Sin & Suffer

I had no clue what would happen tonight.

But that wasn’t new. Being with Arthur was always a surprise. From daisies in my shoes to impromptu picnics on the Clubhouse roof. Everything was always a shock. But a nice shock, nevertheless.

Inside the box, sleeping in decadent purple crepe paper, was the most incredible dress I’d ever seen. I’d never been a dress-wearing girl. I favored jeans and T-shirts. A no-nonsense wardrobe when dealing with puking puppies and scratching kittens. But this … wow.

I didn’t feel worthy pulling such resplendent material from its bed of crepe. Holding the strapless gown toward the window, I fell in love with the intricate turquoise beads on the lacy bodice, flowing down the front to form a jagged lightning bolt teasing with the black tulle of a full-bodied skirt.

Along with the dress, there was a strapless bra and matching G-string in black and turquoise.

“Where on earth did he get this from?”

With serendipitous timing the phone rang, and, with infinite carefulness, I tucked the dress away and ran to answer.

“Did it arrive?”

I beamed as Arthur’s voice pooled into my ear. “Yes. It’s stunning.”

“Good, I called a local boutique. They assured me it would fit you after I gave them jumbled descriptions on your height and weight.”

I giggled. “Well, I think they’re mind-readers, because it’s perfect.” Silence fell. I asked, “Where exactly are we going?”

A masculine chuckle sent my heart skipping. “No questions. We have to work tonight and I need you looking astonishing so I can gobsmack the men in the room.”

I plopped onto the bed, fingering the crepe. “So you’re pimping me out? Have you no shame?”

“None when it comes to you. Is it bad that I find you fucking incredible and want to show you off? I want other men to stare at you and know that you’ll never be theirs because you’re mine.”

I sucked in a breath.

“I have to run another errand. I’ll be home later. In the meantime, have a bath, do your hair—do whatever you womenfolk require to get ready for a party. I’ll see you later.”

Before I could say goodbye, he hung up.

“Cleo? Cleo, for God’s sake, are you listening to me?”

I jumped, skipping from the past and back to the present. Bringing Arthur into focus, my eyes trailed from his chiseled jaw to the exquisite sight of him wearing a dark grey suit, complete with the tie he’d used to blindfold me. My core melted at ensnaring someone so beautiful—both inside and out. “Sorry. You were saying?”

He laughed softly. “I was saying what to expect tonight, but seeing as I was boring you, let’s just go in, shall we?”

I swallowed hard. “Go in where?”

With glowing green eyes, he shifted in his seat. “Not my fault you weren’t paying attention.”

I pouted. “It’s entirely your fault that you’re far too distracting and delicious. All I want to do is tear off that tie and put it to other uses.”

His knuckles turned white, clutching his thighs. “Don’t.” He sent me a warning look that sent electricity scattering to every cell. “I’m struggling to keep my cock in order without you saying things like that.”

Sliding over the glossy leather of the backseat, I fluttered my eyelashes. “At least people can’t tell what I’m feeling.”

His breath turned shallow. “And what are you feeling?”

Boldly, I captured his wrist and brought his hand from his thigh to mine. The rustle of my skirts sounded excruciatingly loud on my over-sensitive nerves. “Put your hand up my dress and find out.”

He let out a strangled noise. Yanking his hand back, he growled, “You’re playing with fire, Buttercup.” The word “fire” sent his eyes darting to my scars—prominent and unashamedly on display. There was no mistaking that I wasn’t just a girl in a pretty dress. I was a woman who’d lived a story and wasn’t afraid to tell it.

“I like to play with dangerous things.”

He groaned, staring at the limo ceiling as if begging for deliverance. “You don’t know what you’re doing to me.”

I whipped out my hand, ready to wrap around his cock.

I’ll find out.

In a flash he trapped my fingers, holding me millimeters away from touching him. “You’re going to pay for what you’re doing.”

I shivered. “How much will you make me pay?”

He smiled like a scoundrel—a rogue who was exactly in control even when he looked wildly out of it. Dragging me forward by my hand, he murmured in my ear, “Your payment will consist of whatever I deem worthy.” He pressed a kiss on my powdered cheek. “Until then, you can live in anticipation of what I’ll make you do.”

In a second, he was gone—springing from the car as an unseen chauffeur opened the back door.

I blinked. It’d been eerie being driven to an unknown destination by an unknown driver. The limo had magically appeared the moment Arthur returned home—already immaculately dressed and smelling divinely like woodsy smoke and seaside.

There was a few seconds’ delay as the driver came around to my side. With a flourish, he opened the door and revealed the most immaculate villa in all of the Florida Keys. My mouth fell open at the stunning façade of the stone home with sweeping porticos and pastel accents. Strategic lights illuminated shrubbery and pathways, turning night into starlight.