Traded for Love (11 page)

“You might want to wipe the drool off your chin,” Julia said. There was so much bile in her statement, I was sure if I said the wrong thing, she'd call a taxi and go home.

Being the smartass I was, I couldn't help but point out her tone. “I thought you said you weren't jealous?”

“How can I help it?” She sounded sad as her hand crept over my thigh to the throbbing bulge in my pants. “I wish this was for me.”

“I won't apologize for my body's reaction.” I remained calm and reserved. “It
isn't
for you, but there might be a way you can still serve me—that is if your jealousy hasn't made having fun an impossibility.”

“You know I'd do anything for you,” she said with ardent devotion. Through my pants, she pressed her fingers against my aching dick. My heart raced for a moment. If Julia finished me off, it'd be purely mechanical. No, I wouldn't settle for anything less than the sweet girl's touch, even if it only lasted a night. It was the only way I'd truly be satisfied.

I stood and buttoned my sport coat, hoping its length might canvas the intense erection I was sporting.

“Follow me,” I told Julia.

She got up without a word. There were times like this that her absolute obedience was advantageous.

I headed for the door to the left of the stage.

(Drake)

Chastity lay on her back across the queen-size bed, her eyes closed.

I sat down beside her and stroked her cheek. “How are you doing?”

She smiled dreamily. “Fine. Could I have some water?”

I'd already thought of that and handed her a frosty bottle of her favorite flavored water. “Was I too hard on you?”

She chuckled. “It was good,” she assured me. “Don't worry so much.”

“I'm not worried. You know how I am, though.” I rubbed the flat of my palm over her stomach.

“I know.” She smiled.

That expression on her face—I'd seen it just before I'd snatched her away from that patron. “Who was the guy you were talking to before I came over earlier?”

Her eyes cracked open. “I don't know.”

“Do you like him?”

“He was dark and mysterious. When I first saw him, I thought he was asleep.” She giggled, propping her head up on her hand. “I think
like
is a strong word.”

“I think he was into you.”

“Maybe.” She offered me a sip of her drink, and I took it gratefully.

From the other side of the dressing room, there was a knock at the door. I went to answer it.

When I saw who was on the other side, I couldn't say I was surprised. It was Mr. Dark and Mysterious, accompanied by a dark-haired beauty. From his clothing, I could tell he was made of money, but it was his bearing that told me he had an underlying power.

“Hello. Can I help you?”

He cleared his throat. “Do you have a moment to talk?”

“Sure.” I stepped out and closed the door behind me. “What can I do for you?”

“I'm not sure how all this works, but I was wondering how I might have time alone with your slave.”

“You sure get right to the point, don't you, first-timer?” I crossed my arms. “You might have started by telling me your name.”

He bristled with indignation, his eyes glinting through the holes in his mask. “
John Doe
.
”

I laughed. “Using a fake name, huh? You wouldn't be the first. My name is Drake.”

“Well? How do I get her?” Doe asked impatiently. “I'll give you
her
for your slave.” He'd pointed to his date.

I shook my head. “I'm sorry, there's no
giving
or
getting
here.”

Doe's tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek. “What do you want then? Money?”

“No. None of the people here are
whores
, sir.” I was beginning to dislike this jerk. “I meant you have to
ask
.”

“
Fine
. I'm
asking
,” Doe said.

“You don't seem to understand, Mr. Doe. I'm not the one you'll have to ask. It's up to Chastity whether she'll give you access to her body.” I looked him up and down. “But since she doesn't know you yet, I'll ask her myself and give you her answer.”

Doe made no reply.

“Excuse me,” I said curtly, and ducked out of the hallway back into the dressing room.

Chastity was sitting upright rubbing lotion on her striped legs. She still wore the lingerie from the scene.

I retrieved her terrycloth robe from its hook on the back of the door. “Mr. Dark and Mysterious just
asked
me for you.”

Her hands slowed to a stop. “What did you say?”

“I basically told him you weren't
mine
to
give
and that I'd have to ask you what you wanted to do.”

“I'm not sure. Is that okay with you?”

“Our agreement hasn't changed, Chastity. We're not exclusive. You can be with whoever you want, and if you ever want to stop being with me, you just have to say the word.” I wasn't sure if she could tell how uncomfortable I was with her being Doe. I was trying to hide it, because I didn't want it to affect her decision.

“Pretty quick to let me go, aren't you?” She snickered.

“What you and I have is special, but I don't own you. Plus, we both know why we aren't …
permanent
.” I fixed my eyes on the toe of my boot, as I shuffled it over the floor.

“I know.” She stood up and came over to me. “I'm sorry. I was just teasing.”

The kindness in her smile warmed my heart. She was a sweet woman with a gentle spirit. Anyone with sense could see that.

I knew her better than pretty much anyone else.

Our story began years ago, when I was a student at NYU. General studies had been the name of the game, mostly because I had no idea where my life was going.

In terms of relationships, I could never find Ms. Right. It was probably because I was looking in all the wrong places. None of the women I'd dated had been the best fit.

At the time, I was curious about the BDSM lifestyle. The first time I saw her, she was masked, suspended from the ceiling, bound artfully by ropes, gagged, and blindfolded. The establishment was just some hole in the wall alternative club, but that week, a traveling group of performers was scheduled to perform a show.

By the time it was over, I was breathless, awestruck by the way she'd gracefully endured the pain. There was something in the way she gave in to her Dominants that made me pursue her.

She was in town for a month, touring many New York clubs, and I courted her aggressively. When the show moved on, she decided to stay behind with another friend who was tired of the scene. Our arrangement had begun soon after, though I'd forged it out of the hopes for a more long-term attachment.

I was naturally dominant but unsure of my abilities. It'd taken a solid year of training, and making many mistakes, before I really knew what I was doing. She'd been patient, helpful, and always obedient.

She brought out the Master in me.

One thing led to another, but it was a recipe for heartbreak.

I fell in love with her.

Unfortunately, she didn't reciprocate my feelings.

So, I told her that we'd continue our arrangement and she could see anybody she liked. I'd had no interest in other people.

I'd been determined to wait for her to change her mind. Much to my surprise, over time, my feelings started to wane. I think it was because I began to realize that, while she was generally amazing, talented, and beautiful, Chastity lacked something absolutely necessary to a successful relationship—the ability to love.

It was a harsh conclusion to come to, I knew. There was simply too much evidence to ignore.

Doe wasn't the first man she'd smiled for. Some of them had fallen head-over-heels for her, like I had. They demanded they be the only one in her life. A few of them wanted to
own
her, and some
tried
to stick around. But, in the end, none of them could handle the fact that when she looked at them, her gaze was empty. There was nothing in her heart for them, neither love nor hate.

Why did I stay even after knowing she'd never love me?

That's a little secret of mine, one even
she
didn't know.

The swinger club was born out of a strong
curiosity
. I wanted to see if, eventually, a man would come around that would melt the glacier where her heart should be, one that could make her smile truly mean something.

She sighed and spent a moment staring into the darkness behind her eyelids. “What do you think?” she asked.

I pursed my lips, unsure of how to answer. Truth was always the best policy, so I gave her mine. “I think you want to do it.”

Her eyes slid open. There was glimmer in those boundless orbs, a warmth shining out. “I think I do.”

“There’s a room open down the hall if you'd like to use that,” I offered.

She nodded slowly and moistened her lips. “I'm going to get dressed. Tell him I'll be out in five minutes, please.”

I left the dressing room. Doe was visibly irate. His date seemed unsettled, sad even. I assumed it was her first time.

“Her answer is
yes
. Turn right, go down the hall, then enter the first door on the left. She will join your shortly.”

“Julia,” Doe barked. “Go with him.”

The woman stepped forward, refusing to look at me.

He followed my instructions, disappearing around the corner and down the corridor.

I set my hands on the woman's shoulders. “Julia, is it?” I asked.

She nodded, still staring at the ground.

I took her chin in my fingers gently and lifted her gaze to meet mine. “You don't have to do anything you don't want to.” I smiled. “We can just talk if you want. Or maybe you'd like to have a drink,” I suggested.

“Thank you.” Her words were cold, as was her expression.

It was then that I noticed the stark difference between the color of her left and right eyes. There were tears glistening on her blackened water-lines, threatening to streak her cheeks with black mascara.

She swallowed hard. “What?”

“I'm sorry. I know it's rude to stare, but you have amazing eyes.” I smiled.

Her lashes fluttered against her cheek and her chest heaved with a rapid breath. “Th-thank you.” Her cheeks turned pink and she stepped out of reach.

The dressing room door opened behind me and Chastity came out.

Julia stared daggers at her as she passed by, though she was hardly paid any notice.

I was envious of Doe. Chastity wore one of my favorite dresses, a pink cut-away with slits over the apples of her breasts. I wondered what she wore underneath, but didn't have much time to wonder before she made for the door down the hall.

A deep breath escaped me as I raked my fingers through my hair. “Seems like both of the people we care about have forsaken us for the night.”

Julia shot me a sharp glance. “Is this some kind of joke to you?”

I held up my hands. “Whoa, whoa, whoa there, kitten.”

She stepped up to me, narrowing her eyes. “I'm not your fucking kitten. Get me?”

I snickered and cocked a brow. “You know, according to the rules, I'm allowed to put you over my knee for treating me with disrespect.”

“I don't owe you
any
respect,” she spat. “You are
not
my master. He is. The only reason I'm doing this is because he ordered me to. So—” She adjusted her skirt. “—where will we fuck?”

I threw my head back and laughed so hard my ribs hurt. “What?”

She shoved me in the chest and I stumbled back, still guffawing.

“This isn't funny, motherfucker!” she shouted.

Rubbing my eyes, I shook my head. “You're hilarious, honey.”

I heard her sniff and my laughter came to a dead stop.

She stood there, her fists clenched, allowing the tears, which had collected earlier, to spill out.

A pang of guilt struck me square in the chest. “Oh … God … I'm sorry.” I stepped forward and took her in my arms.

“Let me go,” she whimpered. “I don't … want you.”

“Do you really want me to let go?” I asked.

Her muscles went slack and she collapsed into me. “It's not fair,” she sobbed. “Fuck!” She beat her fists against my chest.

I pulled her tighter against me. “It's okay. Let it out.”

“It's not fair … ” she kept repeating.

God damn
.
She obviously loves him, and yet he passed her to another man without a second thought
.
This woman spit fire when provoked, and yet when it came to the thought of him being with someone else, she shattered to pieces.

Exactly what kind of monster had I just sent Chastity in to be with?

(Jack)

I was fucking tired of waiting. I wanted her now.

“Fuck!” I cursed through gritted teeth.

The room was modestly furnished with a queen-sized bed, a side-table, ample lighting, and a spanking bench. I needed more equipment to complete the list of things I wanted to do to her, but I was so impatient that it was beginning to overpower my desire to dominate her. I just wanted to feel her, every tender muscle flexing under my fingertips.

I was so hard it hurt. This wait was torture. I stood up, determined to go out and
get
her myself, but as soon as I got to my feet, the doorknob turned.

She appeared in the doorway, a perfect picture—gorgeous from head to toe, wearing a dress that might have meant something to someone else. It meant absolutely nothing to me. All I wanted was the body inside of it, and I was damn well going to get it.

As soon as the door clicked shut, I went for her. There was no way she could mistake the complete abandon with which I moved toward her. I couldn't keep up with myself, my blind lust for this woman—and yet she remained still as I closed in on her.

I pinned her to the door, taking her wrists in my hands and holding them above her head. She appeared as composed as before. Instead of fear, she exhibited an eerie calm. I wanted to attack, to seal the deal, if for no other purpose than to quench the burn inside me, but I couldn't move.

“Well?” she asked loftily. “Aren't you going to kiss me?”

My breath caught, disarmed by the question. “What?”