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It was thrilling.
Keisha loops the ends of the rope, tying a knot so the paddle is secure around my waist. “Cannon doesn’t play with the staff. Or clients, for that matter. Otherwise I’d be at the front of a long line of women begging to make it to his list.”
“Play?” I ask. “What does that mean?”
She laughs. “You’re joking, right?”
I don’t answer.
She stops in her tracks, her head slowly turning toward me. Her brow furrows. “Haven’t you been here before?”
“No. I… ah… I don’t really know anything about this place.” Or sex, or kink, or… even kissing, really. My first physical experience with a man was up against that leather wall just now.
She studies my face. “I should have known you hadn’t been here by the way you tiptoe around, like a spooked kitten. No offense.”
“None taken,” I say, feeling shaky at the sight of the paddle around my waist.
“It’s just I’ve never actually seen Cannon mess around with someone at the club like he did with you tonight. It’s super out of character—” She cuts herself off with a shake of her curls. She pulls me down onto a black leather bench, sitting beside me and pats my thigh. “Never you mind, ladybug. I’ve got your back. I’ll give you a quick rundown, tell you as much as I can in the next two minutes before we’re expected at dinner. But you’ll have to keep the questions to a minimum. We don’t have much time. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Okay, so here’s the basics. Sex.” Her eyes brighten at the word. “Everyone loves it, right? Some people are ashamed of it—well, others love the shame of it but that’s a convo for another day—anyway, some hide it away, only do it behind closed doors with the lights off. Others fully embrace their sexuality, find out what turns them on, explore the world of physical pleasure. That’s where this place comes in. We give them a safe, exciting place with knowledgeable staff to carry out those desires.”
I know she said no time for questions but mine comes out in a burning whisper. “What kind of desires?”
“Some people just like to come and look, have a drink, and relax at the end of a long day, you know? We have a lot of beautiful dancers and they’re a joy to watch. The human body, it’s just a miracle, isn’t it?” Her voice lowers. “Others want an experience. Some like pain with their pleasure. They liked to be spanked or whipped. Other like the control of inflicting the pain. Then there’s the kinkier stuff.” She takes one look at the blush on my cheeks and shakes her head. “But I don’t think you’re ready for that conversation yet. Let’s just get you to dinner.”
“And this?” I touch the black leather paddle hanging from my waist and snap my hand back like it’s a snake that could bite me. “Where does this fit in?”
“That. Is wonderful, baby. Give it a chance. I got the feeling when Cannon gave me his orders, he—” She looks away.
“He what?”
“Just, um, try to relax and breathe. You’ll be fine.”
Her words only make me feel more on edge, panic flashing through my chest, my muscles tightening.
Why is he not finished with me? What is the dark-eyed man going to do to me?
And why on Earth am I staying to find out?
6
Cannon
She walksinto the banquet hall, nervous as a kitten, her eyes darting right and left as she takes in the room. Chandeliers with real candles hang from the ceiling, their wicks glowing soft orange. Gold-plated sculptures of two flames forming wings hang from nearly invisible wire, giving the impression they float in the air unaided, the candlelight glimmering against the gold.
Keisha lightly touches the girl’s shoulder, and she relaxes.
But she’s notthe girlanymore. Is she? She’s Kylie Barone and she lives at 10 Fiore de Campo, Wildflower, in the village at the bottom of the hill, in a small yellow house she cares for on her own, along with assisting her grandma. As of yesterday, she was a third-generation Barone woman working at the pharmacy on the corner.
No information could be found on her father. Her mother’s name is on the birth certificate, Kathalina Barone, but not much could be found on her, either. Today was Kylie’s first day working for the Accardi family as their housekeeper. She did an excellent job, paid attention to detail, and made large improvements with little to work with. They pay her well.
At approximately four this afternoon, Antonio gave her specific instructions to wear a sexy red dress from his sister’s old closet, come to my club in his car, and deliver a package to the Head of State by the elevators.
She agreed. Working for the Accardis was her first mistake. Agreeing to do their bidding was her second.
She went home, made soup for her grandma, dined beside her, played a game of cards, and they watched the news together. Afterward, she took her grandma into a room, presumably to put her to bed, drew the curtains, then came back out alone.
