Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

J asmine

Arrogant men had been a part of my life for as long as I could remember.

Given the family I’d been born into, my father striving to ‘be somebody,’ I’d seen how greed and the thought of power lured men into the worst versions of themselves.

The kind of guy who would do anything to improve his wealth and standing in society, no matter who he had to step on.

My father was also the kind of man to act like I could be one of his greatest commodities, a bargaining tool. I’d laughed at him at first when he’d introduced me to five eligible million-year-old bachelors. The only good thing I’d been able to say was that it was unlikely they could have gotten their dicks hard even if they’d wanted to.

Not a chance in hell. I’d break every law if necessary to carve out my own life. However, this man, this… sinfully gorgeous man had managed, when others had failed, to take my breath away.

Damn him.

Yes, this guy, this… jerk of a person sitting behind his magnificent exotic wood desk, a drink in his hand and a smirk on his face pissed me off more than the usual scumbags who’d dared to paw me as if I would marry them, improving their standing.

The audacity of his suggestion was ridiculous.

But without a doubt, there was some merit to his rather unscrupulous offer. Sure, I enjoyed pushing the envelope, but now that dear old Daddy and Mommy dearest had taken up residence in America, even I knew being prudent in my nefarious actions was in all our best interests. Did this asshole know that, using my disadvantage against me? No, I’d been careful to hide my identity as much as possible.

I doubted anyone in the US had paid but so close attention to the ridiculous strife in Australian politics. Plus, with me going to college in the US, and after my return staying away from the limelight, it would be tough for anyone to put two and two together.

Unless he was a clever bastard.

Sadly, and much to my chagrin, he was even more handsome than when I’d caught a long, heated gaze before. There was something spectacular about a man with his sleeves rolled up, exposing not only remarkable muscles but wildly incredible art likely specifically designed for him. My eyes instantly fell onto a tattoo he sported on one arm, the ink intricate yet simple at the same time. The design accentuated his muscular physique better than any tight pair of jeans could do.

Shit. Here I was pining away for this guy.

Get your mind out of the gutter, girl.

I brushed my hand through my hair, forced to face the fact my father would not only be embarrassed, something he didn’t need, he would also be ridiculed more than he was currently experiencing. I guess I did have some family loyalty after all. A teensy-tiny bit.

But this asshole was too glib and I remained incensed.

So, my usual behavior instantly roared to the surface. My mother had told me more than once in her usual condescending way that my mouth would eventually land me in jail.

And they wouldn’t come bail me out.

“Just who the fuck do you think you are?” I demanded, even taking two long strides closer. Whew. Okay, so the man was gorgeous, albeit from what I could tell with him sitting down, he was dressed like a bad episode of the old eighties show Miami Vice , although with the jacket removed, he appeared almost… normal.

As if I had any clue what that meant.

But I had to admit, his exotic aftershave was enough to lure any unsuspecting woman into his lair. And he was buff, his face chiseled like some aristocrat. With wavy dark hair I could envision running my fingers through and moss green eyes that absolutely penetrated my blackened soul, it was difficult for me to take my eyes off him.

And my core had instantly overheated.

Mr. Mystery Guy took that opportunity to rise to his feet, towering over me even in my heels by several inches. While I’d been right about his clothes, including the tight peach tee shirt, sitting hadn’t done his physique the appropriate justice.

I was momentarily taken aback, which was completely unlike me.

“Do you know who I am?” he asked rather coyly.

“The better question is why should I care?”

“My name is Braxton Royal, one-third owner of the resort where you faked your name, your identification, and your reason for being here. All while stealing from my guests.”

I shrugged as if it didn’t matter when a tiny trickle of fear skittered down my spine. A girlfriend of mine had mentioned the resort, commenting that hundreds of thousands of dollars were gambled away every day, the guests all rich and greedy bastards.

The personal lure had been impossible to ignore. My gal pal knew how much I adored a challenge. It eased the boredom and diplomatic living I’d endured every day, week, and year since I was born.

“Is that supposed to impress me?” I asked, yawning on purpose.

Braxton took the time to walk around the side of his desk, easing his carved butt onto the edge. “I don’t care if you’re impressed, Jane, or if you want to scratch out my eyes. The fact is that you’re in my world and you will do as I say.”

I walked closer, my hand itching to slap him, but the nagging voice inside of me told me my action would be just another bad decision. I normally did my homework, developing a complete dossier on anyone who had anything to do with the casino I was about to rob, but this time the horrific argument I’d had with my father had prevented me from doing so. Okay, I’d been impetuous in my decision to come here, but my father’s insistence I come with him and my mother for a year stint in America had been intolerable.

Let alone when he’d blurted out an American wedding would be fabulous.

I was no longer a child, but both my parents expected me to maintain my servitude as the dutiful daughter throughout my life.

“Oh, well,” I told Mr. Royal, even blowing the sexy man a kiss. I adored pushing every boundary and always had.

I’ll be damned if the rugged man didn’t invade my space, closing the distance until we were maybe two inches apart. If I were the kind of woman to swoon over a man, I would be doing so right about now.

Thankfully, I wasn’t.

That didn’t mean I couldn’t admire his sexual prowess or the hunger in his eyes. Whew. Was it possible he was undressing me with his sensual eyes?

Of course he was.

“Now that we’ve established my name, I think it’s about time you tell me yours.”

“You already know. Jane Smith.”

His laugh was to be expected. “You must think me a fool.”

“Why yes, yes, I do.”

He acted as if he was going to reach out, touching my face but curled his fingers a split second before. “While beautiful and intriguing, I don’t accept liars. I can easily gather your fingerprints. I know several people in various national and international law enforcement agencies. I assure you within twenty minutes I’ll learn your real identity. Make it easy on yourself. Your punishment might be a bit more lenient if you do.”

Punishment. The man was serious. “Just arrest me.” You bet I was pushing his buttons to see what he was made of. Why not?

He took a deep breath, cocking his head slightly before pulling a cellphone from his pocket, immediately dialing a number.

I sucked in my breath, still uncertain what to do. I didn’t know this man. While I believed his statement about who he was, that didn’t mean I’d succumb to whatever punishment he had in mind.

“Travis. Go ahead and bring in security to shackle and escort Ms. Smith to the airport. I’ll contact the police chief in New York City, the best location for our… guest to experience the less opulent side of life.”

Shit. The man was serious.

This was a nightmare and something I couldn’t allow to happen. Without thinking, I slapped my hand against his, shocked when two things happened. One was the direct, clear, and incredible electricity that shot through him straight into my arm and every other muscle. Now my core was close to increasing to a million degrees. Second was the ugly fact his cellphone flew from his hand, smashing hard on the floor.

Braxton slowly lifted his head, amused yet his eyes darkened. From anger or desire? I couldn’t quite tell.

“Oops,” I said, which was absolutely ridiculous. I felt a heated flush crawling up my neck and cheeks and loathed my body for it. That’s because my reaction had only a smidgeon to do with my improper, impetuous behavior in likely breaking his phone, and more to do with the raging hunger I felt for a stranger.

Whew.

It was getting hot in the room.

Seconds later, his office door flew open and Travis burst in with three burly-looking hunks of men in security uniforms.

“Mr. Royal. Are you okay?” the guy barked.

Braxton crouched down, picking up his phone. When I noticed the cracked screen, I cringed.

“I’m just fine, Travis. I believe Ms. Smith and I will be able to come to an understanding. I don’t believe she wants an assault charge added to her list of crimes.”

“Assault? You are kidding me, right?”

Braxton returned his attention to me, the damn smirk returning. “I’m not in the habit of kidding about crimes occurring within my resort.”

“Okay, boss. I’ll still be close by if you need me,” Travis told him.

“Yes, please do.”

Damn the man. Damn my decision to come here.

When we were alone again, Braxton shook his head. “You don’t deal with authority very well. You have no choice either way but to do so, Ms. Smith. Name. Now.”

God, the man had me between a rock and a hard place. Just staring into his big baby greens made me want to melt. But that wasn’t going to happen. Still, the nagging inner voice reminded me my choices of getting out of this debacle were slim and nil.

“Jasmine.” My voice no longer had the same icy chill attached.

“Good. I believe you’re beginning to understand. Last name.”

While I didn’t have a particularly unusual surname, the likelihood he’d know who my father was virtually impossible, I still hesitated.

“Jasmine. I’m losing patience.”

“Calm your farm,” I threw back at him, although there were plenty other not so nice bits of Australian slang I wanted to say.

He took a deep breath, his anger increasing.

“It means relax. Sinclair. Jasmine Sinclair.”

He seemed surprised or impressed, I wasn’t certain which, nor did I care. But honestly, I didn’t see any real sign of recognition. “Now that you should realize I am serious about having you arrested, I need your decision. Punishment my way or a possible lengthy jail term?”

I sensed the clock wasn’t just ticking. It was getting ready to be smashed just like I’d done with his phone. While I was exasperated, it would seem I had no choice.

Even if I wanted nothing more than to toss out the words ‘diplomatic immunity.’ Sadly, I wasn’t entirely certain how or if that applied to the Caribbean. I guess I’d just taken the status for granted all these years. Part of the reason was that this was the first time I’d been caught in my toxic yet fun criminal activity.

However, as usual with my brash personality, my haughty attitude remained. “What do you have in mind?” This should be good.

He seemed far too pleased with himself, not just smug any longer but as if he was lord and master.

I kept my arms folded, even lifting a single eyebrow, which was a little trick of mine to try to look badass. I could tell he wasn’t buying it.

Braxton inched closer once again, taunting me by tapping his long index finger across his lips. I should say his succulent, rosy lips. No man had that color lips without having makeup on and did he have a personal collagen advisor on standby at the resort?

“Let me think,” he said, returning to the edge of his desk. Now he was the one who crossed his arms, peering at me like I was fresh meat. “First, a hard spanking. After that? Well, here’s the thing. Afterwards, you will belong to me for one. Entire. Night.”

“I’m sorry?” There was no way I’d heard the bastard currently.

“You heard me. You need a firm hand controlling you and I just happen to have one.”

Oh. My. God.

“A spanking?” I was concentrating on the harsh punishment aspect first, barely giving the second part to my penance a second thought. “What are you, a Neanderthal?”

“No, I believe you could call me sadistic in general. In case it bypassed you, Ms. Sinclair, this resort isn’t only about allowing wealthy people to gamble to their heart’s desire, it’s a kink resort catering to every dark, sadistic, and savage kink.”

Oh, shit. I’d totally ignored that part, my bestie not clueing me in either. A lump formed in my throat and for the first time in as long as I could remember, I had no quippy comeback.

Sadistic. As in causing pain with joy.

Purr-fect.

My mouth was dry and I was unable to say a thing, just listening to the horrible sound of my thumping heart echoing into my ears. When he concentrated on staring at his watch, I felt all the choices float into the ugly abyss.

The thought of a spanking was bad enough. The thought of spending all night long with the powerful, seductive man doing his bidding was reprehensible.

“I assure you that I’m no whore,” I finally spouted off.

“And I assure you that no one will ever mistake you for being one. That doesn’t negate the offer I made or the severity of your crimes.”

It wasn’t every day I was propositioned like some common tramp and my reaction when someone said something stupid was similar, and my next big mistake around the handsome, infuriating man.

I tried to slap him, as if that would soften the blow of receiving a spanking. But the hunk of a man was too quick for me, snapping my hand almost entirely back. The pain was blinding, but when he jerked me between his legs, the force causing me to slap my other palm against his sculpted chest, I knew I’d met my match.

“Not very nice, my little koala bear. That will cost you. Now, a deal is a deal. Time to make your choice.”

He wasn’t going to make this easy, dipping his head so low I was instantly intoxicated by his rugged scent and the desire for him to kiss me with wild abandon.

Would spending one night being his sex slave be that bad?

The debate wasn’t that tough. At least my father wouldn’t discover what I’d done. The secret could be safe with me.

“Fine. I’ll accept your deal but no repulsive kink or I’ll kill you and cut off your balls as a souvenir.”

His grin made me want to go ahead and show him how I handled business. “Excellent. Then let’s get started.”