Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Leaving the playroom, I made my way up the staircase, the echoes of moans fading with each step.
What other scenarios would I find myself in?
With each step towards the fourth floor, I found myself contemplating whether Gabe ever set foot in this place and experienced the offerings of The Carlton.
Surely his knowledge of this place couldn’t have just been from his friends at work, right?
Upon reaching the top, I was surrounded by more neon signs, casting a vibrant glow.
Whispering to myself, I read each of them.
“Shower Room, Dark Room, Executive Lounge, or Diamond Bar?” I had an assumption about what was happening in the shower and dark rooms, but my curiosity piqued in the lounge and bar.
Even better, both of them were in the same direction.
A bald man stepped out of one of the rooms as I walked down the hallway, casting a curious glance in my direction.
With a smile, he took a few steps forward and gently grasped the doorknob of the adjacent room.
With a final glance back, he reached for the sash around his waist, letting the robe fall to the ground with a soft thud. “Like what you see? Wanna come in?”
If I were being completely honest, I didn’t like anything he was showing me.
I may have been living under a rock for sixty-five years, but that didn’t make me desperate.
Despite his thin frame, he had a noticeable protruding stomach, and his small, shriveled penis hung limply between his legs.
I shook my head and pointed straight ahead.
“Nah, I’m heading to the Executive Lounge. ”
“Ah, the Executive Lounge, you don’t look like a dirty boy.” He opened the door with a horny smirk and raised an eyebrow. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
Fat chance, buddy.
I moved along the hallway, consciously resisting the temptation to glance into the rooms. What I originally found exciting was starting to become irritating as more and more people kept asking me to join them.
I kept my eyes fixed straight ahead, where a looming black metal door marked the end of the hallway.
The chaotic energy emanating from it was strangely alluring, pulling me closer.
My hand grasped the handle, but it didn’t move—the door was locked.
Suddenly, a beep came from inside, and a man emerged, freezing in his tracks once he saw me. “You coming in? Maybe I’ll stay.”
I swayed on my feet to catch a glimpse inside, where people in tuxedos were surrounded by naked men and women.
Situated around the stage, plush lounge sets provided a comfortable view of the woman spinning around the pole.
The room was filled with crystal decanters, their contents a mix of blood and liquor that they were drinking straight from the source.
My breath caught in my throat as I realized all of these men were employed by my father.
I put on my most innocent smile and casually ran my fingers through my hair, feeling the strands slip between my fingertips.
“I think I got turned around. Do you know where the Diamond Bar is?”
Raising an eyebrow, he pointed down the hallway. “It’s straight ahead, you won’t be able to miss it.” With a mischievous grin, he bit his bottom lip and winked. “But would you rather join me downstairs in the playroom?”
I fanned myself before responding. “I just left and needed to refresh myself.” Playing coy seemed to be working well, judging by how the man’s eyes lit up with interest. I was in control of this situation.
“Come find me when you’re finished.” Before departing, he winked at me one last time.
As I turned down the hallway, a surge of newfound confidence rushed through me with each step. The allure of The Carlton finally made sense to me: in here, you can be whoever you want.
It was also an ego boost knowing he was staring at my ass as I walked away.
Turning the corner, I felt like I stepped directly into the glistening jewels of a chandelier as I neared the Diamond Bar.
Looking up, I was surrounded by twinkling lights and intricate jeweled decorations cascading from the ceiling to the floor.
The bar in the middle, where all the stringed tassels gathered, created a dazzling display of rainbows on the floor as light refracted through them.
On the mirrored shelves behind it, various liquor bottles were arranged, each shimmering with its own distinct glow.
I found a spot at the bar, crossing one leg over the other as I settled into the seat. The bartenders were busy, creating intricate cocktails with freshly muddled fruit. The sound of ice being thrashed around in a cocktail shaker was music to my ears.
Using his arms as a brace, an elderly man with a bow tie and a mustache leaned over the bar. “What would you like tonight?”
Ruffling my hair, I aimed for a carefree, relaxed look, which drove men wild. “Dirty martini, rocks on the side.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man take a seat beside me, his broad stance almost brushing against my leg.
With a quick glance, I noticed his average physique, overshadowed by a dense layer of chest hair peeking out from the white robe.
His small eyes squinted as his full lips curved into a smile.
He wasn’t unattractive, but not someone I’d typically go for.
But who cares? I can be anyone I want.
The bartender returned, tipping the contents of the shaker into a martini glass in front of me. The red pits within the sage colored olives stood out like beacons as the liquid poured over them, creating a stunning visual contrast.
“Martini, nice,” the man beside me acknowledged and dropped a few coins atop the bar. “I’ll take a Manhattan.” The bartender nodded in acknowledgement before disappearing to mix the alcohol. “My name’s Trent, how ‘bout yours, handsome?”
Taking a sip of my martini, I racked my brain, trying to come up with a suitable name to give him.
His voice sounded familiar, making it difficult for me to concentrate.
“Jacob.” As the name forced itself out of my mouth, it took everything in my power not to chuckle, as it was similar to Gabe’s middle name.
“Jacob,” Trent repeated, letting it sit in his mouth as he raised his glass to take a sip. “Is it your first time here?”
I shook my head and shrugged. “I’ve been here a few times, although not as often as everyone else, it seems.”
He licked the liquor off his lips, a knowing smile playing on his face.
“It breaks up the monotony of our day-to-day. Reminds us what it’s like to be human, you know?
” He took another sip before turning back to me with a smile, his fangs glistening in the light.
“I saw you coming out of the Executive Lounge. Do they pay you to be here?”
They wish.
My cheeks flushed. “I wasn’t coming out of the lounge. I was curious about what was inside.”
“You know, I’ve heard that The Carlton is the headquarters to all security within Elysium. They monitor the cameras and can even open the wall outside from somewhere within this hotel.”
“Interesting,” I responded, not remotely attentive to the conversation. “You can’t believe every rumor you hear. I mean, you thought I was working in the Executive Lounge.”
“Forgive me for that.” His slight lean towards me allowed his large hand to softly stroke my leg. My conscience continued vollying my morals. Playing along with this man wasn’t cheating, right? “The reason I made that mistake is because you’re so handsome. Can you blame me?”
With a slight movement to readjust his palm, I felt my body tense as his thumb brushed against my thigh.
“Um…thank you,” I answered, shifting uncomfortably in my seat.
“You-you’re a good-looking man yourself.
” My facade was beginning to crumble, and the unexpected sensation of a physical touch caught me off guard.
“You think so?” He put his free hand on my other leg. “Would you like to pay me back for getting you in here tonight?”
His voice triggered a sense of familiarity, but it wasn’t until now that I connected it to the man who paid for my entry downstairs. He looked different without clothes, although I hadn’t studied him before. With a shake of my head, I pushed his hands off my legs.
Trent leaned forward, putting his head near my neck. “I can smell your blood through your skin, and its scent is divine.” He tightly grabbed my leg with one hand while placing the other on the side of my neck, his fangs fully extended. “Would you mind if I had a taste?”
“Don’t.” Even as I attempted to twist around in my chair to avoid him, he kept me securely ensnared between his legs. I’d heard rumors of vampires not knowing their true strength and killing others. I didn’t want to test the theory tonight.
“I…I need to,” he whispered in a seductive undertone. He savored the scent with closed eyes and took a deep breath through his nostrils, releasing a faint moan. “I need to have a taste.” He wrapped his fingers around my neck, the rough skin of his thumb caressing my jaw as he tilted my head.
“S-stop,” I spat, trying to wriggle away.
The thought of causing a commotion or yelling crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it, knowing it would only lead to people arriving and ultimately alert my father to my sneaking away.
I prayed the bartender would pick up on the distress in my facial movements and step in to help.
Within a flash, my body was free. Feeling his grip loosen, I immediately stood and checked my neck for any holes or protrusions, relieved to find none. “Fuck you.” I spun around, and my heart raced at the sight of Trent being held against the bar, a knife dangerously pressed against his throat.
Gabe was an inch away from the man’s face and growled, “Get the fuck away from him.”
My boyfriend’s anger filled the room, causing me to momentarily forget the familiar face of the man before me.
As he moved swiftly, the sash around his waist came loose, revealing his muscular physique.
With his wide, feral pupils and taut, bulging muscles, he looked like a coiled spring ready to unleash.
While his appearance may have been off-putting to others, I found myself captivated by his wild look, feeling a mix of fear and desire as I nervously bit my lip.
“Get the fuck off me!” Pushing Gabe backward, Trent wasted no time in making a swift escape, scurrying away as fast as he could.
Gabe kept a steady gaze on the man until he vanished down the hallway. Turning his head in my direction, he glared at me, feeling like piercing daggers. “What the hell were you thinking coming here? How can you be so—so stupid?”
The way he stared at me, I knew I was in trouble. I hurt him. “I-I just wanted to see what it was like.”
“Do you know what a stupid idea that was, Vin?” Flakes of spit flew through the space between us as he reprimanded me.
“When I realized you weren’t coming back from the bathroom at Smoke, I looked everywhere for you.
I thought I was so dumb for thinking you’d come here, but in my gut, I knew.
I checked every room in this place, hoping some creep like that guy didn’t force themselves on you.
If anything were to happen to you, I…I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself. ”
“You don’t have to worry about me.” I crossed my arms. “I’m a grown man and can handle myself. I’m not as fragile as you and my father think.”
His eyes held a lost expression, as if trying to comprehend something unfamiliar, while he nervously bit the inside of his cheek. “I know you’re strong, but The Wastes themselves are dangerous. You never know who could be in The Carlton.”
“It is dangerous,” I admitted. “But I’ve never felt more free, you know how badly I want to be off my floor.”
“I can show you new experiences. We can do them together now that your father has given the order to allow you to experience Elysium. You don’t need to put yourself in life-or-death situations to feel something.”
He was pleading with me. His facial expressions shifted from anger to a sorrowful gaze, as if he finally let go of his fear, and his emotions were rising to the surface. I nodded. “Let’s go home.”
“Hold on.” The furrow in Gabe’s forehead went smooth, and a light glinted in his eye. “Since we’re here, let’s have some fun.”
Without a chance to react, he swiftly pushed me against the wall and knelt before me.
Using two fingers, he peeled back my robe and engulfed my member in his warm mouth.
He seldom exhibited this behavior, and I didn’t have to drain his blood to be fully alert.
My body was trembling with the rhythmic thrusts of his head and the soft tissue at the back of his throat.
The onlookers at the bar, still buzzing from the earlier commotion, couldn’t tear their eyes away as Gabe skillfully sucked me off.
If I were being honest, the people watching us made the experience all the more pleasurable.
Gabe ran his tongue along the bottom of my shaft and began rolling his wrist along the base of my cock.
Release was building inside of me, but I held back.
“Is this what you wanted?” he asked me again, pausing momentarily, his lips shining with precum.
“You need to finish me.” I gasped. “Please.”
Right before he could carry on with the act, darkness engulfed the entire area, and all the lights went out. Gabe quickly stood up, wiping his mouth, as the onlookers in the bar let out subdued yelps. What was happening?
We were surrounded by flashing red lights, flickering rhythmically in the darkness. A blaring siren surrounded us, and Gabe’s brows rose in response. He was scared. Screams filled the bar, bouncing off the walls as people frantically fled down the hallways.
Gabe’s firm grip on my shoulders was his way of ensuring I was paying attention. “Something’s happening. We need to get back to the locker room so I can protect you.” His voice got stern, and he spat, “You cannot leave my side, so don’t get any ideas to disappear on me again.”
Despite my confusion about the situation, the flashing lights, alarm, and Gabe’s swift transition to bodyguard mode left no doubt things were serious.
Running through the chaotic hotel, we held on to each other tightly, navigating the crowd and avoiding slippery surfaces.
The loud bangs and gunshots could be heard from outside the building.
The terror within me steadily built before a deafening explosion shook the hotel to its foundation.
Were we under attack?