Chapter One
Lyla
Three Months Earlier
“Ithought you said this place was invitation-only? We don’t have invites, Spencer.” My voice is laced with slight annoyance as I look at my reflection in the mirror, scrutinizing what I see staring back at me.
My round face is covered with entirely too much makeup, and my curly jet-black hair is currently straightened, all thanks to Spencer.
My maroon dress is flowy enough to hide my wide-set hips and curves.
It’s fitted around the bust, with a halter neckline, so it’s conservative enough, thankfully not showing any cleavage.
It’s also long, hitting the floor, covering my thick, pasty white, jiggly thighs.
What do you even wear to a place like this? Hell, I don’t even know what I’m doing. This is so out of my element.
Chokehold. I don’t know much about it, only that it’s an upscale, invitation-only club for patrons to explore their darkest desires. Whatever the hell that even means.
Spencer has been trying to get an invite for months—all of her attempts have failed thus far. I’m fully dressed to go, yet still confused about what changed and how I got dragged into this.
“We don’t need invites tonight,” Spencer says cheerfully, proud of herself for finding a way in. “We already went through this, Lyla. They’re hosting a Masquerade and Mingle.”
“You say that like I’m supposed to know what it means.” My tone comes out a little more sarcastic and drier than I intend.
“Oh, come on,” she says, flashing me a smile, then gets back to strapping up her heels. “It’s gonna be fun!”
“That doesn’t explain how we're getting in.”
“This Masquerade and Mingle is the first event like this that they’re hosting.
It’s open to the public, no invitation needed.
The rules are not to use the private rooms, those are for members only, and it stays anonymous, soooo…
” she drawls out, stopping to grab something off the bed.
“Be sure to keep this on all night. No matter what.”
I grab the black lace-adorned mask from her outstretched hand. “It’s beautiful. But this defeats the purpose of all the makeup you painted on my face.” I chuckle.
Spencer rolls her eyes. “You’re going to fight me on everything, aren’t you?”
“Probably,” I say with a shrug. “Especially since I don’t know why I have to come with you. Can’t this be a solo adventure?”
Spencer scoffs. “When is anything ever a solo adventure with us?”
“There’s a first time for everything. You know, spread your wings and all.”
“You’re coming, Lyla.”
“Yeah, yeah. Fully aware.” I slip the mask on and turn back to the mirror to take myself in. This time, I look past the physical imperfections that I always judge entirely too harshly, and I actually think I look kind of pretty. I kind of feel pretty.
Turning back to Spencer, I ask, “What do you think?”
“I think you look hot. Although, I wish you had let me find you a dress that shows—”
“My tits are perfectly fine staying covered, thank you very much.”
Spencer finishes strapping her other shoe, then stands and spins in a circle. “What about me?”
“Wow,” I say. She’s stunning. Runway-model stunning.
Spencer is tall, much taller than me, for sure.
She has a pear figure, but she’s thin, with the perfect gymnast build.
The black dress she's wearing is floor length like mine, but it has a slit that runs to the top of her thigh, almost completely exposing her leg. Her tits look fabulous with the plunging neckline, which I know she loves. And her mask is covered in lace, but it’s red instead of black. "Spencer, you look hot."
“I know, right!?” She damn near jumps with excitement.
“Really humble of you,” I snort.
“Shut up.” Spencer shoves me. “I’m confident, Lyla. Something you should be too. Because you’re just as gorgeous.”
That earned her a dramatic eye roll. “Mm-hmm. Sure.”
Spencer grabs my shoulders, forcing our eyes to meet. “I’m serious. And tonight, let's have fun. Cut loose. Find a guy. Find someone to sleep—”
“You know, it’s as if you don’t know me at all.” My lips press together in a thin line, and I look at her with an unamused glare.
“Lyla…” She says my name in warning. “It’s one night. It’s anonymous. You can pretend to be anyone you want to be tonight…even someone who believes in one-night stands.”
“Not going to happen.” I bark out an unamused laugh.
“Ugh,” she groans, slightly annoyed with my stubbornness. “Let’s get going. The Uber is here, and we’re already late.”
We live in downtown New Orleans, but the commute to get anywhere within the city always takes longer than it should. Apparently not tonight. The drive was quicker than I expected.
My leg bounced, and my hands were shaking the entire way. I’m nervous, there’s no denying that. I’m stepping completely out of my element. I don’t even go to bars; they’re too “peopley” for me. But I have a serious problem saying no to Spencer.
She’s been my best friend since we met as college roommates, and we’ve been inseparable since. Even now that I’m in med school and she’s off running her own business that keeps her busy, we somehow still manage to be attached at the hip.
The car is taking us down a dead-end alleyway, where green vines have nearly overtaken the brick walls all around. There’s a lonesome iron gate straight ahead at the very end of the alley. The gate is also covered in vines, making it impossible to see past it.
The car comes to a stop, and I look around, then shoot Spencer a worrisome glare. “Are you sure this is the right place?”
“This is it,” Spencer says confidently, then pays the driver before looking at me. “Ready?”
“No,” I answer honestly. She just laughs and steps out of the car. Damn it.
Spencer is nearly running to the gate, already leaving me behind. “Wait up! I’m wearing heels!” I shout. She looks over her shoulder, flashing me a smile, but she doesn’t slow.
I’m not sure what lies beyond the gate, but I can hear plenty of lighthearted chatter, so that’s a good sign, right?
Spencer pulls open the gate, waiting for me to step in first, and I look at her and swallow hard.
“It’s okay, Lyla. It’s one night. One. Night.”
I nod, passing her by and stepping through.
As I do, I’m immediately taken aback. We enter a vast courtyard, filled with people in line to enter the beautiful building at the other end.
There are plants and vines covering the space out here, with a large fountain in the shape of a naked woman that rests in the center.
The space is beautifully breathtaking and looks more like a garden than a club.
I take a moment to look around at the people in line in front of us. They’re all dressed beautifully, leaning more toward Spencer’s style—scandalous, sexy, and classy. I can’t help but feel like I’m dressed for church compared to others, and I feel a little out of place.
“Isn’t it pretty?” Spencer asks, whispering in my ear just as the line moves, taking us closer toward the building.
I don’t respond. I just nod with a tight smile.
I’m nervous. Why am I so nervous? I’ve gone on plenty of escapades that Spencer’s dragged me along on, but this one has me feeling a little more uneasy than usual. I didn’t even get this bad when she dragged me to the strip club for the first time.
Before I know it, the line in front of us is cleared out, and it’s our turn to enter. Spencer grabs my hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze, as if she can feel the anxiety pulsing off of me, and we step inside.
If I thought the courtyard was stunning, that was nothing compared to this. It takes my breath away. The walls are painted a dark color, giving off masculine vibes, but somehow, it’s still incredibly classy. Sexy even.
The bar is in the far right corner, with a dark wood top. There are several small wooden tables spread throughout the ginormous room. There are a lot of people, but the space isn’t overcrowded.
We make quick work of going to the bar to order drinks. I’m in need of a little liquid courage if I’m going to make it through this night.
“What’ll it be, ladies?” the beautiful bartender asks from behind the bar. She’s wearing a dark green corset dress and a black mask.
“I need a shot,” I whisper to Spencer.
She snorts. “You don’t even like doing shots.”
“Desperate times…” I say with a wave of my hand.
Spencer orders two rounds of shots, which we quickly throw back. Then, she wastes no time flirting with the group of men beside us. I can’t help but chuckle.
This night is about to get really interesting.
I glance over and spot a couple standing toward the end of the bar. It seems innocent at first, but after looking closer, I notice his hand in the slit of her dress. The woman's head tilts back on a moan ever so slightly.
“What's got your face so red already?” Spencer's question jolts me out of my thoughts and away from the couple.
“Oh,” I stumble on the word and tuck my hair behind my ears, embarrassed that I was caught ogling the couple. “It’s nothing,” I lie.
She leans over me and looks in the direction I was staring, and her jaw drops. “Fuck yes! I need some of what she's having.”
“Spencer,” I scold quietly under my breath.
“What? It’s one night, and I’m here for a good time.” She beams, tapping on the bar to order another round of shots.
“Ugh,” I groan, but it falls on deaf ears.