by Chelle Bliss
“You know about the lifestyle?”
Bianca waves. “Romance writer and I thoroughly research my books. Thoroughly,” she repeats with a huskier voice. “I know all about the lifestyle or, at least, as much as I can read about it.”
“Ever been to a club, kid?” Izzy asks.
Bianca shakes her head. “No, but I’ve done a lot of reading.”
“They’re hot,” Suzy says, surprising me because she seems too innocent to even know what the hell they’re talking about.
“You’ve been?” I ask, and my mouth suddenly feels drier than the desert.
Suzy nods as a blush creeps into her cheeks, clearly visible in the shitty lighting because her skin is so pale.
“Chicago has one of the best clubs,” Izzy tells Bianca. “If you ever want to do research the right way, I can get you in.”
Bianca swallows hard and places her hand on her chest. “You could do that?”
Izzy nods. “I know the owner pretty well. James has been his friend for years.”
“Vinnie wouldn’t like that too much,” Bianca says and blows out a harsh breath.
“Bring him. He’ll like it plenty.” Izzy laughs. “We all have a bit of voyeur in us.”
“Those clubs are real?” I ask Izzy, figuring they were made up, much like most things in fiction.
“They sure as fuck are.”
I can’t imagine having sex with Angelo in public. Nor can I imagine watching other people have sex as we watched them. I’m not a complete prude, Angelo makes sure of that, but that doesn’t mean I want to share my goods with the world.
“Huh,” I mumble.
“I’ll give you ladies a choice.” She scoots her chair closer to the table, closing the space between us. “We can go to the strip show or the club. Which is it?”
Mia sways backward. “You can get us in? I mean, Mike would fucking have my head.”
“They have a viewing room on the second level. You can’t interact with anyone, but you can watch what happens in the common areas.”
I’m suddenly speechless. I didn’t want to do the whole stripper thing, but not because I was worried about Angelo. He trusts me, and I trust him implicitly. But the thought of going somewhere like a sex club, where people may openly be having sex might be stepping over the line. The man is easygoing, but everyone has their breaking point.
“Club,” Suzy blurts out.
“Strippers,” Max says.
“Club.” Bianca nods with a wink at Suzy.
“Club,” Mia votes.
“Neither,” I say, which earns me a groan and a few straws thrown in my direction followed by the words “party pooper.”
We go around the table until it’s left up to Izzy to make the final call. Izzy rubs the back of her neck and doesn’t speak for a moment. “God, this decision is so hard. The club is more private.”
I don’t know why that makes me giggle. What’s private about a sex club? Her words strike me as odd, and my laughter earns me a look so serious, I instantly sober up.
“I’d have the room cleared so no one else but us would be there. We wouldn’t have to worry about anyone bothering us.” She taps her fingernail against her lip and glances up at the ceiling. “Strippers can be fun, though, too, but they’re so touchy sometimes.”
“No one’s touching me.” Suzy winces. “All those sweaty bodies. Blech.”
“I’m with Suzy,” I say, because the last thing I want is a man sweating all over me, especially if he’s not Angelo. “I told you, no strippers.”
Daphne laughs and waves me off. “Fine, it’s settled, then. We’ll go to the club. Just please say they serve drinks and I have a chance at seeing dick.”
Izzy pulls her phone out of her pocket and stares Daphne right in the eye. “Girl, you’re going to see more than dick. Just you wait.”
I’m suddenly more nervous than I was before the girls arrived. I wanted a quiet night out. An evening with the girls, a few drinks, and nothing more. I never thought the night would turn out this way, and I only pray Angelo won’t throw a shit fit when he finds out.
“I’ll call Slate and get everything set,” Izzy says as she types away on her phone.
“Slate?” I ask. “Is that really his name?” My giggles are back, and the martini I polished off a few minutes ago is finally starting to kick in.
“Fuck if I know.” She shrugs. “It’s what we call him, though. He’s hot as fuck too.”
“James will murder you,” Angel warns.
“Oh. James can go fuck himself.”
There’s a collective gasp around the table. Even I make the noise, and I’ve never even met the man.
“If I’m lucky, I might get an ass-beating tonight.” Izzy laughs softly as she continues typing on the small screen. When no one says anything, she looks up. “What?” she asks with her eyebrows drawn down. “Don’t knock it until you try it.” She pitches her thumb toward Suzy. “This little princess likes her ass spanked too. I know how crazy y’all are in the bedroom, so don’t even pretend to act otherwise.”
There’s laughter around the table, myself included, but I don’t know why I’m joining in. I would never call my sex life freaky. It’s perfect in every way, but there’s nothing about it that makes me think we’re doing anything outside the norm.
“Slate?” Izzy says into the phone and covers her other ear with her hand because Gavin’s is loud, almost too loud to hear one another over the music. “It’s Izzy Caldo, James’s wife.” She excuses herself, rushing toward the front door and leaving us behind.
“So, we’re doing this?” I ask, swallowing the fear of the unknown.
“It’ll be fun,” Bianca says and downs the last of her water. “Just relax. What could possibly go wrong?”
3
Angelo
I push my plate away, enjoying the company and the meal, and lean back in my chair. Everyone’s talking, catching up after not seeing one another for years. The evening has been great. More than that, it’s been like being home again.
“You okay?” Joe asks, leaning over and speaking softly so no one else can hear.
I nod and stare at my cousin, letting a smile spread across my face. “Of course. Tonight’s been great.”
“Something’s eating you,” he replies.
I sigh. “Not really. I just never thought I’d be doing this again. I mean, I’m glad I am. No one wants to be alone, and it’s not like we had a choice, but damn…”
He rests his hand on my shoulder. “Everything will be fine, Angelo. I can’t imagine everything you’ve been through, but you deserve some damn happiness.”
Marissa’s been on my mind a lot lately. The closer we get to the wedding date, the more I think about her. I no longer feel like I’m cheating or betraying our vows, but I wish I could talk to her at least one more time. I wonder what she’d say about Tilly, about the life she and I are building together.
“What’s wrong? Lucio asks, staring at Joe and me from across the table. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Couldn’t be better.” I wave him off.
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” James says while staring down at his phone. “These ladies are seriously trying to kill us tonight.”
“What’s wrong?” Thomas drops his fork to the table.
“They’re going to the Black Door.” James runs his hand down his face and groans. “Nothing good can come from this.”
“What the hell is the Black Door?” I ask.
“A sex club.” Vinnie smirks. “A sexy as fuck one too.”
“I don’t know what the hell you’re smiling about, moron. Bianca’s with them,” Lucio reminds him.
“Fuck,” he hisses and leans back in his chair with all the happiness completely wiped clear of his face. “What the hell are they going to do at a sex club?”
“Give me a minute. Let me make a call,” James says and excuses himself from the table, taking his phone with him.
“You’ve been there?�
�� I ask Vinnie, but it shouldn’t surprise me when he nods.
“Of course. I know every place in this godforsaken town. There’s no way I want Bianca to go there, though.”
I don’t want Tilly to go there either. Well, at least not without me there to make sure no crazy-ass shit goes down.
“They seriously try to kill us on the daily when they’re all together.” Anthony takes another bite of his steak and moans. “This is so fucking good.”
“Doesn’t it bother you that they’re going there?” Vinnie asks Anthony, who doesn’t seem to be fazed by the news.
He waves his fork around, chewing. “Yes, but I trust Max. Plus, I know if anyone fucks with her, she will literally claw their eyes out.”
James sits back down and shakes his head. “They reserved the VIP viewing room.”
“And?” Lucio asks because he’s just as fucking clueless as me.
“They’ll be alone and only able to watch what’s happening while they have drinks.”
“So, they’re going to watch other people have sex?” Lucio raises an eyebrow.
James nods. “Pretty much. They’re not members, so they can’t enter the club. But Izzy being Izzy, pulled a few strings and got them access to the viewing room so they can watch the action.”
“What time are they going?” Thomas asks as he drops his napkin on his plate and clenches his fist tightly.
“In an hour,” James tells him. “Why, you want to crash their little party?” James looks amused by the idea, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
I don’t care what Tilly’s doing. As long as she’s having a good time, I know everything will be fine. I’m secure in my manhood, and I know my girl. She’s a wild thing in the sack, but she’s also as loyal as they come.
“Fuck yeah, we’re going,” Mike barks. “We can’t leave them alone. I mean, come on. It could lead to a fun night, too. I’m sure they’ll be turned on and…” His voice drifts off.
“We’re going,” Joe tells everyone. “Give them a little bit of time alone there, and then we’ll crash their party.”
“You’re so calm about this,” I tell him, surprised at my cousin.
He shrugs. “We’ve been to one before in Florida with James and Izzy. Suzy’s a curious little thing. She acts all innocent and sweet, but that girl…” He shakes his head and laughs, not finishing his sentence.
“It’s settled, then. We’re going,” Thomas states, making the decision for us.
“Another round,” Morgan says to the waiter as he passes by. “We’re going to need it.”
I’m sure one drink is going to be enough. My girl is going to a sex club. She is going to watch other people having sex, and I know my girl; this is way out of her comfort zone.
A little over an hour later, we’re packed inside the party bus, heading toward the Black Door. No one’s drunk, but the drinks are still flowing and going down easy while we sit in the nonstop traffic of downtown Chicago.
“Should we tell them we’re coming?” Lucio asks, which earns him a glare from James.
“Absolutely not.” James shakes his head.
I think about adding my two cents, telling them we should just leave the ladies alone and let them have their fun, but I hold my tongue.
“They need a little surprise. Anyway, I’m pretty sure the ladies will be in need of us once we arrive,” Joe says. “It’s pretty intense.”
“I just can’t picture Tilly there,” I mumble, thinking no one’s heard me.
Joe nudges me with his elbow, smiling at me. “Suzy isn’t a sex club girl, but she’s not above watching. There’s something intriguing about it. You’ll see.”
“It’s hot as fuck,” Vinnie adds as he rubs his hands together, leaning over his legs with his elbows resting on his knees. “So freaking hot.”
I try to picture Tilly, sitting somewhere and watching perfect strangers having sex. But for some reason, I can’t, no matter how hard I try. There’s just something so prim and proper about her, even though she’s a freak in the sheets.
Suddenly, a wave of guilt comes over me. This is supposed to be her night to cut loose, have fun with my cousins, and here we are, ready to crash their party.
“Maybe we should leave them be,” I say. “Let them have a good time.”
That statement earns me an icy stare from James. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t like the idea of my wife at a sex club without me there to protect her.”
“Protect her from what?” I ask, because I have no idea what they’re even getting themselves into.
“From anything. This isn’t like going to a strip club where there are rules. If Izzy charms her way into the members-only section…” His voice trails off.
I throw up my hands, giving in. “You know best.”
“I know the owner. He’ll make sure they’re safe, but I’ll feel better if we’re there, watching them,” James tells me.
“Izzy’s okay with you just showing up randomly?” Lucio asks.
James’s entire demeanor changes as he starts to laugh. “I don’t need Izzy’s permission to show up anywhere, especially when she uses my name to pull some strings. She knew what she was doing when she placed that call. I’m pretty sure she knows I’ll be coming after her, too.”
“You make her sound like prey,” I say.
He narrows his dark eyes. “She’s my wife and my submissive. She knows better than to go to a place like that without me.”
My eyebrows rise at his statement. Submissive? My cousin submits to a man, even though he’s her husband? Izzy is the last person I’d ever think would bow or kneel to anyone.
“We’re here.” Vinnie tips his head toward a large building right outside the van.
I turn and look over the gray stone exterior with two very large black doors in front. There’s no sign with the club name and nothing telling anyone what lies on the other side of the doors.
“Don’t let it fool you.” Vinnie stands. “What lies behind those doors is absolutely fucking mind-blowing.”
“Exactly how many times have you been here?” Leo asks Vinnie as they step off the bus.
Vinnie shrugs. “A few times,” he says, being cagey and more like his old self. “You?”
“A couple,” Leo says, which surprises me for some reason. “But never with your sister.”
Nothing should surprise me anymore, especially when it comes to the men in my life. I was too busy being a dad, working, and then dealing with Marissa’s illness to bother with sex clubs.
“Am I the only one who’s never been to a place like this?” I ask.
Lucio looks over at me as we step onto the sidewalk. “I haven’t, and I thought I’d experienced just about everything.”
The doors creak loudly as we step into the dark reception area. The music’s loud enough that the small decorations in the room bounce and vibrate on their own.
A man dressed in black leather pants and a black tank steps around a tall desk, holding out his hand to James. “It’s been a long time, man. Looking good as ever, and so is that pretty little wife of yours.”
James shakes the man’s hand, but there’s no joy on his face. “Slate. Are they up there?”
Slate’s eyes rise toward a staircase to the second level. “Alone, just as I promised they’d be.”
“You should’ve told her no,” James says, and I can hear the annoyance in his tone.
Slate barks out a laugh. “Your wife may be a sub, but telling her no is like telling a Dom to kneel.”
I look over to Lucio, and he shrugs, just as confused by the conversation as I am.
James finally cracks a smile. “Touché.”
“Go on up. No one will bother you or the ladies.” Slate’s lips turn up into a sly smirk. “Enjoy yourselves.”
4
Tilly
“Holy fuckballs.” Bianca steps forward, pressing her palms flat against the glass, and stares down at the scene below us. “This is better than I could’ve ever
imagined.”
“You’ve imagined this?” I wave my hand toward the people having sex one floor down.
Not just having any kind of sex; they’re banging like rabbits out in the open.
Even in the darkened room, I can see a blush creep across Bianca’s cheeks. “So many times.”
My gaze goes back to the glass and the people below. My eyes widen as a woman steps up to a large wooden X and a man starts to strap her in. She’s naked. Nothing covering her body, and she’s not the least bit self-conscious about her supple curves or the way the people around her are staring.
Part of me wishes I could be that bold and unashamed. Nudity isn’t something I’ve ever been completely comfortable with, except with Angelo and Mitchell. Even when I’m in a swimsuit, it’s a one-piece, trying to cover as much of my pale skin as possible.
“Watch,” Izzy says as she steps next to me and points to the couple. I can’t seem to tear my gaze away from what’s happening either. “He’s going to whip her.”
I gasp, moving my hand to my mouth. “Why?”
“She wants it.” I can feel Izzy’s eyes on me. “Needs it.”
I shake my head, and I feel my eyes widen as he straps her wrists and ankles to the wooden boards, but there’s no fear on her features. “I don’t understand,” I whisper.
I’m trying like hell to figure out what could be pleasurable about a man, or hell, anyone, inducing pain and getting off on it.
“Just watch.” Izzy touches my arm and leaves her hand there like she’s protecting me. “You’ll understand more after you see the exchange.”
I’m mesmerized even as worry works across my shoulders, and the air around me seems to thicken. A small crowd has gathered around the couple, not hiding in the shadows like we are. A few people point off to the left as the man whispers in the woman’s ear, and I follow their movement with my eyes.
My breath hitches in my throat as a naked woman kneels on a bench, presenting her ass to a man who’s sporting a giant hard-on.
“Oh my word.” The words slip from my lips so softly, I’m pretty sure no one, including Izzy, heard them.