Page 35 of Stained
“I see.” Danica didn’t have to tell her that. No, really, she didn’t.
“So, this will have to do. Unless you would rather grab a hotel room? That can be arranged as well.”
“This is fine.” Alicia’s hand was still locked in hers. Danica’s grip wasn’t torturous, but it definitely wasn’t gentle, either. The things they talked about at dinner kept echoing.“Are you into BDSM, Ms. Colbert?”Alicia shivered. Was it from the breeze? Was it from those thoughts?
Danica carefully led Alicia and her pumps down the steep wooden stairs and to the dock giving access to a large, multi-story yacht, where Danica punched in a key code into the nearest security gate. The bodyguard caught up and opened the gate for the couple passing through. Alicia thanked him. Danica stopped to talk to him as well.
“Please follow us until we reach the second level. That should be satisfactory.”
“Yes, Ms. Moreau,” the man said with a gravelly voice. “Understood.”
Okay, so…It wasn’t enough that the assistants arranged her booty calls and followed her to sex clubs. Her bodyguard alsohad a front seat to the boss taking women home or to her yacht for some sexy times. What an arrangement.
They encountered a security guard at the lower entrance to the yacht. Danica exchanged pleasantries and asked him to humbly continue his duties while guests were in for the night. The guard said nothing other than to confirm the instructions. Danica and the bodyguard brought Alicia up the nearest flight of stairs, the view of the city unfolding beyond the river and the expanding bay leading to the sea.
“I’ve never been on a yacht before,” Alicia said when they reached the second level of the yacht. Danica nodded to the bodyguard, who stayed behind while the boss led her lady friend through a door. “This is fancier than I expected. Then again, you afford the fanciest, huh?”
“I afford whatever style and amenities I want, yes.” Danica locked the door behind them and turned on the nearest light. Soft yellow lamps came on, revealing a master suite complete with a king-sized bed bedecked in cream-colored accessories and an entertainment center that looked like it could host a Super Bowl party. Not too far away was a wet bar, a door leading to a more secluded deck, and a few closed doors that were probably closets and the bathroom.Do they have bathtubs on yachts?That seems silly. Nevertheless, how many people could say they bathed in luxury while on a million-dollar yacht?
Danica released her hand long enough to fiddle with a control panel embedded in the wall. Once she was satisfied with the heating and security, she closed the panel door. A simple floral painting covered it.
“Finally,” Alicia quipped. “We’re alone.”
She expected either no reaction or a dry reply. What she got was Danica wrapping her arms around her from behind and hot breath in her ear. “I’ve been waiting all evening to be truly alone with you.”
Alicia didn’t think about the guards patrolling outside.I’m gonna assume this room is soundproofed.She'd better hope it was! “You don’t get to be alone that often, do you?”
“Not until I’m in one of my chambers, no. Even then…” Danica released her, straying to the wet bar. With her jacket off, Alicia appreciated the outline of Danica’s torso through her light blue silk shirt. Her buttons were already coming undone.If we do it, will I finally see her naked?What a strange thought to have while Danica poured them both a drink. Alicia had no idea what the liquor was, but she hoped it didn’t burn too much. She barely knew what Candice’s margaritas were made from. “I usually have one or two people around. It gets lonely, otherwise.”
“People, as in your bodyguards?”
“Or other members of my staff.” Danica handed her a stout glass of brown spirits garnished with lime.
“Would you consider those people friends?”
Danica kept her eyes on Alicia as she sipped her drink. Alicia took her turn, the bitterness burning in all the ways she didn’t want.This is what I get for asking such a personal question when I have no right.
“No.”
Alicia hid her embarrassment with more of this drink. Sure, it was nasty, but it was better than facing that incredulous demeanor!
“I don’t have many friends,” Danica admitted with a matter-of-fact air that made Alicia think they were talking about social media friends and not real people. “I never have. Happens when you grow up in my family.”
Did she mean being rich and powerful? Or did she mean something about her father? Alicia couldn’t help but shiver again.
“Are you still cold? I can turn up the heat, if you’d like.”
“Oh, no…”
“You sure? Because I’d hate for you to be too cold to take off your clothes, Ms. Colbert.”
Alicia turned away, burying her embarrassment in the sleeve of Danica’s jacket. Her presence intensified.Oh, great.She had already come to call. Sure enough, Danica’s hand grazed Alicia’s hair, playing with the pins holding her bun together.
“Surely, you’re not shy around me anymore, are you?” Was that an air of playfulness to her voice? No way. “I didn’t mean right now. I suppose it’s different when we’re taking things more slowly.”
“I suppose so,” Alicia squeaked.
“Come. Have a seat. Would you like something else to drink?”
