Reid had never seen so many naked bodies in one place. The Bacchanal had only started an hour ago, but the guests hadn’t wasted any time getting down to business. Some were dancing, others were sloshing around naked in a large vat, crushing grapes, and the rest were in the grass, fucking in full view. The scent of earth and sex permeated the air, mixing with the sounds of carnal indulgence.

      The decadent scene was the stuff of fantasies, but for Reid it was more nightmare than dream at the moment. Finding Brynn in the mass of people was going to be a challenge—especially when she didn’t want to be found.

      “Looks like we’re missing quite the party,” Jace said as Reid scanned the crowd for Brynn.

      “Do you see her anywhere?”

      His friend frowned. “I don’t know how we’re going to be able to pick her out with all this going on. But Grant’s over there by the food. I’ll go ask him if he’s seen her. That guy doesn’t miss much.”

      “Yeah, good idea,” Reid said. “I’ll go with you. I’m not going to get anywhere with this method.”

      Grant smiled at the two of them as they walked up. Unlike everyone else, he was clothed in his usual jeans and plaid shirt. Reid didn’t know him very well, but based on his interaction so far, he sensed the man didn’t let his guard down very much even at his own resort.

      “Evening, fellas. Decided to join the fun?” he asked, sipping on some orange-colored drink.

      “Actually, I’m looking for Brynn,” Reid said, keeping his eyes on the crowd. “Have you seen her?”

      “I figured she’d be back with you by now,” Grant said, drawing Reid’s attention back to the man in front of him. “I found her sitting by herself on the far side of the property earlier—pretty pissed at you I might add. I got her to walk over here with me, but then she left not long after. I thought she was on her way to find you to work things out.”

      “No, I haven’t seen her.” Reid blew out a frustrated breath. “Shit.”

      “How long ago did she leave?” Jace asked. “Was she by ­herself?”

      Grant shrugged. “’Bout half an hour or so, I’d guess. And yeah, she was alone.” He looked back and forth between the two of them, his brow furrowing. “Is everything all right?”

      Jace clapped a hand on Reid’s shoulder. “Yeah, it’s fine. Reid’s just gone and ticked off his woman. Nothing new. I’m sure she’ll make her way back to the cabin at some point. Let us know if you run across her before we do, though, will ya?”

      “Sure, no problem.”

      Reid was ready to head out on his search again, but the way Grant was looking at him gave him pause. “What’s wrong?”

      He sipped his drink and frowned. “I know it’s none of my business, but you need to be careful.”

      “What do you mean?”

      He shrugged. “You push a girl like Brynn too hard and she’ll run like a frightened rabbit. She needs a dom who can draw out her submission without crushing whatever’s so fragile inside her.”

      Reid bristled—who the hell did this guy think he was? The Dr. Phil of BDSM? “Look, I appreciate your concern, but you don’t even know her.”

      The corner of Grant’s mouth lifted. “You run a place like this long enough, and you learn how to read people. I’m only trying to help.”

      Reid nodded, his throat tightening, and turned on his heel to head away from the party. He didn’t have time to be psychoanalyzed.

      Jace followed behind. “Any thoughts on where she might’ve gone?”

      “Not a fucking clue. I guess we can check each of our cabins first. She doesn’t have a car, so she couldn’t have gone too far.”

      As soon as Reid’s cabin came into view, his phone vibrated against his leg. He halted his step and yanked the cell from his pocket. Unknown number.

      “Hold up, Jace.” Reid put the phone to his ear. “Hello.”

      Silence for a few seconds then: “Reid?”

      His shoulders sank with relief. “Brynn, look, we need to talk. I’m sorry about everything. I know I should’ve told you. I was wrong. Just please, give me a chance to—”

      “Reid, stop,” she said, her voice shaking a bit. “I don’t want to talk about it right now, okay?”

      He frowned. Was that… road noise in the background? “Where the hell are you?”

      A long pause. “I’m on my way home. I—I, uh, called a cab. I couldn’t find Kelsey. I don’t think she’s at the resort after all, so I’m going home.”

      “You called a cab?” He started pacing, and Jace stepped out of his path. “What the hell, Brynn? You know I would’ve driven you home.”

      “Don’t you get it? I don’t want to be around you right now. And I don’t exactly have ruby slippers to click my way home. So yeah, a cab.”

      “Brynn—”

      “Good-bye, Reid.”

      The line went silent.

      “Son of a bitch!” he yelled to no one in general.

      Jace winced. “She bailed?”

      Reid kicked a nearby shrub, sending leaves flying. “She’s on her way home. Called a goddamned cab.”

      “I’m sorry, man. That sucks,” Jace said, wisely keeping his distance. “Maybe she just needs a little space to cool off.”

      “Screw space. The minute Brynn gets back into her little world, she’s going to talk herself out of everything that happened this weekend. She’ll put me back in that little I-hate-you box she keeps me in.”

      “You’ll never catch up with her.”

      Reid cocked