That Thursday and the rest had been under his control. Ioan was a master at seduction, he made me hate myself for wanting him so much. He never pushed too far and I'd grown brave. I'd even gone to New York the night before one of our last dates. Let him stew, I thought, over whether or not I'd come back in time.
The last session had ended with a blood red rose and a request for my sexiest outfit on another Thursday. Bastard. He had used that red rose to bring me to heights of pleasure never known before. He'd broken my will, he'd turned my body against myself, and still he wasn't satisfied.
I woke up for a meeting with my publisher before coming back to LA, deciding on the last minute to meet his challenge. I was tired and felt surly, but the money I'd just deposited as an advance took the edge off any anger Ioan aroused.
I was angry that I'd bought La Perla for him, angry that I'd gotten my hair done artfully so it didn't look done at all. Angry that I'd gotten a very sexy blue wrap dress that came off easily. And angriest that my shoes were dead sexy and designed only to arouse lust. Still the money was enough to let me know that no matter what Ioan would not own me. No one would.
I arrived at the house at the appointed time only to find a limo waiting.
"Miss Lee?" the driver asked.
"Yes?"
"Please come with me. Mr. Gruffudd will join us shortly."
I was seated gently in the back where champagne waited next to some flowers. Damn it, I was impressed.
The partition went up leaving me in seclusion as we pulled away from the curb. I poured the champagne seeking liquid courage and lifted the flowers to sniff. There was an expensive looking off-white envelope beneath them and I opened it, setting the flowers down.
"You will reveal all to me," I read aloud. This was a turn on as much as it made me feel almost queasy. "Bring the box beneath the seat but do not open it. Ioan."
It was white and wrapped tight with an intricate white bow. One tug and it would open, but he'd know.
"Damn."
We pulled up to a new hotel that the stars favored. The security was great and the bushes high allowing for private moments. Burly security guards with buzz cuts and ex-military posture patrolled the ground keeping the paparazzi at bay.
The driver opened the door and didn't bat an eye as he reached behind me for the roses and laid them on top of the box. He produced a key card with flourish.
"Suite nine oh eight, ma'am. Top floor penthouse."
"Thank you."
I walked inside grateful the well trained staff spared barely a glance at me and no one wondered at the hooker heels before nightfall. There were guests about, quite a few famous faces, but everyone was enjoying their open anonymity for a night.
I stepped into the elevator and a quiet man took me to the top.
There were three suites; 902, 908 and 914 all facing a small common area. I stood in front of my door with trembling hands for several long minutes before sliding the key through.
I felt flustered when it opened, as a card had never before, on the first try.
The suite was dark.
"Put the box on the table next to you." Ioan said commandingly from somewhere I couldn't see.
"What table? I can't see."
"Two feet to your left. Shoulder height, wooden chest with mirror."
I felt for it and slid the box and roses on top of the chest, side by side. "Now what?"
"Open it."
I pulled the ribbon and tossed it with the top on the floor next to the chest. I felt inside and found two straps of cloth.
"What are these?"
"Put the longer one by the roses." I did. "The shorter one is a blindfold. Put it on."
"What? It's so dark, why do I need a blindfold?"
"Put it on."
"Pushy bastard," I muttered and put it on loose. I saw his feet as he stepped to me, his legs were bare, and Ioan slipped behind me.
"I meant tight." He jerked the blindfold so tight I could see nothing. Instantly I felt vulnerable, too vulnerable.
"I don't like this."
"You will. Nice shoes, by the way."
"So what's the game?" I tried to sound aloof but even to my ears I could hear the breathless anticipation. Damn it.
"Follow me." I heard rustling and then his hand was on my arm, guiding me. He flipped on a light and my sight went from pitch to merely black.
"Step down. Stop."
I could feel from the air change I was inside the opening of a large room. There was a little heat, possibly candles. Why candles if I was to be blindfolded? I never realized men might like them as well.
"I do hope you did as asked, Nicky."
"Jerk. I never see you wearing fancy underwear."
His chuckle sounded strange, almost as if it were two in one. "Take off your dress."
I just wanted this over and done with. I tried to not look nervous and jerky so I kept my movements slow and even. The dress untied easily and slipped off just as easily, leaving me in my bra, panties, garter belt and stockings, and killer shoes.
"Very nice."
He was circling me now, his bare feet making no sound as he went, only his voice seemed to move. "I said once you were hiding and I was right. I thought with patience you'd come around, but now I know all too well you only respond to force."
I frowned at that and tried to face him but he moved too fast.
"Tonight you will trust me. I will test your limits and you will love it. If you want to stop, the safety word is 'Arthur'."