Anger quickly turned to disgust. “Don’t want to hear about your woman issues. I’ll let this client know you’re out of commission for a few days. I’ll have to give her a fucking discount now. You better make it good when she books again, A.” He took out his phone and looked at a few other potential appointments. “Everyone wants to fuck,” he muttered. “I don’t see any regulars on the books yet. You may have to go in blind. I don’t wanna hear a peep of complaint, A. This is your fault. Go to your chambers and be ready to pull out all the bells and whistles when we get a client in.” He dismissed her and walked away, grumbling about how women waste so much time with that ‘damn bleeding shit.’
“Yes, because we can control it,” Lady A called out after him. “Idiot,” She scoffed as she set off towards her chambers. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t really on her period. She was still offended by Frank’s ignorance. She shook her head, forgetting about Frank and his stupidity. Lady A turned her thoughts to the night before. Not that those thoughts were ever far from her mind. Her body still felt Jaime’s touch. She could feel the weight of Jaime on top of her. And that warm, sweet breath against her most sensitive areas.
Then she thought about what happened after.Everythingthat happened. She was still hurt by Jaime leaving money on the nightstand. Could she forgive that? Probably. Jaime’s explanation was plausible enough. Obviously, Anya wasmostlyover it if she was considering going on a date with the woman who had accused her of murder, slept with her, and treated her like a whore. She huffed at her pettiness. Jaime had so much more to offer, and Anya certainly caught a glimpse of thatlast night. She was intelligent, charming, passionate, and even funny. What worried Anya was Jaime’s emotional trauma.
“You haven’t even said yes to a date yet,” Anya whispered into the empty room. Then it hit her. She wasn’t alone.Someonewas watching her every move. That was the only logical deduction for how the killer knew Lady A had slept with those women. The realization made her feel exposed and vulnerable. Not to mention, she’d have to be overly cautious about what she said and did from here on out.Great.This ‘job’ used to bring her joy. Now, just like in the past, sorrow and fear were attached to it.
The past. Being Dr. Anastasia Grant was something Anya had put behind her long ago. So, it had surprised her when she told the detectives about her credentials. She could have let the police find their own profiler without getting involved. But these women deserved more from Anya. She couldn’t, in good conscience, continue to look the other way if there was a possibility she could help find this killer. Even if it brought up a lot of unwanted memories. It also guaranteed more interactions with Jaime Baros, which couldn’t possibly turn out well.
Anya allowed Lady A’s persona to take over once again, putting the past back in the past where it belonged and focusing on what needed to be done now. Trying to remain as unconcerned as possible, Anya didn’t change her routine. That included getting out of her ‘street’ clothes and into Lady A’s leather and lace. Her mind raced as she undressed. Frank wouldn’t tolerate Lady A’s ‘no sex’ excuse for long, and quitting before the killer was caught was out of the question. However, putting another woman’s life in danger wasn’t an option either.
The pressure was beginning to settle in when the light signaling a client turned on.Fuck.It was going to take a considerable amount of control to get through this session.Especially since she had no fucking clue who it was or what their desires would be.
Suck it up, Lady A. You’ve done this before.Just then, she received a text.
Agreed to everything but fucking. Took some convincing. Make it good. Make it hurt.
“Thanks for that detailed description, Frank,” Lady A complained. She wrapped a black satin robe around her, tying it tightly at the waist. She opted for a mask tonight, knowing it would help hide any apprehension on her face. With heightened confidence, Lady A sauntered into her playroom… and audibly gasped.
Chapter Nineteen
Jaime squirmed,clenching her hands that were bound above her head. She’d been in this position before, blindfolded and tethered to the ceiling. This time, however, she was naked,and her feet were shackled, legs spread apart. It was the most vulnerable she’d ever been. Even with their intimacy the night before, Jaime felt… exposed. Perhaps a little too exposed.Remember why you’re here. Don’t fuck this up, Baros.
Anya warred with herself. Part of her wanted to walk away. Just walk out of the club, out of Reno, never to be heard from again. The other part of her was too curious—and too captivated—by the sexy detective to do anything but stand there and stare at a completely naked and powerless Jaime. Lady A could do anything she wanted to do to her. And oh, she wanted to do so much.Remember, you’re being watched. Whatever you do, no sex. And don’t let the killer know the two of you have been intimate before.
“Tell me your desires.” It wasn’t what Lady AorAnya wanted to say. Hell, she wanted to yell at Jaime for being here, and for putting herself in danger while laying that responsibility on Anya.
“My desire is to fuck you, Lady A.” Those words were true. Jaime couldn’t get her mind off Anya and what they’d shared the night before. It was wreaking havoc on her libido as well as her ability to think of Taylor. Was that a good thing?
“That’s not what you paid for. Try again.” Lady A snapped her flog across the palm of her hand, enjoying seeing Jaime flinch at the sound.
Jaime longed to feel Lady A’s hands on her. She even craved to feel the leather of the flog against her skin. That was when Jaime realized exactly what she needed. She needed Lady A to punish her.
“I need to be punished,” Jaime said finally.
“Why do you need to be punished?” Lady A asked, intrigued by Jaime’s confession.
“I hurt someone who didn’t deserve it. We had a beautiful night together, and I fucked up what should have been a beautiful morning by treating her like a whore out of guilt and fear.”
Lady A softened ever so slightly behind her mask. She was still bitter about what had happened, but Jaime was doing a fine job of getting Anya to at least consider an actual date.Don’t get too personal here, A.“Have you tried apologizing?”
“Yes. I think she forgave me, which I’m grateful for. That’s how sweet she is. But I need to pay for what I did. I need Lady A to do what she won’t, which is to punish me for being such an asshole.”
So, she wants to be punished.Fine.“Hmm. Do you know why people come here to see me? A dominatrix in a dungeon-like room filled with instruments to inflict pain?”
Jaime shook her head. She knew whyshewas here and could imagine others felt the same way when they saw Lady A. But Jaime had a feeling there was more to it.
“Some come here for the thrill of being dominated by a woman,” Lady A said as she walked close enough to Jaime to feel the heat radiating off her body. “Some want a little excitement in their otherwise boring life.” She reached up and removed the blindfold, holding Jaime’s gaze far longer than she should have. “Some need to let go of control, and the only way they feel comfortable doing that is by being chained up in my chambers. Then, of course, there are those who have a fetish and need the pain to get off.”
Jaime’s eyes adjusted to the dim light in the room and focused on Lady A. The mask Lady A wore was blood red, peeking through black lace. It was sexy as fuck and had Jaime craving things she knew Lady AandAnya wouldn’t give her tonight. Jaime frowned when Lady A backed away from her without even a hint of leather against her heated skin.
“Despite the different reasons they come here,” Lady A continued. “They all leave with something in common.” She pressed a button, and Jaime’s bound body turned towards the heart of the room. There was an elaborately large chaise lounge that sat in front of a low-burning fire in the fireplace.
The fire created a beautiful glow on Lady A’s face, and her eyes lit up behind the mask. Jaime was mesmerized by the flicker of passion in those eyes.
“What’s that?” Jaime managed to ask, her throat tight with need.
“Satisfaction,” Lady A smirked. “And a memory to look back on while masturbating.” She slid onto the chaise and settled back onto the firm pillows. Lady A watched Jaime’s expression carefully as she untied her robe and ran her fingertips along the length of the opening. Jaime’s nostrils flared when Lady A brushed the silk fabric to the side, exposing her smooth skin beneath. “I don’t think you deserve that satisfaction, do you?”
