Chapter 7
MAX
The Velvet Rooms is not at all what I imagined.
It’s better.
It’s dark, warm, decadent, and the low music drifting through the speakers is so faint, it’s more like a whisper.
I’m still trying to find answers and figure out why I’ve never thought about becoming a member before now. This place would meet my needs perfectly: fucking without the commitment or promise of anyone wanting more or catching feelings. Stellar.
We are currently in a private holding room with just my brother, Libby, and me.
Once we put on our mask-like disguises, only then will we be allowed to enter the main room, not the entire club.
After the event, we have to come back into the same room to take off the masks, and that’s when we can enter the main club for the rest of the night if we choose to.
After thoroughly verifying both my and Cole’s government-issued IDs and current sexual health test results, something we regularly do, and we’re cleaner than freshly fallen snow, we were granted access to a private room, but only after agreeing to a strict set of rules, which I memorized by heart.
We’re not allowed to exchange names or cell numbers. If we want to connect with anyone, we have to inform the club, and they will find a way to put us in touch with one another.
No physical contact without verbal consent.
We’re not to discuss appearance.
Physical intimacy is permitted but only if consent is given by both parties.
We’ve got to mingle.
More like fumble our way through the dark, but whatever.
If we feel uncomfortable at any point we can leave through the same door number we arrived through which will light up thirty seconds after we close the door behind us.
To protect our identities, I assume.
Trained staff are on hand to guide us through the event.
And lastly, the rule I love the most…
Everyone is required to wear a mask provided by the club.
Mysterious and erotic by design, the neon pink-and-blue line detailing will glow under the UV blacklight.
The women wear sleek black plastic bunny-ear masks that frame their eyes and sit lightly on the bridge of their noses, making each breath easy and every glance a tease.
Meanwhile, the men wear matching masks: smooth, shadowy fox masks that mimic the same shape, adding a subtle hint of mischief and allure.
Together, the masks set the tone: playful, anonymous, and undeniably charged.
Everything sounds simple enough, and I’m all in for whatever happens, happens.
While half of me is shitting myself, the other half is excited.
I’ve never taken part in anything like this before.
My anticipation is increasing with each second, like I’m about to enter a haunted house at a carnival.
Still, at the same time, I’m eager to jump in because I need to get inside, feel the rush, get my adrenaline going, anything to confirm this is real and true.
But it’s terrifying as hell. Still, I’m ready.
I keep telling myself it’s just a one-time, never-to-be-repeated event, so what do I have to lose? At this point, nothing.
I’m not dating. I’m single, and to be honest, my hand and cock have become best friends. Something I plan on putting an end to soon. Maybe tonight. We’ll see.
“Fuck, I’m nervous,” Cole says, putting his mask on at the same time I do.
“Don’t be. You’ll have the best time,” Libby pipes up like a ray of sunshine, helping Cole tighten it at the back to secure it in place.
“We never speak of this again, or you’re fired,” I warn, pointing at Libby, which only causes her to laugh at me.
I haven’t spent much time with Libby outside of work, so I didn’t really know what to expect. But she’s fun and lighthearted. And that red satin dress she’s wearing leaves nothing to Cole’s imagination.
He didn’t think I noticed the way his eyes drifted down her body when she arrived at our arranged time outside the club, but I did. The poor guy became tongue-tied as soon as she stepped out of her cab to greet him. Much to my amusement, it was borderline comical.
Just friends, my ass. He likes her, but he’s too scared to admit it.
Of course, I was only joking with Libby about firing her.
It turns out she loves her job at Hart Law, is dedicated to her role, and aspires to become a legal research manager within the firm, overseeing research teams and assisting with litigation.
She’s ambitious, which I like, and I plan to talk to Janice, our human resources manager, to discuss her chances of promotion.
Before I brought it up and before we even entered the club, Libby reminded me that the NDA she signed for work covers personal information related to employees, managers, the executive team, and basically every shareholder at Hart Law.
She also assured me that she would never disclose personal information, as her job at Hart Law is her dream position.
She then told me that the firm was her top choice for employment after college.
All that aside, if Cole trusts her and she works for us, then that’s more than enough for me.
“Right, let me put these on you both.” Libby places a tiny heart-shaped sticker in neon pink on Cole’s mask just above his right eye.
“What are these for?” I ask, wondering what the reason behind them is.
Sticking her tongue out to the side in concentration, she then does the same to my mask.
“Because the last thing I want to do is hook up with either of my bosses. I might not know anyone else other than you two in there, but in the dark, and as my guests, this will distinguish you from everyone else for me. All members have been advised to do something to help them tell their guests apart from everyone else.”
That makes sense, I suppose, although Cole doesn’t look too happy about that.
Libby steps back and puts the same sticker on her bunny mask, then looks at us. “You’ll be able to recognize me too. No tonsil tennis for either of you this evening.” She breaks into peals of laughter that only make Cole scowl more.
“Let’s go.” He nervously tugs at the cuffs of his black shirt. I know Cole, and right now, I can see that his anxiety is at an all-time high, his fidgeting giving him away.
And me? Well, I’m going all in and having a full-on fuck-it moment. I’m here now and I plan to enjoy every single fucking minute of whatever awaits us beyond this holding room.
For me, this isn’t about finding everlasting love. Having never found it before, it’s something I’ve never truly believed in anyway. This event is fun, a new experience, something to tell my brothers about for years to come. Nothing more.
I clap my hands together and rub them enthusiastically. “Let’s do this.”
Cole watches Libby’s every move as she hands us our preordered drinks that were waiting for us here.
She winks at Cole. “Loosen up, big guy.” She gently pats his upper arm before turning to me. “And you, well, you just keep being you.” She gestures up and down my frame.
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I grin wickedly, knowing precisely what she’s going to say.
“Max, everyone knows you’re a commitment-phobe and completely unavailable. This type of night suits you, so just be yourself.” Libby rolls her eyes as if she finds me exhausting.
I wink at her because I’m not offended; she’s right, so who am I to argue?
And I have no plans to change who I am anytime soon.