Bells and Chains (Operation Reindeer Retrieval Book 7) by Viola Grace Page A

the house, a man came out wearing black from head to toe. His blood-red hair was tied neatly into a long ponytail that cascaded down his right shoulder and reached his hip. His eyes were icy grey. It was definitely a startling combination.
    “Miss Derger? Welcome.” He smiled and extended his hand. “I am Bern.”
    “Call me Doni, please.” She gripped his hand and released it with a businesslike movement.
    “Doni. Did Jake tell you about what we need?”
    She shook her head. “No, I am afraid that he simply turned red and tried to look anywhere else. Oh, here is the non-disclosure agreement.”
    She got the folded parchment out of her bag, and he took it with a smile.
    “Excellent. Please, come inside, and I will tell you what we are looking for.”
    “You do realize that it is very close to the holidays? This might not be practical.”
    “Those who frequent this club felt that a little holiday cheer was required. I listen to my clients, and so, I would like you to work your magic. Jake speaks very highly of you.”
    Inside the door of the manor were a young woman and a young man wearing masks, collars and skin-tight latex.
    The young man helped Doni off with her coat, and she barely managed to grab her notebook and pencil before he whisked everything away.
    The young woman knelt and dried her shoes with a towel.
    Doni was getting the idea of why the manor needed the gag order. It was a sex club.
    Bern looked at her with his brows arched as if surprised by her lack of reaction.
    “Please, come this way, and I will explain what we are looking for.” He offered her his arm, and she took it, not wanting to stumble into the wrong room at the wrong time.
    “Around the holidays, many folks experience an increase in stress, so they come here to work it off. We want you to inject a little holiday cheer into a few of the rooms.”
    “If the holidays are causing the stress, are you sure you want to bring the decorations in?”
    “I am certain. We have a few voyeuristic areas where the exhibitionists enjoy themselves. There are also some conversation areas where I believe a little judicious decorating could be a boon.”
    They walked through the halls, and he led her to a room that had elaborate lettering proclaiming it the Spanking Room.
    “This is one of the rooms we want decked out for Christmas.” His smile was more of a smirk.
    The reason he was so amused was that the room was in use. There was a young woman whipping an older man, and she was wearing a few strategic straps in lieu of clothing.
    Doni shrugged, unclipped her tape measure from her belt and went to work.
    She looked at the racks that held the whip assortments, the floggers that were lined on one wall and the stand of paddles. She needed to find ways to make them festive while remaining useful.
    Doni finished her notes on the size of the room and the necessary supplies. She nodded at Bern, and he grinned, leading her out.
    The man getting the carefully administrated beating was getting closer to whatever goal he was focused on achieving, so she left him to his focus and followed Bern out the door.
    She exhaled in relief and took Bern’s arm once again. “You are testing me.”
    He grinned. “I am. I confess to thinking that you would be slightly more prudish. You are proving me wrong.”
    She shrugged. “I am considering this a challenge to make everything festive and yet functional. It is going to be a rush, and I am going to have to get in touch with some very alternative vendors, but I think I can get into the swing of this.”
    “Ah, swings. That leads us to one of our exhibitionist rooms. We have a set of swings and some ribbons.”
    “Lead on.” Her mind was cycling, and she was frantically making mental lists that she couldn’t confirm until measurements were taken.
    The swing room was going to present a challenge, so she was going to have to make do with some non-flammable accessories and pillows.
    “I am assuming that you want to have