Callum stretched and yawned when the knock came. He looked at the door, suspicious of who would be requesting entry at such an early hour. It was barely nine a.m. That was an indecent hour at a place like this. Decadence was a club that partied until the wee hours of the morning. This was not a rise and shine place.

Still, he had gone to bed early. He wasn’t here to party, and once Gabrielle had run away, he’d gone to his lonely bed.

Cal rolled off the mattress and shrugged into one of the plush robes the resort offered its guests. He crossed the room in four long strides. His hand gripped the handle, and he hoped Gabrielle had changed her mind. Maybe it was his sweet sub on the other side of the door and she’d come to surrender. Perhaps she’d tossed and turned the way he had and come to the conclusion that she couldn’t sleep without him beside her. Hell, he’d had that revelation the day after she’d left him. He felt a smile spread across his face at the thought.

And then he frowned.

The man standing in his doorway with a tray in front of him was decidedly not Gabrielle. “I did not order room service.”

Nor did he enjoy surprises.

The man with the tray was brisk and efficient and seemed not a bit put off by Cal’s dark tone. He smiled, though Cal could see it didn’t reach his eyes. “All part of the VIP service, sir. My manager asked me to bring you coffee. She says you take it black. There is also an assortment of croissants and muffins she thought you might enjoy.”

So that was her game. Cal opened the door wide. “Tell your boss it’s a nice gesture, but I’ll still be in the dining room this morning. I have a sudden urge for an omelet. I’ll be there for lunch and dinner as well. She can’t avoid me.”

The waiter pushed the cart through the door and gave Cal what he considered an entirely unprofessional once-over. From the expression on the other man’s face, Cal could see he wasn’t impressed.

He considered the man entering his room. He was a bit under six feet, giving Cal the clear height advantage. He wore neatly pressed khaki slacks and a crisp white polo. His haircut was expensive and suited his thick dark brown hair. He seemed a bit young. Cal found himself quickly sizing the man up as a sexual rival. It was all about the look in the man’s green eyes. He didn’t like Cal, and that probably meant he knew exactly who he was to Gabrielle. The only reasonable explanation was that this employee had a problem with Cal’s relationship with his boss. He closed the door and waited to see what the waiter would do.

The younger man neatly poured out a cup of delicious-smelling coffee. “I wish you wouldn’t.”

“Wouldn’t what?”

“Go to the dining room.” The waiter’s voice was civil but chilly. He offered Cal the coffee.

Cal took it. He could use some caffeine. He was going back into battle and it looked like his first skirmish was happening right here in his room. “I’ll have to disappoint you then. Do you mind giving me your name? It’s only fair since you seem to be willing to advise me about my dining choices.”

“It has nothing to do with your eating preferences, Mr. Reed. I’m Cody Linwood.” Having done his duty, Cody faced Callum. “I know all about your relationship with Gaby. I don’t appreciate what you’re doing to her now.”

Cal took a drink of the strong coffee. It was perfect. Cal recognized it as the brand Greg served in his own home, so he knew it was the best money could buy. “If you’re going to try to pass yourself off as her lover, let me warn you I won’t believe you, and I won’t take it well.”

Cody laughed. “Gabrielle is my friend. She’s not my lover. I’m afraid she’s not my type.”

Cal suppressed a smile. So not a sexual rival at all. Who the man must be fell into place. “Forgive me. You must be the nurse Greg hired. I appreciate everything you’ve done for Gaby. But I have no intention of leaving this island without her. Nothing you say or do is going to change my mind.”

Cody’s foot tapped, a sign Cal took as impatience. “I was with her when she came out of surgery, you know.”

The coffee turned to ash in his mouth. He put the mug on the counter. He said the only thing he could think to say. “I wish I had been there.”

“At the time, I did as well. It was odd. I worked with her before her surgery, prepping her and getting her ready. She didn’t mention a lover at all. Her friend was with her, but other than that, I thought she was alone. And then she actually had the surgery. She cried for you when she came out of the anesthesia. She was in so much pain. She was confused, and she called out for you over and over again. I had to ask Heather who she meant. The way she said your name…well, I would have done anything to ease that ache. It was something I couldn’t fix with morphine.”

Cal felt his hands clenching. He attempted to keep his face still, but his chest felt too small, his eyes on the edge of becoming blurry. “I didn’t know.”

It felt like an excuse. He should have gone after her. Somehow should have known something was wrong, something that went beyond her given reason. He should never have accepted his dismissal.

Cody’s eyes softened slightly. “I know, but you have to wonder why she chose not to tell you. She didn’t trust you. Just because she wants you doesn’t mean you’re good for her.”

Callum’s first instinct was to pick up the smaller man bodily and toss him over the balcony. He took a deep breath. That probably wouldn’t further his cause with Gabrielle. “We were both being very stubborn at the time. I thought she was manipulating me.”

“She probably was,” Cody conceded. “She’s not the saint everyone thinks she is. Gaby comes off as very soft and sweet. Then you listen to her chewing out one of our vendors or watch her deal with an unruly guest.”

“She can take a strip out of your hide, that’s for sure.” Cal smiled, remembering one particular phone conversation he’d overheard when she’d discovered one of the contractors he’d hired to renovate the bathroom was overcharging them. She’d been patient for a while, but when she didn’t get her way, she’d cussed a blue streak. He’d been standing outside the office, listening in as she dealt with the man. He’d been quite proud of the way she refused to back down and got everything she deserved.

He hadn’t mentioned it to her. He’d pretended not to have heard a thing. It would be a turning point in their relationship. If they’d acknowledged how strong she was, he would have been forced to admit that she was something beyond a submissive to him. He would have accepted her as a partner, and he hadn’t been ready for that.

He wasn’t sure he was ready now, but he didn’t seem to have a choice.

Cody’s eyes narrowed. “I’m surprised you know about Gaby’s temper. I thought she played a role with you.”

“Oh, she did, indeed.” He gestured to one of the elegant seats that formed the intimate parlor of the suite. He sat down on the sofa, willing to try the coffee again. Cody accepted a seat, and Callum continued in a civilized fashion. “She pretended to be perfectly submissive, but I knew from the beginning it was a bit of an act. Gabrielle likes to be told what to do during sex. She craves it. Like many very strong females, she almost needs permission to allow herself to let go. Submission gives this to her.”

Cody waved his explanations away. “Yes, I know this. I’m not a tourist. The question is, why did you allow her to pretend to be twenty-four seven with you?”

Callum shrugged. He’d thought about this quite a bit. God knew he’d spent a good portion of the last year going over what had gone wrong with Gabrielle. “It wasn’t pretend. She really was while we were together. I thought, at the time, she could be happy like that. Like all relationships, we evolved. It happened slowly, so slowly I didn’t notice or told myself it wasn’t important. I can see now that I was gradually giving up control as I became more comfortable in the relationship. At first, I kept everything very separate. She was kept at home. I had my office and work. They were completely separate things. And then one day, I wanted to see her for lunch. So I went home. I started doing that more and more. Then when I couldn’t get away, I asked her to come to me. That’s how she met my staff. Slowly she started to come to work functions and she was a part of my daily life then. And my night life. And my every moment. By the end, Gabrielle had taken over the accounting for my law practice. She ran the household. She ran my life. I was the one pretending to still be in control.”

“Is that why you refused to marry her?”

The coffee mug came down on the end table more forcefully than Cal intended. “That is none of your business.”

Cody gave no sign he noticed Cal’s loss of temper. “I disagree. It’s my job to keep her healthy. Part of that is to keep her spirits up. I’ve been an oncology nurse for six years, Mr. Reed. Medicine is only a part of a patient’s recovery. Gabrielle’s will and spirit are very important. I’ve managed to keep her calm and focused up until roughly two weeks ago. Our meditation sessions have gone to crap since she came back from Dallas.”

“Meditation?”

“And yoga,” Cody replied. He seemed ready for Cal to deride him. “Meditation has been found to help cancer patients. It alleviates fatigue and increases positive thoughts. Laugh all you like, but I believe it helps.”

“I am not laughing,” Cal said quietly. “Gabrielle believes this?”

“Yes.”

“But she’s still taking her medication?”

Cody rolled his eyes. “Yes, of course. The meditation works in tandem with the current protocols. I’m not some flake trying to convince her we can solve cancer by holding hands and chanting. However, I do believe that keeping her spirits up is intensely important. Her will needs to be focused on her health and well being. She needs positive influences and energy flowing her way. It’s why I came here to ask you to leave.”

“I can’t.” Cal was surprised at the longing he heard in his own voice. He cleared his throat self-consciously. “I don’t mean to disrupt Gabrielle’s life. I mean to set it back on an even keel. She was wrong to leave me. She was absolutely wrong to lie to me about why she was leaving. I could have helped her enormously through this.”

Cody’s eyes were sharp on him, his jaw tight. “And when the time came to make the decision to take her breasts? How would you have helped then? Gaby was a plaything to you. Would you really have advised her to lop those gorgeous breasts off? I’ve seen pictures. I’ve also heard the stories. I know you used to parade her around that club of yours and show off her lovely body. She has scars now.”

Cal was on his feet, unable to contain his anger. “Listen, you little shit, I couldn’t care less that my Gabrielle has scars. It wouldn’t have been an issue. There wouldn’t have been a discussion or a moment’s anxiety that she was making the wrong decision. She wouldn’t have been alone and vulnerable and worried. I would have told her what I wanted. I would have told her I wanted those things off her body and that I wouldn’t care if she didn’t reconstruct them at all. I would have told her she’s beautiful whether or not she has breasts. She would have gone into that surgery with the complete understanding that her Master thought she was the most beautiful thing on the planet and always would be.”

Cody held his ground. His arms went across his chest as he stared at Cal for a moment. “Now that, I didn’t expect.”

Cal huffed and found himself pacing. “And what did you expect? That I would charge in, take one look at her scars, and run away?”

A rueful smile crossed Cody’s face. “I suppose I did. I don’t have a very high opinion of you.”

“Join the crowd.”

The nurse shrugged. “Would it help to know my opinion is changing?”

“Gabrielle’s opinion is the only one that matters.” Cal crossed to the windows that overlooked the ocean. The waves just kept rolling in. He took a deep breath and allowed the sound to calm him a bit. He could understand why Gaby was happy here. It was very peaceful. He heard Cody get up behind him. “That hurt the most. I know I’m not supposed to be hurt, but I can’t stop how I feel. I wasn’t allowed to perform my primary function.”

“Primary function? As a Dom?”

“As a Dom. As the man who cared for her. Even if she’d seen me as a friend she would have allowed me to be there. That was my function. To be beside her. I was shut out of the one thing I might have been good at—taking care of her. I wonder where we would be if that pain had been ours and not merely hers, if she’d shared that part of her life with me.”

“You’re acting like it was a good part.”

“No. I understand that, but isn’t sharing the bad parts really the measure of a true couple? I didn’t think about it at the time. I guess no one ever does, but the fact that she wouldn’t share that dark moment with me…it makes me ache in a way I never thought I would.” His mind was bouncing around, seeking a way to ease the pain he found inside him. Perhaps there was one. She couldn’t shut him out of everything. “Would you teach me?”

“Teach you what?” The nurse sounded a bit surprised.

“To meditate.”

“Why?”

Cal turned and regarded the man who served as Gabrielle’s confidant. It was a role he hoped to take over. “I don’t know if it works, but some people think positive energy can be healing. If Gabrielle believes this, then why can’t I add mine to hers?”

She couldn’t stop him from praying for her, from asking the universe to give her all the health and healing she deserved. That was still his right and he could honor her by doing it her way.

The nurse’s entire face softened. “All right. Why don’t you go put on a pair of sweatpants or something comfortable? I’ll show you a few techniques. How long do you intend to stay?”

“As long as it takes.” Cal’s reply was sure.

Cody laughed. “Then I should have plenty of time to teach you.”

 

* * * *

 

Gaby stared at her admin. It was late in the day. Dinner was being served in the main dining room, but then that was kind of the point of being here in the office. She was avoiding being in whatever space Cal was in. That had been the whole point of her day—stay away from Cal. Apparently Cal had ideas of how to spend his time, too. She stood over Jackie’s desk and felt her eyes narrow and her heart rate speed up. It took a moment to let the words sink in.

“I’m sorry, he did what?”

Jackie swallowed once, and then twice, before finally answering. Her eyes were distinctly owl-like behind her glasses. “Mr. Reed came in earlier and asked for the financials. He wanted to review the P&L and wanted to see a detailed accounting of capital expenditures. He also wanted to review the Fuller file.”

The Fuller file was an in-depth description of the only lawsuit she’d had to deal with since she’d taken over the resort. It was a minor annoyance, something every hotel had to deal with. A guest had slipped in the hall coming in from the pool. Gaby knew her staff had done everything they should have done. It was just a question of settling because the legal fees of fighting a suit like that would likely be more than simply settling. Why the hell would Callum need to look through her books and read a file on an open lawsuit? He was supposed to be a guest. Guests didn’t come into the management office to make sure their former subs were performing adequately.

Unless Greg had sent him in to evaluate her performance. Was this going to be his revenge on her? Was he going to send back a report that stated she was unsuitable in her job?

“And you gave it to him?” Gaby was aware her voice had taken on a distinctly menacing tone. Her admin looked startled.

“I…he asked for them.” Jackie’s hands twisted in her lap. Her brown eyes were suddenly watery behind the lenses of her glasses.

Gaby gave herself a second to check the anger that was threatening to bubble over. It wasn’t really Jackie’s fault. Cal could be very intimidating when he wanted to be. He was probably furious with her for ignoring him all day. It was obvious Cal was on a power trip. She couldn’t hold her poor admin accountable. “Okay. He came in and threatened you. I will handle him, Jackie. I am sorry you had to deal with that.”

Jackie shook her head, and a dreamy smile crossed her face. “Oh, no, Gaby. He was really nice. He asked if you were in, and when I told him you weren’t, he looked so sad. I think he likes you.”

The last bit was said with a sigh, as though Jackie really envied her. It set Gaby’s teeth on edge. “So you turned over our financials to him because you were worried he had a broken heart?”

More than likely, she’d turned them over because he had startlingly piercing blue eyes and a devastating smile.

Jackie took a moment. She seemed a bit confused. “I thought Mr. Hall sent him.”

Yes, she was a bit worried about that herself. “I would have informed you if Mr. Hall had sent someone to review our finances.”

Unless he’d had a reason to send someone in without telling his manager.

For a moment, Jackie seemed to be getting the notion that she had done something wrong. She sat up straight in her chair and sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. She shook it off and gave Gaby an encouraging smile. “I don’t think he’s out to do anything bad. He seems like such a nice man. When he ordered in lunch, he asked me what I wanted, too. He even made coffee for me. Isn’t that nice? Such a nice man wouldn’t do anything bad.”

“You should be glad you live on an island, Jackie. You would be horribly murdered by the first serial killer to come along.”

Gaby turned and strode out of her office. She checked the clock in the hall. It was almost eight. Cal had requested a table for two in the main dining room at eight o’clock. Gaby had no doubt that he’d been sure she would be sitting across from him. This whole episode with the financial data was Callum’s way of forcing her to meet with him.

He would call her up in a bit and hold it over her head. Hey, I saw some of the reports and would like to talk about them with you. No is not an acceptable answer.

It was just like him. He couldn’t possibly take no for an answer. She’d spent the entire day avoiding him. He’d shown up to her meditation hour and sat down beside her, offering to hold her hands in his. He’d said something about adding his energy to hers, and she’d fled. It had been too close to what she wanted from him.

It was ridiculous to think he even knew what her meditation time meant. He thought all that metaphysical shit was nothing but people trying to explain away the universe. She’d heard it from him more than once so she hadn’t fallen for his crap when he’d tried that on her.

Since that time, his number had popped up on her phone three times an hour. Her voice mail was full. After the fiasco on the beach the night before, Gaby had decided that the only way to keep her hands off Callum was to avoid him altogether.

He was only here for a week, and then he would retreat back to his precious law office. There was no way he would stay away from work for too long. She knew deep down that he didn’t intend to stay here for a whole week. He thought he could snap his fingers and give her those intense looks of his and she would be on the next plane to Vegas with him. He would, no doubt, sign all the paperwork the cheapo wedding chapel would require, and then he would fuck her hard for a few days while they were on vacation and take her home and set her back on a shelf. He would take her down when he needed her, and he would forget about her the rest of the time.

He’d said he thought about her always. The words floated through her brain. Cal never lied to her, even when it would hurt her to know the truth. Oh, she didn’t doubt he fudged a bit about jeans that didn’t particularly flatter her, but then that wasn’t something that mattered to Cal. This would matter to him.

No. He was merely trying to get her under control. He couldn’t find her today, so he was letting her know he would cause trouble if she tried to avoid him again. Damn him. He was trying to use her business to force her hand. He would find out exactly who he was dealing with.

She wasn’t some scared, mad-in-love sub anymore. She’d been forced to be strong, and he was going to find out that she’d come through the fire a different person.

She strode into the elegant dining room, completely ignoring the people who stared at her. Yep, she definitely stood out among the well-dressed diners. This evening was a black-tie dinner. The elegant, Asian-inspired, five-course meal was being served by efficient, discreet waiters and waitresses.

Nothing ever shocked this group. Well, nothing sexual. But now they all stopped to look at her because politeness and social niceties mattered. She was dressed in cutoff jean shorts, a slightly dirty white T-shirt, and sneakers. She was sure her hair looked a mess because she’d spent the day working on the resort’s docks. It was the one place Cal would never expect her to be.

Though she’d tried to clean up in the bathroom in her office, she’d been distracted by the news that Cal was checking into her accounting.

They might be shocked at the sight of her, but she wasn’t putting this confrontation off so she could dress up for them.

She spotted him across the room. Of course, he had the best table in the house. Cal wouldn’t settle for less. And he had replaced her. He was sitting in his tux talking to someone else. It looked like a man. They sat together at the table overlooking the magnificent Caribbean. Cal laughed. His dark head was thrown back before he continued to speak to his companion, and something broke inside her. He was having a grand old time while she was worried sick. Story of their life together.

As she walked up the four stairs that took her to the upper dining area, Cal looked over. He saw her, and a smile broke across his face. His eyes lit up, and she saw him mouth the word “Gabrielle.”

He looked at her like she was the sun in the sky. It momentarily threw her off because she’d never stopped to study how his face changed when she walked in a room, how his eyes warmed and suddenly the air wasn’t chilly around him. Then Cal’s companion turned.

“Hello, G,” Cody said with a grin.

Or Cal was simply very good a manipulating her and all that romantic shit was crap rattling around in her head. This, this was real. Her best friend was sitting with the enemy. “How could you?”

Cody’s green eyes widened. “How could I what? Look this fabulous? It isn’t easy, G. It starts with amazing genetics…”

Gaby practically growled at him. “You know how I feel about him. How could you sit here with him after everything he’s done to me?”

“What exactly have I done, Gabrielle?” Cal’s voice was flat. His smile was gone. It was completely irrational, but for a moment, she wished it would come back. “I understand I was a fool before, but I would like to be judged for my actions when I finally had all the facts. I have cared for you. I put my life on hold to follow you and try to mend our relationship. I hoped to spend the day with you. When you refused to answer my calls, I stepped back because I knew you needed space. What about any of that do you find fault with?”

She felt her mouth turn down. Stubborn pride welled up inside her, causing her to stand a little straighter. He wasn’t turning this around on her. “Oh, yeah, Cal. You really took a step back. You went to my admin and requested my books. You spent the whole afternoon spying on me. How dare you?”

“Uhmm, Gaby. Let’s calm down. You’re making a bit of a scene, dear.” Cody looked around the room.

Cal’s fingers were drumming along the table. He completely ignored Cody, choosing to stare at her with icy eyes. “When it became obvious you were going to great lengths to put distance between us because you’re afraid to be alone with me…”

Gaby practically screeched. “Afraid!”

“Yes, pet. There’s only one reason you would spend an entire day running from me.” Cal kept his voice quiet. Now his eyes roamed around, taking in the crowd that was surely watching them. “You’re afraid because you know I can have you on your back with your legs spread, begging me to fuck you. Relax. I mean to give you time.”

“Oh, yes. That’s why you went to my admin and tricked her into giving you my books. You were giving me time. Sure.” Gaby pointed her index finger at him and did nothing to lower her voice.

“Tricked?”

“Gaby, seriously, why don’t you sit down?” Cody looked around the dining room. Gaby could see his embarrassment rising, but he’d betrayed her by dining with the enemy. He was supposed to be on her side. “We can have dinner, and Cal can tell you all about his new investment.”

The last thing she wanted was to sit and hear about all of Cal’s business dealings. She wasn’t his sub anymore. She didn’t have to care. “I don’t care about his new investment. I want him gone. I’m going to call security.”

Cal took a deep breath. “I am being patient, Gabrielle. If you don’t want to talk tonight, then I’ll wait. If you don’t want to talk tomorrow, then I’ll wait. If seeing me in the dining room upsets you, then I’ll go back to my suite and eat there alone.”

His refusal to fight was making her crazy. She wanted…she wasn’t sure what she wanted, but it wasn’t for Cal to walk off the battlefield. Something nasty rolled around in her head. Seeing him, being close to him, was bringing back all the feelings she’d ever had about him. This man had been her everything and he had broken her in a way no one and nothing else could. Perhaps the only way to truly get him out of her head was to utterly break the relationship. Not the soft way she’d done it before, but by burning down everything around them. She wanted him as pissed off as she was. “You’ll leave my resort, and you’ll do it tonight.”

Cal’s hands fisted, his jaw tightening. “Sit down before you make a complete fool of yourself.”

“You’re the one who’s made a fool of himself,” she shot back. “That information you stole was proprietary. You aren’t this resort’s lawyer. We have a lawyer in Bridgetown. I could have you disbarred. How would that be for you? You think you’re so high and mighty that you can get away with anything, but I’ll show you.”

Cal sat back, the look of pure satisfaction on his face sending a chill through her system. “You also, as of three days ago, have a new owner, Miss Sullivan.”

She took a step back, the truth flooding her system. What had happened? Greg wouldn’t do this to her. He knew how important this place was to her. He wouldn’t let Cal buy in and have control of her job. Control of her. This had become her place. She’d found some semblance of power and peace here. “No. Greg would have told me. Heather would have told me.”

“Heather doesn’t know. I asked Greg to keep it quiet.” Cal stood up. He sighed and held his hand out. “Please sit down and join us. I was just talking to Cody about how to tell you. I bought in because Greg explained how much it means to you.”

But she wasn’t listening. She heard what he said, but all that went through her brain was that he had never taken the time to bring her here. She remembered the pictures he had in boxes in his closet of him and his wife here at this resort. They would have the resort photographer take elaborate photos of him and his lovely wife. If there was a photo of herself and Cal, it was likely on someone’s phone or stored in a digital cloud somewhere. It hadn’t been framed and mounted in their home like a declaration of the love of the owners. There weren’t any pictures of them on vacation because they’d never gone, certainly never here. He’d brought Cassie, but he hadn’t found the time to bring her. He hadn’t thought of this place associated with anyone but his Cassie until he needed to control Gaby.

Thinking only of wiping that inviting smile off his face, she picked up his two fingers of fifteen-year-old Scotch and threw it in his face.

She knew it was a mistake the minute she did it. The glass fell from her hand, and she stood stock-still for a moment. Her eyes finally took in what her friend had tried to warn her about. Everyone in the dining room was watching. They’d likely heard there was a new owner and now the manager had publically humiliated him.

Her volcanic anger seemed to deflate in a heartbeat. What had she been thinking? Why had she pushed him? “Callum, I am sorry.”

“Not as sorry as you’re going to be, pet.” He calmly used his linen napkin to wipe the Scotch from his face. He looked down at his formerly immaculate dress shirt and silk bow tie. He shook his head as he pulled the tie off and tossed it on the table.

Gaby took an all-important step back. It was past time to calm down and deal with this situation like adults. Cal was too still. He was dangerous when he went still and his voice was soft and calm. “You’re right. We need to sit down and talk about this.”

“Do you think for a second that all these nice people aren’t getting on their phones and texting their friends about the scene you just performed,” Cal said, his voice dead calm.

Shit, she was in trouble. “I’ll publically apologize.”

Because while the theme might be swingers’ weekend, there were a whole lot of lifestylers here, too, who had witnessed the big bad Dom get humiliated.

“It won’t work. Public punishment is the only way this ends. Don’t worry. This crowd will simply consider it a dinner show.”

Gaby turned to run, but he was on her in an instant. Before she could make it down the steps, he hauled her up and over his shoulder. Her ass was high in the air, and he smacked it soundly.

That wasn’t a playful smack. She felt that one all along her spine. Pain flared. “Asshole! Put me down.”

Cal smacked her other cheek, lighting it up just as hard. “You’ll get one for each and every time you curse at me, pet. When you add it to the punishment you’re about to get for embarrassing me and yourself in front of our guests, you’re in for a rough night.”

Gaby looked to Cody, who was standing by the table. “Call security.”

He shrugged. “He’s actually the boss, G. I don’t think security will toss him out. You should probably use your safe word.”

He shouted that from across the room because Cal was moving quickly. Gaby had no illusions as to where he was going. Cal had helped design the play areas of the resort. He knew his way to the dungeon. He would probably know it blindfolded.

“Would it work?” Gaby asked, relaxing against him. There was no point in fighting him. Kicking and scratching would simply get her in more trouble.

“I will always honor your safe word, Gabrielle.” He stopped at the bottom of the stairs that led to the dungeon. “Are you going to use it?”

All she had to do was say the word “red” and everything would stop. Cal would place her on her feet and walk away. One little word and he’d probably leave the island altogether. She had never said the word to him. She had studiously avoided it, even in their normal lives. “No, you bastard. I’m not using it.”

His hand slapped her ass again, and he started up the stairs.

Everything fell into place and she acknowledged why she’d done what she did. This was why she’d pushed him. She’d pushed him because she couldn’t ask for what she wanted. She’d pushed him because she was in a corner and didn’t know how to get out. All day long she’d thought about him even as she’d avoided him. She’d thought about this, connecting with him one last time, one last scene to end it all.

She couldn’t go back to him. She couldn’t be with him the way she had been before. Too much had happened. But she wanted this. Her whole body craved him. Even as the cheeks of her ass burned from the sting of his hands, she knew she was wet and ready to take more.

Cal kicked open the door to the dungeon, paying the man at the small desk no heed. From her perch against Cal’s back, she glimpsed the security guard hustle up from his desk and follow them into the room.

“Miss Sullivan? Is that you?” The guard sounded shocked, but then it wasn’t every day she entered the dungeon, much less got her ass dragged into it.

Cal whirled around, and her world shifted. She couldn’t see the guard anymore. She stared at the back of Cal’s shirt. The smell of expensive Scotch still clung to the fabric.

“I would suggest you back off.” Cal’s voice was low and tight. She’d pushed him way too far and he was coiled and ready to strike.

“Look, Mr. Whatever your name is. She’s my boss and I won’t let her be mistreated.”

“Glen…” she started, but a swift smack stopped the next words before they left her mouth.

“We’re in a dungeon, pet. Remember your manners. I did not give you leave to speak. As to you, Glen, she is my sub, and I’ll have your head if you try to come between us.”

“Hey, Glen.” A new voice broke through the tension. Gaby craned to look up. Her dungeon monitor, a Dom named James, was hurrying across the room. “Is there a problem here?”

“He has Gaby,” Glen replied, sounding unsure.

“Has she said her safe word?” James asked.

“No.”

“Then back off,” James barked. “And, Glen, that’s Callum Reed. He’s part owner of the place now. He walks in this dungeon, you give him what he wants.”

Cal was walking again. She wondered if he’d take her to a privacy room or if he intended to chain her up in the main dungeon. “Does everyone know you bought in except me?”

“I asked Greg not to tell you. I talked to James earlier today. That’s the only reason he knows. I wanted to make sure the dungeon was well-stocked and that I still understood all the protocols.” He smacked her ass again, the sound cracking through the dungeon. “And I didn’t give you permission to open that mouth.”

He sat her down on her feet in front of a padded sawhorse. “Take off your clothes, Gabrielle.”

Her hands immediately went to her chest. Pure panic threatened to boil over at the thought of being naked. There weren’t many people in the dungeon, but later, there would be some. Even the swingers liked to come play down here. They would all look at her. They would all see her scars and she would watch them turn away.

Including Cal.

Cal took the choice from her. He hauled her up and pushed her across the sawhorse, her chest on the padded back. Her ass was off the apparatus, and Cal efficiently tied her hands together under the bar.

“Do you need a gag?”

“No, asshole.” She spat out the response, her fear fleeing because he couldn’t get her shirt off now. She was nestled against the sawhorse, her scars safe, so it was all right to spit bile and vitriol his way. The truth was she needed this.

She needed this badly and he was going to give it to her.

Gaby pulled at the expertly tied restraints. He’d used a silk scarf he’d grabbed from the table near the apparatus. The dungeon had been set up for the night. There was a tray of neatly placed restraints ranging from rope to handcuffs. Cal always preferred silk. Her hands were tied palms together. The knot was tight, but not so tight that she would lose circulation.

Cal’s eyes were dark when he kneeled and looked up at her. “Not another word, unless it’s your safe word. I’ve been indulgent up to this point.”

Indulgent? Her ass was on fire. Unfortunately, it was on fire in a way that also had her pussy pulsing. She relaxed against the padding and let her cheek rest. The wall in front of her was mirrored, and she could watch Cal work. The first thing he did was request a knife from Master James, who was more than happy to provide it.

Damn it. She was going to make him replace her shorts. He might have all the money in the world for clothes, but she didn’t. Not that she said a word. She wasn’t afraid, merely excited as she watched him carefully cut the denim from her body. Her pulse ticked up at the thought of getting what she wanted without having to give in to Cal’s ridiculous demands. She watched as he sighed when he saw the white cotton panties she wore. Two flicks of the knife and they joined the shorts on the floor. Cal pulled off her shoes, and she was naked from the waist down. The sight of her naked ass in the air made her feel vulnerable and got her heart to pounding.

“Thank you, James.” Cal handed the dungeon monitor his knife but made no move to dismiss him.

Gaby felt herself flush slightly. James McKnight was her employee. Greg had hired him years ago, and he’d been one of the people she had come to rely on. Now, he was admiring her ass.

“It’s quite lovely, isn’t it?” Cal ran his hand across her cheeks. His finger slid lightly down the seam of her ass.

“She’s very fair.” There was a slight hesitation in the Dom’s voice.

“Gabrielle.” Cal’s voice was commanding. “Your employee is worried about your welfare. He doesn’t know who I am beyond the fact that I own a piece of this club and I strode in here and promptly tied up his boss. Will you please explain to him what you call me when we’re alone?”

There was only one answer to that. She might not call him that anymore, but she would tonight. “Master.”

“I always knew she was a sub. Careful with that one.” James laughed, the sound very friendly to her ears. “She will top from the bottom. Really, though, it’s the only way to go. You want a sub who knows what she wants. What’s life without a power struggle?”

“Boring,” Cal said, surprising her. She sighed as Cal slid his hand across her backside. “Tell me something, Master James. What do you think of my pretty sub?”

“I think I’d like to fuck her very much. She’s lovely, Master Callum.”

Gaby watched as a slow smile spread across Callum’s handsome face. He’d always liked to show her off. “Yes, she is. She’s gorgeous, and she’s mine. How long do I have before we have a large audience?”

“Not long.” James looked at his watch. “Dinner should be over soon. Some of the swingers will come down here. More once they realize a hot D/s scene is being played out.”

“Then I should get on with it.” He selected a quarter-inch round cane from the wall of canes, floggers, paddles, and whips. He tested it against his palm then immediately brought it against her naked ass.

Gaby started at the pain. Fire licked across her skin. She gasped but managed not to yell. The pain bloomed into her flesh, causing tears to form. She looked at Cal in the mirror. He stood over her, cane in hand, and despite the pain, despite the heartbreak, she couldn’t help but admit to herself that she loved him.

“You do not air our private differences in public, pet.”

The cane came down on the opposite cheek. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. An aching warmth was building deep inside her, spreading outward from the burning sensation.

“You should have stayed, Gabrielle. You had no right to leave me.” His voice was filled with anger. She could see his face was flushed as he struck her again, this time on her thighs. As always, the pain bloomed outward and then flowered into a jagged form of pleasure. “I would have stood by you. I would have taken care of you. Damn it, it was my right to take care of you.”

Cal moved behind her. He kicked gently at her feet, spreading her legs, and his hand moved between them. Her eyes nearly rolled to the back of her head with pleasure at his first touch. So long. It had been so damn long since she’d felt this way, since she’d sunk into submission and let this man have his way. For some reason it was only Cal who could give this to her, and she feared it would always be this way. His fingers slid through her arousal. “That’s what I want. I want this little pussy wet and begging for me.”

It took everything Gaby had not to groan. It felt so good. His fingers played, splitting her labia and exploring, lighting up her every nerve ending. He teased her clit, running his finger just across it only to pull back and plunge into her pussy. The sound of her pussy sucking at his fingers filled the room. A whimper came from her throat. She didn’t want his fingers. She wanted his cock. She wanted him to shove that big cock of his deep inside and ride her until she couldn’t think anymore.

His hand left her, and it was a mere second before it came down again on her ass. Tears blurred Gaby’s vision. She was sore. She needed so much.

“That was for ruining a perfectly good glass of Scotch.”

She heard murmurs from the small crowd now gathering around. She glanced up, looking at them in the mirror. They were shaking their heads in general agreement that she deserved to be punished for spilling a truly good single malt. At least ten people were standing around now, some men and some women. The fact that they were here wouldn’t stop Cal. Gaby had been with him long enough to know that they wouldn’t bother Cal as long as they followed the rules of the dungeon. As long as the people currently watching her stayed quiet and didn’t interrupt him, he’d fuck her in front of a thousand people. It wouldn’t bother Gaby either, as long as her shirt stayed on. What was bothering Gaby was an overwhelming need to come.

Cal took a step back. In the mirror, she watched as he admired the marks he’d placed on her ass. He ran his hand across them, tracing the pink lines he found there. They would be gone by morning and she would miss them. Cal was always, always careful with her. He’d never raised a welt. He knew exactly how much pressure to exert to make the pain erotic. He leaned over, his blue eyes hot as he kissed each cheek. He turned back to the row of toys and unwrapped a medium-sized anal plug.

Oh god, he was going to do it. Her whole body tensed at the idea that he was going to play with her ass. It had been too long since he’d filled her ass. It would burn and hurt all over again, just as it had when she was a virgin there. Her torture wasn’t over. Not even close.

He poured lube over the plug, greasing it. When he parted the cheeks of her ass, she shivered, though not from the cold.

“Push out when I tell you to. Do not disobey me or this plug will be all you get.”

She was too far gone to argue with him. Everything she wanted was right there and she wasn’t going to give him a reason to pick up the cane again. She bit back a groan as she felt him fit the head of the plug against her anus.

Cal swatted her sore ass. “Don’t tense.”

Deep breath. She filled her lungs once and then again, trying to relax when her whole body was on edge. Cal pushed the plug, forcing her anus to open to take it.

“Press back. That’s it. Such a pretty little asshole.”

Another deep breath and she tried to flatten the small of her back, pressing out against the plug. She shivered at the sensation as the plug slid home. When Cal slapped her ass this time, every nerve clenched around the plug, a jangled cacophony of pain and pleasure.

He walked around and ran a hand through her hair. “Do not try my patience again, pet. Next time, I will not go easy. Next time, I’ll have you on a St. Andrew’s Cross counting out forty lashes of a single tail. I’ll pull you down and fuck your mouth, and you will not be allowed to come all night. Is that understood?”

She nodded, hoping he wouldn’t put the “no coming” punishment on her this evening.

Cal’s hands went to his belt, and he shoved his slacks and boxers off. Normally, he would neatly fold them or have her do it for him, but tonight, he kicked them aside, a sure sign that he was losing his control.

He held his big dick in one hand and her head in the other. His fingers tangled in her hair and he pulled slightly, barely a little sting. The sawhorse was perfectly adjusted to place her mouth right where he wanted it. “Get me hard. Your Master wants to fuck his sub.”

She almost laughed. He was so hard he could pound nails. She doubted the enormous cock in front of her could get any harder, but she didn’t question him. No, she simply opened her mouth and let him push his way in. He didn’t require anything active from her when he was in this state. He merely wanted her compliance, and she gave it to him. He thrust himself in and out of her willing mouth.

His cock thrust forward as his hands pulled her head in. “That’s my good sub. Open wide for your Master. Your Master is going to fuck your mouth, then he’s going to take that hot ass of yours and give you a reaming you won’t forget.”

She let his deep voice wash over her as he promised all manner of nasty things. The dirty talk had always been a part of their play, and hearing Cal whisper what he intended to do to her got her even hotter. Closing her eyes, she reveled in the feel of him. Her whole body was primed for sensation. She loved the salty taste of his cock, the silky steel feel of his thrusting dick as he worked his way in inch by inch until his balls hit her chin. He smelled like arousal and soap from a shower. He was Callum, her lover, her Master, and everything about him made her think of home.

Cal pulled out of her mouth. He was shaking a little, and he wiped away a tear she hadn’t known she’d shed. He got down on one knee and kissed her forehead. “I missed you.”

Emotion swelled as she let the experience wash over her. She’d missed him so much. She had no idea where they went from here, if they went anywhere at all. She only knew that, for these moments, she was his again.

Cal got back up, tossed off his shirt, and he was magnificently naked. She watched as he walked around to her naked backside. The crowd was bigger than before. Gaby could plainly see the scene was having an effect on some of the men.

“Eyes on me and only me,” Cal growled, smacking her ass.

She obediently looked straight on in the mirror, watching her Master. His cock jutted up, almost reaching his navel. The gorgeous purple head was filled with blood, and a drop of pearly arousal wept from his slit. He reached over to the table where the toys were kept. Gaby sighed as he wrapped an elastic strap around her hips and through her thighs. He carefully placed the butterfly directly over her clit. It hummed when he turned it on, and the vibrator started her on a slow build toward climax.

“If you come before I allow it, I’ll get out the single tail, Gabrielle.”

She bit her lip. It would be hard. The vibrator was doing all sorts of things to her clit. While she let the sensation play across her body, Cal was busy. It wasn’t more than a few seconds before he spread the cheeks of her ass and pulled out the plug. She moaned as her asshole fought to keep that little piece of plastic. Cal set the plug to the side and started to work warm lube into her.

She gasped as he forced a finger in. He rimmed her, eliciting a groan as all of those nerves so long forgotten came roaring back to life. She forgot about the people watching, forgot about the trouble with Cal. Hell, she forgot about the last ten months. All that mattered was him and the pleasure he gave her.

“Push back.” Cal sounded guttural.

Something far bigger than his finger was seeking entrance. His cock was larger than the plug, and she hissed at the pressure. The butterfly went up a notch. Gaby had to concentrate on pushing back against Cal’s cock. She went on her tiptoes and angled her hips up. It burned as he began to thrust in, stretching her to take him. She was caught between the heat filling her ass and the wild pleasure spreading across her clitoris.

“Oh, you feel so fucking good.” Cal tunneled his way in ruthlessly. He pushed past the ring of her anus and seated his cock in her tight ass. For a moment, she wondered if he was going to split her in two, he was so fucking big. She could feel his balls caress the cheeks of her ass. He pulled almost all the way out and greedily shoved back in. Every nerve in her backside sang as his cock dragged along them. In and out. In and out.

Cal fucked her with a steady rhythm. His hands tightened on her waist, holding her steady for the thorough reaming he’d promised. She had to bite her lip to keep from coming. It was all building. The riotous sensation in her ass combined with the sweet hum on her clit was proving too much for her.

Cal picked up the pace, his cock thrusting hard now. “I’m not going to last. It’s been too long. You need to come for me. Come for your Master.”

The butterfly hit the perfect spot. Cal’s cock rubbed just the right place, and Gaby sobbed as she came. She forced her eyes open, not wanting to miss the sight of Cal taking his pleasure. She loved the way his dark head fell back when he gave over. His entire body stiffened as the orgasm hit. He breathed out, and his gorgeous face contorted with the sweetest agony imaginable. His hands tightened on her hips. He thrust into her one last time as she felt the hot wash of his release flood her ass.

A great sense of peace washed over her when Cal let his body fall forward across hers. She felt his lips on the back of her neck, worshipping the soft skin there. His cock came out of her ass, and he flicked off the butterfly. It wouldn’t take long before Cal was ready to go again. He’d never had a problem with performance. He would want to fuck her over and over again. He would take her all night long.

Cal’s hands slid up her torso and under her shirt. “I want you naked, Gabrielle. I want to play with those pretty nipples.”

“Red.”

Her whole world seemed to stop. It all crashed down as she said the one word she’d never uttered to him before.

“Red.”

Callum seemed stunned, but immediately got off her, stepping back almost as if she was on fire.

“Gabrielle?” There was a wealth of hurt in the question.

“I said red.” She forced the words out of her mouth. Tears stung her eyes. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t let him see her. He’d always loved her breasts. He’d taken such pride in showing her off. How could she ever show him what had happened? She wanted to run, but the bindings were tight. Now she realized everyone was watching this, too. The crowd had grown. Everyone could see her and the sad end of the scene playing out like entertainment.

His hand touched her skin. “Gabrielle, please.”

“I’m sorry.” James stepped up. “She said her safe word. I need you to move away from her.”

In the mirror, she could see through her tears that Cal was pale. His hands shook as he managed to get his slacks on.

“Take care of her.” Cal’s voice was low and tense. “She won’t let me.”

James pulled the bindings off her wrists. He had a robe in his hand and wrapped it around her. Gaby sat down in the middle of the dungeon, put her head in her hands, and cried.