Beyond the Masks Read online

  David’s jaw dropped as he snatched it from her hand. “You’ll look like a goddess in this, doll! Mine is more masculine in the face. And no lace.” He continued to inspect the mask. “They have three different colors. White for submissive, black for dominant, and red for switches.”

  “I guess that’s a good way to maintain anonymity while letting the other members know who they can approach,” she said simply.

  “Exactly.”

  Removing the white satin gloves, she tried them on. Another layer of armor sparked awareness within her. Power rushed through her blood.

  “You were made for those.” And she couldn’t agree more.

  The platinum keycard, inscribed with Star, flashed in the light when she held it. Her alias. It held fire and promise. Her transformation had begun.

  “What’s this?”

  “Your key into The Resort, but it also allows access to certain rooms. It’s pretty fabulous. When you swipe your card to enter a room, your limits display on a flat screen monitor. This way each member can immediately understand each partner’s boundaries.” He shrugged. “A safety measure for the club, but I like to think it helps the members not lose the moment.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

  She giggled, removing the gloves and placing the items back in the box. “This is truly high end; seems like they thought of everything. Now I know where my costly membership fee went. Am I paying you too much?” She winked.

  “Nonsense.” He puckered his lips for a kiss.

  She grabbed his face. “Muah! God, I love you. What would I do without you, huh?”

  “Probably look like an average hag in terrible clothing.”

  “So not true.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “Seriously?”

  “Whatever. What would you do without me?”

  “Not possible. Wouldn’t even think about it.”

  She shook the thought from her mind. “Okay. What’s next?”

  “How about food and bingeing on the Real Housewives?”

  “Fine.” She sighed rising from the couch. “But I get to pick the restaurant.” Her phone pinged.

  G: Dinner this week?

  Confusion twisted her face. Discomfort shot down her spine as warning signals blared in her ears.

  “Who is it, doll?”

  “Gavin. He wants to get dinner.”

  “Oh boy.” He rolled his eyes.

  “What do you think it means?”

  “Maybe he wants to talk about the Digmore deal. His assistant, Tasha, mentioned something about it last week. It’s most likely nothing.”

  “You say it as if it could be something,” she said with panic.

  “Based on your last interaction with him, I mean, honestly, doll, he did come off a little strong. Don’t you think?”

  “Sure, but I think I’m twisting things in my head.” She re-read the text.

  “True, but you ordered the ball and chain. By the way, it came in the mail last Friday.” He grinned. “Time to attach him to it.” She laughed. “Don’t look too much into it. He’s most likely being proactive.”

  “I guess you’re right. God, I need to get laid.”

  Gavin probably wanted to review the contract. Proactive. She was a professional and could push their interaction aside. Her nerves awakened, blood rushing south. A gorgeous male and the right amount of demanding. Maybe she was wrong about him being a misogynist. Snap out of it, Shane! Her longing to be with someone overpowered her need to stay in the game. It was making her crazy.

  “You said it, not me,” he said.

  “Ha-ha.”

  S: Yes. Have Tasha set it up with David.

  “When Tasha calls, book it at my usual place.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He saluted.

  The SUV moved through traffic on her way to Tribeca. As the vehicle passed each block toward the restaurant, Shane rang her hands together as palpitations swept her heart.

  “You can do this. He’s your employee. Not the other way around.”

  A meal with Gavin was out of character; however, she did require a debriefing of the Digmore account so they could come up with a plan to win him over. But why dinner? This could be handled in the office.

  Unless… A wave of hot excitement drowned her nerves. Was he interested in her? She sank into the leather seat, ashamed her body had betrayed her. Attraction now brewed for her aggravating Talent Director. No denying the energy had shifted in her office. Her normal professional persona had evaporated. He’d stolen it from her. Or had she given it to him? She covered her face with her hands.

  An automatic response had occurred. He’d triggered her submissive button. Dusted it off and—pow!—she didn’t know what hit her. Maybe he hadn’t noticed. Who was she kidding? He’d noticed all right. His final words rang in her head like a bell.

  You have everything to prove to me.

  The SUV stopped at her favorite sushi place in Tribeca. Shane smoothed on her lip-gloss and powdered her face. War paint. Bring it on, Gavin.

  The hostess greeted her as she entered. “Ms. Vaughn, welcome. Let me take your coat.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Your guest has already arrived. Right this way.”

  She followed the hostess through a corridor and down a flight of stairs, stunned to learn Gavin had beaten her there. By arriving early, she had hoped to set the tone.

  Thankful to be at her usual place, the calming décor centered her. Rich hues of gold, cream, and red surrounded the room. A several ton Buddhist bell hung from the ceiling. She narrowed her eyes as they passed by the Buddha ice sculpture. You knew didn’t you, O Enlightened One. What are you up to?

  They rounded the corner and Gavin sat in a channel-back booth with a drink in hand.

  He observed her. She stumbled slightly at the intensity of his blue eyes.

  “Hello, Shane. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.” He stood and guided her toward the booth, a hand at the small of her back, his touch so warm it scorched through the fabric of her dress, and her lady parts tingled. Jesus.

  “Gavin.” Sliding into the booth, regret edged her body. Requesting a regular table wouldn’t have been so…intimate.

  A dirty martini called to her from the table.

  “I already ordered. This will allow for less distraction.”

  “Okay,” she said slowly. The dominant advance wasn’t lost on her. Jacob used to do the same thing when they dined, indicating a wicked promise to an evening well planned. She gripped the edge of the table as control slipped through her fingers. “Where are we with the Digmore signing? I read over the contract and have a few ideas.”

  He leaned back with a smirk. His eyes darted down her form and back up. “Do you?”

  “Yes. First off—”

  “Let’s hold off on business, Shane,” he interrupted smoothly. His baritone voice surged sensually through her blood.

  She tasted her martini. The salty warmth of the vodka calmed the rising tide of desire. “Let’s get it out of the way.”

  “The deal works as is.”

  “You’re missing the sign-on bonus.”

  “We don’t offer those any longer. It’s not competitive and is a waste to our bottom line. Especially with an artist as green as Ryan.”

  Sharp confidence rolled from his tongue, but his body remained relaxed. Typically, if Gavin disagreed during business discussions, his body flexed in a tight mass of muscle as hard as stone. She’d observed the stance a million times during team meetings. It meant the negotiation was over. But his relaxed state presented an opening to contest his reasoning.

  “I don’t care if the market isn’t doing it; Omega is.”

  “You’re gripping the bat too tight.”

  “What’s important to Ryan?” she asked. Even if she was gripping the bat, the handle wasn’t splintering her palms.

  “Not sure what that has to do with the bonus.”

  “It has everything to do with it.” She struck a finger onto the tabletop. “Ryan comes f
rom nothing. He’s a traveling artist who’s built a fan base performing the bonfire circuit at music festivals. If not for the girls at those concerts, he wouldn’t have a following. He lived off selling his albums and bracelets made from broken guitar strings. The man has nothing to lose.”

  His jaw tightened. No musicians came through Omega without her knowing their histories and motivations. To win the best, you had to be the best. And how to achieve it? Through preparation and patience. And she lived it, every damn day.

  “And?” He sipped his drink.

  “And? He could use the cash. Without it, he’s signing away his freedom and the copyrights of his albums to a money hungry corporation. And why would he?”

  “Fame and stardom, Shane,” he said plainly.

  “Wrong. He takes care of his sister who’s been disabled since birth. That money can help her.”

  “Bravo, Shane.” He clapped twice. “Aren’t you the saint?”

  “Don’t mistake the motives for sainthood. I play to win.” She fished an olive from the martini, popping it into her mouth. His gaze traveled to her lips and back to her eyes.

  “And so do I.” A smile twitched at the side of his salacious mouth.

  A flood of liquid pooled between her thighs. How did he do it? One phrase and she would abandon her CEO identity and get on her knees. A blush traveled up her neck.

  “Are we on the same page? With the signing bonus, I mean,” she reiterated.

  He rested an arm over the back cushion and slid closer. The small space closed in further, the air thick with raw sensual tension.

  Turning his body, his tan jacket fell open, exposing suspenders, and his blue oxford hugged his torso. Shadows underscored the ripped muscles hidden under the fabric. She bit her bottom lip then compressed them together.

  “More or less.” His patience stirred her. Where was the shark she knew? “I had time to think about this arrangement. Working side by side.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Wait.” The thickness in his voice reverberated a million pin prickles under her skin. Her ears dialed into it. His assertive tone. His dominant authority crumbled her defenses.

  “It wasn’t ideal, but you showed me something.”

  “Really?” She sat back and crossed her arms.

  “You understand business a different way. You don’t attack your prey; you swim with them. You mentioned it in your office and demonstrated it now with Ryan. It appears you look at the benefit for all parties involved.”

  She turned, resting an elbow on the seat back. Perhaps he did understand her business and personal missions.

  “A solid observation. But you sound uncertain.”

  He flicked his eyes back and forth, obviously dissecting her presence. “Not uncertain. Surprised. You’re a good person.”

  Her cheeks heated. He’d discovered the layer she kept hidden from the industry.

  “Not sure what you mean.”

  His gaze seared. Before he could dig deeper into her tough exterior, she snagged her beverage and downed the liquid.

  He scooped the glass from her hands set it on the table. “Don’t hide, Shane. Look at me.”

  Her oval-shaped hands fell into her lap. What happened? An instinctive reaction rooted itself inside her. She wanted to obey. Like a hairpin trigger on the gas, her mind veered toward a detour, missing the exit ramp to sanity and control.

  His finger tapped the table unhurriedly. Each union with the tablecloth prodded her submissive button over and over again. The inner struggle to obey resembled a nerve on fire, an aching hunger to be satisfied.

  She closed her eyes. He didn’t command her, and damn him if he thought he could. She had a choice. Look at him or not. Do it with strength or wonder. What would she see? The curiosity compelled her chin upward.

  There she met the face of desire beyond anything she’d seen from him. Straight nose and rigid jawline meant to tackle the world without apology. His generous lips used to speak with determination, yet designed to kiss each inch of a woman’s body. Her lips parted. And were his eyes always that shade of blue? The stormy sky would be jealous of the fierceness brewing behind them. Slanted brows hovered with intent as his eyes penetrated her true identity.

  A rumble came from his chest. An acknowledgement of a long-sought-after discovery confirmed. She rubbed her moist palms on her sheath dress. His dominant dance—deliberate or otherwise—made her imagine how he would fuck her and tell her how he wanted his dick sucked.

  The waiter brought their order, and Gavin broke the silent code passing between them. He pinched a piece of sashimi between two chopsticks. Placing it in his mouth, he chewed slowly, rolling it around his mouth, clearly appreciating the delicate flavor. God, it was sexy. With a mouth like his, he could savor more than his food.

  “Would you excuse me for a minute?”

  The dinnerware clanged when her knee hit the table. Shit! She needed air. Her office enemy had chipped away years of armor in a moment. He wouldn’t make this working arrangement easy.

  Her heels clacked on the metal stairs and down the hallway to the ladies’ room. She threw her purse on the counter and turned on the cold water. Redness flushed her cheeks as she stared into the mirror. The cool water on her hands did nothing for her alarming desire.

  “Keep it together, Vaughn. Nothing’s changed. He’s still the same smug prick.”

  She dried them and ran her cool fingers down her cheeks and around the back of her neck. It’s okay. Years of no male contact had its consequences. She smoothed her emerald sheath dress, squared her shoulders, and headed back to the table.

  She slid into her seat, armor replaced. “Sorry. You were saying?”

  “Here try this.” He selected a piece of sashimi. Cupping his hand underneath the fish to keep the sauce from dripping, he moved it to her mouth.

  He offered a challenge for power, so she humored him. Let’s reel him in a little and see how far we can go. Taking the salmon into her mouth, the texture rolled around her tongue. A sound of enjoyment escaped her. A smile capable of melting any woman who encountered it widened on his tempting lips. Bingo.

  Clearing his throat, he set the utensils down. “Where were we?”

  “Unity and benefits for all parties.”

  “Right, your way of handling the business.” He paused to gesture her way. “The industry moves at a fast pace, and we’re all working toward the same goal. Business can be done easier and without error when people work together. A unified front, if you will.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “I agree to partner with you, Shane.”

  She chuckled. “It wasn’t a choice.”

  “It’s always a choice.” Her mouth opened, and he held a finger up to silence her. He continued, “In order for me to do that, I need to know you on a personal level. You’re guarded and for good reason.” His eyes softened. “By growing our bond outside of work, we can become a force professionally.” His fingers lightly danced along her bare shoulder. Her body went from warm to boiling.

  No telltale sign of attraction or deceit existed. The ministrations on her shoulder stopped; the loss jolted her to forge ahead. The vibrations of desire from hardly a touch begged the question: What would it be like if there was more? Maybe roping in her enemy would have its perks.

  “Okay, Gavin. What are you like outside of work?”

  He shook his head and smiled. “Tell me about your family, Shane.”

  She bit back the urge to control the conversation. “My mother lives outside the city near my brother, Evan, and sister, Melody.”

  “And your father?”

  “He’s gone. Died a few years ago.” She popped the last olive from her empty glass into her mouth, the bitter flavor matching her response.

  “I’m sorry. That must’ve been tough for you.” Another sultry bite of sushi rolled in his mouth.

  She snapped out of her trance. “Um, yes, it was hard on all of us. But life goes on.” Shifting in her
seat, she flipped the switch. “And you?”

  He snickered. The chopsticks clinked on the plate. “I’m my own family.”

  The smooth, charming Gavin shut down, and his walls came up. Was he uncomfortable? Delight filled her. “Why?”

  “It’s not important,” he dismissed, wiping his mouth with a linen napkin. “All you need to know is it doesn’t affect my work.”

  Her eyebrows arched at the sting in his tone. She’d hit something dark and personal. “It’s important if we are, as you say, to create a bond.”

  His chest rose and fell. Jaw rolling. “Tell me about your siblings.”

  His pawn moved forward in this chess match. A story existed there, and she vowed to find out more.

  “Fine. Evan, is a blue-collar guy, like my father was. Owns his own body shop, fixing cars. And Melody is a teacher.”

  “You come from a struggling family unit?” he asked bluntly.

  “Struggling? Quite the assumption. Just because my family worked for everything they achieved, doesn’t mean we struggled,” she said with disgust.

  “I’m only saying, your life couldn’t have been easy to get where you are now.”

  “Let’s get something straight. I wouldn’t change a thing about what got me here today. My parents showed me the value in hard work and how to love each other along the way.” She glared at him. “And what about you, Mr. Mayne? By your reaction, I assume you came from wealth?”

  A flash of anger swept his stormy blue irises. “I did. But it didn’t shape me.”

  “Maybe not the wealth, but the family did. Everyone’s past shapes them in some way.”

  He busied himself with the Kobe beef selection from the platter. It was clear he didn’t like where this conversation was headed. She softened as her hand rested on his forearm.

  “You show a great deal of accomplishment and pride. Like perhaps your family forced you to make it on your own.”

  His eyes focused on her hand. Checkmate. He swallowed down the last of his drink. Her hand fell back into her lap. For long moments, the only sound came from the passing waitstaff and the low murmur of guests seated around them.

  “Am I close?”

  “How do you do it?” The question was so low she thought she’d misheard it.