Taggart Family Values - Lexi Blake Page 0,3

light. I sent them away because you’re mine. You just don’t know it yet.”

It was odd. He was always the pursuer. In this particular world, he had to make the decisions, and that included whom to top. He’d had plenty of submissives flirt and try to cajole him. Not a one would have walked in and boldly stated that she was the one for him.

She wasn’t. There was no magical “one.” He wasn’t some dumbass, romantic kid. But the idea that she’d decided he was worth making that statement for was intriguing. “I think you’re definitely going to have to prove that.”

Her spine straightened. “All right. What do you need, Sir?”

What did he need? So many fucking things. Her mouth on him. His cock in her. Maybe a little information. “Why are you here in Paris?”

Her eyes were suddenly steady, looking right into his. “I had some business.”

Oh, she would be an excellent liar. She might not be lying now, but he’d been an operative long enough to know that the way a person answered questions told him a lot. She met his gaze head on. “How long have you been a member here?”

“Not long. It’s only recently I figured out what I need sexually. I’m going to be honest with you. I only like to submit in the bedroom. Outside of it, I’m rather difficult.”

Then it was good he didn’t plan to date her. “I can handle that. I’m rather difficult myself.”

“So I’ve heard.”

Now her eyes drifted. He looked up and she was watching a couple stroll into the lounge. He recognized her as a famous French actress and the man as a producer. Not that he would ask either about their jobs if they didn’t bring it up. Here they were simply a Domme and her much larger submissive partner who apparently liked having his balls tortured. The guy could wail. Charlie had the evilest grin on her generous lips. Damn, those lips were hot, but he had to admit the evil grin did something to his dick, too. “You know something.”

Her eyes went wide. “What do you mean, Sir?”

“You know something about Mistress Marie and her sub.”

“I know a lot of things, Sir. I’ve learned that information can be an important resource.”

Oh, they would get along. “Information or gossip?”

She clammed right up. “Gossip isn’t allowed in the club.”

He arched a brow.

Her smile nearly lit up the room, and a thrill went through him when she leaned in and whispered into his ear. “He was supposed to cast her in the new action film he’s producing, but he decided to go with a younger actress and yes, she’s at this club, too. She’s walking up to them right now.”

He couldn’t help it. People were funny as shit, and he loved a good train wreck. No one ever shared that with him. The Doms were all pretentious fucks who thought they were above it all, and the subs were too subby to admit that they watched the other club members like they were the best soap opera in the world. But they were. Who needed TV when he could watch As the Dungeon Turns? He simply never had anyone to watch it with.

He thought the second actress was a submissive named Helene. Rene had many influential people in his club. Not a one of them knew he was French intelligence, of course. There were politicians, important businessmen, creative types. They all came to The Velvet Collar to indulge and play. He wanted to play, but right now in a different way.

“They look awfully chummy for rivals.” The two women had done that bullshit air kissy thing and looked delighted to see each other. It was boring.

Charlie looked at him. “You want to see something more fun, Sir?”

“You going to cause trouble?”

Her eyes suddenly went soft, and it did a funny thing to his…eww…had he just thought about his heart in a way that wasn’t something like—hey, did that shot hit my heart? He shook it off. He must be getting old.

“Only if it pleases you, Sir. I would like to point out that what I’m about to do is nothing more than polite. I need you to understand that I’m essentially a nice person.”

“But if a nicety happens to bring about a chaotic result?”

She shrugged slightly. “Is that really my fault? She’s going to find out sometime. They have to start production soon. I’m sure he thinks he’ll call her from somewhere far away so she can’t lose her