Engles smiled, sipping his drink as he returned Reyes’s glare. “Of course. That’s the Starlin way. But as you know, sharing is encouraged. You’re an ambitious man, Reyes, so I hope you take the hint.” Angelica heard the latent challenge in Engles’s voice as their host pivoted, waving them forward. “And now, if you’ll follow me.”
Reyes addressed her mind-to-mind. Stay behind me. I plan to keep a lot of space between the two of you.
Good idea. I might knee him in the balls, if he’s not careful.
Reyes laughed quietly and some of the tension left the moment.
As always, it wasn’t a quick march to move in stilettos.
Engles guided them down the stairs where the main party had gathered last time, then through a bank of glass doors that led to a small garden and a shallow but very long rectangular pool that appeared to be about eight inches deep.
Some sort of table, draped with dark-green silk, rested on a platform in the middle of the pool. Four wood posts, intricately carved and dangling with strips of multicolored silk, rose from each corner of the table.
We’re going to do it there? Angelica shuddered.
Actually, this is more than I could have hoped for.
Why do you say that? It looks so exposed.
Reyes glanced at her, holding her gaze briefly. Because the pool surrounds the table. It’s clear to me that this will just be a performance, that engagement won’t be expected.
Angelica wanted to take his hand. Is that what you’ve been so worried about?
Of course.
Engles stood on the pathway to the right of the pool and opposite the platform. He extended his hand in the direction of the table. “Scorpion has already arrived, but will remain hidden behind a layer of disguise. He may call out commands, in a voice that will be modified to sustain his hidden identity. You are expected to obey whatever he asks. I will be required to do the same, and Reyes, you would be wise to obey us both.”
Without giving Reyes a chance to respond to this speech Engles turned and snapped his fingers. The lighting within the pool shifted from a soft white glow to a sensual red. At the same time, music floated through the air, a soft jazz with a blues undertone, very sexy.
Nervous, Angelica said, I take it Engles is setting the mood for us.
Always a thoughtful host. Reyes glanced around.
At least there’s no spotlight. Somehow I expected there to be lights blazing over us.
Reyes turned toward her and made a pretense of gathering up the slack in the leash as he met her gaze. You’re doing fine. My problem is that if Engles doesn’t stop smirking I’m going to break his face into about a thousand pieces.
I’d buy a ticket for that show.
Reyes cleared his throat. You’re going to make me laugh again.
Sorry.
And keep your head down.
Angelica obeyed. The part of her that was all nerves wanted to crack jokes, but Reyes was right. Laughter would not serve. I’ll be good now and I’ll do my absolute best.
I know you will. Now step up on my foot. I’m going to fly us to the platform. Wouldn’t want your shoes to get wet.
Angelica bit her lip. Hey, it’s not fair if you try to make me laugh. They were both nervous.
###
Reyes held out his arm to Angelica, and just for a moment, as she slid her arm around his neck and he drew her against him, he pretended he wasn’t about to put her through hell again.
Slowly, he took her into the air, landing on the platform just to the side of the table.
Engles disappeared into the shadows, probably behind his own Ancestral layer of disguise.
Reyes could no longer see him at all.
He tried to warm up his vision, to see what was there beneath a tall shelf of rock, but more than one layer of disguise prevented him.
“Thank you for obliging me, Reyes.” The voice that spoke sounded several pitches deeper than normal, with a metallic overlay.
Scorpion.
“As you are a new member, I’m sure my invitation for a private sex performance shocked you, but I confess I’ve been watching your career with interest, especially over the past year. You’ve provided me with ample entertainment as you used a variety of slaves in a number of our clubs.”
So this was Starlin’s founder and primary owner, the one who called the shots.
Reyes drew his shoulders back, refusing to be intimidated. “You’ve spied on me, then.”
“Of course. Were you expecting anything less?”
“I suppose not. I knew you had your men watching me, but I didn’t know you took such a personal interest in your members.”
“Always, since I can’t take the chance of letting anyone in who might not fully appreciate all that we do. And now, you may begin by telling your slave to undress.”
He turned to Angelica. Removing the collar and leash, he tossed them on the wood floor that supported the platform.
“You’ve heard the command, slave.”
Mind-to-mind, he gave her more specific instructions. Strip slowly, moving the negligee up from the bottom, and just as you said, this is more theater than anything else. I’m going to touch you at the same time. Stay focused on me.
I understand. The music helps.
She lifted from the hem.
Using the flogger, he tapped her hips. “Dance for me, slave. Make me want you.”
She began to grind slowly to the music, and for a moment he stalled out. The sight of her landing strip coming into view as her pelvis rocked and her h*ps swayed did him in. She was a beautiful woman with soft, voluptuous curves.
She began to turn to the music, moving in a slow circle, so that after a few beats her h*ps and bu**ocks were on display and swaying.
He cupped her bottom and squeezed. Just keep lifting the negligee.
Reyes, what you’re doing feels so good. She gyrated with her hips, swirling, then tilting her pelvis, rocking several times.
Angelica, my God, you can move.
Thank you. I’m thinking about you, Reyes. About what you did to me last night.
For a brief moment he forgot the performance. All he saw was Angelica’s sensuality. Images of making love to her several times the night before rolled through his mind.
He stepped away from her and savored the way she finally lost the negligee, letting it drop near the leash and collar.
The metallic voice filled the air. “Bend over the table face-first, slave, and spread your legs.”
Reyes froze. You okay with this?
Angelica didn’t respond. Instead, she moved with a sexy sway of her h*ps toward the table. She lowered herself slowly, stretching out until her h*ps connected with the side of the platform. In slow, measured sidesteps, again in time with the bluesy music, she parted as she’d been commanded. Still thinking about you and what you did to me the last time I was in this position. Remember?