Chapter 14
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
ANDREI
If anyone from the outside world stumbled into Dark Side, they would think they traveled back in time to a nineteen-thirties speakeasy, all secret doors and passwords, low booths and dark velvet.
Then again, no one from the outside world would ever just stumble in here—it’s an invitation-only private club for the city’s elite with kinky tastes.
Sliding into a seat at the large circular glass bar smack-dab in the middle of the main room, I take in the sight in front of me.
Immaculately dressed men and women mingle, just like at any other high-end bar.
The difference here is that soon most of the party will move on to the next act—the private rooms in the basement, or in the case of those that like to be watched, the not so private rooms.
Here, surrounded by the kinky VIPs, subtle electronic beats creating a sexy lounge-like atmosphere, it doesn’t matter if I'm a bratva pakhan or another high-roller, if you’re granted access to Dark Side, it’s because you belong.
Yulian has joined me tonight with his wife, Rowan.
He fell hard and fast for her after he took her as collateral while he hunted down Rowan’s brother for selling intel about us to another mob.
He and Rowan are about as unlikely as Georgia and I, but somehow they are making it work.
More than just making it work, judging by the way they are eye banging each other, eager to get to a private room.
As Yulian and I put in our order with the bartender, a luscious little redhead sidles up beside me and whispers in my ear, “Are you looking for company?” From the looks of her latex dress and the dog collar around her neck, she appears to be the kind of company that I would usually be interested in.
A natural submissive who would give it all to me on her hands and knees.
Yet, the thought of playing with her elicits no response in me. Nothing.
When I shake my head, Yulian flashes me a worried look.
“What?” I say, exasperated.
“She looked fun and willing. What’s the problem?”
“I don’t have a taste for gingers,” I say dryly, taking a sip of my martini. “Apologies Rowan,” I add because of her own flaming red hair.
“No need to apologize,” Rowan smiles. “We’re not for everybody, just a select few.” Her eyes collide with Yulian’s and he looks ready to drag her into the nearest available playroom and maul her.
Turning my attention back to the crowd, I scan the room looking for someone, anyone, that might get my heart rate pumping.
Truth be told, before Georgia, I had no preference at all.
Blondes, brunettes, redheads, or any shade in between.
I just liked a good nameless fuck with a submissive woman, but somehow, my thirst is now focused on one woman with a curtain of raven hair and haunting gray eyes.
I am so fucked.
I gulp down the rest of my martini, hoping a little buzz might loosen me up. The point of tonight is to fuck away the craving for Georgia. I can’t do that unless I choose a partner and go for it, not sit on the sidelines like some wallflower.
“What about her?” With a flick of his head, Yulian gestures to a curvy woman with a waterfall of braids down her back, watching us coyly from across the bar. “She seems interested.”
“Fine,” I relent, feeling like this is more of a business transaction than anything pleasurable. “I’ll take her to the playroom.”
Yulian chuckles and shakes his head. “I’m not trying to force this on you. It’s been a tense couple of weeks. You deserve the release.”
Rowan leans against Yulian’s arm, her voice teasing. “Unless there’s something—or someone—holding you back?”
I roll my eyes. It’s good to know Rowan doesn’t find my pakhan status intimidating.
“Et tu, Brute? Have you two been talking to my brothers?”
“I always talk to your brothers,” Yulian says dryly. “It’s my job. And we all agree that you need to loosen up.”
“Mu’dak,” I curse at him, which only seems to amuse him further, but I’m already rising from the stool, fixing my cufflinks and straightening my tie.
As I approach my target, sipping on some horrible blue concoction through a straw, her eyes light up at my attention.
I know I’m just going through the motions.
My cock should be painfully hard right now.
Weeks of no sex, yet here I am completely dead inside.
Standing in front of her, I don’t need to say anything.
My intentions are apparent when I lift a brow and cock my head.
I am asking her if she wants to play. Her eyes light up and she rises from her stool, sliding her hand in mine.
She looks like a goth Playboy bunny and I’d be into it if it wasn’t for the hot little captive burning a hole in my head twenty-four hours a day.
“Private room, or do you prefer to be watched?” Goth girl asks as we head down the stairs to the lower level.
“Private,” I bark, leading her to the room that I rent only for my personal use. Once inside the ornate room, decorated as lavishly as the rest of the club, she sways to the music, performing an impromptu strip tease. I shake my head for her to stop. This feels awkward as fuck.
If she’s annoyed with me she doesn’t say.
“Fine, I get it,” she purrs. “Let’s get right down to business.
” She lowers herself onto the circular bed in the center of the room.
Propped up on her elbows in order to gauge my reaction, she spreads her legs wide so I can see the goods on offer. No panties, naturally.
“How do you want me?” she asks, her voice low and husky.
She crooks her finger, beckoning me forward. I don’t like to be summoned, but tonight will not happen unless I make a move. I walk to the edge of the bed.
“That’s more like it,” she smiles, reaching out and unzipping me, reaching into my pants to cup my still soft cock.
An unpleasant tension thins the air in the room. My collar feels too tight, my suit constricting as if the walls are closing in on me. Nothing feels right about this moment.
Nothing.
And so I take the coward’s way out.
“This isn’t going to work.” Her face drops in disappointment, but I don’t even give her time to argue. Stepping back, I zip myself back up and rush up the stairs and out the front door of Dark Side.