Cassadaga Moon Page 16

  “For loving me, Mia. For taking a chance on a man like me.

  Watching you dance, and knowing that you love me…well, it’s the greatest gift I’ve ever received.”

  The heat from his cheek warmed her hand.

  “Let me give you a lesson on some of our guests tonight.” She agreed.

  164

  He spun her around to the right side of the dance floor, gliding them past a few of the Goth-dressed dancers until they were comfortably swaying in the center of the floor. “The tall brunette standing by the cake table is Melissa Sterling. She is one of the five female-coven Elders. She runs the Mesa Sanction in Pennsylvania, somewhere near Pittsburgh. It is one of the biggest covens in the world.”

  A grin crossed Jordan’s face. “She’s a bitch from hell if you mess with anyone she cares about. But you should like her anyway since she’s a girl from the ’Burgh. Just like you are.” Farther down the floor he pointed to another man. “Now, that’s her husband David. He is what the organization calls a cleaner.” He planted a kiss on her neck that took her breath away. “A cleaner is a person that takes care of any issues dealing with crazy donors, coven embezzlement, vampire abuse, and donor abuse. He is like a cop, but a private one. Strictly private security. Sanction security.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Baby, you have no idea. David can clean up a mess in a matter of hours. We don’t know how he does it, but after he performs his magic, not a single solitary piece of evidence is left standing. Each year at the reunions, he is the talk at many campfires. He does work for the FBI during the day, in a job that is strictly undercover and top secret.” Jordan chuckled slightly as if he was remembering some private thought from long ago. “Shit, he’s probably some sort of high-tech assassin.”

  Before she could say another word, he grabbed her hand, moving them toward a secluded little table near the exit. Both stood behind the chairs, not attempting to pull them out and sit. “So have you had enough wedding bliss for tonight?

  “Yes. If the truth be told, I’ve had more than I can handle.”

  “I’m going to grab a bottle of champagne, and I’ll meet you in the foyer.”

  165

  She reached up on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his chin.

  “Don’t be long.” A wicked gleam creased her face as she glanced at her hand. Before he took a step, she slapped his butt hard.

  He turned back, mouth flung open. “You little minx.”

  “Kitty says hurry up.”

  His blond hair fluttered behind him as he hauled ass toward the bar.

  Once outside the hall, she scanned the area for the ladies’ room, but without one in sight, she jumped into the elevator and pushed the button.

  A minute later, the doors opened to an abrupt stop onto a barely lit corridor.

  She stuck the tip of her foot out of the elevator, and, reconsidering—the floor appeared vacant—she snapped it back inside. It wasn’t until a small, stifled sound arose from the east side of the corridor did she consider stepping back out into the semi-darkness.

  Moving with as much speed as possible in her stiletto-heeled shoes, she made it down the corridor toward the muffled sounds.

  A dim light radiated from a cracked steel door a few feet into the circular foyer adjacent to the corridor. She moved with caution toward the sound, not wanting to impose on a private party. Halfway toward the door, she reached down, removing her shoes, and proceeded the rest of the way on tiptoes.

  Closing her eyes for a moment, she breathed deeply, inhaling the rich, metallic scent camouflaged by other odors.

  Blood…jasmine…berries.

  Careful not to disturb the unknown, she stepped back against the wall and peered into the room.

  Shock gripped her dead in her tracks when her innocent gaze captured the scene unfolding behind the door.

  Four metal walls enclosed the intimate space. Dangling from the ceiling was hung an array of chains of different sizes and shapes.

  166

  Sunken into the rafters in the middle of the room were black leather belts and cuffs attached to thick silver chains.

  Her gaze shifted to study the stainless-steel floor. Streaks of scarlet blood came into focus. A flood of panic slid down her spine.

  She stepped backward, preparing to bolt, but instead her body bounced against someone else.

  Familiar arms wrapped her from behind, sending a wave of calmness through her. She sighed in anticipated relief as he kissed the side of her cheek. Jordan.

  “I had to use the bathroom.” She cleared her throat, curiosity lodged in her mind. What is this place?

  A much-lower voice replied. “I don’t think this is one.” Jordan swept her away from the door, pinning her against the wall with his body. “Are you curious, baby?” She stepped into him, placing her face against his chest. “Kind of.

  But I’m scared.”

  Shame flushed her against him. She balled up a piece of his shirt in her hand.

  His words came across softly. “Don’t be. If the sight of what you see gets to be too much for you to handle, I’ll pull you away from it.

  It’s only a game. Bloodplay. I promise, if you can’t handle the sight, I’ll take you from here.”

  Gradually he moved them back toward the front of the door, keeping her tucked next to him.

  As she stood like a statue with eyes transfixed on the manacled girl with magenta-spiked hair hanging from the ceiling chains, the cadence of her heart stopped for a second. Cindi? How in the hell did she have time to change her clothes and string up to the ceiling so fast?

  Jordan turned his head toward the figure coming down the corridor.

  “Hey, Jordan. Hey, Ms. Christini. Oh, excuse me, I mean Mrs. De L’croix.”

  167

  Mia didn’t even need to glance over to recognize whom the cocky voice belonged. Tristan.

  Like a flash of bronze light, he strolled past them and disappeared into the room.

  At the sight of him, Mia squeezed Jordan’s hand. “He’s one, too?” Jordan chuckled, and gazed down at her with an intrigued look that hinted at a heart full of unbridled secrets. “Yes. He’s one of us.

  And he enjoys bloodplay. As you can see, so does your best friend.” With her head reeling, she glanced back into the room.

  Tristan came into focus holding a small black whip in hand. Now she was about ready to have a cow. “My ex-student is a dominatrix?” she whispered.

  Jordan chuckled low and kissed her ear. “His title is “Dom.” Dominatrix is a female.”

  She stepped back snug against Jordan’s chest. Instantly, he tightened his hold. “Don’t be scared.”

  Although fear had a tight hold of her entire body, she wanted to watch. Something deep down inside her desired to witness what was about to happen. And again, the images of her Internet research weeks ago snapped into her head, the warning disclaimer scrolled across her mind, “There is a fine line between bloodplay and vampirism. Be sure you know what you are getting yourself into before you decide to enter either one.”

  The smell of leather and newly burned sandalwood incense spilled out into the hallway, inching into her nostrils. Feeling like some type of voyeur, she watched through the crack in the door as Tristan ran his hand across Cindi’s torso in a loving gesture. Cindi smiled at him.

  Closing her eyes, Mia drew in a slow, calming breath as years of parochial teachings slid across her mind, jolting her into the sudden awareness that turning back was impossible. She moved closer, pulling Jordan behind her.

  168

  Cindi’s magenta hair flowed like blood around her head. She whimpered and smiled down at Tristan, whose eyes gazed lovingly, but the smile was cruel.

  He cracked the whip across her body.

  With each of her pleasurable cries, he hummed along. Ruby-red blood sprang in thick dots across her breasts. His gaze flicked toward the doorway, then back to Cindi.

  Mia pushed her face to the right, against the safe
ty of Jordan’s chest. “All is fine, darlin’,” he whispered.

  “But, he’s hurting Cindi.”

  “It’s all part of the game.”

  “My little vixen,” Tristan’s voice crooned within the room. “I know I can make you scream.”

  As the whip snapped across her bare skin a second time, she released a subdued scream and fainted. He reached up and unhooked her bound wrists. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open as a half smile graced her angelic face.

  His features softened with a boyish charm. “It’s okay, Cin.

  Relax.” He leaned in and licked the clotting blood from her shoulder.

  Fascinated, Mia pushed her body forward so she could hear their conversation. Jordan let her move away from him but held her right wrist. Mia wondered what thoughts were swirling in Jordan’s head. A surge of love for him rounded her chest, knocking her invisibly off-balance.

  Tenderly, Tristan laid Cindi across his lap. “You’re a clever little one.”

  Cindi smiled as though she was in a drug-induced stupor and purred. “I’m glad you like it. It’s fun.” A spatter of crimson danced on her face, drying to rusty brown.

  She stirred her hand to wipe it, but instead, Tristan cupped her wrist.

  “I want that.”

  169

  Enthralled, Mia watched as he licked her best friend’s face clean of blood, then, as if they had been lovers for ages, they embraced and kissed.

  Jordan stepped toward Mia, pulling her with him. “We better get back, Mrs. De L’croix—our guests are going to wonder what happened to us.”

  “You’re right,” she agreed in a splintered voice, one she tried hard to hide.

  He stopped her in her tracks. “What’s wrong, baby?” Dazed, she stared at him. “Nothing’s wrong.” She lied.

  “Did what you witnessed scare you?”

  She tried to dodge his demanding stare, but was well aware that her attempts were ludicrous. “Not in the way I thought it would.” He moved a wisp of black hair away from his cheek, smoothing it behind his ear. “Meaning?”

  “Well, it looked like Cindi and Tristan enjoyed what they were doing.” Cindi and Tristan—I can’t believe it.

  “They were enjoying themselves, Mia.”

  “But how?”

  “It’s the forbidden side of passion, Mia. The hidden regions, as human beings, we fear to travel. For some people it can’t be just one or the other, because they need both the pleasure and the pain.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “It’s okay for you to feel enticed by what you witnessed.”

  I’m really going to hell. No mercy for the wicked. “Do you need both?”

  “I don’t need it, but I have had it. And I would love to experience it again with you. Will you let me ease your fears, love you in a way that will take you to unbelievable levels of pleasure?”

  “You do want it again, don’t you? The pleasure and pain?” She feared his answer with all her being because of the longing in every limb of her body to experience with him what Tristan did with Cindi.

  170

  Was she insane for the splendid chills running through her sinful frame? Jezebel. No, worse than Jezebel.

  She couldn’t hide her anxiety. He knew her too well.

  “Have I frightened you?” he asked.

  “No.” The word flew from her mouth before she had time to rethink her answer. “And that is what scares me the most.” Reeling from the sudden honesty, she fell against his shoulder. “I want to be with you in every way possible. I’m not afraid of you hurting me. I’m afraid of the desire I have to feel the pain and the pleasure with you.”

  At the revelation of her words, his eyes closed.

  She heard the catch in his breath before his words. “I promise you, Mia, there is no reason to fear anything you feel for me. Together we will experience desires people only dream about.” The edge of excitement in his voice made her realize, all along he hoped for this outcome.

  “We don’t have to try it the first time in a room like that one. Do we?” she asked, her voice soft yet inquisitive.

  “No, darlin’. I was thinking more of our bedroom. Unless you prefer me to strap you up in front of a group of people. I can do that, too.”

  “You’re joking. Right?”

  “Of course I’m kidding. I do have some limits. Wait, let me rephrase. When it comes to you, I will corral my limits until you are ready to experience them with me.”

  They’d reached the elevator. Once inside, he stepped in front of her and pushed the button.

  As the small compartment jetted upward, she reached for the handrails. The sudden acceleration always made her stomach flutter to the point of nausea. She steadied herself before speaking again.

  “Good, because I don’t think I’m ready to join a bloodplay group quite yet.”

  171

  * * * *

  Jordan adored her honesty and innocence. She had a way of taking his heart and softening it. Knowing deep-down inside she was afraid of this darker side of him, perhaps even unsure of his desire for pleasure and pain, he was certain he would be easy and gentle with her as she inched further into the realm of his forbidden world.

  The elevator halted.

  “Let’s go and finish our celebration. I believe my taking your virginity is way overdue.”

  Her sweet laugh rolled over him. She stood on tiptoes, her voice soft in his ear. “Did you want to deflower me here?”

  “Don’t tempt me, woman. I am already using all my willpower. I don’t think ravaging you in an elevator for your first time would be memorable in a good way.”

  “This is true.”

  He pressed his cock against her thigh. “But then again…” She turned fifteen shades of red, one of the qualities he found so endearing. “No. Oh my gosh, not here,” her panicked-then-flustered voice begged.

  “I’m teasing. I have a much better idea.” Stepping off the elevator, they shuffled around a drunken crowd in the foyer. Just as he was about to guide them to the mysterious, shadowy direction of the small area in the back of the gathering room, the sound of splintering furniture shook the walls.

  172

  Chapter Sixteen

  When the blood-curdling screams died down, a long-legged, lanky man barreled into the room, pulling a serrated blade from behind his back. Chaos ensued as the drunken party began to scream and tried to run toward the gathering hall. In a flash, Jamison, Cindi, and David were in the foyer.

  Mia froze as an unbearable fear gripped her body. Oh my God!

  The intruder lunged toward Mia, prepared to drive the blade straight into her unprotected chest. Before a scream could leave her throat, Jordan pulled her to him, just as Jamison and Cindi crouched into a fighting stance in front of her.

  Damn. This can’t be happening.

  Deep into the commotion, the cleaner, David, moved further into the frey. His black leather trench coat swayed around his ankles, and with a powerful force, he snapped the knife out of the man’s hands and threw him into a half nelson stranglehold, incapacitating him. At the same time, Jamison placed his arm in front of Cindi, and both of them relaxed their stances.

  Immediately, Jamison’s expression rearranged to one of recognition. He narrowed a look at Jordan that could have burned the skin off his face before his angry gaze bore into the now-debilitated man. “Ennisbrooke, what the fuck are you doing here?” Ennisbrooke slithered like a snake trying to break free from David’s stronghold. “Let me go, you piece of shit!” Saliva dripped down his chin as his green-eyed gaze full of hatred darted between David and the rest of the group. “I came here for one reason. To ruin

  173

  that man’s life”—he pointed a shaking finger at Jordan—“the way he ruined mine.”

  “Not today,” David said in a flat tone. “If you don’t want me to relocate your nose into your brain, you are going to walk out of this house and keep on walking until you get to Mexico.” Mia gazed in awe at David. Even though her feet
couldn’t move to save her life, and she couldn’t talk because of the fear ball lodged in her throat, she had to admit he was one fine, badass man.

  With the sculptured face of an angel and the body of a warrior, David’s lethalness hugged him like a cloak. His spiky black hair glistened from the soft lighting overhead.

  David’s arms tightened around Ennisbrooke until his face filled up with a red color. “We are moving toward the door. Say one word and I’m going to snap your neck first, ask questions later. Now move!” Jordan’s expression turned cold as he turned Mia over into Cindi’s protection. Before Ennisbrooke and David reached the door, Jordan stood in front of them, clenching his teeth. “I could ruin your life more, which I’m considering since you popped up uninvited at my wedding. Be lucky I didn’t keep screwing your wife after that night.

  Trust me, she wanted me to.”

  Jamison tapped Jordan on the arm. “Probably not the best choice of words right at the moment.”

  Jordan glared at him. “Shut up.”

  Jamison stepped back, just an inch, and glanced at Mia. Yes, she was shocked about the “screwing your wife” part, but with her brush with death, she blocked it from her thoughts the best she could.

  It was obvious Jordan’s anger mounted, from the squaring of his shoulders. “Perhaps Ennisbrooke should have kept his wife on a fucking leash.”

  In a flurry of anger, Ennisbrooke kicked forward, banging the back of his head against David’s chest. David snapped his foot between Ennisbrooke’s legs, spreading his feet apart, restricting all of his fledgling movements. Ennisbrooke moaned with added fury. “I am 174

  not finished with you yet, De L’croix. I swear I will ruin your life the way you did mine. I promise.” With slow and methodic precision, his glare fixed on Mia.