He glanced back at her and smiled. “A lot of people prefer the privacy of knowing that those walking by on the street can’t peek in and see what they’re shopping for. Many of our customers have conservative jobs or public images. So that’s important. Plus, I doubt the neighborhood would’ve agreed to allow this type of store if our merchandise was going to be on display.”
“Makes sense,” Brynn said, climbing the last step and walking into the main shop. The décor matched the bottom floor, but instead of erotic photography, there were rows of sex toys, bondage equipment, and high-end lingerie.
Marius crooked a thumb behind him. “I’ll go get Jason for you. Feel free to browse. You have the store to yourself right now. We usually don’t get busy until after ten or so.”
“Thanks.” She waited until he disappeared before she took him up on the browsing offer.
Brynn wandered down the first aisle, trying to keep her mind off the conversation she was about to have. She eyed the collection of vibrators, the shear variety astounding her. She shook her head. Dolphins, rabbits, butterflies. Why were they all named after animals? What was sexy about that? If she invented a line, she’d name them after movie stars. The Mark Wahlberg. The Brad Pitt. She smiled. Maybe she had missed her calling.
She turned the corner to the next aisle and sucked in a breath. Rows of black leather restraints, paddles, and whips lined the shelves along with loads of things she couldn’t identify. The photo from downstairs flashed through her brain. This was what she was signing up for—complete submission to a stranger. A golf-ball-sized lump lodged in her throat.
She picked up one of the items, a flogger according to the tag, and threaded her fingers through the soft strips at the end of the handle. The leather felt cool against her skin, but she imagined the material would heat up quickly when wielded by a strong hand. She resisted the urge to smack it across her palm to test the theory.
She’d never done anything with actual equipment. She and Reid had both been new to the idea back then and hadn’t ventured very far into this world. They’d worked with whatever they had around. She drew the leather across her hand again, and images of Reid standing behind her, flogger in hand, invaded her thoughts. A hot tingling fired up in her belly and crept lower.
She shook her head—God, she was so twisted up with this. Her body hadn’t forgotten what it had been like with Reid, how unbelievably explosive the sex had been. But the same thoughts that got her body slick and ready made her mind want to splinter into a thousand pieces.
“My God, Brynn LeBreck,” said a genial voice, startling her from her errant thoughts.
She looked up, fumbling to put the flogger back on the rack, and her breath caught.
“I didn’t think it was possible for you to get more gorgeous,” Jace said, green eyes sparkling. “But clearly I was wrong.”
“Jace?” she asked, her mind still processing his presence as the broad-shouldered man gathered her into a crushing hug.
He stepped back, smiling. “Didn’t you know that’s who you were coming to see?”
She shook her head. “No, Reid didn’t mention it, and I didn’t realize your full name was Jason.”
He laughed and scrubbed a hand through his surfer-style blond hair. “That shithead. I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”
No, but it would’ve been nice to be warned. She was going to kick Reid’s ass when she got back to the office tomorrow. She took a deep breath and smiled. Her problem was not with Jace. He’d never been anything but kind to her. “No, it’s fine. Actually, better than fine. It’s great to see you.”
He motioned for her to follow him. “Why don’t you come on back to my office so we can chat?”
When he reached his door, he swung it open and let Brynn walk in before him. The space was large, but cozy, resembling a sitting room in a fancy hotel more than an office. Only the massive cherrywood desk gave away the room’s true purpose. She settled into the cushioned wingback chair. “Beautiful office.”
“Thanks. I’d take credit for the decorating, but this was my sister’s project. She was starting an interior design business, and I was her guinea pig.” Instead of sitting behind his desk, Jace dropped into the matching chair across from her. “So how the hell have you been? Reid tells me you’re a therapist now.”
She crossed her legs and tried to give the appearance of being at ease, although her insides were knotted into a pretzel. “I am. I work at the Women’s Crisis Center.”Author: Roni Loren
He grinned. “That’s awesome. I always knew you’d do something great. You were the only one who took your job seriously when we were working for Reid’s uncle. The rest of us were just a bunch of slackers. I only lasted a few months before Roslyn told me I should explore other opportunities.”
She laughed. “Well, I didn’t have much choice. It was work hard or head back to ‘Would you like fries with that?’â??” She glanced around the posh office again. “Looks like you’re not slacking anymore. Although, I’m a little surprised at the business choice. Weren’t you supposed to become a financial planner or something?”
He leaned back in the chair and smirked. “Yeah, the fam wasn’t too thrilled with my little venture. They’ve cut me out of the family fortune. But my finance jobs were soul sucking. I needed to follow my passion.”
She raised her eyebrows. “And your passion is selling whips and vibrators?”
A warm chuckle rumbled from deep in his chest. “Among other things. But yeah, I enjoy helping people indulge in their fantasies.”
She nodded and fiddled with the clasp of her watch, not sure what to say next. Was she supposed to just come out and ask? Hey, Jace, can you help me get into that super-duper fancy kink club?
He sat forward, his mop of blond hair falling across his forehead. “Relax, Brynn. Reid told me about your sister and why you want into The Ranch.”
She blew out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. “Oh, thank God.”
“Look, I’ll be honest. I’m a little nervous about sneaking you in. Grant, the club owner, is one of my biggest customers and if he found out I brought someone in under false pretenses, not only would I lose my membership, but a big chunk of my business.”