Chapter 1 #2
As Ada pressed the buzzer, the door opened with an elegance Jo hadn’t expected when it came to sex clubs.
Though the truth was, she’d never stepped foot inside one before, so it would be wise not to judge so early on.
As they moved inside, the chaos of the city faded away.
Jo followed her best friend, taking in the interior of the corridor, only to end up in a reception area that looked more like a boutique hotel lobby than anything else.
Velvet couches were dotted around, with marble tables separating them to make each seating area feel individual and intimate.
The woman behind the desk greeted Ada by name, and then she gave Jo an understanding smile. “Good evening.”
Jo stepped towards the desk, helped along by the squeeze of Ada’s hand. “Hi.”
She had considered filling out her membership when she’d arrived, but Ada had insisted she take care of it via the online form.
So, she had. Jo had spent most of the afternoon telling Satin every last thing they could possibly need to know about her.
Ranging from what she enjoyed in the bedroom…
to any potential allergies, followed by various identity checks.
Jo was grateful that Ada had pushed her to apply for a membership online, because now she didn’t have to waste any time filling in forms. There was just something about this place that had her raring to go.
What that would mean for the night ahead, Jo didn’t know, but she was eager.
She was excited, and she was ready to enjoy herself.
Two pendants were placed on the desk in front of them.
A red one and a silver one. Sensing that Jo was questioning what they meant, Ada leaned in and said, “Silver means you’re new here.
Nobody will approach you unless you want them to.
Red is for those of us who have been coming here for a while and want to experiment or… explore.”
Jo nodded, thankful for the information.
Even though she was happy to be here, she didn’t want to make a fool of herself by doing something wrong.
If Ada could walk her through it all before the night really got going, Jo would find her feet, and the rest would be history.
“Got it. Thanks. I’ll take the silver one for the time being. ”
She followed Ada through into the main lounge, the red pendant around her best friend’s neck catching the light as mellow music played throughout, calming whatever hint of nerves Jo did have.
The space was luxurious, the velvet and marble theme continuing throughout the club.
The guests, some in their best dress and others in robes or lingerie, seemed to be at home here.
Some chatted amongst themselves, while others had taken full advantage of the stylish beds around the room, curled up with one another as though sex and desire were the only languages spoken here.
Oh, it is. Jo thought to herself, taken aback by just how relaxed everyone appeared to be.
As Jo continued on her subtle exploration of the room, Ada guided her towards an empty table in a darkened alcove near the back of the lounge. “Drink?”
“Yes, thank you.” Jo lowered herself to the couch with ease, trying not to stare at the couples…
throuples…and whatever else people were here as, stunned that she’d taken a dive into the unknown tonight.
Still, she had to admire how nobody had batted an eyelid at their arrival.
Nobody had watched on or judged they were simply getting on with their evening.
Ada returned with two flutes of champagne and set one down in front of Jo. “You’re safe here. You don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.”
But Jo did want to. She itched to know more. “This place is gorgeous.” Ada settled her hand over Jo’s beneath the table. Jo looked down, frowning a little, then looked back up at Ada. “What…are you doing?”
“You can be a little bit unsure, you know, Jo. You don’t have to pretend that you’re completely fine with this.” Ada smiled and squeezed her hand. “I know you. You portray what you want people to see.”
“I really am okay, Ada. If I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t have agreed.” Jo scanned the space again, leaning in towards her best friend. “So, which one are you meeting tonight?”
“Oh, I don’t know her. I don’t see her.” Ada cocked her head towards one of the two doors directly across from them. “My fun happens in there.”
“What’s in there?”
“Darkness.”
Darkness? What kind of darkness was Ada talking about exactly? Actual darkness…or darkness in terms of what she was into? “Darkness?”
“Mmhmm. It’s a dark room.” Ada relaxed back against the velvet couch and crossed her legs.
“You can have as little or as much as you want, but you never see the woman inside the room.” Ada searched Jo’s face, but Jo was giving nothing away.
“Dark rooms have been around for a long, long time. Popular with the gay community and mostly used for group sex. This club decided to put a twist on it and make it a private room. There is one further down for those who like to drop in and get involved with more than one person, but the two ahead of us are strictly only for two people.”
A thrill ran up Jo’s spine as she listened. Whatever was in that room sounded exactly like what she needed. No face…no attachment. No knowledge of the real woman shrouded in darkness…just fantasy. “And how do you go about booking one of those rooms? The private ones.”
Ada’s brows rose. “You’re interested? I thought you would have just sat back and taken it all in tonight.”
Jo could have sat back and done exactly that, but why would she? She’d paid a hefty sum to enter this building, and she was sure as hell going to enjoy herself here. “Why should you have all the fun?”
“No, I just…I didn’t think you’d be so up for this.”
“Ada, you had me at ‘women only’ this afternoon.” Jo had been an out and proud bisexual since she was seventeen, but she’d only been in one serious relationship with a woman.
Gemma had decided once university was over that she was moving out of the country.
Jo guessed it made sense, she was an interpreter, but when they’d been together, it hadn’t seemed like a possibility that they would one day separate.
“And I think until I know what I want, this sort of thing could be ideal for me. I don’t want anything serious.
I only split up with Callum seven months ago. ”
“You want access to one of those rooms? I mean, you’re sure?”
Jo nodded as she sipped her champagne. “I’m sure.”
“Okay, then I’m going to get you a form.” Ada grinned as she rose to her feet. “The smoking hot women in there like to know what you want. No need for small talk, you know?”
Jo swallowed as heat settled on her cheeks.
She had spent a lot of time with her own body recently, but the desire burning in her right now would suggest she hadn’t had sex in ten years.
Whatever was about to happen in that room…
she was ready. She sat back and crossed her legs, gazing back up at Ada.
“What are you still standing there for then?”
“Oh, I was just giving you a minute to come to your senses. You usually do.”
“My senses are just fine tonight.” Jo stroked a fingertip up the stem of her flute and smiled. “I’m ready for the form.”