The Baby Bargain

Chapter 36: Alison

"I can't believe I'm actually here." Alison turned to Harker as he pulled the car into the parking garage at La Petite Mort Club. "What's it like inside? Is everyone hot and sexy? Will they be doing it right at the door? Are there beds or do people do it on chairs or standing or—"

"You'll see." He parked and got out.

Alison hurried out of the car, her loose, black skirt falling back into place without any tugging from her. She'd been surprised but happy when Ellie had suggested a loose skirt instead of one that clung to her curves like a second skin. She actually felt like she looked good in this outfit.

Her skirt fell to mid-thigh with a small slit up the back. It was simple with straight lines and as far as skirts went it was okay, but she loved her new shirt. It was soft peach that made her brown eyes look like caramelly-chocolate, but the best part was it actually made her breasts look good.

"This way." Harker started for the door.

"Wait. Our bags." She stood by the trunk. She didn't want any excuse for them to leave. She'd waited too long to get inside this place.

"I'll send someone to get them."

"You sure? We could get them now and put them in the room."

"Or you can trust me. They'll get to our room before we do."

"This isn't some trick to shorten the trip if you get mad at me again, is it?" She eyed him warily. "Because you said we were staying until Sunday. You can leave if you want to but I'm staying here until Sunday."

He took two large steps and stopped so close his chest almost brushed against hers. She had to tip back her head to see his face.

"Three things. First, this isn't a trick. Second, don't do anything to piss me off and third, if I leave you will be coming with me."

"No, I won't."

"You're not staying alone." His jaw tightened.

"Then I guess you'd better not get mad at me because if you want to leave early, you'll have to drag me out of here." She stepped around him and started in the direction he'd been walking.

He caught up to her quickly, grabbing her arm and yanking her to his side. "Don't tempt me because I will do exactly that."

"You would not." She laughed. She couldn't even picture it. "You'd never do anything so...so—"

"Passionate?" He studied her face.

"No." She laughed again. "Undignified. And it would be undignified because I'd be kicking and screaming." She grinned up at him. "We'd make a scene, and you wouldn't like that at all." He was the most reserved man she'd ever met.

He captured her chin. "Me tossing you over my shoulder and carrying you away–no matter how much you fought–wouldn't even come close to qualifying as a scene at the Club."

"Really? Then what does?" Oh, she couldn't wait to get inside.

"You'll see if you ever stop arguing with me."

"I wasn't arguing. I was explaining that I'm not leaving until Sunday. I don't care what happens."

"Speaking of that"—his thumb caressed her cheek—"you need to pick a safeword."

"A safeword? Why? Are we going to..."? She didn't even know what to call it. Suddenly, he seemed so big and masculine, his hand large and his fingers rough on her face.

"It's always good to be prepared."

"True and I've been thinking about this and—"

"You have?" He seemed surprised.

"Yep. For years."

"Really?" His eyes darkened and his lips shifted upward in a half-smile.

She nodded. "Ever since I heard about the place."

"Okay, then what's your safeword?"

"Debug."

"Debug?"

"Yeah. From what I've read a person uses a safeword if they want things to stop...even if only for a moment. When I have a bug in my code it forces me to stop and fix it. I figured it's kind of the same thing. Right?"

"Actually, yes. It's perfect"—he moved a little closer and she suddenly didn't have enough air—"because if you use your safeword I'll stop but only long enough to fix it."