Writes of Submission (3 page)

“What—” Nikki stopped in the middle of asking about her handsome co-guest to stare at the teddy bear. It was hitting her for the first time that she was actually going to be writing a BDSM book. Herself. With Candee, yes, but she knew nothing about this. Nothing. She was suddenly terrified.

“Yes?” Allie was looking at her expectantly.

Nikki gulped. “Can I ask you about this BDSM stuff?”

“Of course.” Allie sat down on the bed, absently petting the teddy bear.

“Do people really hurt each other?”

Allie smiled. “Well, yes and no, I guess. It kind of depends on what you mean by ‘hurt.’ Some people enjoy pain, and so they search out partners who will give it to them. What you or I might consider being hurt is just play to them. They get something out of it, whether that’s an endorphin rush, a cathartic release, or just the feeling of being alive. Many people do sensation play for the same reasons, or to enhance their connection with their partners.”

“Sensation play?” That sounded a little better, Nikki thought.

“Sure. Body art, scratching, nipple clamps, rope, flogging—those are all fairly mild activities. You have a pretty good-looking guy here to experiment with, too.”

Nikki’s hands instinctively flew up to cover her breasts. “Nipple clamps are
mild
?”

There was the sound of a bell and Allie jumped to her feet. “Excuse me. That must be Dante.”

Then she was gone. Nikki stared after her as the rest of Allie’s statement sunk in. “A good-looking guy to experiment with”? What the hell was she talking about? Was that why Kane was here? Was he some kind of BDSM gigolo? Had Candee hired him? Where
was
Candee, anyway, and why had Allie said there were three guests, if this person Dante was coming? What the fuck was going on?

Chapter 2

Nikki debated, as she unpacked, going back to Kane’s room to confront him. She wanted to know why Allie had implied she’d be “experimenting” with him. She couldn’t think of a good way to ask. “Excuse me, but are you by any chance planning on flogging me in the near future?”

No, that wouldn’t do. She sat on her bed, chewing her bottom lip and thinking. Finally she decided to go and hunt down Allie and ask when she was going to meet Candee. The suspense was killing her. She had to know what was going on. Maybe she could get more information about this Kane guy, too.

There was the sound of voices as she got to the bottom of the staircase and she followed it to the dining room. Allie was sitting at the huge table with somebody that must have been Dante.

He certainly looked like a Dante. He had blond hair pulled back in a ponytail and a tanned, cheerful face. When he stood up to greet her, she saw that he was at least six foot two and wore a Hawaiian shirt, long baggy shorts and sandals.

A surfer? If he wasn’t, he should have been. He certainly had the look for it. First there was the gorgeous Kane, and now this guy, who was equally stunning. Both of them were at least ten years younger than Nikki, and she was expected to start experimenting with sensual play with these hunks in the house. What was the universe doing to her?

“I’m sorry,” Nikki stammered, staring at his outstretched hand but feeling her feet start to edge backward out the door. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“No problem.” Gorgeous Surfer Dude advanced toward her, his tanned face breaking into a wide grin just like Kane’s. “You must be Nikki. Congratulations on the contest win. Allie has just been telling me about your project. I hope it goes well for you. I’m Dante, by the way.”

“Dante. Nice to meet you.” She reluctantly took his hand. He somehow made her feel old and frumpy as he stood there looking like a college kid on spring break. She half expected to see a skateboard and a surfboard out on the porch, and maybe a beat-up VW van in the driveway.

“Have a seat.” He beamed at her and sat back down. “We were just discussing book marketing. It’s never too early to start, you know.”

“Did I tell you Dante is a marketing specialist?” Allie smiled at him. “Poor boy, he’s been assigned to help us promote our book. I think I’m going to steal him away from the publisher, though, and keep him here as our resident publicist and eye candy. You’ve got some great ideas. Nikki, can I get you a drink? I was about to bring out snacks anyway.”

“Um, yes, thanks.” Nikki watched her go, feeling a little panicky. What was she supposed to talk to Dante about?

“So, did I hear correctly that this will be your first book?” Dante turned to her looking a little more businesslike.

“Yes,” she admitted. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“A virgin?” He chuckled. “This is going to be fun.”

“What?” Nikki stammered, panicking.

“Relax. It’s okay. It’s not like we’re going to throw you into a volcano or anything. I think you’ve chosen the perfect place to learn,” he said. “I’m going to put a few of Candee’s books on my Nook this afternoon—for research purposes, of course. I’m curious about the whole BDSM romance phenomenon. Have you been in the kink scene long?”

Nikki felt her eyes go even wider. “No, I’ve never—I mean, I don’t really know anything about it, other than what I’ve read in Candee’s books.”

He nodded seriously. “Good. It’ll be an educational experience for both of us, then. That’ll make learning about it all the more fun.”

Nikki took her courage in both hands. “Do you know when Candee will get here?”

He looked surprised. “I’m not sure. Isn’t that her Audi out there? I thought she was here already, but if not, then today sometime.”

“Oh.” She glanced involuntarily toward the front of the house, as if his words might actually conjure her idol.

* * * *

Kane also followed the sound of voices. It was almost lunchtime and he was getting hungry. He wandered into the dining room and saw the contest winner, Nikki, sitting at the table with a good-looking tanned guy in a Hawaiian shirt. Interestingly, a small pang of jealousy shot through him. It didn’t help that Nikki’s face fell a little when she saw him. Damn. He must have made a worse impression on her than he’d thought.

“Hi. I’m Dante. Love the shirt, bro.” Pretty Boy stood up and held out his hand, chuckling. Kane decided he wasn’t going to like this guy. It had nothing to do with the fact that Nikki was sitting here talking to him. It was just that he was too perfect. Probably thought he could snap his fingers and all the women would flock to him. Hell, it was probably true.

“Thanks. It’s my street team. So you’re here to help Allie market her cookbook?” Kane asked.

“Yeah, but I think I’m interested in finding out more about BDSM, too. Allie said she’ll let me sit in on some of the sessions. If you don’t mind, that is.” He winked at Nikki, who seemed to almost swoon a little. Her breath caught audibly. God. This was so not what he needed. His book sales were faltering—not horribly, but enough to start to worry about. His assistant Ellen—the woman who’d cracked the whip and kept him in line and on track for four years—was about to get married and leave him. He really needed something new in his life, and when he’d met Nikki he’d had an immediate attraction to her. She was pretty, with chestnut-brown hair, a sweet, curvy figure and a smile that could melt concrete. But that wasn’t all. Her energy had immediately made him feel centered, tethered to reality. His brain had a tendency to fly around like a sparrow, flitting from idea to idea. But she also had a hunted look, as if she was sick of guys coming on to her. He had no chance.

“
Sessions
?” Nikki’s voice squeaked and she turned huge eyes toward him.

Allie came bustling through the kitchen door then, carrying a cup of tea and a plate of cookies. She stopped when she saw Kane. “Should I bring out stuff for lunch?”

“That would be great.” Dante jumped up and took the plate from her. “Personally, I’m famished and I can’t wait to try one of those recipes. I’ll take pics to post and tweet about it.” He stopped suddenly and looked at Kane and Nikki. “Might as well kill two birds with one stone. Do you want to get a little free publicity, too? I can hype it up that you’re here working on your new project. It’ll be a win-win.”

“Wait. What?” Nikki looked around at all three of them as if they’d lost their collective minds. “Shouldn’t we wait until Candee’s here? Where is she, anyway? I was supposed to be here working on the project with her, wasn’t I? She should be the one with any pictures.”

Kane stood slowly, catching and holding her gaze. Obviously she didn’t know. He’d thought Burt had told her. Well, nothing for it now but to rip off the Band-Aid. He bent from the waist in an elaborate bow, sweeping one hand to the side. “At your service, m’lady.”

Her mouth dropped open but she didn’t seem to be able to produce any sounds. White knuckles gripped the edge of the table as she stared at him. Then her head swiveled to Allie, undoubtedly hoping that the other woman would set everything straight.

Allie gave him an apologetic glance, then stepped forward as if she thought Nikki might faint. Or attack. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I thought you knew.”

“Knew… knew… That he… That Candee…” Nikki raised a hand and pointed at him. He got the feeling she was wishing it was a gun.

“
You’re
Candee Appelbaum? Dude, that’s brilliant!” Dante was grinning at him in what looked like genuine delight.

“Thanks.” He had to admit he was starting to like Pretty Boy a little better now. Most guys, when they found out what he did, took an immediate step back as if he were about to kiss them or something. A guy who thought it was cool was a rare thing to find.

Obviously Nikki didn’t think it was cool. Her face had gone white, then red, and she was still pointing at him. Gradually she seemed to become aware of it and lowered her hand, but there was still a look of betrayal and accusation on her face.

“Yes,” he said, sitting down again in an attempt to establish a more casual atmosphere. “I write romance as Candee Appelbaum. We’re going to be working together on a book. Is that a problem for you?”

* * * *

Her whole world crumbled around her. Candee Appelbaum was a woman. She
had
to be. They were going to be coauthors and best friends. They were going to learn about BDSM together. She couldn’t be best friends with this guy. As for the BDSM lessons—

“No.” She shook her head. No. It wasn’t possible. It would mean writing kink scenes, working out sex positions together, talking about body parts. She imagined him bending her over a couch, leaning over her to see if intercourse would be possible.

Kane cocked his head, giving her a quizzical look. “No, it’s not a problem, or no, you won’t do it?”

She opened her mouth to say that she couldn’t possibly work on an erotic romance novel with him. But then she imagined herself leaving, going home with no book deal. She’d have to crawl back to Kent and beg for her job back. He would look at her with that smirk and gloat that he’d known it wouldn’t work. Helen would be sympathetic but pitying.
Everyone
would be sympathetic and pitying.

“No, it’s not a problem.” She hated herself for giving in, but there was no way she was going to let go of this opportunity. She couldn’t. It was her only chance to become an author. It would take her years to write a book by herself in the evenings after work. She knew how hard it could be to write at night, every night, when she was tired from working all day and just wanted to curl up with a cup of tea and a good movie.

She had to take this opportunity. Even if it was with a wisecracking, gorgeous hunk who would probably rather give himself an appendectomy than discuss sex with a plain, middle-aged unknown like her.

But then, he
had
agreed to the contest. Why had he done that? He could have ended up with anybody. He
had
ended up with anybody. There had to be easier ways to find gorgeous young things willing to let him tie them up and violate them.

“Good.” He smiled at her and her stomach flipped, despite herself. She was going to have to keep from doing something stupid like making a pass at him. “Then we’ll need to set up a work schedule. That will include some lessons from Allie and her guys in the finer points of BDSM. I’ve been in the scene for a while, but it never hurts to brush up and see how others do it. If I remember correctly from your entry form, you’re new to the lifestyle, right?”

She wasn’t sure if she could speak, so she just gulped and nodded.

“Are you willing to learn about it?”

This was going to be the test of her life, Nikki knew, but she could only nod again.

* * * *

“Good, that’s settled. I’ll get lunch.” Allie disappeared into the kitchen and Dante turned back to the two writers.

Dante wasn’t sure exactly what had just happened, but he had to get something straight. “Did you say I could do your sessions with you or not?”

Kane cleared his throat. He looked a little hesitant for some reason but nodded. “I don’t see why not. Nikki, do you have an issue with that?”