Crash Into You (23 page)

She sighed, conceding. Reid was right. Who was she to be mad at Jace when he was putting himself on the line for her? “Sorry for snapping at you, Jace. I really do appreciate the help.”

“No problem, doll. I’m going to do all I can to help you—with everything.” His gaze met hers.

She bit her lip and nodded, getting the message and silently thanking him for not bringing up the revelation she’d made in the staging room. “So what’s the plan for tonight?”

“That’s what we were discussing before you walked in,” Reid said, buttoning the cuffs of the black shirt he’d put on to replace the one he’d lent her. “Jace chatted up one of the staff members
and found out that new sub trainees are on total lockdown tonight and won’t be allowed on the main grounds until tomorrow at the earliest.”

“Shit,” she said, her hope for finding her sister tonight plummeting. “What the hell are we supposed to do now?”

Reid shrugged. “We need to go out and be seen. Jace offered to have dinner with us and to give us a tour of the main clubhouse so we can get our bearings. After that, who knows?”

She eyed the two of them, getting the feeling that the only one who
didn’t know
was her.

An hour and two courses later, Brynn still hadn’t managed to eat anything more than a few bites of salad. Between the ball of anxiety burning in her stomach and the breath-stealing bustier, she doubted even chocolate would tempt her. They’d toured the building, and she’d seen things that would be seared into her brain forever. Some of the scenes had gotten her heated in all the right places, but others had nearly sent her into a panic attack just watching.

She needed to get this exposure therapy over with now. The anticipation alone was going to be the death of her. She pushed a baby carrot back and forth across her plate as Jace and Reid talked.

Reid speared a piece of steak. “So how serious does it get here? Is it mostly light stuff or do they cater to those who go for the extreme?”

Jace shrugged as he finished chewing his bite. “It kind of runs the gamut. But there are limits. No blood play and definitely no breath play. Grant allows a lot of things, but doesn’t want anyone messing with the deadly stuff.”

Brynn’s fork stilled, but she kept her mouth shut and let Reid continue.

“So besides that, pretty much anything goes, then,” Reid said. “Guess I shouldn’t expect any less with all the high rollers around here. No one would pay this much money to go somewhere with a lot of restrictions.”

Jace nodded. “Yeah, they cater to people who aren’t used to hearing the word ‘no.’ You’ll get to see all the bigwigs tomorrow night. There’s a Bacchanal planned after sunset to celebrate the grape harvest.”

“Oh, really?” Reid said.

“Yeah, Grant only holds it once a year, so I guarantee all the rooms and cabins will be empty tomorrow night.
No one
misses this event.”

Reid and Jace both looked at her, confirming the message. Kelsey would probably be there.

She dabbed her mouth with her napkin, and glanced at the nearby tables. They had to be careful about what they said. “Wow. A festival honoring Bacchus at a place that doesn’t let you drink alcohol.”

Jace laughed. “Yeah, I know. The no alcohol rule is important with all the stuff that goes on here. But believe me, that’s the only excess the party won’t have.” He eyed her, his face turning more serious—no doubt thinking of what she’d revealed to him in the dressing room. “But it can be overwhelming. The rules for D/s don’t really hold up in there. It’s kind of a free-for-all. Although, the safe word always applies.”

She took a long gulp of her tea, digesting the information, nerves skittering through her.

How was she supposed to survive a goddamned orgy? She was jumping out of her skin at even the simplest touch. The thought of an anything-goes night with a crowd of hedonistic strangers made her want to curl into a fetal position and hide. The panic and flashbacks would surely engulf her.

But she didn’t have time for a nervous breakdown. That was
going to be her best chance to convince her sister to come home and go to the police.

Brynn straightened in her seat, her decision made. She was going to have to do something about her fear
tonight
, prove to herself that she was stronger than what that monster did to her.

She cleared her throat. “I definitely want to check that out. Sounds like something I shouldn’t miss.”

“For sure,” Reid said, giving her a purposeful nod. “We’ll be there.”

Jace smiled. “Great.”

Reid glanced down at her plate. “Sugar, you’ve barely touched your food. Do you want me to order you something different? We’ve got a big night ahead of us. I can’t have you fading on me.”

She set down her glass, his subtle warning setting her on edge, but she pushed forward with her plan. “I don’t need anything else. I’m ready for whatever you guys have planned.”

Reid lifted an eyebrow. “
Whatever
is a broad word, Brynn.”

She took a breath.
I can do this
. Once upon a time, she’d loved this man, trusted him, and had enjoyed some seriously hot sex with him. She needed to keep that last thing in the front of her mind. Maybe if she could hone her focus onto the physical, indulge the part of her that was still hopelessly attracted to him, she could block out the fear that threatened to undo her and enjoy herself.

“I know, Master.”

Reid grinned, wickedness glinting in his eyes. He rose from his chair and dropped his napkin on his plate. “Jace, why don’t you head to the nightclub area with Brynn and I’ll meet you? I’m going to have them box up dessert to take with us.”

Jace stood and Brynn downed the rest of her drink before getting up to join him, wishing it was some of the wine the vineyard produced instead of iced tea. She’d kill for some liquid courage tonight.

Jace slid a hand onto the small of her back as Reid strode off. “Come on, doll. Let’s go join the reindeer games.”

She bit her lip, but let him nudge her forward. As they passed another table, a man reached out and stopped Jace. “Hey, Jason, I didn’t realize you were going to be here this weekend.”

Jace shook the man’s hand and offered a polite smile to both him and the scantily clad brunette who kneeled on the floor next to his chair. “Hi, Davis. How’s it going?”

Brynn’s insides chilled as the name and familiar voice dinged bells inside her. She ventured another look at the man’s face and then quickly dropped her gaze. Shit. Davis Ackerman, her old boss, and now current city councilman. Just what she needed—yet another person seeing her half naked and collared. She dipped her head down even farther and hoped the man had a bad memory.

“I’m here, so I’d say it’s going excellent,” Davis said. “And I wanted to thank you for getting that order to me so quickly. I’m really happy with everything.”

Jace absently rubbed Brynn’s back, and she sensed he was itching to move on from the conversation. “Glad to hear it.”

“Pretty sub you have there tonight.” Davis’s tone made it sound like he was admiring the night’s dinner specials. “Are you two looking to join up with anyone?”

Ugh. Not in this lifetime. The thought of that man laying a finger on her made her soul shudder. Jace’s palm moved to her hip as he gathered her closer. “Sorry, Davis. I appreciate the offer, but we actually have plans with someone else tonight. I’m sure you’ll be able to find an available couple in the group room, though.”

“Ah, oh, well. Maybe we’ll see you at the festival tomorrow night.”

The men exchanged good-byes, and Jace hustled her away. “Sorry about that, doll. Davis hasn’t gotten any less annoying with age, but I’d be stupid to get on a councilman’s bad side. Plus, he’s a steady customer at the store.”

“You think he recognized me?”

“Nah, he’s so drunk on lust for that chick he’s with. He wouldn’t be able to pick his own wife out of a lineup right now.”

She grimaced. “He’s married?”

Jace sighed. “Unfortunately, being single isn’t one of the requirements for membership at The Ranch.”

A sound of disgust escaped her. Thank God that’s not who her sister was paired up with.

Jace gave her a rueful smile as they exited the restaurant and headed down one of the unnaturally quiet hallways. “I know it’s not right, but it is what it is. At least you don’t have to worry. Both of your men tonight are footloose and fancy-free.”

Her steps stuttered.
Both?
“What?”

He paused outside a set of double doors and turned to her. “Brynn, before we go in there, I want to make sure you’re okay with this. Reid asked me to join you guys tonight.”

Her eyes widened.

“I know, shocked the shit out of me, too, because you know how he is. And don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely a willing participant, but if you don’t want that or think it’s going to freak you out, tell me now. I know you haven’t told Reid what you’re going through, but I know he wouldn’t want to do anything that’s going to scare you.”

Both of them.
Both of them
. Her heart hammered in her chest, but the rush of adrenaline didn’t feel like fear. No, this rush was something
totally
different. After a few moments, she nodded. “I’m okay. I trust you guys.”

“You know what to say if anything goes wrong.”

“Yep.”

“Okay,” he said, giving her a smile that suddenly seemed more than friendly. He pushed through the double doors, and pounding dance music drowned out her question. He bent close to her ear and shouted, “Come on, doll. Into the den of inequity we go.”

She grabbed his hand and followed him through the throng of people on the dance floor. Couples and groups of every possible makeup—some clothed, some not so much—bounced and writhed to the pulsing beat. Hands and bare skin brushed against her as she and Jace were absorbed into the crowd. The scents of sweat and sex enveloped her, and despite her racing worries, her body jumped to attention.

She mentally grabbed on to that physical sensation—that’s what she needed to focus on. She closed her eyes, centering herself, drawing herself down into her senses and into an almost meditative state.
Nothing exists outside this moment. This room. All you need is what your body feels.

A hot hand cupped her ass and jolted her from her internal chanting. She turned her head to tell whoever it was to back off, but Reid’s confident smirk greeted her. “Keep moving.”

Once they made it off the dance floor and to the fringes of the room, the music faded to a manageable volume. Jace found the last open couch. “This’ll work.”

Brynn frowned at the small love seat. No way would the three of them fit on that. Hell, was she going to have to kneel on the goddamned floor again? Jace sank onto the dark brown leather, and after setting a paper bag on a nearby cocktail table, Reid moved past her to take the other spot. She huffed. Guess “ladies first” had no application in this world.

She sighed and started to kneel, but Reid’s hand circled her wrist. “Plenty of room for you on my lap, sugar.”

Her heart skipped a tick as he patted his leg in invitation. She used to love being on Reid’s lap. Back when she’d felt like her whole world was balancing on the edge of a dime, his embrace had made her feel cherished, safe. But right now, she doubted his intent had anything to do with safety.

Before she could respond, he dragged her closer and pulled her onto the tops of his muscular thighs. With ease, he shifted her
whole body until her ass was in his lap and her legs were draped across Jace’s. “There, that’s better.”

She looked back and forth between the two men and wet her lips. “But, I’m taking up Jace’s space, too.”

Reid ran the backs of his knuckles along the outside of her exposed leg, sending shivers along her skin. “I don’t think he minds.”

Jace’s eyes followed Reid’s movements. “Not at all. The view is mighty fine.”

Reid’s palm slid toward the inside of her thigh, and he parted her tightly closed knees, spreading her until Jace could most definitely see up her skirt. “Don’t be shy, sugar. You were ready to take Jace on as your dom last week, so I know you’re not opposed to letting him have a little fun with us.”

She couldn’t help the swift heat that nestled between her legs. Maybe staying focused on the physical wouldn’t be a problem. She turned to Reid, her brows knitted. “What happened to your no-sharing policy?”

He gave a soft chuckle, even though something akin to pain flashed in his eyes, and kissed the spot below her ear. “Back then I was young and stupid and thought I was in love. Now that it’s just sex, I don’t mind sharing.”

She scoffed. Sure, he’d been in love with her—so in love that he’d been cheating on her the whole time they were together. What a stand-up guy.

Reid frowned and pushed a stray hair away from her face. “But, we’re leaving the past behind while we’re here, right? Let’s not let that taint the experience of ‘getting this whole sex thing over with.’ ”

She opened her mouth to respond, but his finger pressed against her lips.

“Shh, relax and keep an open mind, Brynn. I promise if you do that, this will be way better than a dentist appointment.”