Blindfolded, Kathryn couldn’t help asking the question for the millionth time. “Can’t you at least give me a hint?”
Call her antsy, but yesterday’s brush with death had made her that much more eager to soak in time with Jake. True, blindfolded counted. But not when he was driving, and she was a car seat away. It might as well be a million miles away. And punishing her with a firm no-touching rule while in transit was barbaric.
“Not a chance, kitten. But don’t worry, we’re almost there.”
Instead of taking his truck, Jake had insisted on the Bugatti, a sleek sports car with a dangerous blend of power and style that so perfectly mirrored her man.
And the sinfully red off-the-shoulder gown she wore felt like a cloud next to her skin. She loved it more than when she first saw it in Vogue, immediately ripping out the page and sticking it in a drawer. Her someday if I need a gown for a ball drawer that she was sure Jake never took an interest in.
The smooth vibration in her seat rumbled a little stronger before dying away as Jake killed the engine. “Okay, the blindfold stays on. That’s an order,” he said, his voice stern but warm.
“Yes, Master Jake,” she said, letting the rasp of her voice linger suggestively.
The heat of his lips met hers as he pressed a kiss to them before he climbed out of the car. As soon as her door opened, he unfastened her seatbelt and lifted her into the familiar cradle of his arms.
Her man being sexy? Perhaps. Or he just knows the klutz in me is prone to fall flat on my ass in heels.
Kathryn dangled her feet with glee as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “When will the blindfold come off?”
“If you keep asking, tomorrow,” he said with a chuckle.
“Oh, good. The blindfold comes off when I get to wear underwear again. It must be Christmas.”
She didn’t realize they weren’t alone until she heard the deep rumble of, “Hey, Jake. Your girl looks beautiful.”
“Julian?” she asked.
“Hi, Kathryn. Or should I say Lolita?”
That made her giggle.
“In three months, you’ll all be saying Mrs. Russo,” Jake said proudly before setting her on her feet. Untying her blindfold, he whispered in her ear. “This is ours, kitten.”
Kathryn took a moment, recognizing and yet not recognizing the impressive building they stood in front of. Then she realized it was the building she’d seen in the architectural drawings. The ones she wasn’t supposed to have seen.
Breathless, she asked, “Ours?”
It was her own version of the stunning museum in Austria. The Kunsthaus Bregenz, with block walls of solid stone for the first two floors, and glorious semi-frosted and clear dark windows leading up to the sky.
Kathryn took careful steps into the building, smiling at several people standing in the elegant lobby, the men decked out in suits, and a woman in a gorgeous blush-colored gown with her dark wavy hair swept up. And then there was Julian, looking way too elegant wearing Kathryn’s favorite blouse.
Her smile spread wide as they all seemed to be standing before her and Jake, not moving to greet her, embrace her, or even shake her hand.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
Smiling, Paco stepped out from behind the small crowd. “It would appear that Jake Russo and Kathryn Chase have become partners in a new venture of luxury national and international BDSM clubs, with several co-owners, of course.”
“You?” she asked Paco as Jake wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Not just me. Everyone in this room.”
Jake explained. “I figured we needed a place for us. But as soon as I started talking about it, everyone wanted in. Kathryn, meet Corey and Crystal. Corey has his own investigative firm. He’s the guy I call when I need to know anything and everything about people.”
“Everything?” Kathryn asked as a warmth stole up her cheeks.
“Don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with me,” Corey said with a wink. “And this is my wife, Crystal.”
“What the hell is it you do, Crystal?” Jake asked. “Funny, we each had a bio, and yours was mysteriously blank.”
A giddy laugh came from both Paco and Crystal, but all she would say is, “Oh, not much. I find ways to keep busy. My main job is to keep this guy in his place.” The stunning woman smiled through dark ruby lips before planting a lip print on Corey’s cheek.
Kathryn tried not to stare, but the collar around Corey’s neck said it all. Crystal was his Mistress, and the foreboding man with a myriad of tattoos and impressive muscles was her sub. A strange connection Kathryn sensed in an instant.
Corey broke from the intensity of his wife’s stare. “And with our underground contacts, we’ve amassed a waiting list of over a thousand clients worldwide, ready to plunk down their cold, hard cash for the price of admission. I’ve already vetted most of them.”
“What is the price of admission?” Kathryn asked.
“More than the price of the car you and Jake rolled up in,” Julian said.
Her mouth dropped open. “Per member?”
“Per year.” Julian waggled his brows, oddly comfortable with an arrangement that would keep his squat-tightened butt out. “It’s luxury BDSM, and it’s the future.”
“Luxury BDSM,” she asked. “Is there such a thing?”
“There is now.” Julian brightened, warming to the topic. “The most exclusive, secretive, elite clubs focused on providing a total experience. Exotic getaways that you can only reach by private jets, yachts, or helicopters. With exquisite five-star cuisine and full spa packages including custom massages and on-site beauty care.”
“Wow. And people will pay this price?”
“Yes. People with fetishes and obscene amounts of money. Plus, how else can I keep the growing list of exes out?”
“You?”
Julian preened. “Girl, you are looking at the spokesperson.”
Kathryn let the idea sink in, nodding in agreement. “My best friend, the face of luxury BDSM. Did you wish really hard? Or sell your soul to the devil?”
“Not only did he, but I accepted.” Paco donned a salacious grin. “Julian is trustworthy. Loyal. Went through the agony of Corey’s background check, a polygraph, and a forensic investigation of his finances. And he agreed to all of it without knowing what any of it was for. Only that Jake had requested it. Plus, his knowledge of clubs and the lifestyle is impressive. And coming from me, that’s saying a lot.”
“It means he’ll be getting his own black card and will finally give me mine back.” Jake held out a waiting hand.
“After mine comes in,” Julian said hopefully.
Jake rolled his eyes before he continued. “And it was Paco’s idea to go big or go home, so if we’re doing it, how about something international? A brand. From the Rocky Mountains to Fifth Avenue. Paris to Milan. Europe. Asia. South America. There are even a few spots in Africa that might warrant a look-see. Even Fiji.”
Kathryn’s excited squeal was deafening. “It’s amazing. But what will we call it?”
“Don’t worry. Corey and Crystal have a few names they’re toying with,” Jake said. “But before we do anything more, we need to christen it.”
Kathryn giggled, lowering her voice as she asked, “With sex?”
“Among other things,” Jake said, agreeing in no uncertain terms. “But first, with this.”
Paco stepped forward, opening a long box so Kathryn could see what was inside. The piece of jewelry sparkling on the dark velvet inside should require a retina warning—a dozen strands of diamonds looped through an eternity shape along the front.
Breathless, Kathryn slid her fingers along the fine piece of jewelry. “It’s stunning.”
“Consider yourself owned,” Jake said, removing it from the box. “For our first collaring ceremony in the new space, if you’ll have it. And me . . . as your Dom.” He lifted her chin. “And yours alone.
Teary, Kathryn nodded. “Yes.”
She lifted the length of her hair aside as Jake cinched the collar gently to her neck. He followed with a tender peck before spinning her around, cupping her jaw, and pressing a kiss to her lips.
A round of applause filled the room, and Julian handed them each a flute of champagne as he made the rounds. “Drink up before this place institutes its no-alcohol policy.”
“Now,” Jake said, “Julian will give us all a tour so you can decide what room you’d like to christen first. And one of them might be a little hotter than the rest.”
“Fire play?” she asked.
Jake nodded. “Your preference sheet is my command.”
Less shy than ever, and eager to tie up a very loose end, Kathryn rubbed her nose to his. “None.”
“None?” he asked in disbelief.
“Nope. I love you, Jake. And I love this,” she said, smoothing a finger along the diamond collar around her neck. “But I don’t want our first time to be in any of these rooms.”
Surprised, he lifted a brow. “You don’t?”
Kathryn shook her head, letting a devilish smile break free. “I’d like to get out of here. Break this property in right. I’ll bet from just the right outside wall, we can watch the sun set over Pike’s Peak.”
With a deep breath, Jake took her glass and set both of them aside before he unbuttoned his blazer and whisked her back in his arms.
“Until the blindfold comes out again.” With a few determined steps to Kathryn’s first real scene, Jake growled. “For the next hour, only three things can move past your lips, little sub,” he said sternly as he smiled.
“Mm-hmm.” She nodded attentively.
“Your safe word. Yes, sir. And my cock.”
The evening breeze was electric along her body as he walked them outside, moving to the west side of the building before he set her feet on the grass.
Into her ear, he murmured, “Do you understand?”
Kathryn’s eyes fell closed as her fingers skated around the collar. The one that made her his, with the promise of eternity. With the love of her life. Her Dom.
There was nothing more to say except, “Yes, sir.”
Thank you for reading RISING! I hope you loved the ongoing story of Jake and Kathryn.
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"Tons of chemistry and passion ... Highly addictive" ~Goodreads Reviewer
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Leo
To the outside world, I'm known only as Z. The enforcer. A widower with nothing to lose. An ex-SEAL sworn to keep one vow: protect the D'Angelo's at all costs.
I'm not a good man, and I never claimed to be. Protecting her was second nature. Nothing more. Claiming her was just a one-night escape.
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No way.
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