Daye, Lavender - Bound By Trust (Siren Publishing Allure) Read online

  He tossed back the shot and looked up to see Richard watching him, brows raised. But the bastard had the good sense to keep his mouth shut.

  “There’s no hard evidence that Hudson is involved in the import and sale of those women. I’ve been through his computer files and didn’t see even a hint of involvement.”

  Richard tapped his fingers on the table, eyes now focused on the job. “Bank records are iffy. Too many transactions that can’t be traced once they leave the country, leading me to believe he’s hiding the business within his clients’ offshore funds.”

  “And what wonderful clients he has,” Hunter responded. “You’re one of them.”

  “Yes. So is McKeon, but I have no idea what his true relationship is with Hudson. He’s not a man open to casual conversation. Which is exactly why you were invited into this investigation. I don’t want my business sullied by the slave trade. There are already enough prejudices about my clubs.”

  “Preaching to the choir, buddy.” Hunter sank into a chair. “I’m working on it. I expect to run into McKeon tomorrow night. Make sure Kerri has a pass into the private club.”

  “I’ll put her on the list as your guest. Just hope the uncle doesn’t decide to visit while she’s there.” Richard’s eyes lifted, speculation in his expression. “Since when do you not share?”

  “Since Kerri. She’s not ready for that much of an experience. And sharing any woman with McKeon is repulsive. That man is an animal with his women. No one knows me around here, so letting it be known that I’m a possessive son of a bitch will protect her.”

  “And when she’s ready?”

  Hunter could read the lust in his friend’s eyes. “When I think she’s ready, I’ll let you know.”

  Chapter 8

  “Oh. My. God. You slept with him, didn’t you?” Jase stared, her eyes flashing, a wicked grin across her face. “Did he tie you up?”

  “No, and no. I’m going to bed now. I have to work tomorrow.” Kerri almost made it to her bedroom door, but Jase’s next comment stopped her cold.

  “Oh, so there was no sleeping, I assume. Just lots of sex?”

  She caved. Jase knew her too well, and even though she didn’t want to share the details, Jase wouldn’t let it go until she at least confirmed her suspicions. Kerri could feel her face heating as she turned toward her friend.

  “Yes.” She sighed at the sight of her friend’s joy at the revelation. “But there was no bondage. Obviously, my sexual exploits have made you very happy. Can I go to bed now?”

  “Of course I’m happy for you. I’ve been worried. You haven’t had a boyfriend in the last two years that lasted for more than a week—and I know you don’t do casual sex.”

  “Yet you assumed that I had sex with Hunter tonight, and I’ve only known him for a few days.”

  “He’s not your usual type, which appears to be a good thing if he was able to seduce you in such a short time.” The grin hadn’t left Jase’s face and was beginning to irritate the hell out of her.

  “How do you know he seduced me? Maybe I did the seducing.” Kerri smiled as Jase’s eyes widened.

  “Oh, honey, you’ve got to be kidding me. I can’t imagine Mr. Bondage Guy letting you seduce him.” Jase laughed and shook her head, and Kerri had to laugh with her.

  “Well, I asked a few questions, and one answer led to another. Before I knew it, he was…well, I was…oh, hell, you know what happened.” Her face was heating again, and she couldn’t stand here and answer questions about Hunter.

  Jase took pity on her. “Go to bed. Maybe you’ll feel more like sharing the details tomorrow.”

  Kerri already knew the details wouldn’t be shared, even with Jase, but took the easy way out and slipped into her bedroom with a quick, noncommittal nod. Jase would just have to understand that some things couldn’t be shared, even with best friends.

  * * * *

  “Miss Leonard?”

  Kerri looked up when Carol, the support staff supervisor, stuck her head into the small room the three interns used as an office. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Mr. Merritt has an errand he needs you to take care of. Do you have your car today?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good.” Carol smiled with obvious relief. “Mr. Merritt is rather particular and demanding. Get your purse and go straight to his office. He’ll give you the details.”

  Kerri ducked behind the file cabinet to pick up her purse, hoping that her face would return to its normal color before Carol noticed. She hadn’t realized that Hunter’s reputation as a demanding master extended to the office. She hurried down the hall, wondering if he’d asked for her in particular or if Carol had chosen her.

  “Close the door behind you.” Well, that answered her question. He was demanding, but smiling at her as he handed her a business card.

  “I just spoke to the owner. She’ll take care of you personally. When you’re finished there, take lunch before you return to the office.”

  “What exactly am I doing at this spa?” she asked. He looked too composed, too dominant, and it worried her. This was her job, not her personal life at the moment.

  “Do you remember what you agreed to last night?” His voice deepened to a dark silk, his words more of a command than a question, and Kerri felt moisture gathering where it shouldn’t be.

  “Yes, but we’re at work, Hunter,” she whispered.

  He smiled, a feral, knowing smile, so sure she’d comply that he scared her. Almost. “True, but this needs to be done before tonight, and you’ll need a little time to recover before we meet after work.”

  “What needs to be done?” Kerri tried to keep her tone cool but failed miserably, even to her own ears.

  Hunter moved around the desk and leaned close, so close she could feel his breath against her cheek. “I told you I wanted you bare, waxed smooth. The owner is an expert and will take good care of you, following my directions to the letter.”

  His finger trailed from her brow to her chin. “Are you going to obey as you promised?”

  Breath hitching, Kerri nodded. “I said I would. I don’t lie.”

  “Kerri.” His voice dipped even lower as he gripped her chin. “Look at me. If I ever ask you for more than you’re willing to give, tell me so. I won’t force you.”

  “I know. And I will. Sometimes, I just need more information.”

  “If you trust me, you won’t need to ask questions. I won’t push you beyond what you can handle. At least for now.” He stepped back from her and checked his watch. He handed her a thick envelope with a woman’s name scrawled in his handwriting on the front.

  “Go. She has other clients, and you have work to do when you return.”

  Kerri stuffed the card in her purse and kept the envelope in her hand as she left the building. The address on the card was familiar but not close by, and it would take her at least twenty minutes to get there. She half wondered if the envelope was stuffed with cash but was afraid to look. Surely he wouldn’t send her on that type of errand. Then again, he was sending her to get her—damn, she couldn’t say the word, but she was going to have it waxed because he wanted it bare. It wasn’t likely to be a painless procedure, either.

  Traffic was light, and the address turned out to be a rather exclusive day spa. Kerri waited at the reception desk behind three well-dressed women who were fawned over and led into the inner sanctum. Several ladies sat on benches around the room, menus in hand as they waited. Kerri handed the heavy brown envelope to the receptionist and turned to find a seat.

  “Miss Leonard?”

  Surprised, she turned back to the receptionist. “Yes?”

  “Please come with me. Your room is ready.” The young lady smiled, waving her arm at the arch. Kerri stepped through the short hall and discovered a large indoor oriental garden complete with waterfall and Koi pond. Soft music provided a counterpoint to the moving water, plants in large pots rimmed the room, and cushioned benches were scattered across the tiled floor. An
older woman in tailored black slacks and a gray tunic greeted her.

  “Miss Leonard, welcome to my spa. I’m Christina Sanders. Mr. Merritt speaks highly of you. I hope you enjoy your visit today. Let me show you to your room.”

  Kerri followed her across the garden room and down another short hall. A door stood open, and the woman stepped aside to allow her entry. It was a smallish room with a raised cushioned table set in the middle. White linen sheets stretched tight across the table, another folded and draped at an angle across the bench-like structure.

  Ms. Sanders indicated an open cabinet. “Please remove your clothes and leave them inside the cabinet. A restroom is through the blue door to the left if you need it. Please lay on the table face up with the sheet over you. I’ll return in a few minutes.”

  The door closed behind her, and Kerri stood frozen next to the table. She’d never been in a place like this, though she was sure her mother and her cronies lived for spa days. Personally, she’d never seen the point. And she’d never been waxed, hadn’t even considered it. For a moment she thought about walking away from the spa, from Hunter, and from all he stood for. But she wanted the adventure. She wanted him to give her that adventure.

  Sliding out of her heels, she stripped off her clothes, stashed everything in the cabinet, and closed the door. The sheet was cool and crisp against her skin as she opened it and draped it over her body. Moments later, Ms. Sanders returned.

  “It’s my understanding that this is your first experience with waxing, Miss Leonard. I’ll try to make it as painless as possible, but I’m afraid it will hurt. Please try to relax.” The last sentence was said as she lifted the sheet from Kerri’s feet and peeled it up over her hips. Carefully folding it instead of bunching it around her waist, Ms. Sanders ran her fingers through the curls covering Kerri’s pubic area.

  Kerri wished the sheet could have been folded over her head, sure that her face was flaming. She’d only been in this position in the gyno’s office. Then she heard the click of scissors.

  “I need to trim the hair before we begin.”

  Rising to her elbows, Kerri watched Ms. Sanders snip curls into a small bowl, leaving less than an inch of hair against her skin. Shocked at the clipping, she flopped back and laid her arms across her eyes. Minutes later, a warm towel covered her nether regions and the woman moved to a table in the corner.

  Heat and moisture seeped into her skin and she felt her muscles relax enough for her to take a deep breath. When the towel was removed, hot wax was brushed across a small section of her skin. Almost but not quite burning the sensitive tissue, the wax coated her with heat followed by a slight numbing.

  Pain shot through her as Ms. Sanders removed the first strip of wax. Tissue that had never been used so roughly was caught and jerked as the hairs were ripped from their roots. Kerri cried out more than once, but the woman continued to systematically remove every hair she could find, leaving her completely bare from her navel to her knees and every inch in between.

  Kerri closed her eyes as Ms. Sanders stepped across the room. Finally, she could regroup enough to get dressed and go back to work. No wonder Hunter had suggested she stop for lunch on the way back to the office. Two weeks at home might give her a chance to regain her equilibrium.

  Then Ms. Sanders was back at her side, warm hands massaging her abused tissues, rubbing a fragrant oil into her skin.

  “This will help with the discomfort.” Lifting the sheet from her body, the proprietress said, “Turn onto your stomach, dear. Mr. Merritt arranged for a massage after your wax, to relax you, he said.”

  Kerri complied, not sure what to think about Hunter’s plans for her tonight. Surely he didn’t expect her to have sex with him after being ripped from stem to stern.

  “This is Elsa, our best massage therapist. She will take care of you now,” Ms. Sanders said, her voice moving toward the door.

  A younger woman greeted Kerri and began to massage her back in long, smooth strokes that quickly worked magic on tense muscles. With a sigh, Kerri gave herself over to the sensations.

  Chapter 9

  Kerri knocked on Hunter’s office door and waited for permission to enter, unsure of his schedule but not wanting to put off seeing him. She’d taken his advice and stopped for lunch before returning to the office, and it had made a slight difference in the level of discomfort—but not much. Places hurt that shouldn’t, and her clothes rubbed in ways that made her feel naked. And she had this sneaky little voice in her brain that kept telling her people could tell by looking at her that she’d just had half her body waxed because a man asked it of her.

  “In.”

  She pushed open the door and stepped into the room, aware of his presence through every inch of her body. Especially the recently denuded part.

  “Close the door, Kerri. Do you have a package for me?” Hunter’s voice warmed her even when his words were all business.

  Pulling the envelope out of her bag, she moved to the desk and handed it to him, surprised at his quick grin. Hunter opened the envelope and emptied its contents onto his blotter. A handful of blond curls dusted his desk.

  Her curls.

  Heat rushed across her body and flooded her face. “I thought….”

  “She followed my instructions. I wanted a memento.” He scooped the curls back into the envelope and stuffed it in his pocket with another grin. “When you come to my house tonight, bring an overnight bag. I expect you to spend the weekend.”

  “I have other plans tomorrow,” she told him, knowing that shopping with Jase didn’t actually count as a prior commitment since they shopped almost every Saturday.

  “Not anymore. You have plans with me. Bring something nice to wear to dinner both nights. We’ll go out.”

  Kerri shook her head and eased into one of the chairs in front of his desk. “I thought we were going to the club.”

  He chuckled, his eyes bright as they met hers. “We are, but not until late. You wanted a taste of my lifestyle. I’m going to give it to you.”

  “Oh.”

  “Unless you’ve changed your mind?”

  Kerri felt like a bug under a microscope, every cell under inspection. She shook her head, not wanting to say the word no. “After what I did today, I don’t think so.” The intensity of his stare, the curl of his lips had moisture seeping into her plain cotton panties, and she stood before the wetness touched her slacks. “I need to get back to work.”

  “Seven o’clock, Kerri. Don’t be late.”

  Kerri left without answering, her thoughts focused on maintaining some semblance of independence amidst his dominance. She’d been attracted to him from a distance, but the up close and personal relationship this had become was frightening. And it wasn’t the sexuality of the relationship that had her worried. With very little effort on his part, her heart was entangled. Every step closer to Hunter was a raging river to cross later, when he walked away from her. And she knew he would. Men like Hunter never stayed with one woman—especially not someone like Kerri.

  The support office was empty when she reached her desk and Kerri exhaled in relief, not wanting to explain the length of her absence to Carol. She logged into her computer and checked messages, thankful to find she didn’t have much to do. Apparently, Carol had assumed Hunter’s errand would run late and had assigned her projects for the day to another clerk. Kerri tried to pick up the threads of the brief she’d been reviewing when Carol had initially sent her to Hunter’s office, but her brain refused to focus on anything other than Hunter and the sensitivity between her thighs. Finally giving up for the day, she logged off and drove home.

  Finding the house empty was a bonus. Jase’s message board in the kitchen said she’d be out with her boyfriend all afternoon and wouldn’t be home until late, giving Kerri time without questions about her activities. Zoe was working a late shift at the mall before going out with some friends from work and Sara hadn’t left a message at all. Taking advantage of the peace and quiet, Kerri ran a bu
bble bath and soaked until the water cooled, a great way to relax if her mind hadn’t been clouded with thoughts of what Hunter had planned for this weekend.

  Excitement and trepidation made her itchy to see him, feel his hands on her body. Rinsing the lingering bubbles from her skin, she wrapped a towel around herself and pawed through her lingerie drawer. She wanted to find just the right clothes to wear tonight, wanted to make Hunter’s eyes darken at the sight of her. At the bottom of the drawer, she found the lavender bra and panty set she’d bought on a whim and never worn. It would work perfectly under the dark purple sheath dress she wanted to wear for him.

  She made quick work of her makeup and hair, leaving her dirty blonde tresses free to hang down her back and hide the oval opening in the dress that displayed most of her back.

  The tenderness between her legs had finally lessened, leaving her with a feeling of nakedness even as she dressed for their date. Self-awareness cloaked her body, her mind focused on the sensation of her clothing as it touched her skin, the feel of her palms as they smoothed the skirt into place. It was a mood she needed to shake before leaving the house. Hunter’s presence did enough to push logical thought out of her brain, but if she arrived at his home in an already lustful mindset, she’d never be able to refocus and stay sane.

  Kerri pulled a small rolling bag out of her closet and threw in two pairs of undies and another bra, then added a simple cocktail dress for Saturday night. Not knowing what he had planned was a problem, but she grabbed a pair of jeans, a cute pink top that she loved, and a sundress that would work in any situation. At the last minute, she grabbed a pair of sandals to add to the bag.

  She left a note for her roommates—mostly for Jase because she was the only one that worried—and left the condo with time to stop for a coffee at her favorite drive-through coffee shop before heading to Hunter’s gated community. Caffeine would definitely be her friend tonight. She needed to stay focused instead of letting him swallow her psyche whole.