Purgatory Masters(33)

Let them talk. Let them wonder why a man his age preferred his own company over others. Well, until now. Maggie’s arrival back in town had caused a shift in him. She reminded him that there was more to life than creating art and aggravating city forbearers that were forced to deal with him because he’d inherited his father’s position on their council. He smirked. No democracy in this town. The only way a member got in or out was through death.

From the beginning, he’d toed the line to an extent. While not his nature under normal circumstances to go with the flow, he simply had no interest in deciding what businesses had to be shut down or how to deal with particularly embarrassing residents. It did however, serve as a reminder of exactly how conservative his father had been in the public eye. No one had ever known exactly what George Lewis had been capable of in his private life until the very end.

Disgusted by his train of thought, Tucker slid the glass of alcohol away and turned to observe the room. It was amazing what a difference a thirty-minute ride from home did to your surroundings. He recognized a few people scattered among the dining tables but for the most part he faced a sea of strangers. How many knew they were sitting in a façade? Would they be shocked to know they were only separated by a few soundproofed walls from the kinkiest sex club in the city?

Purgatory wasn’t exactly a secret. Thanks to the occasional protestors, the goth fetish club he co-owned managed quite a bit of public scrutiny.

“Wow. Twice in one week. Are you going for a new record this year, boss?”

Tucker didn’t need to turn his head to recognize his club manager, Gabe. He and his equally private business partners had long ago relinquished the day-to-day operations of the club to this man, preferring to keep their names out of the press and ensure the club ran smoothly without them.

“For some reason you are not the first person to be shocked by my appearance.”

Gabe laughed and the two shook hands. “Have you come to partake of a friendly submissive this evening? We have several available that I think would serve you well.”

“What’s with everyone trying to offer me a sub? Do I have a look of desperation I’m not aware of?”

Gabe didn’t even react to that statement. “So you’ve decided it’s time to take a more active role in the management of Purgatory, then.”

“Jesus hell, Gabe. Lighten up. I have a date. Is that so hard to believe? Besides, you know as well as I do how much my privacy means to me. The last thing I need right now is for any local reporters butting into any of my business. I’ve got enough to worry about these days…”

The other man’s shoulders relaxed a fraction. Tucker puzzled over what had Gabe so on edge. The man had a reputation for complete and utter control over any situation, but tonight something bothered him. When he was about to open his mouth and get to the bottom of the situation, something caught Gabe’s attention and he turned to the front door.

“I’d offer to buy you a drink but I have a feeling the reason you’re here has just arrived.”

Tucker checked his watch before he turned and smiled. Right on time. He swiveled in the direction of the door and immediately felt all the blood from his head drain to another very important part of his anatomy. His vision narrowed as he focused entirely on the woman standing at the entrance of the restaurant. With her skin slightly flushed and her top teeth nibbling at her lower lip she made all the things he wanted to do to her jump into his brain at once.

She’d honored him by wearing the outfit he’d provided and she looked gorgeous. Despite his original intentions, he’d opted for something a bit more high class than typical dungeon wear. Then his gaze caught site of the shoes. He bit back a groan. He’d always had a nut for fuck me heels, but on Maggie, fuck me took on a whole new meaning. More like bend me over, plow my ass and have your way.

She spoke to the hostess for a moment, giving him a little more time to seek control. He had half a mind to skip dinner and go straight to the evening’s entertainment. He wanted her in the dungeon now. Small talk and romance could wait.

She followed the direction the hostess pointed and their gazes finally met. The jolt in his groin made him grateful he still sat at the bar. He wasn’t sure his legs could work under the intensity of that single look. It was one of the things he loved most about her. The expressive eyes. All of her emotions stood plainly visible at any given moment. Even after everything she’d been through lately, there was an air of seductive innocence cloaking her. She’d taken her hits and moved on. Except for the death grip she had on her purse, she managed to look the epitome of calm.