Operation: Endeavor (When The Mission Ends) (22 page)

Penelope raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, I smell a rat. How did he know I brought my bike today and why exactly do I need you to take me home?”

Cassie just shrugged but there was no missing the sparkle of amusement in her in eyes.

Penelope looked back up the stairs to where Alix continued to work on the re-shelving project. “Alix has been acting funny all day, too. She’s been finding odd little jobs for me to do constantly. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?”

At that, Alix’s head popped out and she looked down the stairs. “Did I hear my name?” Her focus found Cassie. “Oh hey, Cassie. Are you here to take Penelope home?”

Penelope crossed her arms across her chest. “Oh yeah, there’s definitely a rat here and I’m guessing his name starts with ‘C’ and ends with an ‘n’.” She glared over at Cassie again. “So how did you get roped into doing his dirty work and why isn’t he here to do it himself?”

“Calm down, Penelope. He has a plan for your evening, but I don’t know what it is. Remember how upset you were yesterday. Remember how much you love the guy before you maim him. He’s trying to make things right, but he’s still a guy. He’s going to screw it up a few times along the way. Remember he’s trying, so give him the benefit of the doubt.”

Alix came down the stairs and smiled at Penelope, her lips twitching the entire time.

“You were in on this, weren’t you?”

“Yes, my instructions were to make sure you stayed here all day while he got everything set up for you. I don’t know what he has planned tonight, but I think it’s going to be good.”

A flutter of anticipation rolled through her body. What was he up to now? Both her friends were still smiling but their looks were verging on worried as she took in what they told her. She should keep them wondering after they both worked with him behind her back, but she was too excited to see what he had planned.

“Okay,” she smiled at them, “let’s go see what kind of mischief Colt’s been up to today.” She looked at Cassie. “My bike’s around back. Alix, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Well, since it sounds like you have an exciting night planned, I’ll cover for you in the morning. Sleep in, or enjoy that big brawny man doing... whatever.” She waved a hand loosely as she headed back up the stairs.

Penelope gasped. Cassie just laughed and pushed her out the door.

* * *

As they pulled up in front of Penelope’s building, Cassie stopped in front of the doors. “This is where I stop. I’ve been instructed under no circumstances am I allowed to come upstairs. He was pretty emphatic about that.”

Penelope rolled her eyes. “He’s pretty emphatic about everything.” She looked worriedly up at the building then back to Cassie. “He didn’t give you any hints?”

Cassie shook her head, but she gave a gentle smile. “I think it’s going to be good though. Don’t worry so much. Just enjoy what he has planned.”

“Okay. Thanks, Cassie. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“You better. Just remember, he’s my brother. No details!”

All the way up the elevator, Penelope considered things. Colton was a control freak. Case in point: he didn’t want Penelope to ride her bike home so he sent his sister to bring her home. Yes, most the things he did, he did out of caring, but could she live with that? Could she give up that kind of control in her life? Could she be happy later down the road when Colton was the one in charge? When he was the one making all the decisions? The answer was still no.

She took a deep breath as she reached the front door of the apartment. She didn’t know what he planned here and it made her nervous. She still needed to apologize for the hurtful things she’d said to him yesterday morning. They had a lot to work out if their relationship had a chance, but the first thing she had to do was open the door.

She took a deep breath and turned the knob.

The loft was dark as she entered, with only the flicker of candlelight illuminating the space. It created eerie, but strangely romantic, shadows all along the brick walls. There was quiet, melodic jazz playing softly over the speaker system. Penelope quickly scanned the room, but didn’t see any sign of Colton. She walked toward the lit grouping of pillar candles on the countertop and noticed several items sitting nearby including a note.

 
Dearest Mistress,

 
Your pleasure waits in my bedroom. Your wants are my wants. Your needs are my needs. I am here to fulfill your every whim, your every command, your every fantasy. Please join me.

 
Your humble servant,

 
Colton

What the hell? She looked down the darkened hall, but couldn’t see him at all. The only sign was a scattering of red rose petals that were strewn about the floor where she stood. They trailed all the way down the hall to the doorway of his room.

She looked back down at the items sitting with the note. A shiver of arousal slid through her. She trailed her fingers over the items. There was a black lace mask, several ties and bindings all in black except for a single blood red silky one, and a flogger. This wasn’t a flogger meant to incite pain. It was a vivid red color with at least a two dozen strands of silk ribbons knotted at the ends to make up the lashes. She picked it up and ran her fingers through those silky lashes. They were incredibly soft and supple. She glanced back down the hall to the bedroom. Still no noise besides the music. He had to be back there.

She looked down at her khaki pants and white button down shirt and grimaced. Not exactly sexy going on here. Colton had obviously considered this too, though, because her black spike fuck-me shoes were out, like they were waiting for her.

Shimmying out of her pants, she thanked the fates she’d actually worn a matching sexy panty and bra set today in light pink lace. She slid into the shoes and unbuttoned her shirt, leaving it hanging open. The black lace mask, tied around her eyes and she undid her hair from its ponytail so that it cascaded in curly waves down her back. Her transformation was complete. She felt sexy and powerful.

The rose petal trail led her down the hall. The glow of the candlelight flickered out into the hall from his room. Not knowing what to expect when she stepped into Colton’s bedroom, she gasped at her first glimpse of him. He was completely nude, highly aroused, and kneeling on the floor on his knees in a position of submission. The candlelight shimmered off his broad shoulders and strong thighs. A bead of sweat dripped down the hard contours of his abs. His face was directed to the floor in supplication. A flood of arousal wet her panties. Oh my. He was gorgeous and all hers for the night. She planned to enjoy this.

* * *

Colton heard her indrawn gasp as she stepped into the room and hoped it was a good thing. He was dying to look at her, but he knew that wasn’t his position in this scenario. He needed to show her that he could give her complete control. He was already so aroused just by the idea, he wasn’t sure how much he’d be able to withstand, but he’d do this for Penelope.

She’d stepped just inside the door and he flushed knowing she had to be looking at him. Please don’t let her think this idea as ridiculous. He waited and still nothing from her. No movement, no sound. He continued to look at the floor as a line of sweat dripped down his back. His hands were laced behind his back and he twisted his fingers trying to keep from looking up at her.

The smell of honeysuckle reached his nose. Her smell. His erection twitched in response.

Finally, he sensed her moving as she shifted a bit more into the room. The click-clack of her heels led to his dresser where more toys were laid out.

“You have been a busy boy, haven’t you?”

“Yes, Mistress.” He hardly recognized his own voice it had gone so deep in arousal. “I hope it pleases you.”

She hesitated and he imagined he could feel her gaze on him. “Yes, it definitely does please me.” She walked over to him and stood behind him so that he could feel the heat off her body. “Would you like to look at me, Colton?” She walked around him, but didn’t touch him. He followed the line of her long, toned legs as they entered his line of vision without moving his head. He wanted to lean into her. He wanted her to touch him so badly.

“Yes, Mistress. I would like that very much.”

“Since you have pleased me, you may look. For a moment.”

“Thank you, Mistress.” He looked up at her. He didn’t think he could become any more aroused than he already was, but he was wrong. So wrong. The candlelight casted a luminous glow over her skin. From this angle, the first thing he saw were those mile-long legs in those sexy heels he’d found in her closet. Her shirt was unbuttoned and loose so that the shirttails just skimmed the tops of her thighs. He glimpsed pink lace panties with matching bra that pushed her cleavage up. He just wanted to feast upon it. He licked his lips at the thought and heard her moan softly.

Finally, he met her gaze. She was wearing the black lace mask and it made her look mysterious and sexy as hell. Her jade green eyes shimmered from the slits, lit up with arousal and excitement. His relief was palpable as he took in her look. She was definitely into this game.

“You look beautiful, Mistress.”

“Thank you, Colton.” She walked back over to the dresser and dragged the flogger he hadn’t realized she was carrying across the toys spread out there. “I had no idea you were so kinky.”

“Only with you, Mistress.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

He shrugged and smiled at her. “You inspire me.”

“Hmm, very nice.” She picked up a blindfold. “Are you ready to play?”

He felt like he’d swallowed his tongue. “Please.”

She walked over to him and stopped in front of him. Her hand brushed over the top of his hair. He could smell her arousal. She threaded her fingers through the hair on the back of his head, pulling so that he tilted his head toward hers. She leaned down and gave him a savage kiss. It was dominance at its best and damn, he loved it. She plundered and ravaged as she kissed him. Finally when they were both gasping she pulled back from him. Her lips were swollen and wet and he wanted more, but she had other plans. Quickly she stepped behind him and tied on the blindfold.

The immediate sensory deprivation was disconcerting. After it was tied on, she leaned down and whispered into his ear, “Can you see anything?” Her warm breath sent chills down his spine.

“No, Mistress, nothing.”

“Good. Very good.” She spent a moment licking his ear and a drop of moisture dripped from the tip of his erection.

“Is the floor getting hard, Colton?”

“I hadn’t noticed, Mistress. Another hard place has stolen my ability to think.”

She chuckled low and sexy. “Is that so?” She softly caressed his dick with the ribbons of the flogger, “Yes, I can see how that might become distracting. You may stand.”

“Thank you, Mistress.” He hadn’t realized how long he’d been kneeling there until he stood and the residual pain flowed through his knees. But that thought flew out the window as Penelope’s body pressed into the full length of his and she gently grabbed hold of his balls. He hissed in surprise. There was something to be said about the arousing effects of being blind. It was overwhelming. He started to reach toward her, but she immediately sensed his intention and backed away from him. He swayed toward her automatically, but her voice stopped him.

“Nuh uh, no touching. In fact, maybe we should put some of your toys to use while we straighten a few things out.”

He tilted his head at her trying to catch her meaning. “Straighten out?”

“Are you questioning me?”

Oops, he’d slipped out of character. “No, Mistress.” He bowed his head again. “I apologize.”

“Hmm. Just see that it doesn’t happen again.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Now go lie flat on the bed on your back. Raise your arms above your head and spread your legs.” He felt a shiver of dread. He could sense where this was going. He wasn’t sure if he was more turned on or apprehensive.

He obviously wasn’t moving fast enough for her as she prodded. “Now, Colton or you will be punished.”

He did as she instructed and listened for her movements in the room. She could move amazingly quiet, considering those heels she wore. The mattress dipped as she came on to the bed. He heard the sound of metal just as she grabbed his hands. Handcuffs. She leaned over him as she secured him and he desperately wanted to arch up to touch her. That was absolutely the worst part to this game. He wanted to touch her. He needed to touch her. His mouth watered at the thought and a moan escaped him.

She must have heard his desperation. She lightly draped over half his body as she checked the handcuffs which he could tell she’d threaded through the headboard. She then ran a fingernail across his pectoral muscles, while she gave his ear and neck a nibble. This was torture. The slow, highly erotic, extremely sexy kind.

She continued to explore his chest with her hands and lips as she slowly moved down his body. The anticipation was killing him.

She shifted her weight off him, just as her lips started exploring the tops of his hips. She was so close, but then suddenly she was gone. He felt another groan, this one of frustration, escape him.