Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

J asmine

I wasn’t a girl who was used to feeling shame.

Very few people had dared try to embarrass me in any regard and that included the notorious press. Articles were constantly being written about my mother and me, even if dear old Dad had taken out several injunctions over the years.

The blokes kept at it, but you learned how to deal with them.

But right now, being around this man after I’d been completely naked except for heels remained shameful indeed. My face was likely as red as my bottom. At least my cheeks didn’t ache like my ass did. A wooden paddle? Really? I’d caught a glimpse of his cabinet of toys.

Or maybe I should say torture instruments.

Had I realized what this island catered to before I arrived? Yes, and I was no prude, having engaged in a little dominating foreplay in my sexual life, but this dude was… serious. Did people live the lifestyle twenty-four/seven?

I guess I’d received my answer.

I smoothed down the front of the dress, unable to look in his direction. His office was far too quiet, other than what I could hear of his heavy breathing. What surprised me was how soundproof everything seemed. There were no pulsing beats from the music of one of the clubs. There were no people sounds whatsoever.

Just a quiet that would become unnerving to me. Suffocating. Maybe because all my life I’d escaped into music, the darker the better. It had driven my parents crazy, but they’d allowed it since I’d had almost no friends growing up.

I could sense the man coming closer and I remained furious with myself that he was the kind of man who had a mesmerizing effect on me. I had to shake it somehow. Especially since I was going to be forced into close quarters with the man. One. Entire. Night.

The thought was daunting.

After plastering on a smile, I turned around. My nipples immediately hardened, my reaction to him that strong.

He took a deep breath, holding it as he inched closer. All the while, he allowed his gaze to fall as if seeing me for the first time.

He’d donned his jacket, keeping it unbuttoned and peeled away. His hands were in his trouser pockets and right now he appeared like any regular guy, not a wealthy douchebag.

“I’m curious,” he asked. “Have you taken a tour of my facility or merely engaged in your criminal activities?”

Every word the man issued made me want to run, slap his face, or kiss him. “Does the coffee shop and dining room count?”

Braxton seemed incredulous. “Not even to one of the beaches?”

“Why bother attempting to entertain myself on the beach when I prefer energy and vibrancy? Not nature and giant beetles.”

He was way too amused by what I’d just said.

“Yet you have some of the most pristine beaches in the world,” he said, drawing even closer.

“Yes, we do, our ocean waters teeming with coral, but I’m more of a city girl.”

“A city girl. I’ll keep that in mind. Come on. I’ll give you the marvelous two-bit tour.”

As soon as he opened the door, another wave of excitement rushed through me. Why did it feel as if I was being led on an adventure?

A wicked one?

Maybe that was the truth.

I walked out, trying not to shudder as he pressed his hand against the small of my back. The corridor was dark in design, which was in direct contrast to the three other offices I’d noticed, all with their doors open. They were tropical by design. Not Braxton’s.

“The executive suite,” I said absently.

“Yes, a private space we can lock down without fear of anyone getting onto the floor or breaking our security for that matter. It’s completely separate from the rest of the facility’s system. That allows additional protection as well as an entirely soundproof environment.”

His words were practiced as if he gave tours of this floor, which I doubted. While I was trying to concentrate on what he was saying, the discomfort covering pretty much my entire bottom was brought back to life by my dress swishing back and forth across my well-spanked ass.

Damn the man.

“That means you can beat, fuck, or kill anyone up here and your guests won’t know a thing.” Caustic words came so easily for me, especially around him.

Instead of falling prey to my nags, he waited as he pressed the private elevator button before answering. He turned to me, coming within a few inches. He did so love crowding my space, asserting his authority and his prowess. I lifted my head, refusing to fall prey as most women likely did.

“You’d be surprised the darkness and atrocities my brothers and I have performed on this hallowed floor.” There was a twinkle in his eyes.

The man was goading me.

“I doubt I would, a horrible monster such as yourself.”

“Yes, I enjoy doing vile things,” he growled as he pushed me in through the open elevator door.

“Vile. There’s a word. Such as?”

After pressing a button that I couldn’t see, he leaned his full body weight against me, the more intimate touch stealing my breath. He placed first one then the other hand on the cool metal, as if it could bear some of his muscular weight. The close proximity was as exhilarating as it was maddening.

“Such as acts of debauchery and feasting.”

“Feasting. I would enjoy watching you.”

“And not experiencing?”

The slight crook of his upper lip was far too sexy. “You couldn’t handle me.”

“I guess we’ll see, little koala.”

I wanted so much to tell him never to call me that again, especially since it was a term of endearment, but I found myself unable to do that. It was cute, something no one had ever called me. Okay, so I hadn’t gotten close enough to anyone for them to develop an intimate name. He was overwhelming in both good and bad ways, and relished being able to get a rise out of me.

It was far too overheated in the small space and I found myself lightheaded. I tried to sidestep him, but he was having none of it, daring to wrap his fingers around my throat.

“Not so fast,” he growled in a deeper, huskier voice. “You do remember you belong to me tonight.”

“You won’t allow me to forget.”

“You’re right. And something else. No matter who you see tonight or during the remainder of your stay on this island, you will never divulge a single activity, a name, a proclivity, or anything that you’ve seen here.”

I pretended like I was zipping my lips. “Mum is the word.” There was a sudden odd look in his usually amused eyes. I could only imagine the twisted activities he’d been privy to.

I’d known my father had engaged in multiple affairs at an early age. To this day, my mother might have turned a blind eye, but he’d only recently curtailed his actions or had at least been more discreet since maneuvering for a position of higher power.

What a crock.

“Where are we going?” I asked, still doing everything I could not to be intoxicated by the man.

“To a private section of the resort and one of my favorites.”

I suddenly felt uncomfortable, squirreling underneath his arm to try to get into the corner. “Look. I might have come across a bit… foolhardy but no matter what you think of me, I’m not…” God, I’d never felt so uncomfortable in my life. The elevator came to a halt and I sucked in my breath so hard I was wheezing.

He took my hand, bringing it to his lips. I’ll be damned if the bastard wasn’t trying to comfort me. “Finish what you were going to say.” He pulled me from the steel box and I was holding my breath as I studied the area. I couldn’t make heads or tails of the hallway itself but it had a more gothic appearance than what I’d seen in the rest of the resort. There were sconces on the ruby-stained walls, the flicker of every bulb reminiscent of an old-fashioned light fixture using real candles.

I realized my heart was in my throat, my mind spinning as to what I’d managed to get myself into. “You’re right in that I’m not who you think I am. I’ve never engaged in acts of BDSM.”

“Hmmm,” he said and nothing else. Was he brushing off my concerns, acting as if my trepidation didn’t matter?

What a fucking bastard. I’d been right about my first assessment.

He moved to a set of massive double doors and only then did I hear what sounded like music.

Pulsing music.

With his hand firmly planted around mine, another moment of feeling suffocation swept through me. I tried desperately to pull away, as if Jasmine Sinclair, a woman born into wealth and opulence, was going to consider running away like a coward.

“Just let me go.” Oh, dear God. I was whimpering. What the hell? There were three promises I’d made to myself early on.

I refused to beg for anything.

I would never whimper under any circumstances.

And I would face every fear head-on.

No man was going to entice me into failing under any circumstances.

Before he twisted a handle, he whipped me around to face him, cupping my jaw as he’d done before. I’d found myself wanting him to kiss me so badly I’d almost made the first move. This time was no different other than he had yet another entirely different look in his piercing eyes.

Did this man have multiple personalities?

“My dear, sweet koala bear. You know nothing about acts of BDSM to any degree if you believe I’m going to force you into performing kinky acts without your consent. You call me a monster but I’m not a madman. The submissive is always in charge whether they understand that or not.”

I was slightly taken aback by his statement. Maybe there was a lot I needed to learn about the art of D/s. Although I certainly wasn’t going to admit that to him. “So everyone wants to be here?”

What a lame question.

He laughed, which just caused another wave of embarrassment. I was an adult who had certainly benefitted from a very expensive education. Why did I feel like some small child who knew nothing?

“While you will see cages and people in shackles of all kinds, whips and other implements of punishment, and even apparatuses that will seem more like torture tools to you than finely crafted art, I assure you that no one has ever been forced here against their will. I give you my word.”

His word. I wondered if it was worth anything. “Okay.”

“Now, trust me. I think you’ll find I’m merely introducing you to the lifestyle to your liking.”

He certainly didn’t seem to have any plans of allowing me to answer. When he threw open the door, I was struck by the darkness. But that was short lived when a powerful drumbeat rumbled through a stereo system, lights coming alive in various vivid colors in time to the beat.

There were guards at the door prepared to check the color-coded key cards provided to every member and guest. I could only imagine what color allowed for entrance into the incredible facility.

The beat was tribal, the vibes electric, and while crowded, the space still seemed intimate somehow. Within seconds as he walked me further inside, I felt a sensory overload of lights and sounds coming from all directions. As soon as he released my hand, I spun around in a full circle, staring up at what appeared to be a star-kissed ceiling. Of course I knew the club had a roof and it suddenly dawned on me given the irregular shape that we were in the pinnacle portion of the resort.

I could remember looking up at the cathedral-like dome wondering what fabulous place was nestled inside.

Now I knew.

There were cages swinging in the air, both male and female dancers inside. They wore various costumes from leather to feathers, the lights accentuating their wild performances every few seconds. I noticed at least two bars where even the bartenders were in BDSM uniforms. They were also dancing to the beat, providing the customers with their artistic bartending skills.

Guests were also dressed in various wild outfits, some having nothing to do with domination or submission while others were being led around by leashes like pampered animals.

“What do you see?” Braxton asked as he inched closer.

“Utter debauchery.”

“Very good. Come. Let’s grab a drink.”

Once again, he grabbed my hand, leading me deeper into the crowded space. Only then did I notice there were also at least three dance floors, people of all ages dancing as if this night would be their last. Every move seemed primitive, savages mating in the wild.

I was in awe as I watched, gawking as if I’d never seen anything provocative in my life. I’d been to wild clubs before. Australia had lots of them, but this was… in a class on its own.

As he continued weaving his way toward one of the bars, I also noticed there were what seemed to be mini BDSM stations spread throughout the dance floors. I wasn’t certain what to call them but there were shackles screwed into walls, bars with them attached to something in the shadowed ceiling. I’d never seen anything like it.

But I had to admit I was drawn not only to the dance floor but to the apparatuses. Maybe I’d come here to seek a different kind of freedom than I typically achieved with gambling.

I didn’t hear the man order but suddenly there was a glass of red wine in my hand.

How had he known my favorite drink? Of course. He’d studied every camera. I should have known better than to come here.

But… I had to admit I was fascinated by the resort and by the man, whether I’d tell him that or not. I could admire without feeling any guilt.

He moved through the crowd, many of the guests nodding out of respect, even widening a path so we could pass. Perhaps he felt like a king given their behavior. It was amusing if not completely self-indulgent.

As we moved to a standing table near one of the dance floors, I could tell he was watching my reactions like I was observing the crowd. I noticed famous athletes, rock stars, and movie people as well as some corporate moguls I’d seen in Fortune magazine.

It was an eclectic mix but unlike clubs filled with the same generation of folks, the diversity allowed me to feel more comfortable.

“What is the name of this club?” I asked as we both leaned in across the round table.

“Eden.”

“Ummm… Is there an Adam and Eve to go along with the… festive environment?” I teased.

“Every couple.”

“How sinful.”

“Imagine a place where all your greatest fantasies come true.”

“At a price, a costly one.”

He laughed, the sound as sensual as it was infuriating. “Everything comes at a price. Pleasure. Pain. Consequences for misbegotten actions. But for those who don’t mind paying for play, this is utter paradise where your greatest desire, your wildest adventures can come true. I stop at nothing to ensure my guests are satisfied, which includes assuring them that no one trespasses into this private realm. Unfortunately, my lovely koala, you violated not only their trust but mine.”