Chapter 7
Leni
Idon’t hear from my mystery voyeur all week, and when the weekend arrives with still no contact, I decide to go play at the club. I’m not one to chase a man when I can get the same high on my own.
Walking into Euphoria without a mask gives me an exhilarating high. There’s something intoxicating about putting on a show as Leni Hart rather than the daring devil.
Jeremy is at the reception desk, and he grins, wrapping me in a warm embrace.
“How’s my favourite cousin?” he asks, kissing the top of my head.
I shoot him a cheeky wink. “Fabulous as always.”
He studies my face, looking for any cracks in my armour. He was the first person to suspect what was happening to me when I was younger, and he had my back when my mother tried to blame me for it.
I love him for that, and I’ll forever be indebted to him, but I’ve perfected my mask for everyone.
Twenty-two-year-old Leni Hart is infallible—she’s not the scared little girl she once was, cowering away from a man’s touch.
She’s taking back her sexual power and not giving a fuck what anyone thinks.
“You’d tell me if anything was wrong?” he asks, dropping his voice so the woman manning reception tonight doesn’t overhear him.
“Of course, Jer.” I shove him away from me playfully. “I’m good, I promise.”
He nods but doesn’t look convinced. I know he’s worried about why I come here, especially after what I went through as a child, but as long as I’m safe, he won’t stop me.
“Are you after your usual room?”
The one that always draws a crowd? “Yes, please.”
Jeremy turns to the woman at reception, and she hands him a silver keycard, which he passes on to me. “Stay out of trouble, Len.”
“Always.” I lean up on my tiptoes and press my lips to his cheek.
He rolls his eyes, and I blow him another kiss as I pass through the heavy drapes that lead into the club. Anticipation builds in my stomach just thinking about the toys waiting for me in the room he’s given me.
I order water with lime from Diego at the bar, then drag my gaze over the room. There’s a good crowd tonight. My core pulses.
Diego passes me my drink with a smile. I have a suspicion that he and Jeremy have something going on, but I’ve never been able to prove it.
Neither of them will admit it, and I hate how Jeremy opened this incredible club for people to explore their sexual proclivities in a safe environment, yet he doesn’t feel safe to come out.
I sip my drink as I saunter towards the hallway that leads to the voyeur hall and remember the last time I was here.
My mystery man watching from the other side of the glass gave me such a thrill.
I’d been so sure he would leave after chatting to him at the bar, but he proved me wrong with his curiosity.
He lingered on the edge, fascinated but restrained.
The question is, what will it take for him to release whatever’s shackling him and dive in?
My stomach drops as I realise I don’t want to play anymore. Not without him. I’m happy to wait, because I feel something for this man. He’s not afraid to be vulnerable, and the way he’s unashamedly open about what he’s going through in his private life with his divorce… it does something to me.
Most people hide the messy parts. He didn’t have to tell me, but it helped me see why he’s holding back, and something deep within me makes me want to be the person to help him move on.
Will it go anywhere? Who knows. But if what we’re doing helps him move on from whatever happened with his wife, then I’m going to give him the time to figure out what he needs.
When I turn to return the keycard Jeremy gave me, I bump into the last person I want to see.
“Hey there, baby girl,” Mr Green says, stepping into my space and gripping my waist to pull me against him so his erection rubs against my stomach.
I narrow my eyes and try to twist out of his grip. “I am not your baby girl.”
Something sinister flashes in his eyes, and for a moment, I’m paralysed with fear. Then I realise where I am and who I’m surrounded by. Jeremy won’t let anyone hurt me.
Fixing him with a sneer, I say, “You had your chance and blew it, old man. I don’t need a daddy anymore. Your services are no longer required.”
“Oh, yeah?” His hand creeps around to squeeze my arse. “Who’s going to spank this when you’re misbehaving, baby girl? You need someone to keep you in line.”
“Get off me,” I say through gritted teeth, finally pulling out of his grasp. “I’m not interested. You need to leave me alone.”
He finally takes the hint and doesn’t follow me as I head to the bar.
Diego’s brow furrows as he takes in my expression.
“Are you okay?”
“Fine,” I tell him, handing him the keycard. “I’m just not in the mood to play tonight.”
“Do I need to get Jeremy?” he asks, not letting it go.
I shake my head. “I’m just going to go.”
“Do you want me to walk you to your car? I’m due for a break.”
I can’t see Mr Green anywhere when I glance over my shoulder, which makes me feel a little uneasy. Turning back to Diego, I shoot him a grateful look. “That would be good.”
He nods, then calls out to Amber, letting her know he’s taking his break before leading me out through the staff exit.
“Thanks for this,” I tell him as we cross the car park.
“Who was that guy?”
I peek up at him. “You saw that?”
He frowns. “I did.”
“It’s okay,” I assure him, nudging him with my shoulder. “It’s handled.”
“Leni—”
“Diego,” I tease. “I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“You don’t have to, though. Jeremy and I…” His voice trails off before he clears his throat. “We’ve all got your back here. If someone’s hassling you, we’ll take care of it.”
I smirk. “You and Jeremy, huh?”
Diego rolls his eyes, but he can barely contain his smile. “The point is, we don’t want members hassling other members, but we can’t do anything about it without a formal complaint.”
“Too bad you don’t have a formal complaint then,” I say with a shrug.
He sighs. “You’re too stubborn for your own good, you know that?”
I laugh. “Yep.”
“Leni, we don’t want him being inappropriate with any other members. Send his name to Jeremy so we can revoke his membership. There’ll be no fallback on you with no formal complaint. Please?”
My chest tightens. I don’t want anyone to feel unsafe, and I definitely felt uncomfortable with is advances. “Okay.”
Diego’s relief is clear, and he smiles. “Thank you.”
We reach my car, and I reach up on my tip toes to press my lips to his cheek.
“You’re a good man, Diego. My cousin is lucky to have you.”
“We’re not…” he splutters, but I just grin at him.
“Whatever you are or aren’t, he’s still lucky.”
Diego rubs the back of his neck. “Thanks, Len.”
“Be patient with him,” I say as I climb into my car.
Sometimes you’ve got to let people work through their own shit before they can truly let you in.