Page 24 of Midnight Revelations

She was in the kitchen, kneading dough for the loaves that were always available in the pantry. Madison nodded to the walnuts on the other side of the counter and I lifted them and brought them over to her.

“How long have you known?” I asked.

Her eyebrows rose in silent question.

“Papa said that you’re taking Cat away for a spa retreat when we’re in London.” I sat on the wooden kitchen stool and stared at her intently. “How did I miss the warning signs?”

Madison patted the dough, set it in a bowl to prove, and pushed her hair away from her face with the back of her arm. “Lucas sired you girls, but I raised each of you from the moment you were able to walk on your chubby little legs. I know your expressions and can read your moods.”

Panic flared briefly in my chest.

“You missed the warning signs because you were falling in love.” She smiled at me. “All your dreams were finally finding a place in this world between your career and the man you’ve always wanted.”

“I feel awful. Cat is my sister.”

“Cat is her own worst enemy. I’ve lost count of the times that I told her not to flirt with her security patrol. She loves to live on the edge, but sometimes it’s dangerous there.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

Madison shook her head. “I’ve spoken to Francis about it and he’s monitoring the situation.”

“I’m going to London,” I said, and pursed my lips in excitement.

“Business or pleasure?”

“Papa is going to show me how the business world works,” I said. “I’m hoping to catch up with Xavier and meet this mystery woman he’s in love with.”

“Xavier, of course you would need to schedule a meeting with him before you come home.” She gave me the look that she used when I was younger and she was my co-conspirator.

“He is my cousin.”

“Indeed.” She winked at me. “Maybe you could make some cookies before you go for the guards?”

I chatted to Madison about the new collection I was designing as we worked together. My time with Ash had inspired me to want to make a more sensual collection, one with discreet undertones. He’d talked about the Twilight Rooms and when I researched them, it was a decadent world of BDSM. I envisaged Ash tying me to our bed and ravishing me, and that led to sketches.

Technically, I couldn’t contact him unless it was work related. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t send him ideas about my jewellery…

Thick rope necklaces and links that looked like the type of chains they used in bondage starred in the collection, handcuffs instead of clasps. For the more daring, I had incorporated nipple rings with delicate golden chains linking them. I was too terrified to include a butt plug, but had sketched it in the original designs.

The more I delved into my research, the more ideas came to me. Between Ash and Jordan, they set the prices high on my designs. Some clients wanted exclusive pieces, and what said sex more than your own personal bondage equipment in gold or silver.

After I took the last batch of cookies from the oven, I went to put some finishing touches to my potential creations. I drew sensual torsos with the jewellery ideas on them, some female and some male. I’d searched male bondage jewellery and made some very interesting discoveries. I stood in front of my mirror and tried to sketch my own torso—would Ash recognise it?

Ash’s erect penis became the inspiration for my cock ring with semi-precious jewels around the circumference. Some of the images on the internet had chastity belts for men that looked like tiny bird cages. I’d save that type of adornment until I got the green light from my business partner.

The nipple designs had two versions: one for the pierced wearer, and a clamp alternative for an unpierced wearer. Years ago, we visited Pompeii and I had been fascinated by some of the architecture. The columns and amphitheatre captivated me, and Cat and I laughed at the penises carved into the streets as arrows.

I incorporated vines in the designs, as if nature herself was sensually tying the lovers together. I even included an elaborate sketch where the vines created the outline of a bra with nipple clamps. A column linked the breasts to the pelvis, where a pendant hung down from a vine with a clitoris clamp.

Papa would kill me if he ever saw the designs, but I was desperate for some form of contact with Ash, and this was business. I snapped a few images on my phone and sent them to him.

For consideration in an upcoming collection. Interest would need to be assessed as well as material costs.

I felt like kicking myself after I sent the message, but I knew he would receive it eventually and that made my panties tighten. I needed this war to be over before I broke all the rules and went to him anyway.

***

Chapter Ten

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