Kinky Bet Read Free Page A

jumped out of her seat and stood, not daring to take a look at her surroundings.
    “Miss Neilson, this way.”
    She scrambled to follow him along a pathway to the entrance. The man knocked twice on the intricately carved wood with the ornate brass knocker. It opened as he stepped back, ushering her inside. The hallway was narrow but a door appeared immediately on her right.
    “Go inside the first room. There you will be given instructions for the beginning of your training.”
    She turned, wanting to thank the man for his direction, but he’d already left. She knocked lightly, and the door opened under the pressure of her hand. The room was warm and inviting with a cast iron fireplace blazing with flames. She walked farther inside, spying a wide partners’ desk and several chairs. All class, taste and decorum. No kink to be seen.
    From where she stood the area appeared unoccupied. Not sure of what was expected of her she made a beeline for the comfortable looking couch and sat down.
    “Did I say you could sit down?”
    Shit, where did he come from? Erica struggled to stand back up, almost slipping to the floor as her dress slid on the buttery soft leather cushion. Way to make an impression, girl . “I’m sorry,” she said before she managed to scramble to her feet. “I didn’t realise there was anyone h—” Oh my God it’s him. The guy from the bar. The one who was so much like Colin Farrell he could be his twin brother. Her knees faltered as she tried to stand up straight. It was then that the penny dropped. The bar had been a set-up .
    Nicole was a dead woman.
    She struggled to get her voice to work, but since she didn’t want to come across as an idiot she’d better suck it up. “Er…here. I didn’t know there was anyone in the room.”
    Good one. Now she well and truly sounded like an idiot.
    The man’s expression didn’t change but she thought she detected a slight softening of his gorgeous lips. “I’ll let that one pass,” he said as he flashed her the same wicked grin she’d seen at the bar. “This time.”
    Huh? What did that mean?
    He stepped towards her, clasping her trembling hand in his with a firm grip. “Welcome to Dangerous Liaisons. I am Conal Brennan, the owner of this retreat and your host for this weekend.”
    Oh. My. God. That voice! His sexy Irish brogue wrapped around her like a big woollen blanket. She gazed down at his hand, which he still had firmly wrapped around her palm. She felt a frisson of energy coil up her arm as a warming heat seeped into her chilled fingers. Wow. She couldn’t remember the last time a guy had caused such a reaction.
    “Ms Neilson?”
    Huh? Oops. Caught dreaming again. “I’m sorry, I was miles away. What did you say?”
    “You need to pay more attention.” His voice deepened when he was ticked off, and he certainly looked annoyed for some reason.
    “I guess I should apologise again, Mr Brennan. I’m not usually this ill-mannered, but I find myself surprised that I recognise you.”
    “Apology accepted. However, I have no idea what you mean. I would definitely remember meeting you before. You must be mistaken. Now we come to the formal part of this weekend. I have several papers for you to read through and a contract for you to sign.”
    She swallowed. Maybe he didn’t recognise her, but she sure as hell recognised him. “A contract?”
    His eyebrow lifted. “How much do you know about BDSM?”
    She clasped her hands behind her back, rubbing her thumbs against palms. Her voice cracked, and she struggled to answer him. “Not a lot, but I’ve read some books, plus my ex-boyfriend used to tie me up and spank me.”
    His lips twitched slightly. “And you liked it?”
    “Yes,” she whispered as her face heated.
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear you,” he said.
    Taking in a deep breath, she rose onto the balls of her feet. “Yes,” she said, leaning forward and looking him straight in the eye. “I liked it very