Secret: Passion (Submissive Romance) Read Free Page B

think,” Mark said, adjusting his tie.
                  The car bumped down the lane, and then turned sharply. Immediately the view that had been hidden behind the hedges was revealed – a large, white country house with at least twenty windows on the front wall stood proudly; a fountain roared in front of the sweeping, circular driveway and several shiny cars were parked in front of it.
                  “Welcome to Exotic Retreats,” Mark said, planting a chaste kiss on Anna’s cheek. The place his lips made contact burned with feeling and Anna’s legs were still trembling as the car pulled up and she stepped out into the night air.
     
    Chapter Four
     
    “Checking in, Mr. Peyton?” the woman behind the desk seemed to recognise Mark by sight. She tucked her red hair behind her ears and wrinkled her freckled nose cheerfully.
                  “Plus guest, today, Gail,” he said as Anna looked around the lobby. The place hummed with some sort of music and activity, though there were no other guests around. A porter came and took their cases, and they followed him to the second floor, where the door was opened into a huge, cream and white, sumptuous bedroom.
                  “This is beautiful,” Anna twirled as the porter was given a tip and asked to leave.
                  “You think? It’s a little old fashioned for my taste,” Mark smiled at her delight. “The bathroom is through that way… I did take the liberty of ordering a double suite,” he flung open some double doors to reveal a second king-size bed and identical furnishing. “I didn’t think you’d want to feel obligated to bed-share.”
                  “That’s… I really appreciate that, Mark,” Anna nodded. She felt a weight she hadn’t realised she was carrying fall from her shoulders. Maria was so wrong – this weekend wasn’t all about sex.
     
    *
     
    She had her dress, steamed and fresh delivered to the adjoining room as she got ready that evening. Mark had promised her drinks and then they would have some time alone – she was pleased there was no pressure, and twisted her hair into an elegant topknot and pulled the pale blue dress on, admiring her own figure as the dress showed off her cleavage and made her blonde hair seem to shine even brighter.
                  “Ready?” Mark called from the larger room. She walked through, striking a pose that made him crack a grin. “Beautiful… Now, we’ll take in the sights,” he said, offering his arm. Anna looped her pale arm through his jacket clad one and they made their way to the bar.
                  Anna was slightly surprised to see the red-headed girl at the desk was wearing a much tighter fitting uniform than she remembered. The woman also seemed to be talking to someone hiding under the desk in a fierce voice.
                  “Is she ok?” Anna whispered to Mark.
                  “I expect so,” he replied. They went through to the bar, which was full of elegantly dress people. A few of them nodded at Mark, but most of them seemed to be in their own small groups and happy to remain that way.
                  The couple settled at the bar and Mark ordered a crisp, clear drink that tasted vaguely of apples. Anna took a mouthful and looked about. A man in a very expensive-looking suit was holding onto the wrist of the woman he was with, but she did not seem to mind. A woman wearing a very tight dress was looking down her nose at the whole room, as if she was a shark looking for prey. Anna noticed she was wearing the highest, sharpest pair of heels she had ever seen.
                  “Do you know anyone here?” Anna asked Mark.
                  He nodded. “A few. It’s a fairly quiet weekend. I expect people will be down for breakfast in the morning… It’s room service only dining tonight, if you don’t