“It’s called a riding crop,” Reece leans over and whispers.

“Does it hurt?” Given the way the woman being spanked is leaning into it and moaning tells me no, but I don’t know if I trust her judgment. These people could all be half-crazy for all I know.

“Depends on how it’s used.” His answer is coy, frustrating me since it tells me nothing about the toy or about his preferences for play. Of course, it only makes me more curious. Maybe that was his intention all along.

As we continue the tour, Reece points to a series of closed doors at the far end of the hall. “Those are the private rooms for people who don’t want to put on a show, and want to experience something more intimate.”

“And what about you? Which of these rooms do you prefer to play in?”

“Depends on who I’m with. If my partner is more of an exhibitionist, or if I think the experience of being watched will push her outside her comfort zone, we might play in one of the common rooms. But for the most part, I tend to be a closed-door kind of guy.”

Studying him for a moment, I try to digest everything I’ve just seen and reconcile it with the teenaged Reece I remember. I come up short; it just doesn’t compute. How the hell did he get from there to here?

“Care to fill me in on the last six years? I mean, this is quite a detour from the man I knew.”

He shrugs. “There’s really nothing to tell. I have certain needs and interests. And when I couldn’t find a place to satisfy all of those interests, I opened my own.”

“How did you get this way?” I wince a little, not meaning to blurt it out like an accusation, then soften my voice. “I just don’t remember you ever having this fetish side to you.”

His gaze darkens, telling me he’s hiding something from me. It makes me wonder; Cameron never mentioned anything out of the ordinary. Anytime I asked about Reece, my brother would merely give me a noncommittal grunt, and when I pushed and asked if Reece was seeing anyone, Cam’s reluctant response was always, “Several.”

I’m really not sure what to make of this new revelation that Reece owns this place, that he lives and breathes BDSM, but I’m trying to loosen up and go with it. It’s exactly what I need to push all the depressing thoughts from my brain. It’s the ultimate distraction, perfectly timed.

“Come on. You’ve probably had a long day,” he says, offering me his hand.

“Where are we going?” I place my palm in his. His skin is warm, and an intoxicating male scent greets me as I get closer, some type of upscale men’s cologne. Yummy.

“Do you have anywhere to stay tonight?”

I shake my head. “I was planning to get a hotel room somewhere.”

“It’s almost midnight. You probably won’t be able to get a cab or a hotel room at this hour. Come on. You can stay in my apartment. It’s upstairs.”

“I could just stay down here, see if I can find someone to entertain myself with.” After what I’ve just witnessed, I’m sure that won’t be difficult. Shit, it might even be fun.

He grips my hand tightly, and his reaction gives me a little spurt of confidence. “The hell you will. You’re going to bed.”

Pulling my hand away, I plant both hands on my hips and meet his icy stare. “I’m not tired.”

“Too damn bad. I don’t want to have to worry about you.”

“This isn’t like when we were kids, Reece.”

“You think I don’t know that? You’re all woman and that’s exactly why I’m not leaving you down here alone. It’d be like throwing you to the wolves.”

“Maybe I want a little trouble.” I raise my eyebrows suggestively.

He leans in closer. “Or I can tell Hale where you are.”

Point taken. Changing tactic, I ask, “Do you have a bathtub?”

His puzzled expression betrays his confusion. “I do.”

“Fine, let’s go. I think I’ll take a hot soak. I’ve been traveling all day.”

I follow him to the elevator, where he inserts a special key and hits a button for the top floor. No wonder this address came up when I searched for him. It’s not only his business, but also his residence. Reece has really submersed himself in this world, and I wish I understood more about it and the man he’s morphed into while I’ve been away.

“You never answered my question,” I say, finally feeling the full effects of the alcohol. I’m drowsy and tipsy, and liable to say anything right about now.

“And what question was that?” His voice is way too in control, and it’s annoying me.

“You. Me.” I lift one eyebrow.

“You’re going to have to be more specific.”

Fuck it. Throwing caution to the wind, I lick my lips, noting the way his eyes follow the movement. “About you, pounding into me from behind. Me, screaming out your name.”

“I told you. I need to talk to Hale.”

“And say what?” I shoot back.

“I’m not doing this again without his blessing.”

“Nothing happened.” Nothing but a broken heart and six long years of mourning what could have been. For me it was young love, but to him it’s ancient history, if the brash tone of the man before me is any indicator.

“Enough happened.”

The elevator jerks to a stop, and when the doors open I follow him down a dimly lit hallway, the bite of rejection stinging with each step I take.

He walks in front of me and when he glances back, I wish I could read his expression. Aside from the tic of his jaw and set of his posture, he gives away nothing. Maybe it was a mistake coming here.

When he unlocks the door and lets us inside, it’s like I’ve tripped a live explosive, because Reece pushes my back against the wall and his lips crash down on mine. His mouth is hot, demanding, and needy, speaking a language I readily comprehend.

Every nerve ending in my body hums to life at once. Yes, yes, yes. This is why I came here, this right here. His presence alone forces every stray thought from my brain so I can just feel. I kiss him back, licking against his tongue, unable to help the small mewling cries that escape me as I press my body close to his.

He pulls away suddenly, making me mourn the loss of his firm body looming over mine. “Some things have changed since you’ve been gone,” he says tightly. “If we do this, you will play by my rules. There will be no topping from the bottom. Your wrists will be bound by my ropes. That hot, tight cunt will be wrapped around my cock, and you won’t come until I say.”

My knees tremble, and my breath catches in my throat. Please. Yes, to all of that. Times one hundred.

“I understand, sir,” I murmur.

That word does interesting things to him. His pupils dilate and he forces his mouth on mine again, sucking on my tongue, and grips my ass roughly through my jeans. My center turns molten and my panties go damp.

“Fuck. You still taste so good. Just like I remember.” He pulls his lips from mine and lands a sharp swat against my ass.

“Ouch.” I rub the tender cheek. “What was that for?”

“For giving me this when I have to go back to work.” His hand drops down to grip the bulge at the front of his pants.

My, my. I giggle. “Sorry.”

“Come on. I have a guest room.” He leads me into a bedroom down the hall furnished only with a large bed with crisp white sheets and a gray duvet. “Is this okay?”

“Yes.” I look around. I only have my purse, having left all my bags in my car, which is parked several blocks away.

“Something to sleep in?” he asks.

“Please.”

He returns moments later holding a Chicago Cubs T-shirt. It’s soft and faded from numerous washings, its original navy color now more of a muted blue. It’s perfect. “Thank you.”

“The bathroom is at the end of the hall, and the towels are in the cabinet under the sink.”

I sit down on the edge of the bed, tired and confused. My attraction to him is even stronger than I imagined it could be after all these years, and I’m not sure what to make of that. This was supposed to be daring and fun. It wasn’t supposed conjure up a bunch of memories and what-ifs.