Club Helix: The Power Games (28 page)

“Welcome to my world, Avalon.”

I scream behind the gag as I unravel, the orgasm leveling me. The universe fractures and I’m caught up in the vortex of mind-blowing ecstasy, oblivious to everything but the pain and pleasure that have blended into some intoxicating mélange. When the convulsing waves racking my body finally dissipate, Roman unfastens my wrists from the chains overhead and brings my arms down in front of me, his fingers pressing into the muscles of my shoulders to alleviate the stiffness. He unbuckles the gag and removes it and then gently unties the blindfold.

I still feel ravaged by the force of the orgasm, and I’m a drooling, disheveled mess, but apparently Roman’s into that sort of thing, because he’s looking at me like I’m a goddess. With his hand firmly gripping my jaw, he seals his mouth to mine, and our tongues tangle hungrily.

“You’re going to destroy me,” he rumbles, his hands trailing down the sides of my body, careful to avoid the excruciatingly sensitive skin of my breasts where the clothespins were attached.

“I think it’s the other way around,” I whisper.

His hand moves lower, skimming the center of me that’s still opened wide to him by the spreader bar between my thighs. My pussy contracts, aching for the feel of his thick cock filling me.

Oh, God. Could he have felt that? He’s smiling like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. He slowly massages my clit, and I groan.

“Do you want me inside you, Avalon?”

In answer, I boldly grab his cock, encircling it with my fingers as I stroke the length of him. He grabs my wrist, stopping me.

“Our détente is over,” he says thickly. “Beg me to fuck you.”

I beg, and I beg shamelessly. Much later, after he’s taken me from behind and stroked me to another mind-bending orgasm, we lie chest to chest, his arms banded around me. I inhale the scent of him, of us, and I don’t want to be anywhere else.

“Do you know how perfect you are?” he asks, his hand roaming idly across my back.

“I’m hardly perfect,” I say.

“Ah, you’re wrong,” he says with that absolute certainty of his that dares anyone to contradict him. “You’re perfect for me. You love my hands on you whether they’re punishing or pleasuring you. You love the bite of pain if it comes on the heels of pleasure, and you have a surprisingly high pain tolerance.” He frowns. “Unless you’re not telling me when the pain starts to go beyond your threshold.”

“That’s not it,” I assure him as I reciprocate his caresses, exploring the hard expanse of his chest with both hands. I stop. “It’s just… I have a hard time feeling anything sometimes. I guess I’ve gotten pretty good at shutting down so I don’t get hurt.” I remember his words earlier. “But then you already knew that. How did you know?”

“Because one damaged soul recognizes another,” he answers, and I can hear the hint of sadness in his voice. “You’re a girl with secrets. One day, I intend to uncover them. Until then, I’m going to strip down your defenses until you stop hiding your pain and responses from yourself or from me. One day I’m going to destroy that armor you’ve built around yourself, Avalon, and you’re going to give me everything. I want all of you, Ava—your secrets and pain, your pleasure, your very soul.”

I fall asleep wondering if his words are a threat or a promise.

Chapter Eighteen

Ava

The next day my breasts are impossibly sensitive, but it was so worth it I don’t even care. I smile at the memory of the things Roman did to me last night, and then again this morning. The man has got a diabolically talented tongue.

We slept late and are spending a much-needed lazy afternoon dozing in the sun at the pool.

“Someone looks like they had a good time last night,” Tessa says with a giggle as she drops her pool bag on the empty chair next to mine. Roman has disappeared inside to make a phone call, and I blush as I look over at her.

“Is it that obvious?” I ask, horrified.

“You look content,” she qualifies as she sits down and pulls out a bottle of sunscreen, squirting a dollop into her hand. “That bruised look in your eyes when I first met you at the rooftop bar has faded a little.” She stops rubbing the lotion onto her already tanned legs and shoots me a look of bewilderment. “Although God knows how that’s possible. Your Dom still scares the shit out of me. He’s so imposing; he just oozes authoritative power. He’s what a few of the girls I met at the club in Chicago were talking about when they mentioned a Dom being a true master. Is he more human when you’re alone?” she asks curiously.

I laugh. “He’s definitely human, Tessa!”

“You know what I mean. Is he more easygoing and lenient than he appears to be every time I see him?”

“Sometimes,” I admit, thinking about the times he’s made love to me tenderly. I reach over to grab a bottle of water, and my arm brushes over my sore breasts, making me wince. “And sometimes he’s more ruthless.”

“Oh, my God,” she swoons, falling back against her chair.

I roll my eyes. “He does really like to tell me what to do, though.”

Roman appears at my side, scowling. “You need to put on more sunscreen.”

Tessa and I exchange glances, and she bursts out laughing. Roman looks from me to her, and his scowl deepens. Tessa immediately covers up her giggle with a cough, and the terror in her eyes has me smiling. Poor Tessa; if she only knew fear just turns him on more.

A few minutes later Luke arrives, and by late afternoon, we’ve been joined by Desiree and Stefan. Emmett and Rebecca are on the opposite side of the pool with Megan and Caleb, and it makes me sad that because of Rebecca’s and Roman’s unfounded jealousy, Emmett and I have barely spoken to each other since the auction. He does catch my eye from across the pool at one point and gives me a wink and a smile, and I realize how much I’ve missed him over the past couple of weeks.

On the other hand, it’s been interesting to spend time with other couples, and Stefan and Desiree give me a glimpse into a different kind of D/s relationship from Roman’s stark ruthlessness and Luke’s more informal style. While Luke seems to be playing at being a Dom sometimes, maybe because he’s so much less intimidating than Roman, Stefan exudes a quietly gentle but firm dominance, and Desiree clearly loves nothing more than pleasing him. I find myself hoping they’ll stay together after the show, although I know the odds are against it. I’ve watched enough reality TV to know that most relationships can’t stand the rigors of real life once the show is over.

“I’m headed upstairs,” Roman says eventually. “I’ve got to review a contract before eight o’clock eastern time. You want to stay a little longer?”

I nod. “If you don’t mind. Sir,” I add belatedly, earning a small smile.

“Come up in thirty minutes to get ready for dinner. Logan will be announcing information about the next round tonight.”

I agree to come up in thirty minutes, but fifteen minutes after he leaves, I find myself wanting to be up in the suite with him instead of hanging out at the pool with Tessa, Luke, Stefan, and Desiree. Besides, I’m starting to feel like the fifth wheel, and watching Luke tormenting Tessa with an ice cube has me wondering if Roman and I might have time to play a little before dinner if I go upstairs now.

“I’m headed upstairs,” I announce, gathering my bag. “I’ll see you guys at dinner.”

Emmett intercepts me at the elevators.

“Hey!” he says, wrapping his arms around me in a big hug.

“Hey, yourself.” I hug him back hard. He’s solid and familiar, and I feel a warm rush of happiness at his comforting strength that has seen me through so much.

“God, I was so worried you were going to get voted off after the paintball games. I did my damnedest to get Sabrina out so you could stay. I’m glad you’re still here!” he says, burying his nose in my hair for a long minute. He pulls back and holds me at arm’s length, studying me. “That is, if you want to still be here.”

“I do,” I assure him. “In fact…” I trail off as his eyes narrow. “What?”

“What is that around your neck?” he asks grimly.

My fingers fly to my neck and come in contact with the sterling-silver collar and padlock. “Oh. It’s a collar. Roman gave it to me.”

Before I can say any more, the elevator door opens, and Roman stalks out. His eyes flash angrily when he sees me with Emmett.

He gives Emmett a curt nod. “I finished early and came down to find you,” Roman says to me unsmilingly.

“I was just on my way up,” I say quickly, wanting to avoid a confrontation between the two men. I step into the elevator, and Roman follows me. As the doors close, the last thing I see is Emmett studying me with a puzzled look on his face.

An hour later we’re at dinner, where Logan announces the next round of the Power Games.

“Tomorrow night marks round four of the games, and unfortunately two more couples will be going home on Friday,” Logan begins. “Tomorrow’s games will take place in the Helix Room.”

There’s a murmur of excitement among the contestants.

“I know many of you have already visited the Helix’s signature club on your own, but tomorrow night the club will be open to the public for a special sneak peek, and our Doms and subs will be the main attraction.”

My gaze flies to Roman. Open to the public? His face is impassive, his eyes fixed on Logan as he continues.

“There will be certain requirements that will be outlined upon your arrival in the club tomorrow night, but you’ll have to wait to get the specifics.” He smiles. “Anticipation is half the fun, right?”

Roman’s mouth tightens slightly, and I fight back a smile. Mr. Always in Control gets to see what it’s like to anticipate the unknown for a change.

“Doms—each of you will be showcasing a piece of equipment in the Helix Room with your submissive. Each Dom will draw to determine which piece of equipment they’ll be using, so you won’t be able to prepare ahead of time. Of course, creativity is encouraged and is how you will earn points with the audience.”

As we leave the restaurant, Tessa sidles up to me and surreptitiously presses a piece of paper into my hand.

“See you tomorrow,” she says casually.

Since Tessa obviously didn’t want Roman to see her give it to me, I palm the note and wait to open it until I’m upstairs and in the privacy of the bathroom. I skim it quickly, worried that Tessa’s in trouble. Except it’s not from Tessa. The note is written in Emmett’s distinct handwriting.
Meet me early tomorrow morning in the gym alone. I need to talk to you.

I wake up early the next morning while Roman’s still asleep and take advantage of the opportunity to study his face without those intense gray-blue eyes staring back at me. He’s as gorgeous asleep as he is awake, but so achingly vulnerable it makes my heart hurt. I want to trace my finger across the sharp blade of his cheekbone just below the fringe of his impossibly long dark lashes and run my fingers through his adorably tousled hair, but I don’t want to wake him up. I get dressed in silence and tiptoe out of the suite, closing the door quietly behind me.

Emmett’s already in the gym, and judging by the sweat pouring off his bare chest, he’s been here for a while. I get on the treadmill next to his and turn it on as he turns his off.

“Why the cloak-and-dagger note?” I ask teasingly as I begin a light jog to warm up.

Emmett doesn’t smile back. “Why are you wearing Roman’s collar?” he snaps.

I look at him in surprise. Emmett never gets angry. “He gave it to me yesterday. He wants me to wear it for the rest of the games.” I don’t add the part about its function in reminding me of Roman’s ownership and control over me. “Why are you acting like it’s such a big deal?”

“Because it is a big deal, Ava!” he says vehemently. “In the BDSM lifestyle, a collar like that is a symbol of a commitment between a Dom and sub or Master and slave. You barely know him! You aren’t just wearing it during scenes or official game events, so he clearly doesn’t intend for it to be just for play. And I know enough about Roman Castile to know he didn’t give you that simply for appearances’ sake for the games. It’s the real deal.” He shuts off my treadmill and fingers the padlock. “Christ, is this thing locked on?”

I nod.

“You’re getting in way over your head, Ava. I’m worried about you.”

“I’m fine!” I give him a pointed look and start the treadmill again. He stops it.

“Ava, I’m serious.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t understand why you’re getting so upset over this. You’re a Dom too. Why are you judging Roman for what you do yourself?”

“Because I don’t put collars on girls I’ve only known a couple of weeks. And because you’re completely inexperienced, and Roman has no idea! He thinks you’re like the rest of the submissive contestants, for Christ’s sake. It’s why he was such an asshole at Western Night. He told me what he said to you about it making no difference who made you come. And how he mentioned Anthony,” he adds derisively. “He thinks Anthony’s an ex-boyfriend or something.”

That stops me cold. “He told you about that? When?”

Emmett sighs. “He came to talk to me after Western Night when you were upset and wouldn’t talk to him. He wanted to know what he did and how to get you to forgive him.”

I feel a rush of warmth that Roman cared enough about me to put aside his pride and ask for Emmett’s help.

“You didn’t tell him who Anthony is, did you?”

“Of course not. I did punch him, though,” he admits sheepishly.

“Oh, Emmett,” I say, relinquishing and giving him a hug. I can’t stay mad at him. “I love you for that, but you don’t have to protect me from Roman. He knows the truth now.”

Emmett’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

“Well, not about everything,” I add hastily. “He doesn’t know about Anthony or my past or why I’m really here, other than the fact that I have no money and no place to live, which is part of the truth, just not all of it. But I told him everything else after the paintball games. You know, about my experience or lack of.”

“So he knows you’re not submissive?”

I nod.

“And he knows you’re a virgin?”

“Was,” I clarify.

“Motherfucker!” Emmett looks like he wants to punch something again, and I’m glad Roman’s not around. “Fuck! I never should have talked you into doing this.”