Claimed for the Master's Pleasure(8)

As the applause continued, Jake let his gaze slide once more to Lia’s svelte wrist, and the pretty bracelet adorning it. The charms appeared perfectly innocent in isolation, but combined with the BDSM emblem that was also replicated on her necklace and ankle chain, they left him in no doubt that Lia liked her sex served hot. He still couldn’t believe it had taken him nearly an hour to notice the significance of the jewelry she wore, especially as he and Hannah were heavily into the same scene during the seven years they were married. It just went to show how out of the loop he’d become. In the last three years he’d barely had a sexual thought, but now he could think of nothing else. Like a switch had been thrown, his cock now stood to rampant attention every time he so much as looked at Lia. For the first time in the three years since Hannah’s death, he felt truly alive again. He put his change of attitude down to Lia looking so fucking beautiful, and knowing that she shared the same sexual preferences as him only made his prick harden further.

In one respect he wanted to cut to the chase, and take her straight up to his penthouse apartment. He’d fuck her senseless, given even half a chance. Although out of practice, he knew he still possessed the knowledge and skills needed for a D/s relationship. On the other hand he was reluctant to let go of the past, and start again with another woman. He’d loved Hannah deeply. During their time together, they’d developed a wonderful sexual relationship that had thrived on domination and submission. It had been beautiful pushing each other’s limits. He’d always been a natural Dom, and once he’d introduced Hannah to the world of BDSM, she’d soon made the perfect submissive. He always pictured his true self as the Master and connoisseur of the submissive female.

Hey, dummy, before you blow your cover, it might be a good idea to see if Lia is actually interested in a D/s relationship. Fuck it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Benetti.

Jake shook his head, feeling the massive smile spread across his lips. Instead of thinking with his cock, he needed to think with his brain. Fuck, he was rusty as hell.

Here goes.

With a featherlight touch he let his fingers drift down her bare arm before coming to rest on her slender wrist. He circled the delicate bone structure with his fingers, smoothing his thumb over her bracelet, and the source of all this speculation. He’d almost forgotten what soft, feminine skin felt like. Tiny tremors pulsed beneath his fingertips, and he could see her breathing had accelerated. So, Lia was not immune to his touch.

“It seems we have a lot in common, Lia.” He kept his voice low and commanding, waiting for her response.

“We do?”

His fingers drifted across her bracelet again. “This bracelet tells me a lot about you.”

“It does?”

“Yes. I know what the charms signify, and the ones around your neck and ankle say the same thing to me.”

“They do? What do the charms tell you about me, Jake? I need to know so there can be no ambiguity.”

“They tell me you’re into D/s relationships. Tell me I’m wrong, Lia. Tell me your breasts are heaving and your breathing is out of control for some other reason.”

“I can’t. You know I can’t.”

Lia stared mesmerized at his fingers wrapped around her wrist and purposefully touching her bracelet. Her beautiful, cherry-pink lips lifted into a smile as she turned to look at him. Her green eyes sparkled from the lights all around them. She was so beautiful.

Jake noticed she didn’t pull her hand away. Instead, she placed her other hand on his. Her womanly breasts rose and fell even more rapidly now. He’d guessed right. She was into the D/s scene as much as he had been. For the first time since Hannah’s death he needed a woman more than anything else in the world, but he had to be careful not to rush things. As a young man he’d always enjoyed the chase. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “You are a woman of many surprises, Lia.”

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes before looking at him once more. “Tell me about your wife, Jake. What happened to her?”

He figured Lia wanted to cool things down a little. As soon as she spoke his mood darkened. The lightness of heart he’d briefly felt evaporated like the first dew of dawn. Jake pulled his hand away as though scalded by burning liquid. “I don’t talk of her,” he answered gruffly. “Not to anyone.”

Lia placed her hand on his arm. Her slender fingers delicately caressed his skin through the white linen of his shirt. That simple gesture calmed the inner turmoil surging through his veins.

“Talk to me, Jake. I of all people understand how you feel.” Her softly spoken words soothed him even more. He figured she’d been through something similar with her fiancé. If only he could trust her enough to confide in her.

He took a long, slow, deep breath. “I find it very difficult to talk about her.”

“Emotion is good, Jake, it shows that we’re alive, but keeping it all bottled up will only destroy you in the end. I tried doing the same thing when Joe died. Believe me, it doesn’t work.”

Jake had to agree. The last three years had been hell on earth, holding everything in check. He took Lia’s hand in his, and pressed it gently to his lips as he looked into her eyes. “You smell so good, Lia. You remind me of her in so many ways,” he confessed, wanting to have things open between them.

“Is that why you asked me to dinner?” There wasn’t a hint of disappointment in her voice.

“I honestly don’t know. Partly, I guess. I just wanted to be with you. Get to know you better.”

He rubbed his fingers over his face, and eased them into the tight muscles of his neck. “Hannah died suddenly. I found her when I returned home from the casino one day. She’d collapsed on the kitchen floor. She was motionless. She must have been dead for several hours because she was cold to my touch. Since she was only thirty-two, the coroner insisted on an autopsy. This showed she had an undiagnosed heart defect, which had probably been there since birth. Her death just couldn’t have been foreseen. Hannah could have died at any time.” Jake grimaced. “I still feel so fucking guilty. I should have been there for her.” He knew his eyes were glassy, but he didn’t care.

Lia squeezed his hand for comfort. “It’s not your fault, Jake. Look at me. Listen to what I’m telling you. It’s not your fault. It’s just one of those shitty things in life that nobody could predict. Feeling guilty even though you’ve got nothing to feel guilty about is all part of the grieving process. I felt exactly the same way when Joe died. I kept asking myself over and over. Was there anything I could have done to save him? I kept blaming myself even though I knew deep down that it wasn’t my fault. That’s why it’s best to talk these things through with a sympathetic listener. I’m sure you already feel better just by sharing your thoughts with me.”

Jake smiled, his lightness of heart returning. “For the last three years I’ve worked so hard, I haven’t even allowed myself time to think, let alone grieve. I’ve been busy building the Arabian Nights into the finest casino in Vegas. I’ve succeeded, but I need more, Lia.”

He took a deep breath, enjoying her closeness and the emotional connection and empathy they now shared. “Shall we make a move? I’d like to show you the casino. Perhaps play a little.”

Lia nodded, her lashes closing slowly over her gorgeous green eyes. This clearly submissive characteristic turned him on even more. “Sounds good, Jake. But I wouldn’t know how to bet in a casino, so I’ll just watch.”

Jake stood and shrugged on his jacket. “Come, there’s so much I want to show you before this wonderful evening has to end.” He held out his hand, noting with a certain amount of satisfaction that she readily took it. For the first time in three years he felt whole again. He felt like he had a second chance at life. Maybe even a new beginning. Whatever the outcome of the evening, he would always be grateful for their meeting, however difficult the circumstances. He knew now he would do everything in his power to reduce her father’s debts. If it were in his ability to make them disappear entirely, then he would find a way.

The casino was already in full swing as he led the way across the floor to the craps tables. The designers had done a fantastic job, fully implementing his ideas for an intimate venue. The lighting was low, and subdued, and between the tables he’d created space to sit and talk. With all the extra alcoves and small enclosures around the tables it meant having more staff to keep an eye on things. It cost more to run per square foot than the average casino. But what the hell, Arabian Nights Casino was a runaway success. It made lots of money for him and his shareholders, and that was the bottom line.

There was a group of about ten people around the large, waist-high table. The shooter threw the dice onto the table to yells and shouts. They rolled, coming to a complete stop on the green baize surface. “Craps was your father’s favorite game, Lia. He liked all the interaction.”





Chapter Nine



“Bring me luck, Lia.” Jake held the dice out for her again, and she blew once more into his hand. He smiled into her eyes and then, without breaking eye contact, cupped the dice in his fist and then blew on them himself. When he turned and threw them onto the table, a cheer went up.