Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

S elena

Had I been too harsh?

Insensitive?

Unkind even, which wasn't like me?

Sighing, I rubbed my tired eyes.

Oh, too bad if I had been.

Valerio deserved a taste for all he'd done to try to manipulate me. Granted, I wasn't certain what he was trying to accomplish but he was so slick I couldn't put anything past him.

As I strode into one of the bedroom bungalows, I was breathless for a few seconds. The entire location was just incredible. I'd walked through the second bedroom before this one but somehow, I knew this one was meant for me.

There was a basket on the bed full of specialized toiletries that no man would ever want to touch, including my favorite shampoo scented with strawberries. I took another sip of wine before heading to the bathroom, equally as impressed given the huge tub and granite counters. I had to wonder whether they ever worried about hurricanes or had enough money to rebuild if and when necessary.

When I opened the closet, I not only found a fuzzy robe for my use and big, white, and extremely luxurious towels, I also found dresses hanging inside, and shoes positioned on the floor. They had tags on them. Was this just another tactic, trying to buy me with expensive things? I was of a mindset to do nothing more than wear ugly shorts the entire time I was forced to spend here.

In paradise.

Yes, this was the perfect romantic location, which should make me happy, but I felt awkward and out of my depth instead. I hadn't planned on telling him anything about my former life, but it had just slipped out. At least he'd hopefully learned I had the same kind of integrity as my father.

Then why was I here? I was complicit in what was happening whether I wanted to admit it or not.

Sighing, I ran my fingers down two of the dresses, wishing I could just hate Valerio, but the grumpy, insufferable man could be endearing. Too much so.

Suddenly, I felt him behind me.

"I value integrity more than you could understand, Selena. However, given our banter and what you believe about me, I can understand you won't buy that. You were at least honest enough with me to share the difficulties and successes of your family while growing up so I'll tell you something you might want to hear about me."

"I don't need to hear about your amazing grades or how successful you've been, Valerio. I already know that, and you've made no bones about the fact you exist in the upper echelon of society. In my mind, that means you think you're better than anyone. You're special." Now I was lashing out again.

"I don't know about special, cupcake girl. My mother wouldn't say so. However, I can't lie that in some ways I had it easier than a majority of families in this country or any other but behind every success is strife. Behind every practiced smile is a tragedy or ugly secret. In my case, my father isn't some convicted murderer or a wife abuser, although he ran around on my mom prior to his heart attack. This is more personal and something I try not to forget every day."

There was something about his voice that forced me to look at him while he was talking. "What happened to you?"

"You don't need to hear it."

"Maybe I do, Valerio. If you're being truthful about getting to know each other then help me understand you and your ways." Maybe I would continue to find him reprehensible but there was something he wanted to tell me, something few other people had ever heard. I was certain of it.

"I was a happy, healthy kid until I wasn't. When I started blacking out, the doctors believed the issue was iron deficiency. It took my mother insisting something was terribly wrong for them to run additional tests. I had childhood leukemia. It was already stage two by then and rapidly getting worse."

"What?" I hadn't expected that in the least.

He nodded. "Not something you want to hear as a spoiled seven-year-old who up to that point had had no issues, a kid with everything he could possibly want, like you said. Anyway, during the course of the next several years, I fought the debilitating disease not once but three times. By the last time, I was twelve and the doctors were fearful I wouldn't survive."

"I'm so sorry, Valerio." Of all the things I'd expected, what he'd just said wasn't one of them.

He cocked his head as if he didn't believe me. How could he?

"One of my oncologists suggested I be entered into a drug trial program and my parents were hesitant at first, but the doctor convinced them it might be my best and only possible choice for having any kind of life. It wasn't a miracle cure by any means, but after six months, the drug started working. My body was fighting harder than it had before, learning to recover. I was fourteen before I was deemed cured, although as you might imagine, I was tested often for the first ten years. Now every five. There's a chance that it will come back in a different form, so the black cloud hangs over me, but I learned to live. To thrive. And I refused to allow anyone to take that away from me."

How could any human being not smile at hearing the news? I found myself walking closer. "I'm so glad."

"Are you?"

"Yes, how could you ask me that? Cancer is horrible for anyone no matter the circumstances."

He exhaled and nodded. "I would never want anyone to go through what I did, including the stupid risks I took in my early twenties. I thought at that point I was invincible, but my father took me aside one day after I crashed a car into a tree, reminding me that life was precious. I've tried to remember that, even if I fail more often than not. He's not the best father or the best human being, but I feel the same way about him you do about yours."

"I guess that leads us to a crossroads."

"Maybe. Maybe not. Time will tell. Now, enjoy your wine and relax but in thirty minutes, I am taking you to see the entire resort. I expect you to change."

He pointed to the closet and I nodded. When he seemed happy enough with my response, he headed to the door, stopping just long enough to toss his head over his shoulder, his mischievous grin returning. "Oh, and panties aren't allowed. Not tonight."

"Why?"

"My island. My rules. Cupcake."

Just like that, he turned a horrible story into just another reason I could find to hate him.

Bastard.

BDSM.

Bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism.

I wasn't but so innocent. I knew what a kink club was. In fact, I'd been to one before. While I only remained a voyeur, I'd almost been sucked into becoming a participant. Okay, so I had to admit that the dark club, the neon lights, the tribal music, and the men and women dressed in leather and chains had turned me off a bit. Granted, it had been a club suggested by Willow, something I learned was more for tourists than real players in the world.

Unfortunately, a big dude had tried to force me to accept being whipped on the cross. I'd almost run out screaming. Thankfully, security had handled the asshole.

However, it had kept me from wanting to learn anything more about the lifestyle.

As Valerio had driven through the dazzling foliage, I'd grilled him on the Royal Players Club, peppering the man with questions that he'd taken the time to answer. He wasn't condescending nor did he laugh at me. He did what he could to teach, to help me understand. And because of that, I was excited. Maybe that was crazy but I was tingling all over as we walked in through the impressive entrance, greeted by a huge atrium and incredible display of nature mixing with various lighting techniques and manmade materials.

I'd expected a dark and dangerous environment. Discovering I'd been so very wrong was as surprising as it was enticing.

And I wasn't the kind of girl to admit any dark cravings, but I doubted there was anyone with any sexual desires who didn't long to experience the taste of something just a little sadistic.

Hell, Bella, Willow, and I had teased about masked men hunting us in thick forests while navigating our way through several deliciously strong margaritas. But it was just fantasy. Right? Maybe not for me.

The island wasn't anything like what I'd experienced or had read about. The main resort itself was still beach inspired although it was the kind of facility where the guests dressed nicely for dinner. That was rare in any lifestyle.

I was floored by the beauty of the impressive entrance, let alone the five-floor atrium housing the most incredible tropical plants and flowers. There was a fountain that I could stand and stare at for hours, basking in its beauty and peacefulness.

Plus, the casino was something directly out of a movie, the area decorated with huge chandeliers and impressive bars located in the four corners of the massive and seemingly endless room. In addition, there were two dance clubs, several smaller themed bars, and at least a half dozen restaurants, not to mention the outdoor cafés and ice cream shops.

He spoke casually about the resort, but I could tell it was his pride and joy and I understood why. Breathtaking was the word.

The man with the killer smile and the insanely gorgeous body introduced me to every location. We had drinks and appetizers at the Players' lounge, an exclusive area limited to the upper echelon of the Royal society, as Valerio liked to call them.

We took a stroll by the ocean, pistachio ice cream cones in hand. And we walked every outdoor cabana there was surrounding the massive resort.

When he led me to a bank of elevators, he remained silent, which intrigued me more than anything I'd experienced.

We weren't very talkative anyway, maybe since he'd confessed his past hadn't been the best in anyone's mind. I had a feeling he never confided in anyone about even basic details about his life. I'm not certain I blamed him for his lack of trust. My father had taught me a long time before that trusting anyone outside the family allowed weaknesses to slide in, the kind enemies would use to exploit or blackmail with.

While I'd laughed at my father at the time, I had a feeling Valerio knew something about exploitation and the use of blackmail.

Which made him that much more dangerous.

Was he out to get my father?

I honestly wasn't certain of his intentions but trusting him wasn't on the agenda.

At least for now.

"Where are we going now?" I asked as he pressed the elevator button.

"You'll see." Valerio had a slight smirk on his face, which meant he was up to something.

"How many members are in your clubs?"

He shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. "Thousands."

"They all pay a fee to belong to the club?"

His grin as the elevator doors opened was far too infectious. "A hefty one."

"Does that mean there's also other criteria you consider?" The way he pressed his hand on the small of my back created a wave of tingles. He guided me inside, turning to face me.

"Absolutely. We cater to those who can afford the luxury of the island. A lot of Royal money was put into the two projects plus funds provided by investors. My brothers and I developed the best criteria for membership that would allow our investors to be paid very well and for our bank accounts to be refilled. And anyone allowed even offered membership is required to follow strict rules, including those involving privacy."

"Do you have issues with people talking, telling secrets?"

He lifted a single eyebrow. "One time only. That's all it took."

I shuddered, thinking about how the incident was handled.

The man crowded my space and I tried my best not to tremble from his presence alone. I was more than touched by what he'd told me although still leery. Being here with him was… I had no words at this point.

He planted one hand on the elevator wall by my head, dramatically placing the other five fingers seconds later. Just the way he leaned in was enough to take my breath away. He'd forced me to change, but he'd done so as well. Did the man have a perpetually slick wardrobe everywhere he went?

He looked like a slice of heaven, although instead of the dark suits he wore in San Diego, he was wearing a lighter gray, so tailored for him that it was as if he'd been born in the clothes. He also looked refreshed all the time even after our long flight.

And I knew for certain he hadn't taken a shower.

It was funny. We passed a gorgeous waterfall on the way to the resort and I could envision showering there every day.

With him.

Oh, God.

"The rich and famous," I whispered, fighting every urge to touch him. To stroke him.

To kiss him.

"Yes, my cupcake."

"Why not allow the regular folk in? You know, the people. Like me?"

He laughed and dared brush his lips across mine. As much as a part of me wanted to shove him away, the single, limited taste was just as incredible as the others had been. "While I realize you likely understand very little about the D/s lifestyle, many of our clients fear their darker proclivities would be used against them both in business and in their personal lives."

"People do that?"

"Don't be na?ve, my sweet treat. The look doesn't suit you." The elevator doors opened and he remained right where he was for a few seconds. It seemed the steel box was waiting for his command.

I wondered if that was like everyone else in both his life and in his clubs. He curled his fingers, slowly caressing my cheek.

"I'm not that na?ve."

"I think you are and I find that very attractive."

"Sex is power."

"Yes, much like money is a motivating factor in all business transactions, including ones made by your father."

Bristling, I finally found the courage to ignore his sexual prowess, ducking under his arm and immediately heading for the elevator's entrance.

He obviously didn't like being ignored, snatching my arm before I had a chance to step off. As he pulled me closer, he lowered his voice. "You need to understand something, Selena. The only guests I've invited to either one of the islands are those who pay a significant amount of money for a three-day vacation and a guided tour of the island and every facility. Outsiders aren't welcome. Reporters aren't allowed. For all practical purposes, and to the lay person, the two islands are still uninhabited. Hence the need for privacy, especially considering the membership options. Reputations can be ruined quickly, even in this day and age."

I found myself sucking in and holding my breath.

"My clients expect anonymity, privacy, and they refuse to tolerate anyone attempting to derail their exclusive vacation. One they paid handsomely for. On staff are the most well-trained guards in the business, masters of enforcing the rules and extermination if necessary."

"Extermination?"

He lifted a single eyebrow, the effect highlighting his chiseled features. "My brothers and I do what it takes. Our clients expect no less."

Why did I have the distinct feeling the man was just trying to intimidate me?

He pulled away, taking my hand into his. I marveled that the elevator doors were still open, half laughing when they closed as soon as we walked out.

"You will follow the rules as they are provided without question. As far as everyone here is concerned, I am your master. Do I make myself clear?"

"Master?"

Everything about the man was authoritative and as he led me in through set of double doors, I was shocked that it wasn't dark and the people weren't dressed in fetish clothing. In fact, the room was bright, the music light jazz, and the people were dressed as if attending a ball, not a kink club. The room was huge and beautifully decorated, people doing nothing more than enjoying spending time together while others were engaged in acts of voyeurism, participants of sex and kink acts performing on slightly risen stages, every location highlighting a different look, a different feel and from my limited experience, completely different acts.

Including orgies.

"Fuck," I whispered, fighting nerves I didn't know I had. I was ripped with anxiety but the environment, the people, and even the music were exciting.

"Not what you expected?" he asked, highly amused as he glanced at my face.

"Not even close. Where are the dungeons, the flogging?"

He laughed as if I had to be making a joke. "Flogging is encouraged. The dungeons are by special request, but they do exist. I'll be happy to share every act, every room with you if that's what you'd like. For now, you will act as my submissive. And you will call me your master. Appearances are everything."

"And if I don't?"

The way he pinched my chin between two fingers created a flutter of butterflies in my stomach, but it was what he said that created a wave of electricity.

"Then, my tasty treat, you will be punished severely. Only this time, it won't be with just my hand."

Why did that excite me so much?