Authors: Delilah Devlin
Mondo straightened away from the wall and jerked his chin, indicating that Gus should follow. “She’s pretty, no?” he said, arching a brow. When Gus scowled, he shrugged. “Ash has a stalker. Someone from the club.”
Gus’s gut tightened. “So did you pull the jerk aside to warn him off?”
“She doesn’t know who it is. Someone’s been leaving her notes and presents.”
“So this is an assignment?”
Mondo gave a curt nod. “Strictly off the record. She doesn’t want anyone knowing she’s having problems.”
Disappointment tasted bitter in his mouth. “So I’m gonna be her pretend boyfriend?”
“No pretending—and not exactly her boyfriend. She’s into the scene. You’ll be safe for her to play with while me and the others have a look around and see whose nose is out of joint when she chooses you.” Mondo headed to the double doors leading out to the parking lot beside the station house.
As Mondo pushed through the door, Gus laid a hand on his shoulder. “How’d she know?”
Mondo’s eyes gleamed with humor. “Know what?”
Gus gave him a deep scowl. “Don’t be a dick.”
Mondo’s grin was a quick flash of white against his tan face. “I told you before,
amigo
, someone like her, like me, can spot it a mile away.”
Gus bristled as Mondo’s low chuckles followed him out the door. “Probably outted me himself,” he muttered.
“Outted you?” a familiar voice said behind him. “Switchin’ teams, Gus ole boy?”
Gus rolled his eyes, but pasted on a neutral expression before he turned toward Craig Eason.
Dressed in the same midnight blue uniform Gus wore, Craig managed to look like an actor playing a role. Gus knew how women looked at Craig, with his tall, lean body and blond good looks. Craig, cocky bastard that he was, knew it too. He held up a doughnut. “Tasty. Pretty too. All the guys were wonderin’.”
“Mondo sent me to Cornucopia.”
“Ash’s shop?”
Gus stifled a curse. Was he the only one who didn’t already know her?
Craig’s eyebrows rose. “I’ve been tryin’ to convince her I’d play switch to her Domme for months.”
“
Shhhh.
” Gus glanced around to make sure no one had heard. “Mondo sent me there for a reason.”
“To get you spanked?”
Gus bared his teeth. “I may not like to wield the whip, but I can still wipe the floor with your ass, bro.”
Craig held up his hands. “Easy, big boy. Not lookin’ for trouble.”
Gus hunched and pretend-punched Craig’s belly. “Could have fooled me.”
His buddy danced away, holding his doughnut aloft. “Just wanted to tell you how pretty your doughnuts are,” he said, grinning.
Gus sighed. “I’m gonna hear about it all day, aren’t I?”
“You know it. Got the dispatcher cued too. She likes the sparklies.”
Gus shook his head as Craig headed to his squad car. Sometimes, having friends like his could be a royal pain in the ass.
Chapter Two
The note was wedged through the grill of her locker. Aislinn’s hand shook as she picked it up. Casting a furtive glance around to make sure she was truly alone, she unfolded the familiar pale blue sheet.
Locker 134. Don’t disappoint me.
Heart pounding at her temples, she glanced beneath her own locker. 134 was without a lock. She tipped up the mechanism to open the door to the cage and found another gift. This time, it was a flogger. The flanges were red, and when she touched them, she knew they were deer hide by their softness. Perfect for warming a bottom without leaving an angry welt.
She was tempted to toss it in the trash just as she had the previous two gifts, but remembered Mondo’s advice. Tonight, she’d carry it and see whether her stalker gave away his delight.
Having just showered away the day’s dirt, she dressed without her usual attention to detail, stepping quickly into a pair of emerald thong panties, pulling up her black leather skirt then tugging on a forest-green, satin corset. Tightening the strings at the front, she allowed a little more breathing room than usual because she was already light-headed due to her shortened breaths. Finally, lacing into black PVC boots that ended just inches from the hem of her short skirt, she felt more herself. Her heartbeat slowed. Her thoughts centered.
Standing in front of a mirror, Aislinn focused on her expression, calming herself as she met her own haunted gaze. When she felt more in control, she tossed back her head to make her auburn hair feather around her shoulders, straightened her back and gave herself a confident smile. Even if she didn’t feel it, no one would know.
Although her stalker hadn’t done more than leave her “love notes” and presents, something about the secretive way the messages were delivered creeped her out. Enough nutjobs tried to insinuate themselves through the doors of the private BDSM club without her having to worry there was one in the club’s midst with his sights trained on her.
Game face on, she exited the ladies’ changing room and entered the hallway leading to the main meeting area of the club. Subdued techno music drifted down from the salon. As always, her footsteps matched the heavy bass beat and her heartbeat thrummed the closer she drew.
La Forge’s main room was decorated like a lush red and gold Victorian salon, complete with fainting couches, S-shaped velvet-upholstered courting loveseats and plush ottomans. The polished concrete floors were covered in thick silk Persian carpets, which might have caught the tips of her heels if she weren’t already accustomed to lifting her feet in the room to prevent an embarrassing fall. Three black wooden stages sat in the corners, recessed lighting gleaming on the heads and shoulders of the men and women already engaged in scenes with watchers gathered in rings around the bases.
Her gaze scanned the platform at the far corner of the room where a Dom spanked a woman with a paddle while she bent, holding her ankles and counting strokes while trying not to topple over on her head. On another stage, a man knelt on a bench, a ball-gag in his mouth, while his Dom fucked his ass.
Aislinn slowed as she passed the last scene with a man standing with his wrists shackled, fishing weights attached to the straps running the length of his engorged cock, pulling it down to point toward the floor while his Master used a cane to raise welts on his back and buttocks. She drew in a deep breath, arousal tugging at her nipples, but continued deeper into the room.
As always, her entrance was noted by all the night’s hopefuls. Lined up at the bar and against the far wall, they perked up as soon as the first glances swung her way, waiting to see whom she would choose this evening.
She was only newly vetted, but had already gained a following eager to play with her. Known for her fun and sexy sessions that slowly ramped up to a blinding intensity, she’d been trained by Mondo, a true Master. Everyone wanted a go with Mondo’s latest protégé.
This night she felt no rumbling in her belly, no tingling of nerves from any self-doubt. Too much was on her mind. Instead, she felt a stirring of anticipation which added a little bounce to her step.
Her gaze swept the hopefuls, paused on Mondo, who stood beside the club’s manager near the bar, his hand against the curve of Jennifer Callum’s slender back.
She lifted the flogger and an eyebrow, indicating she’d received another mysterious present, then slapped it against her thigh.
He bent toward the dark-haired Jennifer, whispered something that had her smiling, but the tightness around her lips as she glanced Aislinn’s way said the manager knew about the troubles.
Damn. Aislinn had wanted to handle this problem herself. Now she regretted ever mentioning a word to Mondo.
Aislinn continued around the room, passing several subs she’d already tried. She lifted her chin and gestured with the flogger in her hand toward the floor. None of the young men paid her implement any mind, hastening instead to their knees and bowing their heads, bare chests rising and falling rapidly, then growing still as she moved on. If her stalker was among them, he hid well his interest in her latest gift.
Further, the one man she sought wasn’t here. Sharp disappointment filled her. Maybe she’d been a little too direct with Officer Taggert that morning. Maybe the latest troubles had blurred her usual acuity. She had an instinct for spotting a man ready for her kind of play. She’d thought for sure he’d arrive early, eager to see her again. When Mondo had checked her setup after she’d first arrived at the club, he’d told her his friend had been rattled but impressed like he’d never seen before. Mondo’s amusement had spilled over onto her, giving her the lift she’d needed to stay the course this night.
The teak double doors that opened from the club’s foyer whooshed open. From the corner of her eye, she spotted her quarry barreling into the room. There was nothing subtle about the large man. His reddened face indicated that either he’d lost the battle with his pride or he’d rushed to get here.
Either way, he was about to be punished for making her wait. Her breathing deepened, steadied. Her chest felt lighter as she secretly followed his progress.
Officer Taggert, dressed in jeans, cowboy boots and a crisp pale shirt, strode straight for Mondo. Mondo’s gaze narrowed, and he tilted his head in her direction. The large man turned, spotted her and gave her body a quick onceover before his glance snapped back up to her face.
Aislinn gave him a look he couldn’t misinterpret. Her chin jutted and her lips thinned. She lifted the flogger and pointed it his way.
The sighs of disappointment were audible. Yes, she knew it was cheesy, this dramatic ceremony where she selected her playmate, but the men—subs and switches—seemed to enjoy the ritual. Conversations resumed, breaking the silence.
Aislinn walked past Mondo and his friend, never looking directly at the police officer, but giving him a subtle nod. Then she strode down the carpeted hallway toward the row of playrooms.
She never looked back, and yet never took for granted that he’d follow. Relief filled her when she heard his heavy tread behind her. She swiped her key card to her room, pushed open the door, and then stood aside to allow him to enter first.
When he walked through, he halted, turning his head as he caught sight of her setup. She’d gone for sparse. Only one piece of equipment.
“Have you forgotten so soon?” she asked softly, striding up beside him.
His brow furrowed, darkening his eyes. “We’re alone. You don’t have to keep the game up.”
“Oh, I don’t play games. I told you already what I expect.”
His body tightened. His huge chest rose and fell more quickly than the short walk down the hall warranted.
Aislinn was careful not to let her smile reach her eyes. “
Naked.
That’s how I want you. And since you’re late, I want you bent over that bench to your right.”
She walked closer, not stopping until her chest met his, glad for the tall heels she wore. She tilted back her head, knowing it was no sign of submission on her part, because she stared without blinking into his hazel eyes.
His glance fell to her mouth then the tops of her breasts, spilling over the ribbed edge of the corset. “Naked I can do, ma’am. But you’re not spankin’ my ass with that toy.”
Not breaking glances, she tossed the flogger away. “I wouldn’t want it to touch you anyway. I’ll start with my hand…since we’re just getting to know each other.” Continuing to stare, she kept her expression neutral.
She knew the moment he blinked in their little game of chicken.
He swallowed hard. The sound of it loud in the stillness of the room.
She bit her lip then gave it a slow lick. Flirting to get what she wanted was just one tool in her arsenal of persuasion. “If you’re very good,” she murmured, “I’ll let you lick my nipples.”
The corners of his mouth twitched. A fine sheen of sweat broke on his forehead. He backed up a step then turned toward the bench. She watched while he stripped, not looking at her. She liked what he revealed—a torso cut like a bodybuilder’s—powerful, athletic.
When his trousers dropped and he moved toward the padded kneeler, she cleared her throat. “I’d like to inspect you before you hide yourself away.”
He turned slowly, red suffusing his face.
“Lower your eyes.”
Again, he gave her a slight glower, but he bent his neck although his gaze continued to watch her.
“Brat,” she muttered under her breath.
Striding toward him, placing one foot in front of the other to exaggerate the sway of her hips, she unlaced the top of her corset, spreading the opening and tucking the upper edge beneath her breasts. His gaze dropped to her tits.
“Guess you need more incentive to obey a simple command.” She touched her nipples with her fingertips and toggled the turgid little tips.
“Mondo told me all about it,” he said, his voice rough as gravel.
“Mondo has a big mouth. I don’t need protection. I can handle the problem myself. That the only reason you’re here?” she asked, continuing to fondle herself.
His mouth opened again to speak, but she tugged a nipple and let it pop back. His breath shuddered out.
His reaction, the redness of his face, the staggered breath and intensity of his gaze, did things to her. His frame was so tall and burly—just his size and the fact he was eager to do her bidding enflamed her. Moisture seeped to wet the crotch of her panties, and she knew without a doubt she was going to take this session further than she usually allowed.