Looking into eyes so very similar to her own, Rose saw the truth of her father’s words. He truly was sorry. She gave him a watery smile, unwilling to trust herself to speak.
“I know I can never make up to you for what you’ve gone through in your life, but if you’ll let me, I’d like to be there for you now. But—,” he sighed and ran a trembling hand through his shaggy hair, “I will respect your wishes. If you never want to see me again, I’ll abide by that.”
“Is that what you want? Now that you’ve seen me, do you want me to leave?” she asked, quietly.
“No,” he firmly replied. “I want to get to know you. Believe it or not, I’m a good guy. I just want to know who you are. I don’t expect anything else from you.”
Nathan cleared his throat and Rose saw that his eyes were suspiciously shiny.
“Why don’t we all take a seat and get to know each other?” he suggested.
“Actually,” interjected a teary-eyed Joe, “why don’t you three get to know each other. The four of us can just take a little drive or something.”
Charles Brodemeyer looked at Joe. “Thank you. I don’t know you all, but I’m assuming you’re friends of Rose’s. If you’d like, feel free to tour the vineyard. There’s a small lake, a grove of trees and some interesting sculptures by local artists. All the paths are easily marked. I’d be honoured if you’d make yourself at home and wander wherever you’d like.”
“Thanks,” Vincent said. “Why don’t we do that? We’ll be back in about an hour?”
Nathan nodded and guided Rose to a small table. Bending down, he whispered, “You okay? If you want to be alone with him, I’ll head out with the others but if you need me I’m right here.”
“Please stay,” she answered.
Nathan sat beside her. A moment later, Charles placed three glasses on the table and popped open a bottle of wine.
“This is the first bottle of wine I ever produced here. I’ve been saving it for you,” he explained as he poured the golden liquid.
“Why did you stop looking for her?” Rose asked, quietly.
Charles’ hand shook as he placed the bottle on the table and took his seat.
“I had to. I contacted the people who had introduced me to her and they told me that she didn’t want to see me again. I didn’t believe them so I skipped classes one day and started to drive up to St. Louis. That was early one November morning. I was fiddling with the radio and didn’t see the deer.”
“Jesus,” Nathan whispered.
For the first time, Rose noticed a faint but ragged scar running down her father’s cheek.
“I hit the damned thing head-on. It went through my windshield. Next thing I knew I was in a hospital, my face stitched back together, three ribs broken along with both legs,” he continued.
Unable to stop herself, Rose reached across the table and patted his hand.
“I was in the hospital for months. By the time I got out, I was a full year behind in my schooling. My memory was also affected and for the longest time I couldn’t remember Melinda’s last name. The mutual friends had graduated and moved on. So I made the worst decision of my life. I gave up.”
He looked directly into her eyes and Rose could easily see the regret and honesty of the man’s words. He had suffered terribly and Rose could not find it in her heart to punish him further.
“No,” she assured him. “You made the only decision you could. I forgive you.”
“Oh, baby,” he whispered, standing and grabbing Rose in a bear hug. He lifted her off her feet and buried his head in her shoulder.
Rose wrapped her arms around him and gave as much comfort as she could. She felt his shoulders shake and knew he was sobbing.
“We need to start over,” she suggested.
He placed her back on her feet and nodded.
“Hi,” Rose said, holding out her hand. “I’m Rose Hester and this is my, um, my…”
Suddenly, Rose was unsure what to call Nathan.
Nathan stood. “I’m Nathan. Rose’s lover, friend and protector. I’m the man who holds her when she needs holding and helps her when she needs helping. I love her.”
Rose smiled. “Yes, that’s exactly who he is. He is my life.”
Chapter Fourteen
Grape Nude
—
Available in either red or white, this pure wine sports absolutely no added sugars or flavourings. It is simply The Grape at its best—unadorned and beautifully raw.
Rose learned a lot about her father in the next hour. He had finished college, married and had a son, David, who was currently going to school in Michigan. After his wife had lost her battle with breast cancer, Charles had quit his corporate job and purchased the winery which—partly owing to its secluded location—had never really become the success that he had hoped for. As she listened to her father speak, Rose also learned that he seemed quite open-minded with a quick laugh and a sharp wit. She liked him.
“Back too soon?” a familiar voice called to them.
Turning, Rose saw Joe popping her head in the door.
“Not at all. Come on in. Everything’s going wonderfully,” Rose assured, standing to give her friend a quick hug.
“Your property is beautiful, Mr Brodemeyer. Raw and primitive but also elegant,” Maverick commented. “I wonder if you’d be willing to allow me to photograph it?”
“You are…?” Charles asked.
“Ah, my apologies. My name is Maverick Devonshire and this is my wife, Alicia. I’m a commercial and artistic photographer,” he said.
As they shook hands, a slight frown formed on Charles’ face. “Devonshire? From London?”
“Guilty,” Maverick admitted.
“I’ve seen your work. It also is raw and primitive. Your landscapes portray an elemental beauty and your nudes are truly inspired,” he complimented.
Rose lifted her eyebrows in surprise.
Charles laughed a bit and admitted, “I love art, but I’m no artist myself. I also have a nice collection of erotic photography at the house. Mr Devonshire, if you’d like to photograph anything on my property, please feel free. I’d be honoured. Hell, might even bring in a few more people. As you can see, I’m not exactly overrun with customers here.”
“Erotic art?” Rose questioned.
Charles looked at the floor for a moment and a soft spread of colour painted his cheeks. “Yeah. I’m sorry if that embarrasses you, sweetheart, but I’m not going to hide who I am. You need to know the good, the bad, the ugly. Not only do I have an erotic art collection, but I am the Dominant of two submissive women. They don’t live here but visit often, so if you stick around for a while, I’m sure you’ll meet them. They were actually friends of my late wife’s. She’s the one who suggested I begin working with them when she became ill. Your friends may have noticed a few cabins built close to the lake. I’ve renovated one of them for my girls to stay in when they’re here.”
Rose’s mouth dropped open. Glancing around at her friends, she saw that their expressions ranged from mild shock to barely concealed amusement.
“Oh goddess,” she murmured then plopped down into a chair and laughed until she cried.
“Charles,” Nathan said with a grin, “I have an idea for you.”
* * * *
Later that evening, as Rose lounged in an Adirondack chair outside their cabin, she questioned Nathan.
“So what idea were you, Vincent and my father discussing while Joe and I tagged along behind Maverick, scoping out spots for him to photograph?”
“Well, my little Rose, you know Vincent and I used to frequent some fetish clubs in St. Louis, right?”
“Yep,” Rose answered languidly. With her head propped against the back of the chair, she stared up at the stars, totally relaxed and unwilling to move.
“And you’ve been to some of the kink nights at What’s Your Pleasure, right?”
“Yep.”
“What do you think about a kinky resort?”
Rose lifted her head and stared at Nathan a moment. A kinky resort? A place where people could openly and safely engage in their choice of pleasures without censure?
“Aren’t there some in the Caribbean?” she asked.
“Yes, but they’re quite expensive and a long way from here. There’s nothing like it in this area,” he explained.
“I think it’s a marvellous idea.”
Nathan chuckled. “So did your father. We’re going to discuss it some more tomorrow. He assures me that there’s a fabulous steak house not far from here so we’re all going to meet there. Charles said the owner is a great guy, open-minded and has the best food around for miles. But, for now, girl,” he leaned over and grasped her hair, pulling her close to his face, “you need to get that lovely ass of yours inside. Since Joe and Vince decided to bunk with Maverick and Alicia, we have the cabin to ourselves and it’s play time.”
He kissed her hard and released her hair. Rose giggled and scurried inside. Quickly, she removed her clothes and neatly folded them. As she bent down to place them in a drawer, the dangling nipple rings swung free. She touched her nipples, enjoying their tenderness. It would, she supposed, take time to toughen them up.
“Enjoying yourself?” Nathan asked.
Rose jumped and turned to see him leaning against the doorframe.
“I don’t recall giving you permission to touch yourself,” he gently reprimanded.
“No, my Lord. You did not,” she admitted, blushing.
“Come here. It’s time to remove them,” he instructed.
Rose nodded and walked the short distance to stand before him. He cupped her right breast in his hand, kissed the nipple and slid the jewel off then repeated the process with the other. Rose felt her knees shake. The anticipation was killing her. She knew she’d be reprimanded for her earlier infraction in the day, not to mention touching herself just now. Why, then, was Nathan being so careful?
“Turn around. I want see if you have any marks from last night on your ass,” he demanded.
Rose turned and placed her hands against a wall, extending her bottom for his perusal. She hadn’t looked in a mirror all day so she had no idea if she was marked or not. Her ass was a bit tender from Vincent’s ministrations, but not overly sore. If Nathan wanted to whip her again, she’d be more than willing to accept her punishment.
“No marks. Good. Still, I think your bottom might appreciate a night off,” he announced.
Feeling a bit disappointed, Rose nodded.
Damn
. The choice was his, but she did so love his effective treatment of her rear. For a moment, she feared that Nathan would give her a complete reprieve for her misdeeds. Then, she heard him step behind her and grasp her slightly swaying breasts.
“Besides, I’ve been priming these babies all day,” he whispered into her ear.
He pinched her nipples tightly and she winced in pain.
“Tender, aren’t they?”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Good. You remember me saying something about alligator clips earlier?”
Rose hung her head. “Yes, my Lord.”
“You ready for them now?”
“The choice, my Lord, is yours,” she answered. Already she could feel her thighs moisten from her anticipation of his discipline.
He gently kissed her neck—tender little butterfly kisses massaging the tension from her muscles. His clever hands, though, focused on her left nipple, tweaking and pulling it into erectness. Hot pain gripped her as the cold metal teeth bit into her delicate flesh. She cried out and bent her knees, but remained in place. Nathan continued to kiss her shoulders and he clipped the other nipple with the device. Glancing down, Rose saw the chain connecting her nipples sway with each movement she made, adding to her exquisite misery.
“Stay,” he commanded. “Those clips have a cruel bite, I know, and with each movement you’re going to feel it. You’ll stay in place until I undress. Then, my sweet Rose, I’m going to fuck you.” He kissed her nape, ran a hand down her spine then took a step back.
Rose stayed. She could hear him undressing. When he whipped his belt from his pants, she tensed, waiting for the bite of leather against her skin, but instead, she heard him chuckle.
“Not tonight, girl. Now step back a bit. I’m going to fuck you from behind and you are going to feel my cock inside you claiming what’s mine.”
Rose moaned and leaned her head against the wall. Already her body trembled with need.
“I’m going to make you scream from pain. And from pleasure. But I am going to make you scream and when I’m finished, you will get on your knees and suck me clean. Question?” he whispered to her.
“No, my Lord. No question. Just…”
“Just?”
“I love you.”
Chapter Fifteen
Bruisin’ Blue
—
A fruit wine made from bruised blueberries. The sweetness carries hints of plum and cinnamon as well as an almost overwhelming fragrance of springtime.
“My God, but this place is glorious!” Maverick said, his camera clicking away. “Look at those markings and the foliage. I’ve never seen anything this primitive. I’m impressed that the state has kept this park so pure and uncommercial.”
Rose smiled at Alicia, who grinned and shrugged. After a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, Maverick had expressed a strong desire to bring his camera and walk along some of the hiking paths. Alicia, who loved to hike, eagerly seconded the idea and begged Rose to come along as a guide since she had been there before. Granted, it had been years since she’d walked the trails, but little had changed and—despite her obsessive need for cleanliness—she, too, enjoyed being outdoors. The smell of the earth and the stirrings of nature calmed her. She could also recognise most of the local plants, including poison ivy. She’d accidentally touched some when she was a child and had itched for weeks afterwards.