Masterpiece (The Masters of The Order Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

she didn’t fit in, she tried not to cower at his comment. No one else in the room wore Chanel or as much clothing as she did for that matter.
    Stupid, naïve little girl. To think that you look sexy because you tucked up your hem and unbuttoned an extra button on your blouse.
    She fought the urge to rip the ponytail out of her hair.
    “Watch, you might learn something,” he said, laughing, and motioned behind her.
    As she turned, a spotlight blared to life revealing a large platform in the middle of the club. A man wearing a leather hood guided a line of bodies onto it. Each of them stopped where he directed and stood with their legs apart, heads bowed and hands behind their backs.
    Someone called out, “Anybody else brave enough to join us?”
    No one stepped up.
    As the crowd moved in for a better view, another group began working their way around the base of the platform to assess the bound figures elevated before them. Words were exchanged with the hooded man. One by one, he attached a chain to a collar around a neck from the group on the platform and placed the other end in a hand from the group on the floor. He dismissed those left unleashed with a swat on the backside. In the space of a few moments, the platform was empty and the light gone.
    The images of the auction stole Julianne’s breath. Not because they scared her. Not because they sickened her. Because they enticed her. Because buried beneath the ladylike exterior lay a latent desire. A secret lust for the taboo of being mastered. A hunger for the forbidden lifestyle that was being played out before her riveted eyes.
    In a dark place.
    At the end of a hidden ally.
    In Montmartre.
    What would it feel like to be one of those women? To be chosen. To surrender to will of a Master?
    She bit her bottom lip until she tasted blood.
    “Well, well. Fascinated, are we?”
    Julianne shook free of her erotic musing and turned back to the suspended man with the nice voice. “What was that?” she asked trying not to sound as shaken as she felt at being so exposed.
    “That, my innocent, was a beginning. New to the life?”
    “Not exactly.” Her eyes drifted to the fingers clenching her glass.
    “Care to elaborate?”
    She loosened her grip. “Only if you care to tell me why you’re up there like that.”
    “My Mistress put me in here as a punishment. It’s not though, I actually like it.” He flashed a nonchalant smile. “But if she sees me talking to a pretty girl like you, she’ll be really pissed. So ask your question before I get into real trouble.”
    Julianne glanced up, but avoided looking directly into his face. “What makes you think I have a question?”
    “If you’re not into the life, why else would a classy girl like you come here? You’re not a reporter, are you?”
    “No,” she said, meeting his eyes.
    He rolled onto his side so his whole body faced her, the movement swinging the cage ever so slightly. “Oh, I see.”
    “See what?”
    “Why you’re here.”
    “You have no idea why I’m here.”
    “I do and I’ll tell you why. It’s the same reason we’re all here, pretty girl.” He propped himself up on one arm and leaned forward. “You’re not interested in the average guy, are you?”
    He can see that? Even in the dark. Look where you are, Julianne. Of course, he can see it.
    She raised her chin in defiance. “You don’t know me, sir. You have no idea who I am or what I’m interested in.”
    If he was offended, he didn’t show it. “First, sugar, I’m a sub. You don’t call me ‘sir.’ My name is Lucas. Second, I know exactly who you are.”
    “Really?”
    “Really. You’re smart. Smart enough to understand yourself. And you’re brave. Brave enough to come to a place like this alone. Maybe even a little desperate. You’re searching for something. You haven’t found it yet, but you’re searching. And how do I know all this, you ask?” he said rather smugly.
    “I didn’t actually,” she