Crime & Punishment 2: Master Delacroix (5 page)

“Wow,” she murmured. “Just straight to the point.”

“No sense beating around the bush, especially when fetishes are involved.”

“True enough,” she said. “I’m doing research for a book.”

“That author you asked about?” Nathan said as he leaned his hip against the desk and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Yeah?” Daniel replied.

Nathan pointed at Connelly. “Meet James Connelly. Or as we know her, Connelly James.”

Daniel turned to her with a shocked expression, then grinned. “You said you weren’t related.”

“Well, I can’t exactly be related to myself, now can I? I just switched my name to create the pen name. I thought a male thriller author would do better.”

“I must say I’m impressed. I’ve read every one of your books,” he said. “And so has Nathan.”

She looked up at Nathan in surprise. ”Really? You didn’t tell me that.”

He gave a dismissive shrug. “Not pertinent.”

She pursed her lips and studied both of them. “I think I have the two of you figured out.” She pointed to Daniel. “You’re the jokester. You don’t care who knows what about you. You’re unpredictable. You’re open, and considering this is your first time here, you’re slightly on the conservative side.” Then she pointed to Nathan. “And you’re the serious one. Not much of a talker. You keep things to yourself. You’re dark, I think pretty predictable, and I bet you have a temper.”

The brothers laughed. “Damn,” Daniel said. “That was pretty much on the mark.”

“It was close,” Nathan said. “My temper is not nearly as bad as it used to be. One thing being a Dom has taught me is control. And at times, I can be unpredictable. Not as much as that one,” he added, pointing to his brother. ”But I’ve been known to surprise a few people.”

“Yeah. Dad in particular,” Daniel mumbled.

Connelly ignored Daniel’s remark. Nathan’s relationship with his father wasn’t really any of her business. “In my research of you when I was looking for a Dom, I read you used to work for the FBI.”

“I did,” Nathan replied. “I still do as a consultant in forensic psychology.”

She turned to Daniel. “And what do you do?”

“Corporate attorney and VP of our father’s company, Delfy.”

Her eyes widened slightly. She’d heard of that company. “That’s the big brokerage house in New Orleans.”

Daniel nodded.

“Your father owns a brokerage house, but you went into law, and Nathan went into psychology?”

“Long story,” Nathan said.

“And one that usually gets Nathan’s hackles raised,” Daniel added.

Connelly realized the tension wasn’t just between brothers but apparently between father and son as well. Interesting. And just a bit sad. Family tension was never a good thing. Sometimes she wished her parents were still around to fight with. She missed them dearly.

Nathan glanced at his watch. “Doors are open. Are you ready, Connelly? And are you okay with me as the Dom?”

Of course she was, but she definitely didn’t want to appear too eager. Negotiating and discussing sex ahead of time just seemed so odd but at the same time very refreshing. There was no nervousness about would they or wouldn’t they. No tension over who would make the first move. In this world, it would be Nathan, and all she had to do was sit back and enjoy the ride.

She licked her lips and met his gaze head-on. “You’ll do.”

Daniel snickered, but it was the spark of devilish promise in Nathan’s eyes that had her heart skipping a wild beat.

Chapter Five

Nathan couldn’t get over just how easy Connelly was to read. He could feel everything she could, and at times even heard her thoughts. Which still shocked him. He’d not even been able to read his former fiancée that well. Did it mean anything? Did it have anything to do with these visions and headaches he’d been getting?

He still wasn’t sure.

So far this afternoon, he hadn’t experienced another one. The headache from earlier had finally eased off, but in the back of his mind was the concern he would have another vision while in the middle of a scene and accidentally hurt her.

He would have to keep the play light for now. No whips. At least until he could figure this thing out. And as much as he hated to admit it, having Daniel close might not be a bad idea.

The fact she was attracted to him gave him a feeling of excitement Nathan hadn’t had in quite a while. He often played at the club, but very seldom was his level of anticipation as high as it was now. He couldn’t wait to get his hands—his lips, his tongue—on Connelly. He wanted to play with every inch of her.

Tonight was going to be more fun than he’d had in a long time.

He glanced over at his brother as they all walked down the hall toward the foyer and playroom. Daniel was attracted to her as well. It wasn’t something Nathan could feel but see. They’d shared women before, but could they share Connelly if the opportunity presented itself? And should they with all this tension between them?

If it came down to her choosing… What the hell was he thinking about this for? He’d just met the woman. For all he knew, this lifestyle would scare the hell out of her, and once her research was done, she’d hightail it back home. He did not need to be thinking about a future and sharing with his brother.

They were attracted to each other, yes. A physical attraction did not a lifetime make.

He put his hand at the small of her back and led her into the main playroom. It was already mostly full, but then Friday nights usually were. Tonight was black-tie night, so Connelly’s skirt and top fit right in. Even Daniel was dressed in black slacks and a white shirt, although Nathan was sure that had been a coincidence. He’d never told Daniel about the Friday-night dress code.

As they walked through the room toward the bar at the far end, several people turned to look at them in surprise. Very few knew Nathan had a twin, so the sight of Daniel probably shocked them. If Daniel’s grin was any indication, he found the responses funny.

“Good evening, Trey,” Nathan said as they stepped up to the bar.

“Evening, Boss. Who’s the look-alike?”

Daniel grinned at the bartender. “I’m Daniel. His better half.”

Trey grinned. “Better, huh?”

“That’s right. Better looking. Better with the ladies.”

“And most definitely a better liar,” Nathan added drily.

Everyone laughed. Even Nathan smiled. He had to admit, it did feel good to be bantering with his brother again.

WHILE TREY WAS getting their drink orders, Daniel glanced around the room, trying his best to hide the awe he knew had to be plastered all over his face. He couldn’t remember ever being in a room with so many scantily clad women. One particular blonde caught his attention, and he turned completely backward, their gazes locked as she walked to the small conversation area a few feet away.

Damn, the woman was hot.

“Forget it, Daniel,” Nathan murmured as he caught where Daniel was staring. “She’s a Domme.”

Daniel snickered softly. “That Domme could tie me up anytime.”

“Remember those ball clamps I showed you yesterday?”

Daniel turned his attention back to his brother at the mention of those nasty-looking clamps. “Yeah?”

Nathan’s grin was wicked. “Those are her favorite.”

With a shake of his head, Daniel took the beer Nathan handed him. “Those are just wrong. Some jilted, angry woman had to have come up with that sick idea.”

“You’d be surprised how much some men like them.” Nathan nodded toward something on the far wall, and Daniel turned to look.

A man was tied to two poles, spread-eagle. A dark-haired girl stood before him, pinching his nipples. Once satisfied, she placed clamps on the extended nubs and smiled as the man moaned in pleasure or pain, Daniel couldn’t decide which. When the woman moved, Daniel noticed the man’s balls were encased in clamps, his penis hard and extended. Daniel raised an eyebrow, convinced that when the poor guy finally exploded, the cum would fly several feet.

With a shiver, he turned from the scene and took a long sip of his beer.

“Still want to play with her?” Nathan asked, his voice laced with amusement.

“Think I’ll pass,” Daniel murmured.

Connelly grinned and glanced over his shoulder at the scene. Her gaze moved up and down the male submissive’s body in appreciation. “You have to admit. There’s something very arousing about that.”

“If you’re into torture,” Daniel murmured.

“Maybe he is,” she countered, pulling her gaze away from the couple.

“And just what kind of torture are you into, Connelly?” Daniel asked.

The bartender handed Connelly her drink.

“Well,” she said as she pulled it to her, “I’m certainly not into having my balls encased in a trap.”

Nathan and Daniel both chuckled.

“What about your breasts?” Nathan asked.

Connelly almost choked on her drink. “You do that?”

Nathan’s grin was pure evil as he reached over to take Connelly’s drink. “I think you’ll be surprised at just what all is done here.”

He poured half of her drink out into an empty glass before handing it back to her. At her frown, he said softly, “I want you relaxed, not drunk.”

Connelly nodded as though she understood, but Daniel wasn’t quite sure he did. “Why?” he asked. “Drunk sex is fun.”

Nathan glanced at him around Connelly’s shoulder. “I never said it wasn’t, but you never do a scene drunk. If she’s intoxicated, she might not know when to tell me to stop. Her pain sensors will be muffled.”

Daniel nodded in understanding. Made sense. As Nathan and Connelly talked quietly about the various scenes around the room, Daniel let his mind wander to what he was really doing here.

He needed to talk to Nathan. Seriously talk. Things weren’t well with their dad healthwise, and Nathan needed to know. He just hoped it made a difference. Their dad wasn’t the easiest person to live with or work for, and sometimes Daniel envied Nathan’s ability to break away, but that still didn’t change the fact that they were family and they were both stubborn as hell. Dad refused to be the one to move first, so Daniel had to get through to Nathan.

Their mom would be devastated if their dad died without him and Nathan working things out. Tonight wasn’t the right time, although Daniel didn’t have a clue when it would be. It was never the right time to talk to Nathan about Dad.

His thoughts moved to Connelly and that thick, shoulder-length, strawberry-blonde hair. It curled into small ringlets that he imagined would wrap around his finger and be soft as silk. She was an older woman, maybe in her late thirties. He’d always liked older women, especially ones that took as good care of themselves as this one did. They didn’t have all the drama around them that the younger ones had. They knew what they wanted, were more settled and confident.

Connelly had a lot of confidence, but there was also a vulnerability about her. She and Nathan looked good together. Nathan seemed more relaxed right now than Daniel had seen him since arriving.

His brother ran the back of his finger over Connelly’s cheek, making her flush a light pink. Daniel smiled slightly. He and Nathan had seduced women together before. Lots of times in their younger years, but because Daniel knew so little about this world Nathan played in, he felt an awful lot like a third wheel.

NATHAN NOTICED HIS brother’s frown. Why was he here? He’d never expressed an interest in this sort of stuff before. Why now?

Connelly needed to be in the forefront of his thoughts. When he played with a woman, he didn’t want any distractions, and his brother was a distraction.

Grabbing Connelly’s chin, he turned her to face him. Her cheeks were flushed, and in this light, her eyes were a beautiful shade of dark blue. He wouldn’t call her gorgeous, but there was something about her that had him spellbound. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

He might not be able to touch that, but he could touch her and right now, he had a sudden desire to do so.

“Come here, Connelly,” he murmured as he pushed away from the bar and turned to put his back to it.

Connelly tilted her head, and her brow wrinkled slightly in hesitation.

“I want you to stand in front of me. I’m going to get you used to my touch and a little bondage.”

Her pupils dilated, and Nathan’s heart did a little jerk. Something had her excited, but was it his touch or the anticipation of bondage?

Connelly moved to stand in front of him. Nathan raised his hand and slowly pushed the collar of her blouse aside, allowing him to see her cleavage. He traced the edge of her bra, enjoying the warmth of her flesh beneath his touch. He heard, as well as felt, her shallow intake of breath. Her arousal came across to him like a burning fire, threatening to engulf him. Keeping things slow tonight would be hell. His cock was already hard as a rock. Feeling his desire as well as hers was like a sensory overload.

“Move behind her, Daniel,” Nathan said quietly. If his brother was going to watch, he may as well put Daniel to use.

She started to glance at Daniel over her shoulder, but Nathan caught her chin, pulling her gaze back to his. “Eyes on me, pet. Your eyes are always on your Dom unless he tells you otherwise. Understand?”

She swallowed, then gave a single nod.

“When I ask you a question, you must answer it with words, Connelly. And always end with Master.”

She licked her full, kissable lips, and Nathan’s cock twitched behind his slacks. “Yes, Master,” she whispered.

Daniel put his hands at her waist and slid them slowly up along her ribs while Nathan undid the buttons of her blouse. When she realized he intended to remove her top, she raised her hands to stop him, but he shook his head. He could sense her hesitation, her discomfort with being on display. Exhibitionism was something she would need to get used to if she planned to play here.

At his firm look, Connelly stopped, her hands frozen on his wrists. Her touch was like fire, warm and tingling against his skin.

“You will be naked,” he said softly.

Her mouth dropped open just a tad, and her whole body flushed an adorable shade of deep pink.