Page 70 of A Duke for Stealing
“Certainly,” Everett replied, his smile wicked as he put the crop back and took the whip. He also retrieved a black item that looked scarier than the crop. It had a thick leather handle and had several long, loose, heavy leather straps hanging from it.
“For those that prefer more pleasure than pain, they often request a lashing with this,” Everett explained.
This surprised her.
“But it looks so intimidating!” She whispered loudly.
Everett chuckled. “Shall we try it on you and have you discover for yourself?”
Rose nodded, her wonderment growing by the second.
“My Lord Pan,” a feminine voice purred from behind them, “My it has been too long since we have been graced by your presence.”
Rose caught Everett’s frown as they turned to face the woman speaking to him.
“Fortuna,” Everett greeted, his stiff tone surprising Rose.
“You look as handsome as ever,” Fortuna purred from behind her mask.
Rose had to agree. His black-on-black suit was well-tailored, and his black mask, which covered everything but his sharp jawline and chiseled lips, added an alluring mystery to his already good looks.
“And your little pet,” Fortuna went on when Everett didn’t answer. She finally turned her eyes to Rose, and Rose bristled at the jealous spark she saw. “How very adorable she is. She must be green, though, if you are explaining our little hobbies to her. Perhaps you and I could show her some things together.”
“No,” Everett replied, his tone adamant. “Have a pleasant evening, Fortuna. I am sure you will bring luck and fortune to someone else tonight.”
Rose didn’t miss the hurt expression on the woman’s face as they breezed by her; Everett not even sparing a second glance.
Maybe he is changing. Maybe he is…different now.
Well, not completely different. She could see the glimmer in his eyes as they made their way through the other rooms. Saw how his yearning for the acts they witnessed. The question was…did she yearn for them too?
When they reached a door that had neither a red nor a black sash on it, Everett drew a black sash from his jacket pocket, tied it to the knob, and then ushered her inside. Rose was surprised at the finery of the room. The room was decorated with red and gold brocade, as well as dark wood furniture that included a rectangular table with cuffs attached, a chair, and a large bed. A fire was lit in the hearth, and light bobbed from the red candles in the sconces. What she noticed the most, though, was that this room was free of people.
Excitement coursed through her veins as the skin on the back of her neck tingled, and she turned to Everett with a look of anticipation.
“And what is this room for?” She asked.
Everett smirked as he flicked the ends of the flogger into his palm.
“This room, my Rose, is for us. Now tell me. What is it you want me to do?”
Rose drew in a shaky breath as her skin prickled with heat.
“I want you to show me what you like to do here,” she replied. “What do you- whatdidyou do with the women here?”
Everett’s green eyes glittered with satisfaction, but he remained still.
“I like to command,” he replied, his deep voice full of lust. “I like to control. However, that takes great trust or great uncaring from the woman’s part.”
Rose did care. She was caring more every day, so she knew she could not offer a lack of it.
“I trust you,” she whispered.
Everett’s smirk disappeared, and a hardened, almost primal expression took over his face. Then he nodded.
“Very well then, Rose.”
He turned then and went to the chair. He sat back, crossing one leg over the other, and braced the flogger on his knees. The crop he’d already laid on the table.
