Reuben’s Allurement ny Ciara St James (House of Lustz #4)

Prologue

It took all I had to smile, return greetings from patrons and fellow staff as I made my way from the central area of the second floor to my office.

I gritted my teeth as I was stopped time and again by someone with a question or those desiring a minute of my time to chat.

My smile was plastered on my face. I hoped no one realized it was as fake as a three-dollar bill.

But as the general manager of the House of Lustz, Nashville’s premier BDSM club, I couldn’t afford to upset staff or patrons.

Not only because it may cost us both patrons and staff, but also because I prided myself on being a professional and loved my job, usually.

Plus, I would never let down my boss and closest friend, Mikhail.

We’d worked hard to make Lustz what it was.

We were the envy not only of the other clubs in Nashville and the state of Tennessee, but also of those states beyond. Our reputation kept growing.

Mikhail had a dream well over twenty years ago.

When we met, we clicked, and it was a no-brainer to accept his job offer.

From there, our friendship grew, and so did the success of Lustz.

He owned the club, but I still considered it mine as well.

Of course, that didn’t mean it had all been roses and a walk in the park.

We’d had hard times, difficulties we thought we’d never survive, and more, but we kept pushing.

Those who said Lustz would fail were left eating their words.

Many of the naysayers were out of business.

I breathed a huge sigh of relief as I entered my private office, closing and locking the door behind me. No one would dare disturb me unless it was important. I doubted Mikhail would come seeking me. He was out on the town tonight with his wife, Tajah.

They were enjoying alone time as often as they could, before their baby’s birth next month.

They were excited. Hell, everyone who was family or a friend to them was anxiously waiting for the birth of baby Ivanova.

Part of our excitement was wondering what the baby would be.

The two of them had decided not to find out what they were having.

Bets were taken all around as to what it would be and when the little bundle would arrive.

I was overjoyed for my friends. However, deep down, there was this niggle of envy, though I wouldn’t voice it.

I was forty-one years old, single, and childless.

It felt like time was running out for me.

Mikhail, who was five years older than me, was having his first child and had only met Taj a year and a half ago.

I kept reminding myself of that, but it didn’t silence the voice, or my family’s constant badgering me to settle down, have babies, and stop this crazy lifestyle of mine. Their words, not mine.

Pushing that depressing thought away, I went straight to my private bathroom.

Cranking on the water to as hot as it would go first, I then stripped off my clothes.

I had to get the scent and feel off my skin.

I had allowed myself to be talked into a scene with a woman I’d done scenes with before, a few times.

I hadn’t been in the mood, but I hadn’t felt in the mood for a while.

I convinced myself that doing it would get me out of my funk.

As soon as we began, I wanted it to be over.

The only reason I continued was that I refused to let her down, although she was a tad disappointed by the time we ended the scene.

While I got her off multiple times, I didn’t fuck her.

In the past, it had always ended in that happening.

When she pouted and asked if I was alright, I lied and told her I was just trying to mix things up.

Providing aftercare as quickly as I could, I almost ran when we were through.

Stepping under the steaming hot water, I let it run over my head, then down my body.

I stood there, letting the heat sink in.

Eventually, I grabbed the shampoo bottle and lathered up my hair.

I washed and rinsed it twice before I moved on to cleanse my body.

Again, I lathered up twice and paid extra attention to my cock and balls, even though they hadn’t seen any action.

I needed her scent off me, which wasn’t something that had ever bothered me in the past.

Getting out of the shower, as I toweled myself dry, I stared into the mirror. I cataloged myself. I was physically fit. I could see what attracted the women to want me. Even some men did, though I had no interest in them. It wasn’t conceit, though it sounded as if it were.

I was fortunate to have inherited my parents’ genes in a combination that made my looks and body appealing.

But to me, it was just an outer suit. I kept myself fit more out of a desire to be healthy than to be attractive.

Sometimes, I wondered what had so many women wanting to be with me, either to play or to have sex.

Was it all my appearance, or was it the desire to experience my kind of play and sex?

In the past, I hadn’t cared, but lately, I have asked myself that question often.

Plus, was sex and play all any woman would want from me?

Grimacing in disgust at where my head was, I finished toweling off, hung up my towel to dry, and then got to work on my hygiene routine.

I had a couple of hours to go until the club closed.

I needed to get redressed and then head out to do my rounds.

After we closed and the nightly tasks were done, I’d head home to sleep in my bed.

When I was finished, I steeled myself to open my door and go back out among the masses.

I’d lingered as long as possible in here.

Checking to ensure I was put together as I should be, I unlocked and opened my office door, then closed and locked it behind me.

Re-entering the public part of the club, I started my rounds.

I made sure to touch base with the floor managers, security staff, consent monitors, bartenders, some other ancillary staff, and the Disciples, who were the theme-room attendants.

Everyone was trained to spot trouble before it happened, but it never hurt to check.

The last thing we wanted was anyone harmed on our premises.

Thankfully, the night ended without any significant issues.

After the patrons and patronesses left, the cleaning crew got started, while I was given the cash drawers to lock up.

I’d reconcile them tomorrow. I left only when every one of my people was either gone or had told me they needed nothing from me.

Wishing each other a good night slash morning, since it was almost four a.m., I tiredly made my way to my car in the private parking garage under the club. It was a weary drive home, though not due to physical tiredness. It was mental for me.