Flexing my arms, I try to pull the thick chains from the wall. The silver negates my vampire strength. The chains don't budge and my point is made. I have nothing to fear with my spouse here, but any vampire would be helpless in this position. Takes a lot of trust for one of us to voluntarily submit. I think the rewards are worth it; hopefully Liam will agree in a few moments.

Looking over my shoulder, I can better see all the players in the room. Francesca takes a step back to admire her handiwork. Rafe chooses that moment to come forward, causing her to jump back a bit at the sight of him.

"Whew! You surprised me. Where did you get the hood?" she says.

Rafe pulls himself into the scene and speaking right now would shatter the fragile spell. He jerks his head to indicate the direction of the screen but walks straight past her like she doesn't exist. The couple retreats a few feet, but they're still close enough to see the action clearly.

Rafe comes behind me, stepping between my spread legs. The rough seam of his jeans brushes up against my a.s.s as he leans in to my neck. The rustle of the leather mask is faint as he pushes it up to bare his mouth. My hair is pushed aside by a gentle hand. Hot breath warms the skin of my neck. A wet tongue traces the large vein and I moan at the sensations tumbling through me. Wetness soaks the small cotton sc.r.a.p of my panties and the scent of my arousal rises in the air.

Pushing my bottom out more, I try to grind up against the hardness I feel in his pants. Rafe steps away, wanting none of that. He wanders over to the items hanging beyond the shackles and chooses a leather crop.

"Oh my, Vivian, I had no idea the extent of the tour we'd be getting today. Bravo." Liam's voice sounds neutral but slightly taunting.

Men have an obvious "tell." I can see the rise in his pants, which contradicts the tone in his voice quite nicely.

"Shh...I want to watch," his wife says.

Francesca doesn't miss Liam's erection either. She snakes a hand down and starts to ma.s.sage the impressive bulge through his pants. Her movements are gentle and teasing. Enticing the strong master vampire to do as she requests with her actions while watching quietly.

Rafe's calloused hands guide my body into the position he desires. Turning my face to the wall, I can no longer see everyone. I rest my forehead against the cool, slate of the wall and wait. A hand runs between my open legs to test my dampness. A guiding touch on my hips tilts my round cheeks up a bit more.

The flat tip of the leather crop runs up the left side of my body, over my shoulders, and down the other side, stopping at my right knee. There's a shuffling behind me. The crop sings through the air a split second before the crack of it hitting my backside resounds throughout the room.

I whimper and push back toward the crop, asking for more.

The sing and smack of the crop fires off in a rapid three-shot staccato. A loud moan escapes my lips and the skin on my a.s.s feels like it's on fire. A gentle touch in a circular motion rubs the sting away. My treacherous hips undulate in time with the caress.

A finger pa.s.ses under the material in the crack of my bottom and slides down to the wetness between my legs. Glorious pressure pushes a thick digit into me and swirls. Wet sucking noises accompany the attention as I clench my inner walls around the invading presence. The pressure withdraws, moving past my opening to circle my erect c.l.i.t.

Smack!

A warm, solid hand makes contact with one cheek while the teasing pressure on my center drives me higher. Both hands leave my body and I pull against the chains, reaching back, eager to be touched.

"Please, just a little more?" I look back over my shoulder and see Rafe removing his hood. Dammit. Playtime is over. Now that I'm good and aroused, he's going to start "lecture mode."

"Francesca, would you like to try?" Rafe holds the crop handle out to her and beckons her closer. "You know you can't hurt her. Give it a shot."Francesca reaches out a well-manicured hand, taking the crop from him while moving forward. Her body language is eager with antic.i.p.ation and Liam watches her with heat in his eyes. Oh yeah, he's intrigued, in spite of himself.

She approaches me to my left, angling her body to the side as she looks back at Rafe. "Like this?"

Her arm goes back and whips quickly forward. A loud thwack! echoes throughout the room.

Biting down on my lip, I struggle to hold in my sounds of pleasure. I'm trying to tune out the feelings now that Rafe's no longer doing the swinging. This part, when a stranger wields the crop, is always hardest for me.

"Yes, yes. Very good," Rafe encourages. "You'll be a pro in no time."

Francesca's lips part, her tongue snaking out to wet them. Two bright pink spots appear on her cheeks.

"I want to do another."

With only her words as warning, I brace myself for the next strike. The crop zings through the air and lands across both globes at once.

Smack!

My back arches and I crumple forward to lean on the cold stone tile. My nipples strain against the fabric of my undergarment. I push and rub the peaks in a swaying motion across the rock. Clamping my legs together, I thrust my hips forward, appearing to almost dance with the wall. My body searches, seeking a release from the frenzied build-up from the crop.

Dear G.o.d, Rafe, that was a good one. Save me or I'll be screaming a peak soon.

Rafe comes forward and takes the slight tool from her hand.

"Very good. You have to always keep sight of the pleasure of the one bound. I think Vivian has had enough for today."

He places the crop back on the wall and moves to the shackles holding me in place. Unlocking one, he raises my arm to inspect it. Making sure I have no burns from the silver, he then kisses the pressure point in my wrist, tracing his tongue over the skin before pulling back.

Francesca has not had nearly enough. She turns towards her mate, stalking to where he leans against a nearby stockade.

"What do you say, Liam? Can we give it a try?" She starts to unb.u.t.ton her blouse, running her fingers down into the cleavage she reveals. Using her other hand, she takes Liam's fingers and presses them over her skirt, into the juncture between her legs.

Liam's nostrils flare, taking in the scents of two aroused women in the air. "I'd do anything you like, you know that. I had no idea this would turn you on so much."

Rafe turns me to face him, wrapping his arms around me in a hug. Are you okay to walk? I don't want to embarra.s.s you by carrying you if you don't need it.

I'm okay-give me a second.

I nuzzle my nose next to his neck, drinking in the aroma from the light sweat that formed on him during our play.

You smell so d.a.m.n good right now. It's taking all I have not to throw you down and mount you in front of them.

Rafe's hand runs up and down my back. I know, baby, I know. Let's get you dressed and leave these two alone.

We walk together toward the dressing area. Silently, we start pulling on our things. The rustling of clothes being removed from beyond the screen reaches my ears as my skirt zipper goes up. As Rafe and I steal out from behind the folded enclosure, I chance a look over at the wall.

Liam holds one arm out to his underwear-clad wife. Francesca steps up next to his nude body and reaches for the shackle.

I whisper into Rafe's mind, Looks like they are going to be fine. Let's get the h.e.l.l out of here.

We make our way to the door undetected and slip into the hall.

Once out in the bright light of the pa.s.sageway, I give myself an all-over body shake. My thong is soaking wet and I'm on the edge of full-blown arousal. Judging by the state of Rafe's erection, I'm guessing he's not far behind.

I reach down and cup him through his jeans. "Shall we go slip off into an empty room somewhere and find our own release?"

"Sounds like a great idea." Rafe raises his hand up to my breast and gives my taut nipple a hard tweak through the cashmere. "Let's go."

We make a beeline for the next door in the hall. He fumbles in his pocket for a key card, while I impatiently shift my weight from side to side.

The lights in the hall go out. The darkness is cut short by the spa.r.s.e illumination of the emergency lights kicking in. Our cell phones, clipped at our waists, start to vibrate.

Rafe and I look at each other.

The displeasure on his face mirrors my own expression.

"Christ." he rasps. "This can't be good."

I sigh as I reach for the vibrating phone. "Yeah, I'm betting you're right."

Chapter Twenty-one.

"Viv, the power is out," says an abrupt voice coming over the phone.

"Uh-huh, tell me something I don't know. And who is this?"

"Oh, sorry. It's Asa. I'm at the front desk and wondered what was going on."

"I have no idea." I roll my eyes in frustration. Why didn't the front desk tell him to call the building with the generators? "Does anyone down there have a clue?"

"No, and no one is answering from Gen-One either."

Gen-One? What the h.e.l.l? Now we have military-esque names for places I have to learn? d.a.m.n, I am not a happy camper when s.e.x is interrupted. I sigh heavily and pinch the bridge of my nose.

Ignoring his own phone, Rafe gently lifts mine from my fingers. "Asa, go down and check -then report back to us. Bring Bob from the ground crew, or Jonathan, with you. The front desk can give you their numbers and a map to the building."

I hear Asa's response from the other end of the line. "Gotcha, will do."

Rafe closes the phone and hands it back to me, but before I have a chance to clip it back in place, it goes off again. The impulse to scream in frustration is tempered with the urge to shove the vibrating bit of plastic between my legs where it will do the most good.

Rafe again plucks the phone from my grasp. You're riled up good, aren't you? Let me handle this one.

He answers the phone with one hand and places his free one on my hip. His touch is light and comforting. "h.e.l.lo?" Rafe moves his hand down and around, cupping my bottom and hauling me closer to him.

The voice over the phone is a stark reminder that we have a business to run. "Oh-Rafe? I tried reaching you on your phone first then called Vivian's. Joanna, from the MacKellan group, called to request a donor. Iona's next on the list and I see a notation here that it's her first time. As protocol dictates, I'm calling to notify one of you."

I whimper as I step back from Rafe. I've got to hold off a bit longer. I can do it.

"Consider the message relayed. She's right here. Has anyone briefed Iona?"

"Yes, she's good and her panic bracelet's in place. She's expected up at suite eight in about ten minutes."

"Let Iona know that we'll both be nearby. If she feels uncomfortable at any time, she should hit the b.u.t.ton. Understood?"

"Yes, I'll let her know."

He closes the phone, handing it back to me. Heat fills his gaze as he brushes the back of his hand across my cheek. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Considering I'm still pouty about not getting laid, I can't fathom what he's thinking. I open my mind to his, welcoming the rush of his desire as it pushes into my thoughts. I pause a moment to sort through all the delightful naked images he's got coursing through his brain, until I see what he means.

I snap back into focus, locking my own heated gaze on his. "d.a.m.n, you're good. I hadn't though of that."

He picks me up, tosses me over his shoulder and runs with breakneck speed down the hallway. Laughter bubbles up and over, tumbling from my mouth as we race toward the stairs. Leaping down the steps four at a time, his feet barely make contact. The view I have of the rug streaking by is nothing compared to the sight of his jeans-covered a.s.s working double time.

We're across the landing in seconds, my feet touching back down the instant he stops.

"This is so good, that on some level, you know it must be wrong." I'm giggling like a schoolgirl and I don't care.

Rafe puts his finger to his lips. "Shhh..." You made so much noise laughing I fear the whole lobby is looking up right now.

He eases from our spot in the reading parlor and looks over the edge of the railing. All clear. Go try the door.

I slide open the concealed panel leading to the observation room and slip inside. Rafe's right behind me, closing the door as soon as he clears the opening.

"You always monitor the first time an employee donates blood to a guest. Why should this time be any different?"

I smile, rubbing my body up against his. "Yes, that's true. But normally I do it alone."

"You blame me for wanting to watch two girls at once?" His voice sounds slightly incredulous.

"No, I don't blame you. Think you'll be this open when I want you behind me when I watch two guys?"

"As long as I get to bend you over and explore all the same spots they do, then no, I don't mind." After all, liebling, I won't be looking at them.

Good point. Let's go peep.

Three short steps bring me to the desk with the monitor. I click the mouse to animate the screen from hibernation. Rafe moves up behind me, pressing his arousal into my crop-sensitive backside. Scrolling through the room views, I stop when I get to suite eight.

Joanna walks across the room clad in only a short, pink robe. Her pert nipples show clearly through the thin silk. Shoulder-length blond hair is tied back in a ponytail, showcasing her elegant neck. She sits on the bed, with the welcome basket at her side.

Reaching in, she removes a bright pink conical device. She places the toy on the bed next to her, opening the picture book instructions it came with. Joanna moves one hand to the two small b.u.t.tons, jerking back when the cone starts to vibrate.

"This thing has sound, right?" Rafe whispers in my ear. "I'd hate to miss a thing." Pulling my hair to the side, he leans in to nibble under my ear. Short, strong teeth nip playfully at the skin. "You've got to get this turtleneck back off so I can get to you better."

Before I lose my train of thought by removing my clothing, I reach forward and adjust the sound on the Bose speakers.

Joanna's voice comes in loud and clear, in sync with the real-time video feed. "This little gadget might come in handy today." Climbing up on to the bed, she moves to straddle the vibrating cone. "Ohhh... yeah... that's nice."

I hastily remove my sweater, beyond caring if I make my hair static-y. Power pulsates beneath my skin, tingling and moving as if the energy were alive. Jonathan's strong werewolf blood still infuses me, even with the bleed-off I gave to Rafe last night.

Rafe's clothes lie in a messy pile by the door. Eager hands fumble at the back of my skirt. The metal-on-metal rasp of the zipper prompts me to wiggle my hips in an effort to be free of the article faster.

A tentative knock on the door brings my head around.

Rafe chuckles a low, throaty sound. "Darling, that's from the live feed. Not here."