the ordinary had happened here.Well, no more out of the ordinary than whatusuallyhappens here,he admitted to himself with a chuckle.
He was laying out some binders on the queen-sized bed when Kait walked in, looking fluffy and adorable in his terrycloth robe. She was obviously trying to act nonchalant about the room, its toys, and its props, but her eyes widened as she looked around.
Clearly taking his watching her as a challenge, she untied her belt and let the robe drop to the floor. She stood naked in front of him.
Such a woman.My Kait, she is made for loving.
“Present,” he commanded.
“Yes, Sir.” Kait gracefully dropped to her knees, rested her bottom on her heels, and spread her knees wide. Then she put her hands up and interlaced her fingers behind her head.
Magnifique. “Very good, Miss Pyne,” he said. “For this lesson, I will be teaching you some of the basics of bondage and restraint. You have my permission to ask questions, unless I specifically order you to be silent.”
“Thank you, Sir,” Kait murmured.
“I want you to be familiar with the sensations of being restrained. I cannot teach you everything in a short time, but at least this will not be completely new to you.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Rise and come to the bed.”
Kait did as she was ordered.
Aurelian picked up a wrist binder and showed it to her.
She regarded it curiously.
