On Your Knees (2 page)

No matter how many times he told her not to do it, she continued. He wanted to see her pale skin free of fatigue almost as much as he wanted to fuck her until her slim body collapsed beneath him and they both struggled to breathe again. Actually, he realized, he wanted it more.

Last month, she’d stopped smiling.

As she sat up, she pushed a strand of her long brown hair back into her twist. Her blouse pulled tight against her arm, showing how slim she’d become. It was past time to stop this.

“Did you stop to eat lunch today?”

10

On Your Knees

Gathering papers from her desk, she shook her head without looking at him and missed his pissed off expression. Good thing. He might have scared her to death.

“I was in back to back meetings all day. I grabbed a cola an hour ago.” It sat unopened on her desk. “It tastes better if you open it,” he grated and her head snapped up. Ignoring the instant argument in her eyes, he forged ahead, his knuckles against the top of the desk as he leaned forward. “I am giving you two minutes to get your butt out of that chair and get out the door. And I swear if you take one scrap of paper with you—one bit of work—I will fire you before you hit the parking lot. Get moving. Your time started thirty seconds ago.”

“You can’t do that!”

“Try me. Get in gear and go meet Keera. I want a report tomorrow.” Heat flooded her cheeks turning them bright pink. It was the most life he’d seen in her in weeks. If this is what it took to get a reaction he’d sure as hell keep on. The thought gave him another idea and another reason to hurry her out the door.

He’d bet Theo would be interested in knowing where Keera was planning to spend her evening. Nearly as interested as Ryan was at the prospect of finding Jessica there.

He looked at his watch. “Less than a minute. How much do you value your job?

* * * * *

Okay, Madam Zelda or what ever that psychic’s name had been might have been right about her exploring-new-things prediction. Visiting Pleasure Palace certainly qualified as a new experience. If that fraud had been right it was a complete fluke.

Jessica parked in the curved drive in front of Pleasure Palace and surveyed the sprawling structure. Though she’d never been here, she’d always pictured it like Cinderella’s castle. There would be towering turrets, a drawbridge and a moat. A dungeon. The very name “Pleasure Palace” spoke of dungeons. Her skin warmed, despite the bite in the fall air and she imagined herself chained and waiting.

11

Brynn Paulin

“Jessica, you’re a pervert.” She pushed the thought of dungeons and erotic fantasies from her mind. This was an old-world mansion with double doors and three-story pillars. Definitely no dungeon. What was wrong with her, anyway? Getting all hot and bothered over the thought of being tied up. Damn, next thing she knew she’d be getting off on the thought of being spanked. Her pelvic muscles tightened, sending a tingle through her cleft.

She was a lost cause. She didn’t understand it. BDSM was the last thing in the world she wanted, yet she got aroused just considering the scenario. She should just turn around and go home before she got herself into trouble. The parties here were by invitation only. Since she hadn’t arrived with Keera, she wasn’t even sure she would be admitted. Besides, they’d probably be demonstrating bondage tools inside. Sure she was interested in it but she certainly didn’t want anyone else knowing her secret fantasies.

Smoothing her hands down her black slacks, she fought back her nerves. This was only a demonstration. She’d kick back, look at the toys—maybe buy one—and be home in time to finish her project budget. This would just be a bunch of giddy women giggling over huge purple dildos or the like.

It could be fun.

Or it could be as excruciating as a migraine.

Powered by that lovely thought, she dragged herself from her car and headed up the steps to the double doors. She pressed the button on the intercom beside them.

“Name?”

“I’m not sure I’m on the list—”

“Name?”

They weren’t exactly cordial here.

“Jessica Rush,” she answered.
Please, please, please don’t let me be on the list.

12

On Your Knees

The attendant didn’t speak again. The lock on the door clicked. Jessica dove for it before the lock re-engaged. Inside, stood a woman in medieval wench garb. Actually, to be more accurate, it was the gothest,
briefest
wench outfit Jessica had ever seen, rounded out with jagged-cut black hair and black lipstick. Jessica tried her best not to stare at the excessive cleavage. Her gaze flitted about the entry with an eye for the construction and decoration. Pretty standard old money. Several doors, all closed. Expensive wall treatments. Highly polished marble floors. Recently remodeled or exceptionally well-maintained.

“This way,” the attendant said. She sighed and shook her head, visibly unimpressed with her duties.

Oh, I see. Miss Personality here was the one who answered the buzzer.
So far Jessica wasn’t thrilled by the service here. Maybe the woman was irritated because she was a latecomer. Jessica thought about turning around and leaving but remembered Ryan’s order. He’d probably ask her about this tomorrow and she’d better have answers.

She caught her breath when she stepped through the door leading to the inner portion of the house. The modern façade fell away and she was deep inside a medieval castle complete with wall torches—thankfully an electric simulation she noted—and rough stone walls. Just like a dungeon.

Oh shut up!
she told her inner voice.
There is no dungeon.

She jumped as several screams erupted around her, echoing down the hall.

Pleasure? Pain? Holy crap! Where the hell was the exit?

Her guide turned and rolled her eyes. “Exhibitionists,” she muttered in disgust.

“Most of the other rooms are soundproofed. Would you like to check in on what they’re doing? They won’t mind.”

“Um, no.”

“Okay. This way.” She turned the corner and Jessica considered turning around and running for the door. She had a feeling she’d just entered the Hotel California.

13

Brynn Paulin

The woman huffed and grabbed, her elbow. “You’re going to get lost. I’ll be in big trouble if you wander in to the wrong room.” She hustled Jessica down a winding hallway and ushered her into another dimly lit room.

Jessica pulled her arm free. “I think there’s been some mistake.”

“You are Jessica Rush, right?”

“Yes.”

“No mistake. This is the package your, uh,
friend
requested for you. Wait here and the, uh, servants will be in to prepare you for your evening.” She frowned at a paper on a rough-hewn table beside the door, sighed and shoved it in her pocket. She turned to Jessica with a fake smile. “Happy fucking.”

Jessica stared at her aghast. “You don’t like your job, do you?” Another long-suffering sigh burst from between the woman’s black painted lips.

“No. I’ve got a busload of transvestites arriving in fifteen minutes and I’m stuck fitting people into the schedule.”

“I could leave.”

“Hell no. That
would
get me fired.” She stomped from the room and slammed the door.

Okay. Now what? Jessica turned around in a circle.

* * * * *

Ryan looked up from the magazine he was flipping through as Francesca stomped through the door and plopped herself into the chair beside the security intercom. “She’s here,” she said sullenly, glaring from him to where Theo paced.

“Good,” Ryan replied.

“Is Keera ready yet?” Theo snapped.

14

On Your Knees

Someone was a little impatient, though Ryan couldn’t much blame him. The same edginess had sent him flipping through three magazines and a romance novel already.

The sooner he was alone with Jessica the better.

After a scowl at Theo, Francesca checked the schedule tracking system on her computer. “She’s waiting for you. By the way, boss man, I want a raise.” Theo darted from the room while she made a fake gagging sound.

Twerp
, Ryan thought.

She turned on him, arms crossed. When had the little girl who’d planned Barbie weddings turned so militant?

“You know, this is really gross. I do not need to know about my older brothers’ sex lives. Any of them. I might need therapy.”

“You’re already in therapy.”

“Oh. Yeah. Right. You know, you look like a dork in that outfit.” He looked down at his black leather pants and boots. All the women who’d seen him in this had drooled.

“Only to you.”

“Can’t you put on a shirt?”

“No.”

“What are you supposed to be anyway? Who are you, masked man? The Lone Shirtless Ranger?” She chortled in the way that only little sisters could—and live.

Barely. “Watch out ladies, the Ranger rides again.” If he was lucky.

“No hat. I might have a lasso.”

“Ew!”

He shook his head and stood. Sometimes his sister forgot she wasn’t twelve anymore. “I’m going downstairs.”

“Oh man! I
so
didn’t need to know that!”

“Shut up, ‘Cesca.”

15

Brynn Paulin

She laughed, reaching up his discarded magazine. “Don’t rush. I’m sure Finn and Bobby will take their time with her.”

A wave of possessiveness stabbed through him along with the urge to kill his baby sister. “You sent Finn and Bobby?”

“Everyone else is busy. It’s a full schedule tonight. I had to fit you in.” He tapped his fingers impatiently on his thigh. He’d go nuts if he waited downstairs for Jessica. And his sister sure as hell knew, judging from her shitty grin.

She glanced at her watch. “You could go join the masturbation awareness group in 3D.

You know, since you have time to kill.”

He scowled at her as he left the room. 3D was his private—and empty—room.

Masturbation indeed. Why would he bring himself off when he’d soon be inside Jessica’s tight little pussy? She’d be right where he wanted her. Hot, ready and panting for his cock.

Hell, he’d been watching her for months, sizing her up. Assessing her. She worked her beautiful ass off, bringing in all her projects under budget and on time, keeping all the contractors in line, never missing a step. She was a formidable force to reckon with and she hated every minute of it. A submissive in wolf’s clothing. He hated watching what it was doing to her. Every day she was fighting for power and fighting to prove herself. Fighting to be in control of everything. Every day she became more burdened with it.

She didn’t even realize it wasn’t control she needed.

* * * * *

This was the weirdest sex toy party ever. So where was the party? She was alone in an empty room, not a toy in sight and someone was coming to prepare her. Prepare her? For what?

She made her third circuit of the room, rounding the massage-style table in the middle. Why didn’t this room have any chairs? This was so dumb. She had work to do 16

On Your Knees

at home. Gathering her purse from where she’d dropped it on the table beside the room’s entrance, she yanked on the door.

It didn’t budge.

“Oh, come on! You got to be kidding me.” A torrent of prickles leapt down her back. She tried to push her fear aside. This was a public facility with a good reputation.

Surely it was a mistake that she’d been locked in. Miss Personality seemed to be more intent on things other than being sure she didn’t accidentally confine a patron.

A few feet away, another door opened. She jumped unaware it was there. This place was full of all the bells and whistles, wasn’t it? Sulky attendants, doors made to blend into the wall, hulking men dressed in medieval gear… She backed away from the two guys who came through the door. They had to be twice her size. Dressed in hose and tunics, they still looked like wrestlers gone bad.

“The door’s locked,” she blurted, although as an afterthought she wondered if she shouldn’t have said that. “I want to leave.” The darker complected man plucked her purse from her fingers and lifted her onto the table, while his blond counterpart set a canvas bag on the table beside the door.

“There’s been a mistake,” she protested.

“Miss Rush, just relax,” the blond said. “We won’t hurt you. It’s merely time to prepare you for your evening. I’m Bobby and this is Finn.” He exchanged a glance with Finn, who smiled. “He’s my
partner
.” He didn’t look gay. But really, what did a gay man look like? It wasn’t like people wore signs announcing their sexuality. While she stared at him trying to comprehend his statement, Finn managed to remove her blouse.

“Stop!” she shrieked when he reached for the clasp of her bra.

He sighed as he studied her obviously searching for a way to persuade her to cooperate. “Your evening will be more enjoyable if you let us ready you. You can rest and we’ll rub you with creams and lotions.” He paused, pulling out what he probably 17

Brynn Paulin

considered to be the international persuasion card when it came to women. “We have clothing for you.”

She let the clothes remark slide by. “So we’re talking like…a massage?”

“Just like.”

“I need to be naked for this?”

“It would be helpful.”

She considered it for a moment. “And you’re, uh, not into women?”

“You’re lovely but no, not a bit.”

She’d never before disrobed in front of a stranger—or two. If this was what was needed in order to get on with things and meet up with Keera, she’d do what was necessary. Besides, this was one of those forbidden fantasy moments, right? And this
was
the Pleasure Palace.

Adventure and exploration
, Madam Zelda’s voice prompted.

Still, Jessica’s fingers trembled as she removed her bra. Slipping from the table, she kicked off her shoes and slid off her pants. Neither man seemed affected by her nakedness. Relief filled her, followed by an irrational spurt of irritation. What kind of a place was this that a naked woman didn’t warrant some sort of reaction?