Perfect.
I spent the next hour carefully uncovering each of the mirrors and arranging them around the space, angling each one toward the chaise I’d placed in the center. Some were ornate, with wide gilded frames and glass that had become speckled and hazy around the edges with time. Others were more delicate, simple filigree or rich, gleaming wood.
The sun had ducked behind the surrounding buildings by the time I’d finished, but still shone bright enough that I wouldn’t need to turn on any of the fluorescent lamps overhead. Soft light filtered though the warped glass and I checked my watch, noting that Sara would be here any moment.
For the first time since I’d devised this little plan, I considered the possibility that she might not show up at all, and how disappointing that would be. Which was strange. Most women were easy to read, wanting me for my money or the notoriety that came with being seen on my arm. But not Sara. I’d never had to work even remotely this hard to get a woman’s attention before, and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about that. Was I honestly that much of a cliché? Only wanting what I couldn’t have? I pacified myself with the fact that we were both adults, we were both getting what we wanted, and would each move on soon enough. No harm done.
Simple.
The fact that she was a stellar shag didn’t hurt, either.
My mobile vibrated from across the room, and with a final glance around, I let myself into the lift and traveled the short ride down to the empty lobby.
Her head snapped up at the sound of the door, and my dick got hard at the sight of her standing there expectant, unsure.
Easy, mate. Let’s get her inside before we ravage her.
“Hello,” I said, bending to kiss her cheek. “You look beautiful.” Her scent was already familiar, a little something like summer and citrus. I stepped outside and paid the driver, turning back to her as he drove away.
“That was pretty presumptuous of you,” she said, lifting a brow. Her hair was smooth with just the slightest bit of wave in it tonight, the front held in place with a small silver barrette. I imagined what it would look like later, that prim little clip gone, tangled and wild after I’d f**ked her. “Especially considering I already paid him.”
I looked back in the direction of the cab before shaking my head with a smile. “Let’s just say that lack of confidence has never been my hang-up.”
“What is your hang-up then?” she asked.
“I don’t think I have one, actually. I think that’s why you like me.”
“Like is a pretty strong word,” she said, the corner of her mouth curving up into a smirk.
“Touché, devil child.” I grinned as I opened the door, indicating that she lead the way.
We were silent as we walked to the elevator and throughout the short ride up, but a new, heavy sense of anticipation seemed to pulse all around us.
The lift opened directly into the warehouse, but instead of moving inside, Sara turned to face me.
“Before we go in there,” she said, nodding toward the room, “I need you to tell me that there are no chains or, like, implements inside.”
I laughed, only now seeing how bad this looked, how much trust she was placing in me by coming here. I promised myself I’d make it worth it.
“No shackles or whips, I promise.” I leaned down, kissed her ear. “There may be a little light spanking, but let’s see how the night goes first, shall we?” I swatted her on the behind before I walked past her to lead us inside.
“Wow,” she said, a hint of color still blooming across her cheeks as she crossed the threshold.
So many contradictions.
I let myself watch as she took in the room, turning slowly. Burgundy wrap dress, legs that went on for miles and ended in sky-high black heels.
“Wow,” she repeated.
“I’m glad you approve.”
She ran a finger along the surface of a large silver mirror, her eyes meeting mine in the reflection. “I’m sensing a theme here.”
“If by theme you mean that watching you gets me off, then yes.” I sat in one of the large window frames, stretching my legs out in front of me. “I love watching you come. But, even more, I love the way you get off on being watched.”
Her eyes widened as if what I’d said was somehow shocking.
I paused. Had I misread her? To me she was pretty clearly at least a little exhibitionist, and more than a lot fascinated with the thrill of being seen. “You know I enjoy looking at nude photos of you. I know you enjoy public sex. Where have I misunderstood what we’re doing here?”
“It’s just hearing it out loud that surprised me.” Turning away, she walked around the room, looking at each mirror she passed. “I guess I always assumed other people liked this kind of thing, not me. I realize that sounds ridiculous.”
“Just because what you had before was different doesn’t mean it’s what you like.”
“I don’t think I fully understand what I like,” she said, turning to face me. “At least, I don’t feel like I’ve done enough in my life to really know.”
“Well, here you are in a warehouse, with nothing but a velvet chaise in the middle of the room and mirrors all around. I’m happy to help you try to figure that out.”
She laughed, walking back over to me. “This building isn’t yours.”
“More checking up on me, I see.”
She set her bag against the wall and took a seat on the chaise, crossing her legs. “I needed to know something outside of the gossip columns. Make sure we wouldn’t be re-creating a scene from Leatherface.”
I shook my head, laughing, surprised at how relieved I was she hadn’t just shown up blindly. “It belongs to a client of mine.”
“A client with a fetish for mirrors?”
“I don’t know how much you found in your digging,” I said. “But I have two partners, and each of us has his own area of expertise: Will Sumner specializes in biotech, James Marshall in technology. I focus more on the arts: galleries and—”
“Antiques?” she said, motioning around the room.
“Yes.”
“Which brings us to why we’re here,” she said.
“Done with the twenty questions?”
“For now.”
“Satisfied?”
“Hmmm, not yet.”
I crossed the room, bending to kneel in front of her. “You’re okay with this?”
“With you taking me in a warehouse full of mirrors?” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shrugged, in a wildly innocent gesture. “Surprisingly, yes.”