Free Frisky Business by Michele Bardsley Page A

purple panties and nothing else taking pictures under a sign that read, “Purple Panty Society.” Fleeing the sight, she’d hurried into the elevator only to find herself in a stranger situation. A tall man dressed in a custom-tailored Armani suit held chains in one fist. The chains led to the black studded collars of two women, who wore only black leather thongs and very high heels. They kneeled at his feet, heads bowed.
    Unable to hold Lucius’s gaze, Claire looked around at the opulent surroundings. The décor at Bondage Bay Resort seem to be all about texture—leather ties on the velvet curtains, fluffy tassels on the silk pillows, dangling chains on the glass tables. The favored shade was black with a splashes of primary colors.
    She had been given a luxurious, two-bedroom suite. Well, it had a third room, a private dungeon, which she had avoided. Heaven knew what was in that room. Otherwise, the suite was gorgeous and sumptuous. The balcony, accessed from the living room, overlooked the beach. While the sounds of the ocean were soothing, the view was anything but … actually, it was a lot of butts. The beach was “clothing optional.”
    Nobody appeared to take the option.
    “Claire, wear the clothes. I agreed to the owner’s terms when he allowed us do the shoot.” He looked her over and grinned. “Of course, you could always go naked.”
    “Lucius.” She swallowed the knot of pride clogging her throat. She always addressed him as Mr. Devereaux, not only because it was professional, but also because it annoyed the hell out of him. Everyone else called him Lucius without regard to his position or to his millions, which was exactly what he wanted. And Lucius Devereaux always got what he wanted. Feeling decidedly unnerved, she sank into the nearest chair and breathed deeply.
    “Are you all right?” He grabbed the champagne bottle resting in a silver bucket on the coffee table. After he poured her a glass, he took the planner from her fierce grip and pressed the flute into her trembling hands. “You look ill. I hope that bastard Macintosh didn’t give you his cold.”
    Macintosh was Bad Boy’s number one photographer. He was the king of vices and loved his liquor, his women, and his cigars. He’d had a bout of sniffles this morning, but Claire knew Mac had done foliage shots and his plant allergies had kicked up. Despite his reaction to pollen, the man had never had a real sick day in his life.
    Lucius crouched at her feet, one hand resting on her knee. He watched her, a smile playing about his sensual full mouth. He was giving her an out—at least for a day or two. She could be a coward and play sick … or she could suck it up and do her damned job.
    “I’ll go to the dungeon,” she said.
    “That’s my girl.” Lucius’s eyes flashed approval. His sexy smile knocked her on her ass. No wonder women fell at his feet and begged for his favors. You are pathetic, Claire. Lucius would never settle down. Why would he pick one woman to love forever when he could have as many women as he wanted, and didn’t have to love at all?
    “You don’t trust easily, do you?” he asked softly.
    “It’s much simpler than that, Mr. Devereaux. I don’t trust at all.”
    “Why not?”
    “What are you, my therapist?” she snapped. She drew in a shocked breath. Damn it. Why did the man keep pushing her? He seemed to delight in making her lose her temper. “Forgive me. I—I shouldn’t have … that was rude. I don’t wish to discuss my life outside of our working relationship.”
    “That’s a shame.” Before she could respond, he stood up, his expression all business. “Shoot begins in an hour. I’ll meet you there.”
     
    THE ISLE OF Dark Delights caters to our guests who enjoy the high art of sexual titillation.
    The main hotel sits in the center of Bondage Bay, just steps away from our clothing-optional beach. You will find everything you need at our unique hotel, including gourmet restaurants, unique