Page 31 of Desire

As he was driving back to Couture, he got a notification on his phone. He hit a button so it would announce on his car speakers. Queen Mab had requested dungeon time tomorrow.

Oh, really?

Well, if Emma wanted to play, she needed to be honest with him and herself. Having a little fun on Halloween was one thing, but it wasn’t healthy to hide behind a mask. If it had just been a kink, Dante would have let her keep the mask on. But this wasn’t a kink as much as it was Emma wanting to hide from him, and more importantly, her wanting to hide from herself. He would not allow that.

So he sent her instructions that she needed to come to him unmasked. Dante wasn’t sure that she would go through with it, and regret ate at him for the thought. But maybe that was for the best. Joey was walking a fragile line. Dante didn’t know if Joey could handle him hooking up with his sister.

After leaving their cars for the valet to park, Dante escorted Joey through security to get his temporary day pass and then they stepped into the soaring foyer of Couture. Joey’s eyes widened as he took in the opulent surroundings, the gleaming marble floors, the glittering chandeliers, the priceless works of art adorning the walls.

And, of course, the models.

They were everywhere—draped over plush sofas, perched on elegant chaises, sipping champagne and laughing musically. Each one was more stunning than the last, their flawless features and lithe bodies on full display in haute couture creations that ranged from the breathtaking to the avant-garde.

Joey’s mouth had fallen open slightly, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.

“Is this place real?” he asked.

“Very much so.”

“How do you get anything done all day surrounded by all this?”

“Would you believe me if I said you get used to it?”

Joey snorted. “Knowing you, you’ve got a new girl every night.”

“It was like that in the beginning.” Dante chafed a bit under Joey’s knowing glance. It had been no secret that Dante enjoyed being single and having nothing tying him down while they were in high school and college. Things were different since he took on the mantle of being a Dom. He held a lot of control over his subs and the women in his dungeon. He didn’t want to promise them anything he couldn’t give them, like monogamy. Dante didn’t want to get wrapped up in feelings and commitment. Until recently, that is. But that wasn’t something he was ready to process right now. Certainly not until he knew if Emma was just sowing wild oats or if she was looking for a permanent relationship.

As they embarked on a tour of the resort, Joey’s head swiveled around at everything: the immaculate gardens, the pristine white buildings adorned with intricate iron-work balconies, the opulent pool area—all of it seemed to dazzle him.

“Over there,” Dante pointed out, “is where the main fashion shows take place. The runway is state-of-the-art, and we’ve had some of the most renowned designers showcase their work here.”

“Hard to believe this is all near our little hometown, huh?” Joey said, still marveling at the surroundings.

“Things have certainly changed since we were kids,” Dante agreed, watching as a group of models were being prepped for an upcoming event. Joey’s eyes roamed over the models’ elegant gowns and the way they moved with practiced grace. Their makeup artists and stylists fluttered around them like hummingbirds, applying last-minute touches before they hit the runway.

“How does someone get an introduction to these ladies?” Joey asked.

“Hey, Crystal,” Dante called out, catching the attention of one of the models who Emma had helped get seed pearls for her Halloween costume. “This is Joey Hartley, Emma’s brother.”

Crystal smiled warmly, extending her hand to Joey. “Nice to meet you, Joey. We all adore your sister. She’s been such a great addition to the Couture team.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Dante could see the wheels turning in Joey’s head as he tried to reconcile the sophisticated world of high fashion with his little sister’s role in it.

“Everyone seems so happy,” Joey observed, watching as staff members moved about their tasks with efficiency and cheerfulness. He paused, taking in the vibrant atmosphere that surrounded them. “I’m glad Emma has found her place here.”

In that moment, Dante felt an odd mix of relief and trepidation. He’d managed to protect both Emma’s secret and Joey’s peace of mind for now, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was balancing on the edge of a precipice, one wrong step away from disaster. It didn’t help that Kiki was eyeing Joey like she wanted to have him for lunch.

“Let’s go and pay her a visit,” Dante said, leading him to her office.

Emma wasn’t at her desk, but Colleen and Tee were there.

“Joey, this is Colleen, the owner of Couture,” Dante said, gesturing. “And this is Tee, her right-hand.”

“Nice to meet you both.” Joey extended his hand to each of them. “This place is incredible.”

“Thank you. I wanted to provide a restful and educational retreat for industry professionals,” Colleen said. “We’re always striving to create a luxurious and unique experience for our guests.”

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