Chapter One
Sandra
Of course, my spoiled, rich, badly behaved boss isn’t answering his phone.
I let out a sigh and glance up at the front of the club. The building is completely nondescript, painted deep gray, and would fit into any old warehouse district. Somehow, in this neighborhood, it looks more upscale than the other buildings around me.
I can feel the throbbing music before I ever even open the door, shaking the pavement at my feet and sending a deep rumble up through my body.
I can't even imagine the amount of soundproofing that has gone into this building, or how loud the music must be inside to be felt through the concrete outside.
Gathering my courage, I step forward and pull open the door to Club Red.
I'm not sure which hits me first; the red lights, the deep, unrecognizable scents mingling in the air before entering my lungs, or the throbbing music, still dulled behind a red wall before me.
A hugely bulky man stares at me, his thick arms crossed, but he nods in the direction of another door, and I refuse to meet his gaze before walking toward the door.
I don't belong here.
Not only do I not belong here, but I've never stepped foot in any club ever in my life.
At twenty four, in this day and age, that might sound completely unheard of, but I like to keep my head down and my life quiet and drama-free.
Clubs have always screamed drama to me, especially this club.
Strangers writhing to music, guys making passes at women or touching them, drinking to excess.
.. every club story I've heard is not something that I want to experience.
But Club Red is different than the ones that my girlfriends have talked about. Those clubs are all about dancing, drinking and music. This club focuses on a different kind of clientele and activities.
As I push through the 10-foot-tall door, I can feel the music surge through my body as I step into the front room of the Club.
My cheeks begin to heat up as I freeze. I've never seen anything like this before. The club is filled with life, music, red light, couples dancing, drinks flowing, moans and screams filling the air along with the smell of sex and sweat.
My face blazes red hot as I glance around the room.
People in various stages of sexual activity in every corner and on couches leave me unable to process a single thought.
I freeze at my place and I think coming inside this club seems worst decision of my life.
My gaze skips around the room, unsure where to look but finding several things I should not be looking at.
Like the naked back and bottom of a woman riding a man, her bare bottom bouncing entrancingly.
I quickly look away to a half-circle of men on couches, carrying on conversations, laughing and joking as women kneel between their legs, their heads bobbing up and down.
A curious heat fills my core and I take a step back, feeling faint and worried I’m about to fall down.
The last thing I want to do is draw attention to myself in this place.
Still trying to find a safe place to turn my attention, I see a woman on her knees with a man on his knees behind her, one on his back under her, and one standing before her, each filling her with themselves.
Her look of concentration and pleasure confuses me - how can being filled every possible way like that be anything other than uncomfortable?
She doesn't even seem to notice me as the man in front of her grabs the back of her head to push deep into her throat. I gasp, worried about her even as that liquid heat rushing through my body leaves me wondering how it would feel to be in her place.
Which is absolutely a thought I should not be having.
I'm here on a mission to find someone, not to decide if I want to indulge in these kinds of pleasures myself, and I certainly don't. The music pulses through me, altering the very rhythm of my heart, and my body sways as I stare at the floor, trying to be comfortable in this insane place.
How could people be comfortable with other people just watching them do these things?
The first woman I'd looked at, riding a gentleman, screams, and I glance her direction without meaning to.
Her motions have slowed down and the man's fingertips on her hips dig into the flesh as he keeps her moving at a much slower pace. After a moment she flops back with a satisfied look on her face, her small breasts bouncing with the motion, and I glance away quickly, hoping she didn’t notice me watching.
I take a few steps forward, trying to figure out where to go next.
There are six different doors to choose from, each one painted a different color.
I see another red door, a blue door, a purple door, a yellow door.
.. I can’t help but feel they’re markers of some kind, an indication that might as well be written in a language I don’t read.
With my chin held high and more confidence than I feel, I walk through the red door.
I'm here to find Rico. Nothing else matters.
If I don't find him, it might cost me my job.
Rico is by no means the world's best boss, but he's very clear in his instructions.
.. and what he'll do if I fail to follow them.
As soon as I cross the threshold into the next red room, the red lights boring into my very soul and casting demonic light on faces, I notice the women in this room seem to have painted their skin gold - they catch the light and shimmer beautifully.
The breathtaking body paint doesn't take away the shock I feel at what they’re doing, of course.
One young woman meets my gaze, her beautifully high cheekbones and brilliant eyes telling me she’s incredibly beautiful even in the harsh red light and hidden under gold paint.
She’s on her hands and knees, her breasts bouncing as the guy on his knees behind her pushes into her at a speed that can’t possibly be pleasurable. .. could it?
But she’s clearly having a good time - I can see the light in her eyes, the heat in her expression, and as her partner grabs a handful of her hair at the base of her scalp and pulls, she lets out a moan that I can’t hear over the music.
Again, the surge of heat floods my core and a fluttering feeling in my chest leaves me wondering if I’m about to pass out.
Her backside ripples as he slams into her and she closes her eyes, arching her back in a beautiful downward bow as if inviting him in more.
I find myself backing up until I'm pressed against the wall. All the courage I had gathered seems to scatter like fireflies, and I wonder if I actually have the strength of mind to find Rico here.
It's not right that watching people do these things has such a profound effect on my body. I've spent my whole life saving myself for marriage, avoiding things like porn, sex, and even too much intimacy with a previous partner who got... pushy to say the least.
Which isn't to say I don't have crushes on people or urges to be with them.
After all, I've thought about Rico more times than I care to admit, and the fact that he has a constant revolving door of women in and out of his life makes me wonder if I’m missing out on something good. .. just like this club.
But still, it's not that I don't want to have sex. It's just that I want to wait for the right person. Once I’m married and bound to someone for life, I’ll gladly give myself to them in any capacity they desire, and judging by the women around me, it’ll be a really good time.
Still, the thought of being completely naked in a room where anyone could watch while somebody uses my body has a profound effect on my breathing and heart rate.
In the harsh red lights of the club, I wonder if I’ll even recognize my boss and another possibility slaps me upside the head - what if I walk in on Rico doing something like.
.. I can't quite finish the thought, but my gaze darts to another man sitting on a couch with his hand on the back of a woman's head as she takes all of him in her mouth.
Would I ever be able to look at my boss the same if I saw him with another woman in that way?
Swallowing hard, I remind myself that this is my job. I'm Rico Red’s personal assistant, and I need to get over whatever discomfort I feel right now for the sake of my job, for the sake of my future, for the sake of my life.
I take another deep breath, glancing around the rooms at the doors, trying to figure out where to go next. But before I can take another step, a low, growling voice in my ear nearly makes me jump out of my skin and sends white-hot pinpricks up and down every inch of my body.
“I never expected to see you here.”
Everything in my head screams not to look up at Rico. The only thing I'm thankful for is that in the red light of the room, he probably can't see how hard I’m blushing.
I never expected to have to come here, is what I would have said if my voice was working.
However, I'm unable to catch my breath, much less form sounds that could resemble words.
Rico puts his hands on my shoulders and runs them down to my elbows, his gesture subtly possessive and comforting all at the same time.
“I can tell you're uncomfortable.” Something in the way he says the words makes me feel safe, and I know that's a mistake.
Everything I know about Rico is that he's ruthless, savage and willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants.
The day I started working for him, I promised myself I would never trust him.
“I am a bit out of my depths here.” I fumble around, trying to figure out what to say, trying to remember why I'm here.
Trying to remember what was so damn important that I was willing to come into this place to find him, but all I can think about is his warm breath on my neck, the way his fingers tighten on my arms, and the warmth of him pressing against my back.
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Desire, arousal, sex... they’re all natural.
” One hand comes away from my shoulder to touch the bottom of my chin.
He tips my head back to the side, until I'm staring up into his eyes. His fingers trail down my throat before skimming the top of my shirt and falling away, but I’m locked on his hungry stare.
“What you’re feeling, what you want... those feelings are natural. ”
Of course he’s right. But I've spent a lot of time fighting those feelings and staying out of situations that might make me feel them.
Throbbing music, the moans of pleasure around us, and the feeling of his body pressed to mine leave me wondering if I'm going to escape this place with my innocence intact. I’m already feeling like I lost part of myself just stepping over the threshold.
And with every second that ticks by, every moment Rico holds me, his gaze leaving mine to settle on my lips, I find myself weakening. I want him. I’ve wanted him since I started working as his personal assistant.
“It’s okay to give into whatever you’re feeling, if you’re comfortable. No one here will judge you.” Rico’s deep, throaty growl only furthers the divide between my mind and body.
I want him to show me the pleasure these women are tasting.