Power Play [Pleasure Playground 2] (2 page)

"I'm sor—"

Murphy jerked the rope tight, pulling her off her feet and temporarily robbing her of breath. “Don't apologize to me. I'm not the one who needs to hear it. You and Daegan have been doing this little dance for weeks now. It's been kind of amusing to watch, but enough is enough, Jennifer. It's time to either fish or cut bait."

Jennifer wanted to explode over his words. How many times had she turned Daegan down? That Murphy thought she'd meant that as some sort of foreplay with the infuriating man made her want to lash out. But she knew from experience how far she could push a man like Murphy. Considering they would soon be performing for a packed audience, she settled for grinding her teeth and thinking bad thoughts.

Take a deep breath and let it go
. The words of her former therapist filtered through her brain. He'd tried to tell her she had anger management issues, and after six weeks of listening to him go on and on about her faults, she'd fired his ass and never looked back.

Hell, yeah she was angry. When it was warranted.

Fortunately, Murphy had quit talking and seemed involved in getting her tied perfectly. With each pull and tug on the rope, she lost a little bit more of her freedom. Immediately a familiar calm stole over her. She closed her eyes and focused on everything around her. The cool air brushing across her exposed body, the pretty rope pressing down on her while never breaking the skin, the scent of fresh paint mingled with the crisp aroma of the brand-new leather that covered the walls. She imagined the reality of this room when the lights were removed and there were only other senses to rely on.

Her pussy grew hot and swollen, which was only agitated by the rope covering her clit. By the end of the demonstration she'd be needy beyond belief. That idea conjured an image of her dark-haired devil. It was always the quiet ones you needed to be afraid of. Or so she kept hearing. It didn't take a rocket scientist to see below Daegan's easygoing surface to the churning waters underneath. Every time she got near him, she heard the storm brewing in her head. The energy emanating from him never ceased to arouse her.

Curiosity reared its ugly head, and once again she wondered what he'd do with her once he had her alone. He seemed insistent on her becoming his for the duration of his job. What then? The professional image of Murphy tying her for a shoot dissipated into something entirely different. Her mind wandered, and she let the feeling overtake her. It was Daegan's big body pressed against her back as he worked the intricate knots.

"There ya go, babe. All secured.” The voice drifting through her senses had a sharp undertone, a gravelly sound of arousal in it.

"Ready for the paint?"

"Yes,” she panted. Anything as long as it meant he'd touch her.

"Lift your arms and be perfectly still."

Jennifer eagerly obeyed despite the pain of the rope now digging sharply into her hip. Somehow that bite transferred straight to her nipples and clit, hardening them. A soft chuckle sounded from him moments before the cold, wet brush lapped at her belly. She sucked in a breath and gritted her teeth as he began to trail the liquid over her exposed skin.

The ache between her legs nearly exploded on impact. She swore her pulse thundered through her blood and pounded through her cunt.

"Legs apart.” Her overimaginative brain heard Daegan speak the order. She complied. Wet stripes were painted down one side and up the other of each of her legs only inches away from her clenching opening. The rough texture of the brush excited all of her nerve endings, setting her on a course she feared. Her muscles coiled in the beginning stages of an explosive release.

"Please,” she whispered in her head.

All too soon the paint was applied and her hands were cuffed to the chains dangling from the ceiling. Her arms were pulled until she stood on the tips of her toes and her cold muscles cramped in protest at the sudden movements. Her eyes flew open.

"I'll be right back. Need to check on the crowd and make sure we're all set. I'll be in hearing range if you need anything."

Jennifer licked her lips and nodded. When the door closed behind Murphy, she retreated back to the fantasy she'd begun. This time Daegan pushed a thigh between her legs and brushed against her hot spot for a brief second, her keening cry of need slipping from her lips. He took a knee and placed his face at pussy level where he teased her with hot puffs of air directed across her quaking flesh before dragging a thick finger through her sopping folds.

In the distance she heard someone say something, and then her legs were lifted and bent behind her so they could be attached to the rigging at her wrists. Daegan disappeared from between her thighs, and her pussy squeezed in protest. Reality and fantasy swirled in her head while Murphy lifted her in place. She wasn't in a scene with Daegan. This was her job. She was about to be on display in front of every single person of influence in the industry. She'd already overheard Chase talking about how many organizations and media outlets were represented tonight.

"Last piece, Jennifer. Are you ready?"

"Yes.” She pushed the word through her lips. Anything to take her mind away from its insane direction.

Murphy wrapped his hand with the long, single braid of her blonde hair and pulled. “You know the drill. The more you move, the more it will hurt. Although this crowd will appreciate any pain you experience from your predicament bondage. So let's give them a show..."

"Go ahead,” she urged. She no sooner said the words than pain exploded in the tender skin under her hair. Tears sprang to her eyes and threatened to fall. Jennifer relaxed, letting the painful sensation wash over her. This was what she wanted. This distraction. The reminder of who and what she was. Daegan wanted a submissive to shape and bend to his will, and she was simply a pain slut looking for a fix.

"Open your eyes, Jennifer."

The words were whispered at her ear, Murphy's hot breath bathing her skin. She lifted her lids and blinked at the eerie glow of the black light filling the room. The Dark Room had been transformed into the sensational play space it was meant to be. People mingled in nearly every inch of the small area, and the energy and excitement rushed over her, leaving her light-headed and thrumming for more. Her pulse pounded in her ears.

And then she saw him.

The crowd parted, and there along the black wall stood her sexy Irishman. Dark hair hung loose around his broad shoulders, which framed his strong jaw perfectly. The tailored shirt and slacks he wore fit in all the right places, reminding her just how hard he felt standing against her. Despite the many men and women standing around him, his gaze was all over her, drinking in every inch of her glowing skin. All the emotion and aching need from the last hour came crashing down on her. All she could picture was him taking her. Pushing his cock between her legs where she was wet and more than ready to take him.

Instead his hot stare said it all. He wanted her, and he would have her. She didn't have a doubt in her mind it was what he thought. And for the first time in several years, a paralyzing fear seized her. What if she never survived?

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For the umpteenth time, Daegan tried to push the haunted look in Jennifer's eyes from his memory. Three hours later he still burned with the image. She'd settled a hungry gaze on him so full of need it nearly brought him to his knees, and then an alarming look of fear flashed over her. He'd started to rush to her side when he'd remembered where the hell they were and what she was doing. Not only would she not appreciate the interruption, neither would Chase. Instead he'd paced, the thin veneer of his civility barely restraining the urges inside him.

They'd all worked too hard and too long to screw up now. There'd be time after the show to pry the truth from the stubborn little vixen. Then, the demonstration had ended and she'd disappeared without a word. As the evening wore down, he'd stayed behind to nurse a pint of beer and his frustrations. In this kind of mood she needed to come to him, not the other way around. So he waited in the dark. The place where he'd pretty much stayed for the last year of his life.

Daegan took another swig of his drink and pushed the past from his mind. He wasn't here to grieve anymore. He'd done enough to last a lifetime. Instead he focused on a certain model who'd managed to get under his skin in a matter of months. There was no denying her beauty. Although he preferred her when she first arrived at the studio. Fresh, no makeup, and a pretty smile that unfortunately never quite reached her eyes. The sadness he saw there always pulled at something inside him. On the outside she came across as a carefree woman who loved her life and spent all her time getting the most out of it she could. But when she thought no one saw her, he recognized something far different.

He was about to take another pull from his beer when he heard the sound of the door creaking open. A small sliver of pale light sliced through the room. Not enough to light up the area, but more than plenty for him to see who entered. A wide grin stole over his face when familiar blonde hair poked through the door followed by the long limbs of his favorite bondage model.

She felt along the wall, probably looking for a light switch or two. Unfortunately for her, unless she'd brought one of the remote controls for the room with her, she'd be searching in the dark for a while. He on the other hand had been in the room long enough for his eyes to adjust, and the low light coming in from the door gave him plenty to see. She'd removed the braid from earlier, and her hair now fell around her shoulders and halfway down her arms. From this perspective he couldn't make out things like her eye color or see the lushness of her full lips. Instead he focused on the curve of her shoulder, the indentation of her waist, and the gentle flare of her slim hips.

She had no idea how badly he ached to explore every inch of her. But she soon would. The door finally snicked closed, and they were once again plunged into complete darkness.

"Jesus, give me a break.” After a few minutes of fruitless searching for a light switch, she thrust her hands in front of her and began to feel her way inside the room. When she bumped into one of the low-lying benches, she cursed and dropped to her hands and knees. He wanted to laugh but thought better of it. No need to start their next conversation off on the wrong foot.

"Can I help you find something?"

She yelped. “What? Oh my God, Daegan is that you?"

"It is. Aye."

"What the—Why are you—You scared me half to death.” The breathless tone of her voice slid over his skin, awakening his senses.

"Sorry, love. I wasn't expecting company.” Although her timing couldn't have been better. Another chance to talk to her sounded a hell of a lot better than sitting here ruminating over the past.

"I'm just trying to find my keys. I think I might have dropped them from my purse earlier.” She shuffled beside him, so close he swore he felt warmth emanating from her.

"I hope you brought the remote."

Silence.

"What remote?” She hesitated. “Why?"

"Well, for one, the only way you're going to get a light on in this room is either from the remote or the outside control panel."

Daegan swore her breathing increased. He hoped she didn't have a panic attack. He wanted to spend time with her but not in that capacity.

"And for two?"

"You let the door close fully behind you. It automatically locks—"

"And we need the remote to open it,” she finished.

"Aye."

"Please tell me you're pulling my leg. This is some kind of joke, right?"

Daegan reached for where he thought she stood and circled her wrist. He leaned forward and whispered, “No. I'm definitely not pulling your leg."

As much as he wanted to see her reaction, he didn't need his eyes to hear the hitch in her throat or her breath coming in short pants. What he wasn't sure about was whether it was anxiety or excitement she felt.

"Don't panic,” He kept his voice calm and reassuring. “It won't take long for someone to figure out we're in here. In the meantime—"

"What? Are you crazy? Everyone is gone. I had to use my employee code to get back in the building."

"Jennifer."

She didn't answer.

"It's not a big deal. Worst-case scenario, we wait until morning when Chase comes in."

"Not a big deal?” she barked at him. “Everything is a big deal with you. Ever since you made that offer to me, it's been a big fucking deal. Every time I turn around you're there. Every time I talk to Murphy he brings you up. Even Eve and Chase have encouraged me in your direction. So don't tell me it's not a big deal, because it is a big fucking deal."

Not the least bit surprised by her outburst, Daegan wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her onto his lap. “Okay, love. ‘Tis a big deal.” He brushed his hand along her back in an attempt to soothe her. “Unfortunately, it looks like you're stuck with me for the night."

"What about your cell phone? Just call Chase and ask him to get us out."

He shook his head. “Don't have it. I left it upstairs so I wouldn't be tempted to interrupt the party with work."

"Of course. Figures."

He tightened his hold around her waist. “Come on, love. Don't get cross with me. I was sitting here minding my own business when you decided to join me."

Jennifer blew out a rough breath and wriggled on his lap. Good Lord, she knew how to fire his blood. Her ire did nothing to detract his attentions. Quite the opposite. Her spitfire attitude drew him in even deeper, like a moth to flame. And her backside right against his groin teased his hard-on to the limit of what he could take. She smelled good too. Sweet and saucy was certainly a potent combination.

The fact he couldn't see her at all through the inky darkness only seemed to sharpen his other senses.

She tried to pull away, and he ignored her attempts.

"There has got to be a way out of here. I mean who puts in a door with no knobs on the inside?"

Daegan smiled. “Was that a rhetorical question?"