Page 11 of Five Days of Christmas Spice

“And you know all guests are free to take in as little or as much of the open dungeon times as they like. This way,” Rosa turns sharply to a dimly lit hallway.

“It’s quiet today, and no guests have requested the dungeon.”

Rosa opens the pair of gold framed doors, revealing a vast space with sunlight pouring in from the oval-shaped windows that line one side of the room.

“This couldn’t have been original to the house?” I throw out the small talk as I take in the dungeon.

“No, this was part of the extension built when Vixen’s Paradise opened.”

I didn’t want to like it, but I did. Oh, I did.

The navy walls with the high windows gave it the feel of being in a place of worship without it being ornate. My breath catches as I take in the well-made equipment. Spanking benches, a St. Andrew’s cross, a cage in the corner, all of it tugs at my heart, and I feel an ache, knowing what I missed, burying myself in a vanilla relationship for the last three years.

I needed kink.

I want to be placed over that spanking bench or cuffed to that bondage table because being a submissive is part of who I am.

I miss giving and yielding.

All day, I chase contracts, negotiating deals that change people’s lives. My throat grows dry with the longing to submit. Submit so I can turn my work brain off, and simply rest in my own self.

Every piece of equipment gleams.

“We have everything you can imagine for purchase,” Rosa says. She is standing back by the door, and I shake myself out of my wishful thinking and follow her. She makes a left and shows me the spa treatment rooms.

This place isn’t chintzy; it’s a luxury five-star hotel in the middle of nowhere, and that in itself has its own star power.

“The only thing left to see on this level is the whiskey-tasting room. To get to it, we need to go outside from these doors.” Rosa points to an exit.

“Maybe later. I want to go to my room.”

“Of course.”

I follow Rosa, retracing our steps, passing guests, bundled for the weather, on their way outside, and I follow my host up the staircase to another long hallway, the plush carpet clean, the low afternoon sunlight lighting our way.

“You are in room five, at the end of the hall.” Rosa passes me a keycard.

“Thanks for showing me around. I can tell how much you love this place.” I slip the room key into the reader.

“Yes, I do. “Everything you need is here. Please call down if I can assist you in any way.”

“Thanks.”

Rosa smiles, and I step into the room.

The room is gorgeous. The walls are the softest tone of mauve, and the king-size bed has big fluffy duvets and mauve pillows, urging me to take that nap Noel had mentioned in the car.

I open the door to the left and see a bathroom done in chrome and marble, with a simple shower. There is no need for a tub when there is a clawfoot tub under the windows. A little seating area is on the other side of the TV. The room is spacious and elegant.

I glance out the window but can’t see Gran’s property from here. My room faces the other direction.

My bags are by the closet, and I kneel on the soft carpet to open the rugged zipper. From here, I can see there are hooks above the bed and hard points on the headboards, perfect for bondage play.

I swallow past the lump in my throat as I unzip the bag to see bikinis, short skirts, beach hats, and flowy dresses.

The reality that I am not in Cozumel hits me.

I had packed a couple of evening dresses for the upscale beachside restaurant, and these, along with the stuff I bought at the airport, are going to have to do.

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