Chapter Two

Cara Winters took a deep breath to calm her rapidly beating heart. Excitement and nerves swirled together in an elegant cocktail she craved to drink in one gulp. It was always like this before a meeting with a Dom. But tonight was so very different than others. Tonight, she’d experience her deepest, darkest fantasies.

Her hands shook slightly as she ran them down her barely there skirt. This dom had been precise about his expectations and requirements for the evening. A bottle of champagne was on ice—“Ace of Spades” Brut Gold to be exact, and two crystal flutes flanked the bucket. The suite was opulent and lush, set off the main strip of Vegas at a hotel that FANTA-C owned. The agency confirmed it was used often for many of their clients, completely safe, and discreet. Decorated in rich burgundy and silver, gilded mirrors, plush carpeting, and a master bed and bath in gold and Italian tile made Cara feel sinfully spoiled. She hoped to use the spa tub and steam shower.

Thank goodness the dom didn’t order her to greet him in standard sub position—on her knees, naked, with legs spread. Though her friend said FANTA-C was a trusted agency, she wanted to be able to talk to the dom that she was trusting her wildest fantasy to, even though she’d sent her list of do’s and don’ts to him already. If the connection wasn’t there, or if she got a weird feeling in her gut, Cara was walking out the door. She’d already phoned her girlfriend with the exact location and room number. Melanie was on stand-by to rescue her if needed.

A soft knock on the door interrupted her nervous thoughts.

Cara hesitated only a moment. Then opened it.

Oh…My…God!

Remington Steele.

Her first love. Her first lover. Her first heartbreak.

The shock jolted through her like an electrical current. Her body froze, but her gaze hungrily slid over him, noting the delectable changes over the years. He was leaner. Harder. Sooty black hair spilled messily over his forehead, framing aqua blue eyes. Once, those eyes were filled with burning heat. Now, they reminded her of a chilly winter morning, flecked with shards of ice.

His features were still hard and carved from stone, from his sharp Roman nose, square jaw, and slashed cheekbones. His upper lip was thin, setting off the plump lower one that had a habit of kicking up in a half smile. He’d always dressed simply, in dark wash jeans, t-shirt, and loafers, as if he could care less what he threw on his body.

Oh, God, his body. Cara had never forgotten that body.

Whiplash strong. Lean muscles. Eight pack abs from his love of the gym. Corded arms and powerful thighs. Skin a warm, toasty brown. Cara still remembered the patterns of dark hair on his massive chest, and her fingers curled with the need to reach out and touch him.

Of course, she didn’t. As her previous Dom years ago, he’d never allowed her to touch without permission. As the man she’d abandoned without explanation, Cara knew her touch was not welcome anymore.

Waves of tightly wound energy snapped around him. Underneath, Cara caught the sexual chemistry between them flare to life and crackle like a live wire. It was still there. Even after years apart, the moment they came near each other, the connection took over, drawing them together like magnets doomed to never separate.

Cara shivered. “I don’t understand,” she managed. Her voice came out husky. “What are you doing here?”

His gaze flicked over her. Cara knew well how Rem hid his emotions like a master, not giving anything away until he was ready. It used to cause nervousness and stress. Now, she only felt acceptance. And excitement.

“This is the room FANTA-C booked for me. I sent my specifications to them about what I wanted and they sent them to my date,” he said.

“I’m your date.”

Silence fell. His face tightened, and those arctic eyes grew even colder. “Did you know about this?”

Cara shook her head. Wrapped her hands around her chest, trying to hide behind the skimpy corset she wore. Disapproval radiated from his figure. He’d always hated when she tried to block her body from his view. Some things never changed. “No. I wouldn’t have done that to either of us.”

Misery choked her throat. How had this happened? Once, this man had held her in his arms and promised to marry her one day. Now, he was a distant stranger, looking at her with disdain and regret. Not that she blamed him. She’d run like a coward, refusing to talk to him, and shattering his heart. Cara deserved his disapproval.

She straightened to full height, which was almost six foot in her four-inch heels. She held his gaze, refusing to flinch from the emptiness she found there. “I’m sorry this happened. I…I had no idea you were in Vegas or were a client of the agency. This was a mistake. I’ll call them and explain so maybe they can send you someone else.”

She turned on her heel to walk away.

“Cara.”

She jerked at the sound of her name from his lips. His voice deepened to the familiar dark, commanding strains of a true Dom. Her body responded instantly, her nipples growing hard and her muscles already relaxing in surrender. She fought off her response with sheer determination. “Yes?”

“There won’t be any need for the call.”

A frown creased her brow. “I don’t understand.”

“You’re my match for tonight. Out of all the women, in all the damn world, they picked you. For my fantasy.” Spellbound, Cara watched as he picked up a black duffel bag from the floor, shut the door behind him, and stepped into the room. Testosterone blasted her in all its delicious glory, allowing her to slip into that beautiful place of abandon, to give over to a man ready to care for her, push her, control her. How had his eyes turned from cold to pure blistering heat? Rem stopped inches away. His gaze narrowed as he slowly reached out to grasp her chin, forcing her head back. “You ran away from me once. I won’t allow that again. You need a man to command you tonight. A man to take everything you have to give and push you for more, until you break, until there’s nothing left you haven’t surrendered. I’m the man that’s going to do that, Cara. You owe me, that. Do you understand?”

She shook, helpless against his gaze, his voice, and his electrifying touch. Karma cycled around and kept her in its merciless grip. It was as if all the running and avoiding she’d done over the years came down to this moment. There was nowhere left to go. Only this man she’d once loved and left; the one man she’d never been able to forget. The one man who could make all her fantasies come true.

Cara barely managed a whisper. “Yes.”

“Then let’s begin.”