Page 50 of Delicious Surrender
“I told him the truth…that I would have begged him to take me to bed.”
“Holy hell.”
“Look, it was the best way to get him to back off. And I think it worked. He said he wouldn’t have allowed it to happen, and blah blah blah.”
“You’re playing with fire, Bree. You know that, right?”
Jared asked their server for the check and a to-go box.
“Hey, I wanted another drink.”
He shook his head at her and then nodded at the girl. “Just the check.” When she left, he added, “I’m gonna take you home. You are toast. You can tell me about the rest on the way.”
They split the bill, and he led her outside to the taxi stand. Brynne was tipsy, but she needed liquid courage to ask Jared about his night.
On the ride to her flat, she filled him in on Dimitri’s full court press. “I lied and said I was in a relationship.” She paused for effect. “With a woman.”
Jared snorted. “And you think he believed you?”
“Doesn’t matter. It was the only way to make him back off. Fuck, I might have to produce Mistress Patricia if he doesn’tstop.”
They arrived at her place, and Jared paid for the taxi. Once inside, she plopped down on her couch and kicked off her shoes. She put her legs on his lap when he joined her.
“Now, it’s your turn, J. How was your night?”
Jared looked everywhere but at Brynne. “It was uneventful compared to yours. I would have loved to witness your spanking, but I was working a private party upstairs.”
“What goes on in those rooms?” she asked innocently.Come on J, spill your guts so I don’t have to ask!
He shifted in his seat and pushed his hair back nervously. “Bree, you know I can’t really tell you that. Not until they clear you to work up there.”
“Right, I get it—I wouldn’t want you to breach the NDA.” She pretended it didn’t bother her.
“I’m sure they will let you serve a party sometime soon. But listen, I am exhausted, and we both have to work tomorrow, so I’m off.”
He shifted her legs off his lap and stood. She cursed her weakness; there was no way to bring it up. Not tonight.
She walked him to the door, and they hugged. He grinned. “You’re swimming in the deep end now and I can’t wait to read the revised draft of the book!”
Brynne chuckled. “True. So much juicy material, and I’ve only been there two weeks!”
She locked up her front door and rested her head on theworn wood, lamenting her lack of courage. She didn’t bring up the party, and he didn’t volunteer anything either. So, neither of them was ready to talk about it.
13
Turning up the Heat
Gage had been to the lounge twice already, checking on the plans for Saturday’s fetish night. The Arabian harem theme had been Garrick’s brainchild and the members he met in the dining room were talking excitedly about it. Members could dress up in Middle Eastern garb, and some planned to don the traditional white robes and keffiyeh headdresses. All the subs, whether they were part of the extended team or accompanied by a member, would be fully dressed while in the public areas, but once in a private room, their clothing became optional. Sonya was putting the finishing touches on the harem uniforms, and she would deliver them tomorrow. He opened the list on his computer to double-check what each of them would be wearing. He told himself it was purely to ensure nothing was missing.
Bettie would wear burgundy and gold, Melinda’s outfit was royal blue and silver, and Brynne would be in deep purple with shimmering gold accents. He had Sonya create a second one insage green for Tink, but the deep shade of violet won out. Maybe he had gotten carried away, but as an added adornment, he had also ordered special jeweled metal cuffs for their arms and wrists.
Gage sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. Why did he keep picturing a gorgeous and defiant redheaded slave girl, brought to kneel before him? The imagery in his mind’s eye was vivid. And alluring. And a problem.
A knock at his door jolted Gage out of his daydream. He pulled his chair forward to conceal his tented pants.
“Aye?”
“It’s Garrick. I have the menus for you to review.”