18
Tom was right on time to pick her up. But she had delayed the packing and arrangements of her things and by the time she had gotten Larry to hurry up too, it was late into the night.
“I suppose we would have to wait till tomorrow now since there are likely no more flights at this time?” She said smugly feigning regret.
“Actually we will be taking Mr. Madden’s jet, ma’am,” Tom said watching her carefully.
Of course, he has a private jet! He was Nathaniel Madden after all. Well, there would be other ways to punish him.
Nate had sent her the suite number he reserved for their stay in Mainland. Larry was going to stay with his friend but she was hoping she could get Nate to get him a room close to theirs because she needed support from her agent and best friend. She had called Mabel and told her about the freelancing leaving out the detail about Nate and Mabel had been thrilled and wished her luck. Then she called Ben who was also elated and promised to keep mum about this new opportunity, after all, you never know who was still out to get her. He also gave her the latest gossip in the firm. There were speculations about Dana he wanted to tell her but he was called away before he could.
"I have to go, talk to you later, luv,” he said quickly before cutting the call.
Tom was loading her three suitcases into the car unfazed by their weights. She had purposefully packed extras. Let’s see what pushes, Nate Madden’s buttons she thought to herself.
Larry was thrilled. It was the first time he ever got to live crème de la crème, especially in a private jet that had all the comfort the business ticket couldn’t buy them. He sipped champagne from the bar and flirted with the hostesses one of whom Rachel christened Googly Eyes because she wouldn’t stop staring daggers at her. By the time they lifted off, it was nearly midnight and Mainland was 7 hours away.
Rachel listened as Larry rambled off orders; what she would wear, who she would meet, she had to get a camera to take pictures that would be submitted with the article, there will be time to hire a professional cameraman later. Larry even had a recommendation for her. As she listened, Rachel’s mind was unsettled. She couldn’t stop thinking about Nate.
Once they landed on the strip and were welcomed to Mainland Tom wheeled their bags away. She got curious glances from the workers who came in to clean the jet and why not? She was Nate’s new plaything. How many others were there in the past? She didn’t want to think about it as Tom drove them to Emerald’s Elite. Five years ago when was still working for the college newspaper, she had gotten a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that every student wished for to witness the grand opening of the first new electric train station. She had stood across the Emerald’s Elite hotel and told her companion from the school newspaper. “I will lodge there one day.” He had laughed at her because everyone knew she was an orphan and Mabel was the only one struggling to see her through college.
Yet here she was getting out of a sleek black car in front of the famous hotel. The receptionist was quick to call a bell boy to get her bags.
“You are Rachel Rivers! I am a huge fan.”
Rachel didn’t doubt her. She probably saw a hundred celebrities a day yet she recognized her.
“I’m glad you’re staying at the Emerald’s Elite. Maybe I could get your autograph before the fashion week is over?” she was talking hurriedly now since a line was beginning to build up behind Rachel.
“Sure, honey,” Rachel smiled.
As they made their way to the suite with the bellboy in front Larry made a snorting sound. “Everyone knows the star, no one knows the agent behind her.”
Rachel parted his shoulder. “Don’t be jealous Larry darling.”
“This way to the suite ma’am,” the bell boy said as soon as they came off the elevator.
It was lovely. It overlooked the beautiful crystal Jonah River and beneath it, the city sparkled yet there was enough privacy for her to pull the curtains apart and breathe in the beautiful morning air. It was wonderful. The bathroom held a Jacuzzi bigger than the one she and Jacob had shared. There was a walk-in closet where she put her bags.
She ordered fresh orange juice for herself and some wine for Larry while they sat and talked about the plans for the fashion week. Larry was going to act as her publicity agent and get her to do some shoots. Luckily she had gotten some of the latest designs from the brands participating in the fashion events.
Sometime in the afternoon while they were lost in their conversation a key card slid into the keyhole and the opening door interrupted their conversation.
It was Nate. Dressed in golf shorts and a white t-shirt with grass marks on it and a baseball cap he looked like he had just walked off the green lawn rather than from an airplane.
“Hi,” Rachel said, all her planned courage suddenly leaving her. She wasn’t wearing the pantyhose and he noticed at once. She was wearing a cream-colored sun dress with crossed straps at the back.
“Nate Madden, nice to meet you again,” Larry gushed getting up from the chair to shake his hand. She didn’t know what to expect but he took Larry’s hand yet she could tell he was mad.
“Larry Hernandez,” Larry said. “We met before.”
“I remember that. Nice to meet you. You didn't say you were coming for the event," Nate replied.
He raised his eyes from her legs to give her an accusing glare.
“He’s entitled to come as my agent. I couldn’t make arrangements for a room for him…”
“Tom already gave me the details. Larry, nice to meet you. A room would be prepared for you shortly,” he said cutting her off.
Larry got the cue that he was being dismissed. Turning to Rachel he mouthed ‘Good luck’ to her and went outside to get the keys to his new room.
“You are not wearing the pantyhose.”
Rachel swallowed. It had sounded like a good idea when she thought about it now she wasn’t so sure when he looked like he was going to toss her over his shoulder and give her a good spanking.
“An act of defiance?”
“Huh…” she licked her lips. “I didn’t know you would be coming so soon. I was going to get dressed before you arrived.”
He came towards her slowly. A knock sounded at the door.
“The golf tees, Mr. Madden.”
“Leave them outside.”
The sound of receding footsteps faded down the hall. Rachel interlinked her hands in front of her. For a second she had thought that would provide the reprieve she needed to think of a better lie.
“I gave simple instructions, Rachel, why did you ignore them?” he was closer now and he reached up to put one unruly dark red curl behind her ear. She swallowed again. He was too calm even though she could see the anger in his eyes. “Answer me.”
“I was-I…”
She couldn’t speak. His fingers trailed a line behind her ear before descending to her neck. His fingers spread around her throat and he held on but didn’t squeeze. His warmth enveloped her making her heady and dizzy with confusing emotions. His scent was a mix of exotic perfume, freshly mowed grass, and sweat.
“You wanted to defile my orders because you wanted the upper hand?”
“Yes,” she confessed. “You were with another woman. It seems unfair."
“My business is none of your concern.”
“But the contract…”
“Binds you to me not me to you. Understand that, Rachel. Now, what do I do to you? I can’t let you go without punishing you.” He pulled her closer by her throat so that her body was flushed with his. "Without me, you are nothing, Rachel. I'm the one responsible for giving you back what you've lost and I've proved that so far. The Ermernia accident didn't make it to the papers did it?"
"Please," she shivered.
His eyes scorched her.
Her breath came out heavily. As much as she was excited she was still frightened. The little research she could do on her own while throwing out Jacob’s things revealed that Dominants could sometimes take control outside of the bedroom.
“Are you scared of me?” he asked.
Her chest heaved betraying her answer, “No I’m not.”
But she was scared of him. It had been much easier to deal with him when he was just another topic for her show but in flesh, he terrified her. And she was thrilled. I must be sick!
He leaned down until their lips were just bare inches apart. “Don’t be scared of me. I’m not going to hurt you unless you disobey me. Submission is nothing something to be scared of, you should enjoy it.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“For what?” his fingers tightened slightly.
“For disobeying you.”
“But you still deserve to be punished. You are a bad girl, you know that?”
She nodded.
“What happens to bad girls?”
“They are punished.”
“Good. Take off your clothes.”
He stood back and watch her untie the straps of her gown and drop it around her ankles. Next were her panties and her bra.
“Go to the bathroom.”
