Flaming Hearts (Luxe Escape #2)

Chapter 2 Don’t Let Me Go!

Don’t Let Me Go!

So many twists

My poor heart races as I wait to find out which one of us is being cut from the Submissive Training Center. Being ushered into a private room instead of being whisked off to the airport in the stretch limousine outside, just makes the tension that much worse.

I glance at the other students, desperately praying I’m not the one being dismissed tonight—but I can’t shake the feeling that Headmaster Wallace is about to call my name.

Nash glares at me in gleeful condemnation, confirming my worst fears.

I glance back at the Headmaster, swallowing hard when he turns his head in my direction.

Please don’t call my name…please don’t call my name… I silently beg, fidgeting with the ring on my finger.

“Miss…”

Unwilling to go down without a fight, I open my mouth ready to defend myself, when I hear him say,

“…Howard.”

Relief floods my body as I turn to the woman standing beside me.

She frowns and spits back in spite, “Well, I didn’t want to take this stupid class anyway!”

Despite her outburst, Headmaster Wallace maintains a calm sense of authority.

“I understand this comes as a shock to you, so I will overlook your flippant response, Miss Howard. Understand that the decision has not been made lightly, but the entire team feels it’s best to release you from the program at this time. ”

Stomping her foot, she demands, “Why?”

“Twice in the past four days you’ve refused to move forward with a scene that was specifically designed to stretch your preconceived biases. In addition, you have voiced hesitancy concerning your participation in the auction tomorrow, which is a cornerstone of this course.”

Miss Howard flips her hair back in a dismissive manner and raises her chin. “It’s not my fault I refuse to compromise my standards…” She glances at the rest of us as if we’re lowly scum.

Turning back to confront the headmaster, she snorts in indignation. “I thought I would be scening with you—not a bunch of unappealing men I want nothing to do with.”

I had nicknamed her “Clueless” at the New Year’s Eve party based on my first impressions of her, and it appears I was spot on. It seems her only reason for taking this course has been to seduce our handsome headmaster.

“It’s obvious that you did not come to learn, Miss Howard,” Headmaster Wallace states in a cool tone.

She rolls her eyes. “I’m too good for you anyway.”

“Then you won’t mind handing me your keycard.”

She looks at him in shock, then briefly glances at Nash before pointing a finger at me. “Why does she get to scene with a trainer, but I’m not allowed to scene with you? What makes her so damn special?”

I narrow my eyes when I catch Nash smiling. It’s clear that he’s been talking to her about me behind my back.

Headmaster Wallace refuses to acknowledge her childish outburst and repeats, “Hand me your keycard.”

Miss Howard huffs in irritation as she searches through her purse. Thrusting out the keycard to him, she declares, “You’ll regret this day for the rest of your life.”

Headmaster Wallace remains a gentleman and refrains from laughing when he takes it from her. “You may leave, Miss Howard.”

Turning to the rest of us, she snarls, “You’re all pathetic losers. I hope you know that!”

When the headmaster snaps his fingers, a staff member immediately opens the door and steps in.

“Yes, Headmaster Wallace?”

“Please escort Miss Howard to her car.”

The man walks up to her and takes her arm, nodding to the door. “This way, miss.”

She stares back at Headmaster Wallace with her mouth open, as if she can’t believe this is really happening to her. “I didn’t want you anyway, freak!” she shouts at him as she’s escorted away.

Unruffled, Headmaster Wallace glances at his watch and flashes us a charming smile. “Looks like it’s time to depart.”

The others looked as stunned as I feel following Miss Howard’s abrupt dismissal. No one says a word as we follow quietly behind the four trainers to the waiting limousine outside.

The valet staff takes our overnight bags and puts them in the trunk, while my classmates climb into the limo.

Everyone begins chattering excitedly as I get into the vehicle. Thankfully, my friend Michelle scoots over to make a place for me between her and Amethyst. As I settle in between the two, I happen to glance at Nash, who looks extremely annoyed.

It’s obvious he’s upset that I’m still here, and that makes me happy. So, I lift my chin and smile at him. I’m grateful that the trainers believe in me—no matter what that jackass thinks.

We all turn in unison when the window up front begins to lower.

I’m surprised to see Tanner, my driver from the night of the New Year’s Eve party. He tells the group, “It’ll take over an hour to get to the airport, so sit back and enjoy the ride. But if you need anything, press the button on the control panel.”

I grin when he winks at me before disappearing from view as the partition goes back up. I’ll never forget his kindness that night when he went out of his way to get me safely home after my ex-boyfriend’s betrayal.

Unfortunately, Nash notices the innocent exchange and glowers at me as if I’ve been caught red-handed. “You know the driver, too?”

The excited chatter in the limousine instantly quiets, and everyone turns to face me, waiting to hear my response.

Embarrassed by the unwanted attention, I shrug uncomfortably. “It’s not a big deal. He drove me to the grand opening for the Luxe Escape.”

Nash’s eyes narrow. “How did you manage to get an invite to that exclusive event?” He glances around at the group. “My guess is that Lord Murray must be your secret Daddy DOM.”

“N-no…” I sputter, feeling crushed when I see the others’ accusing looks.

It’s a shame that Miss Howard got kicked out of the program, because she could have backed me up since she was at the party, too. “My best friend got the invitation. Maybe you’ve heard of her…Gwen Huntington?”

“Yeah, I saw her there,” Russo pipes up.

I look at him in surprise. “You were there, too?”

He nods, then adds with a sly grin, “I noticed you as well…hiding behind a plant if I remember correctly.”

A deeper blush burns my cheeks. Even though I never saw Russo at the party, his comment leaves no doubt that he was there. It wasn’t my finest hour.

Nash looks between the two of us suspiciously as he sits back in his seat.

At the angle he’s relaxing at, his unbuttoned shirt further exposes his muscular chest. He looks every bit the cocky beefcake I met on the first day of class, but I take comfort in knowing that he seems thrown by the revelation that Russo was at the New Year’s Eve party when he wasn’t.

But it also has my mind spinning. After hearing Russo’s confession, I’m surprised to learn that three of the students selected to join this program were at the party that night. That can’t be a coincidence, can it?

Amethyst leans over and mutters, “Don’t let that jackass take up any more space in your head.”

I sigh heavily and nod, whispering back to her, “You mean Beefcake over there?”

She snorts in amusement, liking my little nickname for him.

Uncomfortable with the silence, Michelle blurts out, “Anyone have any guesses where we’re headed?”

“Because we had to bring our passports for this trip, I hope it’s the Bahamas,” says the petite woman with the cute upturned nose that I’ve nicknamed Pixie Girl. She smiles when she adds, “I brought my bikini just in case.”

Normally bashful, Carlisle speaks up. “Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Foster, but considering the short time we have for this trip, I’m thinking we’re headed to Canada.”

She crinkles her nose. “But I’m sick of the freezing cold!”

Based on the red blush that rises to the guy’s cheeks, I get the impression he might be even shyer than I am.

“I’m betting we’re headed to Cuba,” Nash declares.

“Oh, I’d like that!” Pixie Girl cries, clapping her hands in excitement. Turning to him, she tilts her head all cute like. “I feel silly calling you by your last name, Mr. Nash.”

He clears his throat, lowering his voice when he answers her. “You can call me Charles.”

I’m entertained by his blatant but sloppy attempt to flirt. Apparently, it doesn’t matter that they’re both submissives; he’s making his move anyway.

Nash notices my amusement and puffs out his chest. “But I only go by Nash.”

I smirk, thinking to myself, But you’ll always be Beefcake to me. I turn my head and gaze out the window at the city lights, listening half-heartedly to the constant chatter of the others.

Instead of taking a commercial plane like I thought, the limousine drops us off at a private area of the airport. After a quick security check, I’m climbing up the stairs to a private jet.

I can’t believe this is real, and I can’t help gasping as we board the huge jet. I instantly bristle when I hear Nash snort at my reaction. He’s acting as if being in a private jet is completely normal.

Well, it may be for him…but it isn’t for me! Feeling zero shame, I scan the cabin in awe, impressed that the front of the jet is an open area with executive-style leather seats and tables much like a fancy lounge. It’s even equipped with a small bar!

Our trainer, Dono Marcelo, leads us to the back of the plane and points out a row of private pods. Each door has a plaque with one of our names on it.

When I spot mine, I quickly open the door to peek inside and am delighted to see my cabin resembles a miniature hotel suite.

Not only does it have an adjustable lounger that has been lowered to make a comfortable bed, but it also has a marble counter with a sink, a closet with a dragon etched on the door, and a row of windows with recessed lighting and stylish curtains.

Unlike a hotel room, however, I notice it’s missing a giant television screen.

I note the pair of silk pajamas on the bed, as well as my fantasy journal lying on a small nightstand beside it. I’m tempted to pick it up, but Dono Marcelo instructs us to leave our overnight bags in our rooms and follow him.

While exiting the room, I bump into Miss Diaz and our eyes meet for a moment. For the first time since she started class, I catch a smile on her lips. But it quickly disappears and she lowers her head when Nash walks up behind us.

I intentionally place myself between the two, wanting to protect her as the group follows Dono Marcelo. He points out the two decked-out bathrooms on opposite sides of the aisle before taking us to the very back of the plane.

When the trainer opens the double doors, I’m surprised to see a large bed and various BDSM equipment attached to the walls. “This is used for training purposes only and is not intended for recreational use.”

I scan the room, shuddering involuntarily when I see a large wooden X-style St. Andrew’s cross with restraints that we learned about in one of our classes.

I quickly glance past it and note the BDSM instruments hung on the wall.

But it’s the golden cage next to the bed that seizes my attention and causes my heart to skip a beat.

I suddenly realize a new boundary has made itself known.

The thought of being locked in a cage not only feels demeaning, but the idea of losing my freedom at the whim of another really triggers me.

What’s worse, I’m pretty sure I marked cages as a “Don’t Know” on my entry form, thinking it was something I might want to explore at some point, but, after seeing the cage in real life, it strikes me with fear.

I quickly turn to leave the room and hurry down the narrow hallway, needing to escape to my cabin to compose myself.

Headmaster Wallace catches me in the hallway. “Is something wrong?”

I look down at the floor, blushing profusely when I answer, “Nnn…no.”

“Look at me,” he commands.

When I look up, he tilts his head and says with concern, “Be honest with me, Miss Lane.”

Touched that he cares, I bravely meet his gaze but am left speechless. Dang, a girl could lose herself in those ocean blue eyes.

“There is no reason to hold back,” he assures me. “You can tell me anything.”

Anything???