Two Loves for Alex by Claire Thompson Page A

bruise or two on your ass, you know.” He patted her bottom.
    “Yeah but not like that.”
    “It’s a matter of degree. Her level of pain tolerance is much higher than yours or mine for that matter. She needs more to feel the intensity we can get from a simple whipping or spanking. They’ll probably do a demonstration later, once the party in is full swing. He always has some new toy he likes to try out on her. But don’t worry, she’s very into it. She’s the one who buys the stuff and begs him to use it on her.”
    Alex nodded. It made sense. It was all part of a pleasure/pain spectrum and Isabelle just happened to be at the far end while Alex was more in the middle. If she thought about it, most vanilla folks would be horrified to know what turned her on especially if they didn’t understand the masochistic and submissive mindset and hardwiring.
    Hell, her best friend Cheryl, while theoretically aware Alex liked an erotic spanking, would freak out if she knew Alex could nearly orgasm from a good whipping. She would be scandalized to learn Alex could be reduced to soaking-wet desire when the stinging cut of a cane transmuted to pure unfiltered lust.
    The doorbell rang at the same time someone across the room was calling loudly to Daniel. He turned to Alex. “Could you get that?” He moved away from her toward the calling voice.
    Alex moved through the crowd toward the front door. She wished she was wearing more, which was silly in the circumstances, with half the room in various states of undress. She pulled open the door and looked up at a man of medium height with large black eyes beneath thick, curling hair. He had several days’ growth of beard on his face and a long, slightly hooked nose over a lush, sensuous mouth and strong jaw.
    He was wearing a black cashmere jacket over a pearl gray button-down shirt, a hint of chest hair revealed at his throat, around which a slim gold chain glinted. There was something powerful in his face, almost cruel.
    He was alone, and for some odd reason Alex found herself desperately hoping he was straight. She at once censored the thought. What did it matter to her? She was taken—she was owned.
    He cocked his head at her and bestowed the most beautiful smile she had even seen on a man. His eyes seemed to remove what little clothing she wore as he raked her body with them. “Hello, lovely woman. Are you going to stand there staring at me all night, or are you going to invite me in?”
    Flustered, Alex stepped back. He had a slight accent, something Spanish and thoroughly charming. “My name is Anthony. I’m a friend of Matthew and Phillip. I was supposed to come with them but I was detained. And you are…?”
    “Alex.” A friend of Matthew and Phillip. Damn, he was gay.
    He raised an eyebrow. “Alex is not a suitable name for a woman. What is your given name?”
    Alex realized her mouth was dry and tried to swallow. “Alexandra.”
    “Beautiful. And much more fitting. May I call you that?”
    Alex was confused. The vibe she was getting definitely wasn’t gay. “Yes,” she whispered.
    Liam was suddenly beside them. At the same moment two men appeared, the Dom with skin the color of melted chocolate, his sub a complement of vanilla icing. The Dom wore black leather pants and a vest with no shirt beneath. His partner wore white shorts and had muscles that bulged almost to the point of deformity. Even more arresting was the fact his torso, front and back, was covered with brightly colored tattoos.
    “Anthony, you made it.” The Dom turned to Liam. “This is the guy I was telling you about. He’s a whip maker from Spain. Anthony Campos.”
    Liam thrust out his hand. “Your reputation precedes you, Anthony. I hope you brought a few tools of your trade to share with us. Welcome to our home.” Alex watched them shake hands. She noticed Anthony’s fingers were especially long and slender, perfectly manicured nails at their tips. He wore a heavy rose gold ring on his