Fantasy Man Read online

  One of her specializations was in the armor's time period, she was quick thinking, and most important of all, he was dying to meet her.

  The last characteristic made him pause as he made his way over to Briton's car. Had the last factor outweighed all the others? Did he ask Sophia to join him at Bainsworth's and help him search for the missing armor simply because he was fascinated with her?

  The sound of a car door slamming shut stirred Ansley from his thoughts. He focused his attention to the man leaning against the slick silhouette of the luxury car.

  The vehicle was graceful, beautiful, and entirely masculine. It was a new addition. “Test driving your brother's latest work?” Ansley asked as he strode to Wilde.

  The other man grinned back at him and nodded his head in agreement before tilting his head to the side and peering at the vehicle Ansley just departed. “Is that your plus one?"

  "Yes."

  "Hmmm,” he said with a smile.

  The look in Wilde's eyes made him uneasy. Ansley glanced over his shoulder and looked back at Sophia. The car was parked beneath one of the parking lot's lights. There was more than enough illumination to see the inside of the vehicle.

  "Lucky you, or is this simply another job?” Wilde asked.

  "Lucky me."

  Wilde lifted his head and flashed Ansley a wide, smug grin. “So it's like that, huh? It's about damned time you looked at something that didn't come with a price tag."

  Ansley couldn't help the fact that his lips turned down at Wilde's words. The man was more than just a former client. Over the years, Wilde had become a friend. He was one of the few people who knew and understood Ansley. The fact that he was right made Ansley wonder what it was about Sophia that allowed her to breach his defenses when even the most skilled women weren't able to get more than a few nights with him. Ansley had thought of Sophia for months.

  "This is a good thing, Ansley. Don't overthink it. Sometimes you just have to stop fighting the flow."

  One hand dipped into the front pocket of his coat. A sense of grounding filled him when his fingers closed around the packet of gum. With a slow, careful movement, he pulled it from his pocket, removed two pieces, then popped them into his mouth. At the first taste of the soothing nicotine, the tightness in his chest loosened. Why he decided to stop smoking a month ago, he'd never understand. “Easy to say when you're not the one wondering if you will float to the top or be dragged under."

  The low, masculine sound of Wilde's chuckle drifted to him just as he threw the pack of nicotine gum back into his pocket. “You know you're lucky I consider you a friend, right?"

  Wilde's laughter subsided, but the amusement was still there in his golden gaze. “Let me guess, not many people laugh in your face and don't regret it?"

  When Ansley first met Wilde, he hadn't considered the man to be much more than a pretty face. Then he'd discovered that Wilde was a renowned, groundbreaking psychologist, but even that discovery hadn't clued him in to the true depths of Briton Wilde's character.

  The man saw straight through Ansley. “Yes. I'm not exactly known for my sense of humor."

  Wilde shrugged. “It's not your fault. The world is full of idiots.” He lifted his chin and indicated the car behind him. “Is she truly prepared for what she has to do?"

  "Yes.” Sophia was a strong woman. No matter what happened, she would tackle it and get the job done.

  "Did she like the costume?"

  Ansley gave Wilde a wide smile. “I'm not so sure she did, but I won't lie, I love it."

  "Yes, of course you did,” he replied with a chuckle.

  "Why did you call me here, Wilde?"

  "No more buttering up, huh?” Wilde asked before running his long fingers through his chestnut locks. “I received a little more information about the party you're going to tonight."

  The temperature seemed to lower at Wilde's statement. Ansley felt the cold seep into his bones. He knew he was not going to like what Wilde told him. Still he asked, “What about it?"

  "According to the rumor, and this is just a rumor, Bainsworth's events are not just weekend-long parties."

  Seconds filled with silence ticked by. Wilde was waiting on him to say something. “So what are these parties?"

  "I've heard that during the weekend the guests are gathered together to watch live adult performances."

  Ansley stilled. Then very slowly he lifted his head until his gaze collided with Wilde's. “They expect us to watch people fuck?” he asked incredulously.

  "It's just a rumor, Ansley. It might not be based on anything, just gossip."

  "You have got to be kidding. I can't—I won't—ask her to participate in something like that."

  The other man wasn't listening. Ansley stared at Wilde's waving hand in surprise. “What are...?” Too late, he realized what Wilde was doing. He turned in dismay to see Sophia softly closing the passenger's-side door behind her. “Shit,” he cursed softly.

  "She deserves to have some input about this, or is it that you don't want her to know who you really are, what you're really like?"

  Before he could respond to Wilde's question, Sophia stood beside them. She smiled at him before glancing pointedly at Wilde. Grudgingly, he introduced the two. After that was completed, she turned expectant eyes on him. He considered how to tell her about the party. In the end, he decided to just spit it out. “It appears that the Bainsworth event is a sex party."

  Her initial response was a slow blink. Then her full lips parted into an O. Before she could say anything, he continued. “We will, of course, no longer be going."

  That seemed to snap her out of her shock. She focused on him. “Why?"

  It was the last thing he was expecting. He was fully prepared for her to wholeheartedly agree with him. Ansley did not have an answer to her question.

  When she saw no reply was forthcoming, she glanced at Wilde. He shrugged. She turned back to him. “I thought you wanted to get back the armor?"

  "I do,” he admitted.

  "Well, what exactly happens at this party?"

  "According to the local gossip, Bainsworth stages a live erotic performance for his guests,” Wilde supplied.

  "Do the guests themselves participate in these ... shows?"

  Ansley glanced at Wilde. “As far as we know, the answer is no,” Wilde said.

  She turned to Ansley. “So it's just like porn. If it means getting back your piece, I can handle live porn."

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  Chapter Four

  Reckless Love

  "If it means getting back your piece, I can handle live porn."

  What had she been thinking when she spouted that nonsense? At the time, she'd only been concerned about the look of defeat she saw in Ansley's eyes when he told her they would not be going to be the Bainsworth party. Although he hadn't said anything, she knew the armor wasn't just another piece. Ansley was hunting for himself. The pain in his gaze had been too personal for it to be just another job.

  Driving up to the estate entrance was a lesson in opulence. The winding driveway was lined with gorgeous shrubbery. Consuming the horizon was the magnificent pale peach image of the legendary estate. Considered a northern California castle, the Bainsworth property housed more than one hundred bedrooms and filled more than three miles.

  Sophia took in a deep breath and released it slowly. Even to her own ears, the exhale sounded both ragged and strained. There was no help for it. She was on edge. True to Wilde's description, the Bainsworth event was a masquerade ball meant to indulge one's senses and expose their desires.

  She glanced at the man beside her, wondering what Ansley would do if she was to let herself go and allow him to see what she desired. Probably take off the first chance he got, she thought as she took a small sip from the glass Ansley had handed her when they first entered the ballroom.

  Sophia wouldn't blame him if he did. It wasn't that her fantasies were unusual or taboo. It was just that the men she attracted didn't
want to help her make her fantasies a reality. She was just too delicate, too sweet, too cultured, for her to want to be bound and fucked until her voice was hoarse from the pleasure. One man had even gone so far as to ask her if she thought therapy would banish her “odd needs.” That was the last time she confided in anyone about her constant hunger.

  Her lashes lowered for a brief moment. During this time, Sophia pushed aside all thoughts of her past, and of her desires, and focused on the case at hand. Before she knew it, they were already halfway across the room. Pressed to Ansley's side, she scanned the room. With a jolt, she realized that they were in a line. She glanced to her left to find his jade eyes watching her. She swallowed thickly at the shocking intensity of his gaze. No man had a right to look as he did, both strong and beautiful. She licked her lips slowly and tilted her head to the front of the line. “Do you know what this is about?"

  "Honestly? No. They're handing out lists of some sort."

  "Oh,” she said and took a sip of her champagne. Her gut clenched in apprehension as she thought about the information she'd been given on the woman she was impersonating. Hopefully, she wouldn't make a mistake when answering the checklist and expose them.

  All too soon, they were standing before the duo handing out the lists. Sophia looked up in surprise at the matronly appearing woman holding several clipboards. She grinned at Sophia. “Please, fill out your desires information sheet and return it here"—she pointed to a medium-sized rectangular box across the room—"so we can match you up with your fantasies."

  Sophia stared at the woman in horror, hoping she'd misheard her. She darted a glance at Ansley. He appeared to be just as shell-shocked as she felt. This was not what she'd signed on for. One look at his face and she knew this was not what Ansley had expected.

  "My dear, is everything all right?” The woman placed a comforting palm on Sophia's shoulder. Her touch reminded Sophia of why she was there, gave her enough strength to push aside her immediate fright. She licked her lips and tightened the hold she had on the duster in her hands. “I'm sorry. This is our first time participating."

  The attendant shook her head in understanding. “Yes, our invites don't exactly give you an itinerary of what happens here.” She held up the clipboard. “There are a series of questions about your likes, dislikes, what you'd be interested in trying. It's best to be as honest as possible as your tasks will be crafted based on your answers.” She leaned forward and whispered in a conspirator's voice, “Some couples have lied and found themselves in very awkward situations.” With another smile, she stepped back. “Any questions?” she asked as she looked from Sophia to Ansley.

  Her mind was flooded with questions, but none of them seemed to come out. She shook her head and accepted the clipboard held out to her. Determined to get through the night and the party, she focused on filling out the personal information correctly. It was fairly easy to do since she was imparting the info she'd memorized on the woman she was pretending to be.

  The thought made her pause. The role came so easily to her because it was what she did, day in and out. She was always pretending to be someone else, to keep her emotions hidden so as to not disrupt those around her.

  The Sophia Feathermoore the world knew was as much a role as the identity she was borrowing.

  "Need help?"

  She lifted her head and glanced at Ansley in surprise. “Excuse me?"

  He gestured to the clipboard. “Do you need help filling it out? I'd love to be of service."

  Just before the surprise got the best of her and she dropped her mouth open in shock, Sophia schooled her face. At least as much as humanly possible. Her lips twitched in amusement as she spoke. “I think I can handle it. You heard what she said. I don't want to get anything I don't want. Plus, this will be so much more exciting if we're forced to find out what we each like, don't like, and are willing to try,” she admitted.

  Ansley was flirting with her. And he wasn't balking at the idea of them together, even if the circumstances were staged. God, she wanted him, and he appeared to desire her too. As the saying goes, “her mother didn't raise no fool.” The weekend might be a sex-filled gift and she, for one, was not going to look the gift horse in the mouth.

  She looked over the sheet and gasped at the first question. The wording was so explicit she found herself staring at it.

  Do you enjoy receiving oral sex? She'd only had one experience with it, and it had not been pleasurable. Awkward and disenchanting described the whole night now that she thought about it. Sophia imagined Ansley's dark head between her thighs and felt a frisson of heat slice through her. She checked the yes box.

  Do you enjoy performing oral sex? Her pen wavered over the no box. She'd never once liked the act, considered it an exhausting, distasteful task that she simply got through. Then the searing image of herself on her knees before Ansley flashed through her mind. Once again, she checked the yes box.

  Would you be interested in multiple partners? The thought was thrilling, but she couldn't imagine wanting any man other than Ansley. Plus, she instinctively knew that he would be more than enough to please her. In and out of the bedroom. She didn't need anyone but Ansley.

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  Chapter Five

  Brand New Jones

  Whether in heaven or hell, Ansley wasn't sure where he stood. He only knew that there was no returning to the real world after this weekend. Whatever happened, he would never be the same man as he'd been when he walked onto the Bainsworth estate. The very thought of being with Sophia changed him.

  He glanced at the woman who walked beside him and wondered if she felt the same way, if she had an idea of her effect on him.

  The one thing he did know was that she was still there. If she wasn't interested in being with him, she would have taken off the moment the attendant explained the clipboards.

  But she'd stayed.

  He took a sip of the first-class champagne and allowed the distinct flavor and pleasure to coat his tongue. She stayed. He couldn't seem to get past that thought. It was both frightening and exhilarating. Ansley had never wanted a woman as much as he desired Sophia. His hunger was almost unnatural.

  For over a year, his need had been constant, spiking when he spoke to her, but always below the surface, torturing him late at night when he thought about satisfying her. Teasing him during the day when he wondered what it would be like to be with her. And now Ansley knew that before the weekend was over, he would be able to feed his appetite for her.

  The invitees had been broken up into groups of twenty. As one, his and Sophia's group walked in silence, making their way down a long hall that was reported to lead to one of the theater rooms on the estate.

  Ansley had an idea what kind of show they were going to see. His gut clenched in apprehension at the thought of how Sophia was going to handle it. She'd bravely declared that she could handle the live show, but he wasn't sure.

  He couldn't help worrying about her. He cared about Sophia. During the length of their relationship, she'd snaked her way past his intimate defenses. Even though they'd never truly touched, never kissed, Ansley thought of Sophia as his. He was a man known for protecting what belonged to him.

  "Are you all right?” The warm gust of her breath brushed across the exposed flesh at his nape as she leaned forward in concern. He turned his head to answer her question and found himself staring right into her eyes. Desire, savage and dark, rose in him at the sight. She had such beautiful eyes, wide and deep brown with long, ebony lashes, they were so expressive he thought he could see straight into her pure soul. The sight was alluring.

  He leaned forward, intent on stealing a kiss from her plump lips. Her eyes widened in surprise and then lowered to glance at his mouth. When her gaze returned, there was an answering need in her eyes. She wanted the kiss as much as he did.

  A misstep and someone jostled him. “Excuse me,” a male voice said sincerely as a body swept past them. Sophia jerked in surprise. He wat
ched her look around them, take a step back, and clear her throat. The moment had been shattered.

  The opportunity to kiss her was gone.

  Still, the closeness of her body didn't have to go to waste. He lifted his arm. She gave him a tender, intimate smile and slipped her arm into his.

  He'd never tasted the flavor of Sophia's lips, but he knew he'd missed out on something special. Ansley led her into the theater as he comforted himself with the knowledge that he would consume the distinctive flavor of Sophia's kiss before the weekend was over. That and more.

  The theater was a lushly crafted reminder of the opulence of the 1920s. The walls were covered with a swirl-patterned velour fabric with deep red tones ranging from a shocking red to rich maroon. Rich mahogany trimmed the walls. Gold fixtures illuminated the expansive room with beautiful mood lighting. Several rows of thickly padded seats filled the room, providing just enough seating for their group.

  The stage at the front of the room was empty and barely lit. Ushers showed them their seats, directing the small line of guests until everyone found their spot. When the young man turned and gestured to him and Sophia take the last two seats in one of the front rows, Ansley followed his heed. Sophia moved back to take her own seat. The man coughed loudly and pointed to the occupied seat next to Ansley. He'd been so engrossed in his thoughts he hadn't noticed that the rest of the guests were sharing the lush seating. It seemed Sophia was paying just as little attention to the seating arrangement. Apparently the chairs were large enough to hold two individuals and the Bainsworth party fully planned to take advantage of that fact.

  He lifted his gaze and stared into Sophia's face. Her creamy mahogany skin was too dark to allow her to actually blush, but Ansley could feel her embarrassment. He held out his hand, telling her without words that it would be all right, that she could trust him.

  She gave him a tremulous smile that reached her eyes and stepped forward. Satisfaction poured through him. She was still nervous, but she trusted him. That brought him immense pleasure.