Page 38 of Pandora's Pleasure

I’d never been envious of anyone until three minutes ago when I’d seen that woman hanging between two men, their cocks buried deep inside her. Such an experience was forbidden to me.

I would never know that level of passion. “Girls like me don’t get to have those kinds of fantasies fulfilled.”

“You’re a woman now. You can make your own decisions.” She threw back the rest of the tequila, seemingly not feeling the burn. “Stand before Damien wearing the necklace. Watch his reaction.”

“He won’t even talk to me.”

“Oh, you’ll capture his attention.”

Doubt lingered in my mind. Could I follow through with what she was suggesting?

Seeing the conflict in my expression, she shrugged. “When in doubt, kneel. Stare at his cock and then look up at him as though he’s your only salvation.”

I blushed. “The things you say…”

“Pandora.” She smiled at me mischievously. “Open the box.”

With my head held high, I strolled out of the ballroom, still feeling a buzz from the tequila. I quickly found a private corner and sank into a leather chair behind two large plants with lush, sprawling leaves, feeling grateful for a place to hide.

I clicked open my purse and slowly pulled out the velvet box, glancing up to see if anyone was watching. Then I eased open the lid.

The silver key pendant looked so pretty on its delicate chain. I ran a fingertip over the glinting diamonds that lined the setting. At the top of the key were four round circles and within each of those lay a fleur-de-lis sparkling with secrets.

Still, to me it was just a necklace.

Madeline had called it an emblem.

Curiosity had me lifting out the fine chain and securing the catch behind my neck. Reverently caressing the pendant, I nearly swooned remembering the footage I’d glimpsed.

Surely no one here would know about the necklace’s true meaning so there was no shame in wearing it. All I had to do was find Damien and grab his attention. If he responded, I’d lead him away to a more private part of the hotel. We’d get to talk properly this time and hopefully see through our differences.

He’s into all that kinky stuff…

Knowing he liked to do all those things that Madeline had shown me would probably make me blush when I saw him again. He wouldn’t know why, though—wouldn’t know I’d discovered that he liked his sex immoral, filthy and lust ridden and tantalizingly debauched.

Returning to the ballroom, I saw my parents sitting at the same table. They were deep in conversation with another couple. Pride rushed through me that they were entrusting me with such an important diplomatic mission. Letting them down wasn’t an option.

My heart skipped a beat when I realized that Damien had left.

Men like him tended to gravitate toward the quieter lounge where they could make their plans to rule the free world. I went looking for him there, and paused when I saw him.

He was speaking to his father. They were huddled close together, proving they were intent on scheming—two intimidating men of power holding tumblers of hard liquor, their private security detail not far away.

All I had to do was say a few words to get Damien’s attention and let him see the diamond studded pendant around my neck—if he actually recognized it.

Up until now, I’d believed that strong women didn’t bow before their men. They ruled alongside them. I’d been startled by Madeline’s confession—she was a dominatrix, a woman who liked to master men.

I could see myself becoming obsessed with all that erotic pleasure…coming hard like all those women in Madeline’s collection of evidence she’d pulled out for me. I shuddered while recalling each one…their expressions of lust and a wanton sexuality that I’d only fantasized about.

Damien sensed my presence.

He’d frozen mid-sip as he looked my way, his jaw slack, his eyes ablaze.

I saw a blur of movement to my right and a strong hand grabbed my arm.

“And we’re walking. We’re walking.” Theo led me out of the anteroom.

He gestured to one of the men from my father’s security team who was present in the foyer, as though to say,I have her.