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He exhaled and nodded. “I would never want anyone to go through what I did, including the stupid risks I took in my early twenties. I thought at that point I was invincible, but my father took me aside one day after I crashed a car into a tree, reminding me that life was precious. I’ve tried to remember that, even if I fail more often than not. He’s not the best father or the best human being, but I feel the same way about him you do about yours.”
“I guess that leads us to a crossroads.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. Time will tell. Now, enjoy your wine and relax but in thirty minutes, I am taking you to see the entire resort. I expect you to change.”
He pointed to the closet and I nodded. When he seemed happy enough with my response, he headed to the door, stopping just long enough to toss his head over his shoulder, his mischievous grin returning. “Oh, and panties aren’t allowed. Not tonight.”
“Why?”
“My island. My rules. Cupcake.”
Just like that, he turned a horrible story into just another reason I could find to hate him.
Bastard.
BDSM.
Bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism.
I wasn’t but so innocent. I knew what a kink club was. In fact, I’d been to one before. While I only remained a voyeur, I’d almost been sucked into becoming a participant. Okay, so I had to admit that the dark club, the neon lights, the tribal music, and the men and women dressed in leather and chains had turned me off a bit. Granted, it had been a club suggested by Willow, something I learned was more for tourists than real players in the world.
Unfortunately, a big dude had tried to force me to accept being whipped on the cross. I’d almost run out screaming. Thankfully, security had handled the asshole.
However, it had kept me from wanting to learn anything more about the lifestyle.
As Valerio had driven through the dazzling foliage, I’d grilled him on the Royal Players Club, peppering the man with questions that he’d taken the time to answer. He wasn’t condescending nor did he laugh at me. He did what he could to teach, to help me understand. And because of that, I was excited. Maybe that was crazy but I was tingling all over as we walked in through the impressive entrance, greeted by a huge atrium and incredible display of nature mixing with various lighting techniques and manmade materials.
I’d expected a dark and dangerous environment. Discovering I’d been so very wrong was as surprising as it was enticing.
And I wasn’t the kind of girl to admit any dark cravings, but I doubted there was anyone with any sexual desires who didn’t long to experience the taste of something just a little sadistic.
Hell, Bella, Willow, and I had teased about masked men hunting us in thick forests while navigating our way through several deliciously strong margaritas. But it was just fantasy. Right? Maybe not for me.
The island wasn’t anything like what I’d experienced or had read about. The main resort itself was still beach inspired although it was the kind of facility where the guests dressed nicely for dinner. That was rare in any lifestyle.
I was floored by the beauty of the impressive entrance, let alone the five-floor atrium housing the most incredible tropical plants and flowers. There was a fountain that I could stand and stare at for hours, basking in its beauty and peacefulness.
Plus, the casino was something directly out of a movie, the area decorated with huge chandeliers and impressive bars located in the four corners of the massive and seemingly endless room. In addition, there were two dance clubs, several smaller themed bars, and at least a half dozen restaurants, not to mention the outdoor cafés and ice cream shops.
He spoke casually about the resort, but I could tell it was his pride and joy and I understood why. Breathtaking was the word.
The man with the killer smile and the insanely gorgeous body introduced me to every location. We had drinks and appetizers at the Players’ lounge, an exclusive area limited to the upper echelon of the Royal society, as Valerio liked to call them.
We took a stroll by the ocean, pistachio ice cream cones in hand. And we walked every outdoor cabana there was surrounding the massive resort.
When he led me to a bank of elevators, he remained silent, which intrigued me more than anything I’d experienced.
We weren’t very talkative anyway, maybe since he’d confessed his past hadn’t been the best in anyone’s mind. I had a feeling he never confided in anyone about even basic details about his life. I’m not certain I blamed him for his lack of trust. My father had taught me a long time before that trusting anyone outside the family allowed weaknesses to slide in, the kind enemies would use to exploit or blackmail with.
While I’d laughed at my father at the time, I had a feeling Valerio knew something about exploitation and the use of blackmail.
Which made him that much more dangerous.
Was he out to get my father?
I honestly wasn’t certain of his intentions but trusting him wasn’t on the agenda.
At least for now.
