Club Wonderland (17 page)

Alice was clearly where she wanted to be.

Chapter Eighteen

Alice sat on the back steps of her mom’s house trying to contemplate her escape. She’d brought her mom home the next morning with only a brief detour to the store so Alice to pick up some essentials, once the doctors had been able to confirm she was clear of any clots. They’d connected the fainting spell to her mother’s insomnia and her two skipped meals. Relief wasn’t a strong enough descriptor for what Alice felt when they were finally able to leave.

Her mom was going to be okay.

For the first four days, they’d gotten along wonderfully. So much so, Alice thought the idea of moving back home wasn’t so bad. There were a few law offices around town where she might be able to get some temp work, get her name out there. Worst case, she could keep her job at Gibson, Murphy and Dow and commute to Toronto. She wouldn’t be the first to do it.

It wasn’t until her mother invited Gwen and her son Kevin the dentist over for supper that things started to go downhill. Alice should have known this time would come sooner or later. She remembered meeting Gwen during a few of her visits, but it was the first time she’d been introduced to Kevin. He was a nice enough man, good looking, polite. He would stand up whenever she came into the room, would pull her chair out for her to help her sit. Hell, he even offered to do the dishes with her.

It wasn’t until they were side by side, hands wet and coated in bubbles that they had a chance to talk. Kevin plucked a plate from the rack and started to dry it. “I get the impression our mothers are trying to set us up.”

“They’ve been pretty obvious about the whole thing. Sorry about that.”

He smiled. It was a nice smile, but it lacked a certain devilish charm she now looked for. “No worries. To be honest, I’m not looking to get into a relationship right now.”

I
want you to know that I’m not looking for a relationship.
Not now.
Probably not ever.

“My divorce is still pretty fresh, and despite what mother thinks, getting back out there isn’t what I need. I hope you’re not offended?”

She forced a smile. “Hell no. I’m not really looking for something myself.”

“I thought so. You have that look about you. Like you’re trying to forget someone.”

Setting the plate back down in the water, Alice turned to face him. “You’re very perceptive.”

“I’m familiar with what heartbreak looks like. Bad breakup?”

“More of a breakup before we had a chance to see where it could go. We were just figuring things out when Mom fell.”

“Well then, you still have hope. Once you head home you can try again.”

The conversation had moved on to other topics, but Alice’s mind had latched on to that tiny thread of hope. Could they try again? It had only been two weeks; though Alice hadn’t spoken to Gael. Carmella had checked in a few times, reassuring Alice that she could take the time she needed to make sure her mom was okay. But there’d been nothing from him.

Not that she’d left him any reason to call.

After that her mom had jumped into full matchmaking mode. She would leave real estate books lying around, opened on pages of homes close to hers. She started telling people they met that this was her daughter, oh and she might be moving home.
Yes
,
I’m so happy to have her back with me.

It quickly grew to be too much for Alice. Gael had been right back at the hospital. She’d been running on guilt and fear and had been in no condition to be making life-altering choices. What she needed to do was to make sure her mom would be fine, then go home. Back to the life that waited for her.

“What are you doing out here?” The bang of the screen door echoed as her mother came out onto the small landing. “It’s going to rain.”

“The breeze is nice. It’s been a hot few days.”

“Alice, what’s wrong? You haven’t been yourself all day. All week for that matter.”

The problem with contemplating escape was that eventually, a person either had to put her plan in action, or else give up and accept her fate.

“I love you, Mom.” She looked up into the concerned face of the woman who’d given so much to her. “You know that, right?”

“And I love you. Now what’s this all about?”

“I think I’m going to head home tomorrow.”

Rather than fly into a tirade of reasons Alice needed to stay with her, her mom nudged her over and sat down on the step beside her. She took Alice’s hand and gave it a soft squeeze. “Okay.”

Alice frowned as she cocked her head. “That’s it?”

“Well I’m not going to lock you in the basement, if that’s what you mean.”

“No, but you’re not upset that I want to go?”

Her mom smiled. It wasn’t one of the ones she normally put on when she was trying to impress another person. This one was smaller, more contained, and put a soft spark in her eyes. “I would be ecstatic if you told me you wanted nothing more than to live with me for the rest of my life. But I’m not a fool. I can see how being here with me is making you miserable. I...I’m sorry for that.”

“I’m not miserable—”

“Don’t lie to your mother.”

“Sorry.”

Her mom sighed. “I’m selfish. When your father left us, you became my whole world. I promised you I would give you a special life. I’d make you feel like a princess instead of poor little Alice whose bastard father walked out on her. When I started getting your modeling jobs, I thought that was the way to do it, while being able to keep you with me.”

“I’m sorry you’re lonely.”

“It’s my fault. I’m more than capable of making friends. I simply chose not to. I realize now that I’ve been pushing you away as I tried to bring you closer.”

“I want to spend time with you, Mom. But I’m happy with my life. I love my job, my friends. I’ve offered to help you find a place in Toronto so you can be closer.”

“Too noisy. And I love my house. No, I think it’s best for me to stay here and you to live there. But you need to promise me you’ll visit more.”

“I promise.”

“Good.” She patted Alice’s lap. “Now, have you spoken to that man of yours?”

There was something about the way she said
man
had had Alice giggle. “I take it you’re not a fan of Gael.”

“He had that same look about him that your father did. Always needing to be in charge. You should stay away from men like that. And really, three days of sex? That’s a bit excessive.”

“Mom!”

“Not that I can tell you who to date.”

“No, you can’t.” She wasn’t even certain Gael would want anything to do with her after the way she’d reacted in the hospital. “Mom? I was wondering—”

“Apologize, but don’t grovel. You’re a lady and he should be willing to accept your word as being sincere.” Getting to her feet in one smooth move, her mom started for the door. “I was doing your laundry. I’ll start packing for you.”

“No, I’ll come.” She stood and pulled her mom into a hug. “I want to spend some more time with you before I go. Love you.”

“Oh baby.” She pressed her face into Alice’s neck. “I love you too.”

They’d pack and she’d have something quick to eat before starting the drive home. Maybe along the way she’d figure out what to say to Gael that could make everything right between them.

* * *

The crowd at Wonderland seemed on edge as Gael prowled around. This was his fourth trip of the week, as he tried to take his mind off of the remnants of his carefully constructed plan. Chess had given him a concerned look as he’d granted Gael admittance, but the bouncer said nothing.

Today had served as the precipice of his week from hell. He’d been fielding questions about Alice and her mother all week. No one wanted to bother her, but everyone wanted details. After the tenth time, he’d snapped at the next person to ask. Carmella hadn’t deserved his shitty treatment. He’d ordered a flower delivery to arrive for her after he left.

Then he’d been faced with Uncle Stephen.

Gael should have known it was only a matter of time before rumors about his time with Alice started to circulate. The blistering accusations were still under his skin, even if some of them were true. Although he hadn’t taken advantage of Alice in any way, the fact that his uncle believed that was the case was all that mattered.

“And you can forget about becoming a partner anytime soon.”

He’d walked out of his uncle’s office to his, picked up the phone and called the real estate office, then his mother. The equity in his home would be enough to keep them going for a while. Tomorrow he’d meet with them to discuss his coming back to the software company. Sink or swim, they’d do it together.

It would mean the next few months of his life would be crazy, but that challenge sat better with him than the idea of continuing to prostitute himself out to his uncle. When he’d told his mom, she’d been ecstatic.

“I love my brother, but he’s an asshole. I told you—we don’t need him.”

“Mom, you needed the loan.”

“We needed a buffer. And I don’t like the idea of you selling your place.”

“You wouldn’t be in this mess if you hadn’t given me the down payment to begin with. I’ll find a place.”

And he would. Tomorrow.

Tonight he had other demons to excise. Specifically, one named Alice. Pushing all thoughts of her from his mind, Gael walked over to the St. Andrews Cross and watched a Dom working on his sub. He recognized them from previous visits, admired the way they fit together. It was easy to see that they were in a committed relationship, could tell by how the Dom cared for her after he was done with his torture. And the way she looked up at him, as if there were no other man in the world, was nothing less than unfettered love.

He hated this.

“Hernandez!” Gael rolled his eyes at the sound of Mistress Red’s voice. “My office.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Don’t give me any of that shit. Just move your ass.” She spun around in a way that shouldn’t be possible in stilettos, leaving Gael to trail behind her.

The inevitable tirade was easy to predict, obvious before they even stepped into the office. It was better to have a good offense than be on the defensive when it came to this place. “I know what you’re going to say.”

“That you’re a fucking idiot who should be kicked out of my place until you get your head on straight?” Red picked up a riding crop that was lying on her desk and slammed the end down across the wood hard. “You’re fucking right!”

“Is Ryan late again? No one to suck your dick?”

Red narrowed her gaze. “Don’t try and screw me in my home, Hernandez.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Why are you here?” She began to lightly tap the end of the crop against the wood. “This isn’t like you.”

“I’m looking for something.” The less ammunition he gave her, the better this would be for all of them.

“Yes, I see that. You’ve done nothing but look for two weeks now. You haven’t taken a single sub, spanked anyone, not even a flogging.”

“I’m being picky.”

“No, you’re being bitchy. Stop it. You’re scaring people.”

“Fine.”

“Not fine. Wonderland is an active club.” She tossed the crop back down to the desk and crossed her arms. “If you don’t hook up with a sub tonight, then I want you to stay away for a while. Until you know what you’re looking for.”

That wasn’t the issue. The one he wanted wasn’t here.

“Fine.” He left without looking back.

There were enough people at Wonderland who’d be more than happy to let Gael play with them. It didn’t matter that Alice had ignited something in him he’d never felt before. Things weren’t going to work between them. Although he would never make her choose him over her mother, he refused to constantly be in competition for her affections. The woman wanted Alice all to herself, and until Alice learned to say no, then there was no place in his life for her.

He’d find someone to flog to appease Red, then he’d go home.

There was a blond woman naked on her knees in the middle of the main floor. She had her back to him, so he couldn’t make out her face. Her hands were resting demurely at the small of her back as she waited. There was something familiar about her, the way she held her body.
You’re seeing Alice everywhere you go now.
Get over it—she didn’t want you.
It was possible this woman subbed for him in the past. It would make for an easier time than trying to find someone new.

Gael walked up behind her, but only close enough to make her aware of his presence. “Are you waiting on your master?”

She shook her head.

“Come with me.”

He didn’t wait to see if she’d follow, heading upstairs. There would be fewer people on the second floor, which would make this less a spectacle. He’d keep things simple, just enough to take the edge off mentally, while giving her what she wanted.

The back corner on the top floor was available. It was a favorite place for him. The O hooks were high enough on the wall most women would have to stretch up. It gave him room to work uninhibited.

“Back to the wall, arms over your head and legs spread. I want to see all of you.”

She walked past him, and did as he directed. But as she lifted her head, her hair fell away and he stopped breathing.

“Alice?”

“Yes, Sir?”

He needed a minute to calm down. “Why the hell are you here?”

A faint blush covered her cheeks. “I missed you, Sir.”

“Is your mother okay? I thought you’d decided to stay with her?”

“I was angry and scared. We talked things over, and while I don’t think she’s quite able to handle the idea, she says it’s time she let go and gave me a chance to live my life the way I want.”

There wasn’t any hesitation on her part. Even as her hands shook from holding them above her head, she didn’t look as though she were ready to take off running. She’d come back to him.

I
missed you
,
Sir.

Something in his chest thawed, and for the first time in days, Gael started to feel normal.

He stepped in and picked up the wrist cuffs that were resting near the wall. “I told you a while ago that I had no interest in getting involved. In having a relationship.”