Twist (Siren Publishing Allure) (6 page)

“Sounds good. I think you should make it for us. Give me a list of ingredients and I will pick up what I don’t have in the house. I get sick of my own cooking. Enar doesn’t cook much.”

Enar stuck a forkful in Lana’s mouth. “I do, too. I know how to cook. You just do it better. I raise the vegetables to cook with, don’t I?”

“Yes, you do.”

Lana gave Enar a square of her waffle, amused by the exchange. It turned out to be the perfect breakfast, and she took it upon herself to wash the dishes and leave them drying in the drainboard.

* * * *

They were on the road an hour later, and Lana assumed that Enar was heading back to her house. She had no idea where she was, but when he pulled up in front of Hall’s Salon, she frowned at him. “I thought you were taking me home. I don’t have any clean clothing and you shredded my underwear.”

“I know.” He got out of the car and walked around, opening the door for her. Lana slid out and he took her hand, leading her inside.

The woman at the front desk smiled. “Good afternoon, Mr. Manard.”

“Good afternoon, Beth. Can you do me a big favor and give the lady the works? I will be back in about an hour and a half.”

Beth nodded and smiled at Lana. She motioned to two women who were talking on the other side of the shop, and one of them walked over. “Hi, I’m Olive.”

“Hi. Lana.”

Enar smiled and gave her a lusty kiss. “I’ll be back.”

She watched him go. Olive chuckled. “Wow. Want to trade?”

“Trade what?”

“Trade boyfriends. He is so hot. Where is he taking you?”

“I don’t know. Why?” Lana asked, feeling overwhelmed and under-informed as she glanced around the well-equipped beauty salon.

“Usually if a woman gets the works, it means she is headed someplace special for the evening. Come on, let’s get you started.”

Olive motioned her into a back room, and Lana slid onto the padded, cloth-covered table. Olive wrapped her hair in a towel and turned on the steamer. “Would you like a cup of tea before I begin your facial?”

“I would love one. Thank you. Orange with honey if you have it.”

“Of course.” Olive went to get her tea, and Lana wondered about Enar. When Olive touched her face, Lana almost leapt from the table. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I was lost in thought. I didn’t hear you come back.”

“I put your tea on the table so it can cool a bit. Do you have any preference?”

“Preference for what?”

“We carry both organic and standard therapies, which do you prefer?”

“Organic please.”

Olive began to massage lavender-scented scrub onto her face. It smelled wonderful, and Lana inhaled deeply before voicing her primary thought. “Does Enar always bring his dates here?”

“Who is Enar?”

“Sorry, Fred.”

“Oh. No, he never brings dates here. I was referring to other clients. Usually when a woman gets the works, there is a reason. It was a roundabout way for me to be nosy.”

Lana chuckled, instantly relaxing as Olive continued her facial.

As the day wore on, Olive washed and trimmed her hair, waxed her eyebrows, and then gave her a manicure and pedicure, followed by an application of makeup. When Lana was finally allowed to look in the mirror, she was pleasantly surprise and felt completely underdressed in dirty jeans and a wrinkled shirt. She gave Olive a smile, self-conscious of her appearance. “You made me look fantastic. Now all I need is some clothing.”

Olive smiled back. “You are a very good client. It has been a pleasure.”

“Thank you.”

Enar whistled a catcall at her, causing her to turn in surprise. “Wow. The lady becomes more beautiful with each passing hour.” Lana blushed again, glad the makeup hid the flames in her cheeks. Enar chuckled and handed her a bag. “The bathroom is in the back. You really look amazing.”

Lana escaped into the bathroom. “I’m getting so tired of blushing,” she mumbled as she pulled out a pair of leather jeans that laced up the sides and a very pretty black-and-orange lace shirt with wispy, flared sleeves. At the bottom of the bag were three lace-accented bras, with matching panties. She pulled the softest set off the hanger and slid them on, followed by the pants and shirt. It was not her usual style, but the clothing fit perfectly. She stuffed her dirty jeans and shirt into the bag and walked out, still clad in her worn sandals.

The smile on Enar’s face said clearly that he approved. With a bow of his head, he led her back to the car. In the backseat were a variety of bags. “What did you do, go on a shopping spree?”

“Yes, I did. I got your clothing size before you woke up this morning. Now we just need to get you some shoes. I couldn’t read the size. Your sandals are worn to shit.”

“I like them. Unfortunately for me, I’m limited as far as what shoes I can wear. Forget about sexy heels, my knee won’t take it. I had to give all my cool shoes away.”

“I know where to shop.”

She shook her head, smiling. “I thought that you hated to shop and that you liked women who were into material things even less. You didn’t need to do this.”

“I know. I wanted to. I didn’t say that I don’t like my woman to be spoiled and pampered. I just don’t like it when she automatically expects it. You are not like that.”

“Thank you, but did you really have to buy out the whole town?”

Enar chuckled. “I didn’t, and what I purchased is good for the economy. I know my town well and have many friends here. I grew up here. Many of the people I went to school with still work in town and a few of the businesses are mine.”

“Is that why I got instant, first-class treatment at the salon? You own the place?”

“I own half. Lee owns the other half.”

“What’s in the bags?”

He stopped for a red light, staring at her as if the answer was obvious. “You need clothing.”

Sagging slightly in the seat, she stared at him in dismay. “I have clothing at home.”

His poignant expression and puppy-dog eyes were pathetic. “Why? Are you in a hurry to go home?”

Lana was at a loss for a reply. She was overwhelmed with his generosity, and his reluctance to take her home made her wonder what he expected in return. Was it possible that his gestures were different from his read-between-the-lines comments, and that he simply wanted to be with her? Lana wanted to be with him. She wanted to experience everything that Enar had alluded to, put some adventure back into her otherwise boring life. She really didn’t have much to go home to. Everything she had put up for sale had been sold. “I eventually need to go home and water my plants.” The look he gave her was so filled with sadness that Lana had an urge to make him smile again. He was causing little butterflies of nervous excitement to flit in her stomach, and Lana knew that she was honestly intrigued by the idea of sharing her life with this captivating man. She licked her lips, gazing loftily at the roof of the car, and then added, “I wasn’t really planning on moving in with you before our second date.”

“Good, you can move in after our second date,” he replied, sticking his tongue out sarcastically at her. The light turned green and a few moments later he pulled into a parking lot. He got out, opening the door for her and offering his hand. When he helped her out of the car, he drew her into a demanding kiss, crushing her to his chest. His arms were wound so tightly around her that Lana had a sense that he would never let her go. As much as the thought unnerved her, it made her feel equally desired. His tongue thrust into her mouth, claiming her attention, and Lana sighed, softening in his grasp. Enar leaned back. “I meant what I said last night. I want to be with you every possible moment. I feel really good around you.”

“I feel good around you also, but aren’t we kind of rushing things?”

“Life is short. I try to make the most out of every moment.” His smile was radiant as he gazed at her, and Lana felt as if she were melting in his arms.

“You are making me crazy.”

“If you honestly want to go home, then fine. I will take you. Get back in the car.”

The undertone of threat in his voice filled her with indecision. “Damn it, Enar. Give me a chance to catch my breath. At this time yesterday, I was going through my dead husband’s things. I hadn’t even met you yet, and less than twenty-four hours later you are telling me that I am moving in with you. I didn’t say that I wanted to go home right now. I really like you, but I’m not ready to get married either.”

He pursed his lips, wrinkling his nose as he looked at her. “Okay. Sorry. You only know a fragment of the things that have shaped my life. I can be impulsive and pushy. I also have a very good sense for people and my desires can be absolute. I know what I want and I want it now, not later. I’m not the type to hang back and wait for things. I am so sure that we will be great together that if I thought you would say yes, I would ask you to marry me right now. That said, I will honor your wish and back off a bit. It doesn’t mean that I want you to go home.” His eyes flashed with sorrow at the thought, the slightly pleading tilt of his head dissolving her reservations. “If you still want to go in the morning, I will take you, okay?”

She nodded, knowing in her heart that she didn’t honestly want to leave him. It had been a long time since she was happy, and he made her feel equally good about life. These were also emotions that she had no intention of admitting to him. It was too soon in their relationship to make permanent commitments.

“Where are you taking me after you get me shoes?”

His eyes instantly brightened, a smile spreading across his adorable face. “That is a surprise.”

“Does that surprise include lunch? I’m starving.”

He grinned, pulling her closer and giving her a long hug. “Lunch is included.”

Lana sighed. She wanted to be with Enar. She also had to wonder just how far he intended to take their relationship and also how far she was willing to go to be with him.

* * * *

An hour later they pulled up in front a large building. Enar opened the door for her and she stood, looking down at the cute black-leather slave shoes Enar had purchased for her. The woman at the shop had insisted they were in fashion, but the two-hundred-dollar price tag had thrown Lana for a loop. Enar hadn’t batted an eyelash and had picked her out a pair of sneakers and a pair of hiking boots besides.

He put his arm around her waist and walked to a door with a small sign on it. “Club Trist. Use your pass card to enter. Applications are by referral only.” Enar ran a key card through the slot and the door opened. A man instantly rose from his chair. “Fredek, how are you?”

“I’m fabulous, Reg. What’s the special today?”

“Roasted lobster tails with house stuffing. Who is this lovely creature?”

“This lovely woman is
mine
! Give me a black collar. She is off-limits.”

Reg chuckled, going into a box on the floor and handing Enar a black-leather braided collar. Enar turned to Lana and grinned. “Humor me. It’s for your own protection.” He removed it from its package and walked around behind her, placing it around her neck and buckling it.

Before Lana had a chance to question him, Enar took her hand and led her through a set of double doors. She glared at him, angry about the collar, and was about to take it off when she noted the room. “Oh, shit!”

He chuckled. “Isn’t this the conversation you had questions about? Tone down your shock. You look like a deer in a car’s headlights.”

“You could have warned me,” she muttered under her breath.

“I was going for the surprise.”

She looked around, trying not to focus on anything for so long that she appeared naive. “You got it.”

The room was multi leveled. They were on the uppermost floor, but the room had a central area that was surrounded by a clear spiral railing. Lana had the impression that they were actually standing on a balcony that would give a clear view as to what was going on below. There was a bar against the wall and tables to either side. Enar ushered her across the room with a hand to her back, and Lana tried not to stare at the waitresses and waiters. Around them men and women wearing only armbands and G-strings to hide their sex carried drinks and food. She expanded her gaze, noting the open floor plan. There was a four-step drop halfway across the upper level, designating a lower section for cages and what appeared to be whipping stations to the right and tables with harnesses to the left. People were being paddled or hanging from shackles as others tormented them. Against the opposite wall were narrow tables and stools for observing the action up close.

Enar moved her to the edge of the railing, and she looked down at the first floor. Two circular staircases led down to the central lower level that was furnished with loungers, many of them filled with naked people in different stages of sex. “I don’t know if I would be into such public displays. I’m more of a sex-in-private person,” Lana whispered as she continued to gaze around the rooms in awe.

“I only come here to watch. I’m not into exhibitionism either.”

They took a seat at one of the black-leather bench tables, Enar urging her to sit between his spread knees. He leaned back, wrapping one leg around her so his calf rested on her thighs. It was a clear statement of ownership, and Lana felt safe and warm in his arms.

A woman slinked over, lying on the table and glaring at Lana. Her voice had a whining quality as she puffed out her breasts. “Fred, where have you been? I miss you, baby.”

“Amanda, you haven’t had me in over ten years. I have no idea why you would miss me. Get us a couple of lobsters, lots of fresh butter, and two salads please. Lana will have pineapple water, the same for me.”

Her expression darkened. “Why is she wearing a black collar?”

“Because she is mine. I am not sharing.”

Her eyes narrowed, her nostrils flaring as she slid from the table. “I don’t
fucking
believe you! You dump me to marry that little bitch, and now you come in here with this archaic fuck. Are you going to marry her also?”