Reinventing Jane Porter (8 page)

“No. Is that the man from the ballroom?” A faint breeze caressed her cheeks. “Am I correct to assume from your conversation that he’s a trainer?”

“He’s not just any master. He’s notorious on the continent, and his services are highly sought after.

Any submissive trained by Archer will command top dollar for his or her services.”

“Isn’t that prostitution?” Jane wrinkled her nose.

“Americans.” He shot her an amused look. “Contrary to what you believe, bondage isn’t about the physical release. The most important component is strictly psychological. In order to seduce the body, one must begin with the mind.

“Archer’s students are trained to submit both mentally and physically. Their capitulation is so deeply ingrained into their psyche that it is said they are capable of reaching levels of pleasure most can only dream about.”

“What do you mean?”

“They achieve orgasm strictly through the bondage process without sexual stimulation. Their arousal is derived from the act of submission.”

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Educating Jane Porter

“So they are turned on by serving their master?”

“It’s more complicated than that but yes, you’re on the right track.”

“Wow.” She snuggled deeper into his side. “But, doesn’t that make them, well, passive in life?”

“You would think so but no, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Some of his earliest slaves have moved on to conquer their chosen professions. To outsiders the common assumption is submissives have passive tendencies when the opposite is usually true. The vast majority of sexual submissives are goal-oriented, so much so that they desire giving up control sexually as a means of bringing balance into their lives.”

“So they give up control of themselves as a way of equalizing the weight of their professions? Multi-millionaire by day, submissive by night.”

“Don’t let Dirk hear you make that analogy,” he teased. “Archer has a discerning eye and it’s considered a major coup that he approached you.”

“I know I should be flattered but I have to admit, he creeped me out a little.” Feeling foolish, she ducked her head.

“He’s a strong personality, and he’s used to getting his way. When he sees what he wants, he takes it.”

His arm tightened. “It’s a good trait to have in a master.”

“Yeah, but…” she shook her head, “…there was something about him that made me uneasy. It was almost as if he knew what was going on in my head before I did.”

“
Belleza
, you have nothing to fear.” He kissed her temple. “He appreciates beautiful women and he’s dedicated to his craft, but he’s not a madman.”

“News flash, serial killers look just like your next door neighbor.” She laid her head on his shoulder.

“What an imagination you have.” He chuckled. “I’ve come to know several of his students, and they have nothing but praise for him.”

“That may be, but I think I’ll pass.”

“Good. Antonio and I don’t like to share our toys.” He laid his cheek against her hair. “Other than your experience with Archer, what did you think of being displayed?”

What did she think about an experience that made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world?

“It was powerful. Terrifying, thrilling and I never wanted it to stop.”

“So you’d like to do it again?”

“Hell yes.”

“Excellent. You were the most exquisite woman in the room. When Archer was licking you, I thought Antonio was going to come out of his skin.”

“Only Antonio?”

“Are you fishing for compliments?” He was laughing. “Everyone in that room wanted to be inside you, myself included.”

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Dominique Adair

“Is that so?” Jane laid her hand on this hard thigh. “And, now? Do you want to be inside me?”

“How can you even ask?” His voice dropped to a growl. “I’ve been hard since you came out of the bathroom in your costume.”

Jane wiggled out of his embrace then rose, wincing when the gravel dug into her tender feet.

Straddling his legs, she climbed onto his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she snuggled close. His rock-hard body radiated heat and strength, and she could use a little of both.

Her gaze moved over his beautiful face. Deep brown eyes that were usually so hard, guarded were open, trusting. A slight smile played at the corners of his mouth, and she couldn’t resist pressing her lips to his. They were soft, gentle against hers. Her tongue slipped out to lick at the seam of his mouth. His tongue met hers and all gentleness dissolved away.

She moaned when he sucked her tongue. His teeth tugged on her lower lip, and she squirmed closer.

Her fingers tangled in his hair and her hips began to move. He groaned as if he were wounded when she pressed against his erection.

His hands landed on her thighs, and he pushed her skirt up. When he moved his hand between her thighs, his mouth muffled her sigh. His fingers slipped into her pussy, and she thrust against his hand.

“You’re so wet, so sweet,” he spoke against her lips. “Fuck, Jane. If I don’t get inside you soon I’m going to lose it.”

“Hurry, please.”

He reached for his zipper, but Jane stopped him.

“Let me.”

It took some interesting gyrations but finally she managed to free him. He groaned when she took him in her hand.

“I want you to scream for me,
Belleza
.” His hands latched onto her waist. “Let everyone hear how I make you feel—”

A soft beep interrupted him, and he cursed.

“What was that?”

Putting a hand to his ear, he muttered something in Spanish. His expression turned dark and his body tensed beneath her. Whatever was going on, it didn’t appear to be good news.

“I’m outside, and I’ll be there in a minute.” He dropped his hand.

“What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

“There is something I need to take care of, but it’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“Are you sure?” She scrambled off his lap.

“Yes, I’m sure.” He struggled to stuff his erection back into his pants. “Let me walk you back to the house.”

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Educating Jane Porter

“I’d rather stay out here if you don’t mind.” She nodded toward the crowded terrace. “It’s so nice and peaceful out here and I don’t feel like facing the madness quite yet.”

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.” His sharp gaze scanned the area.

“Just give me ten minutes. I’ll be in shortly.” She smiled up at him.

“And you promise me you won’t leave this area?” He seemed distracted, his mind already on

whatever task awaited him.

“I won’t.” She lifted her foot and wiggled her bare toes. “See, no shoes.”

“I see that.” He kissed her cheek. “If I don’t see you inside in the next ten minutes, I’m coming to find you.”

He walked away, his long stride covered the distance to the house much faster than when they’d walked out. Then again, he wasn’t wearing the most ridiculous shoes in the world.

Taking a deep breath, Jane exhaled slowly. She hadn’t lied about needing a few minutes alone. The events of the past day and half were catching up to her, and she was beginning to wind down. Tired or not, she didn’t regret a second of it. She’d met two amazing men who’d not only fulfilled her dreams, but they’d far exceeded them. Few women would ever be able to indulge in absolute decadence as she had this weekend.

It’s almost over…

In the morning it would be over and what then? Would it be too bold if she asked them to continue the relationship? Would they want to?

She sighed. What was the proper etiquette for a situation such as this? She would bet Ms. Manners had never faced a situation as difficult as this-

“Hello, Jane.”

Startled, she looked up. A strange man dressed as Henry the Eighth stood in front of her. With a mask covering most of his face, she didn’t recognize him immediately, but the voice was vaguely familiar.

“I’m sorry, do I know you?”

“I’m not surprised you’d forget me so soon, not with two men to keep you satisfied.”

Her eyes widened when he removed the mask. It was Peter.

“Maybe it has nothing to do with them.” Squinting, she scanned the ground looking for her shoes. “It could be that you weren’t terribly memorable.”

“You always had a smart mouth.” He laughed. “It will be my pleasure to curb you of that tendency.”

“Peter, you can’t do a damned thing where I’m concerned.” Locating one shoe, she snatched it up.

Where the hell was the other one?

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

A metallic click sounded, and Jane froze.

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“The first time I saw you I thought you were the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen.”

Lily started when Jean Jacques’ voice intruded upon her moping. After leaving Robert she’d snuck up to the third floor to grab a few minutes alone. Only the few minutes had stretched into hours and she felt no better now than when she’d sat down.

Crushing a tear-stained tissue in her fist, she turned. He stood in the center of the solarium less than ten feet away. His shoes were gone, and his clothing looked as if he’d been rolling on the floor. His hair stood on end as if he’d been running his fingers through it. Even disheveled and unhappy, he was still the most handsome man she’d ever seen.

“You wore a white dress with yellow trim, a giant hat with flowers and a pair of heels so high I didn’t see how you could walk.” His smile was sad. “While you’re not very big you threw me for a loop.”

“I remember that outfit. It was Kitten’s first garden party, and all the ladies wore hats.” She frowned.

“But I don’t remember you being there.”

“You never saw me.” He shrugged. “I watched you all afternoon from this very window. Even in those shoes you still ran from one end of the grounds to the other, and you didn’t fall once.”

She laughed though her eyes started to sting.

“I think I fell in love with you that day.” He looked away. “And it’s been torture ever since.”

A tear slid down her cheek.

“I fell in love with you when I was a child, well, the idea of you.” Lily turned to stare unseeingly out the windows. “I would dream of a handsome prince who would see me from across a room and fall in love with me. We’d steal away to his ancestral home and his family would welcome me like one of their own.

On the eve of our wedding we’d learn I was the kidnapped daughter of a foreign king and royal in my own right.”

“What happened then?”

“We’d be deliriously happy every day of our lives.” She laid her hand against the glass. Lights in the garden danced as tears blurred her vision. “I spent hours dreaming up the names of our children.”

“That’s a wonderful dream.” His voice was husky. “Do you think it could still come true?”

“No, but it was a good dream for as long as it lasted.” Turning away from the window, she shrugged.

“When I hit puberty and realized I’d inherited my mother’s ass and she had her mother’s ass, there was no mistaking that I was a Tyler.”

Educating Jane Porter

“And you no longer believe in dreams?”

“Not for me. I’m firmly rooted in the reality of my everyday life.”

“Well, I still believe dreams can come true.”

Their gazes met, and she saw her sadness reflected in his eyes. Lily had no doubt he saw the same in hers. Pain lanced her heart.

“This was a mistake, Jean Jacques. You and I, together? We were doomed from the start.”

Even as the words were said, she wanted to snatch them back. Their pride had created a chasm, which she didn’t have any idea how to heal. Jean Jacques was a man used to leading others, and her mother always accused her of being too independent for her own good.

Their lives together would be nothing but power struggles and heartache, a situation she’d already lived through. Her parents had loved and fought their way through eighteen years of marriage and by the time they had separated they were shells of the people they once were.

“You little liar.” He began to laugh. “I can’t believe you said that without choking.”

“Am not.” She scowled at him. “I’m telling you it won’t work.”

“After two years of intense foreplay and one night of the most amazing lovemaking ever, you are going to walk away as if nothing happened? You are such a fraud.”

“I’m calling it quits before we eviscerate each other.” Lily was practically shouting to be heard over his laughter. “I watched my parents tear each other apart until there was nothing left of the person they’d fallen in love with.”

“Your parents were fools.” He wiped the tears from his eyes. “Melding our lives together could be the adventure of a lifetime.”

“Adventure?” Tears were running down her face, but she didn’t care. She was so angry with him she could strangle him. “You call thousands of nights hiding under the covers as they screamed at one another a fucking adventure?”

“That should’ve never been allowed to happen.” The sadness was gone from his face and

determination had taken its place. “But if you think I’m going to let you use that as an excuse to walk away, you’d better think again.”

“Jean Jacques—”

“We’re going to have children, loads of them.” Removing his jacket, he dropped it on the floor. “And when we’re not fighting, fucking or raising our offspring, we’ll be stupidly happy splitting our time between my family home in Provence and our home here in Denver.”

She shook her head. “You haven’t been listening to me. I can’t do this.”

“I have been listening to you.” His tie hit the floor. “I’ve been listening to you for two long years and now I’m done listening.”

“You’re kidding.” Lily backed away. “This can’t be happening.”

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Dominique Adair

She’d spent the last two hours wrestling with the decision to submit to him or tell him to piss off.

She’d made her decision and said her piece, and he was going to ignore her wishes and take what he wanted.

“Trust me, Lily.” He unbuttoned his shirt. “There is nothing remotely amusing about my intentions toward you.”