3. Chapter 2
Chapter 2
I can't sleep that night. My nerves have returned as I toss and turn in bed. Truthfully, I don't think they ever left.
My little one bedroom apartment is quiet, only the occasional creak of the floorboards and the hum of the refrigerator filling the silence. Finally, I just give up, flinging the blankets back as I crawl out of bed.
Reaching into my bedside drawer, I pull out a bundle of paperwork inside of an envelope. It's all my documentation for the party. Like a good paralegal, I kept copies of everything.
They are pretty professional, conducting background checks, medical and STD screenings. We were required to sign a waiver, but the kicker was the hard and soft limits I had to fill out.
I hate to admit it, but I've been very vanilla my entire life. I had to engage Margot to help me figure out what my limits are because I had no idea. Even now, with my completed list that I had submitted, I'm still not sure.
Pain has never been my pleasure so we ruled out any type of extreme flogging. In my drunken state, I ticked yes to anal and breathe play as soft limits. It was a resounding no to body fluids such as blood, scat or urine. I never yuck someone's yum, but if anyone pees on me, there will be hell to pay.
The biggest shock was having to specify my preference as to parties. Margot had eagerly ripped the paperwork from me and ticked yes to group play, despite my protests. I've never so much as had a threesome but she assures me they are fun if I'm selected for that.
Lastly, they sent me a key to get into the building. Apparently, the key is the magical card to my room for the night.
My fingers slide over the plastic card, my eyes reading over the room number that I've memorized already.
31.
Ironic that it's my age. Margot reckons it's a sign that this was meant to happen, but to me, it's the gateway to the other side.
They say the grass is greener on the other side… I guess we will find out.
I read the instructions again, the light from my lamp giving my bedroom an odd orange glow. It's technically today and the thought rattles me a little.
I really need to get some sleep.
Heading to the kitchen, I grab a glass of milk, adding a dash of sugar, as I pray it sends me to a deep sleep. The last thing I need is to rock up to this party half-dead, sprawled onto a bed in the shape of a starfish. That doesn't exactly scream sexy.
Crawling back into bed, I switch off the lamp, wrapping myself up like a burrito in the blankets as I wait for sleep to come.
It takes a while, my mind running around in circles until finally, I drift off.
When I wake around ten the next morning, I'm immediately reminded of the event again. But I have the whole day planned out.
Following Margot's advice, I spend the day getting ready, making sure I'm shaved, clean, and smelling like a florist shop.
I try to dress casually in a blue summer dress, but underneath, I slip on some red lingerie that's been collecting dust in my drawers. My cell has been blowing up all day with texts from Margot, her eagerness making me laugh as she gives advice on everything and anything. I'm thankful for her… even if I'm in this situation because of her. Truthfully, I'd be lost without her.
Despite the nerves, I'm excited too. I can't rest on routine all the time. Life is too short to not have wild adventures. Plus, it's for a good cause.
When the sun starts to set, I slowly make my way to my car, my heart beating fast as I make my way to Club Ecstasy.
You can smell the faint marijuana smoke lingering around as people partake in Dope Day. It wafts into my car as I cruise down the highway, and around me, everyone is relaxed as they enjoy their Saturday.
When I pull up outside Club Ecstasy, I'm surprised to not find people outside the club smoking. At the door, there's a doorman and security, checking keys and invitations as men and women enter. I glance over the building, the black brick building blending into the darkening sky. There's a purple cursive neon sign on the front of the building, confirming I'm at the right place.
Gathering myself, I force myself out of the car before I can chicken out, my fingers clutching the key as I head over to the main entrance.
I can't mutter words as I hand my key to the tall doorman, who checks over it before giving me a curt nod and crossing my name off a list, and motioning for me to enter. I watch him drop the key into a black velvet bag, the sound of keys quietly hitting each other. Swallowing hard, I enter the darkness, my eyes adjusting to the light as I take in my surroundings.
It's a beautiful place, lit up by chandeliers and soft tones of purple and pink. Leather chairs are placed in front of a stage, people sitting on them, conversing with drinks as they relax. There's voices everywhere and laughter, and I relax a little at how calm the atmosphere feels.
Music plays around the room and I notice waiters and waitresses circling the room with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Donned in all black lingerie sets and boxer briefs, I'm approached by a waiter, offering me a glass of champagne.
"Thank you," I say politely, grabbing a glass from his tray.
He smiles at me warmly, motioning to his colleagues. "There's also food if you would like some."
I nod, watching as he walks away to continue his duties. Despite my stomach grumbling, I can't eat right now.
Making my way to a corner, I linger by myself, watching as people mingle. Everyone seems friendly and I take notice of a few good looking men. I smile to myself, thinking it would be fun to be paired up with them.
Maybe this won't be so scary after all.
When I finish my glass of champagne, I grab another one as another waitress passes by. As we get closer to the start time, I notice a tall, attractive man with neat hair and a gray trimmed beard enter the stage. I watch him carefully, scanning his professional attire as he heads to a microphone.
"Hello, everyone. Can I have your attention, please?” Everyone looks over to the stage, the room quietening down as he addresses the room. “Welcome everyone to the first Wicked Temptation Key Party. We are glad you all have decided to join us tonight for what we hope will turn into an annual event. I’m Damien and your MC for the night. A few housekeeping issues to get out of the way before we get to the real reason you’re all here. Everyone here was medically checked for any transmittable diseases and pregnancy. While we’ve been given the all-clear, I still want to mention there are condoms in the bag you will be given once your key number is called. Using them or not is on you. Next, you all signed a waiver and an NDA to attend tonight; so as the old saying goes, what happens here stays here. Lastly, in the same bag with the contraceptives, there will be some fun little toys you’re welcome to keep and a list of your partner’s hard and soft limits. These limits are to be respected at all costs. Security is posted around the inside of the club, so if there are any issues, please reach out and it will be handled immediately. Tonight is supposed to be fun, not some shit you’d see in a bad porno. Okay, so without further ado, let’s get me off the stage and see who’s playing with whom tonight shall we? Men who are picking keys please line up and when I call your name please step onto the stage, you’ll draw a key card and I will announce the name and number of who you drew. The rest is all up to you guys. Have fun and be safe!"
There's an air of excitement as a group of men start to head toward the stage. I glance around at the women scattered throughout the room, some of us sharing looks. I'm happy to know I'm not the only nervous one, and I give a nearby woman a reassuring smile as we wait. She looks even more nervous than me.
Watching the stage, Damien calls people forward one by one, their hands dipping in the black velvet bag that I recognize from the front door. Checking the keys, Damien calls out women's names from the crowd. Intrigued, I stare as couples and groups meet on stage, exchanging nice pleasantries before they head off to assigned rooms.
Slowly, the women disappear, leaving only a dozen or so of us left. My eyes scan the remaining men on stage, wondering who will pick my key.
As I survey the remaining men, my face twists in confusion at an almost familiar figure waiting at the front of the line. I'm not sure if the dim lights are blinding me or if the champagne has gone to my head, but I focus on the man, heart racing.
It can't be.
There's no way in hell it's him.
It feels like the air has been sucked out of the room as the ashy blonde man approaches Damien, his tattooed arm reaching into the black velvet bag. Digging out a key, he hands it to Damien, who looks at it before putting the microphone to his lips.
"Rayne."
Blinking, I barely even register my own name, the few remaining women looking around expectedly as no one moves toward the stage.
Damien glances around at us, and I quickly find my footing, heading to the stage. I climb the stairs slowly, locking eyes with blue orbs as I ascend toward the ashy blonde.
"There you are," Damien muses happily, handing me a bag, a piece of paper and the key.
Shaking, I reach for them, grasping them tight. The ashy blonde smiles at me, motioning for me to follow him.
Not wanting to make a scene, I do so, watching as he leads us down toward the private rooms.
I stare at the key in my hand, double and triple checking it's definitely mine. There's no doubt about it, and I try to figure out my next steps as we approach room 31.
Pausing outside the door, the man turns to me, his smile turning into a dark smirk.
"This is a pleasant surprise," he says in a deep tone, crossing his arms as he straightens up. "Do Mommy and Daddy know you've come out to play?"
Finding my voice, I snap my gaze to him, glaring heatedly.
"What the hell are you doing here, Hawk?"