ate, members-only club. "Specializing in themes of dominance, bondage and a

higher. Thought highly

red to a surprisingly sophisticated website. Not

rent businesses. Subdued colors. Easy on the eyes. No pop-ups

wasn't a flashy, neon-sign-bearing business in the heart of Houston's downtown. Instead, it was a stately home in the northern outskirts of the city. B

ng to start her search? Her cursor hovered over the telephone number listed on the site

ted its obnoxious loud beeping to let her know it was still on and sh

calling the place? It wasn't like they could reach through the phone, snatch her bald and leav

her eyes. Just do it, Faith. You just want info

ialed the series of numbers. She put the phone to her ear and

l lurch when a smooth mal

ain when she didn't

from her lips. "I was calling for some information. I mean,

me?" the man as

they would know

e said, not volu

and I'll be happy to answer wh

, the thing is, you see, I'm n

let me ask yo

kay. I

ope to find at ou

loaded question

g you could possibly say that would shock me. Or make me

l a complete stranger what it was she was looki

rol. Take. Not ask. In all aspects. Not just sexually." She broke off, but still Damon wai

to be do

t in essence, that was precisely what she

Damon said gently. "A woman who knows who she is and

ed she was giddy over a phone call with a stranger who, for all she k

at that me

pointment time to come and tour our facility. Once you've seen what we have to offer, then

ot growing in her th

on't be a trip through the halls of the manor where you'll look at empty roo

uld see. Her heart did a strange pitter-patter, and she

e set it up

d to get started late around here. If you give me your e-mai

anked him for the information, and they rang off. She dropped the phone on the

small groan. She had all week to do no

r her bubbling stomach. What the hell had she gotten h

**

son said as he rounded the

put down the phone

rching his hips up, he fished in his pocket before pulling out a crumpled pack of cigarett

as he inhaled like a man

told you about smo

aith. You know I'm trying to quit. Down to just a couple a day. Pop gives

ion." She rummaged in her drawer for one of the old plastic ashtrays she kept on hand an

be a sin for any one man to be so damn sexy. Micah was a man clearly unused to being told no over a

e the

questioning. Still holding his cigarette between his fingers, he reached up and tucked his u

his forehead, pulling it tight against his head in a backward motion. When he let it go, the loose curls flopped over h

n today? Have you met

cheeks and hoped like hell her fair skin, so

esterday. Showed h

nd

asked, arching

id you

Maybe a little brooding. He should fit in well aroun

. "Just what we need. On

hings out. You and Nathan gi

has to. Nobody sho

arted giggling and raised a hand to cover h

e. "A little? You could bo

ing about?" Nathan ask

developed a fetish over Conno

pped her

Nathan asked as he wrinkled his nose

o her drawer for the air freshener. Both men coughe

t off my ass," Micah grum

y. "But in the future, I wish you

usly at his neck. A goatee framed his mouth and chin. It was in need of a good trim. Green eyes, full of mirth, rested underneath a s

ing to get a hai

snic

surprise. "What's wrong with my hair? You don't bug Mica

s good with long

d, shooting Micah

n to keep you in line. And I wish you'd hurry up

job full time," Micah said, shootin

preciate you propositioning

te and sat back in her

ous gazes focuse

sing had dropped from his voice, and now he sat forwa

s usually Connor's job. As much as Micah and Nathan l

ht amount of lightness into her voice. "It's just

his brow in si

said. "It just wasn't working. An

last thing she wanted was John to share the re

ke don't tell Con

hooted wit

vil gleam in his eye. "I won't rat you o

h in annoyance. "You'r

. "But you

've got work to do. And so do you two clowns." She checked her watch. "Pop's go

but hesitated, willing the sick nervousness to abate. When she noticed Micah

lon

tell those two lug nuts to get their asses out of your

relief nearly overwhelming

"Good morning. Things go