It would be a lot of work. “She’d be worth it.”

Roxie had already piqued my interest, but that assurance from her was guaranteed to get my full attention. “And why would you bring such a woman to a place like this? If she’s your friend?”

“Because she needs it. Maybe more than anyone else I’ve ever met. She needs what you have to offer. I lived that life a long time ago, and I’m well past it now, but my friend… She might be the kind who lives the lifestyle for life.

She’s a giver, and she can’t change that about herself, no matter how hard she might try.”

“I see.” I tapped again, lost in thought. “Can you bring her in?”

“I’m arranging it. If she can make it through the doors, I think she’ll be just what you’re looking for.”

“Alright.” She must want something out of this, and I was blunt enough to ask her what it was. “Why me? Why are you offering your friend up to me?”

“Because, dear sir, you have that look in your eye. Like you want to break a woman, but in a good way, not the bad way. And my little friend needs just that.

She’s so hungry for it, she’s on the verge of losing control. I think you can teach her that control. In all, I believe you’re the perfect teacher for her. She’s liable to get into trouble if she’s not guided in the right direction. Also, I know I can have you killed if you break her the wrong way.” The note of jest in her voice was belied by the promise in her eyes.

“I understand.” I meant her reasons for offering up her friend and the warning. I believed she’d do it too, if the intensity of that gaze was anything to go by.

“I propose you speak with her, let her settle in to the place, and then make your offer. Don’t pounce the moment you see her; take your time, and let her decide. Then, you will likely find you’ve found far more than you bargained for.”

I nodded in agreement. This wasn’t my first rodeo, and I knew how to break

a filly properly, how to make her bend to your will. Now, if I could only find some property out here too, that would be the icing on the cake.

“Thank you, Roxie.” For the first time, I wondered if that was her real name, but I didn’t ask. There were some things you left alone in a place like Elmo’s.

Names was one of those things.

“My pleasure. And remember, you break her wrong, I break you.” Her well-

manicured eyebrows lifted over sharp green eyes, and I felt a shiver run down my back. I’d have loved to make those eyes flicker with challenge, but she was taken.

“I like breathing and living above ground, Roxie. I’ll be gentle. I promise.”

I’d be as gentle as the kitten offered to me wanted me to be, and no more gentle than that.

I wouldn’t tell Roxie that, however. What happened between the woman and

I was only for us to know. I knew I had to tread carefully, though. Freddy was definitely the kind of man who likely knew a few of the less nefarious types who

crawled along the underbelly of Myrtle Beach.

I wondered what she looked like, this paragon that Roxie wanted to deliver

to me. I’d wait, let the curiosity build. Roxie grabbed my attention when she stood up, bent down to kiss my cheek, and left me.

I had something to think about anyway.

A day of scouring websites and driving around to view properties had left me a little cranky, and I decided to change to scotch. I’d get a cab back to my place later. I went to the bar and ordered my drink.

Miss Maples came into the bar as I waited and sidled up next to me. “Good

to see you again, Mr. James. How are you?”

“I’m alright, Miss Maples. Lovely to see you again.” I tilted the glass with two cubes of ice at her, and she smiled.

She was a very seductive woman, especially in that corset wrapped around a

gossamer robe. Her hip bumped against mine, and I looked down into her darkly lined eyes. Her skin said she was only in her late twenties, but I knew plastic surgery could make that a lie. A person didn’t come to own a business like this at such a young age. Unless they made a lot of money early in life and spent it wisely. She could be as young as her face said she was, but then again, maybe not.

“You aren’t finding much luck here, it would seem.” She sat on a bar stool so I sat with her.

“Not yet, but I’m a patient man.” I nodded, and I scanned her with my eyes

while she ordered a drink.

Firm, high breasts said her face didn’t lie, and her hands were still full with the promise of youth. She had the kind of fingers made for pianos or guitars, but I’d never heard her play anything. A lush figure, encased in that corset promised heaven most people would never be lucky enough to find.

I’d been surrounded by beautiful women for days now, all with the promise

of sex so near, but yet, just out of reach for one reason or another. I was about ready to take the first lay offered to me, but I’d wait. I wanted to be clean for this little present Roxie offered me.

“She’ll come along. Maybe before you know it.” She sipped at her red wine,

her eyes on mine over the rim of her glass.

“So I’ve been told.” I didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t ask me to, so I let it go.

“What else is there to do in this place?” I asked, and she gave me an amused smile.

“Care to walk with me through the dungeon?” I had no idea what she meant,

but I was intrigued. Perhaps this was the rumored room on the third floor. I’d heard about it, but I hadn’t seen it yet.

It was for the exhibitionist members of the club, those who got off on being watched. Not necessarily my style, but it might be interesting to walk through such a place with Miss Maples. She finished her wine, and I threw back the rest of my scotch.

“I would love to join you, Miss Maples.” I held my elbow out, and she took

it without another word. We headed to the elevator I’d yet to use, and she inserted a card she’d pulled from beneath her corset into the slot in the elevator panel. “We need a card to get up there?”

“No, but we’re not going up. You need a card to go down.” She gave me another enigmatic smile, and my eyes narrowed on her. This was interesting.

The floor rushed down, and before I knew it, the doors opened up to a world of black. A real dungeon, perhaps? The flicker of flames on the wall caught my eyes as I stepped out, and she joined me. Her hand was still on my elbow, and she took a step forward. I followed, not sure where to head.

She took me down a long hallway, lit with gas lamps on the wall, a very old-fashioned but very romantic way to light an area. We walked down a white carpeted hall, and I found myself in a world where sound disappeared. There were no footsteps, no sound from the gas lamps on the wall, no sounds from the rooms that I found myself peering into.

There was a row of rooms here, all with a door, but large glass panels for walls. Inside the first room I saw a bare, rock floor and a couple who was completely oblivious to their new audience. A woman in shiny black vinyl whispered to a man chained to a wall. He looked the banker type, the kind of man who ruled with an iron fist all day long. His belly was soft, and his hair had receded. His body trembled now as the woman’s face brought him to a quivering