by S. Valentine
“Did he speak to you?” Curiosity swept over her.
“He said hello, and introduced me to some chick called Lorna.”
The same woman Gabi had seen him with at the store. “Did he seem happy?”
“He did.” Mallory grabbed her hand tightly. “I have some bad news. I don’t know if I should tell you.”
“What is it, Mal?” Gabi let out a nervous laugh.
“Lawrence proposed to her. They’re engaged.”
Gabi swallowed. She should feel happy for him. Yet, a part of her was jealous. Upset, even. He was in a happy, normal, loving relationship, whilst she was out gallivanting with a man into swinging, with issues, and a wild ex-wife that threatened their relationship. She sighed heavily. All she wanted was the stability, normality, and predictability of a mature relationship.
“I’m happy for him,” she lied. “I thought he would have told me.”
“I think he moved on as best as he could, Gabi. You know he’s always wanted to get married, be properly settled in life.”
“That could have been me.” She inwardly scolded herself for saying it out loud.
“Yes, it could have. But that life wouldn’t have made you happy. You were bored senseless. You wanted out for many reasons. Don’t be so hard on yourself, Gab. You did the right thing.”
“I really hope so.” Her head fell onto the back of the chair. “A part of me is a bit worried about Darion, Mal. I just need to know that it will definitely go somewhere, that we have a future. I know we’re in a relationship, but I feel like something is holding us back.”
“Gab, just enjoy yourself, okay? It’s still only early days. Don’t ruin the moment. What’s meant to be will be.” She stood up and drained the last of her coffee. “Don’t have second thoughts now. You love Darion. You’re just a bit insecure at the moment; we all go through these phases in relationships.”
“True.”
“Let me just finish these edits and I’ll come back in a few hours.”
“Thanks, Mal.” She beamed, and then remembered how rude she’d been. “I’m sorry I’ve been so self-involved, I haven’t even asked how things are with you.” She felt riddled with guilt.
“Oh, don’t worry about it.” Mallory laughed. Gabi was glad that her friend wasn’t the sensitive type. “I’m fine. Me and Steve are always fine. Same old.”
“And your hair looks beautiful, as ever.”
“Thanks, Gab.”
Mallory gently shut the office door after her. Gabi stared at the telephone on her desk contemplating whether she should call Lawrence and congratulate him. She wondered to herself, if she had the chance, would she have ever returned to Lawrence, if things had been different, had he treated her better?
She glanced down at the mobile phone on her desk. The screensaver was a photograph of Darion; his mischievous face stared back up at her, his mouth curled dangerously, his big, green eyes holding their usual glint. He wore all black and was sitting on his motorbike.
Many times she had wondered whether it was a wild phase that she was going through with Darion Milano. Her heart skipped a beat. No chance. She loved him more than anything. Her heart thumped frantically, and her body became heated just thinking about him. Mallory was right. She didn’t need to bring the relationship down by worrying. She needed to continue with it as it was. It was fine at the moment. Wasn’t it?
Chapter Forty
Darion
“Can you give me her number so I can speak with her?” Darion’s voice was icy. “What do you mean you can’t give out confidential information? I need to speak with her.”
Darion paced the room, holding the mobile against his ear, puffing on a cigarette. He shook his head and mumbled something before throwing the mobile on the sofa.
“Fucking idiot,” he snapped.
“Daz, calm down.” Gina stood up and stroked his back.
“I can’t calm down, G! She wants the club sold. I’m gonna lose it, I know it.” He sat down, his head falling into his hands. He was stressed out. He hated Eva. She was trying to hurt him. But why? If he could just talk to her, perhaps he could persuade her to stick to the arrangement. Eva wasn’t stupid though, she knew his intentions, which was why she was avoiding him. The only place she wanted to see him was in court, where he’d be served with an order to sell the club. He thought of ways to buy her share. Perhaps he could try and lend the money from somewhere, although he had no idea who to ask. Requesting a loan at the bank wasn’t an option; not only would they likely refuse, but he didn’t want further debts.
“Can’t you just sell it, Daz? Buy a new club?”
“No, Gina. It was convenient for me with the strip club downstairs. I’ve worked my ass off on building the reputation of the swingers’ club, paid hundreds on promotion. Everybody knows where it is now. Everybody associates me with the place. You know how many clients I have now. I can’t start again from scratch. Besides, I don’t have that kind of cash.” He stood back up, his breathing heavy. He ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t know what to do.”
“I know you love that place,” Gina said softly. “And you have worked so hard on it. Hopefully Eva will come around,” she said soothingly.
“I doubt it. Don’t you know anybody that knows her?” he asked her. “Or Vinnie? I need to find her.”
“No.” Gina shook her head. “Haven’t heard a word about them since you split and she moved outta town.”
“I didn’t even know where she moved to.” Darion clenched his fists. “I wanted nothing to do with her after that. Fucking hell, I’ve avoided all this. I knew she’d come back to haunt me one day.”
“She’s always been big on revenge.”
“Oh yeah.” Darion nodded furiously. “She always was a bitch.”
“Come here.” Gina patted the sofa, blinking up at him with her false black lashes.
Darion sat down. Gina moved to sit behind him and began massaging his shoulders. Gina always knew how to de-stress him. He’d actually missed her shoulder and back massages. They had always led to sex, though. He let out a soft moan as her fingers worked into the muscles of his broad shoulders. He allowed his body to fully relax. He hoped that he didn’t get turned on. Like Eva, Gina was a part of his past. She was his employee, and now only his employee.
He felt her legs snake around his waist as she really went for it, her firm fingers massaging circles on his shoulder blades. Without asking, she stripped him of his top and threw it to the floor. Before he could whine at her, her hands brought him to another moan. His head fell back, his lids closing. It felt good. Really good. Her fingers began massaging his lower back, digging into his flesh. One of her sharp, manicured nails accidentally scratched him. He had a flashback of when he used to love her long nails scratching into his skin during sex, the times when it was rough, animalistic, and passionate, the times when they fought after a drunken row. Scratching, biting, hitting. He moaned again. Fuck! He felt Gina’s warm breath on his neck as she leant her head closer to him. His chest rose slowly up and down, his fists were no longer clenched, but relaxed, and his body was falling back into Gina.
Then he remembered the time on the car bonnet. In the rain. With Gabi. Both of them soaking wet. Naked, drenched, hot, frustrated. The time when he was so aroused he’d almost ripped her dress off. Her loud moans. He could hear them. He wanted her. Now.
He shot up when he realised that he was stiff. Not because of Gina, but because of his thoughts of Gabi. And when Gina pressed her lips against his back, he stood up quickly. He hoped she didn’t notice the bulge in his trousers.
“G, I’m gonna take a shower, hit the sack.”
“Why? Weren’t you enjoying it?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I’m just tired.”
“Daz.” Gina stood up, her body close to his. “I wish you loved me.”
He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her tightly, in a bid to end the conversation.
“What’s wrong with me?”
>
“Nothing’s wrong with you.” He pulled back, cupping her face with his hands, his eyes blazing. “Don’t you ever fucking think that.” His voice was loud, sharp. He stroked her hair. “Gina, I never wanna hurt you. And because it was always a physical thing with us, it never really reached an emotional level. I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.” He tilted her face up. “You know that, right?”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “You’re a good guy, Daz. You’ve just got a lot of baggage, like me. Even though I’m pissed off beyond belief and it kills me to say this.” She paused. “I do think Gabi’s right for you.”
“You do?” he asked, bewildered.
“Yep. I haven’t seen you this happy, even with Eva. I really think that you can have something special with her.”
“Thanks, G.” He pulled her into an embrace again. “You mean a lot to me.”
“Go and relieve your sexual tension, before I can’t trust myself not to pounce on you.” She winked, indicating his erection, amusement on her face.
Darion let out a laugh.
She pressed her lips against his, lingering for a second longer than necessary. Darion led her out of the apartment before making his way into his bedroom. He needed a shower. But first, he needed to replay the memory with Gabi. He picked up his mobile and scanned through the naked photos that she had sent him. Mmm. All mine. He was frustrated and needed to do something about it. And quick. How he had denied Gina’s advances again, he didn’t know. She was there, willing, available, and up for it. He really was a changed man. Well, a little changed.
Chapter
Forty-One
Gabi
Gabi confronted her wild mane in the mirror. She had back combed her dark blonde hair, creating volume. It made her look sexier. Her lids were lined with black pencil, making them seductively stand out. Not that she really needed to do them; she would be wearing an eye mask. She slipped into red, six-inch platforms, and scrutinised her whole look. The short, black silk dress clung in all the right places, showing off her curves. The dress was beautiful. Not much material to it though; the gown looked like a sexy nightie she’d wear to bed. She had glammed it up with silver accessories. Gabi wanted to look perfect. She knew that she had tough competition. She wanted to stand out from all the women who would be at the club. She wanted Darion’s eyes on her.
She was going to a themed fancy dress party at The Black Door. Regular members had hired the upstairs for a party of around forty people. Gabi was excited, yet nervous at the same time. Excited that she and Darion always had a fun night at the club in general, never knowing what would quite happen, but nervous that it was her second time in the playrooms. When she arrived at the club, she headed to his office.
“So, Darion, what am I to expect tonight?” she asked him when she was perched on his desk.
He grinned. “Themed masked night, fancy dress costumes, and a night for couples into roleplay. It’s exciting,” he reassured her. Smoke escaped his mouth from the cigar he was smoking, finding its way toward Gabi.
“What will you wear?” she asked him, swallowing the shot of vodka that he had prepared for her.
With a tilt of his head, he said, “You’ll have to wait and see.”
“Come here.” She pulled him toward her, desperate for a kiss.
He took a step away from her. “Wait until later,” he teased, dousing the cigar in an ashtray.
“Not even a kiss?” she asked, open-mouthed.
He leant over her, planting soft kisses down her neck. She moaned softly and tilted her head, allowing him more access. His kisses got firmer, his stubble sharp on her skin. She felt a needy ache between her legs, in desperate need of release. She didn’t think she could wait until later. His gentle fingertips traced up her trembling legs and parted them. She could feel his rigid length standing between them, skimming her heated pelvis. She grabbed hold of his ass with both hands, pulling him in closer. He groaned in pleasure as he rubbed himself against her, up and down. Cradling her face, he brushed his mouth softly against her lips. Gabi parted them, inviting his kiss, but it never came. He tilted his head out of the way.
“Later,” he said huskily. “Now, get out. I need to get changed.”
“Charming.” She shook her head. “You are cruel, Mr. Milano.”
“I’ll meet you upstairs. Get yourself a drink, darlin’.”
Gabi stood up and shakily made her way toward the door. Her hands began to get clammy. She inhaled deeply, wishing that her nerves would go away. Tonight will be good, she told herself.
“Hey,” he called out.
She swivelled around.
“Remember the rules. And if you ever feel uncomfortable,” he said, pausing momentarily, “you let me know, okay?”
“Sure.”
Gabi was soon upstairs, sitting on one of the velvet couches, glass of white wine in hand. She wondered what Darion would be wearing, and excitement overcame her. She could bet that he’d look as sexy as ever. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on him. Could she have sex with him in the playrooms in front of several people? Would wearing a mask make her feel less intimidated? More confident?
She turned her head and noticed a poster on the wall; it read, ‘Young, Free, and Swinging.’ She scanned the room and noticed a few tall, slender women wearing long ball gowns and glittery, black masks, which covered the top part of their faces with only two eyeholes present. There were also women wearing just their underwear and stockings with similar masks. Very Moulin Rouge. One woman in particular caught Gabi’s attention: her underwear was sparkly gold, her eye mask matching, with lots of accessories, and her lips were painted a shade of bright red. She looked glamorous, almost like an Egyptian princess.
Others were dressed as French maids, nurses, dominatrixes, or schoolgirls, and the men wore plain black eye masks, or gladiator, fire fighter, army, or police officer uniforms. Gabi could see that everybody had made an effort.
She adjusted her glittery silver eye mask before draining the last of her drink eagerly, awaiting Darion’s return. After twenty minutes had passed, and she had witnessed enough touchy-feely kissing couples, and engaged in small talk with two other couples, she headed to the bar for another drink. The playrooms were now open, and people were slowly vanishing inside each room. Gabi ordered another wine; she needed to get tipsy. She wanted to unwind and hopefully try to relax and have some fun with Darion, to be the woman he craved.
She turned around when she sensed someone watching her. It was a couple seated on some stools at the bar. She couldn’t make out their faces, as they were both in costume. He was wearing a black, lycra gimp mask, which covered his whole face except for his eyes and full lips. Gabi blushed, and felt herself shudder, both with excitement at the mystery of the man behind the mask, and fear at the weirdness of it. She craned her neck, only catching sight of the long-sleeved black top he was wearing, the tightness of it revealing muscular arms.
The woman was wearing a black PVC eye mask. She had faint whiskers drawn on her face. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail.
Gabi turned her head away and concentrated on the dancers on the pole. A few moments passed, and then she felt a hand run up her thigh. It sent shivers up her spine, and her heartbeat quickened. She shot a quick glance behind her, noticing that it was the man in the mask. Feeling a little shy and uncomfortable, she didn’t look anywhere other than the bar ahead of her. She didn’t want to attract attention until Darion was there. They agreed not to do anything until either one of them gave their consent, and there was no separating. She felt his body brush up against her back, his hot breath tickled her neck as his strong hands continued to caress her bare legs. Before she could speak, his moist lips pressed onto her neck. The softness of the mask brushed against her skin.
“Excuse me.” She edged away. “I’m waiting for someone.”
“His name wouldn’t happen to be Darion, would it?” He flashed a set of perfect white teeth. He held her chin, turning her fa
ce around to look at him, and caught her mouth in a rough kiss. Gabi felt butterflies in her stomach. She silently scolded herself, and kissed him back hungrily, pulling him into her. It felt odd not being able to see his face, his expression, but the kinkiness of the mask heightened her excitement.
She eventually pulled back and giggled. “You look freaky.”
“I know.” There was a wicked, dark, and wild gleam in his eye. “Do you want me to fuck you wearing it?”
She bit her lip. “It looks a little scary.”
“I found it in the back room. I’ve never particularly been one for dress-up.” He removed the mask, and grinned.
“Who’s that?” She nodded toward cat-woman.
“Gina.” He ordered a drink. “She’s waiting for her boyfriend, Johnny.”
“Oh.”
“So.” He took hold of her hand, licking his lips slowly. “You ready?”
She nodded and headed with him toward the playrooms. Darion’s hand dropped to stroke her buttocks. Gabi looked around at the faces that were staring longingly at them—Darion, with his muscular broad frame, hypnotic, seductive eyes, and naughty grin, and Gabi, with her never-ending legs, slim body, curves in all the right places, and beautiful face. They made a hot couple. Practically everyone in the room wanted a piece of them, wanted to share the intimacy and passion they had.
“See how many men wanna fuck you?” he whispered into her ear, grazing it with his teeth, nibbling it.
“And how many women want you,” she replied flatly, jealous.
Darion didn’t let her choose a room this time. He chose the room. The large room was filled with nothing but cushions, and it was dimly lit. Gabi could make out silhouettes of people having sex and engaging in foreplay. She could hear loud moans and groans. The whole room smelt of sex. She was relieved that it wasn’t easy to make out what others were doing, unless you were sitting before them, really focusing on them. Perhaps she wouldn’t feel so nervous. If she just closed her eyes and reminded herself that nobody could really see one another, then surely she’d be fine. She could even enjoy it. As Darion shut the door behind them, a few faces looked up, curiosity obviously getting the better of them. They probably wanted to see who was joining the orgy, to see if they were attracted to the newcomers.