that he needed this more than he was willing to admit. It was the way his hand tightened around mine, that long look of desire we shared containing a multitude of emotions.
The town car continued along dark roads leading away from his city apartment. We passed a sign for Woodland Drive.
Damien stared at me. “Don’t you dare remember that.”
“Remember what?”
He could have been smiling behind his mask. “This is where your amnesia begins.”
I drew in a sharp breath, realizing that all my dirtiest fantasies could come true. I wasn’t even sure what I wanted from tonight. Other than to experience what had been out of reach before.
“Happy now?” asked Damien. I sensed his smirk. “Seems to me you always get your way, Bardot.”
“I thought we were forbidden from saying our last names?”
“Good point. It won’t happen again.”
“Maybe I’ll spank you later for it.”
“Yeah, not going to happen.”
The tone of his voice sent a shiver down my spine.
Damien reached over and his fingertips grazed my throat in a leisurely tease, causing tingles beneath his touch as he paused at the dip of my dress. “Obey me in all things.”
I rested my head back. “Always.”
He turned my head so our gazes met. “What do you want to happen?”
“I want to watch.”
“Do you want an experience?”
“I’ll let you decide.”
“It’s a simple yes or no.”
I licked my lips. “Yes.”
Theo was decent enough to keep his eyes on the road; if he had an opinion on anything we’d discussed he was keeping it to himself.
“Ready to play?” asked Damien.
A rush of feathers fluttered within, causing my core to tingle. “I feel it.”
“A frisson?”
That’s exactly was this was, a sudden sense of excitement that made the hairs on my forearms prickle. My skin felt flushed with awareness.
Lush, imposing trees lined the roadway as though guiding us toward a private estate. The view of land opened up around us and a grand gothic house came into view.
“Do as I say,” Damien ordered.
My heart was racing. “I will.” A thrill of anticipation caused my chest to tighten.
“Disobey and we leave,” he said sternly.
His dominance was making me wet. Didn’t he know that’s what his sternness did to me? It caused my sex to quicken for his touch, made me long to have his cock buried deep inside me, his forceful thrusts dominating me.
I want it all.
My trembling fingers checked my mask yet again, finding it secure.
We pulled up to the front lawn of the property. A fountain statue of a seductively posed nude woman spurted an arc of water from her mouth.
“Stay close,” he said.
I hoped we’d slowly be introduced to what was happening within those brick walls and not thrown into the fray too soon.
A butler exited the mansion wearing a black tuxedo and waited for us near the front entrance. Damien climbed out of the car and assisted me, my high heels landing on gravel, his grip on my forearm forceful as he led me toward the manor.
He didn’t even throw a glance at Theo, perhaps not wanting to draw attention to him. I heard the sound of wheels crunching small stones as Tamer drove back down the driveway.
Trepidation rushed through me, but it was too late to back out—we were at the front door.
Damien nodded at the doorman. “Any new art I might like?”
“Yes, sir,” replied the butler. “A Monet.”
“Hopefully it’s Waterloo Bridge?”
“It is, sir.”
I suppressed a smile. Damien had given the password to get us in. I assumed it had to change from time to time.
After that intriguing exchange, I was escorted inside the manor. Waiting for us was a waitress who offered up a tray of champagne-filled glasses. Beside them lay a selection of red bracelets. Damien accepted only one drink and handed the flute to me.
I lifted my mask a little and sipped the golden bubbles as we walked, grateful for something to quench my sudden thirst.
With Damien’s fingers interwoven through mine, we strolled through the foyer and beyond, working our way toward the center of the mansion.
“I need to talk with you,” he whispered.
I glanced at him questioningly. “Okay.”
“Let’s find a quiet place.”
I admired the lavish décor around us—the high ceilings and stone brick walls. Enormous fireplaces and curvy wrought-iron sconces illuminated the place with dusky lighting. Large gilded mirrors reflected the low hung chandeliers—all of it lending to the theme of glamour and decadence.
“No one will touch you unless you’re wearing a red bracelet.”
“That’s good.”
“If you want to touch someone, make sure they’re wearing one.”
I downed the rest of my