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  Although she’d spent a good deal of her life hanging around millionaires and even billionaires, she’d never become comfortable with blatant displays of wealth. Sure, mansions were nice, but she could never help thinking that if she misplaced her keys, she’d never find them again.

  When she’d been with Sawyer, they’d lived in a spacious penthouse condo overlooking Arizona’s Camelback Mountain. But according to what Rachel had said, Sawyer now owned mansions in both Las Vegas and Miami. To him, Benediction was probably just another large house. She couldn’t imagine why her husband required not one, but two mansions.

  The garden outside Benediction bloomed with gold and russet-toned flowers, the tall stems bent in welcome, and although not yet October, large round pumpkins decorated the porch. A valet took their car for them, and for the first time, she entered the mansion not as Danielle’s friend and wedding coordinator, but as a guest of the sex club.

  Wearing a neon pink latex dress, the petite Gracie tackled Lisa as soon as she walked through the door, throwing her arms around her and squealing at a pitch that couldn’t be good for her vocal cords. Then she grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the closed door that led to the club. “We’re staging an intervention,” she informed Lisa, not explaining what she meant before tossing a “We’ll have her ready in a half hour for you” to Sawyer over her shoulder.

  What the hell was her friend up to? She really didn’t want to have to answer her friend’s questions. “I wish I could, but I need to go to—”

  “Sawyer will be getting the fantasy room ready for your scene.” She led Lisa down the hallway, past the library to the kitchen, and up the private stairs that led to the slave trainees’ bedrooms. Gracie, although no longer officially Cole’s slave, still lived in the mansion. “We’ve got a half hour with you, and we’re going to make every second of it count.”

  “We?” she asked as Gracie flung open her door.

  “The girls,” Gracie said as if it was obvious.

  And maybe it was.

  When she went inside, she wasn’t at all surprised to find Rachel and Kate sitting on Gracie’s bed. She laughed to herself. The only reason Danielle wasn’t there was because she was on her honeymoon. Of course, it also wouldn’t surprise Lisa if Gracie patched her into the conversation via Skype.

  What did surprise her was seeing Rachel and Kate together. “I thought you two didn’t come to Benediction on the same nights?”

  Since Logan was Kate’s business partner, they both agreed it would be uncomfortable to see the other naked, so they’d worked out some schedule to avoid it.

  Taking in the bright and colorful room, Lisa noted it definitely screamed “Gracie.” Although she didn’t have much furniture—a bed, a dresser, a nightstand, and of course, a vanity—she’d made sure every piece reflected her enthusiasm and lust for life.

  Kate tucked a blonde strand of her hair behind her ear. “I made an exception after getting Rachel’s phone call.”

  Lisa glared at Rachel. “You told them.”

  Rachel threw her hands up in front of her. “I only told them you were married to Sawyer. I didn’t tell them anything else.”

  The relief was momentary. Rachel hadn’t disclosed that she’d taken millions of dollars and then left Sawyer without a word. Apparently, she wanted Lisa to do the honors.

  Gracie’s almond eyes widened in excitement. “What else? There’s more? All this time I thought you’d end up as a sexually repressed spinster with eight cats, and it turns out you were married to a gorgeous kinky billionaire.” She covered her heart with her palm. “I think you’re my hero.”

  “I don’t understand. Why didn’t you tell us you were married?” Kate asked. Lisa had been prepared for a cross-examination from her attorney friend, but she heard nothing in Kate’s voice that suggested she was anything but curious.

  She slid her eyes to Rachel, who nodded her encouragement. If she hadn’t judged her, maybe the others wouldn’t either.

  Wringing her hands, she swallowed. “My name isn’t Lisa Smith. It’s Annaliese Hunt. Before I moved to Michigan, I was a con artist.”

  Gracie giggled. “Right. Good one,” she said smiling. When she realized Lisa wasn’t lying, the smile slid from her face.

  “I married Sawyer to have access to his bank accounts and stole millions from him before running off one day, leaving behind my wedding ring and collar.”

  Gracie’s gaze fell to Lisa’s bare wedding finger before jumping to her collared neck. She placed a hand on her cocked hip. “You lucky bitch. I can’t believe we’ve been friends this long and you didn’t tell us you were kinky.”

  Lisa shook her head. Gracie never ceased to amaze her. “I just told you I was a thief, and that’s what you’re fixated on?”

  “We’ve all done things we’re not proud of,” Kate said, getting up from the bed and crossing the room. “But you’re not a thief now, are you?”

  “No, of course not,” she said vehemently. “But I lied to you.”

  Kate tilted her head, a little smile playing on her lips. “You didn’t lie. You just didn’t share the truth. I think all of us have been guilty of that at some point.”

  “Not me,” Gracie said. “I can’t lie. I’ve tried. I can keep a secret, but that’s not really lying, is it?” Without taking a breath, she continued. “Because I swear, I’d never tell a soul about you being a kinky ex-con-artist.” She made a motion as if she was crossing her heart and then threw her arms around Lisa in a hug, the force of it knocking Lisa backward. “I’ll go to the grave with that secret.”

  She returned the hug, grateful to have her as a friend. “Thanks, Gracie.”

  Rachel stood and strode to her side. “Don’t forget the FBI owes Logan and me a favor. We’d be happy to use it for you.” As if Lisa could forget that Rachel and Logan had foiled a terrorist plot that would have resulted in hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of deaths.

  “And if you need legal representation, please don’t call anyone else,” Kate insisted. “We’re all here for you. Don’t ever forget it.”

  Gracie clapped her hands excitedly. “Wait until Danielle gets back from her honeymoon. I guarantee she’s going to convince Cole to give you a free membership to Benediction.”

  “She doesn’t need a free membership,” Rachel pointed out. “Sawyer’s rich as hell. Not to mention, he owns his own sex club in Vegas.”

  Gracie pouted. “Now that you’re back with him, does that mean you’re going to move away?”

  Wasn’t that the million-dollar question? She dropped onto the chair in front of Gracie’s vanity. “We haven’t discussed it. I think it’s too soon to make any drastic changes to our lives. And we’re still not sure who’s behind the threats.”

  “Threats? What threats?” Kate asked, reminding Lisa a little too late that the girls didn’t know about her recent hospital stay.

  “Someone cut Sawyer’s brakes and vandalized Lisa’s condo,” Rachel shared.

  Gracie waved her hand. “Ah, there’s always some danger happening around here. You’ll get used to it.”

  “Sawyer and his guys are on it,” Rachel said to Kate and Gracie. She turned to Lisa. “They’ll figure it out for you. I swear, they should start their own security company or something. They’ve got mad computer skills.”

  Based on the fact that his friend Oz had already managed to access information on Chad’s bank account, she believed it. She’d known that Sawyer had some experience with hacking. If the rest of his friends were as good as him, she had no doubt they’d trace the funds to find the hit man. And if it turned out to be a dead end, hopefully they would find another lead from the names she’d provided them.

  Gracie’s cell phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, she smiled. “Sawyer’s ready for you. I’m supposed to get you dressed.”

  A pulsing heat bloomed between her legs. “You are?”

  Her friends all smiled at her.

  Uh-oh.

  Gracie went into her c
loset and returned with an outfit. “Here we are.” Frowning, she cocked her head, assessing it. “I’m thinking innocent schoolgirl. What do guys think?” Piece by piece, she removed the items of clothing from the hanger and held them up.

  There wasn’t much to the outfit. An extremely short pleated red and black plaid skirt and a white half-blouse that tied below the breasts. White thigh highs.

  No panties—of course.

  “Oh! Don’t forget the shoes.” Gracie ran back into her closet and grabbed some patent leather flats.

  What did Sawyer have planned for tonight? He’d told her to expect intense. She couldn’t imagine that meant teacher-student role play. But why else would he have her wear these clothes?

  While her friends talked to each other, she went into the bathroom and changed into the outfit. The skirt was even shorter than she’d thought. It only barely covered her ass. And the blouse was almost sheer, the pink of her nipples visible underneath it.

  When she came back into the room, her friends were waiting by the open door.

  Gracie looked at her appreciatively, making her blush. “I’ll leave your clothes in the coat room at the entrance, so you can change back before you leave. It’s time to take you over to the fantasy rooms. They’re on the same level as the residences, but they’re not accessible from here. If you’re uncomfortable walking through the house like that, I can lend you a robe,” she offered.

  Did she care if other people saw her half-naked? Lisa Smith might be modest, but she wasn’t. Besides, if her Master had wanted her to wear a robe, he would’ve provided her with one. He expected her to parade around the club this way. Even though he wouldn’t be with her, he probably got off on the thought. And truth be told, so did she.

  “I’m good,” she said. “I’m ready.”

  Kate and Rachel went downstairs with her, but they parted ways at the stairs that led up to the fantasy rooms. Gracie hooked her arm in Lisa’s and took her upstairs, using a keypad to allow them entrance into the hallway that led to the different rooms. The hallway was dim, only about four people wide, with doors to the room on the left and windows that allowed for a view inside.

  She shivered, the idea of public sex both unnerving and arousing. For some reason, that had never been high on her list of kinks, which even she had to admit was strange, since she loved a small orgy. She’d long since stopped trying to figure out why certain sexual activities got her hot and others left her cold. Her Master had taught her she was just wired this way and that everyone had limits. Exhibitionism was a soft limit for her. She’d try it, but it wasn’t something she preferred to do.

  As Gracie led her down the long hallway, past each door that led to another fantasy, she couldn’t help peeking through the windows to watch the scenes unfolding—her favorite being the two men getting each other off in a good old-fashioned sixty-nine—but Gracie was all business, keeping her eyes forward and walking in a brisk pace that didn’t allow for Lisa to linger.

  She realized this was Gracie the slave, a woman who didn’t stop to play voyeur because she was ordered to bring Lisa to Sawyer. It was odd to see her so quiet when her friend typically didn’t stop talking for a second. Although Lisa considered herself Sawyer’s slave, Gracie served all the Dominants at Benediction. To her, it sounded awfully exhausting, but Gracie seemed to love it.

  For Lisa, serving Sawyer allowed her to put all her fears and concerns out of her head and focus on him. She didn’t have to worry about who was trying to kill them or what her friends thought about her now that they knew about her past. She only needed to focus on pleasing Sawyer and the sensations coursing through her body. Role play provided her with a new identity, one that wasn’t for the purpose of conning a mark, but for pleasing her Master and herself.

  Gracie stopped in front of a closed door and turned to her. Lisa noticed with relief that the window was covered by blinds and that no sound filtered into the hallway. Her heart banged against her chest as her anticipation peaked.

  “Sawyer’s inside.” Gracie licked her lips nervously. “I’m supposed to give you this before I go.”

  Placing her dainty hands on Lisa’s shoulders, Gracie leaned in, sealing her soft lips over hers. Surprised, Lisa squeaked, but she quickly surrendered, closing her eyes and falling into the headspace where all judgment disappeared and she could embrace her unique sexuality without criticizing herself for it.

  She’d never been attracted to Gracie, but the girl knew how to kiss, her plump lips soft, her tongue unhurried. She tasted like strawberries and freedom. And if Gracie wasn’t one of her best friends, she would’ve begged Sawyer to ask her to join them.

  Her friend pulled away first, a shy smile lighting up her beautiful face. “Have fun tonight, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Of course, I do everything.” She tossed a laugh over her shoulder as she left.

  Lisa didn’t hesitate before opening the door to the fantasy room. She stepped inside, her eyes immediately falling on Sawyer dressed in a policeman’s uniform. A cane rested along the wall, and next to the cane was a large cardboard box. Otherwise, the room was empty except for an ominous black leather spanking bench and a metal folding chair sitting in the middle of the space.

  Goose bumps popped up on her arms. She didn’t know what he had planned, but she did know one thing.

  He made for one sexy cop.

  His eyes heated as he raked his gaze from top to bottom and back again. Oh, he definitely liked what he saw, although she still had no idea who she was supposed to be. Then, without warning, he narrowed his eyes, his lips tightening with displeasure. Guess she was going to find out.

  Their scene had begun.

  Chapter Sixteen

  SAWYER STALKED TOWARD her, his fingers hooked around his belt. With each step, he looked more dangerous, more formidable.

  As a criminal, she’d never been particularly comfortable around the police. Her gut churned, a sense of unease drifting into her consciousness, and for a split second, she considered saying her safe word.

  But this was Sawyer. He wanted this scene. So she wanted to give it to him.

  She smiled sweetly at him, playing a role that fit her costume. “Can I help you, officer?”

  He yanked her arm and flipped her around. Holding her tight, he walked her forward until she pressed against the wall. “You can help me by putting your hands behind your back and facing the wall, young lady. You’re under arrest.”

  Her body shook from the intense arousal at seeing Sawyer dressed as a cop.

  Maybe she was reading too much into it, but something seemed off with him. Yet at the same time, his powerful intimidation had already made her thighs dampen with her arousal.

  She peered over her shoulder at him and batted her eyelashes. “What are you arresting me for, officer?”

  He pushed his erection against her ass. “You know what you did. Are you ready to confess?”

  “I can’t confess to something I haven’t done. I’m innocent.”

  He dropped his head forward to speak into her ear. “Innocent? Dressed like that? Your skirt’s so short, I bet if you bent over I’d see your panties, girl, wouldn’t I?”

  Her nipples hardened painfully as she turned her head slightly, her lips grazing his whiskered chin. “No, sir. I’m not wearing any.”

  His arm snaked around her waist, and he flipped her around to face him. His eyes were wild, as if he was barely maintaining control. “Your sweet pussy isn’t going to get you out of trouble this time. It’s time for you to pay for your crimes. And it’s going to hurt.”

  He marched her over to the bench and bent her facedown over it. Using the attached straps, he secured her so that she couldn’t move.

  A cane appeared in front of her face. “Kiss it,” he ordered.

  He’d warned her he’d get rough tonight, and to her, nothing said rough like a good caning. Her gaze flicked to his as she softly gave the cane a lover’s kiss.

  “Count out each one and ask for another unt
il you get to six.” He momentarily broke character, his stance softening. “You need to say anything before I start?” He was giving her the chance to use her safe word.

  “Yes, officer.” She smiled up at him. “Fuck you.”

  The skin around his lips twitched, as if he was suppressing his own smile. “Apparently you need to be taught a lesson.” He blatantly adjusted his erection, tempting her with his covered dick. “And I’ll be happy to give it to you.”

  Her mouth watered for a taste of him. But he didn’t take out his cock.

  Damn it.

  He did, however, flip up her skirt and smooth his hand over her bare bottom.

  She enjoyed the nice, knowing the naughty was soon to follow. He didn’t make her wait long. His touch disappeared, and she heard him lumber backward, giving himself the room to really swing that cane.

  The cane replaced his hand, the smooth wood gliding over her skin like a lover’s caress, down, down, down. Sawyer slipped it under her, getting it slick with her arousal as he slid it back and forth over her pussy, the end of it brushing against her clitoris.

  Air sawed in and out of her lungs at an alarming rate, her core tightening and her heart pounding. She was this close to climax when he ripped the cane away, leaving her unfulfilled. “Put it back,” she ordered, forgetting her submissive role.

  “You’re not in charge here, girl. Just for that, I’m adding one more strike of the cane. Lucky number seven.” He chuckled. “Well, lucky for me.”

  Sweet anticipation flowed through her limbs, the fear of the upcoming pain making her pussy dampen and her nipples peak into tight little points that poked against the shirt’s fabric.

  She processed the swish of the cane swinging through the air a second after the sharp pain surged through her left butt cheek like a flame to kindling. Heat sliced down her leg. She waited until the burn dulled to a manageable ache. “One. Please, officer, may I have another?”

  His long silence kept her in suspense, the only sounds being her breathing and the beat of her heart.