Lalisa,Mine.

Chapter Eleven

      "Welcome to The Scarlet Room," Jennie said.

      Lisa looked around. The room resembled a Victorian parlor, complete with red, vintage wallpaper and ornate furniture, but with the inclusion of a large four-poster bed. What was on the walls told a different story. The shelves, hooks and cabinets, all held a vast array of BDSM equipment.

      What interested Lisa the most was a rack on the far wall. It was a cornucopia of whips, including a long, thin riding crop. Unlike the others, the crop had a crimson handle. It was the same one that had hung from Jennie's bed at The Lounge and had haunted Lisa since the day she stepped into that room.

      "See something you like?" Jennie asked.

      Lisa stared at the rack. "Are you going to use one of these on me?"

      "Do you want me to?"

      Lisa nodded, her pulse quickening.

      Jennie sidled up behind her and draped her arms around Lisa's shoulders. "Say it. Tell me exactly what you want me to do to you."

      "Please, Ruby Jane. I want you to use the riding crop on me."

      "Okay. But I plan to do far more with you than that." Jennie walked to the center of the room and beckoned Lisa with a finger. "Come here."

      Lisa followed, hypnotized by Jennie's voice. Jennie took Lisa's hands and brought her wrists together. Out of nowhere, Jennie produced a short chain and clipped the cuffs to each other.

      "Raise your arms above your head," Jennie said.

      Lisa looked up as she lifted her arms. She was right underneath an elaborate iron chandelier. A long piece of rope dangled from the center of it. Sure enough, Jennie reached up and tied the rope to the chain at Lisa's wrists, leaving her strung up with her arms stretched almost to their limits. Her feet were flat on the floor, but every muscle in her body was taut.

      Jennie cupped Lisa's face in her hands. "How do you feel?"

      "Fine," Lisa remembered Jennie's words about honesty. "A little anxious. But not in a bad way."

      Jennie kissed Lisa gently on the lips. "Trust me."

      Jennie disappeared somewhere behind her. Lisa heard the rustle of fabric and turned her head. Jennie had slipped out of her dress, revealing a lacy black bra and matching panties. Her lace-topped thigh-high stockings were held up by a garter belt. Just the sight of her made Lisa ache.

      "Eyes forward. Unless you want me to blindfold you?"

      "No, Ruby Jane." Lisa snapped her head back around. There was a challenge in Jennie's voice that Lisa didn't dare to test.

      "Stay perfectly still."

      Lisa heard the click of Jennie's heels on the floor behind her. When Jennie came back into view, she had the riding crop in her hand. But instead of coming back to Lisa, Jennie went to sit on the end of the bed.

      She leaned back and crossed her legs, admiring her handiwork. "You look delectable tied up and waiting for me like that."

      Lisa tested her restraints. They held fast. And the sturdy chandelier didn't move at all.

      Jennie smiled. "You've been waiting for this, haven't you?"

      "Yes." Lisa could feel the blood rushing through her veins.

      "Yes? Just 'yes?'"

      "Yes, Ruby Jane."

      "That's better." Finally, Jennie stood up. She circled around Lisa, trailing her fingers across the back of Lisa's thighs.