Chapter 31
CASSIDY
The club feels different tonight. There are members and staff floating throughout, the music is the same, and the lights are just as bright. But it feels empty somehow. Hollow.
I’m standing by the railing of the second level, my fingers tracing the tiny scars on my arm through my sleeve. I’ve checked over my shoulder at the VIP section so many times I’m starting to develop a crick in my neck.
Nothing. No all-business can I get your help today requests. No sheepish apology for ghosting me. Nada. Okay, I can’t say he ghosted me. He did warn he might be off the grid for a bit. But two weeks? Somehow this feels like more than a trip to visit Mom and Dad.
“You okay?” Lala asks, sliding a club soda toward me as I pass the bar.
“Sure. Why?”
Lala gives me a playful glare. “C’mon, Cassidy. You look like your dog died. Did something happen with Max?”
Her earlier words come front and center. Hurt people hurt people. “No. Why?”
“I dunno. Maybe because the last time we spoke, you admitted you found him attractive.”
I place the glass of club soda down, giving her a deadpan expression. “Who wouldn’t find him attractive?” She doesn’t need to know more. It was obviously a mistake. On his part anyway. My only mistake was believing this could be real. That all the risks associated with being with him were worth it.
“Just be careful, babe. Men are stupid. Especially the ones who think they’re business smart.”
My eyes fly wide. Is she referring to someone we know?
“They don’t realize what they need until it’s gone.”
It’s none of my business, but she left the door open. “You going somewhere, Lala?”
“One day. How about you?”
I think about her question. I might’ve answered the same way until these last two weeks occurred.
But opening up to a man I thought had feelings for me, only to feel the same way I did when Henry ghosted me, has toughened my resolve.
“Yes. I think it may happen sooner than I planned. Don’t fire me just yet though.
” I wink, trying to keep the conversation light.
Lala gives me a knowing smile. “Your secret’s safe with me.” Her dark eyes twinkle with that perceptive glint I’ve detected before. I’d bet money this girl knows everyone’s secrets.
I look out over the main floor, watching the members move like shadows through the haze of The Devil’s Playground. Normally, I’m able to push my personal issues aside and focus on my job. But I can’t help feeling detached now.
My mind wanders as I watch the activity down below.
I think about the way Max looked when I shared my past. The vulnerability, the pained expression he couldn’t hide.
But I refuse to believe his disappearing act is about what I shared.
He’s not Henry. Everything about this man screams that he’d move heaven and earth to protect the people he cares about.
And there’s no doubt he cares. Not after he kissed each of my scars with such reverence.
However, his cryptic words about being off the grid were unsettling. I didn’t think to press for more information at the time. He’d said he was visiting his parents. I mean, what was puzzling about that?
“Hey, girl, hey.” Fern giggles as she slides up beside me. “My shift is over in about ten minutes. You too?”
“Yeah, why?” Does she have another hot date planned?
She leans into my side and drops her voice. “I’m feeling a little mischievous.”
My brows jump to my hairline. “Meaning what?” I whisper back.
“C’mon, Cassidy. You never think about what might be happening up there?” She points up the stairs.
“Well, of course.” I have to admit, I’d love to know exactly what’s happening, if only to settle my selfish curiosity.
I’ve never been sexually adventurous. Heck, my mind was only on my career until I met Henry.
And he was equally career-focused. Our sex life wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything the likes of what I experienced with Max.
I honestly had no idea it could be like that.
Didn’t have any reason to suspect I’d like it rough. Especially after what I’d experienced.
Yet it was freeing to have someone take control. I probably wouldn’t have been able to relax and let go with anyone but him. But I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. I bite my lower lip, recalling how hot that night was. It’s clear Max enjoys it wild and rough. But third and fourth floor wild and rough?
“Is there another way upstairs other than these stairs?”
Fern glances at me. “I’m sure there is. I bet some of these high rollers get on a special elevator that takes them straight to all the spice.”
My face falls, and my heart clenches. Maybe I mistakenly assumed Max wasn’t into all of that. He always seemed more interested in socializing with his friends than chasing women like a few of his billionaire buddies.
The bass from the main floor of The Devil’s Playground vibrates through the soles of my shoes, a reminder I should keep my feet planted on these lower floors.
“Cass, seriously, you’re overthinking it,” Fern chastises playfully, her eyes darting toward the red velvet-lined stairs that separate the second-floor lounge from the secret spicy upper floors.
I adjust the tray tucked under my arm, my knuckles white. “Fern, we’re literally forbidden from going up there. If Gianni or Lala found out, we wouldn’t just get fired, they’d probably make us disappear. We’re cocktail waitresses, not millionaire members.”
“Oh, sheesh. You make them sound like the mafia. And you’re exactly right,” she adds, a mischievous glint in her eyes that spells trouble.
“We’re waitresses. We’re trained to be invisible.
Besides, the bosses are all at that big dinner tonight, Brier is working.
The coast is as clear as a bottle of Grey Goose. ”
She doesn’t wait for my rebuttal. She slips toward the service stairs, her movements fluid and practiced. I should turn around. Go back to the bar and refill the scotch for the high roller, who keeps trying to touch my ass. But the inquisitive detective in me is louder than the girl who’s afraid.
So against my better judgment, I follow her. At least we’re wearing our all-black slinky dresses tonight. Hopefully, we’ll draw less attention to ourselves. Then I consider my pink hair and nearly palm myself in the face.
Reaching up, I try to tie my hair up into a messy bun, knowing it may not stay that way long without a hair tie. The air changes as we ascend. But it’s probably my own fear I’m sensing.
We reach the landing of the third floor. My internal 5-4-3 coping mechanism kicks in as if on autopilot.
Five things you can see: A hand-knotted Persian rug, a massive mahogany door with a gold-plated handle, an antique humidor, the dim glow of recessed amber lighting, and Fern’s ridiculously big grin.
Four things you can touch: The cold brass of the stairs railing, the velvet wallpaper, my own damp palms, and the satin of my dress I keep tugging at nervously.
Three things you can hear: The muffled, distant thud of the club music, the hum of a high-end HVAC system, and my shallow, anxious breathing. Jeez, I’ve been on stakeouts that didn’t cause me to break out into a sweat like this.
“Look at this place,” Fern breathes, running a finger over a marble bust that looks like it belongs in a museum.
My eyes are drawn to a flickering blue light that spills from a room at the end of the hall. There are several people standing in front of what looks like a large window. My feet are moving before I realize what I’m doing.
“Cass, get over here,” Fern hisses from behind me. She’s standing in front of a door that is slightly ajar. It’s one with a biometric scanner that’s currently glowing green. “I think someone forgot to lock this one.”
I freeze. This is the line. Crossing the threshold into this secret sex lair may be a step too far for me. “Fern, I’m not going in there. It’s bad enough I’m on this floor at all. If we get caught,” I whisper, stepping closer, “I’m telling them it was your idea.”
“Honey.” Fern smirks. “They already know I’m a bad influence. No need throwing me under the bus.” She giggles before stepping inside the open door.
I’m tempted to peek inside, but decide to try to blend into the shadows and investigate what’s happening down the hall.
As I reach the end of the hallway, I find a dark alcove that faces the large picture window and dart inside.
I may be shielded from prying eyes here, but have to clamp my hand over my mouth once I see what the others are staring at.
The hot billionaire from Max’s VIP group, Devon Sly, is seated in the center of the room with a completely naked brunette, save for the black silk blindfold.
She’s seated in his lap with her back to his chest, but there’s no missing that she’s mounted on top of him.
What do they call that? Reverse cowgirl or something?
Devon’s white shirt is open, revealing olive skin, firm pecs, and a smattering of chest hair.
His pants are on, but obviously open enough to allow her access to…
well… seeing him almost fully dressed with her naked form on top of him makes my thighs tense.
Why do I find that so hot? It reminds me of how overcome with lust Max and I had been when we finally caved at his home.
We hadn’t removed our clothes until we had that soak in the bath.
My eyes spring wide as a third person moves into view.
She’s gorgeous. Another curvy naked female with long red hair slinks over to them.
He gives her a saucy grin before saying something I can’t hear.
She immediately drops to her knees between the pair seated on the chair.
Oh. My. God. My heart stops as she leans in between the woman’s spread legs.
Devon has his mouth next to the brunette’s ear, whispering something. It’s hard to tell if she’s squirming because of his dirty words, his dick, or the redhead going down on… well, kind of both of them.
“You like to watch?”