09
Seeing Amanda and Isabella together again sent Brandon's pulse racing with pure adrenaline. The blazing sun—hotter today than it had been all week—only made the flush of heat across his skin that much harder to ignore.
Brandon carried a tray holding two cocktails that the poolside bartender had asked him to run over to the loungers by the circular pool.
According to his assigned rotation, he wasn't even supposed to be working the pool deck today.
He was only passing through, but he'd taken on the task without hesitation.
Much to his surprise, the drinks were meant for the very two women he'd been desperate to see again.
"Well, look at that, Amanda! Seems the drinks come with a gift now. What a lovely surprise."
Amanda tipped her sunglasses down, peering over the dark frames at Brandon with a slow, knowing smile spreading across her delicate face.
Both women had been lounging under the sun, and the moment Brandon drew close, Isabella pushed herself up with bubbly excitement.
She was always far more expressive than Amanda, letting her vibrant, teasing energy wash over anyone in her orbit.
The blonde, on the other hand, was all poise and cool restraint. A living masterpiece whose every subtle movement felt practiced, precise, and completely calculated. It was mesmerizing.
Or maybe it's just the fact that they're stretched out in tiny bikinis right in front of you, Brandon thought. The sight of them—their skin glistening with a fresh sheen of tanning oil catching the midday light, every curve traced in golden warmth—was enough to leave him completely struck dumb.
Forcing himself back down to reality, he leaned forward and offered each of them their glasses.
Amanda sat up, bringing with her that signature, intoxicating citrus perfume.
He had replayed running into them so many times over the past few days that he barely knew how to carry himself now that they were actually here.
"Cat got your tongue, darling?"
"I think he's just starstruck, Amanda."
Isabella leaned in to take her drink, bringing with her the sweet scent of coconut tanning oil. Brandon's head spun like water coming to a boil.
"I was honestly wondering when you two would show up again," Brandon finally managed, pulling himself together.
"Missed us, did you?"
"I think he's craving a second helping."
It was obvious. After that night with Amanda in the hot tub and his private encounter with Isabella on the tennis court, Brandon had spent practically every waking hour wondering when they'd return to the club. He couldn't deny how many vivid fantasies he'd built around both of them.
Amanda took a sip of her Moscow Mule, her gaze locked onto Brandon. The sunlight lit up the strands of her blonde hair, crowning her in a golden halo that made the whole scene feel surreal.
"I've decided I want you," Amanda said. Isabella let out a breathy, delighted giggle. "Simple as that. Straight to the point. No need to blush, darling."
Brandon stood frozen, tray still in hand. He had no idea what to say. Or rather, he had no idea what to say first.
"Sounds good to me."
"Not so fast. There's a catch."
Isabella leaned back against her lounger, wearing an amused, knowing grin that showed just how much she was enjoying the show.
"You did a good job, but let's not pretend we're on equal footing here. You understand that, don't you? I said I want you, but I haven't laid out my terms yet."
"Terms?"
"Here she goes. You're impossible, Amanda." Isabella reached over and patted her friend's shoulder. "Just drag the boy into the locker room already and get it over with."
"No. I want more from him. Don't get me wrong, darling—the hot tub was fun. But you'll quickly find out it takes a lot more than making me come to keep me satisfied."
"So that was a test, huh? Didn't realize I was applying for an open position."
Amanda leveled a chilling look at him that made his chest tighten. He was pushing his luck with the banter. Her glare was an unspoken command to shut his mouth, and the sharp authority in it sent a sudden, thrilling spike of desire through him.
"A test. Yes. I suppose you could look at it that way.
" She took another sip, then curled a manicured index finger, beckoning him closer.
"You did well, and I certainly intend to make use of that.
But I want more." Amanda leaned in, her face commanding his entire field of view, her perfume overwhelming his senses.
Her voice was velvet-smooth, yet saturated with unmistakable command.
"I want you for myself, as my servant. I want your complete devotion.
You will obey everything I tell you—every single order.
From this moment on, your only real job is to please me.
Working for this club will just be a technicality.
Above all else, you will submit to me. My will is your duty; my pleasure is your obligation.
When all is said and done, you'll find I can be very generous to those who serve me well. "
Isabella let out a high-pitched squeal of delight, practically bouncing on the edge of her seat with front-row tickets to the spectacle.
"Going to be her good little puppy?"
Am I? Brandon asked himself. The proposal had caught him off guard, but it wasn't completely out of nowhere.
Anyone could read Amanda's posture and know she lived to give orders.
She's filthy rich—of course she loves bossing people around.
She's used to sitting on a pedestal, watching everyone jump to cater to her whims.
Yet this wasn't really about her. Brandon stepped over and set the tray down on one of the small tables next to the poolside loungers. He parted his lips to answer, but his thoughts were still spinning.
Did he actually want this? Did he want to submit to her, to bend to her every demand just for the privilege of being with her again?
He thought back to that night in the water, remembering how desperately he'd searched every hallway of the club for her over the last few days.
Of course you do. Don't act like it's even a choice.
She had been brutally, refreshingly honest about what she wanted, and as strange as it felt, he found himself craving that clarity.
Laying the cards on the table was a thousand times better than fumbling in the dark, trying to guess where the lines were drawn.
"I think I can accept that," Brandon said, trying to hold on to a composed, bargaining tone—scrambling to salvage some shred of pride so he wouldn't look like he was eagerly lapping up whatever scraps she threw his way.
"No. That is not the response I expect from you." Amanda's smile dripped with sadistic amusement. She had already taken control of him from the very first night. "If you are going to serve me, I want genuine devotion. Try again."
Isabella took a long sip through her straw, watching the tension build with sparkling eyes. "Oooh... this is going to be good. Just wait."
"I accept, ma'am."
Amanda reached up, drawing him down toward her—not with physical force, but through sheer psychological gravity. Brandon's chin rose with the guiding touch of her manicured fingers as if drawn by a magnet. Her lips moved in slow motion just inches from his eyes.
"You can do better than that."
"Yes, Mistress. There's nothing I want more than to accept your offer."
"Good boy. Now that's what I like to hear, darling.
" Amanda's icy, challenging smirk melted into a purr of pure satisfaction, and the grip on his chin softened into a light, affectionate stroke down his cheek—a reward for good behavior.
"Now go fetch me a fresh drink, and then you're going to rub lotion into my back while we go over the finer points of our arrangement. "
Amanda stretched out across her lounger once more, slipping her dark glasses back over her eyes. Her skin caught the noon glare, the pale tone already flushing into a warm, sun-kissed pink.
Isabella stared at Brandon, who was still frozen on the spot, and gave him a playful, thrilled raise of her eyebrows.
She finished off her cocktail, rested the straw against the rim, and passed him the empty glass.
Then, she leaned slightly forward and silently mouthed: She doesn't know about us yet.
She topped it off with a wicked wink as he began to step back.
What the hell did I just sign up for? Brandon thought, turning on his heel toward the outdoor bar.
Don't pretend you aren't dying to find out, another part of his mind fired back.
Logic stood no chance against the raw heat humming beneath his skin.
His imagination kicked into overdrive, sending a shiver straight down the back of his neck.
A slow smile broke across his face. Yeah. He was definitely curious.