Chapter 3
Three
Belle
H e holds the door open for me and I follow him into a room filled with other women. Tall, short, young, and some enter cougar territory in comparison to the man who just answered the door.
Well, at least I won’t be dying alone if this cowboy turns out to be some psycho killer. That comforting thought leads to another one and my heart sinks. I knew it was too good to be true. The newspaper article, I mean. But damn. I had my hopes there for a second that whatever role I was coming for would be of the sexy variety type. But seeing all these girls here means I’ll have to share. Double damn.
I hold a hand up and give a small wave of greeting to everyone. We’ll probably be scrubbing toilets together by the end of the day. Or passing out drinks on the main floor. Who knows. “Hi,” I try, getting snarky lip curls from some and eye rolls from others for my efforts.
My brows arch sharply, and I take a calming breath.
Okay, then.
Their shitty attitudes aren’t real shockers. I get it’s competitive in the real world, the one my brother is hellbent on keeping me from. The women here are only looking out for their own interests. Until they find out I’m the princess of the Constantine empire. Then attitudes seem to change and fast.
The men of Genesis have bled and killed in order to build a dangerous reputation. One I’ve tried to distance myself from, but really, it’s impossible when you share the same eyes and last name as the most powerful underlord of Chicago.
Underlords, I should say. My brother and his two best friends are responsible for half the reason I’m undercover trying to find a kernel of happiness.
Club Genesis is a place unlike The Gilded Key Society. Here you are free to explore and be yourself. Sapphire and Polaris talk about The Society with me now and again. The brochures are lovely and all the ads I’ve seen on TV make me want to join. Only problem is, I’ve never done a random hook-up in my life.
I hold the newspaper a bit tighter in my hand for reassurance.
My brother’s club, Club Genesis, is like a country of its own. The deadly go there looking to make deals, seek revenge and take out hits. No joke. It’s why I try to keep my link to the establishment a secret. And also why my brother and his friends are so protective.
Several sets of eyes track my movement as I come to stand among them. I keep my attention on the man and the clipboard he lifts from the desk.
If I were to flash my black credit card and last name, I’d get something far different than these cold bitches’ sneers. Sad really. Everything always has to be about money and power.
Harlon always thinks I’m too damn nice and one day it will cost me. Maybe. But being human isn’t something I can simply switch off. At least I’m not here to make friends.
“Name,” the guy with striking eyes and muscles comes to stand in front of me, bringing the scent of his cologne with him. I take a hit and hold it in.
Yep. Still intoxicating.
Ten sets of eyes narrow my way, but I don’t give them any more of my energy. “Short memory huh? It’s Belle.”
His spellbinding eyes lock on mine. “You have a last name, Belle?”
“Oh, yes, um, Sinclair.” His eyes are glued to a piece of paper he has clipped to the board. He scribbles down my name next to a number I can’t distinguish.
“Now it’s your turn.”
He jerks his head up causing long strands of dark hair to tumble over his forehead. It’s sexy as fuck and I want to reach out to move the fan of hair back in place. But I keep my feet glued to the floor and my hands where they belong—to myself.
“To do what?” He drops the clipboard to his side and his impressive height keeps my chin tilted up.
His tone makes me feel like I should snap to and stand at attention. Follow it up with a “yes, sir”. I mentally shake off the feeling, but that doesn’t change the strong military alpha vibes that roll off him. I wonder if he has an eagle tattoo or some flag gracing his body somewhere.
He cants his head, studying my face in the same manner I studied the rest of him just a moment ago. It feels personal and a little like he is looking for all my imperfections and lies. Or, maybe that’s just me. He drifts his substantial weight to the back of his heels like he needs clarification on my statement. Thick thighs and thicker biceps stand out the most when he crosses his arms over that jacked chest of his.
I can feel my lip twitch with a smirk. “Give me your name. It’s only polite. Tit for tat.” Snickers and snorts travel down the line, but I shrug them off. Mr. Sinfully Gorgeous here doesn’t pay them any attention either.
The perfect tip of well-formed lips tilts up in a smirk to mirror mine. “That a fact, beautiful? Tit for tat?”
I nod and refuse to let his pet name play with my libido. On the outside, I’m all cool and calm. On the inside it’s a chaotic party of nerves. And I won’t lie. Being called beautiful by him did things to my untouched pussy.
Sweat turns my grip on my Birkin to butter. “‘Tis true. There’s no book on manners but…wait. That’s not true.” I tap a finger to my lip letting my sass hang in the air a minute. “I can’t recall the title of it, but I’m sure there’s an eBook version. Or print. You don’t seem to be the forward-thinking type. More old school, aren’t you, beautiful .” He wants to play word games? I can handle that.
It’s when I wink at him that fine lines fan out from the corners of his eyes when wicked intentions grip his expression. There’s no other way of describing the glint in his eyes and the way his mouth flatlines before spreading into a grin I’ve never seen on a man before.
Not a sane one anyway.
There’s a desperate part of me that just raised her hand screaming, pick me, pick me .
“Did you just insult me?” He stares at me expectantly.
“If you have to ask, then you might need that manners book after all.”
That grin of his deepens across his face and not for the first time in my life I feel like I’ve stepped into the deep end of life.
He crooks a finger at me and signals for me to follow him toward the back of the office. Great, this is where I am pulled aside, told I’m a bit too much for what they had in mind, and I’m sent home. Not that I’ve tried to do a lot of secret sex club work, but let’s just say this won’t be the first time I’m sent packing.
Mr. Sinfully Gorgeous touches the black and gold wall.
I pause. “And?”
A hidden panel swings open and I’m ushered through to another room that is much the same as the last. At my back, there are a lot of gasps and harsh whispers. I don’t give them a second thought.
A gentle touch settles on the dip in my back guiding me through the doorway. How can his hand feel so warm when the man most definitely is not? I turn a genuine smile up at him as I pass into the next room.
Does this mean I advanced to the next level?
The click of the panel snicking closed behind us says I might not be serving drinks or cleaning toilets after all. Score! But I just followed a strange man into a dark room. Not good.
I drag my eyes off the exotic females performing sex shows beyond the soundproof viewing windows to find two more men with an open bottle of whiskey between them.
I gasp, my heart jumping into my throat. “Oh, hello,” I say with confidence I don’t feel.
A wall of warmth radiates around me from Mr. Sinfully Gorgeous coming to stand close enough that I can feel the heat of his body brush against mine.
The hand on the dip of my back returns and he gently pushes me deeper into the room, whispering, “We won’t bite, sweetheart,” in a husky growl that sends mixed signals straight to my clit. I like my murder mysteries and true crime podcasts, but I don’t want to become one.
My mind sputters between wanting to be here and hitting the door at top speed. “Where am I?” Answers then decisions.
“In a private office in The Gilded Key Society. You’re safe here. No harm will come to you. You have my word.”
I didn’t know him from a stranger on the street. But the way he holds my hand in one of his and keeps his other on my back, lightly caressing me through the thin fabric of my dress soothes my nerves.
He turns his head and says to the other men, “Gentleman, this is Belle Sinclair. She’s come to audition for the position in the newspaper.” He walks forward and takes a seat next to the other two, leaving me where I stand.
I clutch my Birkin, suddenly not as brave.
“Have you explained what the position is?” The stranger with deep green eyes has a deep baritone that reminds me of honey pouring over firewood. Rough yet smooth. And he’s definitely from the same part of the country as the other man. It’s hard to shed a southern lilt. This one has the kind of cowboy chin that melts the panties off a woman. I should know. Mine are about to drop around my ankles any second and he hasn’t even addressed me yet.
His observant gaze lingers on my curves for a moment before coming to meet my gaze.
“Not exactly.” Humor colors Mr. Sinfully Gorgeous’ tone.
I swallow heavily as I look between all three.
The one with the blue eyes hasn’t spoken yet. He scrubs the back of his knuckles over what looks like a three-day-old scruff clearly annoyed with the other man. The dark shadows along his jawline make his eyes all the more vibrant. “Fuck, Gage. Don’t you think you should have led with that? She’s gotta be freaking out.”
That’s the third man. The soft lighting in the room throws his face in shadow and that country boy twang matches the others.
Three cowboys and a mafia princess meet in the back of a sexy club. Sounds like a joke, but the rising heat in my core says this is all too real.
“So you do have a name,” I quip, swinging my eyes to Mr. Sinfully Gorgeous. He pushes off the table he was leaning against and extends his large hand. I slide mine into his for a second time. Skin moving over skin ignites a firestorm of energy when our touch collides.
“Gage Preston.”
I watch his mouth move, spellbound by the country drawl. After years with filthy mafia men who’d rather grunt and pull triggers than talk, the sound of his voice is sexy. And reassuring.
“Gage Preston,” I say with a bit more wobble in my voice than I want to admit.
Both men look to be about Mr. Sinfully Gorgeous’ age. I can only go on the fine creases at the edges of their eyes and the experience in their expressions, but I’d say they are in their mid to late thirties. There’s definitely not a baby face between them. They’ve seen darkness in their lives, lots of it. I might not be as tied into the family business as my brother, but I know the shadows death leave behind and these men have dealt with the reaper plenty.
“Let’s stop pussy-footing around. We don’t have all the time in the world. Raja will be pissed if we let another day go by. Strip, baby girl. It’s what you’re here for.”
That’s Green Eyes. He’s leaning back on a chair, ankle propped up on a knee looking impatient.
My eyebrows climb high. “Excuse me? I don’t know what I am here for, admittedly, but I figured a little smooth talking would be involved before we got to second base. Or is that third?”
Blue Eyes stands and leans his heavy weight against the table, hooking his ankles. The way he crosses his built arms over a broad chest might be sexy as hell, but that doesn’t mean I am ready to drop my dress on command.
“You’re here about the job in the paper, right? That involves seeing the goods we are working with. Please strip.”
Gage thumps Green Eyes on the back. “Stop being an asshole, Rush. You’re scaring the girl.”
Scared? My back goes rigid. Fuck no.
I walk across the room and place my Birkin on the desk, moving their half-empty tumblers to the side. I drop the newspaper and tap the ad placement. “I’m here about this ad, true.” I smile at each of them in turn. “It involves me being naked, huh?” I might not die a virgin, after all! I grab one of the tumblers and kick back the contents. The burn is just what I need.
I bend and run the tip of my finger over the scruffy jawline of Green Eyes giving him ample viewing of my deep-cut cleavage before stepping back.
“Among other things,” they almost say in unison.
“I figured as much. But if you wanna see me?” I run my hands over my curves, and I can see the hunger in their eyes shine as they track my movements. “You first. You are all gentlemen after all, right? Then I think it’s only fair that you show me what I’m undressing for. Who says only you get to approve? I want to make sure we are all compatible for what I guess is something to do with sharing?” I point at them where they all lean against the table looking like pure temptation in Wranglers. “I’ve never had three men at once, but I’m willing to give it a try.”
From their stone-cold stares, I get the impression not many talk back to this trio.
This should be fun.
Blue Eyes lazily pushes up from where he leans on the table. He closes the distance with a couple of strides to consider me from his higher stature. I swallow heavily. He smells just as good as his friend. My pulse races as I take in the ridiculously handsome man. He has a kind smile and gentle touch when he takes my hand in his. Wordlessly, he crosses the tip of his finger over the back of my knuckles.
“Aziel North. I like the way you don’t take shit from anyone. And that’s not a pick-up line. It’s the truth, sweetheart.”
He’s as direct as I am. Beside him, Green Eyes quirks a lip up in a smirk. The shadow of scruff on his chin makes him sexy. Rough, and a little less polished than the other two though they have a good shadow going on along those chiseled jawlines, too. All three are wearing ass-hugging jeans and T-shirts that make them look like the nice guy next door.
At first glance.
When you get a harder look that nice guy varnish dissolves leaving behind men looking for… what are they looking for?
“So who’s going to tell me about the position? Whoever wrote the ad needs a class in advertising. You’re lucky you snagged anyone’s attention with that.”
Blue Eyes—Aziel—fingers the ends of my hair as the one with green eyes answers.
“It’s a show. The three of us with a willing partner on stage. Every night for one week to start. And then go from there. The contract is flexible. There’s doggy, top, bottom, reverse cowgirl, and any other way we need you to satisfy the room of clients. They’ll see everything we do to you.”
Worry that I might run skitters across their expressions. I can see it in the way they keep exchanging glances over the top of my head and then back at the door.
I’m not going anywhere.
I’ve dreamed of exploring my sexuality. The hint of darkness in my soul has always wanted to play. A little exhibitionism sounds fun but really what I’m after is the experience.
I want them any way I can get them. I want to be craved and desired.
I hold back a cringe at an irritating thought. These men look like they have a lifetime of experience while I’m a secluded virgin mafia princess. They stand against everything my family works hard to keep hidden.
But what they don’t know won’t hurt them, right?
“If you three are trying to make me blush, try harder.” I poke a finger into Green Eyes’ cotton-covered pec feeling a helluva lot braver than I should be. I do worry the whole routine with an audience isn’t my thing. I don’t really know. But if I put a voice to my concerns and all this—whatever it is—will end before it can start. I dump sassy into my tone and heave it back at Green eyes. “Doggy, top, bottom, reverse cowgirl. Are those all you know? I bet you’re a missionary kind of guy, aren’t you? Quick screw, get off, and leave the partner needing.”
His friends’ roars of laughter are heart-stoppingly sexy. It starts as a rumble and works its way into every muscle until you feel like a noodle.
Green Eyes takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting my face. He caresses his gaze over the curve of my lips, and the soft angle of my jaw before coming to lock eyes with me. We stand there breathing in each other for several heartbeats. “That mouth is going to get you in a lot of trouble,” he says lowly. “These red lips are going to feel good wrapped around my cock.”
Dirty talker. I kinda like it. “You talk to strangers that way often? Maybe you should at least tell me your name before the promises start.”
His slow descent in my direction leaves me holding my breath in anticipation. But what has me creaming my panties is the way his lips brush over the curve of my ear as he speaks. “I’m going to enjoy this more than I thought. Thank you for that.” His fingers leave my chin to wrap around the side of my neck. His grip tightens on me. Not in a crushing way, but firm enough to let me feel his dominance.
My lips fall open and I say the first thought that enters my head. “I think I am, too. I hope,” I add softly. And it’s the truth. I don’t know if I move closer or if he does, but the feel of his lips sliding over mine steals my breath from my lungs.
No tongue. Our bodies aren’t even touching. Just his lips on mine and the strong hold on my throat are the only sources of contact. Around me, I can feel the other two close in. I feel their presence more than see them.
Aziel angles my chin his way, breaking off the sensual claiming of my lips by his friend. “Did you come here looking for a little fun, sweetheart?” He brushes my loose hair over the curve of my shoulder exposing all the bare skin this dress reveals. Suddenly I’m doubting my choices. Behind him, I notice a redhead taking on two lovers with a third watching from the side of the stage. Whoever designed these viewing windows is brilliant and definitely has a taste for watching others seek pleasure.
I turn my attention back to Aziel.
Should I be honest? I curl the edge of my lip between my teeth considering my very limited options. Tell them no and they will send me walking. These men don’t seem to be the playing around type. There’s no shame in me knowing what I want anyway. “Maybe. I had hoped. It’s a long story. I will say that the ad was pretty economical in the wording. I just hope it’s not a cleaning position. I mean I can scrub a toilet, but?—”
Aziel’s gaze meets mine as firm lips move into an easy smile that steals my thoughts.
“It was designed to be that way,” he soothes in a slow glide of words. His gaze dips to my mouth, but he doesn’t move in to kiss me like his friend.
I can feel Gage’s curious gaze watching me with his friends and I have to admit, it’s a turn-on. Warmth cocoons me and I realize I find myself utterly surrounded by three males twice my size.
Hands come to rest on my hips. Aziel’s, I notice.
Another takes my left hand. Gage.
My right hand has a mind of its own and comes to rest on the third’s chest—his heartbeat a steady thump beneath my palm. I don’t know why; I don’t even know his name, but I want to feel the man’s mouth on mine again in the worst possible way.
Now of all the times my face heats.
“Rush. Rush Hampton,” he offers in that low rumbling voice of his.
The prickle of sensations shooting through me are wrong. I shouldn’t be feeling anything for three strangers. But this is how a one-night stand starts? Right? That is where this is going?
My brows pinch. “How did you know what I was thinking?”
He chuckles and the masculine sound is so smooth I can’t stop myself when I move my hand up to caress it over the grating stubble draped across his hard jawline. His thick arm circles around me and it’s like we’ve stood this way for eons—Aziel at my back, Gage to my left and Rush on my right.
“Your expression, baby girl. It says everything you’re thinking.” He swipes the pad of his thumb over the crease on my forehead. “It’s a freaking billboard.”
The heat in my cheeks deepens. “Oh. Yeah, you’re not the first one to think I need to work on that.”
He sees my grimace and shakes his head slowly. “I didn’t say that.”
“True,” I say gently.
Hands on either hip pull me back and I melt from ass to shoulders into Aziel. I can feel his aroused length through the rough denim of his jeans.
I pull in a hard breath and gasp when he lifts me from the floor. Rush moves in palming the back of my thighs. I easily wrap my legs around him, both men taking my weight. The air suddenly becomes thick with desire. Probably mine the most. But theirs too.
I debate telling them I’m a virgin, but that bad news can wait until later. Much much later, if I tell them at all.
This puts me at eye level with a very quiet Gage. Something tells me he doesn’t say much unless he has to. His intense stare holds me captive.
One heartbeat.
Then two.
He’s got a hand in his pocket, his eyes hooded. Primal darkness rims those pretty brown eyes and the longer our gazes hold one another the more I want to get lost in him.
I hold a hand out and he takes it, coming closer.
The edge of my dress has ridden high past my thighs. Pure wickedness crosses Gage’s expression telling me he’s not one to waste an opportunity. He releases my hand and folds the hem of my dress up an inch, then another exposing my black thong. But it’s what he does next that has me gripping Rush and Aziel to me with all my strength.
I pant, trembling. I hate myself for it, but the hot juices spilling to wet the strip of cloth between my legs is uncontrollable.
Rush’s eyes blaze into mine as his friend tortures me sweetly. Does he smell my arousal?
“Easy, baby girl,” Rush coaxes, an animalistic hunger in his eyes.
Easy? Yeah Right. I’m pinned between three hungry beasts. And here I am all covered in honey and smelling like their next meal.
Held wide open by Rush’s thick waist, I can only look on as the edge of my panties is moved to the side.
My heart quivers. Hell, all of me is shaking as Gage leans in and… “Oh my GOD!”
I reach for him, bury my hands in his thick hair and do absolutely nothing to stop him from dragging his tongue over the seam of my pussy. I rock my hips and let the heat rolling through me take over.
My breath catches. “Oh my God,” I repeat and I am not going to lie. I want more of that. Of them.
“Fucking angel food,” Gage growls against my pussy lips and I am not imagining the feel of his grip digging into the flesh of my ass. Hot, possessive, and each of his fingers feels like a branding iron on my skin. Rush holds me open for his friend who doesn’t seem satisfied with one taste.
I look on, one shuddering breath after another escaping my lips as he retraces his path with his thumb.
But I don’t get to focus on the feeling of Gage’s teasing touch for long. Rush wants my attention, and he gets it when he palms my face between large, warm hands.
“Say you want the job.”
Between my legs, Gage spreads my dripping wet folds to stroke my throbbing nub. “Pretty and pink and so fucking suckable.” Like I need a demonstration of the words, Gage buries his face between my legs and wraps those warm, wet lips around my clit.
I clench and arch into Aziel’s strong hold on me. “Answer Rush, sweetheart.”
I pry my eyes open and swivel my head to lock eyes with Aziel.
“Answer him and Gage will let you come, our pretty captive.”
Gage grips my ass, spreads me wider and holy shit . His fingers find my ass.
Harsh breaths and gasping seem to be the only thing I can do right now. Gage rims my back entrance and flicks his tongue over my nub. God, please allow me this one sin.
“Yes,” I say panting and shimmying my hips unabashedly.
“Yes, what? Let us hear it.”
I know what he wants. Men of their age all love control and for once in my life, I don’t mind giving mine over for a little while.
“Yes, Sir.” I haven’t uttered those words since my father went to prison almost six years ago now.
“That’s a good girl,” Rush murmurs and kneels. This time it’s Gage taking my weight so his friend can have fun.
I whimper and shake my head desperate for the release not caring which of the three gives it to me.
Out of nowhere, Nyx pops into my head and suddenly some of those questions I had for her are answered. Like, really? Three men?
Hell to the yes!
Aziel’s hands roam over my covered breasts, but dress or not, his fingers find my aroused nipples. He tweaks the hard tips through the material hard enough to make me moan. I arch into his touch, panting and so so close.
I look between the three of them with pleading eyes.
“We made a promise, beautiful. We will keep it.”
Rush’s rough stubble drags across my inner thighs and the second his lips find my clit, their promise hits home. The climax they’ve all worked to set off in me ignites. It’s like a chain reaction. One goes off and then another until a wave of erotic pleasure consumes me. My pussy clenches and releases, needing to feel more than just a hungry mouth or my hand.
“I need more. I need you. All three of you.”
“Have dinner with us tonight and you shall get what you crave.”
Rush stands, wiping my juices off his face. He looks satisfied, but the huge cock tearing at his zipper gives off a whole other story. If I were to reach in and stroke my hand down his length, would he be sticky with pre-cum? Would all of them?
“Dinner?”
Gage’s dark eyes are nearly black with desire. “And you’re the dessert.”