13. Max
Youknow how they always say it just takes one connection to change the rest of your life? Well, the saying goes something like that. But it’s true. The domino effect of happenings following the wine-tasting event still made my head spin.
Myprivate event calendar was filling up. I had known Isabella was being particular about whom we invited to the tasting, and now I knew why. So far, I had been requested for a girls’ night in the penthouse suite of 432 ParkAvenue, an anniversary dinner in a private room at PerSe, and an intimate company retreat at the SohoHouse.
I’dalso caught wind of a potential new club Isabella’s friend Natalia wanted to talk about running, and rumor had it she wanted me to be a big part of it. The idea of juggling all of that, plus shifts at the PrismSocietyand finishing my last bit of studying before my exam date in just a couple of short weeks, stressed me the hell out.
Whilethe idea of all of these opportunities excited me, I definitely felt like I was in the grind. The beginning stages of creating my career and life. I didn’t know if Isabella was the kind of person to stick around through all of that. She had her own name that opened doors; she certainly didn’t need to wait around while I built mine. But when she let me take charge the other night, something had eased in me.
SomethingI hadn’t experienced with Ana. WheneverI was with Ana, even intimately, I got the impression I had to constantly prove myself. ThatI had should feel honored she was even giving me her attention even as I slid inside her. But not with Isabella. The absolute need I saw reflected back in her eyes drove me wild. I’d do anything to see it again.
Thismorning, Dominic had texted me to come in earlier than normal today to chat about upcoming projects. I couldn’t help but cross my fingers that things were moving forward with Natalia’s idea. Even though I already had a thousand things on my plate, getting to lead the opening of a new club excited me. I just hoped I could juggle it all.
Assoon as I walked through the velvet curtains of the club, I headed upstairs to the third floor. Seeing the atrium open and empty again after seeing it become such a magical space a few short nights ago was odd. Natalia, Isabella, and I had stayed behind to tear down the event and decompress with our own bottle or two.
Thegals had danced around the atrium to GreenDay as they boxed up the florals and tossed the linens in the dry-cleaning bag. Nat had been whispering about something to Isabella all night, and I hadn’t hidden the smile on my face when Isabella’s eyes kept catching me across the room. Her cheeks would blush every time.
Iwas used to the quiet whispers followed by silly giggles that ensued when girls got together. I’d lived my whole life being surrounded by it. I couldn’t help but smile at how easily Isabella would fit in with my rowdy sisters at a Sunday dinner at my mom’s house.
Ineeded to clear my head of my daydreams about Isabella before I walked into a meeting with her brother. I cleared my throat and tapped my knuckles on the doorframe of Dom’s office. He and Liam sat together, scrutinizing some paperwork.
“Hey man, come on in,” Dominic said from behind his desk.
Ihad been amazed at what Dom and Liam had decided to create together when I first heard about their idea. Dom had always been quiet and calculating. He kept to himself and made his own moves in private. One day, you’d look up, and he was ten steps further than he had been the last time you noticed.
Itwas an immediate yes when they asked me to come on board, especially with the leeway they gave me to study. While working in a sex club was never on my bucket list, the environment of the PrismSociety was anything but slimy. I’d grown accustomed to the nonjudgemental atmosphere of the club and absolutely saw the lure of it all.
Emma, Liam’s girlfriend, had poured her heart and soul into this space to turn it into something magical. Something sensual but luxurious. They were working hard at creating a space, a community, that valued sex positivity and exploration, and I was happy to be a part of that. Even if my mom shushed me every time I dared talk about work.
“I heard the event went really well. Congratulations, Max,” Liam said.
“Yeah, thanks, man. Isabella really helped put all that together honestly, I just showed up.” I slid my hands in my pockets and leaned against a large bookshelf.
“I’m just going to cut to the chase,” Dominic said. “We have a proposition for you.”
“Okay, what’s up?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. Dom was never one to mince words or waste time on small talk.
“I know you met NataliaBeaumont the other night. Well, she’s been a family friend for a long time. Anyways, she came to us the other day with an idea for a new club.” Dominic turned the stack of papers around so I could see.
“There’s a club whose owners have been wanting to sell,” Dominic continued. “It needs a refresh, a little bit of a rebrand, so to speak, but it’s got good bones. We’re thinking we could have it re-opened in just a couple of months.”
Ipeered down at the paperwork. The building in question was called TheMirageGuild. It was an old building in Greenwich tucked behind a tavern. The owners owned both the tavern and the large space behind it but were ready to retire and close up shop. Dominic and Liam knew it was prime real estate, and it made sense that they wanted to snatch it up.
“Oh, I think I’ve seen this space. You can only get to the club from behind a bookshelf in the tavern, right?” I asked.
“Yeah, exactly,” Liam said, “It’s got loads of hidden rooms and hallways. It’s a really cool space.” His face already held excitement about what they could turn it into.
“We’re thinking of making it more of a wine bar instead of a tavern,” Dominic said, bringing them back to the point. “With you managing it. If you want.”
Ipaused. “Are you serious?”
“You’ve done great here. I trust you. It just makes sense,” Dominic said plainly like there was no room for doubt.
“I . . . I mean, that sounds incredible.” I found my voice, grappling with the sudden shift in my future. “Managing a whole wine bar? I’d be honored.”
Dominicnodded, as if he had expected no other response. “We’ve seen what you can do, Max. We wouldn’t offer this if we didn’t believe you were the right person for the job.”
Liamchimed in, a grin spreading across his face. “And just think of the pairings you could create with a place of your own. This could really put the MirageGuild on the map, especially with the unique selections you’ve been championing.”
Dominicleaned forward, clasping his hands together on the desk. “We’ve got Natalia on board for the club side of things, and she’s ecstatic about working with you. Plus, Isabella’s officially our event coordinator now. Her success with the wine and chocolate night was undeniable. We’re looking to replicate that magic on a regular basis.”
Myheart skipped at the mention of Isabella. Working closely with her? That was an unexpected bonus.
“So, what about the transition period?” I asked, my mind already racing through logistics. “I’ve got my sommelier exam in a couple of weeks, and then there’s the day-to-day here at the PrismSociety.”
“We’ve thought about that,” Dominic replied. “TheMirageGuild won’t be ready to open for another four to six months. That gives you plenty of time to study for your exam and start planning the launch. We’ll look for your replacement here in the meantime, someone to handle the bar while you focus on both your studies and the Guild.”
“And don’t worry about being stretched too thin,” Liam added. “We want this transition to be smooth for everyone, especially for our members. Natalia’s idea is to create a seamless experience between the PrismSociety and the MirageGuild, elevating our wine program to new heights. Your role will be pivotal in achieving that.”
Dominic’seyes met mine, serious yet reassuring. “This isn’t just a new job, Max. It’s an opportunity to shape something from the ground up, to make it your own. You have our full support and trust. We know you’ll make us proud.”
Gratitudewashed over me. “Thank you,” I managed, my voice thick with emotion. “I won’t let you down.”
LeavingDominic’s office, I fully grasped the magnitude of the journey ahead. The change wasn’t merely a job switch—it marked the beginning of a new chapter in my career, one that could shape my life’s direction. And with Isabella by my side, both professionally and personally, I felt ready to take on whatever challenges came our way. My to-do list had indeed grown, but so had my excitement for the future.
AsI made my way downstairs, my updated to-do list ran through my mind. Now, all I had to worry about was finding two new bartenders, studying for my exam, working my current shifts, prepping for my private events, and finding ways to keep working with Isabella.
Isabella, who was currently dangerously teetering off one rung of the bar ladder in impossibly high-heeled shoes. AsI rounded the last step, I could see her long, tan legs from across the lounge. She had one foot out and one arm reaching high above her head.
“What the hell, Isabella?” I rushed over to the ladder and, without hesitation, gripped her waist so she could right herself. The heat of her skin through the waistband of her skirt beckoned my fingers to the flesh underneath the hem of her top. She was warm and soft, and I wanted to explore more of her.
I’dthought of nothing else but the feel of her underneath me every night since the wine cellar. I heard her soft moans in my sleep and would wake up to a rock-solid hard-on, and remembering the way her throat felt underneath my hand was the only thing I thought of as I jerked myself.
“What are you even doing up here? And in these shoes? Are you insane?” My questions came out in a fury.
“These shoes are perfectly acceptable, thank you very much,” she said as she reached the shelf and slid a wine bottle into an empty slot. “I was just putting the leftover wine from the event back up; otherwise, it would sit behind the bar for days.”
“Well, I appreciate your tidiness, but you could’ve asked me to do that,” I said. I hadn’t let go of her waist, and I wouldn’t until she was safely back on solid ground.
Finally, Isabella started making her descent. When she had less than three rungs left to go, I lost my patience and lifted her up off the ladder and set her back on the ground. I held onto her for a moment longer as she swayed.
“That ladder goes up a lot higher than it looks,” Isabella said as she blew a stray curl out of her face, her cheeks red.
Ichuckled. “Yeah, it really does.”
“Well, thank you for coming to my rescue, beast,” Isabella said as she tapped my chest and stepped out of my grasp. I missed the feel of her between my hands.
“Beast? Is that what you just said?” I caught the phrase a second later.
Isabellasucked in her lips, clearly not meaning for me to hear. She sighed and said, “It’s what you looked like the first day I met you. I walked in, and you were on this ladder. And in my head, I thought you looked like Beast from Beauty and the Beast. But, like, a smutty version.”
“A smutty version?” I chuckled and followed Isabella through the lounge as she set up the tables.
“Yeah, ’cause you didn’t have a shirt on. And you look like . . . that . . .” Isabella waved an arm in my direction.
“Oh, my heavens, is MissIsabellaEsposito giving me a compliment?” I teased.
“Take it however you want, Max,” she said.
“Beast. Take it however you want . . . Beast.” I locked eyes with Isabella before adding, “MaybeI will.”
Ifound joy in the fact that even as her cheeks flushed, she didn’t take her eyes off mine.
“Have you heard the news? About the new club?” I needed to change the subject before I walked over to her and actually did what I wanted to do.
Isabellareleased a breath. “Yes, when Nat gets an idea for something, there’s no stopping her. I think she went and talked to the owners of Mirage, like, the day after your event.”
“Our event,” I corrected before diving in with what was on my mind. “I heard you’ve been dubbed the official EventMaestro for the MirageGuild,” I said, eager to confirm the rumors of her new title.
“Yeah, something like that,” she replied nonchalantly, adjusting the chairs around the marble-topped tables. “Just helping out with promotions at the moment; it’s not a full-blown career or anything.”
“But it could be, couldn’t it?” I ventured, placing the mercury glass vases filled with cream roses on the tables. “The success of the wine and chocolate night wasn’t just a fluke. It’s opened a lot of doors, hasn’t it? Seems like you’ve got a real knack for this.”
“Trying to get rid of me?” Isabella teased, and my brows scrunched up.
“The opposite, actually.” I stopped my movements and smiled over at her. “I’d love to see more of you at Mirage.”
Isabellastared back at me as she let my words sink in, a little bit of that heat simmering in her eyes.