Playing for Real: Paolo's Playhouse, Book 5 (10 page)

He paused and turned to look at her. Was she merely making conversation or was there some other reason for the question? “I had been visiting BDSM clubs for years. It was wonderful when I finally found like-minded people. To realize I was not alone in my desires.”

“I felt alone. I thought there was something wrong with me to want those…things.” She smiled up at him. “Until I saw your ad. Until I met you.”

He reached out and stroked her jaw. “And there is the answer to your question. I realized that there were many people, people I met day to day, who would never consider stepping foot in a dungeon or a public club, yet would still enjoy a safe place to fulfill a fantasy. I enjoy dabbling in real estate, but the Playhouse, in addition my painting, gives me the greatest satisfaction.”

“Speaking of your paintings, when we go back to my place let me show you a few pictures of the space, the colors. Maybe you already have something that will fit.”

“Yes, we can do that.” He drew her off the path, toward a bench by the water. After they sat, he turned to her. “And now there will be no more talk of work today. No more talk of painting or decorating or sex clubs.” He squeezed her hand. “Agreed?”

“It’s hard to shut it off.” She turned her attention to the river. “But I’m glad I’m here. With you.”

“
Cara
. I am glad as well.”

Paolo was in his home office Monday morning. He was supposed to be concentrating on the paperwork on the desk in front of him, but his mind kept going back to the day before. He and Julianne had walked the trails and talked about everything and nothing at all. He discovered he enjoyed hearing her views on the subjects they discussed. Enjoyed talking color and contrast, because of course, two artistic people couldn’t spend hours together and not talk about things that fed their souls.

He let her drive the Jeep home and her spontaneous laughter with the wind whipping through her hair had warmed his heart. He knew he wanted to make her laugh more often.

His mother’s words had been on his mind when he’d heard from Julianne yesterday. He did understand what she’d been talking about. It took much time and energy to build a business, and he’d been as guilty as anyone of spending months of all work and no play.

The ring of his phone dragged him away from the memories of Julianne’s laughter and her hand in his. It was Abby. “Sorry, boss. You need to get over here.”

He was on his feet and striding through the apartment. Once again he was grateful for his easy commute. “What is it?”

“It’s Holly. She’s demanding to see you and refuses to leave this time.”

He skidded to a halt in the hallway. He didn’t want to barrel into this situation without thinking it through first. The first burst of anger made him want to tell Abby to call the cops and haul Holly out of there. If she wanted drama, he’d give it to her.

But as much as he’d like to, he wasn’t going to do that. He entered the Playhouse and found Holly in the office with Abby. They were sitting on opposite sides of the desk. At least she wasn’t making a scene in the waiting room. The frowns on both of their faces told him that they might not have been as friendly as they used to be.

Holly flew out of the chair and around the desk as soon as he entered the office. She wore a short dress so tight he could tell she wasn’t wearing any underwear. “She wouldn’t let me see you.”

He’d always had the advantage of height over Holly, but he’d never needed it before to demonstrate his dominance and he didn’t need it now. Paolo stood there, looking down at his ex-wife. After only a moment her submissive training took over, and she dropped the defiant expression and lowered her eyes.

“Abby is doing her job, Holly. You should not have given her a hard time.”

Holly pouted as she glanced up at him through her lashes. He remembered a time when that look made him instantly hard. Not anymore. “I just wanted to talk to you.”

He might as well get this over with. She probably wouldn’t stop bothering him until she had her say. “Abby? Can you give us five minutes?”

Abby stood up. “Sure.”

“I thought we could go to one of the playrooms,” Holly said in a teasing voice.

“No,” he snapped. Abby scooted out of the room and closed the door behind her. Paolo leaned his hip against the side of the desk and crossed his arms. “All right. Talk.”

“This is a really nice place. I remember when you used to talk about a club like this.” She smiled, a bright genuine smile. “You really did it.”

Maybe she wasn’t here to cause trouble. “It took longer than I thought it would to make it happen, but yes, it is exactly what I wanted.”

“And I hear you own this whole building. And others too. I never knew you’d have all this when you bought that old building we lived in so everyone didn’t lose their homes.”

It had been a dump but he’d put a lot of sweat equity in it and sold it for three times what he’d bought it for. And that sale financed his next building. “I have done a lot of buying and selling over the years. Is that what you came here to talk about?”

Holly crossed her arms in front of her, plumping up her generous breasts with the gesture. “Why do you have to be this way? Can’t we have a conversation without you going all Dom on me?”

He shook his head slowly. “I am a Dom, remember? There was a time when that was what you wanted.” And he couldn’t help but wonder if Richard had been right, if Holly had hoped Paolo would have come after her. If she’d wanted him to talk her into coming back to him all those years ago.

“You intimidate me.” Her shoulders sagged and she shrugged. “You always did.”

“Maybe you don’t really want a Dom. Maybe you just like the idea of one.” There were many people who were turned on by the fantasy, but discovered they didn’t like the reality.

She dropped her arms to her side. “No. I want you. I do.” She took a deep breath. “I know you don’t
try
to intimidate me.”

“The thing is, baby girl. I do not even have to try.”

“I think about you all the time.” Holly frowned and sank into the chair. “I miss you. I want another chance.”

“You left me because I intimidated you when I was a twenty-two-year-old kid. Why would you want to do this again?”

“Please? I could help you here at the Playhouse. And at home I’d kneel at your feet and be the perfect sub this time. I’ll be whatever you want me to be, I promise.”

A dull headache had settled right between his eyes. Paolo almost preferred the drama to this begging. Then he realized she sounded desperate. Maybe all this begging was because she was in trouble. “Do you need a job? A place to stay? I can help you with that until you get back on your feet.”

She jumped out of the chair, curled her hands into fists. “My feet are just fine. I don’t need your help.” Holly stormed out of the office, leaving Paolo even more confused than he had been before.

“What is your safe word?”

Julianne shuddered slightly, as she always did when reminded that she might need her safe word. “Chardonnay.”

She knelt before Paolo on Monday evening. They were back in the first playroom he’d brought her to. He’d been unusually quiet since he picked her up and she hadn’t been able to figure out his mood. If this was a Saturday night, she’d ask him about it, but this was a play date. They were together for the dominance and submission, nothing else. Nothing to do with real life.

“Rise.”

Getting to her feet was becoming a little easier. Must be the practice was working. She quickly took the pose he’d taught her. When he didn’t say anything more, didn’t move, she almost glanced up, then caught herself. He was probably testing her. She slowed down her breathing, pushed the worries away.

He finally moved, walked silently around her. This reminded her of their first time in this room. She’d been blindfolded and didn’t know it was Paolo in the room with her. At least not at first. She’d thought he was a stranger there to use her as a bondage toy. Well, a different stranger, since she’d just met Paolo as well. But he’d never felt like a stranger to her. He hadn’t spoken that night, not wanting to give anything away.

He didn’t speak now but began to touch her. He stood behind her and ran his hand over her hair, stroking her softly, calmly. Then he brushed his fingers along her arms, sending shivery tickles dancing along the surface of her skin.

His hands dropped to her ass, stroking the cheeks. He dropped a soft kiss to her shoulder as she relaxed into the erotic massage. When the sharp smack connected with her bottom, she gasped and dropped her pose.

Another slap. “Back in position.” The words were soft, but dark and serious.

She swallowed and quickly regained her pose. Before when he’d spanked her, she’d been bound or held down. She never realized how difficult it would be to have to concentrate on holding her position while he delivered smack after smack to her ass.

The spanking seemed to go on forever, the slaps growing harder, coming faster. Or did it seem that way because she struggled to keep her position? Her sex throbbed with the strokes. Her ass burned. Finally tears flowed because she couldn’t stop them.

And still he spanked her.

She could hear his heavy breathing, even over her own.

Finally he stopped. Abruptly.

She kept her gaze focused on the floor. The tears she’d cried made things fuzzy, but she did her best to blink them away. He didn’t say anything for the longest time, perhaps to give her time to collect herself. Then she heard him walk away. In a moment he was back in front of her. He cupped her chin and raised her face to his.

“You did very well.” He had a cloth in his hand and gently wiped the tears from her face. Then he kissed her forehead. “You can get dressed now.”

She wanted to cry out her displeasure. Beg him to fuck her. Ask him why they wouldn’t be doing anything more tonight. But she didn’t. If he wanted to enlighten her, he would. Then again, maybe he wanted her to figure it out.

There was no small talk on the drive back to her apartment. No talk at all. Her bottom burned but she didn’t squirm in her seat. Paolo walked her up the stairs, held her gaze for a long, hot moment.

“Do I intimidate you?” he asked softly.

“What? No.”

“Good.” He nodded, then brushed her lips lightly with his. “I will see you Wednesday.”

She stood in the doorway and watched him walk away.

Chapter Five

When Paolo picked her up Wednesday night, the limo waited at the curb. Jack opened the door for her and she slid in the back, glad her skirt was a little longer, a little fuller than the first time. Paolo joined her in the dark interior and again he nearly overwhelmed her simply by his presence. As soon as the car pulled away from the curb, Paolo took her hand, kissed her knuckles. “Remember how we talked about acting out fantasies?”

She couldn’t see his face, but the seductive tone of his voice sent shivers along her spine. “Role playing?”

“That also.” He tipped her head to the side and nuzzled the crook of her neck. “Remember that I asked you to trust me?”

She took in a quick, shaky breath. Nodded.

“Good.” He didn’t say anything more on the ride to the Playhouse, but his hands stroked her gently, his lips brushed her skin, and her body heated and melted. When they rode together in the back of the limo, Julianne felt as if they were cocooned in their own special world. She snuggled against his warm body and let him play with hers.

Once they were at the Playhouse, Paolo led her to another room dominated by a large four-poster bed. After he closed the door, Julianne looked around the room, noting the lush, red cover on the bed, the rich cream on the walls, the dark wood under her feet. Paolo headed over to a cabinet that looked more like a piece of fine furniture than the utilitarian cabinets in the other playroom. It was beautifully decorated and she wondered if he had chosen the colors and the furniture.

“Julianne?” Paolo’s voice was sharp. He glanced over his shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“Oh, shit. Sorry. The new room distracted me. Sir.” She tugged the dress over her head and kicked off her shoes. She dropped to her knees and lowered her gaze, her heart pounding. How could she forget the simple routine? Her heart pounded. She couldn’t find the calm she’d begun to find before each session.

Paolo was soon in front of her. “What is your safe word?”

Maybe he wasn’t going to chastise her. “Chardonnay.”

“Very good. Rise.”

She rose to her feet as gracefully as she could, taking the standing pose immediately.

“Have you been practicing?” he asked, pleasure clear in the tone of his voice.

She kept her eyes lowered but she could see the coil of rope in each hand. “Yes, sir.”

“I am pleased to hear that.” He kissed the top of her head. “This is a special night.” He wrapped each wrist with soft rope and led her to the foot of the bed, the lengths of rope trailing behind her. “Up you go. Kneel at the end of the bed.”

She did as he told her to and then he pressed her shoulders into the mattress so that she lay there head down, ass in the air. He returned to the cabinet and came back with a thick black blindfold. He climbed up beside her and placed it over her head and soon she was lying on the bed in the comforting darkness.