Scandalous-nook (10 page)

“And a Boy Scout too,” she sighed dramatically. “Be still my heart. Are you positive
you’re not bi?”

His shoulders were shaking slightly. “For you, I almost wish I could be.”

“What a sweet thing to say.” Tasha blew him a kiss just as Stephen got to his feet,
glaring at his cousin. “And believe me, honey, so do I. Now listen for that timer
and pull the muffins out as soon as it dings. I think it’s time for this BDSM Cinderella
to start getting into character.”

She didn’t give Stephen Finn another glance as she tugged her shirt down over her
behind and walked past Brady to get to the stairs. She knew her underwear was dangling
like a shredded garter on one thigh. Knew he could see her shaky steps, see that her
body was still recovering from her explosive orgasm. It wasn’t a walk of shame, she
told herself. She didn’t do shame and there was nothing wrong with what she and Stephen
had done.

The only problem she was dealing with wasn’t visible to the naked eye. Dominant, sexually
aggressive Stephen was bringing out emotions she didn’t necessarily want him to. Need.
Weakness. A desire to please him that wasn’t supposed to leave the safety of a scene.
She wasn’t supposed to feel like this in the light of day.

She thanked whoever was listening that Stephen didn’t really understand the dynamics
of D/s play yet, and that he wouldn’t be able to see her struggle. If he could he’d
realize that, though he’d barely mastered the basics, she was one step away from kneeling
at his feet.

The sex was confusing the issue. To be fair, it was great sex. But if she was organized
in any way, it was in her ability to compartmentalize emotionally. To keep certain
things separate. Her threesomes with Jeremy never interfered with her friendship with
Jeremy. Her loyalty for the Finn family as a whole didn’t stop her from keeping information
about Jennifer’s activities from them and protecting her right to explore her sexuality.
Her love for her grandmother was in no way diminished because of her more complicated
feelings for her mother. And until yesterday, her enjoyment and affinity for the BDSM
lifestyle never touched her passion for Stephen Finn.

Now those two worlds were merging. Stephen and kink. It was an accidental recipe,
ingredients she never would have put together that made the end result that much more
delicious and addicting. It would be an exciting combination as long as she didn’t
think about next week, or tomorrow. As long as she kept reminding herself it was all
for show.

But it felt real.

One problem at a time, Natasha.

She took another shower, needing the hot water to soothe her and get her in the right
headspace. In her towel, she walked to the guest bedroom and right to the closet,
grabbing the dress she’d hung up especially for her introduction as Stephen’s hidden
mistress. She’d laid it across the bed and was rifling through her luggage for her
makeup bag when her phone chimed with a text message.

It was Jennifer.
Need your advice.

Why was she texting this early on a Sunday morning?

Tasha chuckled, adjusting her towel. Knowing Jen, she probably hadn’t gone to sleep
yet.

She sat on the bed and started to type.
What’s up?

She didn’t have to wait more than minute for the reply.

Can’t be on the phone. Has to be in person. Can I come over?

“You can, but I’m not there,” Tasha muttered to the phone while typing her response.
“I’m discovering your brother is the kinky bastard of my dirty dreams.”

Am away at the moment. Won’t be back until the end of the week. Can it wait until
then?

Jen did not like that answer.

This can’t wait.

Tasha frowned.

Are you hurt? Is someone bothering you? What’s wrong?

The reply took so long that Tasha sent a frowning emoticon to express her impatience.

Not hurt. Just needed to talk to someone not named Finn.

“Oh honey, I am so feeling your pain,” she said smiling.

Talk to Jeremy. He’s not a Finn and he loves you. Will call the second I get home.
Until then, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

Jen sent her a thumbs-up and the conversation was over. Tasha worried her lip, wondering
if she should call her. It could be anything from wanting to show off her piercing
to needing advice about getting out of her situation with that aggressive couple.

Tasha sent a message to the owner of the fetish club instead, asking her to keep an
eye on Owen’s little sister this week, and another to Jeremy.

LF@4

Which meant “Little Finn is at DEFCON 4.” Jennifer wasn’t in need of emergency help,
but someone needed to keep an eye on her. It was the code they’d agreed on when Jen
first started to explore the BDSM lifestyle and began to go out with a few of the
club’s more colorful members.

When that was taken care of, she forced herself to stop worrying and focused on getting
ready.

An hour later she gave one last approving glance at the mirror before she left the
hallway bathroom and started down the stairs.

She stopped when she heard the argument.

“Things come up,” Stephen insisted. “Plans change. It happens all the time.”

“This is the wrong call, man.” Brady sounded frustrated. “I didn’t agree with bringing
her on board in the first place, but now that she is, I think she’s perfect for this.
I honestly don’t see a downside.”

“You don’t see a— Are you serious, Brady?”

“She’ll know people there, she’ll understand the lingo and whatever kinky-ass secret
handshake these people have. And from what I saw this morning, no one would suspect
you’re not a couple. Isn’t that what you said? That she was the right woman for the
job?”

“I’ve changed my mind, okay? I’ll tell Burke we fought and she refused to join us.
I can do this without her.”

Tasha glared down the stairs. What had changed in the last two hours? Was this too
much togetherness for Stephen? Dinner, sex and breakfast, and now the prospect of
more? Well, too damn bad.

She squared her shoulders, imagining steel in her spine, and finished her descent.
“No you can’t, Senator. Asking me to help is the only smart move you’ve made since
this thing started. Other than hiring Brady.”

“Thank you,” Brady replied.

“Anytime.” She knew an ally when she saw one. “Face it, Stephen. He’s right.
I’m
right. I’ve been a fetish club member for a decade and I have a pile of deliciously
dirty laundry for Burke to rifle through. I’m exactly what a handsome young Irish
senator would want to keep hidden from the press. As soon as he sees me in action,
he’ll think he’s won. And during his premature victory lap he could let down his guard.”

The men were staring at her, Brady with admiration and Stephen with frustration—and
then lust when he noticed what she was wearing.

She’d picked this out very carefully. The deep fuchsia dress made her skin glow, highlighted
her impressive cleavage and tiny waist, and flirted at the skirt with a slight part
that could easily be swept aside if the mood struck her lover. It wasn’t cheap, but
it was colorful and it sent the exact message it was supposed to.

Tasha did a twirl in her gold sandals. “Do you like it? It’s what’s trending in kept-women
chic.” She lifted her hand to her diamond pendant. “I’m even wearing this to show
him you like to give me pretty things, despite your government salary.”

His eyes narrowed and she smiled. “Of course, this actually came from a lovely older
man with more money than friends who begged me to come over to his house and order
him to clean it.” She paused for effect. “He looked adorable in that maid costume.”

Brady buried his face in his hand and Stephen’s eyes darkened dangerously. “Take off
the necklace.”

Tasha laughed. “Burke won’t believe I’d be satisfied to hide in your closet without
any perks. Consider it a necessary prop.”

He slid his hand into his suit pocket—because who didn’t wear a suit to a house party—and
pulled out a black velvet pouch. The kind that looked like it came directly from one
of those jewelers no one she knew could ever afford. “Take off the necklace, Natasha.”

Her hands went automatically behind her neck, unclasping the pendant. “Fine, Senator.
You know I live to please.”

He held out his hand and she dropped the necklace into it obediently, her eyes on
the pouch. What did he have in there?

When she saw what he pulled out of it, Tasha forgot to breathe. It was necklace. An
emerald heart framed by small diamonds on a short, choker-style chain. It looked stunning.
Expensive.

Her mouth suddenly dry, she asked, “Do you actually keep spare pieces of women’s jewelry
on you in case of emergency? I think that is something your mistress would know.”

Stephen handed the pouch and the other necklace to Brady, then moved to put the exquisite
piece on her himself. “Hold up your hair.”

As she did, she caught Brady grinning at her.

“It’s a good thing I’m not Owen’s pretend lover for the week,” she joked awkwardly
as the warm stone came to rest at the base of her throat. “I would be wearing a giant
shamrock around my neck.”

Stephen’s hands landed on her bare shoulders and turned her to face him. His eyes
dropped to the heart and he reached out to hold it between his fingers. “It matches
your eyes.”

Her hand fluttered up, then dropped at her side. “It’s too nice,” she whispered. “I’ll
be worried the whole time that I’ll break it or lose it before I can give it back
to you.”

His expression was difficult to read again. “It’s yours. I realized on the way home
yesterday that you’d need something for the party.”

For the party. This didn’t mean anything. He was being smart, not romantic.

The hand on her shoulder flexed. “Keep it as a thank-you for agreeing to join me and
being understanding that I’ve changed my mind. This is too much to ask you to do.
I knew it yesterday. You should go home. I don’t want you to deal with any of the
fallout if this doesn’t go the way we want it to.”

Was that what he was worried about? “I’m a big girl, Senator. And when I give my word,
I keep it. Unless you’ve changed your mind about wanting me…to play your girlfriend,
I mean.”

“No. I want you. That hasn’t changed.”

“Then let me do this. I can do this, Stephen. I can help you get him.” She licked
her lips, watching him follow the movement. “We’ll have four days together to get
him.”

Four days…together.
He’d heard the slight emphasis. The subtle sagging of his shoulders told her she’d
won. He glanced at his cousin. “We shouldn’t be in any physical danger, but if I say
the word, you get her out of there. If it’s anything more than what it’s supposed
to be, I want her safety to be your first priority.”

Brady stood a little taller. “Absolutely.”

The necklace was heavy on her skin, as if he were still touching her. Reminding her
who she belonged to. It didn’t feel ornamental, beautiful as it was—it felt like a
collar. A brand of ownership.

It felt so good it scared her.

He wanted to keep her safe.

She stepped back and glanced at the two Finns in front of her. “You should know in
advance that I’m going to be a little hard to manage.”

Stephen smirked. “Should I pretend to be surprised?”

“Smartass. Just trust me and follow my lead, because I know it will make Burke salivate.
Brady needs to play the bored, babysitting bodyguard, and you just have to let me
sit on your lap and touch you inappropriately without looking surprised. Oh, and threaten
me with the occasional punishment. Spanking. Going to the room to wait naked on the
bed without supper. That sort of thing.”

Brady’s cheeks were a shade darker. “I’m not sure I should be here for this conversation.”

Tasha crossed her arms, ignoring Stephen’s groan as the move nearly pushed her breasts
out of her dress. “Get that blushing out of the way now, Brady Finn, because you guard
this secretly kinky senator and you’ve seen it all. You’re going to be seeing naked
men and women in chains or collars doing the kind of things you good, traditional
boys only expect to see in the bedroom after dark.”

“Jesus help me,” Brady muttered.

Stephen walked over and patted him on the shoulder. “Just focus on the job. With Natasha’s
help, we’ll survive the rest.”

They’d survive. She would make sure of it. No Finns were going to fall on her watch.
She, on the other hand…

Tasha sighed, reaching up to fiddle with her new necklace. Clearly the verdict was
still out on her getting out of this intact.

When a knock sounded on the door, they were ready with their luggage and already in
character.

Burke wouldn’t know what hit him.

Tasha smiled as the sun’s rays warmed her skin. Forgetting the details—that the senator
was on a mission to send their wealthy, sleazebag host down the river and she was
his distracting arm candy—so far she was having a wonderful time.

Stephen and Brady’s initial reactions had definitely contributed to her ebullient
mood. Her date had a much better poker face than his bodyguard—she would say it was
his political training, but he’d been like that for years. In the last few days, she’d
seen more emotion from him than she had since he was the young and angry high school
senior his parents worried about and she was still only a freshman.

But now he was sharp and focused. He wanted to take Burke down, and to do that, he’d
fallen into the role of dominant male catering to his mistress as if he’d been born
to it. As if he enjoyed it.

After they’d swept the bedroom for bugs with a little device Tasha now wanted for
her own, Brady and Stephen had both expressed disbelief and shock at what they’d seen
on the way through Burke’s crowded mansion.