"A signed agreement? Aiden?" Charley�s mouth went dry, a mix of curiosity and anxiety roiling in her stomach. She had no idea Dorian could be so� official about things.

Rough sex, dirty talk, bondage? Hell yes, she could get into all that�even with a vampire. Especially her vampire.

But a secret room? That required signed forms? That his best friend, business partner, and fellow vampire knew about?

Just how kinky is this man?

"Maybe this isn�t such a good idea," Charley said, second-guessing her decision to meet him tonight. "Let�s go out for dinner instead. Suddenly I�m craving dim sum."

"The conditions are simple, really," Dorian said, ignoring her protests. They�d reached a door at the end of the corridor, and he punched a lengthy alarm code into the keypad above the handle�a code she thankfully didn�t see. It beeped and flashed green, and he cracked open the door.

"One," Dorian said, turning to face her. His muscled body blocked her view into the dark room, but she could still make out the faint glow of colored lights, the hum of electronics in the distance. "What I�m about to show you is highly confidential. You must never tell a soul what we do in here."

Charley�s knees weakened, but she nodded, anticipation barely winning out over anxiety, both rushing hot and prickly through her bloodstream.

"Two, I make the rules. For your own safety, you must obey me."

"But� rules?" Charley�s voice was creaky and thin, her lips dry. She cleared her throat and tried again. "What�s the third condition?"

Dorian winked�definitely not a good sign�and reached inside the doorway to grab something. When he finally revealed it, Charley�s heart dropped straight into her stomach.

"Three, protective gear must be worn at all times." With a wicked grin, Dorian handed her a helmet and a set of kneepads, then fastened a thick black bracelet to her wrist. "Heart rate monitor."

Charley trembled inside, her heart already pounding, sending the monitor into a frenzy. The kneepads were light and flexible, but the helmet wasn�t. The thing had a face shield that felt like bulletproof glass.

Whatever lay beyond that doorway was serious business.

"Frightened, little mouse?" he teased, clearly enjoying her torment.

Still. After so much build-up, there was no way she could walk away now. She had to know what awaited her in the darkness.

"I don�t scare off that easily, Mr. Redthorne." With a defiant smirk, she pulled the kneepads on and fastened the helmet, hoping he didn�t notice the tremble in her hands.

Could she do this? Give herself over completely to whatever dark fantasies lived in Dorian�s wicked mind?

How far would he take it?

How far would she let him take it?

Her brain was screaming at her to run, to call the whole game off. But she�d missed him too much, missed his kiss and his touch, and beneath her jeans, she throbbed with fresh desire.

"Are you ready, Ms. D�Amico?" Dorian lifted her face shield and took her hand. She couldn�t read his expression; he�d gone neutral.

Charley closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She�d had plenty of practice shutting off her brain, but she�d never ignored her instincts. Her physical being. Her desire. And right now, despite her trepidations, that desire was on red alert.

Whatever he�s got in store, you fucking want it, girl.

Opening her eyes, she flashed another smirk. "Show me to my demise, Mr. Redthorne." JrNovels.com