Read The Braille Club (The Braille Club #1) Online
Authors: J. A. Kerr
Siena turned on Nick furiously. “Do you know what, Nick? I’m sick of this and your accusations. I forgot, okay? I was a bit confused having woken up in a hospital, so what’s it going to be? Either you drop this or we are in serious trouble,
again
! I will not spend another moment discussing it, do you understand?”
Nick put his hands up. “Okay, point taken. Look, we’ve got a table to fill for the charity ball, why don’t you invite Mr. Harrison as a thank you and we’ll pick up the bill.”
Siena smiled at Nick, while inside she was screaming.
“Of course I’ll send him an invite, but didn’t you ask him about dinner already?”
“Yes, but I’m sure he’ll make an exception for The Diabetic Fundraiser. Got the impression it’s in his family. I’ve got to run; I’ve got a patient this morning.”
Nick turned and left the study, popping his head round the door two minutes later to tell Siena he wouldn’t be back till five.
When Siena finally heard the door shut, she put her head down on the desk, her nerves shattered. She couldn’t go on like this; she should come clean and take the consequences. Speaking to Benedict had unsettled her again, but more than anything she realised she wanted him, and she wanted him badly. Just hearing his voice sent shivers of desire racing through her body.
Siena jumped as the house bell rang.
“What now?”
She peered through the peephole to see a courier on her porch with a large tube. Puzzled, she signed for it and took it inside. Going to her study she opened it, removing the drawings and a compliment slip. It was signed by James with his direct dial telephone number. Something at the bottom of the tube caught her eye. Tipping it out of the box, she realised it was the card she had given to Benedict in Marbella. She fingered the dots as she read the words on the card,
‘It’s over,’
and felt her heart fracture as she angrily ripped it up.
THE BRAILLE CLUB
Braille Club, London, Present Day: The game begins as the sensory suits tighten around Assignee’s bodies, the first fifteen minutes more relaxed before the tension increases. Little murmurs escape as the temperature in the room rises. Breathing is more laboured as gasps turn into moans. Agitation grows and heart rates increase until the first bell rings. It shatters the silence, momentarily disrupting the rhythm of the room before the chair starts to slide back and disappear from the zone.
Abbey
Abbey was completely caught up in Steve. They’d been inseparable these last few days, and it felt strange when he left for training on Monday. She reluctantly checked her diary, surprised she’d almost forgotten the booking at The Braille Club for her second partnered lesson. She immediately felt guilty; things had been so good between them. But she only had to think a few weeks back, she’d need more than great sex for her marriage to work in the long run. She needed to trust Steve again, something she couldn’t even contemplate at the moment. The old anxieties started to surface again. Cocooned, she’d experienced happiness for the first time in months, but she could now sense the bubble bursting again.
All her wounds started to open as she made herself coffee; she couldn’t go on feeling this way, could she? Looking at her watch, she knew she would have to hurry. As she arrived at the club, she thought she spied Luke’s girlfriend, Lucy, just inside. When she got into the foyer, she was nowhere to be seen, so she was probably mistaken. In her hand, her phone vibrated with the code as she made her way into the elevator. She inserted her card in the slot below the buttons. Anyone could use the lift to the club’s upper floors. Braille Member Cards accessed the floor below while Elysian cards accessed all.
Glancing down the corridor, she saw Grace sitting at a small desk. Her lesson was being held in a zone, and she was curious about it. She wasn’t disappointed, her stomach was in knots as the chair glided through the door. She was alarmed and entranced in equal measure as Grace showed her the ropes.
Abbey had opted for a partnered session, and on a whim had decided she had no preference to it being male or female. When informed the person with her today was extremely skilled, she felt a little thrill. This lifted her mood, although she was still subdued. Grace offered her the new cuffs, but Abbey shook her head, preferring the originals. Grace reached for her arms, and she tensed as she snapped them on, the bells tinkling. The music was slow, soothing, and her shoulders started to relax then tense again as the suit tightened around her body. A gorgeous smell was in the room, of musk, spice, and orange. She heard a series of bells ringing and knew from what Grace had told her that her partner was now in the room. Her face flushed, and she was glad the hood was there to hide her embarrassment. Fingers light as a feather touched the skin on the side of her neck, and she flinched in surprise.
Her head pushed forwards as she experienced a thrill of excitement. She sensed the warmth of a body near her, hands pulling her hair to the side and then lips on the back of her neck. It was shocking and wonderfully erotic, and she felt herself shiver in response. Fingers moved to her shoulders, massaging and stroking in a hypnotic rhythm as the lips explored her neck. She gasped as the chair and her suit connected powerfully, the slow pulses resonating deep inside her as they steadily increased. She experienced a touch on her arms different than the finger pressure as it traced its way down to her wrists and up again. The kisses on her neck had been passionate and had aroused her. But the tracing sensations up and down her body were incredible, and she was finding it harder and harder to keep still. Panting now, she murmured as the pulses in the chair switched positions, and she realised she was close to losing control. This guy was good, her mind conceded. When the nip came on the back of her neck she groaned, and when the lips sucked at her earlobes she shivered. She wanted more; she thought of Steve and smiled. Her head was pulled to the side; a tongue grazed her lips, sending a shock of ripples through her.
The clever tracing seemed to be all over her body, touching, caressing, and she was awash with desire. It felt like it was touching her bare skin, of course she knew that wasn’t possible, but still it felt very real. A fingertip caressed her lips, it was slippery and tasted delicious, the graze on her lips light and teasing. Kissing was personal, and she was uncertain, afraid she’d feel like she had betrayed Steve. She’d compromised by saying she would try it once, and then decide if she wanted to do it again.
The kiss deepened quickly, and the intensity took her body to new heights. On and on, their tongues entwined, the pulses in the chair reaching their peak, making her forget she couldn’t move her body, her hands jerking to be free…to touch. The bells didn’t even register as her release crashed through her. Dazed, she struggled to bring her breathing under control. Her partner stood frozen, equally stunned by the passion of their encounter. Slipping through the open back door, Lucy wondered if she might be in love…
THE BRAILLE CLUB
Braille Club, London, Present Day: Elysian guarantees member anonymity; there will be twenty famous and influential guests in the room, their faces instantly identifiable due to the work they perform. Whether that be in the entertainment business or on the world stage makes no difference; when they enter Elysian they are equal. They may or may not know each other; the blindfolds keep them guessing, their silence preserving their identity. Many members are recognisable by their voice alone…pop stars, politicians, comedians—the list is extensive. This is the Elite of Benedict’s membership.
London, 2012
Benedict
Benedict saw the large cream envelope propped up on his desk when he got into work. It was heavy, and he turned it in his hands for a second, wondering what it was. He’d instructed Trish to leave any personal mail unopened on his desk, but being estranged from his family he never had much. Except for Matt, his other friends were business acquaintances, but that’s how Benedict liked it. Happy in his own company and consumed by work he wasn’t lonely; the thought never entered his mind. Slipping the letter opener through the heavy envelope, he pulled out the rich vellum card and realised from the dots on the card the sender was Siena. He’d had the decency to squirm during his conversation with Nick Waters but now this invitation. Hadn’t he been clear enough? Inside the layers of card was a written script inviting him and his partner to attend a diabetes fundraiser as the guest of Mr. & Mrs. Waters.
Benedict felt the familiar twist of pain, having lost his mother ultimately through diabetes. She had loved her boys and spent every minute she could with them until her illness had cruelly stolen her away. It was Benedict who found her…how quickly those memories came to mind.
He’d spent his early childhood in the leafy suburbs of Surrey, first born of a set of twins to proud parents Katherine and James. It had been a high-risk pregnancy due to type 1 diabetes. Having always longed for a child, Katherine ignored the medical advice of her doctor and reassured her husband everything would be fine, but even she was shocked by the news she was expecting twins and by her doctor’s worried expression. He patiently explained her unborn babies had a higher risk of birth defects, not to mention the dangers to herself further complicated by her carrying twins.
This news terrified Katherine, who immediately burst into tears. Although unwell throughout her pregnancy, she safely delivered her twin boys. Benedict was always the stronger, even as a baby, and soon became protective of his twin, Alexander, their mother often finding one of Benedict’s limbs touching his brother’s or vice versa. Benedict was a lively toddler, but his brother Alexander remained sickly and unwell. A rough and tumble boy, Benedict somehow sensed Alexander was more fragile.
His parents couldn’t help but compare them. Despite being identical in appearance, their physical abilities and personalities remained polar opposites. Benedict continued to thrive, highlighting the differences between them. Alexander, underweight and smaller, was much slower in achieving those first milestones of crawling, walking, and talking.
Worried, they took Alexander to doctors, where he underwent a battery of tests. When he was diagnosed with a heart condition, Katherine blamed herself, she had been selfish, not appreciating the possible abnormalities that could be passed on to her sons. Alexander had surgery at eighteen months. The trauma of the operations bound the brothers even closer together, Alexander often restless and crying until his mother put Benedict on the hospital bed, and the toddlers would snuggle in and be asleep in seconds.
His operation was successful, but he would always have a weakness in his heart. The boys, almost inseparable, adjusted, and although Alexander was unable to participate in sports, he attended to cheer his brother on. His mother was always anxious about Alexander’s health and constantly worried. Things were touch and go when at the age of nine his cold turned into pneumonia, and he spent three weeks in hospital. The stress of her son’s ongoing illness overwhelmed Katherine’s already fragile health, and she became gravely ill, her organs eventually failing until her body could fight no more.
The loss of his mother had a profound effect on Benedict, aged only eleven. Grieving, with his emotions in turmoil, he bottled everything inside. From the outside, he appeared calm but emotionless as he tried to support Alexander, who relied on him. On the inside, Benedict was just a little boy, shattered by the loss of his mother. Unable to express his feelings, he coped by shutting down his emotions, his only solace and comfort, his twin. But grief would come between them, as Benedict was horrified when his father became involved with another woman. In contrast, Alexander responded to her and in doing so, alienated his brother.
It would be the start of an unhappy period in Benedict’s young life. The loss of his mother would damage him forever, and he was shocked when his father remarried within a year. At first his step-mother tried to win Benedict round, but they clashed spectacularly and tensions in the house only got worse with the arrival of his baby half-sister, Ellie. He grew to hate his step-mother, who was cold towards him. She mistook his grief for behavioural problems, and Benedict, now sullen and withdrawn, couldn’t help but antagonise her. At her wits’ end and with a demanding baby to care for, she retaliated by taking away the only thing he still cared about; his twin.
Benedict’s introduction to boarding school was inevitable; his step-mother having persuaded his father it would be good for him, arguing he would thrive without the worry of his twin and a screaming baby sister. Making excuses, his apologetic and weak father left him in the vast unfriendly building that would be his home for the next five years. The feelings of rage and betrayal engulfed Benedict as he unpacked in his dormitory, the ability to control his life taken from him.
With his face shuttered, Benedict began to detach himself from what little remained of his feelings. He decided he wouldn’t think about his twin, the only person who understood him, the only person he still loved. He thought about regaining control; he would be eligible for his inheritance at eighteen. His mother had passed the bulk of her wealth to her boys, leaving his father a manageable sum, and that kept Benedict focused. For the first time in his life he felt entirely alone, a feeling unfamiliar to most twins. He would never forgive his family for putting him through this ordeal.
His brother Alexander had tried to build bridges, but only his fifteen-year-old step-sister Ellie evoked any genuine emotion in him. Her soft, hesitant voice melting his heart as she shyly asked him if he was free for lunch. Not wanting to disappoint her, he always rearranged his diary. It was her new pastime, but Benedict sensed it wouldn’t last. She would move on to other diversions like all young girls do, but for now he’d never disappoint her.
He had kept contact with his father to a minimum, but had gone home for visits when he’d been at boarding school. Delighted, his twin had rushed to give him a welcoming hug, only to be crushed by his brother’s stiff and unresponsive body.
Benedict had taken to his room and shut the door, refusing to eat with his father and step-mother, whom he loathed. Just a toddler, Ellie was inexplicably drawn to Benedict, clapping her chubby hands delightedly. Thrilled to have two brothers to play with, she would run to Benedict, arms outstretched, her face wreathed in smiles.
“Ellie has mistaken Benedict for Alexander,” his step-mother gasped in horror.
She would stand before Benedict and demand he lifted her up, and he would give in. His little shadow, she made his time at home bearable…just. Crawling into his lap, content just to be with him, she would start to cry, big fat tears spilling from her large blue eyes if Benedict didn’t put her to bed. His step-mother’s anguish at this bond only made it sweeter.
His father was racked with guilt for failing his son, and asked him if he would prefer to come home and attend a day school, but Benedict could not be around Jessica, his step-mother. Alex was devastated by his twin’s constant absence; this made Jessica realise she’d made a terrible error by sending Benedict away, and she bitterly regretted it. She’d also made a formidable enemy. It frightened her; the power Benedict had over her young daughter. She had done everything to make amends, but she knew he hated her. Alex had been so miserable without his brother she had contacted the school without hesitation, telling Benedict he could come home, that it had been a mistake to send him away. She would never forget his cold voice, telling her he was happy and settled where he was. Despite numerous calls from his brother and father, Benedict had chosen to remain at boarding school.
But suddenly Siena was there in his mind, memories of catching her as she fell and his heart racing as he dialled that number. He couldn’t believe he had dealt with it so calmly, considering what he had gone through with his mother. She even had diabetes like his mother…he hadn’t known at the time, but it troubled him now. He had been in shock and was hugely relieved when they had arrived at the hospital.
Siena was the first real connection he’d had with those games. Confused and smitten, it had been like a blow to the head when he found out she was married! The betrayal still stung. Benedict knew all about betrayal. He would never forgive his father or brother for letting that woman into their lives.
It had been then that his previously happy life had turned into a nightmare. He wasn’t sure he remembered how it was before, when his mother had been alive, it seemed so long ago. He couldn’t see his mother’s face as clearly as he used to. His boarding school memories overwhelmed him again and he winced. It was still there bubbling beneath the surface, the rage, the hurt, and pain, not wanting to go home for the holidays and see that woman take his mother’s place. Unlike some of the other boys, whose misery abated as they dreamt of running away into the arms of their mothers, Benedict had no such relief; he just got on with it. He ran his fingers over the card and wondered if there was a message for him, then stopped. Benedict received a number of invites to charity events; he made a donation but never attended. This one would be no different. Siena was a blip in his life; he would remove her like he removed other obstacles that got in his way. Hardening his resolve, he buzzed for Trish; she would take care of the details…and send his regrets.
That party in Marbella; Siena had obviously been there too. Was she the one who’d kissed him? He shivered as an idea formed in his mind. He was visiting his latest project today. If it was designed properly it had tremendous potential, hence the need to meet with a private financier and potential partner. Benedict needed serious funds to achieve his dream of turning the shell into a private members club, giving him premises for The Braille Club that was to become his obsession. Working flat out on the drawings and proposals, something triggered in his mind. He opened the drawings and pored over them, quickly calculating what amendments would be needed. Yes, it was possible; in fact, this blueprint was perfect; a huge basement area would allow for underground parking and the upper floors could be developed in phases.
Benedict understood what he wanted, and got to work altering the plans ahead of his on-site meeting with GFH Ltd, scheduled for three p.m. that afternoon. He loaded the drawings, his laptop, and phone into the Porsche Cayenne, the firm’s pool car. He needed a big jeep, with space for all the kit that coped with varying ground surfaces. Many of his projects involved large muddy sites, but today’s location was urban. The difficulty would not be driving but, in fact, getting parked, so he would be taking Ava with him. She could drop off his equipment and park the car further afield if necessary. Ava was a junior architect within the firm, ambitious and popular amongst their clients.
Benedict had interviewed her, impressed by her credentials. He didn’t have a vacancy, but employed Ava to stop his rivals from doing so. He’d been right; she’d ruffled the male feathers in the office, in particular Marcus, who’d been the previous junior until Benedict had promoted him. This had led to some of the best work his firm had ever produced, but even Benedict was getting tired of the infighting and rivalry; Ava was trouble.
Today she wore tight navy slacks which hugged her perfectly rounded bottom, and a cream silk blouse, which in his opinion was open one button too far; he saw a flash of lace as she leaned over and popped the car door open. Her black hair was pulled off her face in a professional looking bun, scarlet lips parting in a smile of welcome before she pulled sunglasses over her eyes. Benedict almost did a double take; she resembled a model in a Porsche commercial. She reminded him of someone; yes, Naomi Campbell, very sexy.
“Do you know where the site is?” he asked her politely.
“It’s in the Sat Nav and I’ve scouted suitable parking in the surrounding area,” she said crisply.
Benedict smiled as she put the car into gear and pulled out into the busy traffic. He continued to work, making calls and dealing with clients. Ava did not engage him in conversation, and he was grateful for this, however, often stopped in traffic, she took every opportunity to look at Benedict, because he was simply the best looking man she had ever seen…bar none. Thrilled when he’d hired her, she hadn’t lied when she told him of the other job offers she’d received, putting just enough emphasis on Rennie Associates, knowing they were his biggest rivals, and he had taken the bait. She’d had to employ her best acting skills, appearing not to be interested one way or the other. Inside she was drooling, her palms damp with moisture and her heart doing somersaults while outwardly she appeared unmoved.