Intrigue at Haven's Crossing (9 page)

The next day was unbelievable. Myka was thrilled when Blake had a brand-new blue Camaro delivered to the dealership that very day, and she was able to drive it home late that afternoon. Of course she had to endure his incessant lecturing about safety, but she knew that was part of the deal. “One speeding ticket, young lady, and I’ll ground your ass—three and I’ll sell it. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Sir.” As she sat behind the wheel, she glanced in the rearview mirror thinking how good she looked. She had wanted a Camaro for years, and now she finally had one. She couldn’t wait until she could really drive it, but that would have to wait until Blake wasn’t around. Tomorrow, she and Kim had a girls’ day at the spa. That would be the perfect time, she thought with a smile.

Later on that evening, Blake kissed her on the neck as they were cleaning up in the kitchen. “I have to go to the club tonight, sweetheart. Will you be okay by yourself for a while?”

“Could I come with you?”

“Baby, if you want to come with me, I’d love for you to go, but I understand if you don’t want to.”

“I think I’d like to try again if you don’t mind.”

“I’m really glad you want to go,” he said, hugging her close to his body. “Tonight I’ve just got to hang out and take care of a few things, so we won’t be there more than three or four hours. You can stay in my office if you want, or you can make the rounds with me, whatever you’d like to do.”

“I’d like to go with you, Master,” she said, looking up at him demurely.

“Then that’s just what you’ll do, princess. Now, go get dressed because we have to leave in about thirty minutes.”

As Myka began to put on her official Intrigue outfit, she truly hoped that tonight would be better than last time. She wanted to like Blake’s world and knew how much it would please him if she did. She had to at least try. She owed him that much.

Once they got to the club, Myka took a deep breath. “Do we need to go over the rules again?” Blake asked before they got out.

“No, Sir.”

“Okay, then let’s do this, little one.” She could feel Blake’s persona changing with every step they took. He was now, Master Blake.

Blake took her through his office and out into the lounge and bar area. She felt a little more at ease since she knew some of the people now and what to expect. Master Kip was again working at the bar. He said a few words to Blake and then handed Myka a drink. “Hello, Myka. Rum and Diet Coke, right?”

He remembered.
“Yes, Sir. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, sugar. I’m glad to see you back. I promise it won’t be like last time.”

Blake told her to stay seated at the bar, so she sipped her drink, trying to mind her own business and just take it all in. Blake was talking to two of his staff in the lounge area. As long as she could see him, she was fine, and he promised he would keep her within eyesight while they were out on the floor.

She was watching Blake when he received a phone call and stepped away from his staff after he looked to see who was calling. She could see by his facial expression and his tense jaw that he wasn’t happy with whoever it was on the other line. Within a matter of seconds, he ended the call and then went over to whisper in Master Kip’s ear. Master Kip nodded, but now he had an unhappy look as well. She wondered what was going on, but it wasn’t really any of her business, so she wasn’t going to say anything.

Blake started toward her and asked if she was ready to make the rounds. As they went through the double doors, he took her hand, holding her close by his side.
Thank you for that.
For some reason, she wasn’t really scared anymore. They were all just people, after all, doing what they wanted to do.

Myka heard her name being called and looked around to see Callie coming toward them. Myka started to go and hug her, but stopped herself and looked up to get a nod of approval from Blake first. “Myka, I’m so glad you came! I really wanted to tell you ‘thank you’ again for helping me out the other night,” Callie said in a bubbly voice.

“You’re welcome, Callie. And, I have to say, you look much better tonight. I hope you never have to see that horrible man ever again.”

“Oh, I won’t. Master Blake took care of that for me. I had only been with him one other time before that, and he was okay the first time. You just never know sometimes. Anyway, you go have fun and if you ever need anything or have any questions, just let me know!” Callie quickly hugged Myka good-bye and then went bouncing off across the room.
I wish I had half her energy.

Myka found her way back to Blake’s side and realized he had been watching her the entire time. She really liked being by his side and really, really liked that she felt safe and protected when he was near. He raised her hand up to his lips and kissed it lightly. “You doing alright, sweetheart?”

“Yes, Sir. It’s not like last time.”

“Well, good. I’m happy to hear that.” Blake looked away and said, “Hey, I’ve got someone I want you to meet.” He nodded at a tall, dark, extremely built man who was walking their way. “Adriano! It’s good to see you. I want you to meet someone. Myka, this is Adriano Santos. He owns the gym where I work out. Adriano, this is Myka.”

“It is my pleasure to meet you, Myka. What a lovely name for such a lovely woman,” Adriano had a heavy, sexy accent that made her jaw drop open. When he took her hand and kissed it, she thought her heart may have skipped a beat.

“Th–thank you. Sir,” she said as she swallowed the lump in her throat.
My God, he would be perfect for Sheila! I’ve got to tell Kim.

“I have been wondering where you have been for the past week, my friend, and now I know the reason for your absence. You have been working out at home, instead,” he said as he looked at Myka and smiled. Myka could feel her face getting red, and she immediately looked away and took a deep breath as the men continued to talk. She couldn’t wait to call Kim and tell her about Adriano, but it was already late, so it would have to wait until tomorrow.

The rest of the evening was uneventful, and Myka was grateful. After they were finished, she reached up and kissed Blake on the lips. “What’s that for?” he asked in surprise.

“For bringing me back here. I liked it much better, and I had a good time. So, can I ask you a question?”

“Myka, you know you can ask me anything.”

“Well, uh, I was wondering about Adriano. Is he married or anything or in a relationship?”

Blake looked at her with uncertainty. “No, ma’am, he is
not
in a relationship.”

“Where is he from exactly? Is he a nice guy? Is he a Master, too?”

“Myka, is there something you need to tell me? Are you looking to trade me in already?”

“Blake, no! Of course not. You’re not getting rid of me that easy, mister.”

“Okay, well that definitely makes me feel better. So, why all the questions?”

“Our friend, Sheila, she’s a personal trainer. She’d be perfect for Adriano. She’s tall, blonde, and beautiful. He wouldn’t be able to resist her. Now, tell me everything about him,” she said anxiously.

“He was married once for about ten years then moved here after the divorce. He’s had his gym about seven years, I guess. He’s a good man and not a Master, but dominant. He’s from Brazil, knows how to speak Portuguese, and loves his mother. I’m not sure of his blood type, but that shouldn’t be hard to find out.” Myka hit him playfully for his sarcasm, but was thrilled the guy was single. And thank God he wasn’t a Master. Sheila wouldn’t go for that.

After they got home, they made love Myka’s favorite way—with Blake in control, and it was amazing. And as she dozed off in his arms, she could’ve sworn she heard him whisper, “I love you.”

The next day, Myka got up and got dressed for her day at the spa. Before she left, Blake again reminded her, after tapping her on the nose and giving her a warning look “Drive safe, princess, or you won’t be driving at all.”

“I
will
, Blake,” she said, sounding like a teenager being lectured by her father. She grabbed her purse and headed out the door.

When Kim saw the Camaro she screamed so loud that Caleb came out to check on her. “It’s freaking gorgeous! I’m so happy for you, but I’m jealous, too—they won’t even let me
look
at a car like this.” Logan and Caleb both came and checked it out, and after they gave
their
lecture about driving safe, the girls drove away for their appointment.

“So, have you ever met Adriano Santos that owns the gym?” Myka asked.

“I’ve heard Logan and Caleb talk about him, but I haven’t actually met him. Why?”

“Oh my God, Kim. I met him at the club last night. Not only does he own a gym, he is one of the most gorgeous men I have ever laid eyes on in my life! He would be perfect for Sheila. He’s from Brazil, and he has this sexy accent that would drive any woman wild.”

“Wow. It sounds like I need to meet him. Wouldn’t it be cool if he and Sheila hit it off? Then slowly but surely, all our friends would be here. Hey, did you say he was at the club? You know Sheila won’t go for the BDSM stuff.”

“I know, and that’s what I thought, too, but I talked to Blake about it last night, and he said Adriano isn’t a Master or anything, and he only goes to the club every once in a while. Blake said he thinks he gets lonely sometimes and just comes in to see everyone.”

“You know, I think he rides bulls, too. I heard Logan say something about him riding at some of the rodeos. Sheila would
love
that. She’s always had a thing for cowboys—and one with an accent, my, oh my. We gotta call her.”

Myka and Kim gave Sheila a call and told her all about Adriano. It definitely piqued her interest enough that she said she’d come for a visit. Her knee was healing nicely after her surgery, so she would plan on coming within the next month or so. They said their good-byes and went in to the spa to be pampered.

Several hours had passed by the time they both finished, and the girls felt amazing. On the way home, Myka reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “You want one?” she asked as she rolled the window down and started to pick up speed.

“Are you freaking kidding me? Where the hell did you get those?”

“I packed them when I came, why?”

“Blake doesn’t care if you smoke?”

“He doesn’t know, I don’t guess,” she replied, shrugging her shoulders.

“Okay, well you just let me know how that works out for ya. Good luck, sister.”

“So, I take it Logan and Caleb don’t want you smoking?”

“The last time I even tried to smoke, I got my ass spanked, and I don’t need a sore bottom before the wedding. Some other time, perhaps, but not now.”

Myka grinned at her friend and continued to smoke her cigarette. There was no way she would get in trouble, she thought. Blake never told her she
couldn’t
smoke, so he’d
have
to let her by on this one. After she dropped Kim off, she headed home and decided to go ahead and take a bubble bath before Blake got home. They had a romantic dinner planned, and she wanted to be ready when he got there. She wasn’t expecting him for at least another hour, so she took her time, letting the hot water soothe away all her worries. She was so relaxed she actually drifted off to sleep for a little while.

Myka was startled when she heard the front door close. She couldn’t believe she had fallen asleep. She jumped out of the tub and started to dry herself off. Blake walked in and smiled when he saw her naked. “And good afternoon to you,” he said, pulling her still-damp body against him. He then gave her one of those kisses that took her breath away, while his hand rubbed up and down her back. “You smell good enough to eat, baby.”

“So do you,” she replied, looking at him with desire in her eyes.

“We have plans, remember? And if you want to get there with any clothes on, you need to stop teasing me.”

“Fine, I’ll get dressed, but I want it noted that I am not completely happy about it.”

Blake left her alone to get ready, and she quickly decided to wear the new skirt and blouse she had bought back home, but had never worn. As she was putting on her makeup, she heard her phone ding, letting her know she had a text message. She knew it was probably Kim, so she didn’t rush to go check.

No more than a minute later, she heard Blake talking on the phone, and then she almost ran into him as she was walking into the bedroom. She noticed immediately that his mood had changed, and he was not looking happy.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, concern in her voice.

“We need to have a little talk, sweetheart. Sit down.” She could tell by his tone that she shouldn’t argue, so she sat and looked up at him, waiting for him to speak. “Why don’t you tell me about your day, Myka?” he said with sarcasm, which made her more concerned.

“I, uh, went to the spa with Kim, that’s all. Then I came home and started to get ready.”

“Did you do anything you shouldn’t have done?”

What the hell is on that text message?
“N–no.”

“Let’s try that again, shall we? And,
this
time you had better think very carefully before you answer.”