Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
Elle
Present Day
“I still can’t believe that you’re doing this. I think you’re crazy,” Candy says, giving me a once over. “I mean, you look sen- fucking -sational, but it still feels a bit…ick.”
I fix her with her no-nonsense, what you are saying is bullshit , stare and then sigh.
“Don’t yuck on my yum, bitch! We’ve been over this, babe. I am happy with my choice and the only regret I have is allowing those men of yours to talk me into waiting for the launch of the new club. If they’d just let me join when I applied last year, I could be as experienced and as slutty as you by now!”
As Candy grins at my easy teasing, I can’t help but feel a swell of pride for her, knowing that she’s found love times five. I want nothing more than her happiness. But deep down, I know that nothing she can say will change my mind.
I’ve been through this scenario countless times before, discussing every possible detail and contingency plan with Wint. Everything is meticulously set up, from the potential bidders to the legalities and loopholes. Tonight is not just about me; it’s about catapulting the new branch of ‘For Me’ into the spotlight, and I’m determined to make it a resounding success.
With each passing moment, the anticipation builds, and I can feel the weight of responsibility resting on my shoulders. But I’m ready. Ready to ensure that tonight goes off without a hitch, ready to support the club, and ready to prove that nothing can stand in the way of our ambitions.
I’m the main event.
Well, one of them.
Wint thought an auction for opening night would be a fantastic way to bring in new members and to really create a stir, and so far, from what I’ve seen and heard in the media, he wasn’t wrong. There’s been months of speculation about every single detail of the new club – from its location and design, to the membership fees and who’s on the exclusive clientele list.
It’s been fun to watch the press work themselves up into a frenzy for most of the year, and if the club hasn’t been making front page news at least once a month, I’d be shocked. The gossip columns seem to be speculating daily, and it’s even made mainstream news shows on TV once or twice.
It seems like the whole world is waiting with baited breath to see what tonight holds in store, but no one is more invested in the outcome than me.
Well, maybe me and my bestie and her five gorgeous hunks who are totally besotted and smitten with her.
I eye the beautiful delicate chain around Candy’s neck wistfully, longing for what she has. Not five guys who think she hung the moon and the stars in the night sky, but her confidence and sexual freedom. I’m so sick of my virginity being a barrier between me and the life that I long to explore.
Initially when I pitched the plan to Wint, he thought it was a terrible idea. Maybe virgins have their place in some sex clubs, but ‘For Me’ isn’t your average sex club. I did my research, I knew exactly what my best friend was getting into when she took a job there…and I was so jealous.
He took some convincing but once he understood what I truly wanted to get out of this experience – once I made him see that I’m not some delicate little flower that needs to bloom or be wined and dined or serenaded by candle light – he came round to my way of thinking.
So I’m the main event. The final ‘date’ up for auction tonight, and Wint has assured me that everyone in attendance will understand what a date with me will entail.
I’m not nervous. Much. I’m mostly excited. Eager. Keen to get this show on the road. But it’s not quite time yet.
“Are you sad?” I ask Candy abruptly, needing a distraction.
She frowns at my question, then shakes her head. I know she’s happy. Sickeningly so. I snort. “I meant, are you sad not to be working at ‘Candy Canes’ this year?”
I feel bad when Candy’s smile falls and she shrugs. “A little, of course. I’m hoping we can still try and find some time to visit nearer to Christmas, the club members have been really understanding, but we all agreed it was more important that we stay and try to make ‘For Me’ a success. They still want Daddy Santa to put in an appearance on Christmas Eve though,” she says with a laugh. It sounds a little forced to me, but I get it. This year has been crazy for her. For all of them. I’m excited to be a part of it. But I know that she’s missing where it all began.
“Don’t they know he’ll be too busy unwrapping his own present to see to theirs?” I tease, making her laugh and blush.
Five boyfriends, a job in a sex club, and a collar around her neck, and she still blushes like a nun in the Red Light District. I love her.
“Are you ready?” she asks, watching as I flip my hair once more, smack my lips together and give myself an approving once over in the mirror. I nod.
“I’m ready. Let’s do this.”
“Wint sent a limo for tonight. It’s waiting outside.”
“Of course he did,” I reply with a throaty laugh, looping my arm through Candy’s and grabbing my clutch bag. I knew about the car. Wint sent me the standard invitation that gets sent to all applicants who are chosen to join.
That’s the thing. I didn’t know when I filled out my initial application form, that meeting the criteria, having a clean bill of health and apparently, more money than god, still wasn’t enough to guarantee entry into the exclusive club.
No.
You have to be chosen by another member. The invite says, ‘Someone chose you…for me’. You don’t know who chose you until you arrive, and even then Wint explained, sometimes you still won’t find out.
I absolutely love the mystery and intrigue behind the idea of sponsored membership, and whilst part of me desperately wants to know who finally agreed to sponsor me, I’m also kind of thrilled by the secrecy and anonymity of the whole thing.
The guys were more than happy to get on board with my auction suggestion, but weren’t prepared to compromise on their invitation rule, so I spent weeks in knots wondering if anyone would want me. If they would choose me. If I’d be accepted.
Luckily, adventurous virgins with a penchant for pain, happen to be a hot commodity, even in the vastly varied world of BDSM, and Wint says he was inundated with offers for me.
Now I just need someone to bid for me.
“It’s for opening night, not your hoo-haa,” Candy snaps lightly with a smile, bringing me back to the present and the mention of the limousine.
“Although, if you think about it, it kind of is my hoo-haa’s opening night too,” I joke, making her snort.
“Fucking hell. You’re something else, you know that?”
“Absolutely,” I agree, beaming at her.
How lucky am I that I get to do this with my best friend by my side, supporting me every step of the way?