Anna Leigh Keaton & Madison Layle - Incognito 06 - Charming Carmen Read online

  They moved deeper into the shadows, and Carmen couldn’t see them anymore. She frowned and took another drink of her wine. Ryan reached over and refilled the glass for her. She smiled her thanks, and he winked at her.

  She settled into the chair and halfheartedly listened to Dalton thank all of the contributors to the auction. She heard the Montgomerys’ name, and she looked at Olivia.

  “A week-long getaway to our villa in the Napa Valley,” Olivia whispered. “The money’s for a good cause and considered tax deductible.”

  “Ah. Okay.” Nice. She’d spent time at the villa on the rare occasion that Olivia came out to the Pacific coast with the brothers. It was a good thing she loved Olivia so much, or the jealousy would probably kill her.

  Chapter Two

  The soup had been some weird, cold cucumber thing, but the fillet mignon had been melt-in-the-mouth scrumptious. And now...chocolate, raspberry cheesecake. The dress she’d borrowed from Olivia had been tight before. Now she worried that it would rip when she tried to move.

  The waiter drizzled hot fudge sauce over the cake before moving on. Oh, goodness. She grinned at Olivia.

  Dalton took his place at the podium again. “While you enjoy dessert, we’re going to move on to our final items up for bid.”

  Carmen sliced a tiny bite with her fork. She was eager to get her tour of the club. She wanted to see the private voyeur rooms Olivia had told her about. The auction had been rather boring. Expensive artwork, vacation packages, some jewelry and such. Spa packages, massages... She wasn’t sure what she’d expected from a charity auction at Incognito, but she’d thought it would have been a little more exciting.

  “All right, ladies and gentlemen, we’ve got something special for you to wind up the evening.”

  Two spotlights came on to Dalton’s left, illuminating two men. One of them was Carl. Carmen slid the delectable dessert between her lips, her focus on the stage and Carl.

  “Katriona,” Dalton said. “If you will?”

  Katriona stepped up on the stage and took the microphone from its stand. Dalton lifted the podium and moved it off to the side.

  “I’ve been waiting for this moment all night,” Katriona said then gave a husky, sexy laugh. “I encourage you all to bid until it hurts. The Southern Florida Women’s Shelter needs your help.”

  The man next to Carl with dark hair and eyes was a little younger than Carl. Most men would look good in tuxedos, but these two were hot as hell in black. Their mannerisms were very different, though. Carl’s expression was impassive, his gaze focused on the floor, not the audience like the other guy. Carl stood with his hands behind him, where the other one... He looked rather cocky and sure of himself, hands in pockets of his slacks.

  “You know these men well,” Katriona went on to say. “They’ve been a fixture of Incognito for years. And tonight you’ll have the chance to bid on them and the luxurious packages they’ve donated.”

  Katriona lifted an index card and began reading. “The lucky person who purchases Master Bastian will get a weekend with him on his yacht. Our resident bad boy will...” Katriona looked up at Bastian and raised an eyebrow. The man grinned and began unbuttoning his tuxedo shirt.

  “Well,” Katriona said. “The lucky person who wins Bastian will no doubt have one memorable weekend on his yacht.”

  A rumble of laughter and chuckles went through the crowd.

  Bastian continued to undo his shirt, then slipped it from his slacks and slid it off his shoulders. Oh, wow. Cocky or not, the man looked good enough to eat.

  Dalton stepped back onto the stage. “Shall we start the bidding at five hundred?” he asked, using another microphone.

  “The things on this card that I can mention,” Kat said around the bids being placed and Dalton calling out continually growing numbers, “is that you will be anchored in a cove of an island that Bastian owns, fifty miles off the coast. Swimming in a fresh-water lagoon before breakfast, meals prepared by an award-winning chef, and...ahem...I really can’t mention anything else. Let’s just say it involves champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and starlight.”

  Bastian unbuttoned his pants and, with a mischievous smile, slowly lowered the zipper. Was he going to strip totally? Carmen glanced at Olivia, who was watching the striptease with a sly little curve to her lips.

  Dylan leaned over and whispered something in her ear. She nodded, licked her lips, then chuckled.

  Carmen zeroed back in on the man on stage. His pants were still up. Barely.

  The bidding had been fast and furious, but it was slowing, the number near five thousand. Damn, these people had way too much money. Then again...a weekend on a yacht with gourmet meals? Champagne and strawberries?

  “Sold to the Cavanaugh sisters,” Dalton said with a grin. “Thank you, ladies.”

  Carmen turned toward the table surrounded by single women. Two were grinning like fools, and she guessed they must be the Cavanaugh sisters. Oh boy. What she wouldn’t give to be a fly on that boat.

  She giggled and turned back to the stage. Bastian was buttoning his shirt. What a shame.

  “I’ve saved the best for last,” Katriona said with a wicked chuckle. “No offense, Bastian.”

  “None taken, Kat,” Bastian said as he tucked in his shirt and sent her a wink.

  “Carl. Come here.”

  Carl stepped forward and bowed low in Katriona’s direction.

  “Strip, slave.”

  Without one bit of hesitation, Carl slipped off his tuxedo jacket. Dalton took it from him. Then off came the shirt. He shucked his shoes and socks, then dropped his pants.

  Carmen’s breath sucked in and lodged in her throat. Holy... He was gorgeous! His skin was lightly tanned. A swirl of dark hair on his chest narrowed into the waistband of the tightest pair of spandex shorts that showed off one hell of a nice package.

  “As you can see, ladies, Carl knows how to take directions.”

  There were murmurs of approval from a few of the tables nearby.

  “Your weekend getaway with him is right here on Incognito grounds. Two nights in the newly refurbished caretaker’s cottage. A private patio overlooking the ocean where Carl will serve breakfast as you watch the sunrise. He may not have won any culinary awards, but be assured that you won’t be disappointed in his homemade waffles...and whipped cream.”

  Because she was watching so closely, Carmen saw Carl’s lips twitch ever so slightly, as if he was trying to keep in a grin.

  “After you’ve relaxed in the private Jacuzzi, Carl will give you a full-body massage that will make you melt.” Katriona ran her finger down the center of Carl’s chest. “Turn around, slave.”

  Carl turned. Dalton handed Katriona a riding crop, which she smacked right across Carl’s tight, round ass cheeks.

  Carmen’s face flushed, and she nearly gasped at the spear of lust that went through her. Dios mio, what was wrong with her? She wanted to taste him. Lick him. Suck the tight, tan skin stretched over those beautiful muscles.

  “Shall we start the bidding at five hundred?” Dalton asked.

  The price rose quickly as Katriona put Carl through a few turns. She whacked him on the ass a couple more times. Then Carl went down on his knees and kissed the top of Katriona’s foot. Even though the man’s actions were submissive, he did them with such strength, such masculine grace, that she was reminded of a lion tamer. Although one held the whip, only the foolish believed the lion to be truly tamed or powerless.

  Olivia had told her about the exhibitionism that went on here sometimes, about the scenes played out, sometimes all-out sex right there on the stage, but this... There was something about it that got Carmen’s blood heated to a fevered pitch.

  “Think about it, ladies. Who wouldn’t want to be pampered by a man who will answer your every wish? To relax and let him take care of your every desire.”

  “Five thousand five hundred going once... Twice...”

  Carmen shot her hand up in the air. “Five thous
and six hundred,” she called out.

  Olivia grabbed her hand and pulled it down. “What the hell are you doing, Car?”

  “I want to be pampered. I’ve never been pampered.” She sounded pathetic, but she couldn’t help it. It might be the only time in her life when a man would willingly cook her a meal and give her a massage.”

  “It’s just a weekend getaway. I’ll send you to the spa we use. They aren’t actually auctioning sex. It’s not like you get to have Carl.”

  Carmen shrugged. “I can get sex anywhere.”

  “Five thousand nine hundred,” Dalton said.

  Carmen raised her hand again. “Six thousand.” It would take a large chunk of her savings but, as Olivia said, it was for a good cause—a tax write-off. She eyed Carl. Yeah, a weekend of being pampered was exactly what she needed to get her mind off her recent troubles.

  Carl peeked up through his lashes. The Montgomerys’ guest was bidding on him. It took all he had to keep the smile inside.

  Kat laid her hand against his chest, making it look sexual as she stroked his pec, but she leaned in and whispered, “Carmen’s not a member. We can’t allow her to win the auction.”

  Dipping his head a bit farther so none of the audience could see his mouth as he spoke, he said, “She’s Olivia’s life-long friend. I say let her have me.”

  “It’s the hips, isn’t it?” Kat asked with a husky chuckle in his ear. “You like her hips.”

  “And boobs,” he commented, trying to keep his own laughter inside. “She’s got great boobs.”

  Kat tweaked his nipple, nearly making him jump. “Okay. I’ll let her have you if she can outbid Harriet.” She gave a slight nod in Dalton’s direction, so he would let Carmen win if she bid high enough.

  God, please let Carmen win the auction. Harriett would tie him up for the weekend and probably... He swallowed. “It is clear that sex is not part of the weekend package, right?”

  Kat snapped his ass with the riding crop and laughed. She was getting off on this shit. He’d get her back.

  “Six thousand three hundred going once... Twice... Sold to the Montgomerys.”

  Carl sighed and slumped. “Thank God,” he murmured.

  Kat gave him an affectionate pat on the ass. “You sounded worried.”

  Carl bowed low, showing the audience his respect for his Domme. Beneath his breath so only she could hear, he said, “I’m all for volunteering for a good cause, but if Harriett had gotten me, you and Dalton would have been paying one hell of a bonus.”

  * * * * *

  Carmen pulled up into the back parking lot of Incognito—as she’d been instructed to do the other night—and parked Olivia’s sporty little convertible under a tree to keep it in the shade. Since the three-day forecast was for sunny skies, she didn’t bother closing the top, and instead grabbed her overnight bag off the passenger seat.

  She was a little tired, but the several cups of coffee she’d had that morning had helped. She and Olivia had stayed up late the night before talking while she helped Olivia pack for her trip, then she’d been up to see them all off at the airport that morning.

  Now she had two weeks to veg out in Olivia’s mansion. She grinned as she headed down the crushed seashell path toward the caretaker’s cottage at the back of the Incognito property. Her vacation was going better than she could have imagined, starting off with a weekend pampering session by the handsome, sexy, takes-directions-well Carl.

  Too bad she couldn’t have brought him to the Montgomery mansion. Their Jacuzzi was bigger than anything here, she’d bet. And they had the walled-in lawn and garden.

  Oh... The path opened to the cutest little cottage she’d ever seen in real life. It looked like something out of Hansel and Gretel or a Thomas Kinkade painting. Not made out of candy, of course, but the trim looked like gingerbread, and the flowers blooming around the steps and front looked like cotton candy.

  She set her bag on the front step then went around the side. A short hedge that came to her waist was the only thing blocking her from the beach and the slow rolling waves beyond the sparkling sand.

  She sighed. The Montgomerys’ mansion wasn’t on the beach. This was very nice. Closing her eyes, she listened to the flow and ebb of the surf. She had lived in California her entire life, but there was something about here that was more...welcoming. Soothing. Perhaps it was the area. Not so populated. The air was cleaner. The scent of flowers more noticeable.

  And here she had the freedom to not worry about any of the crap she’d had to deal with back in California. No asshole men who thought she could be bought. No bosses demanding she work harder and faster. No more—no, she didn’t want to think of that.

  Right now, standing on the edge of the beach, the sun beating down on her head and warming her from the inside out, she had no worries. Life was good. Once Olivia returned from her trip, she’d talk to her friend about holing up with them until she could find a job. With her experience, it shouldn’t be difficult; wasn’t Florida known for its tourist industry? And hotels were a huge part of that. She didn’t want to go back to California—couldn’t go back now. She wanted to stay. She wanted to be near her friend she’d missed with all her heart. Maybe she should begin the search before Olivia got back, but not yet, not until after her weekend of pampered relaxation.

  “Good afternoon, Mistress Carmen.”

  She whirled around at the deep, sensual voice, to find Carl standing behind her, head bowed, hands behind his back. He had on black slacks and a bow tie, not unlike Chippendales dancers wore. His broad chest and slim waist, not to mention those absolutely scrumptious abs, were bare for her viewing pleasure.

  “My apologies, Mistress, for startling you.”

  “No problem,” she said. He could startle her anytime he wanted, especially when dressed like that. Or in nothing at all. She fought the urge to grin like a loon as she ran her gaze over his entire body and shivered. The guy looked good no matter what he wore. “So. What’s first?” She couldn’t just stand out here and ogle him all day.

  “If it pleases you, Mistress, dinner is prepared.” He held his hand out, sweeping it toward the deck of the cottage overlooking the beach.

  “My bag’s by the front door.”

  “I will fetch it for you. Please, make yourself comfortable, and I’ll bring supper to you. Unless you’d prefer to change clothes first?”

  She glanced down at herself. Jeans and a tank top. Running shoes. “Yeah. I think I’ll put on...” What? She supposed she could put on her swimsuit to sit in the sun. Not that she needed a tan. Oh, hell, she’d spent so much time inside the past ten years, she didn’t even know what to do with herself. “Okay, grab my bag, please, and I’ll change before I eat.”

  Carl gave a low bow and turned away. Oh, damn. His backside in those snug slacks looked good enough to bite. On his wrists, she realized, he had black leather cuffs. With a sigh and her gaze on his ass, she followed him around to the front door and then into the cool, air-conditioned interior of the quaint cottage.

  The colors were earthy and cheery, the shades of the sea in corals and greens and yellows. “It’s so pretty,” she said as she did a turn and took in the small, comfortable house.

  She’d lived in the same small room in the Rosemont for the last ten years. Her view was of the parking lot, and she hadn’t been allowed to even hang a picture on the wall. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little place of her own like this? Could she afford it once she started working again?

  Ha. She’d never be able to afford an oceanside cottage. She was dreaming now. She swallowed back a lump of disappointment and forced a smile, not that Carl was watching. His gaze was on the floor, as usual.

  “Which way to the bathroom?” she asked, reaching for her bag.

  “This way.” Keeping a firm hold on her little suitcase, Carl turned and walked into a spacious bedroom. “This is your room, Mistress.” He laid the bag on the bed and unzipped it, then opened it.

  She frowned. If he sta
rted rifling through her undies, she was not going to be a happy mistress. He didn’t rifle, though; he simply laid the lid back. Then he went into the bathroom and turned on the light.

  “If you wish for a soak in the tub, please let me know, and I will draw it for you.”

  Moving up close to him, she peered into the big bathroom, at the two-person-sized whirlpool tub, the big glass-enclosed shower stall, and the sandy-colored granite countertops that matched the ones in the kitchen. But the bathroom wasn’t nearly as intriguing as Carl’s musky, masculine scent. Mmm. Now she really wanted to take a bite.

  “Thanks, Carl,” she said, forcing herself to move away. “Maybe later. Where do you sleep?” As far as she could tell, this was the only bedroom in the little cottage. She reached into her bag and pulled out her simple, one-piece swimsuit. She wasn’t sure she wanted to get quite so bare in front of the sexy man standing in her bedroom. Cellulite had become her companion in recent years. She didn’t care about her rather generous curves most of the time, but this guy made her want to be model-like—tall, slim, and sexy—and she just wasn’t.

  “I will leave for the nights,” he said.

  “Oh.” Duh. He had Katriona to go home to. “Okay.” She lifted the swimsuit, debating if she should put it on or simply change into her sundress that would cover her thunder thighs. Screw it, she thought. He was here to cater to her, not the other way around. Besides, he might be great eye candy, but it wasn’t as if she was actually going to get any from him, so why try to impress?

  “I’ll leave you to change.” He executed a deep bow, but he didn’t leave the room.

  She stared at the top of his head as he stood there bowing.

  “Mistress?” he queried.

  “Yeah?”

  “May I be excused?”

  “Oh!” She chuckled. Man, the guy really did take directions, didn’t he? “Yeah. Thanks.”

  He stood, a small smile playing on his sexy lips. “May I pour you a glass of champagne?”

  “Sure.”

  He gave a nod of his head and then left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.