The Pleasures of Summer (11 page)

He rifled through the case David had sent on from home. There must be something in here that he could wear. Ah! That should it. It had been years since he had been at
Noir
, but he was certain that the dress code would still be rigidly enforced. He stuffed his favourite flail and leather strap into their holsters and grabbed a leash and collar. He’d like to see Summer’s expression when he produced them.

Within minutes, he was on the Venom heading for London. As he set off at an illegal speed, he voice-dialled Niall, briefing him on where he was going and telling him to keep him posted on any changes, particularly on the position of Summer’s phone.

Then he had nothing but Summer to occupy his thoughts.

She was on the scene. How had she disguised it so well and how had he not picked up any of the subtle clues that he normally caught within minutes of meeting someone? He would have sworn she was vanilla, though a ’nilla with potential.

He swore. Well, he had been wrong before, but never by this much. No wonder O’Sullivan was so paranoid about keeping Summer out of trouble. He obviously knew that his daughter spent her spare time playing in one of the world’s most notorious fetish clubs. It was only a matter of time before the paparazzi got wind of it
and she ended up spread over the front pages of the tabloids.

The fact that he’d entertained a few fantasies about Summer O’Sullivan spread out for his delight just added fuel to his anger. What the hell was she doing at
Noir
, and even more infuriating, who was she doing it with?

The obvious answer was Robert bloody Fielding. Flynn had recognized the dynamics of a D/s relationship between Fielding and Molly Ainsworth right away, but hadn’t expected that he’d try to include Summer in that relationship. Just shows how wrong he was, he’d have bet good money that Summer was too proud to be second string in a ménage.

He opened the throttle a little more, fighting to get the last ergs out of the engine. The thought of Fielding putting his hands on Summer made him clench his teeth in rage. He was going to rip Fielding’s fucking head off his shoulders.

When he got there, the place still looked the same, sedate and respectable. There was only a slight echo of music to be heard outside and no clue to what went on inside. He knocked on the door and the security screen slid back. ‘Let me in. I’m Fug, you know me.’

A masculine voice said, ‘Come in, mate. We haven’t seen you for a while.’

Flynn crossed the lobby and headed straight for the club area, only to be stopped by a tuxedo clad security guard who gave his biking gear a look of disdain. ‘You know the dress code.’

‘Come on, give me a break.’ His sense of urgency was riding him hard.

Fuck. Flynn hurried into the changing rooms, stripped off his bike leathers and pulled on his costume. He always felt like a wanker when he first put it on, but it would do the job.

The main socializing area was busy, and there was no sign of Summer. Damn it. Where was she? He spotted a familiar face. ‘Hey Steve,’ he said. ‘Have you seen a new girl with long blonde hair? She might be with Fielding.’

The priest grimaced in thought. ‘No, don’t think so. Fielding had a couple of pretty little fillies with him, but it was his regular girl and a brunette.’

Damn it. Could he have made a mistake? Was Summer here at all?

Summer forced a smile onto her face. This is what she was here for, wasn’t it? This was what she had been discussing with Molly for months. So why wasn’t she eager? Why did she have a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach that no amount of soda could take away?

‘Please, Sir. Me, Sir.’ Molly pouted at Robert, her large eyes pleading with him for attention.

Robert dropped a kiss on her forehead. ‘How remiss of me. Of course, my pet. Let me take care of you first.’

The eagerness in her friend’s attitude surprised her. This was Molly? Molly, who could out-drink and out-flirt an entire rugby team. They had backpacked across Europe together. Molly was a free spirit, wild and independent. She didn’t say Sir or let a guy drag her around on a leash like a pet. There was something wrong with this picture.

‘I want you to sit here, Su –. You are not to move and
you are not to accept an invitation to play. Do you understand?’

Summer nodded. She had no intention of playing with anyone. Satisfied, Robert turned and bent down to open his tool kit. He pulled out a riding crop and tapped it firmly against his palm. Oh dear god, he wasn’t going to beat Molly with that?

‘Another time.’ Replacing it in the bag, he drew out a leather flail.

She watched in shocked fascination as he led Molly to the X-shaped cross. Her friend stood obediently while Robert attached leather restraints to her wrists and ankles. Molly’s eyes were bright with anticipation. She really wanted this. Robert dragged one hand through her hair and pulled her head back before taking her mouth in a rough kiss. His other hand roamed her abdomen before plunging into the front of her thong. Molly stood on tiptoe, leaning against him, eager for his touch.

Summer blushed. Were they going to have sex in front of her? She didn’t know if she could watch. As he continued to kiss her, Robert opened his eyes. His hard stare held a hint of dark promise. This scene wasn’t for Molly. This was a demonstration of his power over her.

Robert stepped away, staggering slightly. His face was flushed from the two drinks he’d had since they’d arrived at the club. She had thought you weren’t supposed to drink if you were going to play. Summer looked around. She didn’t know anyone here. There was no one she could ask. She sat frozen to her seat as Robert swung his arm for the first blow.

The leather made contact with Molly’s skin and she flinched and cried out. ‘Oh!’

Summer sat rigid, fascinated and shocked by the scene in front of her. Robert wielded his flogger with skill, whisking it around and around, hitting Molly with a hypnotic rhythm. At first she gasped and flinched with every stroke but after a dozen or so, she stopped fighting and something changed. Her body softened, relaxing against the wood of the cross.

Robert changed his stance, so that he could flash up and down her body with the leather flail. He broke off to change it for a different one, and Molly grunted when he laid it across her buttocks.

Robert’s arm flashed at lightning speed, across her legs and back.

Twenty, fifty, one hundred, more. Summer lost count. She could almost feel each stroke of the lash. Her nails dug deep into the velvet chair. Her palms sweated, even as goose bumps popped up on her skin.

Robert paused, to wipe the sweat from his brow with the sleeve of his shirt. He stroked the reddening skin, pleased with his work. He pulled down Molly’s thong, leaving it around her thighs while his fingers played with her. ‘Good girl,’ he praised her. ‘What do you say?’

When Molly nodded weakly, Robert administered a sharp slap. Her eyes snapped open. ‘Thank you, Master.’

Removing his shirt, he reached for the bag again and removed the crop. He slapped it hard against his palm. The sound of it made Molly straighten up and Summer wasn’t sure whether it was with eagerness or fear. He traced a path down her back with the tip of the crop. ‘Do you want this?’

‘I want to please you,’ she said in a hoarse whisper.

‘There’s a good pet.’

Robert’s back was dripping with sweat. Ignoring the bottled water on the tables, he reached for his champagne glass again and took a deep gulp. A few drops dribbled down his chin and he wiped it away with the back of his hand.

One of the staff approached Robert and whispered to him. Summer couldn’t hear what was said, but he spoke quietly to Molly for a moment and she nodded her head. The man pressed an open water bottle to her lips and she drank greedily.

‘Do you want to stop?’ he asked Molly. She shook her head.

With a disapproving glance at Robert, the dungeon monitor left. Summer was tempted to follow him. She couldn’t watch this anymore, but she couldn’t leave her friend here. The sound of a crop against flesh startled her.

‘Count them, and thank me,’ Robert growled. His temper had taken a turn for the worse following the interruption.

Six blows landed in quick succession on Molly’s already reddened flesh. Each stroke left a mark. Molly panted and gasped as she forced the numbers out. At each blow, Molly cried out in pain. Summer rose to her feet. She knew that you weren’t supposed to interfere in a scene but she had to do something.

Robert grunted as he whipped her. He smiled as she flinched and writhed against the restraints. A small crowd of men formed a circle around them, their eyes watching eagerly as Robert worked himself into a frenzy.

Sickened, Summer hurried from the room. She had to find someone to help. Where was that dungeon monitor who had been there before?

Summer hurried through the crowded rooms. There were so many people here now and each of the rooms looked the same. She spotted the man dressed as a surgeon heading her way and turned left to avoid him. That guy was creepy.

Another dimly lit corridor. Behind each closed door she could hear the sounds of women and men groaning with pleasure. Occasionally someone screamed. Her heart raced. What the hell was she going to do? Where were the dungeon monitors? There should be staff in a place like this.

She headed for the cloakroom. She needed to get her phone. She had nodded when Molly had told her to leave her bag with her phone in the cloakroom. ‘No phones allowed. Nothing that could take photos of or record a scene.’ At the time it had made sense, but now she desperately wanted that phone so she could phone for help.

Maya or Natasha? She couldn’t call them, they were too far away, and the Aussie guys were probably out partying. She suppressed a hysterical giggle as she imagined Mike and Gavin pushing their way through the club as if they were heading for a try at Lansdowne Road.

Her dad. Oh yeah, that would be sweet. Hi, Dad. I’m in a fetish club with Molly watching her boyfriend beat the crap out of her.

Flynn. She had Flynn’s number. If she could get to her phone and call him, he would protect her and get Molly out of here. Yes, she would have to explain. Admit that she had lied to him and face his anger and his disgust. His opinion of her was already low enough. Spoilt little girl. No job and a mega-rich daddy. Flynn couldn’t possibly understand that money wasn’t always enough to protect you.

But it would be worth it. Flynn would rescue her. She wasn’t sure why she was so certain, but she was. All she had to do was get to her phone.

She took a breath and left the ladies room. She remembered the way. Summer set out, weaving her way through the crowd in the main area as she headed to the cloakroom. Yes, there it was.

It was closed. Summer wanted to cry. She banged on the wooden shutter. ‘Open up. Please, I need my phone.’ There was no reply. The cloakroom was deserted.

Okay, O’Sullivan, time to put your big girl panties on. You have to do this yourself.
She would find the man who had given Molly the water and get him to help her. And if she couldn’t find him she would do something herself.

There was no sign of creepy surgeon guy, but she did see a familiar figure in the crowd. Peter the Highwayman. Heaving a sigh of relief, she hurried across the room and tapped him on the shoulder.

‘Well, if it isn’t the little wild child?’ He inclined his head in a small bow. ‘Is there some service that I can perform for my lady?’

‘As a matter of fact there is. It’s my first time here and I’m afraid I’m lost. I need to find my way back to the playroom.’

Peter offered her his arm. ‘It would be my pleasure, my lady.’

Clutching the sleeve of his greatcoat, Summer allowed him to lead her through the club. Peter seemed nice. Maybe she could ask him to help her. ‘Um, have you known Robert long?’

‘Just at the club and some private parties. Robert is quite a showman. He is always worth watching when he plays.’ He slanted a speculative look at her. ‘I wouldn’t have pegged you for one of his girls. You don’t strike me as the sort who likes group play.’

Group play? What was he talking about?