With her imagination beginning to work overtime again, she decided to walk across to her room and check her cell phone. There might be a message from Sara. After all, the blind date her friend had arranged had gone disastrously wrong. Ella smiled. For Kevin McCreedy it had, but for her, it had been the best thing that could possibly happen. Max had literally taken control—and she liked it.
Slipping quietly from the bed, so as not to wake Max, she retrieved her blue silk gown from the floor. For a moment she thought she’d woken him, as he turned and rolled onto his side, but he began breathing heavily once again. Quickly, she wrapped the robe around her shoulders and tied it at the waist. Then she slipped through the gap in the large glass door and stepped into the inner courtyard.
Ella walked across to her room. Her cell phone was where she left it, on the bedside table. There were two messages, both from Sara. Kevin is seriously pissed, and Where r u?
Ella replied with a single “?”. There was no way she’d tell Sara she’d just had awesome sex with Maximiliano D’Alesandro. Although, she suspected her friend already knew. Tomorrow she’d ask her if she knew of a good piercing specialist. The way Max described the benefits of a clit ring turned her on. The idea she could achieve multiple orgasms really appealed to her. And the fact that she knew Max liked genital jewelry seemed as good a reason as any to go ahead with it.
Once she’d finished with her text messages, Ella stepped back into the cool courtyard. Her eyes were drawn to the only room she’d never been allowed in—the playroom. Unlike the other rooms in Max’s home, the giant windows were always dark and impenetrable. Soon, if they continued their relationship, Max would allow her to enter. The idea both frightened and excited her. She wondered just what erotic delights lay behind the blacked-out windows.
Instead of walking directly across the courtyard and back to Max’s bedroom, Ella felt drawn to the playroom. Without thinking, she walked across and tried the sliding partition. It wasn’t locked. Her heart flipped in her chest, and she looked over her shoulder, wondering if Max had heard. If she went inside, at least she would know what to expect. On the other hand, Max had made it clear that she was not allowed to enter without his permission. She knew he would be angry if she dared to disobey his wishes. She was aware that her heart was pounding heavily, and wondered if Max heard it. She admonished herself for being ridiculous. Of course he can’t hear it, you stupid woman. The open playroom door proved too tempting to resist.
With a deep breath, Ella slid the opaque glass door open and tentatively stepped inside. An impressive array of light switches lay located just inside the entrance, and she flicked one on. Immediately, the room was flooded in bright light. She looked outside, wondering if the light would wake Max. She needn’t have worried. The thick black glass was only one way. Although she could see out, no one could see in. Feeling more confident, Ella closed the glass door behind her and moved further into the room.
Three walls were completely covered with floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Max clearly loved seeing everything, and evidently from every possible angle, too. Five large metal hooks were bolted to the ceiling, and a large wooden chest lay over in the far corner. There was nothing else. Her shocked expression reflected back at her from every mirrored wall. She heard her faltering steps as she walked across the white marble flooring. She’d expected to find a selection of racks and whips, and possibly even a St. Andrew’s Cross, but there was nothing of the sort.
As though on autopilot, she made her way to the only object in the room—the wooden chest. It looked so old, like it had seen service on a galleon that was part of the Spanish Armada. Ella kneeled down in front of it, and with trembling fingers, reached out to open the huge lid. She felt certain that inside would lay the implements of sexual torture and pleasure.
The solid oak lid was extremely heavy, and she strained as she tried to raise it. Without warning, a bare foot stamped the lid firmly shut. “What the hell do you think you’re doing in here, Ella? I expressly told you this room is strictly off-limits. You only come in here if and when I allow it.”
Chapter Nine
Ella’s blue eyes looked huge and frightened as she stared up at him from a kneeling position. Her obvious vulnerability made him feel all-powerful. “Come.” Max stretched out a hand, and pulled her to her feet. He felt tiny tremors of anticipation pulsing through her fingertips. It felt good having her complete attention. When she stood in front of him, he cupped her chin, angling her face to his. He wanted to test her reaction, so he kept his voice low. “I should give you a good spanking for coming in here without my permission. I’m minded to lay you across my knee and redden your bare ass right now.”