Chapter 15
I adjusted my green linen halter top and brought the girls a little more to the forefront as I stood before the entrance to The Paradise Club.
Inside, the scent of sweet, rich perfumes mixed with the distinct echo of laughter and muffled music lent to what had been curated as a sanctuary of indulgence and pleasure—but not for me.
Tonight, I wasn't the confident and powerful businesswoman behind the scenes. No, tonight this woman was someone else entirely. Tonight, I was going to test the system. See exactly how this club behaved when the owner wasn’t announced and in attendance.
My usual simple makeup was gone, replaced by heavy and dramatic shades with dramatic contouring, dark contacts, a raven-colored wig, and skin-tight jeans with ballet flats.
Security, dressed in a sleek black suit, scanned me from head to toe before his gaze met mine. I could feel his scrutiny. He was sharp. Too sharp. And I couldn't afford to have him recognize me.
"Good evening," he said, his voice like silk, but there was a hint of suspicion underneath.
"Good evening," I replied, with just a touch of sultry innocence. When I got to the check-in station, I reached into my clutch and pulled out a thick roll of bills, making sure it was easily seen by him. "I’d like to enjoy the evening . . . privately."
“Who is your member sponsor?”
“I’ve been told one isn’t required for the right price.
” The man’s eyes flickered to the cash, then to my face, but only briefly.
There was no recognition. I’d done my homework, of course.
No one up front tonight was someone I’d met.
The right disguise, the right attitude—it all had to be perfect.
I unrolled bills until he gave me a nod.
Ultimately, the glint of money worked its magic.
"Just a moment, please," he said before walking a few paces toward a small, hidden door behind the main entrance.
I waited, allowing the minutes to stretch like an eternity. My fingers tightened around the roll of bills. Was he actually swayed by the cash?
Finally, he returned, a slight smirk on his lips.
“What is your designation this evening, ma’am?”
“Tell me what you have? It is my first time here after all.” My red-painted lips stretched into a bright, sultry grin, and even in the low light of the entry, his cheeks blushed.
You need a better backbone to be front desk, mister.
“Are you a dom, sub, either, neither, or unavailable?”
Twirling the long, straight black locks of my wig, I looked him up and down before declaring, “Sub.”
He programmed the indicator light to shine bright yellow and proceeded to tell me the basic rules of the club and that if I wanted to engage in any pleasurable activities, then there were private rooms on the third floor, but if I had more than two drinks, I wouldn’t be given access to them.
I broke off the required bills and slipped them to him as he gave me the light.
A full access light? Not even a guest bracelet? If I were to use the upper rooms, how would those be paid for?
That was two nights in a row that I’d been able to buy my way in. Last night at least I got the bracelet. Fucking imbiciles.
"Right through the double doors, ma’am," he said, stepping aside and gesturing toward doors I knew all too well. This was where only a select few were allowed to come and indulge their most forbidden fantasies. And I was about to walk through, like a ghost in the night.
As I followed him, my heels clicked against the hardwood floors, my pulse quickened, and my mind raced.
What if someone recognizes me? What if—
The door to the main room opened, and I then walked into the lavish lounge, smiling as the world of sin and pleasure came into view under soft lighting. As expected, the patrons inside were too busy indulging in their own pleasures to notice me entering my own domain. It was perfect. Too perfect.
The doorman looked over his shoulder as he stepped aside. "Enjoy your night, miss.”
Nodding, I stepped deeper into the room, letting a heavy breath out. Last night, it had been eight hundred dollars. Today, it had been fifteen hundred.
No wonder our numbers were holding steady.
If people were basically buying a one-night pass and that cash was being pocketed, why would they need a membership?
Pushing it from my mind for now, but knowing it was going to be addressed, I decided it was time to see what else wasn’t running the way it should.
This was my club and my rules.
And tonight, no one knew who I truly was.