Chapter 17

Miranda's flight landed in Portland on time, late in the afternoon and she easily made the connection to the little puddle jumper that would take her to Bangor. As she stepped down from the folding stairway a man in slacks and a blazer stepped forward.

"Miss Fox?"

"Yes?"

"I'm Jason, Mr. Garvey's assistant. The car is just over here. Do you have you luggage?"

"For one night?" she chuckled. "Just this carry-on."

"Then shall we go?"

Jason was tall and muscular, with thick brown hair, amber eyes and a dimple. Just looking at him made Miranda's mouth water.

Jesus, girl. Maybe B.J.'s right and you're letting things get out of control. This is the hired help, for God's sake.

But regardless of the magnificence of the scenery as they drove down the coast highway, she had a hard time tearing her eyes away from the hunk driving the car.

They passed towering pine trees on the left and the ocean pounding below the cliffs on the right. An occasional bike rider waved at them but for the most part the road was pretty empty. Before long they turned in through tall brick pillars and pulled up a winding driveway to a looming clapboard house that looked like it had been built for a family of fifty.

Miranda exited the car and simply stared.

Jason grinned. "Impressive, isn't it? Mr. Garvey's great-grandparents had ten children and the house has just been handed down from generation to generation. Modernized, of course," he added. "Ah, here's the man himself."

The massive front door opened and a man who could have been a clone of Jason stepped out onto the wide verandah. B.J. McNamara was big and muscular but his muscles came from running on the beach and indulging in a variety of amateur sports. These men had bodies sculpted through daily workouts, probably with the assistance of a physical trainer. Miranda looked at them and a delicious shiver ran down her spine.

"Welcome. Miss Fox," Alex Garvey said, taking her hand in both of his.

"Thank you. And thank you for agreeing to let me see you."

A tiny smile quirked one corner of his mouth. "Oh, I think this will be a pleasant experience all around. Jason will take your bag upstairs. I thought we might have cocktails before dinner."

Unlike the Bahamas, which had been bathed in warmth, October in Maine was chilly and Alex had lit a fire in the huge fireplace. Miranda stood before it, relishing the heat and savoring the fragrance of the cedar logs.

"Bourbon on the rocks, right?" Alex pressed a cut glass tumbler into her hand.

"Have you been researching me, Mr. Garvey?"

"Always know who you're dealing with. That way you limit the surprises."

The bourbon was smoky, with a slight bite to it and felt pleasant to her palate. She sipped at it while she studied her host and the room they were in. Everything, including his clothing, shouted understated wealth. But at the same time there was power here and arrogance. Miranda hoped this time she hadn't bitten off more than she could chew. She tried to erase B.J.'s warning from her mind and enjoy her drink.

Dinner was a veritable ad for Maine seafood-thick clam chowder and succulent lobster dripping with butter. All of it was accompanied by a chilled pinot grigio that enhanced the flavor of the food. Jason served them, then retreated, Miranda supposed, to the kitchen. Throughout the meal Alex talked about his family, the generations-old house, his interest in sports, music, books. Once again Miranda was lulled by good conversation, great food and too much wine.

I really have to stop this.

But just as she had with Luc, she felt totally relaxed, her senses stimulated yet soothed by the meal and the surroundings. And in her avid search for ultimate pleasure, this man stirred her curiosity. She wondered just how peculiar his sexual tastes could be.

Once the dishes were cleared away, Jason reappeared, this time carrying an enormous silver wine bucket filled with ice and three bottles of liebfraumilch.

Miranda clapped her hands. "My favorite. You have done your research."

Alex grinned. "Absolutely." He rose and extended a hand to her. "Shall we?"

She let him lead her up the wide stairway, noticing Jason following close behind. When Alex threw open the door to one of the rooms she couldn't help the tiny gasp that rush over her lips.

An adult playroom, was all she could think.

In the center of the room were what looked like two well-padded massage tables, except that one had two circular openings cut into it near the top. Against one wall, hung like tools in a workshop, was the largest collection of spanking paddles and whips Miranda had ever seen anywhere, including her internet searches. A round table held an assortment of bottles that Miranda was sure contained oils and lotions, and on the far wall a metal bar had been attached at the ceiling, with several pairs of chains and handcuffs dangling from it.

While she stared open-mouthed at the array of sexual equipment, Jason set the ice bucket on a small table. He began lighting candles placed strategically around the room and soon the scent of hyacinth and jasmine filled the air. A flip of a switch and, as at Luc's, the strains of romantic music drifted out from hidden speakers.

Usually I'm the one setting the scene. How nice this is for a change. I hope the sex is just as good.

Alex filled one of the wine goblets and handed it to her.

"I should explain to you that Jason and I have been together a long time and we share everything." He stroked her cheek with his fingertips. "Will that bother you?"

Miranda shook her head. Bother her? To the contrary. None of her sexual adventures yet had included a threesome and just the thought of it made the muscles of her cunt quiver and liquid flood her panties.

"No," she finally managed to say. "Not at all."

"Good." He smiled at her. "I know you came here to see the pearl but I thought how nice if we could all enjoy an evening together first."

"Yes. Nice." She sipped at her wine.