My Wicked Valentine (Club Wicked 1) (23 page)

“How did you know?”

“Honey, I’ve known Isaac since before he got divorced. His
family and my family go way back. You know, incestuous upper-crust breeding and
all of that.” Her lips thinned, and she stared out the windshield. “I’ve always
hated the way he goes through women, but until you, I don’t think he ever
really cared about any of them.”

“He cares about me? I highly doubt that.”

“Of course he does. I’ve seen the way he watches you, and
when he talks about you, his whole face lights up. He really likes you, and it
probably scares him to death. Men are such fragile creatures about their
emotions.”

“Somehow I’m really having a hard time dredging up any
sympathy for him.”

“I don’t blame you in the least. He acted in a deplorable
manner, but he has his reasons for being the way he is.”

“Can we just not talk about him right now?”

“Of course.”

Lucia’s anger began to fade, but the hurt remained, mixed
with some guilt for lashing out at Laurel. Soon curiosity began to nibble at
her resolve to not talk about him. What possible reason could Isaac have for
being such a complete douche bag? They rode in silence until Lucia couldn’t
stand it anymore.

“I’m sorry for snapping at you, Laurel. Can you please tell
me what happened to make him so cold?”

Laurel nodded. “No offense taken. It’s not a big secret or
anything. It couldn’t be, not after it was splashed all over the gossip pages.
Do you remember what your first love was like as a teenager? How utterly stupid
you got over him and how you thought he hung the sun, moon, and stars?”

An unwilling smile tugged at her lips, and she leaned back
into her seat. “Billy Higgins. He played for my high school football team, and
I was a cheerleader. We broke up not long after prom when I wouldn’t put out.”

“Isaac married his first love, and she was a total and utter
skank.”

Lucia raised her eyebrows at the venom in Laurel’s voice.
“What did she do?”

“You have to remember he was only eighteen at the time, a
far cry from the man he is now. She played all kinds of mind games with him,
cheated on him, and distanced him from all his family and friends. This
continued for about a year before Isaac’s parents got sick of it and froze all
of his bank accounts.”

“Wow, they really didn’t like her.”

Laurel gave a dry laugh. “She tried to seduce Isaac’s
father.”

“No fucking way!”

“Oh yes fucking way. Even worse, when Isaac’s father told
him, Isaac accused his father of trying to take advantage of Elena.”

“Elena, that’s her name?”

“Yep. Anyways, Elena had Isaac totally wrapped around her
finger, but when Mommy and Daddy cut the funding for her high-spending partying
ways, she divorced Isaac and took half his money without batting a false
eyelash.”

“Wow, that’s really messed up.”

“Yep. Isaac was crushed, and it took him years to finally
trust a woman enough to even be with her. Even then it was only submissives he
could control and distance himself from.” She gave Lucia a sad smile. “He only
dates them long enough to release his physical urges before moving on to the
next woman.”

A little ember of jealousy burned in her stomach. “How many
women has he been with?”

“A lot.”

“Like I better run out and get tested a lot?”

“You had sex with him?”

“Um, yeah.”

Laurel concentrated on the road and tapped her finger
against the steering wheel. “I’m sure he has always been more than careful, and
all of the women he’s had have been submissives from Wicked, so it’s relatively
safe to assume he is clean.”

“Great.” She groaned and thumped her head against the seat.
“The one time in my life I don’t insist a guy use a condom, and he turns out to
be a man whore.”

Laurel laughed. “Well, I wouldn’t go that far.” She glanced
over at Lucia, then back at the road. “You have to keep in mind that up until
his divorce, Isaac had a rather sheltered life. He went to an all-boys school,
and his parents pretty much spoiled him. I guess the best way to put it is he’d
never had to face adversity before, so he was more unprepared than most to deal
with the heartache and betrayal.”

“Hmm, that makes sense. I mean, I’d had a couple of
boyfriends before I met Billy, so I had already been through the great and
dramatic teenage breakup.”

“Right, you had some coping mechanisms. Isaac, having grown
up in a gilded cage, had pretty much none, and he didn’t know how to handle
it.”

“It’s hard to imagine him ever being young and insecure.”

“Did Isaac tell you I invited you and him to my party
tonight? It’s a private party for our BDSM friends. I thought it would give you
an idea of how some members of Wicked play in a more intimate setting.”

Confused by the sudden change in subject, she shook her
head. “No, he didn’t mention anything about it.”

“I figured as much. I think he needs a little shake-up,
something to make him realize how much he cares about you. Feel like causing a
bit of trouble?”

“As long as I don’t end up in jail, sure.”

“That’s my girl. Let’s grab some lunch and head to my salon
for some pampering, my treat.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t let you—”

“Don’t worry, if it bothers you that much, I’ll have Isaac
pay me back.” She winked. “Come on. A little facial, some soaking in the herbal
baths, maybe a massage.”

Lucia rubbed the back of her neck. “I am a little sore…”

“That’s my girl. If Isaac turns out to be a total dipshit,
there are some very eligible Doms who will be at my party who would fight each
other to the death for the pleasure of your company.”

“Gladiator style?”

“Ooh, good idea. We can oil them down and let ’em go at it.”

Both women laughed, and Lucia looked out the window,
wondering if once again she’d be the one who ended up with a broken heart.

* * * *

As Lucia gazed around Laurel’s closet, she wondered if
having a two-story shoe rack with a sliding ladder was normal among the superrich.
It reminded her of vast library bookshelves, but instead of tomes of knowledge,
they held enough high heels and boots to dress an army. Right now she sat at
Laurel’s expansive vanity while the other woman put the finishing touches on
her makeup. The mirror was covered with one of Laurel’s robes in order to
surprise Lucia.

“Now look up,” Laurel said in a distracted voice.

Lucia obeyed, looking up at the floral fresco on the
ceiling. The tiny brush tickled her face as Laurel traced some liquid gold eyeliner
around her eyes. After they’d returned from the spa, Laurel had dragged her
into the closet and made her try on a dizzying array of outfits until she found
one they both liked. Laurel had poked, prodded, and lifted every part of her
body, but Lucia wasn’t worried the other woman was making a pass at her. If
anything, Laurel seemed to view her as a big doll to play dress-up with.

“There. I think we’re done. You ready for the big unveil?”

“Sure.”

“Oh come on, I need more excitement than that!”

She mustered up a smile that felt more like a snarl.
“Yippee.”

Laurel snorted, then turned and pulled the blue silk robe
off the mirror. With a soft gasp, Lucia leaned forward and stared at herself.
“Holy crap.”

Instead of a top she wore what looked like layers of gold
chain shimmering with amethysts and emeralds to cover her breasts. They were
actually sewn to an ultrafine mesh that clung to her chest like a bra in order
to keep the chains in place, but there were still hints of her breasts showing
through. The back was completely open, and a cute and flirty black skirt
complemented her curves. Laurel had done her eyes in heavy kohl eyeliner, then
outlined that with a thin line of gold paint. Her lips were a deep and glossy
mauve that went well with her skin tone. Laurel had straightened her hair until
it hung in a superstraight and silky sheaf down her back.

“Seriously, you are amazing.” She fingered the gold chains,
turning this way and that to watch them sparkle.

Laurel held up her hand. “Oh, one more thing. Well actually,
two more things. I’ll be right back, and don’t you dare text Isaac!” The full
cream silk skirt of Laurel’s almost transparent dress swirled around her feet
as she went off in search of some new toy to put on Lucia.

She stuck her tongue out at the other woman’s retreating
back and sighed at her own foolishness. Isaac had texted her phone at least a
dozen times today and left her a variety of messages. Laurel forbade her from
contacting him, instead calling him herself and telling him that Lucia was safe
with her. While Lucia had been straightening her hair, Laurel e-mailed Isaac
and let him know Lucia would be coming for her things after the party.

Thank goodness Laurel was on her side, because that woman
was an expert at mind games.

“Here we are,” the redhead said with a smile. In her hands
she held two golden combs with scarabs on them. She slid them into Lucia’s
hair, holding it back from her face. “Perfect.”

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Absolutely. Worst-case scenario is Isaac never shows up,
and you play with one of the yummy single Doms instead. Once you see these
guys, you’re going to drool just like the rest of us.”

She didn’t think anyone would attract her the way Isaac did,
but she didn’t want to sound any more pathetic to Laurel than she already did.
“I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

“Nerves?”

“Yeah. I’ve never been to anything like this before.”

Laurel laughed and sat next to her on the wide blue velvet
bench. “First, let me assure you it won’t be like a scene out of a porno. There
will be playing, but if you stay by the pool, things shouldn’t get too crazy
out there. If you find someone you want to play with, head for the game room,
but check with me first. I’ll tell you if he is a good choice.” She bit her
lower lip. “Okay, so there might be some play going on by the pool, but if
you’re uncomfortable with it, please feel free to leave at any time. Most of
our friends aren’t exhibitionists—powerful men tend to not want to share their
toys—but there will be a few couples there that like to put on a show.”

“Okay.” Her voice came out in a high-pitched squeak.

With a laugh Laurel gave her a one-armed hug. “You should
see how wide your eyes are. That innocence is going to attract the Doms like
nothing else. But remember, no one is allowed to do anything to or with you
without your consent. If you yell the word ‘red,’ we’ll all come running.

“Okay. Stand up.” Laurel handed her two gold chains
festooned with tiny bells. They made a light tinkling ring when Laurel shook
them. “These are anklets. Put one on either leg.”

Lucia did, then giggled when she walked across the room. “I
sound like a Christmas sleigh.”

“You look amazing. Ready to go break some hearts?”

“Yep,” she said and took a deep breath. Aside from the Isaac
drama, this party offered her a chance to rub elbows with some of Washington’s
elite, and she wasn’t about to pass up that chance. If she had to put up with
some naked people doing God knows what, so be it. A little voice in her head
whispered she might enjoy watching other couples, but she quickly squashed it.

Laurel led her through the enormous Mediterranean-style
house to the pool room. She’d been expecting some type of indoor swimming pool
with maybe chairs scattered about but nothing like this. First off, it was
huge. A giant circular in-ground pool dominated the center of the room. At the
far end of the pool, it turned into a rough rock wall that somehow looked
natural. There was an alcove in the rock wall, and a lovely bronze mermaid
relaxed on the rocks, one hand lifting her hair off her neck. Water rushed over
the rock she sat on and fell into the pool below with a gentle splash.

Men and women in various states of dress milled around the
pool on pale wood floors, and elaborate windows looked out into a garden where
tasteful spotlights illuminated various trees and flowers. Wrought-iron
circular tables were arranged around the perimeter of the pool. Toward the back
was a group of overstuffed chairs and couches arranged like a seating area. Lucia
let her gaze wander back to the crowd and was relieved to see that only a few
women were topless, and nearly all the men were clothed. A few men sat at
women’s feet in either faded jeans, leather pants, or a kilt.

“Wow.”

A tall man with graying hair and sharp features hailed
Laurel from across the room. “Hey, you hot redhead. Come here.”

Laurel grinned and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
“That’s my husband, Kyle. I’d better go see what he wants before he takes a
paddle to my ass.”

Lucia tried to keep her tone light and confident.
Unfortunately her voice came out in a squeak as she said, “Okay. I’ll hang out
here.”

“See those two Doms seated in the far left corner? The guy
with the beard and the guy with the long hair? They are all friends of Isaac.
They know what’s going on. Head on over there, and they’ll take care of you.”

With that Laurel left Lucia standing awkwardly in the
doorway. Gosh, this felt like the first day of school in a weird way. She took
a deep breath and stepped farther into the room, trying to take it all in
without staring. Easier said than done, especially when she noticed a young
woman vigorously giving her Dom a blowjob to her left.

A male voice came from directly behind her. “Hey, I didn’t
expect to see you here.”

She turned around and looked at a vaguely familiar and cute
young man with dark black hair and a pierced lip. Dressed in a pair of tight
leather pants, he had a series of straight red welts across his stomach. “I’m
sorry. Do I know you?”

He gave her a coquettish look from beneath his lashes. “You
were bartending the other night at Wicked, and I mistook you for a Domme.”