I want to kiss her until every nerve in her body’s on fire, until she sags against me, boneless and panting andwet.
That first taste of forbidden fruit might be the sweetest, but that doesn’t lessen the craving for more.
Fabien and Nicolette have made it clear: they don’t want Savannah to know anything about Le Luxe. She’s been kept in the dark up to now, and it’s my job to ensure I keep her safewithout revealing too much about what exactly goes on at our club.
To the outside world, Le Luxe masquerades as a luxury hotel, and that’s all Savannah needs to know.
Hidden off the Ajaccio Coast, south of Paris in Corsica, the exclusive club is highly secured. Only members and curated guests are allowed through the gate, and then only after passing rigorous screening and paying a premium fee. In return, we offer luxury, state-of-the-art amenities, privacy, and top-notch security. We don’t receive so much as a slip of mail without rigorous screening and documentation.
Masters and slaves, dominants and submissives, make up the bulk of our establishment. As the owner and purveyor, I have to be discriminating and selective.
But first, we have to get there, andnow.
I keep Fabien and Nicolette abreast of every decision we make.
Me:
Lyam and Mario are going ahead to nail down security. But I’ll be the one that escorts her.
Fabien:
Thank you.
I let Lyam and Mario go ahead of us to make sure we have an impenetrable security system in place, butno onewill escort her but me.
I tell myself it doesn’t matter, that I can do this job. I tell myself that I won’t sate my craving for her.
I can be a brother to her.
Motherfucker.
Savannah watches me with wide, curious eyes, but doesn’t say anything for long minutes. It’s unlike her. She’s usually a nonstop chatterbox. I wonder what’s going on with her.
I turn to her.
“Are you afraid?”
When she flinches, I realize my tone came out harsher than I intended. Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe I need to keep her at arm’s length. I fucked up kissing her, and I can’t make that mistake again.
When she responds, her voice drips with sarcasm. “What gave you that idea?”
“You’re not talking. That’s unlike you.”
I watch as she holds her head high with her chin pointed upward, as if trying to steel herself against something. Proving herself. Ready to take on the world.
Jesus,that makes me hard.
Her eyes sharpen when I look at her, as if daring anyone to take her on.
Fuck if I don’t want to take that dare.
I can’t.
I don’t trust myself with her. I know that if I let myself loose, I’ll dominate every inch of her body. I’ll demand her submission. I’ll make her scream with pleasure and cry in pain. I’ve craved the submission of a woman just like her — strong and sexy, witty and winsome.
I can’t do that to her. She’s too young, too innocent, andpractically family.
I have one and only one job: to protect her no matter the cost. Even if that means denying myself everything.
