by Eden Summers
Brute shrugged and headed for the door. “I’ve got reason to be the way I am. Leo no longer does.” He gave a lazy salute and disappeared behind the back of the bar. “Catch you all next week.”
Heavy footsteps faded into the distance, followed by the opening and closing of the back entrance door. Then it was quiet. Too quiet. Leo wanted to get Shay home, to snuggle, to talk, to fall asleep with her in his arms. Only something was up with T.J., and Leo wouldn’t leave him alone like this.
“You okay?” Shay slid across the stool next to his friend and tilted her head to look at his downcast face.
“Yeah, sweetheart, just tired.”
It was more than exhaustion weakening T.J.’s tone. Leo had watched him slide along the scale of self-pity for months now. Each day away from his wife hit harder for the guy who wore his heart on his sleeve.
“Are you sure.” Shay met Leo’s gaze with concern in her eyes. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No.” Both Leo and T.J. spoke at once.
“It’s family stuff,” T.J. added. “The unending crap that goes along with my marriage.”
Shay’s eyes widened. “You’re married? How did I not know that?”
“We’ve all got our secrets,” Leo murmured, trying to take some of the heat. T.J.’s demons revolved around his wife. He loved her with every breath and every heartbeat. But T.J. had changed over the years, leading to their separation. Each day away from the woman of his dreams had taken a heavy toll, and Leo wasn’t sure if the two of them would ever regain the relationship they’d once had.
“Really?” she drawled. “And what secrets do you have?”
Leo narrowed his gaze, wanting to slap her ass for being so cheeky. “You already know mine, so stop looking at me like that.”
She inclined her head as if to say touché and then turned back to T.J. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Nah.” T.J. threw back the remainder of his vodka and slammed the glass down on the bar. “Just continue to make this guy happy.” He slid from the stool, released a deep breath and plastered on a fake smile. “Wish me luck handing over the divorce papers.”
Leo opened his mouth but nothing came out. He had nothing—no words of advice or comfort. His friend had been married for six years. Six happy years. And now he was going to end it all. Leo hadn’t even known he’d been speaking to a divorce lawyer.
“You can’t drive home,” Shay raised her voice, sliding off the stool and rushing around the bar to grab her handbag.
“I’m fine.” T.J. copied Brute’s farewell, sidling up to Shay, hugging her around the neck and placing a kiss on her temple.
There was no jealousy this time. All Leo felt was a gaping hole in his chest for the guy who had a bigger heart than Leo and Brute combined. A divorce wasn’t the answer. Surely it couldn’t be the answer. T.J. loved his wife, and from all their previous discussions, his wife loved him back. The only thing coming between them was Vault of Sin, and Leo was pretty sure T.J.’s better half didn’t even know the club existed.
“Are you sure about this?” Leo palmed his keys, ready to leave.
“Drop it. I’ve only had a few drinks. I’m right to drive.”
“No.” Leo shook his head. “I’m talking about the divorce. Why don’t you give counselling a try?”
T.J. laughed. “Yeah, buddy, counselling. That’d be a hoot.”
“I’m serious.”
“And I’m done.” T.J. shrugged. “I can’t spend every night thinking about her, knowing I’m holding her back from the rest of her life. My own selfishness has dragged it this far. I couldn’t stand the thought of her being with anyone else. But I’ve gotta let her go. She deserves better.”
“Better than you?” Shay asked, her voice fragile. She climbed back onto a stool and then higher still to sit on the bar. “I don’t understand.”
“You don’t need to, sweetheart.” T.J. patted her thigh and made to leave. “I’ll see you both next week.”
“Wait.” Leo jerked his head for Shay to follow. “I’ll drop you off.” T.J. wasn’t drunk, but he was high on emotion. And in Leo’s mind, that was a dangerous mix after a few drinks.
“Don’t do this.” T.J. swung to face him and held up a hand for Shay to stop her progression off her perch on the bar. “Tonight is about the two of you. Let me go. I’m safe to drive.”
Leo scrutinized the lines of devastation on his friend’s face and the concern in Shay’s eyes. Talk about a rock and a hard place. Guys didn’t do emotional bullshit. If T.J. wanted to be alone, so be it. He wasn’t going to hold T.J.’s hand and spoon feed him ice cream. “Are you sure?”
T.J. rolled his eyes. “Fucking positive.” He gave a lazy wave to Shay and headed for the back door. “Don’t get into too much mischief over the next two days.”
Shay met Leo’s gaze, her lips slowly lifting at the edges. “We won’t,” she called over her shoulder and waited for the back door to close. “Is he really okay to drive?”
“He knows his limits. He’ll be fine.” T.J. was the responsible one, and the roads were deserted at this time of the morning. Leo was more concerned about the additional alcohol T.J. would consume once he stepped foot inside his apartment.
“That’s it? You’re his best friend and all you’ve got is I guess?”
Leo shrugged. Nothing he did would change the shit T.J. was going through. The guy was solid, he always bounced back. He just had a heart bigger than most. “Pretty much. And besides, he’s not your concern.” He stalked toward her and spread her thighs with a rough hand.
“Oh.” She cocked her head in defiance. “And what is?”
“Me,” he growled, pulling her off the bar. Her legs circled his waist, clinging tight as he strode for the exit. “Me and only me, for the rest of eternity.”
“How poetic from a man who has probably never known monogamy.”
He grinned at her, knowing she was going to keep him on his toes for a damn long time. “Not poetic, gorgeous.” He placed a lingering kiss on her lips before opening his eyes to the passionate pull of her brown irises. “I’ve just been waiting for the right female to take me off the market. And now that I’ve found her, no other woman will ever exist.”
Epilogue
“You’re concocting a plan, I can tell.”
Shay grinned down at Leo, ignoring his precise assumption. She was seated on the Vault of Sin bar, her favorite perch to see every inch of the now-vacant main room and glimpse inside the open doorways to the more private areas. “I’m pondering.”
Brute groaned, striding around the bar to the sink. “Shut her down, Leo. You know the shit she comes up with is usually a pain in the ass.”
“What?” She gasped in mock outrage and frowned at him over her shoulder. “My ideas for upstairs have been nothing but fabulous.”
“Nothing but trouble,” he countered.
She shook her head, turning back to Leo, who was chuckling from his position between her thighs. He sat on the stool in front of her, peering up at her with his piercing ocean stare. “I don’t know, I think I’d like to hear what she has to say.”
A ball of pins and needles rolled around in her belly. After a few weeks together, she still hadn’t overcome the shock of being with such a gorgeous man. He was perfect. Attentive. Attuned to her needs and desires. The only downer was his reluctance to participate downstairs. He’d told her he wanted to wait for her to gain an understanding of what the club was all about.
Fair enough, she supposed. But it didn’t lessen the arousal making her want to double over every time she thought about the possibilities. She’d worked every available shift behind the bar of the sex club, building up her appreciation for the lifestyle. The more she watched, the more she enjoyed. And now she was at the point where she didn’t think she could appreciate the sexual setting much more without grappling Leo in
front of the patrons.
That’s why she’d turned her focus toward club improvements. Vault of Sin required a woman’s touch. A little femininity to mix things up. There were unlimited possibilities and opportunities. All she had to do was convince three stubborn-headed men to give her a chance.
“I was just thinking about ways we could make the Vault more exciting for guests.”
“Shay,” Brute warned. “If the men get more excited, the women won’t enjoy themselves.”
If Mr. Grumpy Ass thought he was funny, he was sadly mistaken. She ignored him, focusing on the sexy hunk of man in front of her. “Why don’t you organize theme nights? Or even a costume party?”
Leo winced, and she tried to ignore that too.
“Maybe because this is a sex club for adults,” Brute drawled. “Not a birthday party for five-year-olds.”
Shay shot him the bird over her shoulder. “I’m serious.” She used her best doe eyes to implore Leo. The ploy worked in the bedroom, surely it could work here. “You could hold a masquerade party. Newbies are more likely to want to attend if they know their first experience can be hidden behind a mask. It would be less daunting.”
Leo’s brows drew together. “I kinda like the idea.”
Score.
“You would kinda like any of her ideas,” Brute muttered. “Because you’re a fuckin’ pussy.”
Leo chuckled off the insult. “Speaking of pussy.” He leaned forward, placing his hands on her knees to spread her legs wider. Her short skirt gave him an unrestricted view of her underwear, and he made no effort to hide his visual inspection.
“Leo, I’m serious.” She swallowed over her suddenly dry throat. “I think a masquerade theme would work well down here.”
He slid his palms up her thighs, releasing the floodgates of her arousal. She gripped the edge of the bar, not for stability, but to stop herself from jumping him and tearing his clothes off. Brute be damned.
“I know you are.” His touch traveled higher, under her skirt to the edge of her panties. “A masquerade theme could work. It would help to maintain anonymity for those who aren’t entirely sure they want to take the plunge int—”
“Just a heads up,” Brute interrupted from over her shoulder. “I’m sick of watching you two. From now on, I’ll be a fully fledged participant if you get your fuck on in front of me.”
Shay bit her lip, waiting for Leo’s reaction. She was prepared to take his lead, no matter what path he chose. She trusted him and the decisions he made regarding their sexual relationship. Sharing is caring definitely hadn’t become her motto, but Leo already knew she was willing to let him take the lead on their time downstairs.
Leo stared up at her under thick lashes. “Sorry, champ. I’ve become a little obsessed with keeping this lovely lady to myself.”
Shay grinned, her ego overinflated. This man knew how to make her pulse race in the most delicious sort of way. He hooked a finger around the crotch of her panties, finding her slick arousal, making her burn. She whimpered, straightening her back, ensuring she didn’t lose control. He played with her, holding her gaze the entire time he ran his finger up and down her entrance.
“You’re naughty,” she silently mouthed, struggling to keep her breathing under control. She was always hot for him. Always ready. Always waiting. Her appetite was insatiable, and she didn’t anticipate it ever changing. No matter who was in their presence.
Kicking off one of her shoes, she placed her toes gently on the crotch of his chinos, traced the outline of the hardness underneath and then lower to brush his balls. He seemed immune. In control. She loved that most about him—even though the length of his erection was hard beneath her, he didn’t react. No matter where they were or what they did, he continued to remain level-headed. At least on the outside.
He became stronger the more time they spent together. He knew how to draw out the best orgasms. How to make her scream, or gasp, or giggle. They were a perfect fit—his sexual expertise and her unruly lust.
“Get your fucking hand out of her honey pot,” Brute grated. “Because, I swear, if you make me go home with wood again, I’ll fucking kill you.”
Leo grinned without remorse and snaked his fingers out of her underwear. “I don’t condone violence.”
No. No, no, no. Shay groaned with the loss of his touch, not caring that he placed a forgiving kiss on the inside of her knee to soften the blow. Her pussy wanted to kick him in the balls. Brute too. Leo could take whatever stand he wanted on violence, but she sure as hell didn’t condone cock blocking.
“We’ll finish this later,” he whispered against her skin.
Hell, yeah. She was definitely going to return the favor. It would begin with teasing him for unending moments. Drawing out his pleasure until he was hard and hot and willing to yell with the need for relief. Then she’d go make herself a fucking coffee and see how he liked to be denied.
She snapped her legs shut, almost ramming Leo’s nose in the process. And still, the bastard chose to laugh. This wasn’t funny. The dampness in her panties wasn’t something to chuckle about, and getting home was going to be a humorless affair too. She wasn’t sure how the heck she was going to drive when her mind was obsessed with being driven by Leo.
“Well,” she growled, pushing off the bar and landing on her bare foot. “I want to plan a masquerade party.” She retrieved her shoe from the floor and pointed it at Brute with a glare. “It doesn’t have to be on a regular night, it could be a Thursday or even a Sunday.”
“Well, I want you to put your pretty pink lips around my cock and blow me. But neither of us are going to get what we want. Are we?” Brute came around the bar, a scowl cemented into his features. The bulge straining the zipper of his jeans announced he wasn’t lying about the blow job either. “We can’t make plans without T.J.”
Shay’s heart clenched at the reminder of the third member of the masculine trio. T.J. hadn’t returned to work since he dropped the news of his impending divorce. And yet, after everything he was going through, he’d still spared the time to message her and ask how she was recovering emotionally from her time in Vault of Sin.
He seemed encouraged by her feelings toward Leo. But when she’d asked about his wellbeing, he’d ignored her. She’d even tried calling him, but he wouldn’t answer.
“I don’t think T.J. will mind if we do the research and figure out the specifics.” Leo stood and came to her side, daring to place a hand around her waist.
She stiffened against him. Her nipples tingled against the delicate material of her bra and her goddamn panties were still soaked. The last thing she needed was more attention without the hope of a climax.
“Better yet, do up a proposal.” Brute went to the light switch at the side of the bar and flicked on the houselights. “That way, when T.J. comes back, we can have a management meeting and discuss it without Romeo’s dick playing a part in the decision process.”
Leo leaned toward her ear, holding her tighter around the waist. “What he doesn’t know,” he whispered, “is that my dick plays an integral part in every decision that involves you.”
“Not tonight it won’t,” she muttered, nudging him in the ribs.
His huff of laughter heated her neck and his protective hold kept her strong, even though her body was weak for him. She could picture his smile in her mind, the one that lifted his cheeks and brightened his eyes. There was no way to deny him. No way to refute the attraction making her heart swell.
She trusted him, respected, and adored him. Her lust knew no bounds. Their time away from work was filled with laughter, and their working hours were even better. Although their relationship went against the grain of normality, they’d found happiness, and nobody could take that away from them.
She loved this man, dirty parts and all. And no hurdle, big, small, lurid or tame would change that…unless he didn’t hurry up and
give her a damn orgasm.
“Okay.” She nodded. “One Masquerade plan coming right up.”
Masquerade of Sin
Dear Sinner,
You are invited to attend our first, and quite possibly the only, Masquerade Party at Vault of Sin.
The rules and entrance process are still the same. You will need to submit an application to attend and gain approval before you pass the sacred doors. However, this time, bringing a like-minded friend is encouraged. Any newbies will be vetted under the same process, but this special occasion will allow them the anonymity to hide their wicked fantasies under the veil of a mask for one night only.
In the future, we hope to increase the number of nights you can sin in our presence, and inviting more members to our club is an integral part of achieving our aim.
So if you have a wicked friend, invite them along. It will be a night to remember, filled with pleasure you will never forget.
Kind regards,
Vault of Sin.
About the Author
Eden Summers is a true-blue Aussie, living in regional New South Wales with her two energetic young boys and a quick-witted husband.
In late 2010, Eden’s romance obsession could no longer be sated by reading alone, so she decided to give voice to the sexy men and sassy women in her mind.
Eden can’t resist alpha dominance, dark features and sarcasm in her fictional heroes and loves a strong heroine who knows when to bite her tongue but also serves retribution with a feminine smile on her face.
When the light turns yellow, it’s time to step on the gas.
Red Light, Green Light
© 2014 Rhian Cahill
Are You Game? Book 3
You never forget your first.
Truer words have never been spoken when it comes to Kelsey Newman’s first love. Years spent ignoring the ache she feels for Weston Mann has done little to erase him from her mind and her heart.