2. ANASTASIA
Chapter two
I sat nestled in the backseat of the Uber, tapping my fingers on my knee. The city lights flashed by, painting my skin in a kaleidoscope of colors.
“Take a right here, and make a loop around the block so you can let me off in front of Club Xyst,” I directed the driver, not wanting to cross the street when he let me out. The anticipation of stepping into the club was like a heady cocktail that never lost its kick. My little black dress clung to me like a second skin, and in these high heels, I felt invincible.
The car took a sharp right before continuing on the same path I’d taken too many times to count. It took me back to the first time I’d walked into the place. God, how nervous I’d been. It was back when I had just started working at the Roosevelt Library. I had already been feeling suffocated by the monotony of my daily routine and was looking for something to challenge me. Scrolling through job ads on one of the city’s local news sites one night, I’d happened upon an unusual listing. By the time I’d finally applied, I’d read the ad so many times that I knew it by heart. Unlock the Night: Join the Xyst Team Now —that was the headline that had caught my attention by sheer chance. The unusual ad had continued: Are you craving excitement beyond the ordinary? Xyst, the city’s most exclusive underground venue, is searching for charismatic and daring individuals to join our elite team. Our club members are the crème de la crème of society, indulging in nights filled with unparalleled luxury, hidden gambles, intoxicating rhythms, and mesmerizing encounters. We Seek: Individuals with a flair for drama, a passion for the nocturnal lifestyle, and those who can keep a secret. Become part of something more than just a job. Become part of the Xyst legacy. Are you ready to unlock the door?
It had piqued my curiosity. And, sick and tired of being the good, obedient daughter everyone expected me to be, I’d applied. Little did I know then that it would change my life forever. Working at Club Xyst had opened up an entirely new world for me, full of excitement and independence. Eventually, I’d covertly used my trust-fund money to buy into the operation, and I hadn’t looked back since.
“Thanks for the ride,” I said as the car pulled up outside the club’s entrance. I stepped out onto the sidewalk, only a few yards from the roped line where people waited to get in. Private members, as well as those who had registered online, could bypass the guy at the door. Anyone else had to wait in line until there was space available.
Music spilled out onto the street as I approached the door. Slade, our bouncer, greeted me with a grin. “Ah, our queen has arrived,” he said with a wink. His towering presence made him perfect for keeping unwanted guests at bay, but he had a soft side that only those who knew him ever saw.
“Watch it, Slade,” I replied playfully. “You’ll give me a big head.”
“You’re looking heavenly as always,” he said, moving to open the door for me while guiding a gentleman to the side with an outstretched arm.
“Watch out, or I might just start believing you,” I teased him, returning his smile.
“Whoa, who’s this angel?” a man standing nearby asked, eyeing me up and down.
“Sorry, mate,” Slade replied, placing a protective hand on my lower back. “She’s way out of your league. The lady may look like an angel, but she’s wicked like the devil.”
“Aw, but I love a challenge,” the man protested, smirking at me.
“Good luck with that guy,” I said to Slade, laughing and shaking my head as I walked past him and into the club.
The front room was a blur of activity tonight. I strode toward the bar area that ran the length of the left side of the dance floor. Gabriel, one of the other club owners, was pouring a drink with a flourish, his dark hair falling into his eyes. “Anastasia! There you are!” he exclaimed. “Thought you’d never show up.”
Stepping behind the bar, I reached under the counter and pulled out the box where we stashed invoices, receipts, and such before taking them upstairs to the office. “Please, you know I wouldn’t miss one of my scheduled nights here,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“True, true. But hey, better late than never, right?” he said, returning his attention to the cocktail he was preparing for a customer .
“Right,” I agreed. With that, I quickly reviewed some of the paperwork in the box. Seeing there wasn’t anything urgent, I shoved it back inside and decided to deal with it later.
After tucking the box away, I headed downstairs to the underground gaming room. It was our most restricted area, a place for discreet clientele, secret deals, and high-stakes wagers.
As I entered, I spotted several familiar faces at one of the poker tables. Among them was the governor’s brother, who raised his hand to me in acknowledgment. As I stopped next to the poker table, I watched him toy with a stack of poker chips. He let them drop in quick succession, and a rapid, sharp clacking noise resonated from the table. The distinct sound, familiar in the poker scene, signaled tension and contemplation. He repeated the motion, and the chips produced another crisp, satisfying clatter.
“Good evening, Mr. Harrington. A pleasure to see you again,” I greeted him warmly. “How’s Lady Luck treating you tonight?”
“Ah, Anastasia! Always a pleasure to see you too,” he said, his voice dripping with the practiced charisma of someone used to being in the public eye. “And not so good these first couple of hands, but that’s all about to change now that my lucky charm showed up. You know, I was just telling these fine folks about the time you took down that arrogant billionaire, Callahan, with three queens.”
“Oh gosh, I remember that guy,” I reminisced with a grin. “Nothing quite like putting someone in their place.” I turned to address the other players—each person/man more powerful than the last—and nodded at one of our congressmen. “Gentlemen, is there anything I can get for you?”
“Another round of drinks would be lovely,” replied Marcus Gates, a prominent financier .
“Only your presence at the table, pretty lady,” another player chimed in, wagging his brows.
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” I said, sliding my fingers along the top of his shoulders. With a wink and a raise of my chin, I signaled one of the servers to come over. “Best of luck to you all.”
As I left them to their game, I heard my name over the hubbub of the room.
“Anastasia!” Lachlan, another co-owner, called out again from a shadowy corner behind the bar. I moved through the crowded room toward him, checking on each group of guests and stopping to chat along the way. The beat of the music vibrated through my entire body as I walked.
Eventually, I made it over to him and settled against the downstairs bar, breathing in the rich scent of aged whiskey before turning to survey the room. Club Xyst was alive with energy tonight. Clouds of expensive perfume wafted through the air. Voices deep in conversation boomed throughout the room, accompanied by the vigorous rustling of cards being shuffled and dealt.
“Hey, Lach, how’s everything going?” I asked, my voice barely audible over the noise. “Are we making a killing at the tables?”
“Absolutely.” He grinned. “The high rollers are in full force, and the house is doing well. We’re making a killing at the bar here and upstairs as well,” he added in his thick Irish accent.
“Excellent. And how’s our liquor inventory holding up?”
“Fully stocked, as always,” he assured me. “We’re prepared for any party that comes our way.”
“Good to hear.” I nodded in approval. Then, glancing around, I asked, “By the way, have you seen Lucian? ”
Lachlan’s smile faded. “Ah, my brother is probably in the office fuming right now.”
“Really? What happened?” I asked, concerned.
“Apparently, the New York State Liquor Authority and police are threatening to take away our liquor license,” he explained, swallowing as if he were choking down a bitter pill. “Some spoiled twenty-year-old idiot got in here with a fake ID, got absolutely shit-faced, and ended up punching a cop just after leaving the club. The kid was with one of our regulars who swears he thought his younger cousin had turned twenty-one.”
“Damn,” I muttered, running my fingers through my hair. “That’s not good.”
“Yeah, Lucian’s pretty pissed about it,” Lachlan admitted, his expression growing grim. “It’s a pretty big mess.”
“Yeah, that’s a serious situation. Losing our ability to sell alcohol would fucking ruin us,” I said, gripping the edge of the bar and chewing on the inside of my cheek. “Well, I’d better go check on him. Thanks for the update, Lach.”
“Any time, Ana,” he replied, his smile returning.
The lively noise of laughter and conversation followed me as I ascended to the main floor. Here, the dim lights and music created a lively vibe, with the clinking of glasses and murmur of conversations adding to the ambiance. My heels, precarious on the slick hardwood floor, forced me to weave a careful path through the dense crowd to avoid a clumsy fall. The club was filled with an eclectic mix of individuals hanging out and having a good time. A signature aroma—a unique mixture of sweat and alcohol—permeated the place.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I asked a group of regulars as I climbed a flight of stairs on the opposite side. Midway up, I turned and surveyed the club. The dance floor pulsed with energy, while the balconies above provided a more intimate setting for conversation and drinks. The club’s design never failed to impress me. Each of the four levels catered to different types of pleasures. From intimate lounges to private party spaces, Xyst offered a unique experience to meet our patrons’ every taste and desire. The top floor was reserved for our most exclusive members, who also had access to the underground gaming area.
Just as I topped the stairs, someone shouted my name. Damian Jasper, from the band Toxic Romance, called out, raising his glass in salute. I responded with a wave and a warm smile, continuing on my way. I laughed as I thought of a few years back, when he and his band had played gigs here for free on live band nights. Since then, he’d become super famous.
At the elevator on the second floor, a quick scan of my phone prompted the doors to open. I stepped in, pressed the button for the top floor, and was whisked away. The elevator’s quiet hum was a familiar comfort after the club’s loud buzz.
The doors opened to reveal our private office space. The calm, elegant ambiance here contrasted distinctly with the club’s frenzied atmosphere. It was an oasis compared to the chaos below. Aria, our stunning, blonde personal assistant, glanced up from her reception desk and offered me a welcoming smile.
“Hey, Anastasia! What brings you up here?”
“Lucian,” I replied. “I heard about the SLA issue.”
Aria’s smile wilted into a look of concern. “He’s in the office, but be forewarned… He’s not in the best mood.”
“Thanks, Aria.” I nodded before moving toward the office door.
I braced myself for what lay behind it. Lucian’s Irish temper was not to be taken lightly. But as his friend and business partner, it was my job to help him work through this crisis. And that was exactly what I intended to do .
I knocked lightly, steeling myself for the confrontation ahead. “Lucian?” No response. I hesitated for a moment before turning the handle and stepping inside.
When I entered, I found him brooding by the window, his large frame silhouetted against the one-way glass. The dance floor and bar were visible below, but no one could see us. Lucian had discarded his jacket and rolled his sleeves up like he was preparing for a fight. He clutched his whiskey glass tightly, the amber liquid sloshing around with every strained movement he made. Anger radiated from him like heat from a flame.
“Hey,” I said softly, closing the door behind me. “Lach told me what happened.”
“Of course he did.” Lucian’s voice was low and gruff. “Can’t keep anything to ourselves in this place.”
“Lucian, we’re all worried about the club. This isn’t just your problem to deal with.” I crossed the room and placed my hand on his shoulder, letting out a sigh as my fingers brushed over his tense muscles. “We’ll figure it out together.”
I leaned in, biting his earlobe playfully, but he stood resolute, with his arms crossed over his chest. I needed to rid him of this menacing attitude and knew just how to do it.
“Let’s forget about all that SLA garbage for the moment,” I whispered into his ear and slipped my arms around him from behind. Finally, his body relaxed slightly under my touch.
“Anastasia,” he exhaled, turning to face me and wrapping his arms around my waist as my hands glided up his chest and around his neck. He let his hands rest on the curves of my hips. The coolness of his glass pressed against my lower back. His dark eyes were filled with a fire that sent shivers down my spine. “You always know how to distract me. ”
“Is that a bad thing?” I grinned, tracing a finger along the curve of his jaw. The scent of his cologne, mingling with the faint aroma of whiskey, made my head spin.
“Depends on the situation,” he replied, smirking. “But right now, I’m in no mood for a distraction.”
“Then I’ll just have to change your mood,” I whispered, pressing my lips to his. After giving me a throaty snarl, he opened for me. My body melted, the heat of his mouth and the taste of the whiskey chasing away thoughts of anything else. I let myself be consumed by it for a moment, but then the muscles of his shoulders stiffened again.
Ignoring his dark mood and taut shoulders, I pulled away a little and bit his lip hard. He jerked back, glancing at me with a mix of surprise and annoyance.
“Not now,” he barked. “I have no patience for your antics at the moment.”
“Relax, Lucian,” I purred, brushing my fingertips along his unyielding shoulders. “My family has connections in the NYPD’s sixth precinct—you know, the ones responsible for things here in the Meatpacking District.”
I let my words sink in, watching his eyes narrow. His brow furrowed deeper as he considered what I was saying.
“Why else do you think we haven’t been given a hard time for our underground gambling operation?” I asked. “They’re well paid off, so don’t worry. I’ll handle it. Someone must not have gotten the memo about leaving us alone. Who knows?”
Lucian stared at me, suspicion clouding his eyes. “What kind of family has that kind of influence? How does a librarian by day know how to pay off cops?”
“Ah, well, my dear Lucian,” I said with a playful smile, hoping I looked more confident than I felt, “everyone has their secrets.” My mind raced as I tried to come up with a plausible story .
I hadn’t told any of the guys about my true background. I certainly hadn’t mentioned the arranged marriage contract looming over my head, and I wasn’t about to get into that right now.
“Let’s just say I have a rich uncle who’s a politician,” I lied smoothly. “He taught me a thing or two about making deals and keeping secrets.” I leaned in closer until our breaths mingled in the air between us, whispering, “It’s amazing what you can learn when you’re quietly sitting at dinner and people forget you’re there.”
Lucian studied me for a moment, his gaze intense enough to set my skin on fire. Then he sighed, loosened his grip from around my hips, and took a sip of his drink.
“All right,” he finally conceded, his voice low and rough. “I’ll trust you to handle it. Just don’t let this come back to bite us.”
“Trust me, Lucian,” I assured him, giving him a quick kiss. “I have no intention of letting anything jeopardize what we’ve built here.” But as I stepped away, I worried that I might have overpromised on what I could do. Surely Uncle Luca would help me. It was his area of expertise, after all. At least I hadn’t slipped up and told Lucian I came from a mob family. For now, my secrets were safe, and that was all that mattered.
He shifted his attention back to the bar on the other side of the window, knocking back the rest of his whiskey and running his thumb across his bottom lip, glaring at some unseen enemy. “You know if we lose our ability to sell alcohol, we’ll lose this place. Everything will go up in smoke. This is no joke, Ana.”
“Lucian,” I said, stepping forward and tugging on his arm. “You need to snap out of this. Seriously, I will work it out. Why are you being such a jerk tonight? Love the confidence you have in me… not .” I tried to slip my arms around his waist, but he shifted to the side .
“Leave me be, Anastasia,” he grumbled, refusing to look at me, his worry holding him hostage.
But I wasn’t about to let him wallow any longer.
“Enough!” I shouted, jerking him around and shoving him back so forcefully it caused his glass to fly from his hand and hit the floor with a thud. Stumbling back, he landed hard on his ass atop the large desk. The impact sent papers and office supplies tumbling to the floor, but I didn’t care.
“Anastasia! What the hell are you—”
His protest died as I climbed on top of him, placing a knee on either side of his hips and pressing my lips firmly against his. His breath hitched, and his cock hardened beneath me as I ground against him.
“Ana…” he whispered, pulling away. But a hint of lust was beginning to replace his anger.
“Shut up and kiss me,” I ordered.
Our mouths collided, tongues tangling and exploring with raw, unrestrained urgency. He slid his hands up my thighs and under my dress until he was gripping my waist tightly. While his fingers dug into my flesh, I devoured his mouth. With a low growl, he pushed me back and yanked off my dress in one swift motion, leaving me exposed in just a lacy black thong and sexy stilettos.
“Like what you see?” I teased, smirking at the way he raked his gaze over my body. Desire burned hot in his eyes, and I knew I had his full attention now.
“God, yes,” he admitted, pulling me close and capturing my mouth again, biting and sucking on my lower lip. He trailed kisses down my throat, nipping at my pulse point before moving on to my breasts. I gasped when he sucked one nipple into his mouth while pinching and rolling the other between his fingers. The sensation sent shivers down my spine, and warm wetness pooled between my legs.
“Damn, Ana, you’re making such a mess on my pants,” he huffed. I simply grinned and pressed myself against him even harder, grinding my hips against his erection.
“Can’t help it,” I replied breathlessly. “It’s all your fault.”
With a sudden surge of strength, Lucian lifted me off his lap, turned, and dropped me on the desk. The sudden impact sent tingles up my spine. Yanking me forward until my butt was at the edge and my legs dangled over the side, he wasted no time dropping to his knees. He gripped my inner thighs and used his elbows to spread my legs wide. Pulling my thong aside, he dove right into my swollen folds.
“Lucian,” I gasped, clutching the edge of the desk as his tongue darted out to tease my clit. He knew exactly the best ways to touch me, swirling and flicking his tongue with all the right moves. My hips bucked against his face while he slid two fingers inside me, pumping them in and out in rhythm with his tongue’s movements. The sensations were overwhelming, and I was close to coming apart.
“Please, don’t stop!” I begged as the pressure built deep within me. His fingers curled, hitting that sweet spot that made me see stars. He intensified his efforts, driving me higher and higher until finally, I shattered, screaming his name as waves of ecstasy crashed over me. He continued to lap at my juices, prolonging my orgasm until I could hardly breathe.
When I had come down from my high, he stood, licking each of his fingers clean, a satisfied expression on his face. “Ana, you taste like the sweetest sin,” he said, his voice rough with desire.
He unbuttoned his pants and shoved them and his boxer briefs to the floor. Stepping out of them, he made quick work of removing his tie and shirt. I stared, mesmerized by his tanned, muscular body and broad shoulders. His abs rippled with every movement. He was a masterpiece, sculpted by the gods. His drop-dead gorgeous build, coupled with his thick Irish accent, made me putty in his hands.
“God, you’re so hot,” I whispered, running my hands over his chiseled chest before reaching down to stroke his hard cock. “I want you to fuck me, Lucian. Let out all your anger on me.”
His eyes flashed with lust before he leaned down to press his forehead against mine, inhaling deeply. His hands gripped my hips, and the tip of his cock pressed against my entrance, teasing me.
He moved to place kisses against the sensitive spot behind my ear, then tangled his fingers in my hair before he pressed his lips to mine with a bruising intensity. The taste of my own arousal lingered on his lips, mingling with the intoxicating scent of our combined desire. His strong arms hoisted me up, and I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist as his throbbing erection nestled against my core.
“Tell me how you want it,” he growled, his cock straining against me.
“Hard and fast,” I commanded, my eyes locked onto his. “I want you to release all your pent-up angst. Show me how much you want me.”
His eyes darkened as a predatory grin spread across his face. This man was ready to claim me completely.
Lucian flipped me over on the desk with a sudden force that made my pulse quicken. My face and breasts were pressed against the cool surface as he held me in place with one hand splayed over the center of my back. He positioned himself behind me, giving my ass a couple of firm smacks. I gasped, my fingers desperately seeking traction on the surface of the desk. He wasted no time seizing my hips and plunging his cock inside me. Oh, how I relished the delicious way he stretched my walls as his length filled me completely.
“Fuck!” I groaned, feeling every inch of every stroke. His fingers dug into my flesh almost painfully, the edge of the desk biting into my hip bones each time he slammed into me. His raw power only served to heighten my pleasure. Lucian didn’t hold back, thrusting into me with an aggression that left me breathless and wanting more.
“That’s it, Anastasia. Take it like a good girl. Let me hear how much you want my dick,” he commanded as our skin slapped against each other. I moaned in response, loving the way he dominated me like this. As his thrusts grew faster and harder, my breasts slid back and forth against the smooth surface of the desk, my nipples growing sensitive from the friction.
“More!” I cried out, desperately craving the sweet torture he was delivering. Lucian obliged, raking his nails along my spine before gripping my hair and pulling my head back, exposing my throat to his hungry mouth. He nipped and sucked at my sensitive skin, leaving a trail of possessive marks that sent tendrils of electricity coursing through my veins.
As his relentless pace continued, the familiar coil of tension built within me once more. His arm snaked around my waist, and my breath hitched when his fingers dipped between my legs to find my throbbing clit. He rubbed tight circles around the sensitive bundle of nerves while continuing to fuck me from behind, driving me toward the edge of sanity.
“Lucian… I’m gonna come!” I gasped, clutching at the surface of the desk for support as my legs trembled with need. In response, he increased his pace, working his fingers in tandem with his cock to send me spiraling to the edge.
“That’s it, come for me, Ana!” he commanded, and I obeyed, my orgasm ripping across me like a wildfire, leaving me breathless and shaking. My walls clenched around Lucian’s cock, and with one final, deep thrust, he groaned my name and released his hot cum inside me.
As our entwined bodies shuddered with the aftershocks, he collapsed onto my back, pressing his forehead against the slick skin between my shoulder blades. We panted, a tangled mess of limbs.
“Anastasia,” he whispered, lifting his head and pressing a gentle kiss to the nape of my neck. “You’re incredible.”
“I like it when you’re angry,” I replied, a smug grin on my face. He chuckled, his belly rumbling against my back.
The moment he pulled out and the cool air hit my sensitive skin, I spun around and pressed my lips onto his, twining my fingers behind his neck. Our kiss was soft and slow this time, a contrast to our rough encounter. When we separated, I was relieved to notice that the darkness in his eyes had receded, replaced by a playful glint. “Yeah, I needed that,” he said, giving me a swat on the ass.
There was no time to linger though. The club’s needs always took precedence, and we both knew the rules—just pleasure and release for both of us and then back to the business at hand. It was an arrangement that worked perfectly for our needs. I’d made it clear that whatever we did together would end the minute either of us started to catch feelings. When we first met, we had tried to ignore the sexual tension between us, but that hadn’t lasted long. Since my freedom had an expiration date, I’d made sure to tell him up front that I had no interest in any sort of relationship or complicated feelings, that whatever happened between us would just serve to meet our needs at the moment. I’d never forget his reaction—first a stunned expression, followed by a huge smile. He’d told me he had recently gotten out of a relationship with a girl who was beyond manipulative and a total liar. Some time later, his brother Lach had told me how devastated Lucian had been by her betrayal. So Lucian had eagerly accepted my terms. It was an out-in-the-open sort of agreement we’d made to not only each other, but with the full knowledge of the other guys here at the club. No secrets, no apologies.
“Looks like someone’s in a better mood,” I teased, stepping away to gather my discarded clothes from the floor. “Already so much happier than when I first walked into your office, huh?”
“Can you blame me?” He smirked, pulling on his pants. “You always know how to put a smile on my face.”
“Who wouldn’t enjoy having someone like me to let off steam with?” I giggled, sliding my dress over my head and adjusting it back into place.
“True,” he agreed, buttoning up his shirt. “We’re quite the dynamic duo when it comes to this.”
We quickly finished dressing. As I was running my fingers through my tousled hair, Lucian leaned in for one last kiss, his lips lingering against mine for a moment before he stepped away. “I’ll catch up with you later,” he said, adjusting his tie. “I need to get back downstairs.”
“All right, I’ll let you know about the SLA issue,” I called after him, watching his retreating figure disappear through the office door.
Around 3:00 a.m., the club began to wind down. The patrons filtered out while staff cleaned up. I said my goodbyes to the guys, promising to see them tomorrow night. Exhaustion hung heavy on my limbs, but a satisfied smile played on my lips as I stepped outside onto the sidewalk. My body still hummed from my passionate encounter with Lucian.
I let out a sigh of relief when I noticed that Slade had already hailed me a cab for the ride home .
“Thank you, kind sir,” I said cheerfully. He grinned and nodded. He was aware that the only reason I’d be this upbeat at this time of the night was because of my special relationship with Lucian. I didn’t care if everyone knew. It was one of the best perks of owning a piece of Club Xyst.
As the car whisked me through the city streets, the adrenaline and excitement of the night dissipated, replaced by the comforting blanket of fatigue. By the time I reached my apartment, all I wanted was to slide between the cool sheets and surrender to a peaceful oblivion.
Once home, I stumbled through the door, kicking off my shoes and shedding my clothes, leaving a trail behind me on my way to my bedroom. The softness of the bed beckoned, and I eagerly collapsed into it, my body sinking into the welcoming covers.
Thoughts of my hectic night swirled through my head in a blur until returning to the fast and furious encounter I’d had with Lucian. Our connection—his heat, our passion, and the unspoken understanding that what we had was strictly for our mutual physical gratification—made me feel powerful. I didn’t have any interest in dating. He was up front about any other women he’d been with, and both of us made sure we kept ourselves healthy and clear of any STDs. I chuckled softly into the pillow, wondering if my future husband would question why his so-called virginal wife already had an IUD.
Before sleep finally claimed me, I had one last surge of gratitude for the connection Lucian and I shared, even if it was only temporary. We had our own little world of pleasure, and for now, that was more than enough.